He is truly carefree...

"I..." he looked sincere. Why is that? This looks too cliche for a confession. I know it isn't. "I want to apologise for what happened earlier today..."

Bingo. It would be creepy if he suddenly confessed to me here out of the blue. But he has already diverted my attention to close my book, so I guess I would listen to him a bit. "But why? Did something happen? I don't recall anything like you accidentally bumping into me or anything like that."

"Well... it isn't like that but... you were standing in front of the school gate this morning waiting for the crowd to end, right?"

"How.. did you notice that?" I was shocked. In that crowd, it is hard even to see anyone outside. Then how did he notice me?

"I was trying to lure them out of the school gate, as it was making other students difficulty in going in, but they wouldn't budge. I'm sorry for that."

"Wow. Pretty considerate, eh? I thought you would be full of ego now that you got a national trophy." I didn't know why, but I don't seem to distance myself from him, and I can talk normally. I don't usually say my inner thoughts out loud to avoid judgement from others, but I didn't feel the need to do that in front of him. I guess he is a good guy.

"Ehh??" He looked saddened. "Is not having ego not considered good in this world anymore? I guess 'anti-Red anti-Key' really defined the word ego in a new way." He looked like he was about to cry in a funny way. I was about to laugh.

"You know about that football manga huh? The 'Anti-Red Anti-Key'"

His eyes glittered. "Obviously! As a footballer and a manga reader I have to!"

I couldn't stop myself from giggling at his carefree expression. He was really a 'muscle for brains' guy. That was not an insult. I wish I were someone like him, as carefree and talk to people freely without restrictions. People don't judge people like him who give off a light atmosphere open to jokes. But when reserved people like me talk to others, they take even jokes seriously because of the heavy atmosphere we give off. Which leads to backbiting and them distancing from us. Its a harsh cycle that I couldn't break out of.

But seeing him, it might be possible. "Did you know 'anti-Red anti-Key' has some light novels based on its characters that you can read to gain a good understanding of their backstories?"

"Ehh?!? Is it true?!?" He looked astonished. "I have never heard of it before!"

"Well, its not that well known anyways. But if you are a fan than I suggest you try those out. You might find interest in reading light novels too that way."

"You sure are well informed." He smiled. "Well then, I will be going now to buy them!"

"We have classes after lunch break is over."

"Oh... then after school it is!" He jumped from the place he sat and down he went towards his classroom.

He truly is carefree...