A phone call

 Vrr! Vrr!

~ We didn’t decide what time to meet up.

~ The movie is played at 7:00pm. What about if we meet up at 6:00pm?

~ Okay. I’ll come by your house and we’ll leave for the movies from there.

We were at the movies after about three hours.

- If I understood correctly earlier, you have already find what movie to watch, right?

- Yes.

- What kind of movie is it?

- It’s a horror movie. Are you okay with that?

- Yes. I don’t have a problem. What’s its name?

- Mimo.

- … That’s a funny name for a horror movie. Do you frequently watch horror movies?

- I don’t watch them all the time, but I like them.

- Let’s see it.

We watched the movie and started walking back to our houses, while talking about it. It was dark so we decided to walk on a main road, but there weren’t many people.

- Did you like it?

- It was good. Nice choice.

- You didn’t seem scared at all.

- What’s the point to watch that kind of movies if you’re scared?

- Ha ha, that’s true.

Was I scared? I don’t think so. I’m feeling thrilled while watching them.

- Have you ever watched other horror movies?

- Yes, one more time.

- What kind of movies you usually watch?

- I prefer movies with action, but I watch other kinds too.

I’m glad he doesn’t have any problem watching horror movies.

Suddenly, I felt a hand pulling my t-shirt.

- Shun – kun. What’s going on?

Shun – kun is pale.

- Are you alright?

- T-This…

- What?

His hand showed something on the side of the road.

- Wow. It looks like Mimo.

- A-Are you not supposed to say that it looks like a dog or a cat at times like this?

- But it isn’t.

- I-If you had a girlfriend with you right now, she would have definitely slapped you. Can we walk on another street?

- It will be more dangerous if we do that. We’ll get passed it.

- What?

We got passed it. I never imagined Shun – kun would be afraid of that.

- Let’s sit here for a while.

- Okay.

- Join the basketball club.

I didn’t expect him saying that again. I don’t want to answer. Last time I didn’t, but now I can’t do that. He’s looking determined to make me say to join.

- I don’t think so. I’m sorry…

He’s still looking into my eyes. I can’t do that.

- Are you doubtful about me?

- Eh?

- Did you hear what I was doing?

- What were you doing?

- I don’t want to brag, but I’m good at basketball. I was trying to get to know people. But what I was actually doing was trying to find someone who would be a teammate or a rival as good as me. When I was finding out that they weren’t what I was looking for, I was stopping spending time with them. Do you believe that it’s the same with you?

Right now, I’m just looking at him. I can’t answer.

- I’m sorry if you believe that. That wasn’t my intention. You were sitting in front of me and you never turned around, so I thought you were interesting. Then I saw your legs and I was assured that you were doing a sport in the past. What I’m trying to say is that I want you to join the club, because you are my classmate and my friend. I want you to join the club, please.

He bowed. I made him do that. I’m terrible. I didn’t know anything about his past and we met three weeks ago, but he told me about it. That’s what Shun – kun is thinking of me. Ugh…

- Okay.

Shun – kun looked and kept staring at me like he wasn’t believing what he just heard. He was speechless. Well, I was surprised at myself too. I never wanted to do that, but I did.

- I’ll do it.

The next day I went to buy some things my aunt wanted from the convenience store.

- I think I didn’t forget anything.

It was dark. While I was walking on a street that wasn’t busy, I felt two fingers touching my shoulder and stopped.

Two fingers? Eh? Wait, what was that thing Shun – kun saw yesterday? In the end we didn’t see what object it was. Was it a plastic bag? We’ll never know. Mimo had two fingers t… Mimo?

I was sweating like crazy. My breath stopped. I wanted to turn my head and look at my shoulder. But it was difficult. I turned my head and I saw…

What the… Black fingers!? Mimo was black.

I wanted to run, but I couldn’t move at all.

- Are you that afraid of this, Hayate – kun?

I heard a whisper right behind my ear. The two fingers I was feeling were five now.

- Eh?

Then I saw Shun – kun looking at me with a knowing grin. At the same time, he wanted to laugh as hard as scared I was.

- Shun – kun…

- Ha… Ha ha…

My heart was going to stop… That was Shun – kun’s evil plan.

On Monday Shun – kun was waiting for me outside the house.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

- The expression on your face was amazing last night.

- No comment.

I didn’t know he was the type to pull pranks like that. He really enjoyed it. I didn’t. He scared the hell out of me.

- Do you want to go to the vending machine?

- I’m studying now.

- I can see that. How about you take a break on this break?

- I can’t do that. The final exams are just around the corner.

- The final exams are three weeks away.

- …

Shun – kun put his hand on my notebook.

- What?

- You haven’t forgot, have you?

Scary…

- No…

- Nice.

Of course, he was referring to the fact that I agreed to join the basketball club.

- You’ll do a two-hour workout with me today. Are you ready?

