It’s Time 35

“Ah, this is draining…”

Amidst the silence of the Ichiban Pub, the Yuusaki family’s establishment, Totori sighed, hunched over his notes and textbook.

Next to him, Maemi was studying diligently, Toraichi on the other side not speaking a word, while Risa stood completely absorbed in her own work.

As for Reo, he was mostly scribbling nonsense on his notebook, with Shuna passing him reprimanding looks off by the side.

Reo and Totori didn’t exactly like studying, but since they had very little time for revisions before midterms, Shuna took the initiative to make everyone gather for some quality studying time. As a coach assistant she couldn’t let her starting players fall behind, and potentially miss a month of action on the field. Of course, as a girlfriend, she was ultra-strict when it came to Reo flanking, never mind the fact she was also her class representative, with the highest marks on the grade.

Another unlikely genius was Risa Haneda, who was actually an academic mastermind on top of being the female team’s ace. Football matches for the women’s team began right after midterms, and they would span for a shorter time than the men’s, since not all Shinrin islands had their own women’s team.

As for Maemi…

“5 times 8… If I have 8 apples, and somebody gives me another 8 five times, then…”

Let’s just say she was trying her best. She at least considered herself a hard worker, even if academics were not her strong suit. When it came to literature, she was actually fairly efficient, yet math was a different story altogether.

Everybody seemed to study in silence, with hushed whispers featuring glimpses of their thoughts, as Reo’s mother served some tea to the teenagers lining her counter.

The pub had just opened for the day, with it being early evening, yet traffic was rather low at that hour.

“Ah, I can’t understand any of this…” Maemi’s one track brain seemed to start malfunctioning as soon as she put away her math notes, and flipped through her history textbook next.

“How am I supposed to memorize it all?”

At those words, Totori raised his head from his desperation-inducing notes, and blinked at her a few times.

“Uhm…”

“I am so screwed…”

But it seemed Toto’s decibels were far too low for the mumbling Maemi to hear.

“Eh-to…”

“I will definitely flank…”

“M-Ma-Maemi-chan!”

“Eh?!”

In a matter of a few seconds, Totori had gone from whispering to outright shouting in order to grab her attention.

The one or two patrons nursing their drinks looked up at him, while his friends simply glared in displeasure due to the sudden interruption.

“Shhh!”

Shuna, the supposed librarian of the place even shushed him.

But even so, now that he had found the courage, Totori cleared his throat.

“Sorry about that…” Now that he had a chance to breath, the short young man spoke in a hushed tone, “Maybe I… Or more like… I can help you with that.”

Maemi raised her brows.

“I mean history. I know a few tricks for memorizing stuff.”

“Really?!”

Maemi’s voice was the one that broke the sound barrier this time, causing Shuna to hiss once more.

“SHHHH!”

“You do?”

In a lowered tone, Maemi leaned closer, causing Totori to gulp.

“I kinda do. I mean that’s how I remember all the football stuff that nobody ever wants to hear about…”

Maemi giggled at how fast he was talking, and nodded.

“Okay, then teach me senpai!”

“O-O-O-Okay… F-First you need to take it one step at a time…”

It seemed being called that by Maemi was a very heavy blow to Totori’s composure. Nevertheless the two seemed to be engaged in some quality studying time.

“What is that? You’re doing it all wrong.”

“Why does it matter to you? I used the formula provided.”

“That’s not how it’s done.”

“Get off my hide, okay? If it gets the job done…”

“No, when you become a third year it WON’T get the job done.”

“Oye, oye, leave me alone!”

On the other hand, Risa simply had to correct Toraichi, since she was the only one tall enough to peek over his shoulder. And of course, even if Tora was bang average at best when it came to schoolwork, he still didn’t want Risa Haneda the genius to patronize him.

As Shuna glanced over, she seemed to hold back a grin at the two pairs.

“At least they are getting along.”

“You. Get back to work.”

“Eep!”

