.


III

Sometimes Seijūrō surprises him with his visits. The simplest excuse is to say that Rakuzan is having a practice match with Seirin (even if the high schools are too far apart from each other). But Seijūrō seldom tells Kouki that he has only wanted to see him. Kouki does not like to hear him say that, because his heart speeds up like a madman until he almost escapes from his chest and he knows it's not okay to think that way, and he inevitably feels guilty when he looks at him and Seijūrō looks back at him with a smile.

What would Seijūrō think if he knew that Kouki has that kind of feelings for him? Kouki is afraid that their friendship will end.

"Hey! Furihata is not even listening" Fukuda Says.

And it's true, because although everyone has gathered to chat after training, Kouki's mind wanders in space more than being there with the others.

"I-I'm sorry"

Everyone sighs and berates him for not paying attention to the talk. But Kouki focuses on the distant group that is Rakuzan when Reo bursts into laughter, while the blond of the group covers his face to avoid laughing. Seijūrō also laughs, though more lightly, and Kouki cannot take his eyes off him.