- A two-hour workout!? How are you so sure that I can endure a two-hour workout?

- Stop talking and just do what I do.

I was doing what he was doing for an hour. The only difference was that after this hour he was looking like he was exercising for five minutes and me like I was exercising for five hours.

- You’ll get used to it in no time.

In no time, he said. After three days, I was still out of breath.

- Shun – kun, give me a break. I already worked out with you for two hours. Why are you talking about dribbling the ball, while running twenty times around the court?

- Because you have improved at it and you have to get used to the ball.

Shun – kun threw the ball to me and I caught it.

- Start running.

- Will you not run with me?

- No, I’m counting. You have to run twenty rounds. Don’t forget to dribble the ball.

Cut me some slack.

- You have one more round.

He’s a demon.

- Good work.

- Thanks.

- You dribbled the ball really well for the first time.

Not that it matters right now. I’m thirsty. I want to drink something. I think I have a juice in my bag.

- Shun. Can you come here for a moment?

- Sure. We’ll leave after I’m done, Hayate – kun.

- Okay.

Here it is.

- Don’t.

He saw me.

- You still drink this thing.

- Ha ha…

- It’s no laughing matter. Training your body and caring for it go hand in hand.

What he just said is true.

- Did you find your bike, Haruhi – san?

- Hello, you two! Why do you continue asking me that? Many days have passed. I don’t think I’ll ever find it or the one who took it is gonna return it. I have to buy a new one.

- I’m sorry, but I’m still looking for it sometimes.

- You can stop. It’s okay. Thank you, though.

- She’s really depressed.

- Of course she is. Her whole program changed. She is studying and working hard. She didn’t need this problem. There are others she has to worry about.

- What kind of problems?

- Math problems.

- Shun – kun…

- What? It’s more time-consuming to commute than to solve five math problems.

- Have you ever actually solved five of those and timed it?

- You’ll run four more rounds tomorrow.

That’s a no. Also, I’m screwed.

- See you tomorrow, Shun – kun.

- Yeah. Ah, I forgot to ask. Do you want to go shopping on Saturday? Nara wants to buy clothes and wants us with her. Will you do it?

- I think I can do that.

- Okay. We’ll talk about it again.

- Hayate – kun, how did you do today with your training?

- Haa…

- What’s this reaction? Did you not have fun?

- I did.

- I need to thank Shun – kun for making you decide to join the basketball club! I’m sure he’s helping you very much!

Is he? I’ll have to run four more rounds tomorrow. He is taking advantage of my inexperience, like.

- I’m so happy! I’m so happy for you, Hayate – kun! I never expected that you’d agree at something like that, but you did!

She’s really happy. Aunt, you don’t need to be so worried about me.

He’s here again.

- Why are you coming here, when your house is almost next to school?

- Because it’s boring waiting for you. Also, I can’t wait to see you run those extra four rounds.

- You…

… demon. He’s the demon of the basketball club.

- Now that you started training, have you got time playing drums?

- Why do you have to ask that when I’m doing fifty sit-ups? Yes. I’m playing drums every day. That doesn’t change.

- That’s good. That means you aren’t that tired when you get home.

I hope he doesn’t think that this is a chance for making me run more rounds.

- Are you done with those fifty sit-ups?

- Yes.

- Run twenty-four rounds and don’t stop dribbling the ball.

- Okay.

- I’m going to play against the second years. Don’t stop before you complete the twenty-fourth round.

- Shun, before that, go talk to those three outside. I’m bored watching them come and inform you every day.

I’ll do this seriously as Shun – kun said. I was the one who decided to join the club.

- You made him join the club. How did you do that?

- I told him about me.

- Are you sure he didn’t join because he felt sorry for you?

- What are you saying, Raijin? Hayate wouldn’t do that for others.

- I know.

- Are you playing with me?

- He dribbles the ball well. Do you know what that means?

- …

- That guy was playing basketball before. But he stopped. Let him play against the second years on Monday. He’s more capable than he looks. Got it?

- Can I play with him that day?

- Do as you wish. That’ll not be a problem. Besides, you started playing basketball from the third year of elementary school.

- Ha ha! Yes, president!

- … He is that excited, that he called me president.

I didn’t do anything else after that. I was watching Shun – kun playing against the second years. After all the games I watched, I understood that Shun – kun was better at offense than defense.

- Do you still want to go shopping with us tomorrow?

- Yes, why not?

- Come at my place around 4:00pm.

- Okay.

That’s what he said to me yesterday. In summary, I knew two things. One was that I had to be at his place at 4:00pm and the other one was that we were going shopping with Nara. Then why? Why am I in front of his house and I’m seeing Shun – kun with eight kids around him? Did aunt add wine or something in the food?

- Oh, it’s Hayate – kun! Hayate – kun, hello!

- Hello, Nara – chan… Shun – kun, what’s going on?

