Rabbit and Crow

~~~⚽~~~

"Coach! What do you think of the end of the game?" inquired a journalist boy donning a top hat.

"Do you think that mistake at the end could keep you out of the National Tournament?" queried another woman.

Shiraito had long desired press conferences – the grand dream of every coach, a blend of indulgence and challenging journalists' curiosity. Yet, after the defeat, he lacked the mood to face the town's amateur journalists.

"We're done! No more questions," Shiraito retorted, bitter and abrupt.

"But Coach Shiraito, thoughts on Coach Nagatomo and Takachiho's aggressive strategy?" another journalist pressed.

The mister's eyes lit up, unraveling his earlier attempt to retreat towards the inn.

"Nagatomo should start touring all the schools in the area to teach human evolution. First came Nagatomo, then the m-"

"Wha!" A collaborator swiftly covered his mouth, thwarting Shiraito's profanity, while he struggled. "That's it for today, no more questions!"

~~~🦊~~~

Inside the building, Hiroshi slid his room door open, pausing at the threshold. His gaze fixed on his companion, pacing rapidly with eyes downcast. The futon, bearing furious marks, exhibited a sunken middle – a palpable outpouring of rage.

Takashi was not there.

"Don't you think you were too harsh on him?" calmness imbued Hiroshi’s tone.

"And what about him?! He pushed me!" Jun's voice carried tension as he remained focused on the ground.

"I know, but you understand his reasons."

"It was our chance!"

"There it is," Hiroshi said, fully aware of what was to come.

Jun finally glanced at his friend, his tear-filled eyes resembling seas. "We could've been champions! Tomorrow won't see us win!"

Those eyes of Jun found a serene-faced Hiroshi, a faint comforting smile on his lips. Jun's reaction indicated the steady gaze's effect as he sat distressed on the futon. Hiroshi, noticing, joined him and embraced him from behind, sensing his growing realization.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?"

Jun recalled anger's resurgence, allowing anguish to overtake him once more.

"I’m sorry. I really didn't want to do it. Poor thing," Jun broke down, his voice filled with regret.

"I know. And I'm sure he knows too."

Jun deeply feared that Takashi would hate him, that was clear. During his bursts of frustration or anger, Takashi always soothed him, even if he was the target. However, on this occasion, something between them ruptured, leading to an unpleasant altercation.

"I don't want him to hate me. I want us to remain friends." The notion of intimidating his friend weighed heavily, invoking unbearable sadness as he recalled Takashi's frightened expression before fleeing.

"You know Takashi isn't that kind of person," Hiroshi reassured calmly, sensing the weight of Jun's face on his chest. "He could never hate you. He only says that because he's hurt."

"And yet I attacked him, even though I know how he feels! Takashi didn't deserve that. I'm the worst."

Hiroshi didn't think that, and he never would. He knew Jun too well for that to be true.

"Jun, do you remember that time Takashi woke up at night during the camp?"

And he had just recalled something confirming this. Jun, appearing to gradually calm, replied amid sobs.

"In the first year of junior high school, right?"

"Yes. Takashi was terribly scared because of that nightmare, what was it?"

Jun lapsed into silence, delving into his foggy memory. Takashi had faced similar episodes. "The one with the mutant octopus?" Both shared a small chuckle, reminiscing about that nonsense.

"Yeah, that one. Well... That night, Takashi was more panicked than usual. Probably because he was sleeping in an unfamiliar place." Hiroshi reconstructed that dark bedroom as if it had happened the day before. "He was really scared in his bed, and I... I didn't feel like I could just talk to him as if nothing was wrong. I didn't dare do it because I didn't know him that well. He was crying non-stop, and even though it was clearly not real, he couldn't calm down. Do you remember who comforted him the whole night?" Hiroshi shifted his gaze towards Jun, who deliberated for a moment, though his face wasn't visible.

"Sensei Kano? Ouch!"

Hiroshi playfully tapped Jun's neck with the arm that embraced him. " Silly. It was you. You had recently come from Oita, barely conversing with timid Takashi. I woke up to visit the bathroom, and there you were." Hiroshi recollected glancing out of the lodging, then smiling affectionately. Strangely, he felt a desire to join those two classmates. "Two boys under a tree, playing cards and laughing in the stillness of the night. Do you remember all that?"

"Yeah, I do. And then you joined us," Jun managed to hold a smile for the first time.

"You know I wouldn't usually act like that, but that night I felt like I had made some progress with... myself." A hint of shyness and embarrassment colored Hiroshi's face, accompanied by a faint smile. "And I wasn't the only one."

"Huh?"

"Do you know what Takashi told me later, when you didn't come to play video games with us?"

"Oh, when I had to deliver the kimono to the mayor?"

