24/7 Hold

Ghost woke up, finding himself on the school nurse’s bed. Slowly raising his head, he noticed a bandage on his cheek. The room appeared empty — just him and the nurse woman with brown hair and a black beauty mark near her lip.

Nurse: Oh, you’re awake. I ran an analysis on you — there isn’t anything wrong. You just passed out from exhaustion.

Ghost: Oh, you already checked me? Thank you very much — that means a lot. How long was I out? And where are Kenta and Souta?

Nurse: You were unconscious for about fifteen minutes. Don’t worry — you didn’t miss any classes. Right after PE, it was lunch break, and it still is. Their injuries were minor, so they should be outside waiting for you.

Ghost: Woah, you’re awesome. You’re like a mom for the school!

The nurse laughed lightly.

Nurse: I appreciate the praise, but truly, it’s nothing. Also… try to avoid unnecessary screaming from now on.

Ghost scratched the back of his head.

Ghost: Yeah, note taken.

Nurse: Now that you’re all healed up, get out of here and show the world… something extraordinary.

She winked. Ghost immediately panicked internally.

Ghost (thinking): How the heck does she know about that?! To be fair, I was very loud… Oh man, someone probably overheard me. Shoot!

He got up from the bed, walked to the door, twisted the knob, and stepped outside. Kenta was waiting. His face lit up when he saw Ghost, and he ran over, hugging him tightly.

Kenta: Oh man, Ghost! I thought you were dead, dude! Don’t ever scare me like that again — I was super worried!

Ghost: Get your bear grip off me! And yeah… sorry about that.

Kenta: There’s still some time left for recess. Come on, I’m starving!

Kenta dragged Ghost through the halls.

Ghost: Woah, take it easy, Kenta.

Kenta: Hey, Ghost… why did you say the “extraordinary” thing?

Ghost placed a hand on his chin, pondering. He remembered being young — taking a blanket as a cape and a stick as a sword, fighting imaginary villains with all the kids his age.

Ghost (young): I’m going to show you something extraordinary!

Ghost snapped out of his memory, looking at Kenta’s serious face.

Ghost: Honestly… I said it because it felt like the perfect time. My friends had lost all hope of winning, so I had to give them hope — push them beyond their limits… and overcome myself in the process.

Kenta looked down, smiling, and started giggling. Ghost raised an eyebrow.

Ghost: What’s so funny?

Kenta: Nothing… it’s just that… man, you’re really cringe, Ghost!

Kenta started running, laughing, sprinting down the hall. Ghost chased after him.

Ghost: Hey! It’s not cringe — it’s cool! Hold up, why are you running?

Kenta eventually paused, only to continue running away.

Kenta (thinking): Funny… you’re chasing me, but it feels like I’m chasing you, Ghost.

Ayame: Hey!

Both Kenta and Ghost froze. Ayame, Suzu, and Yui stood in front of them. They looked at the girls, confused, wondering why they had stopped.

Kenta: What is it? Didn’t you guys already beat us up?

Yui: Zip it, nerd.

Kenta (thinking): She’s the one wearing the glasses…

Ayame stepped forward.

Ayame: On behalf of the dodgeball team, I’d like to sincerely apologize for our behavior. You guys didn’t deserve that at all. We took advantage of the fact that you didn’t know anything about dodgeball and hurt you.

Kenta and Ghost exchanged looks of surprise.

Ghost: We forgive you.

Ayame: Wait… just like that?

Kenta: We have no reason to hate any of you, so it’s no big deal.

Ghost: There’s no way we’ll keep grudges against you guys.

The three girls bowed slightly, thanking them for their forgiveness. As they turned to leave, Ghost noticed something in the corner of his eye — three balls flying straight for Ayame.

Reacting instinctively, Ghost grabbed Ayame’s arm, pulling her close. Ayame, stunned, stared into his eyes as if everything was moving in slow motion. Ghost spun, dodging the balls, holding her by the waist as they flew past. Everyone stared.

Ghost: Are you okay?

Ayame, feeling Ghost’s breath on her face, screamed and slapped him hard. He reeled back.

Kenta: Oh wow! You just got hit by a girl, Ghost. You’re so damn lucky!

Yui: Damn, pervert!

Ghost: Ow! What the hell was that for?!

Before Yui could answer, Ghost spotted the throwers — both in black coats — and gave chase. One of them threw a chair at him, narrowly dodged. They ran upstairs, the second stepping on the rails to jump up. Ghost did the same, but as he was about to catch one of them, they ducked — and he slammed his face into a wall. He got up and continued the chase.

The lead figure threw a banana peel on the ground. Ghost jumped over it.

Ghost: Nice try! That only works in movies!

The banana peel glowed blue, duplicating in front of him. Ghost stepped on it, rolled back down the stairs, legs raised in the air.

Ghost: Ow!

The two figures laughed, running further — then suddenly, their legs got tangled. Both fell into a curled-up rainbow rope, deployed by a person with rabbit ears, platinum hair, and an Oni-human appearance. Two teeth longer than the rest protruded.

Sora Usagiri: Halt, evil doers! With my extreme methods of capture, there’s no way you’ll escape for the crimes you’ve committed!

He removed their hoods, revealing a red-haired man with green eyes and a green-haired man with red eyes — apparently twins.

Sora: Huh… the Arisawa twins? This can’t be…

Jun: Dude, how the hell do you know our names?

Sora: As a proper hero, I’m supposed to know all my schoolmates to make sure there aren’t any breakers among us!

Jun and Shun: Weirdo.

Sora: Hey, I’m not weird! I’m going to be the strongest keeper you’ve ever seen!

Ghost: No, you’re not!

Everyone looked toward the stairs — Ghost, a banana peel on his head, hair messy.

Ghost: If anyone’s going to be the strongest keeper, it’s going to be me!

Shun: Hey, it’s the extraordinary guy!

Sora Usagiri: Ghost Shinbara… most likely a fast-attacking type. I’ve done all my research… honestly, you don’t have what it takes to be a keeper.

Ghost: What makes you say that?

Sora: There’s literally a banana peel on your head…

Ghost brushed his hair back.

Ghost: Gross. Anyway, back to business.

He walked past Sora and in front of the curled-up twins.

Ghost: Why were you guys throwing tennis balls at Ayame?

Shun: We weren’t throwing them at Ayame!

Ghost: You liars! That was obviously the target you were hoping for! Come clean, right now, or else!

Sora: There was probably another target, idiot. Sheesh, wannabe keepers these days

Jun: He’s right. We were aiming for the science teacher behind you, but our aim was terrible. We almost hit Ayame, and we are deeply sorry.

Ghost: Hm… sounds legit. Alright, I believe you.

Ghost crouched and began untying them.

Sora: What are you doing, moron? We’re supposed to send them to the principal’s office for what they did!

Ghost: Come on, don’t be a snitch. Besides, the science teacher’s been annoying lately.

Sora: This clearly proves you lack the elements of a true keeper!

Ghost rubbed his hands proudly.

Ghost: All done!

Jun: Shun… now!

Ghost: Huh?Shun, once released, immediately jumped on Ghost, crawling onto his chest. He wrapped his legs around Ghost’s waist and his arms around Ghost’s head.

Shun: Ultimate! Muscle-length 24/7 hold!

Ghost: Hey! What the heck are you doing? Get off me! Sora, please save me!

Sora: Not my problem, sorry…

Sora walked away, leaving them. Jun also left.

Ghost: Hey! You’re leaving your brother!

Jun: Oh, enjoy it! He can’t let you go until one day is over. My bad.

Ghost: Wait, what?!