Beyond the First Chapter

“I think it’s about time I left Fumi to you, Kenta,” Kyoko said.

Kyoko then bowed, nearly tripping herself in the process, but once again, just like in our first meeting, she course-corrected herself from personal disaster, and landed on both feet.

“I think it’s going to take some time, but just like how I adjusted to Shun and Fumi, one day I’ll greet you without any nervous pent-up energy.”

“Eh, it looks like you're holding your own just fine right now. Anyways, it’s just me, I’m not that big of a deal. At least, not anymore,” I said.

Kyoko pulled the door open and stepped out into the hall, turning about face to say goodbye, like she left Fumiko and me during our last study session, but this time, she wasn’t burdened by the awkward ambience caused by my little confrontation with Shun. In fact, she seemed lighter and well-balanced, almost pirouetting.

“Kenta, from an anxious girl still faking my confidence, I’m really grateful for you being in Fumi’s life. For a long while, it looked like we weren’t going to be able to help her.”

“And as a former delinquent-then turned jock, and now current student-bum, I’m glad you can see something that I’m not even sure I myself have,” I said, waving goodbye as she entered the elevator, taking great strides to pay attention to her nervous feet.

***

The students in class made themselves scarce and herded themselves out after Mr. Goro dismissed everyone, previously holding them hostage with a wag of his finger. I understood that the bell doesn't dismiss the students, but were a few last words really necessary at the risk of making your students tardy? And he wondered why there were so many truant students in his class.

Hayato approached me with his usual cheery visage, every pearly white tooth on display.

"So how'd it go with Fumiko-san?"

"We both agreed that it was best for us to slow down. Contrary to popular belief, a romantic connection isn't decided in the span of one day," I said, smiling.

"Well, since you have more free time on your hand then, how about a quick pick-up game?"

I stopped my lips short before I diffused his request with one of my half-baked excuses. I guess my usual bad habits wouldn't die off in the span of a few days spent with a positive influence. But I caught myself in the habit at least, and that's what counts.

"That's actually really tempting, Hayato, but I have to get comfortable playing by myself first before I can take you up on that offer," I said.

"Oh, well I mean a little rust isn't a big de-- wait, you actually wanna play then?"

"Is it really that big of a surprise," I asked, furrowing my brow.

"No, it's just-- you've rebuked my offer the last zillion times. I was convinced that you'd never pick up a basketball again."

I stood and bowed in front of my long time friend and teammate.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, bro. The Eri thing was bothering me, but even more than that, I want to apologize for being a bad teammate and letting my selfish feelings from the relationship bleed into my play. I regret throwing you that last half-assed pass."

I was suddenly fixated with his left knee, which still had the black knee brace strapped to his knee for the last few months. I still wince when I look at it, remembering the ugly unnatural way he shifted his feet to get a clear shot in that last possession.

He firmly gripped my shoulders and shook me ever so slightly.

"No, Kenta, listen! As players we have to take responsibility for the shots we take. You may have not thrown the best pass at me, but I was the one that decided to take the shot with 7 seconds left on the shot clock."

"But what about your knee," I said with my fists clenched in front of me.

"If my knee being healthy was the only thing that made me a worthy player, then I never deserved to make junior varsity in the first place."

I recalled our conversation after Fumiko took an interest in me in the hallway. He called himself an 'iron man' and slapped his knee. I still scoff thinking about it. Silliest thing he had ever done.

"That's why you worked so hard every day after school. I'm sorry for ignoring your efforts to improve yourself Hayato, even after staring a season-ending injury in the face."

"Well, when the right time comes, I hope I can show you my progress."

We linked our hands into a handshake, and then followed by pulling in with a quick hug between teammates. After a few seconds of silence, we couldn't help but laugh at the tension that was cultivated from countless empty conversations since our last game.

"Bro, I couldn't tell you how sick I was getting of having the same conversation," Hayato said, smiling as he scratched the grains of brown hair stubble near the back of his head.

I received a text on my phone before I could properly retort.

I took it out from my pocket and read the new message in my inbox.

Meet me in the usual classroom, the message read.

Fumiko was more authoritative than usual.

I typed in my response to her abrupt request.

Why?

Please, she responded.

I sent her a serious response after I've decided I've had my fun.

Alright, I'll be over there as soon as I can.

I slipped my one loose strap on my backpack onto my one free shoulder.

"Let me guess, Fumiko," Hayato said, crossing his arms and grinning.

"Yeah. I guess you can say we're a bit more committed to making this arrangement work now."

We said goodbye to each other and our paths splintered off once we got outside the classroom.

***

I decided to check in on Fumiko after going over the details of the sleepover with the unofficial hosts. For a home that wasn't theirs. I still didn't know how that made sense.

I walked in on Fumiko typing some words at her desk, mumbling to herself every so often. She was already missing one of the main points of practice dates like this. I gave a light tap on her shoulder that was met with a pivot of her head that was accompanied with a loud yowl.

"I told you not to sneak up on me when I was writing, Kenta," Fumiko said.

"Didn't you tell me that you were caught up on your work for this volume?"

"Yeah, but then there was this plot thread development that sprung up out of nowhere, and I had to adjust the next few chap-".

I firmly gripped one of her shoulders with one hand and covered her mouth with another.

"Fumiko-san. It. Can. Wait. Have you ever fallen behind on a deadline in the first place?"

"Bweh, that was rude," she said, pouting.

"And no. I once sent in a manuscript a week early and my editor was legitimately worried about me. It was only then I realized I had bags the size of heavy-duty trash bags," she continued.

"Take a break for at the least the rest of today, please."

She glanced back at her laptop, the blinking cursor against the white space likely skyrocketing her anxiety, but then she turned back to me and sighed.

"Okay, fine."

"And if you manage to relax for the rest of the day, I'll try and help you with your writing any way I can tomorrow. Whether or not you need to ask me for experiences, or even something as simple as going on a snack and coffee run for you."

She puffed out her cheeks and then screamed under her closed lips, before finally squishing the air out of her cheeks with her hands.

"Okay. But no coffee! I think I might have a problem."

"You got it!"