"Hm… yeah, you guys look pathetic." The coach said, throwing the ball back at Akaji.
"Sorry sir, let's go again." Saitō said, standing up.
"No, I think you guys are just not good enough for soccer. Even the ones who were in the supposed team." He said, looking at Nakamura and Kimishita.
"Tch." Kimishita clicked his tongue while looking away.
"Let's start with basic training. Why don't you guys jog 10 laps around the dorm and field." He said with a strict face.
"Aw!" They complained as we began running.
"Damn, he's too strict." Kimishita said with a frown.
"That's right." Nakamura said as we kept jogging.
*Sorry, guys. I think it's my fault.*
"Come on, let's go faster!" Akatsuki said.
*Somehow, whenever I look at him, I feel like he's got some kind of familiar presence.* I thought, looking at Akatsuki.
"See what I said, your bangs are going to be a problem for you." Sugawara said smiling as she ran beside me.
"Yeah, but it's okay this way." I said without looking at her.
*This feels more like a punishment than training.* I thought, falling behind.
~ ~ ~
Huff… huff…
"Ha… I'm beat!" Saitō said, falling on the floor and panting heavily.
"Me too."
"Hm? That was rather too slow. Looks like you guys will have to go once more." The coach said.
He sat on a chair outside, drinking soda with his legs crossed.
"Once more?!"
"You've gotta be kidding me."
"It's just 10 laps, though." He said, smiling at me.
"Ha…"
"Now, let's continue." He said, standing up.
"Why?!"
"Ugh…"
"I'm gonna lose it."
He asked that we bring out the stuff for training in the equipment store.
"Tanaka-san." He called looking at Akaji, who turned to him immediately.
"Yes, coach?"
"Here!" He said, throwing a stop watch to him.
"Hm?"
"Use it to time their runs. I'll be sending the training drills for today. Something just came up."
"Thank goodness."
"We're saved."
*What?! What about the bet?!* I thought as we began setting the cones and dummies.
"It's actually something really important." He said, waving and walking out.
*Hm? Was he talking to me specifically?*
"Guys, I'll be sending the drills to you. It would be a pain if we all did the same thing. It might cause confusion or even start up an argument." Akaji said with a smile before looking at Nakamura and Kimishita, who had already started a fight.
"Huh💢, why don't you go find something else to do?" Kimishita asked.
"Huh? I came here before you did, why don't you piss off, ugly."
"Huh, you bastard,"💢💢
*I see why he said that.* I thought.
"Something like that might happen." Akaji continued as we all nodded.
The training continued with Kimishita and Nakamura arguing and getting into fights every minute.
"Seems like you love staying by yourself." Ueta said, smiling.
"Hm? Not really. There's just no one to speak to now." I said, running through the cones.
"Heh...? If you say so." She said before walking out.
She walked towards Akaji and began laughing. She was obviously fitting in with others, something I was sure I'd never make happen.
At the end of the day, we all finished the drills and went back to the dorm. I smiled at myself for not being a hindrance on the first day of training.
*I think I'm gonna get addicted.* I thought, taking my bath.
"Whoa, that's crazy." One of the other guys said before walking into the bathroom.
There they were, all six of them.
"Oh, Atsushi, you're here." Akaji said, smiling.
"Hey man, you really have no presence here." Nakamura said.
"Oh, yeah… I see…" I said without looking at any of them.
Thet kept going on and on about how the girls looked when training.
*They really have a problem.* I thought coming out of the bath.
"Whoa, that's big." Kimishita said, looking at me.
"Huh?" I asked, not understanding what he meant.
"For reals Atsushi-kun, what the hell do you take?" Watabe asked.
*What the hell's up with them?* I thought following Watabes eyes.
"Geez!" I shouted, grabbing a towel and covering myself.
"Don't be shy." Watabe said as I walked out hurriedly.
*They may be a pain, but... it's not much of a big deal, since they don't butt into my personal life.* I thought putting on some clothes.
☆ ☆ ☆
"Today was really stressful." Sugawara said.
"Yeah, I feel so tired." Yamazake Akane said.
*Not like you guys did anything.* I thought, looking up.
*More importantly, what the hell are they doing in this room?*
After I left the bathroom, I went straight to my bed. I heard Uetas' voice as she walked into the room. I decided to act like I was asleep to avoid any form of conversation. And here I am, the 5 girls were in my room or maybe 4, I didn't hear Sugawaras voice.
That wasn't a problem, though, as long as I have no conversation with them, I had no problem. One of them was on my bed, though, Hayashi Chika.
*I wish I could up and run, but it'd be suspicious if I just up and walked out.* I thought, sighing quietly.
"You know, Tanaka is like tots Hot." Someone among them said.
"Yeah, I agree with you."
"And he's nice too, oh my, he's like super cute too."
"Yeah, I agree with you."
"Hm… he sure is, but I wonder why you all are all over him." Akane said.
"Huh? Akane, why do you say so?"
"Nothing. I just can't see myself thinking of him that way." She answered.
*Yeah, I'm done listening. These girls should bring up this topic somewhere else.* I thought, covering my ears.
"Huh? Is he up?"
"I don't think so."
*Urgh. I wish I was somewhere else right now. I'll just have to force myself to sleep now.* I thought, shutting my eyes tight.
The next day, we all gathered in the field again, but the coach didn't show up, so Akaji decided to try out the drills again. The training went on and on until the coach came to the field.
"I'm late. Let's begin. Go 10 laps." He said.
"Oh, that's better than yesterday."
"I meant round the building, though." The coach said.
"Huh?!"
"20 laps." He said, walking back to a seat as we began running.
"Hey, look, it's them again, people from group C." A guy said as we ran around the compound.
"Looks like they're really doing their best. Let's go." Another guy said sarcastically as they laughed.
"Tch. Look, other teams are taking it easy. That pisses me off." Nakamura said angrily.
"Well, they do have their own training. Don't let what they say get to you." Akaji said with a smile.
*He really is a nice guy, though. I can't see myself always calming Kiichi and Nakamura down.*
"Hey." Sugawara called running beside me.
*This again? I'm tired of this.* I thought, looking down at her.
"Wanna go shopping with me today?" She asked with a smile.
"Huh? Is there a particular reason why?" I asked.
"Not really." She said.
*Why me, though? Does she need something from me?*
"Can't you go with the girls?" I asked.
"The girls, they have other plans." She said, looking away.
"Oh... I don't see why not. We'll go, but only this once." I said.
"Okay, thanks." She said with a bright smile.
*Yeah, something's not right.* I thought, looking at her from the corner of my eyes as she smiled at me.
*I wonder what's wrong.*
"Thanks."