Even if she did have time to check out what the rest were doing, she certainly didn’t let Reo slack in the slightest as she snapped the ruler lightly in front of him.

After all Shuna was done with her schoolwork and revisions way before the study session. She was there merely for supervising purposes.

“Ah…” Reo sighed, as he realized something, “I completely forgot to check out the answer sheet from the test the other day.”

“Where is it?”

“Upstairs in my room.”

Shuna smirked, and catching on to the drift of things, Mahono, Reo’s sister snickered evilly too.

“I’ll go get it.”

“Wha—“

“Yep. Come on Shuna-chan I’ll show you the way.”

The clients had already been served, and Reo’s sister had nothing else to do rather than be the usual annoying big sister.

“…What?”

And without further delay Reo’s sister led his girlfriend upstairs, his room being their ultimate goal.

Did I have anything risky in there?

Reo pondered, but quickly sighed in relief and got back to math. Eh, it won’t hurt, right?

If it made Shuna happy peeking in his room then seeing whatever he had on display was a small price to pay. He wasn’t much for decorations either, and his room was rather plain since he recently moved there.

Or was it?

While Reo solved a few equations and the clock ticked down dangerously, a hint of cold sweat suddenly started dripping down his back.

Oh no.

He had completely forgotten about THAT picture.

❖ ⚽ ❖

“So here’s the fortress!” Mahono playfully beamed as she opened the door to her brother’s room, “Do what you have to do, sis.”

“Thanks, Mahono.” Shuna smiled with a chuckle back at Reo’s sister, as she ventured inside and Mahono took her leave. Naturally before saying…

“Whatever you find in there I am not responsible…”

You definitely are… Shuna laughed as she imagined Reo saying that.

Shuna’s heart beat elevated a tad bit as soon as she stepped foot in Reo’s personal space. On paper going into your lover’s room was not that big a deal, yet actually doing it gave way to a few emotions she never would have predicted.

She was equally parts anxious and excited.

Although the room was fairly plain at first inspection, with white walls and little to no decoration, it certainly gave off a feeling similar to that of Reo.

Simple layout, minimal design, and practical devices such as laptops and a handheld console. Maybe she expected a bit more, but it was still a new experience for her.

As she fiddled around, searching for the answer sheet she initially visited for, a glimpse of something caught her attention.

It was a picture frame. And within it a single shot.

Her breath caught on her throat, and she blinked over and over trying to make sure she wasn’t just seeing things. Within the frame was a young boy, wearing the Japanese national team kit. Short black hair, and brown eyes.

It was Reo. Turning the frame around she find a few written words, that solidified her theory.

Under 14s Asian Cup Tournament.

Reo was a footballing prodigy at just 13 years of age. Reo wasn’t just another soccer player. Reo… Jyutani Reo, once had the world at his feet.

And he never even told her about it.

❖ ⚽ ❖

When Reo rushed up the stairs, making up some sort of excuse to the others, the air within his room was tout and heavy.

His door was ajar, and through the hallway he could see Shuna holding the frame, her gaze silently glued to it.

Hm.

Yeah, that was… bad?

Reo smiled wryly, before producing a sigh. As he stepped in, Shuna raised her head to look at him.

Without a word, he took the frame off her hands, the plastic edges slipping through her fingers without any sort of resistance. After placing it back on his desk, Reo spoke.

Shuna’s reaction gave the impression she had no clue about his past, meaning Gonda never told her about it. That was very noble of him, and the young man was thankful even, yet it made the whole situation before him all that more difficult.

“I know I didn’t tell you. And you’re probably a bit shocked, and a bit mad about it.”

Shuna didn’t interrupt him, instead just simply staring back at him. Her face didn’t betray anger, just an endless amount of questions.

“I am sorry for snooping, but… why didn’t tell you anyone?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Is that the reason behind your whole attitude towards football?”

“…”

The two of them fell silent as they looked at each other, Shuna’s gaze boring holes into his face.

