May 1

Despite joining the soccer club as a temporary member, Kakeru still didn't join the soccer club in the end as a full member. I don't know why he is so insistent about not joining the soccer club but without a doubt (and you can attest it yourself) he is definitely interested in joining the soccer club. Please convince him to join the soccer club, no matter what.

It has been one week since the soccer tryouts. Kakeru had joined the soccer club as a temporary member for the past week. It is the day when Kakeru will decide whether he would continue as a permanent club member or not. Normally, Suwa would have believed that Kakeru would join the soccer club, especially since his performance was great, and even more importantly, he enjoyed himself while in the soccer club. Suwa enjoyed having Kakeru in the soccer club too. He was a superior teammate with soccer skills that even he found hard to match.

But… One word. Letter. The letter clearly wrote that Kakeru would tell him that he would not join the club. And the events of the last few letters have given him substantial proof to believe in this letter from the future.

"Suwa! Concentrate!" shouted his soccer coach. His form today during morning practice was indeed not his best. He was worrying too much about whether Kakeru will be joining the soccer club or not.

What could he possibly do to convince Kakeru to join the club? Indeed, his feelings of wanting Kakeru to join the club was more than just following the instructions of the letter. He had started to consider Kakeru an important friend. Wishing Kakeru to be in the soccer club with him, wishing to play soccer with him, that was his genuine feelings.

Suwa wasn't the craftiest person, clearly, he was a below average craftiness human specimen. Then, tricking Kakeru to join the club would not work. He didn't have any tricks up his sleeves after all.

"Suwa." He was tapped from the back by his coach. "Any problems? You don't seem to be able to concentrate. Take a break from morning practice today."

Suwa was about to protest that he could still continue, but his coach resolutely told him to take a break from practice today. "You're just a trouble to others today." he was told.

This day was getting worse from the moment. And he still does not have any idea of how to convince Kakeru. Well, there might be an advantage to being given a break since he could try to use the extra time to think out ideas to convince Kakeru?

"Good morning, Suwa." Suwa turned back and saw that it was Kakeru.

"Good morning, Kakeru."

"How was morning practice today?"

"It was great. The Messi of Matsumoto works hard every day." Suwa lied. He didn't want to tell the truth to Kakeru. He still hasn't thought of a method to convince Kakeru. Kakeru was bound to tell him his decision soon. He hoped that the letter would be false.

"Haha. Still on with that joke, Suwa. You really like that nickname, don't you?"

"Of course, Messi is my idol. It would be great if Argentina was next to Nagano. I would go and watch him every day."

"But Messi is usually in Spain playing for Barcelona during the football season, Suwa."

"So harsh, Kakeru. Breaking my heart so early in the morning." Suwa pretended he was hurt badly, dramatizing the situation but clenching his heart with his hand. This invited a laugh from Kakeru.

They continue to walk. It was silent, despite the fact that many students were exchanging greetings in the corridor.

"Oh yeah, Suwa. I'm sorry. I can't join the soccer club after all." said Kakeru.

There it was.

Suwa stopped walking suddenly. A complex fusion of emotions filled up him. Some of it angry at the fact that Kakeru didn't want to join the club despite the fact he was talented and clearly enjoyed it. Some of it hurt at the fact that Kakeru didn't consider him important enough to join the club. Some of him sad at the fact that he wouldn't be able to play soccer with Kakeru.

He turned his head back towards Kakeru, his face contorted with all kinds of emotions.

"I won't accept that!" He shouted so loudly that some of the other students stared at them. Kakeru face was a mixture of surprise.

"Didn't you have fun? Don't you like soccer? Please! I beg you. I need you." words that Suwa wouldn't have said, some of his true feelings spread out from his mouth.

Kakeru's face was a mixture of hesitant, and guiltiness. He looked as if he didn't know what to do. It looks as if he was begging Suwa not to push him anymore.

That face was enough to stop Suwa. He was nearly going to spit out a bunch of complaints, all his emotions, words that will surely hurt Kakeru, maybe guilt trip him into joining the club. But that was not what Suwa wants. He wants Kakeru to join of his own free will. But what does Kakeru truly desire? Even at the best of times, people do not necessarily know what they really want, no?

A compromise maybe? A sudden thought rescues his helpless mind, and he sort of knows what to do.

"No way! No way! No way! No way! No way! No way! No way! No way! No way! No way! No way! I'm going to quit soccer if you do. Let's play soccer together." Suwa threw a tantrum in front of everyone. Sitting on the floor and slamming his hands on the floor.

It was the most embarrassing thing he ever did. It was more comical than anything. But, that was one of his best mask, the comedian. He rarely used it in such a crafty way. But, it strikes a balance between outright guilt tripping Kakeru with hurtful words and completely resigning to the fact that Kakeru would not join the club. It expressed his true feelings in a comical way. Maybe, just maybe, he hoped that his feelings would reach Kakeru.

"I'll join. OK, Suwa?" It was genuine, slightly helpless, but not in a trapped way, instead more of a resignation kind of smile that greeted him.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Yes! I'll go and submit your club application form now! See you in class, ok?" Without waiting for Kakeru's reply, he rushed towards the office.

"Don't forget your promise to wake me up in the morning."

He was filled with unspeakable happiness the moment that Kakeru replied him with a yes. All the anger, sadness disappeared. Suwa didn't know why. But, it was quite dangerous indeed, this person who could swing his emotions with a few words.