I said all that, but I don't even know what to do now. I don't have any friends to play with, and neither do I know where to find one.
I stayed in the diner for two days without playing soccer. I was getting bored already, I normally didn't get bored, but it looks like I was already used to how things were for the past few years.
School resumed the following week. Everyone acted like things were going well. It was like we didn't even go missing for two years or so.
Of course, I met some players from SW East in school. They probably didn't notice me since we were in different classes, and that gave me some sort of relief.
*One whole month doing nothing. That sounds so boring. I'm sure the others would be training their asses off.* I thought, spinning my pen in my hand.
"Ha..." I sighed as my pen fell on my table with a loud thud.
*I'm not feeling the thrill and comfort I had there now. I feel more empty than I used to feel.*
From what the neighbours said, a foreign-looking man had been asking about my mom since I left. When he was told that she had died, he was deeply hurt and began asking about me.
He was probably a relative or so, maybe a friend of some sort. I didn't ask what he looked like or anything of that sort since soccer was all that was on my mind.
As I walked past a field close to my house, I saw some middle schoolers playing soccer.
"Goal!!"
*So lucky, I wish I had someone to play with too.* I thought, looking at them.
"That's a foul!"
"It's not, I didn't even touch you."
"You did. You dragged me back!"
*What's going on?*
"Get lost. You're blaming me since you haven't scored a goal."
"It's not..."
"Guys, let's go. Leave the loser here. Bleh!" One of them said, sticking out his tongue and walking out of the field.
I walked into the field and towards him to console him when I saw him crying.
"Hey, kid," I said, squatting beside him.
"Good day, sir." He greeted, sniffling.
"Don't be sad, okay."
"But I have no friends. They always leave me out whenever we play since I'm not good at playing soccer."
"Do you love soccer?"
"Mm-hm."
"If you love it and you think you're bad at it, then train. Don't give up when it comes to stuff you love, okay?"
"Mmn!" He said, smiling as I patted his head.
"Well then, I gotta go."
"Big brother."
"Eh? Big brother?"
"Can you play soccer?"
"Well... I'm kinda good at it."
"Then let's train together." He said, smiling.
"O-oh, if you say so."
*Yes!!!*
We played for a few hours before resting for a bit.
"Big bro. You're so good at soccer."
"Really? I'm sure you'll be good with some more training."
*I wasn't even playing*
"I know, right? Then we'll be meeting here every day."
"You got that rig... Eh? What did you say?"
"We'll be meeting here for training daily." He said.
"Ugh..."
*I planned on honing my skills, and now I'm stuck with a kid. Lesson for you guys; NEVER HELP a KID IN NEED OR OFFER ADVICE TO ANY‼️*
"Well, okay, I don't have anything better to do anyway," I said, smiling at him.
"Cool! I'll be better after a few days." He said, running off with his bag.
"Big bro. Thanks for today!!" He shouted from afar.
"You're most welcome!"
And so our week continued that way. I helped him train a bit while still trying to train myself at night.
I didn't have much of a personal problem with that decision. Personal, personal problem. But at some point, I began sleeping during classes.
Well, school isn't important for now. I stopped opening the diner regularly, now that's what's important.
"Ha... we trained a lot today," I said, lying on the floor beside him.
"Yeah, we did. Thanks again, I don't know if I'd be able to enjoy soccer this much since I wasn't good at it." He said, as I sighed.
"Bro, you forgot your lunch," I said.
...🦅...
"Oh my God! Heck no!" He screamed, jumping from the floor.
"Don't worry, we'll just share mine," I said, opening my bento box.
"Wow, looks so goof." He said.
"Goof?"
"I mean, Good." He said, rubbing his hands.
"Kaito!" Someone shouted.
"Ah! Big sis, ugh... and that bad man too!" He called, standing from the floor and running towards them.
*Hmm? That voice sounds familiar.* I thought, standing and looking at them.
"Huh? Akane?" I called, looking up at her.
My eyes slowly trailed downwards from her face to her hand which was intertwined with a guy's hand.
"Oshiba... kun?"
*Oshiba-kun? What the...?*
"Akane, you..."
"Babe, do you know him?"
"Babe?"
"Big bro, do you know Big Sis?" He asked as I looked away.
"Kaito, looks like we are done for today. See you later." I said, grabbing my bag.
"Ah, I haven't had your bento yet."
"It's still there, I'll see you tomorrow," I said.
"Oshiba-kun, wait a minute," Akane called.
"Baby? What's going on?" The guy asked.
"I just want to speak with him." She said.
I faced them and smiled at Akane.
"Yamazake-chan, see you later," I said as I saw a hint of shock on her face.
*Why are you shocked? You act like we are strangers and when I do the same you act shocked.*
I walked out of the field and back to the house. And on my way, I began to reason;
Why the fuck did I feel mad?
It's not like we are dating or anything.
Then why? It hurt seeing her hold someone else. When she said she loved me.