April 20

This day, the day of the ball tournament, marks the day that Kakeru come back after two weeks of not coming to school.

It has been two weeks since Kakeru didn't come to school. Suwa wondered what had happened. It was really odd, since Kakeru just came for one day, and then missed two weeks of class. Well, today was the ball tournament, so he wouldn't really have missed out much? Then again, if he was someone who loves sports, he might be missing out on something. Kakeru's absence was in a way a respite for Suwa, since he didn't have to take into account of what the letter from the future said. Though, he was still really curious about Kakeru's absence. He should have asked for Kakeru's number.

Of course, if he would to believe the letter, Kakeru would be back today.

Since it was the ball tournament, then wasn't class today. Beyond arriving in time for the class soccer matches, Suwa didn't really have much to do for now, so he decided to just walk around the corridors.

"Suwa!" said a familiar voice. Looking around, Suwa saw his homeroom teacher calling him. Wondering what it is, Suwa caught sight of a familiar black-haired boy that he hasn't seen in 2 weeks. Kakeru was back. It seems that the letter was correct.

"Yes, sir?" said Suwa to his homeroom teacher.

"Would you mind showing Kakeru where the first-aid tent is? Since he wasn't here for the last two weeks, I thought of making him be part of the first-aid team."

"Sure."

Kakeru then followed Suwa as they walked towards the first-aid tent. It was awkward, since there was a silence between both of them.

"Good morning." both of them said at the same time. They started laughing at this awkward attempt to start a conversation.

"Long time no see. What have you been doing this two weeks?" said Suwa

"Slacking off."

"What? HAHAHA." The ridiculousness of Kakeru's answer. Was it an attempt to make a joke? Or was he hiding something? Or maybe an attempt to use the joke to cover. Suwa was really curious, but he couldn't really do much about it. They were just… one-day friends?

In order to avoid another silence, Suwa then continued by asking for Kakeru's number, since he didn't have it. Kakeru promptly gave his number to him.

"So, what sport are you participating in?" asked Kakeru

"Soccer. I'm from the soccer club after all."

"What position do you play?"

"I'm the forward. I score such good goals then I am called Messi of Masumoto."

Kakeru started laughing hysterically. "Aren't you ashamed of making such a shameless statement?"

"Anything to make your gloomy face smile," said Suwa. It seems that his joke managed to a smile to Kakeru's original gloomy face. His face today was worse than the first time he had seen him.

"Thanks."

Continuing the conversation, Suwa learned that Kakeru used to play soccer at his old school in Tokyo. The conversation went in a direction whereby Suwa and Kakeru chat about soccer. Their random conversation ended when they arrived at the first-aid tent.

"Good luck for the soccer match later." said Kakeru

"Thanks. Make sure you come and watch."

"Haha. Will definitely be there."

Kakeru was quite a nice person to talk to. And he enjoys soccer too. Hagita didn't really like soccer, so he couldn't talk about soccer with him. But he could talk about soccer with Kakeru.

The sports festival was over. Their class managed to win the soccer match. Naho too. She was a substitute batter, but she managed to score a home run for the softball match. It was really tiring, and Suwa was planning to go home.

As he was walking past the field, he saw Kakeru treating Naho's leg. It seems she hurt her leg. Was it while playing softball? Or before? Kakeru and Naho were chatting happily. Suwa felt a pang of jealousy at the sight of both of them being together. It seems that it might be true when the letter said Naho and Kakeru were meant to be together.

He needs to support them. He was hesitant over this two weeks, but talking to Kakeru this morning, he was somehow sure that Kakeru was a good person. Kakeru would treat Naho really well. Well, it might be too early to make such a judgement. Whatever makes Naho happy, he guesses. If being with Kakeru makes her happy, he would support it.

Suwa decided to go home. As he was walking home, he received a message.

"Great game today, Suwa. Maybe Messi ofMasumoto was not a joke after all HAHA." Suwa smiled after reading this message. Such a nice person. He couldn't possibly hate this person, could he?

April 23

Today is the day of the soccer try-outs. Make sure you bring him to the soccer try-outs and make him join the soccer club. You should not encounter much problem today though. Kakeru will be hesitant but you should be able to drag him.

After the try-outs, the seniors will tell you that they want him in the club. Obviously, since he is talented. But Kakeru will refuse. You must make sure he joins, no matter what. He will agree to be a temporary member.

"Ka-ke-ru!" said Suwa from behind of him. "You're free today, right? Come and join the soccer club try-outs."

"What? Why?" said Kakeru.