She was one of the main, if not the only reason Reo started playing for Hinami in the first place. She was the reason he started trying hard again.

He was anxious, and felt… conflicted. But even so… he knew he had to do this.

“It’s a long story…” Reo repeated, but shook his head, “But I’ll tell you. Will you listen?”

Shuna nodded, a hint of a smile on her face.

They agreed to meet up, after the studying session concluded, so they could talk about it all. Reo’s past, present and everything in between.

It was finally time.

❖ ⚽ ❖

On a sandy shore, whose grains were bathed in the golden sunlight of a sun slowly setting into the horizon, Reo walked with hands stuffed in his pockets. Next to him was Shuna, his girlfriend, her own hands tucked behind her back as she followed along. The atmosphere wasn’t tense, yet not inviting either. They had both decided to talk, and that’s what they set out to do.

“You know this is the first time I’ve come to the beach since arriving in Hinami.” Reo remarked, watching the tranquil waves come and go.

“Be glad it’s not midsummer cause this place would be packed.” Shuna nodded, following his gaze that swept the unknown horizon.

After that brief commentary on the scenery, Reo stopped, and sat down on the sand, patting a part of it next to him for Shuna to follow.

The girl complied, and the young man rested his hands on his knees. There was something calming about the ocean at a time like this. Something that enabled the words to fly out of his throat. He silently thanked Shuna for suggesting they take a walk there, and began.

“I guess you’re very confused about what you saw in my room, huh?”

“Confused is putting it mildly.”

“Yeah, I’d guess.”

Hugging her own knees, Shuna turned to Reo, her eyes searching his.

“You had the chance to represent the Japanese U-14s… you don’t need me to tell you how big an achievement that is, right?”

“Well, yeah it definitely was at the time. And it didn’t come easy.”

“So then, this stuff about not playing football before was a massive lie, right?”

Reo gulped, digging his nails in his arm. He remembered himself vividly saying he wouldn’t lie. But… how could he help it?

“Yeah. I ah… despite what you saw in that photo… Football isn’t all about fond memories for me.”

Shuna nodded, her face a stark contrast to her frantic heart. She would finally learn about Reo the mystery. The same Reo she had come to accept and even… love. Yet the moment they were facing seemed pivotal. But Shuna still looked calm, composed.

“You mind telling me why?”

“For 2 or so years, I told myself I’d rather never talk again than have to retell what happened back then…” Reo’s eyes narrowed at the sheer wave of memories.

“…”

“But I’m ready now. I know that to you, at least, I can rely on.”

Shuna’s face eased at those words, and waited for the next ones with even greater anticipation. Finally, she thought.

“For as long as I could remember, I was talented at football. And that talent made me stand out.” Reo looked up finally, watching the sky turn darker, the hues of orange more pronounced. “My father, caught wind of that. He was astonished. He told me that I could make it. Become a professional. The best in the country even.”

Reo thought it silly now that he recalled it, but back when he was young he really believed it to be true. And oh, how much did he like the sound of that.

“And so I worked towards that. I worked, and trained and did everything right. Countless hours in my backyard just… kicking the ball around. My father spared no expense on coaches and schools, I was soon enrolled in the best footballing middle school in Kyoto. And that’s when I got the call up for the Under 14s of Japan.” The memory of that moment still made the young man smile, although melancholy was clearly interwoven in his expression it now.

“I thought that I couldn’t mess it up. There was no doubt in my mind, that I’d make it. Failure was simply not an option. And I did not fail. I scored the winning goal, and capped off a good performance. Scouts were all over me, or at least my father who doubled as my agent would say. Contracts from pro clubs were on the table, and there was even talk from Europe…” Reo sighed, and noticed Shuna had grown completely still and merely looked.

“I was doing it, I thought. I could make it. I would definitely fulfill the goal my father was so sure of. Until one day… a hard tackle during a practice match snapped my ankle like a toothpick.”

