Sounds

 There were students in a large playing field. Some of them were running up and down. Wow… These sounds are amazing. They remind me of…

- These are the third years of the basketball club playing. I can understand why you look at them like that. They are amazing. This is the club I’m in and I was talking about. Join the basketball club.

What?

- Kei! Haruhi – chan is asking for you.

- Okay. Let’s take a break, please.

- This is Kei.

- The delivery guy.

- Do you know him? He’s Haruhi – san’s boyfriend.

- No. I just ordered pizza.

Shun – kun is looking at me like I’m an alien.

- … That’s a nice first encounter.

- Shun! Three guys are asking for you. They are outside.

- Three guys? Do I know them?

- I’ll take my leave now.

- Tell them to wait. Are you leaving?

- Yes. See you tomorrow.

- Okay. I’m coming!

- Is this the guy you were talking about?

- Raijin. Were you here all this time?

- Yes. What do you want to do with him?

- I want him to join the club.

- And? How’s your plan going?

- As you can see, he’s running away.

- Heh! Are you sure you’re not just using him?

- Hayate is one of my friends. I just want to play basketball with him.

- I’m looking forward to see him in our team then.

- …

- Three guys are waiting for you. We don’t want a fuss because you don’t go.

- MILK IS THE BEST!

- …

- Shun! Shut up about milk already and go outside to talk to them.

- I’m going. Stop yelling, Jona. I heard you the first time.

He asked me to join the basketball club, but I didn’t say anything.

- Hayate – kun, you look more tired than usual.

- I’m just thinking.

- I’m happy that you’re eating the food I made.

- It tastes great, aunt.

- I can’t eat it though. I wonder why. Hmm, I think I put sugar in the pasta instead of salt.

- What…

I came to my senses and tasted the pasta. I put my hands on my mouth. I was really disgusted. I ran to the bathroom and threw it up.

- Are you alright? I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.

- I’m fine. It’s okay, aunt. It’s my fault for not realizing it sooner. I’m going to my room. I’m not feeling well.

- Okay. Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

I tried to sleep, but I couldn’t. The morning I had to decide whether I would go to school or not. In the end I decided to go. Everyone could tell that I hadn’t any sleep. Shun – kun was only staring at me. I was trying to take naps on breaks, so I could stay focused in classes. When those ended, I stayed in class.

- Are you not leaving?

- I’ll leave later.

- Okay, bye.

- Bye.

After twenty minutes I decided to go home, where I slept until next morning.

- Hayate – kun. Are you feeling better today?

- Yes.

- Did you sleep last night?

- Fortunately, yes.

- That’s good. I’m really sorry. The pasta I made was bad.

- You look sad. Forget about it. Please, make dinner again.

- I’m very anxious when I make something, that I can’t tell the difference between sugar and salt.

- They’re both white and difficult to recognize by smell. Taste them before you put them in what you make. Also, pepper and cinnamon are both brown, but you can tell the difference by smelling them. It’s that simple, aunt. Also, don’t be anxious. I’m never in a hurry. Take your time to make it. I’ll help you sometimes, too.

- Okay!

- I’m leaving for school now.

- Was the toast with cheese, eggs and tomatoes okay?

- Yes. It was a success.

Aunt looks happy now. That’s good.

I arrived at school. Shun – kun was standing in front of the classroom’s door.

- Good morning.

- How are you feeling?

- A lot better.

- That’s for today. Have a nice day everyone!

- We’re finally done!

- You were sleeping. What are you happy about? That you woke up?

- Don’t be so strict to me. I may have my eyes closed, but I listen to the teacher.

- Yes, yes.

- Don’t forget about tomorrow.

- What is tomorrow?

- You agreed to come to my house to help me at math.

- You’re right. I completely forgot about it.

- Do you want to come right after school? My house is nearby.

- Okay. Bye.

- Bye…

- I’ll be late from school tomorrow.

- Why?

- I’ll go to Shun – kun’s place.

- Make sure you have a nice time!

- The reason that I’ll go is to help him at math.

- It’s fun to help friends. I’m sure you’ll have a nice time, even studying.

That’s what my aunt said. Today is the day I’ll go at his place with him. I hope he’s serious about this.

- Have you written down the questions you want to ask me?

- Why should I have done that?

- Actually, that shows that you studied and you’re serious.

- Really?

- Also, it saves a lot of time.

- That may be true. I’ll do what you said next time.

- Will you?

- Yes. That way we’ll finish earlier and we’ll have time to do something else.

That’s how he’s thinking it. It’s better than nothing.

I was studying at the next breaks.

- When did you start studying at breaks?

- I don’t know if you have noticed it, but we’ll be taking our final exams in a month or so.

- This is my house.

Did he hear me?

- Come in.

- Excuse me.

- Mom, Shun is back! Shun!