"You used to play in a soccer club, no? Anyway, a little bird told me that you said that you were better than me in soccer."

"Naho! Don't simply spread rumours."

"Too late, you're coming with me, Kakeru."

Suwa playfully drags Kakeru out of the class. Though, Kakeru was not really putting any strength in resisting. Ever since Suwa learned about Kakeru liking soccer, they have sometimes exchanged messages about soccer, discussing certain matches. Suwa had actually already told him about the soccer try-outs. Though every time he brought up the topic, Kakeru would attempt to avoid it. But, Suwa was sure that Kakeru was interested in joining. The fact that he was not really resisting as he dragged him might be good evidence.

Clink! Something drops on the floor. Azusa checks the floor and noticed that it was a button.

"Ah wait, someone lost a button. Is it Suwa's or Kakeru's?" suddenly Azusa asked.

Kakeru and Suwa both checked their shirts.

"Ah, it's my coat. My mother will scold me for this." said Suwa.

"I can sew it on for you." said Naho

"You, can?"

"Yeah, I have a mini sewing kit with me."

"Then when you are done, come watch us on the field." said Suwa.

"Sure." Naho smiled. Sometimes, Suwa just wondered who created this angelic girl on Earth. God, maybe?

Suwa then continues to drag Kakeru towards the field. Kakeru seemed to have resigned himself to go for the soccer try-outs.

"Kakeru, you were amazing. You managed to score a goal." said Azusa.

"Hey, I pass the ball to him, you know." said Suwa

"Well, the one who strikes the goal is cooler." said Takako.

"True." said Suwa while pouting.

"Thanks, Suwa, for the pass." said Kakeru.

"Anyway anyway, I have an important announcement to make." said Suwa

"What?" said Azusa

"Kakeru is joining the club starting tomorrow." said Suwa

"Eh? I never said that." said Kakeru.

"What? It such a waste of your talent, join us!"

"But…"

"You will be on the main team in no time. As Messi of Masumoto, I guarantee it."

"But, I can't get up in the morning. I can never join morning practice"

"Excuses! I can always call you wake up in the morning. The seniors want you to join too. You got their approval. Even as a provisional member. Join us. Please. PLEASE." said Suwa.

Everyone stared at Kakeru.

"Fine, fine. If it is just as a temporary member, I guess that's okay." said Kakeru.

"Yahoo!" said Suwa, before going on to hug Kakeru. His was really happy, for some reason. He wondered why. Maybe it was the fact that he managed to convince such a talented person to join the soccer team? Which brings to the question, why was Kakeru so opposed to joining?

"Suwa just looked as if he got his proposal accepted." said Azusa.

"Haha. It seems so." said Takako.

"Suwa!" said Naho, finally breaking her long silence.

"Yes?"

"I mend your coat. There was another button going to drop off too, so I mend it too." said Naho.

"Thanks, Naho!" said Suwa. It was followed by a laugh from someone else.

"You're such a mom." said Kakeru, before continuing to laugh.

"Yeah, and she makes her own lunch too." adds Azusa.

"Then, can you prepare lunch for me too?" asked Kakeru to Naho.

"Sure, I'll bring one tomorrow."

"Haha, I'm just kidding."

Suwa watches the banter between Kakeru and Naho. He wanted a lunch box from Naho too. But, he's too embarrassed to ask for one.

It was the next day, and somehow Kakeru didn't run away from practice. Practice was fun with Kakeru today.

The practice was over now, and he and Kakeru decided to go home together. As they were walking home, they saw Naho. 'Why was she still here?' Suwa wondered. Unfortunately, there wasn't any entries in the letter about today. Weird, he was starting to rely and believe the letter.

"I'm sorry about earlier, Kakeru." Naho shouted after rushing in front of them suddenly, before attempting to run away. However, Kakeru managed to stop her by saying he had something to talk to him with her.

"Then, I'll be leaving first." Seeing that he presence was not needed, Suwa said that.

"Nah, Suwa. Don't leave first. Wait for me. It will be quick." said Kakeru.

Naho and Kakeru walked towards the bench and sat down, before starting to talk. It was slightly serious at first. However, before long, they were laughing. Suwa was puzzled. Naho then took out a lunch box and gave to Kakeru. Oh, so she really did make lunch for him after all.

Despite Kakeru assurance just now, their talk seems to be taking quite some time. Suwa was starting to feel like he was being rude watching their talk. Maybe if he left quietly, Kakeru would not realise? Watching them, Suwa realised that what the letter said was true, that Kakeru and Naho should be together. His role was then to be a silent supporter, no?