- She called her friends too. I know their parents and they trust me, so they left them with me. Mom is not home, but we’ll meet with her later.

- Did you know about it when you told me to come with you?

- No, but I had a hunch. This isn’t the first time that happens. Thanks for your help beforehand. Can you handle them for a while?

- I-I’ll try.

Nara – chan is good. But, what can I do about the other seven ones? This one is touching the road.

- Please, don’t do that. You, don’t lick the candy that already fell down. Take another one. You, don’t pull her dress! It’s rude. You, don’t… They’re not listening to me.

Was I that disobedient? I don’t think so. Ah, it’s cold and I feel… a dark aura. Shun – kun!?

- That’s a mess…

He’s mad!

- Everyone, get in line! Don’t talk! We’re going shopping!

Shun – kun, they’re not soldiers! They listened to him though.

This happened and we started walking to the shops.

- Nara, you want to buy a shirt, right?

- Yes! Two dresses, too!

- I don’t have that much money with me. But I can buy you a shirt. You’ll have to ask mom about the dresses.

- Okay!

- You, other seven! What do you want to eat? Want an ice-cream?

Shun – kun told me later that he was lucky they wanted ice-cream. Because it was cheaper than crepes. One time they made him buy crepes.

- My mom will be here soon.

- Hmm…

- You keep staring at your phone, without watching something.

- I’m sorry. It’s a habit.

- That’s a strange habit.

A strange habit, huh?

- Shun! I’m here! Thank you for looking after them. You can go somewhere with Hayate – kun now.

- Okay. Let’s go.

We sat on a bench and didn’t speak at all. It was really quiet.

Those things happened on Saturday. Also, I was surprised from the fact that aunt didn’t came back home with plants as she said she would, because there are already too many in the garden. I was relieved that she understood that.

- Your drums skills have improved. A competition is taking place late on July. Are you interested?

- I’m sorry, Ogawa – sensei. I’m only playing for myself.

- You can still think about it. Tell me if you change your mind.

- Okay.

I don’t have to show my skills. Also, there might be people who know me there.

- Hey.

- Shun – kun, you’re here again.

- How studying is going?

- Very well.

- Today is the last day before the clubs stop their meetings.

- Why?

- Because of the final exams. You’ll help me study, right?

- Sure.

- You sound more confident this time.

- There is no way I would lose this chance.

- I agree. I did the best studying ever the last time.

Shun – kun thinks the same thing.

- I have a surprise for you, today.

Do I have to worry?

- Do you remember the fourth part of the workout we were doing?

- Yes, indifferently.

- We’ll do just that today and you’ll run around the court only four times, while dribbling the ball of course. I think you know that. So I’ll stop saying it every time. When you are going to run, you’ll always take the ball with you.

- Okay. Are you sure you only want me to do these?

- Yes. For a warm-up, that is!

I feel like my dreams have been crushed.

- Now that you completed running the four rounds, we’ll play against the second years.

- What?

- Unfortunately, the other first year of the club couldn’t make it today, so we’ll play with three first years who come here a lot.

- Okay.

- I have high expectations of you.

Why does he have high expectations of me?

- We’ll wait here until the others are ready.

- Kei.

- Raijin.

- Did you learn who is playing today?

- Shun told me.

- I can’t wait to watch them play.

- Me too.

- Shun is going to enjoy this more than us.

- Do the second years know about the new member?

- Of course. I told them to not let them take a breather not even for a second!

- Did Jona agree with it?

- Are we going to play so seriously against them?

- Yes. Raijin’s words. You two, who are not in the club, better do what Raijin said.

- If the second years don’t do what I said, how are we going to see their skill?

- Is that why you told them to do that?

- That way it will be a game worth watching!

Shun – kun and one of the second years were going to do the jump ball. After doing it, the second years had the ball and already scored two points.

- Are you serious? They’re gonna win for sure. The outcome is already decided. Let’s quit.

- I agree.

- Another word and I’m gonna beat you up. Shut up about quitting the game. Because you are not members of the club, that doesn’t mean you can quit the game as you please.

That time I thought that I didn’t want Shun – kun to ever look at me as he did at those two.

Shun – kun took the ball from the ground and passed it to me. Him and the others were near the enemy’s side. A few seconds later the ball wasn’t in my hands anymore. I didn’t have time to think to whom to pass it. What we needed to do was quick passes. After realizing that, the game was a little easier. But the second years were better that day and we lost.

- He is very good at defense.

- I agree.

- The exact opposite of Shun.

That was my first game in the club. Shun – kun was in a hurry after that, so we left immediately. I was tired when I got home, so I went to my room and stayed there. My aunt knew that so she didn’t say anything. At night, I was staring at my phone.

- Why haven’t I received a call from you yet?

I’m waiting for a phone call that I’ll probably never have…

Vrr! Vrr!

- Why do you still have the bike?