Shun – kun opened his arms and a little girl hugged him. Her face is familiar. She’s…

- This is…

- Nara – chan!?

- You! I remember you!

- Do you know each other?

- He is the one who gave me back your basketball!

I never imagined that the girl I met last weekend is Shun – kun’s little sister.

- I’m Nishio Hayate. Nice to see you again, Nara – chan!

- Hayate – kun is Shun’s friend!

- You’re the boy, who gave us the basketball!

- Mom, he’s my friend and classmate.

- I’m Nishio Hayate. Nice to see you again.

- We’re going to my room to study. Be quiet, Nara, okay?

- Okay!

- Come with me, Nara.

- She’s a second year in elementary school. Follow me.

When I entered Shun – kun’s room, I understood why he told me that he expected my room with more space.

- Your room is so big.

- Is it okay if we sit on the floor?

- Yes.

- I can’t study on my desk at all.

Shun – kun took a notebook and a pen out of a bookshelf.

- Do you want to start now?

- I asked you to come for this. Of course, we’ll begin as soon as possible.

He sat down, took the math book out of his bag, opened it and started flicking through it.

That’s why I told him that he should have written down his questions.

- Haa… I will start studying science. When you find your first question, you can tell me.

I first studied my notes. Then I studied some pages from the book.

- Is that a crammer for science?

- Yes.

- Can I take it for a while?

- Yes.

I started studying the crammer forty minutes ago. Two hours have passed in total. He still hasn’t asked me a single question. Well, I don’t mind that if he studies.

I took a look at him. He was absorbed in the math book. I remembered thinking that I wanted to see him study seriously for once, days ago.

I think my wish came true.

“I’m sure you’ll have a nice time, even studying.” Aunt’s words came to my mind.

You were right aunt. Studying with Shun – kun is nice.

- Shun!

- Come in, Nara.

- Sorry for interrupting!

- It’s okay! You brought me a glass of milk again. Thank you!

- Hayate – kun, do you want me to bring you anything?

- A glass of water, please.

- I’ll bring it soon!

- Take your time!

- How’s studying going?

- It’s going smoothly.

- Same here. Many hours have passed. Do you want to give me the science book and take the math book?

- Do you not want to ask me anything?

- Well… The truth is I hadn’t studied, so I thought that I would not understand anything. When I opened the book, for some reason, I understood everything. I don’t have any questions.

- Let’s do what you said then.

- I am back! Here’s Hayate – kun’s water!

- Thank you!

- Shun…

- What?

- Can I stay with you?

- If you are quiet.

- Okay!

Nara – chan did as Shun – kun said. We continued to study. I’m sure that this is the best studying I have ever done. After two hours we were finally done.

- I feel like my mind is gonna explode.

- We need to study tomorrow too, otherwise we’ll forget them.

- What?

- Really. We often have to do small repetitions.

- I can’t believe it. I was studying all this time too.

- Don’t tell me that you plan to let all this studying you did go to waste.

- You’d be more sad if I did. I won’t let it go to waste.

Is he doing it for me?

Nara – chan fell asleep on Shun – kun a few minutes ago.

- I don’t have the mental strength to wake her up. I never have.

- Why don’t you take her to her bed? I think she’ll not wake up.

- It’s okay. I’ll let her sleep on my bed.

I still can’t believe that they’re brother and sister.

- Thanks for coming over today. In the end I didn’t need any help. Sorry about that.

- Don’t worry about it. It was fun.

- I’m relieved that you think that. I thought that you were bored.

- Nothing like that. See you.

The weekend that came, I didn’t hear anything from Shun – kun. The program I followed was the same as usual. My dad called aunt again asking to come to see me. I said that I didn’t want to. Aunt told me to maintain the garden. The work I had to do was more difficult and time-consuming, because she had bought those plants the last weekend. At least she regularly waters them on weekdays. Ogawa – sensei came on Sunday. He said that my hard work is showing. The week that passed, I didn’t play drums much, so I really pushed myself on Saturday.

- Shun – kun, do you think that we meet Haruhi – san more often lately?

- I meet her as many times as always. You think you meet her more often, because you didn’t know her until a week ago.

- I wonder if she found her bike.

- I’ll ask her. By the way, will you come to the basketball court? I didn’t ask you before, because you weren’t feeling well.

- I don’t think so.

- Come.

- …

I couldn’t tell him that I don’t want to. He’s too serious for me to say that. That’s why after classes, I went to the basketball court with him.

- Hello everyone.

- Shun! Do a good warming up. You’ll practice with the second years and after that with the third years.

- Okay. The stairs to the grandstand are over there.

It might actually be a good thing that I came. I’ll have the chance to see Shun – kun play basketball. Haruhi – san is here too. I’ll ask if I can sit next to her.

- Hello Haruhi – san.

- Hayate – kun!

- Can I sit?

- Sure!

- Who are practicing now?