Engrossed in their conversation, Kakeru did not notice as Suwa when home.

While on the way home, Suwa's phone suddenly rang.

"Oooi, Suwa, where the hell are you?"

"On the way home. Didn't want to disturb your date."

"What? That's wasn't a date. Where are you exactly?"

"Near Agata Forest."

"There's a park there, right? Wait for me there."

Before Suwa could refuse him, Kakeru cut the line. He tried to call back. However, Kakeru wasn't picking up. Could that be deliberate? Kakeru was turning out to be cheekier than he thought.

Resigning himself to his fate, Suwa went into the Agata Forest Park to find a bench to sit. Born and bred in Matsumoto, he had seen the forest many times. There was nothing new for him. The sakura season was just over.

He wondered what kind of person Kakeru is? At first sight, he seems to be cheerful, but if he were to believe the letter from the future, behind that façade lies a deep sadness. Not only the letter, there were other signs, such as refusing to join the soccer club even though he clearly enjoyed it. There was a hint of sadness in his constantly laughing smile, Suwa thinks. Might he be succumbing to confirmation bias due to the letter though?

Since they exchanged numbers, they have been messaging each other. Just 4 days though, but they managed to exchange quite a lot of messages. Well, most of it was debates about different soccer teams and their players, who being the best player, and who being the best club. Obviously, for him, Messi was the best player. Somehow, they didn't manage to talk about other things. He should ask him more non-soccer stuff later. What other things does he do other than soccer?

His thoughts randomly moving around many topics relating to Kakeru. Suicide, depression, Naho's and Kakeru's relationship, his friendship with Kakeru, soccer practice.

"Su-wa!"

"What? You surprised me, Kakeru."

"Good! That was the whole point."

Suwa rolled his eyes at Kakeru. This was becoming ridiculous.

"So, what? Why didn't you let me go home peacefully, hah?"

"You want the real answer or the fake answer?"

"The fake answer first."

"Because I want to torment SU-WA!"

What? Kakeru was acting like he was high…

"The real answer?"

"Not telling. I asked whether you want the real or the fake answer, not which one first."

"Good! Then, I'm leaving." Suwa started pretending to leave.

"Ooi, wait, wait, I brought something good. Ta-da."

It was the lunch box Naho gave Kakeru just now.

"The food is probably cold, since Naho meant this for lunch, but it is now nearer to dinner time. Haha. But, you are probably hungry while waiting for me. Please have some. A homemade lunch from a girl, you know."

Suwa stomach started growling. He was after all known for being a glutton. Furthermore, a lunch box from his crush. Even if it wasn't meant for him in the first place.

"Haha. Look even your stomach is growling. Let's eat. But there is only one pair of chopsticks, so we need to share."

"Sure. Unless you are worried about indirect kisses?" added Suwa as a joke. Kakeru seems to be making all the jokes so far, thus Suwa felt a need to make a joke too.

"What's that?" Kakeru responded with a bewildered face.

"Have you ever read Shoujo manga?" asked Suwa.

"Nope."

"I once read a Shoujo manga out of curiosity. That was the time I encountered the weirdest concept ever called indirect kiss. Basically, the heroine of the manga was worrying about sharing a cup with the guy she likes. It's called indirect kiss because the cup touches both their mouth."

"What? This is so ridiculous."

"Do you think girls actually worry about such thing?" asked Suwa

"Those that read too much Shoujo manga, maybe?"

"Hahahahahahaha…"

Two person eating with one pair of chopsticks only was rather annoying, since they needed to switch every they eat. Naho's cooked food was rather tasty. Suwa noticed that Kakeru was targeting the mashed potato rather often. He likes mashed potato? Or just Naho's one. Since, it was actually quite tasty. Kakeru was constantly making stupid jokes, like counting the number of times they indirectly kiss.

Still, two guys sharing a bento made by another girl. Weirdest thing to ever happened to him.

They demolished the lunch box swiftly, since they were super hungry and there were two of them.

"Done. Time to go home." said Kakeru.

"Ok. See you tomorrow then."

They stood up and pack their stuff before leaving.

"Bye, Suwa. See you tomorrow." said Kakeru. It was only then did Suwa realised that Kakeru has been holding back his tears. That was why he was being so funny. He was holding back his sadness.

"Bye." On impulse, he added: "Kakeru, next time, you don't need to hold back."

From a distance, he thought he saw tears dripping from Kakeru's eyes.