October 1st

Today, Kakeru was chosen to run the 100-meter relay dash since he was the fastest during today's PE. 6 other boys and girls were chosen. He is going to be the anchor.

But, during the sports festival, he suddenly twisted and his ankle and fell down, and our class loses. Kakeru blames himself for losing. He was anxious about the event and was under a lot of pressure. That loss of confidence in himself, I'm sure it contributed to his depression.

For Kakeru's sake, do something so that he is no longer in the relay.

"Hey, hey, Kakeru's awake." said Hagita.

"Kakeru, you scared me! I mean Kakeru, you fainted!" said Azusa. Naho looked on concernly.

"Eh, I'm in the infirmary?" said Kakeru.

"Yeah. That's because you're a weakling who fainted during the soccer practice." said Takako while shaking her head.

"Don't bully me, Takako, I'm a sick person!" said Kakeru.

"Well, that's because you didn't take care of yourself! Look, Suwa is stunned in shock here." said Takako. Kakeru looked at Suwa.

"Hah? What are you saying?" said Suwa.

"Ahahahaha! The expression on Suwa's face just now hahaha." Kakeru laughed while looking at Suwa.

"Did Kakeru hurt his head just now?" asked Hagita.

"Yeah? Was Suwa's face that funny?" asked Naho. Azusa, Hagita, and Takako started observing Suwa's face.

"Hey, nothing's wrong with my face." said Suwa.

"Well, ahahaha, you can't see it ahahaha now… It was just a split second. Anyways, sorry guys for worrying all of you. I'm fine now." said Kakeru.

"Are you … eating well?" asked Suwa

"Yeah! But, not as much as you!" said Kakeru.

"Hahaha, yeah, Suwa's such a glutton." said Azusa.

"But, seriously, take care of yourself, Kakeru." said Takako.

Suwa could probably guess why Kakeru fainted today. Since Kakeru joined the soccer club, since he was just a newbie, he worked twice as hard so that he could be selected as a starter. He must have overworked himself. Suwa wondered if inviting Kakeru was to join the soccer club was a good choice.

"Naruse-kun, your grandmother is here to pick you up." said the nurse.

"Argh, so fast! I still want to make jokes about Hagita with Kakeru." said Azusa.

"I can't believe that you cooperated with this girl to make jokes about me, Kakeru!" said Hagita.

"Ahahahaha. I just like to bully Hagita, ahahaha." said Kakeru.

After school, Suwa walked back home with Naho.

"Suwa!" said Naho.

"Yeah?"

"Why the gloomy face? I've noticed it since just now."

"Do you think that asking Kakeru to join the soccer club was a good idea?"

"Why not?"

"Well, it seems that he overworked himself and that's why he fainted today."

"You feel responsible about it? Hmm… But, isn't that… the proof that he is having fun?"

"Hmm… Now, that you say this, I think so too? Hehehe, I can't believe that Naho, you are here giving me advice. When did the Naho who was such a worrier become so mature?"

"People changed all the time, whenever they face adversity, or sometimes not necessarily."

Really, it seems that Naho has changed since she was in middle school. Somehow. Suwa wonders whether he still has a crush on her? He wonders how people who married remained in love with their partners 20, 30, 40, 50… years after, considering that they changed so often. Suwa fell for her kindness when they were just in middle school. But… After a long time burying his feelings, Suwa wonders whether they are still the same. Now, she seems to have a kindness tempered with maturity.

Line Group – "Save Kakeru!"

Naho: How are we going to ensure that Kakeru is not in the relay race?

Suwa: I can try to run faster than him during PE, but he is a really fast runner…, and the teacher might still choose him to run for the race?

Azusa: We can try to trip him when he is running.

Hagita: That will not work. He will just be asked to rerun. Food poisoning would be a better idea.

Azusa: How are we going to make Kakeru get food poisoning?

Takako: Can you give SANER and better ideas that don't hurt Kakeru?

Hagita: Well, there is obviously a trade-off between not physically harming Kakeru and inability to prevent him from being selected into the race.

Suwa: We can try persuading him?

Takako: What reason are we going to give him?

Naho: That we are worried about his health? Because he fainted that day?

Takako: Hmm… Good idea. If we were all there to persuade him, it might work?

Hagita: What are we going to do if he doesn't get persuaded? We need a foolproof method.

Naho: Well, if anyone has a good idea that doesn't involve harming Kakeru, then, just put it in this group.

"Kakeru! Are you sure you want to be the anchor for the relay?" said Suwa.

"Yeah, if the pressure is too much for you, Suwa can run for you." said Naho.

"Nah, it's fine. I'm sort of looking forward to it. It makes me feel like I'm useful sometimes." said Kakeru.

"But I'm worried about your health. You fainted the last time." said Suwa.

"Yeah, we are worried about you." said Takako.

"What if you fainted again?" said Azusa.

"Or get food poisoning?" said Hagita. Takako gave Hagita a sharp glare.

"Ahahaha! What… Food poisoning!" Kakeru laughed.

"But, yeah… Maybe I shouldn't be the anchor? It seems like a lot of pressure representing the class. If I get food poisoning, who knows? But, Suwa? Wouldn't it be too much pressure for you too?" said Kakeru.

"Don't worry about me! If you want, I can replace you for the run. I'm pressure free." said Suwa.

"Gahahahaha. Pressure free…" Kakeru laughed again.

"Then, I'll inform the teacher." said Suwa.

"Yeah."

It was mission accomplished. They managed to convince Kakeru, though Suwa didn't expected that Kakeru was looking forward to the race. Well, it was unavoidable this time. Kakeru's survival comes first.

"So, you want me to help you with practicing the run?" asked Kakeru. Suwa nodded.

"And I need to really run while passing the baton?" Suwa nodded.

"What… I thought I didn't need to practice running for the race anymore. Why can't I just pass normally?"

"I need to practice the momentum." said Suwa.

"What… Momentum… Then, shouldn't you be doing this with the rest of the runners? So that you can get the CORRECT momentum." said Kakeru.

"Ahahaha. Well, they are busy with other stuff, so for now, I guess I can only get the APPROXIMATE momentum." said Suwa.

"Hahaha. Well, since you have already bullied me to give up my relay place, I might just as well be further bullied into helping you."

Suwa can't help but feel a bit guilty for persuading Kakeru to give up running in the relay. Still, it was for his own good. Which was better, he wondered protecting someone from harm even though it involves restricting his choice, or allowing them to hurt themselves in trying out new things. Well, the thing is, it is too risky. It might increase Kakeru's risk for suicide.

"Well, I guess I'm just thinking about your benefit."

"Yeah, I know."

They started practising while the sun moves towards setting.