Chapter 38: Susumu

"I've finished most of the song," Nyoko updates me the evening after the game against Fukuda Sougou.

"Really?" I say, turning to her and grinning. "Great job! The competition's next week, so it'll be just in time."

"Winter Cup finishes this week, right?"

I nod.

"You better hand it to him afterward, then. I suppose he's too tired to practice right now."

"Yeah, that's a good idea." I think over the last few days, of the hard work he's put into the games, but the small time he's still managed to squeeze in to spend with me. "They did really well this last game, so I bet they're excited for tomorrow."

"Against . . . uh, Seirin High, was it?"

"That's the one. It'll be a tough match. Kise has been telling me all about it at work. He's gotten so excited about it that I think even Abe-san will go."

Nyoko raises an eyebrow. "Wow. What time are we leaving tomorrow, anyway?"

As I tell her the information, my mind wanders off to how Kasamatsu looked after their last victory. He'd smiled. A big, wide smile that's sorta rare for him. Not that he doesn't smile a lot or anything . . . but just a genuine one like that, one that you know comes from the heart, that could split the world if he wanted to.

It's a special sort of smile.

Hideo decides to pay us a visit that night. Like usual, it's unexpected and sudden. Nyoko is running the song she's written by me and when we hear the knock, we both start, knocking papers about.

Nyoko reaches the door first, but glances at me before opening it. We both know who it is.

Hideo tumbles into the house as soon as the door is open wide enough for him. He grins at the two of us, and there's a guitar case slung over his shoulder, just like he promised. "Hello!" he greets. It's like he hasn't been away for months, like we don't barely see him. It's like he's just come from one of his performances to a warm home with his loving sisters to welcome him back.

I wish it were so.

I force a smile to my face and grip his hand to mine. "It's good to see you," I say. "What's the occasion?" I bring him to the family room, almost feeling like I'm leading a stranger. It always feels this way at first.

He shrugs. "Why does there need to be occasion to see my family?"

He never drops by when Mom and Dad are home, though.

Nyoko gives him a tentative smiles and slides next to him on the couch. "How long are you staying?" she asks. I can hear the silent plea in her voice, for attention and time. If he notices it, he doesn't show.

"Not long," he says. "I told my girlfriend I'd spend some time with her tonight, too."

"You have a girlfriend now?"

He nods in my direction. "Yeah, she's a real sweetheart. I'd like you guys to meet her sometime."

That's doubtful, I think, but I like the idea of the offer.

"What's up with you all?" he asks.

"Well," Nyoko cuts in before I can say anything, "Susumu's signed up for a singing competition."

His eyes widen. "Really? That's quite a step, Susumu! I knew you were interested in music like me, but I didn't think you'd do anything about it, not with Mom and Dad. I'm proud of you."

"It's not like that," I say quickly. "Mom and Dad don't know about it. And if they find out, I'll tell them it's just for fun. . . . It's not going to distract me from anything. I just . . . want to do it for me."

"I don't understand."

"What's there not to understand?" I say, a slight tone of defense in my voice. "I'm not going to fight Mom and Dad about my future. They want me to prosper, and I'm fine with that. I want to sing as well . . . so maybe I can just do that my way as well as theirs. Is there not a path that I can take that makes everyone happy?"

"That's difficult, though, isn't it?" His eyes are narrowed on me. "You can't just live your life trying to please everyone. That's impossible."

"I don't think it should be possible," I say. "I'm just . . . this time, for me and for my family, I want to do this."

He leans back against the couch, his arms going behind his head. "Well, then. I suppose you're not wrong. If it's the path of your choosing, I won't do anything to dissuade you."

"Thank you."

The sliver of tension that was present moments ago eases and I let myself sit beside Hideo. Nyoko casts me a curious look, clearly the first time she's hearing these thoughts as well.

Hideo turns his attention to her next. "So what's been up with you? Have you made any life-changing decisions? Stumbled about any newfound romance?"

Nyoko blushes, a pretty pink that fills her cheeks. "Actually . . ."

Both Hideo and I inadvertently lean forward.

"I have a boyfriend," she declares.

Hideo may have been the one who asked about prospective romance, but clearly he never thought it actually applied to her. He nearly chokes. "W-what? Who? When? Why?"

The same questions are circling around my head, but then I suppose it makes sense, since she's been spending all of her time hanging out with "friends." And has seemed . . . more easily distracted lately.

"His name is Nakamura," she says. "Nakamura Shinya."

This time, I'm the one who nearly chokes. "Wait — wait. Isn't he in my year? Isn't he on the basketball team?"

She gives me an odd look. "Yeah. So? How is it any different from you and Kasamatsu?"

No wonder she's been interested in the basketball team. And how mean. To turn the conversation around to me and Kasamatsu. We aren't even dating. He doesn't even . . .

Hideo doesn't know that, though, and his sharp gaze turns to me. "Kasamatsu? Who's that? How do you know him?"

"He's . . . he's my senpai," I say, wincing. "Sometimes we play basketball together."

"You play basketball? Since when? Don't tell me you just started it to get close to this guy."

Not true, but Kasamatsu was a bonus. I don't tell him that.

A/N: In case you were wondering, Nakamura is a canon character. He subs in for Kise during the Winter Cup match against Seirin (which will be covered next chapter; look forward to it!). Thank you for reading! And thanks to those who have left a comment!

~ J. Dominique