“…” Shuna gulped, drawing a sharp breath.

“It hurt. It hurt like hell, you know. My left leg, the most precious thing on me, snapping like that. Beyond the pain it was also terrifying. Of course, my teammate didn’t want to do that to me. But you know how it is… in youth academies, everybody’s out for themselves. The few of my teammates who somewhat liked me simply offered their condolences and moved on. Just like everything in football did. My team moved on while I was away in hospital. The contracts waiting to be signed were no longer there. The teams that wanted me could never be sure when I would be back doing my best, or even if I ever could. Time did not wait for me.”

As Reo recounted the worst moments of his life, his nails dug into his jacket involuntarily, his face grimacing in pain.

“And when I did came back, I felt the time lost had weakened me. Even worse… I felt way different than before. I felt like my feet were not even my own. My body was sluggish and my mind clouded. I dropped one bad performance after the other and I got into fights with my teammates. As you well know, I never was the essence of team spirit. But seeing that attitude… my father, who had spent all his efforts and money, into me, was having none of it. The asset he had bet on, was no longer useful. It was broken. And that’s when he told me… That I should just quit. Maybe i wasn’t good enough. I was 15, and I was playing worse than every single one of my teammates. A benchwarmer could never hope to turn it around after all that. The coach, the team, my father, everybody had lost their faith in me. Reo the star, Reo the prodigy, was only a mere mob character.”

“Reo… I…”

“The pitch felt like a void. The ball like it weighed a ton, was unmovable. Every glance at a football game gave me the feeling of failure. And that’s when I decided to heed my father’s advice and quit. And seeing that… he snapped. He was no longer the one who believed in me. He cut me off, and soon, my parents’ divorce followed. I transferred schools, changed my surname to that of my mother’s, and tried to have a new start. But… word kinda travelled. It was impossible to escape it all. The only ones who were too caught up in their own shit, were a group of delinquents that I threw in with. I dyed my hair, acted all tough, and well… when I was caught smoking in the boy’s bathroom, that was when my mother realized I had reached rock bottom. She took me, and my sister, who had her own set of issues too, and came to Hinami quitting her office job.”

“So… that’s how I came here.” Reo finally nodded, as he finally turned to his girlfriend. Her eyes were moist with unshed tears, and after wiping them away, she nodded.

“I’m sorry, Reo…”

“Hey, you don’t need—“

“No, I’m really really sorry!” Shuna repeated over and over, “When I first met you… I thought the worst of you. I thought you were arrogant and edgy and… spoilt. I never knew what you went through and just assumed. When I got to know you, I realized that was not the case. But that final ounce of doubt finally seemed to disappear after everything you said. Now I just feel ashamed…”

Reo gave a small smile, and draped his arm over her frame.

“You don’t need to apologize. I was… Yeah, I still am as arrogant and edgy as ever. And truth be told, I still don’t know what the heck it is I’m doing.” Reo wanted to laugh at himself. “But one thing is for certain…”

At those words, Shuna raised her eyes, her breath catching on her throat.

“I am glad I came here and had the chance to meet you.”

When their lips locked, Shuna felt inexplicable butterflies flutter within her. It was a mix of love and… admiration. She realized she was truly in love, and that she admired his honesty.

Something she had not yet fully shown to him.

When she pulled away, she clenched her eyes shut, and fell into thought.

Reo was honest with her. Despite how much it hurt. What about her?

She had to do the same. She knew she did. And apart from everything else… she wanted him to listen.

With a thud, she slapped her cheeks between her palms.

“Hey, what’s the big idea?!” Reo flinched at the sight, and stopped her hands from doing it again.

“Reo!”

Then Shuna’s voice came clear, and resounding. She looked into his eyes resolutely and announced.

“I need to tell you something too.”

A/N: 

Greetings dear readers and friends. Why so formal you may ask? That’s because we’re only two chapters away from the ending of the 1st volume! Next week…