It's been a little over a month since Kagome Higurashi had come to school.

All his classmates and teachers have begun to think it was normal for the girl to be absent.

Everyone, except him.

The illnesses that Kagome Higurashi contracted were unusual for someone their age to have: rheumatism, plantar wart, shingles, bunions, gout, ringworm, beriberi, and neuralgia, were some of the ailments she had.

No, it didn't add up.

It was also strange that on the days Higurashi-san would come back to school, the girl would arrive as if she wasn't sick at all. She wasn't pale but rather looked more tanner than she did before. This meant she wasn't bedridden but was spending her time outside.

Doing what though? What was so important for her to ditch school?

"..."

Well, whatever it is, it was changing the girl. Before, he had said it was easy to spot where Higurashi-san was now, this was more prevalent. When her group of friends were chatting there were moments where the girl would have a look on her face as if she was deep in thought of something else.

Her friends would then try to get her attention and she'd quickly smile back at them. Letting the cycle repeat itself with Higurashi-san going back to her own thoughts until they stopped bugging her.

Her smile...Her smile now is more...what word would he use to describe it?

'She always wore a grin on her face while she merrily talked with her friends no matter how mundane their conversations were.'

'A glittering sparkly light enveloped her group.'

Dull and lifeless. Before there was a warm feeling behind them now, it seemed empty.

Was she doing alright?

"Keep it up everybody!" It was Mein Ijimeru.

The boy was a few feet behind meaning, Kenma was about to be lapped. Noticing this Ijimeru ran up to him with a smile plastered on his face. "Hey, Kozume-san!"

Mein Ijimero, although he was a fellow 2nd year, he was one of the few additions to their team this year. His reasoning for joining late was that he didn't see any promise in his old club. Many people guessed it was due to his old club being basketball. He presummingly quit after he realized his team could never win the Nationals due to a dominating team called the Generation of Miracles.

As an old basketball club member, Ijimeru had great confidence that he would become a regular in their team in no time, causing him to have an over inflated ego. He would do things that would show off his taller stature: Constantly having his hands to his hips to make himself look bigger. Wearing athletic shirts to practice that were tight enough to showcase his tone body.

Although the boy was cocky there was another reason why Kenma Kozume disliked him. It was because….

Ijimeru slowed his pace to keep in line with Kenma. "I can't believe," He whispered in a low tone, as if to be discreet enough to not be heard by anyone. "You're so slow even though you're a regular." He chuckled before he ran past him to talk to a couple of third years that were up ahead.

Mein Ijimeru was a bully and he wasn't the only one.

Ijimeru and the few third years ahead, looked at him over their shoulders. Their eyes narrowed into slits quietly judging his form.

Kenma knew that his current state was atrocious. His long hair sticking to his sweaty face, flailing legs and desperate gasps for air like a fish out of water.

He could tell what they were thinking just by looking at him.

'Hey, how is he even a starter player?'

Situations like these have constantly been occurring at their club. Yet, he didn't quit. A big reason for that was he had Kuroo for support.

"They'll see that you're a big asset to the team," Kuroo had told him last year.

"..."

Kuroo had been right. Even though there still were some who disliked him for his lack of athleticism, the amount of people on the team who believed and supported him far outweighed the number.

At the finish line was Kuroo. "Kenma, you can do it!"

'Steady your breathing, upright posture, and rhythmic pace.' From Kuroo's encouragement, he decided to finish strong.

"Ke-"

"Ken-"

Judging by how she was acting with her friends, she was distancing herself from them.

Kuroo eyed out the boisterous group that was laughing to themselves then, he turned his attention to his friend. "Kenma!"

"..."

"You're okay right?" He glanced at him, his eyes tight and worried.

"Un"

Like how he had Kuroo, did she have anyone to support her?

"I'm fine, really."

Did he have any right to be worried about her? He was just a classmate in her eyes.

Please read and review.

Thanks to those who reviewed last time :)

Mein Ijimeru, can be translated to main bully.