"Yeah. He said he missed playing with you that day and kept complaining about the mayor who didn't let you come with us. But there was one part that caught me by surprise." Hiroshi recounted the scene with impressive clarity.

~~~🌟~~~

"The night of the camp, right?" Hiroshi inquired, intrigued by Takashi's reintroduction of the topic.

"Yes. That night... I thought everything was falling apart around me. But then he appeared. I don't know how he did it, but he made me forget everything and just smile. Oh, am I getting too sentimental?"

"Yes, very," Hiroshi joked, taking a cute bite of his parfait.

"Sorry, but…” The previous answer brought joy to both, although this was the phrase Hiroshi remembered best. "He's a truly great friend. I'm really glad I got to know him well, and I'm very happy that we're friends."

Hiroshi marveled at Takashi's radiant appearance, a smile gracing his closed eyes. In that moment, he comprehended their shared sentiment. "Yeah, me too," he replied with another smile.

~~~🌟~~~

"You never told me that, you silly."

"I thought you'd figure it out on your own."

"Then I couldn't do it?"

Hiroshi hesitated briefly, his gaze lost on the ground before locking onto Jun's eyes. "Yes, you could, and you know it. But look at yourself. Sometimes, you need someone to remind you of certain things, and that's okay."

"Am I truly that awful now?"

"Do you want to look in the mirror? I'll bring it for you."

Jun tapped his leg, gesturing for Hiroshi to remain. His tear-stained face didn't require visibility to comprehend. The hug concluded, and Jun stood, studying Hiroshi intently. His face bore evidence of dried tears and red eyes beneath disheveled brown locks, despite his cessation of tears.

"He appreciates you a lot, Jun."

"You don't know that right now."

"Yes, I do," Hiroshi hurriedly interrupted. "And a silly argument won't change that."

Jun fell silent. Despite his comment, he seemed more convinced and calmer.

That was Jun: a ray of sunshine who enjoyed seeing his friends happy and would enthusiastically help anyone in need. Yet, akin to Takashi's musings on the bus, he too harbored vulnerability. He hated being a prisoner to the fear of failure, but that fear could be very strong.

The ray of sunshine lifted his gaze even higher, with hopeful eyes, towards Hiroshi's back, as if remembering something. "Now I understand why he said it."

"What?"

"When you were ill in second year. He also said something about how grateful he was for knowing you."

"Huh? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you'd figure it out on your own," Jun grinned playfully, evoking laughter. Their gazes shifted to the window and the balcony beyond.

"That elusive guy," Hiroshi chuckled.

"I agree..."

Fortunately for Jun, that was also Hiroshi: a deeply emotional being who never hesitated to bring a smile to a sad friend. He had his own problems, of course: He hadn't yet found his purpose in life, and seeing his opportunity in football slip away that day was painful. But he remained steadfast, ready to help anyone in need.

"Besides crafting kimonos, I love painting."

Hiroshi glanced at his friend, who sheepishly smiled.

"With watercolors."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?” Hiroshi thought feeling pity. “You shouldn't be afraid to..."

And at that moment, Hiroshi smiled foolishly. " Besides reading them, I enjoy drawing manga. I'm publishing one online."

Jun also gazed at him in awe, delighted by the connection. A spark of joy ignited within him too, witnessing Hiroshi's newfound passion. "I want to read it later."

"Not until it's finished."

"I'll force it out of you then."

Both exchanged a goofy look before laughing in complicity.

"What do you think Takashi is hiding, then?" Jun jokingly asked.

"I don't know, but it's definitely something fantastic," Hiroshi chuckled. Little did he know, he was spot on.

A gentle mist emerged from the sky, fading as it approached light, mirroring the sadness in Jun's heart. The air turned soothing, bringing him relief. He realized, with more happiness than sorrow, 'I'm truly fortunate to have such great friends.’

"What can I do for him?" Jun inquired, a while later.

"Help him feel better. That's your desire, right?"

Hiroshi was correct. Jun yearned for Takashi's happiness to return. He wished for him to reconcile with both him and their classmates...

"I'm going to talk to Shiraito."

"What? Why?"

Hiroshi followed Jun, as he tried to reach the sliding door, previously pulling out a deck of cards from his backpack and placing it on the table. With resolve, Jun marched to the hallway, facing his friend with determination.

"I have an idea."

Hiroshi observed his friend heading towards the coach's room, likely preparing for dinner. He realized that, as always, Jun couldn't just stand by and do nothing. When he was determined to do something, no one could break his will. And now, he was determined to bring back the smile on Takashi's face - the same shy boy he had met at camp.

Because, ultimately, that was Takashi: a boy who, despite his shyness, fears, and emotions that held him back, always gave his best to improve and become stronger. Even Jun, when he angrily slammed the locker room floor, knew that their friendship was liked that: despite everything, Takashi always smiled and was there for them.

Together the three of them formed a wonderful bond.

As Jun vanished from sight, Hiroshi remembered the preceding days. When Jun proposed tracking Takashi and Nao, when he proposed to cover him during street cleaning, and when he coined the idea of a nickname for Takashi. And also, that time long ago, on a peaceful camp night, when Jun resolved to become very close to them both. To Hiroshi, that unbreakable will seemed marvelous.

"You always have them," Hiroshi grinned, addressing the empty corridor.