You want your friend back. You never thought that was something you'd ever wish for, because you never expected your best friend to change so drastically. There is a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach that Reina is gone for good, and only Ulvida remains, but of course you never say a word to her.
You mention this in passing to Kohma, once. It's late but you two are still on the field, casually passing the ball to one another and rehashing the thoughts of the day. It's times like these that Keeve slips away and Fumiko starts talking; and it's uncharacteristic to say the least, because Keeve is quick and merciless on and off the pitch.
Kohma listens, and it's hard to tell what he's thinking because his lazy smirk never leaves his face as you says your thoughts aloud. When you're done and he's in control of the ball he kicks it back to you with more force than you were expecting; you stop it nonetheless. You are the quickest defender in Aliea Academy, anything less is unacceptable.
It serves as a starting point for him, though- a sudden shock to get your attention.
"Perhaps," Kohma replies, catching your eyes for a second before averting his gaze slowly to the ceiling and stars above. Everything about Kohma is cryptic at times, but that's what makes him interesting.
"Wouldn't you say it's worth it, though?" he continues, effortlessly stopping your pass to him without looking. "If it's for Father, at least."
"I…suppose," you reply uncomfortably, partially resigning yourself to the fact that Kohma seems unconcerned. "I just…wonder about her sometimes."
"She's the vice-captain. She's more than capable of watching over herself."
"She's more power-hungry than I ever remember her. She was always competitive, but now…" Your sentence trails off. You're not sure you want to consider anything more, at least in front of Kohma. You don't want to bring up the meteorite, but you can't help thinking of it. You've seen the way it affects people.
"I'm sure," Kohma says suddenly, finally looking at you again and kicking the ball back to you with the same force as before, "that anything she's done or how she's acting is of her own choosing."
You left foot rests on top of the ball. You lift it off and bend down to pick it up, your mouth a flat line, trying to hide the annoyance you feel at him guessing your train of thoughts.
"At the end of the day, we're doing this for someone we care about. Don't the ends justify the means, then?"
It's a question meant to challenge you. You look him straight in the eye while dropping the ball to the grass and delivering a lightning-fast kick. He stops it readily.
"Of course," you reply, and it's Keeve talking again.
"Good," and you're not sure if the smile is genuine or not, but he picks up the ball and tucks it under one arm before extending a hand to you.
"Now then, it's past midnight. We better get to bed before Gran finds us out late."
It sounds surprisingly sincere, what he says, and you take his hand. You wonder if he follows his own advice.
(A/N: I love minor characters too much. Hopefully I can update this at least once every other week or so.)