Kazuo couldn't tear his eyes away from Hiroshi, who had settled casually at the back of the classroom. Hiroshi seemed completely at ease, as if he had always belonged there. For Kazuo, seeing him again after all these years was a shock. Hiroshi Kageyama, his childhood friend—the boy he had grown up with in the same neighborhood—was suddenly back in his life.
The teacher resumed the lesson, but Kazuo found it impossible to focus. Memories flooded his mind: the long afternoons training together, the street fights they had survived side by side, and their final argument that had ended their friendship.
What's he doing here? Why now? Kazuo wondered silently.
Asami, sitting beside him, noticed his unease.
"Are you okay, Kazuo?" she whispered, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Yeah, yeah…" he muttered unconvincingly, his gaze still locked on Hiroshi.