- Some second years and first years.

- Are all in the club?

- I don’t think so.

- Three second years and one first year are in the club. The others are just playing with us.

- Kei! Kei knows all these things! You can ask him whatever you want!

- I’m Nishio Hayate. Nice to meet you.

He’s the delivery guy. It’s super awkward right now!

- You too.

- Kei, can I talk to you?

- Sure.

- Sorry, Hayate – kun. We’ll leave you alone for a while.

- No problem.

The game will probably end in a while. They’re good.

- Haruhi – san left. Do you mind if I sit here?

- No.

- Shun! They are calling you.

If I remember correctly, three guys were calling him the first time I came here too.

- Who are they?

- I wish I knew. They are coming here every day asking for Shun.

- Was this happening before?

- No, it started recently, in particular when you first came here.

Shun – kun doesn’t seem happy to see them. What’s this? Is he paying them?

- Shun! It’s your turn.

- I’m coming.

Shun – kun started playing against the second years in one first year’s place. He was incredible. After that game, he will play against the third years.

- Will you play with the third years after this?

- Yes. I better get going.

- Okay.

The game ended and the second years won.

- You are incredible playing alone, but you need capable teammates to win.

- Raijin.

- You’ll play with the second years and against the third years now.

- What do you want to say?

- What I want to say is… Don’t keep any team behind.

- I don’t plan to.

- Be careful or they’ll eat you alive.

- …

- Those three, I mean!

The game begun and ended very fast. It wasn’t because it lasted a shorter amount of time. It was breathtaking. They didn’t stop moving even for a second. The third years won, but Shun – kun and the second years were really worthy opponents. It was admirable that they kept a small score difference through the game.

- Hayate – kun, what did you think?

- I enjoyed watching the game!

- I’m glad.

- How can the second years play against the first years, then against the first years but with you in their team and then against the third years?

- We all play three times, just not the same day. It depends on everyone’s strength at the time of the game. Our teams have different combinations every time. It’s more interesting that way. We play with everyone against everyone. We all want to keep improving. The level of most first years is just more near to the one of the second years. That’s why second years are usually the ones who play against first years.

- That makes sense.

- Let’s go.

We were leaving from school, when we met Haruhi – san.

- What was the result of the game?

- The third years won. You should be there. Kei played well. Did you find your bike?

- No. I had got used to go back and forth with my bike. But lately, I have a lot of stress. The hours I am waking up changed. I’m arriving at work more late by going on foot.

- Did you tell Kei about it?

- No, because I don’t want him to worry about my work. He’s got his to worry about.

- I see.

- Hayate – kun…

- Aunt…

- Why are you late?

- I’m sorry. I was watching Shun – kun playing basketball.

- REALLY? That’s good! Okay! Watch him play again! Don’t worry about me! I’ll be fine!

That reaction my aunt had yesterday was priceless. Well, I can understand why she reacted like that.

- Is everything alright?

- Yes.

- You haven’t said anything all day. Well, I have an idea what you might be thinking.

My aunt and I were watching TV and I saw something interesting. But what it was?

- I remembered.

- What?

- I saw the trailer of a movie last night. We should go and watch it.

- Let’s do that on Saturday. Does that work for you?

- Yes.

- It’s decided then.

When I got home, I found my aunt worrying what to make for dinner.

- Let’s make this one. It seems easy.

- Will you help me make it?

- Yes, it will be fun!

That time I had no idea what would happen the next day.

- Test!

Test? What test?

- Shun – kun. What the teacher is talking about?

- Hm? Do you not know? We have a test at science today.

- What? Why did I not know about it?

- No idea.

- When was it announced?

- On Wednesday last week.

- On Wednesday. Why do I not remember anything at all from last Wednesday?

- Maybe because you were a mess that day. But it looked like you were paying attention.

- Were my eyes closed?

- Yes.

- Then I was sleeping! How did I pay attention?

- I pay attention with my eyes closed.

- I am not you!

- Hayate – kun!?

- Yes?

The girl who sits in front of me. Does she know my name? I don’t know hers.

- Take a leaflet and give one behind you too.

- Yes, sorry.

I think I did well, because I studied with Shun – kun last week.

- Sorry I didn’t tell you anything. You were thoughtful yesterday and I thought you were thinking about the test. Also, when you were at my place, you were studying science, so I thought it was because of the test that was coming.

- It’s okay. I think I did well. I was studying a little the previous days. What about you?

- I wasn’t. I studied yesterday though.

- I didn’t ask about that.

- Ah… I did well.

- That’s good.

- I didn’t study the way you told me to.

- That’s not a problem if you did well.

It was shocking being informed about the test one minute before the test.

After that, for some reason, I continued going to the basketball court. Well, the reason was Shun – kun. He said he wanted me to watch him play. That was fine by me as long as I didn’t involve myself very much in the basketball club.