As the days wore on, things started to get a bit easier. Kunigami was relieved and glad when Chigiri appeared in the kitchen one morning, looking much better. Even just the fact that he'd gotten himself out of bed was a good sign.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" he smiled.

"A little better. I don't remember much from the last few days. I'm sorry if I said or did anything…"

"Hey, no. You were fine. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I think we actually made it through okay."

Chigiri looked up at him through long lashes, as though for the first time he cared what someone other than himself thought.

"Thanks."

Kunigami accepted with a smile and moved on, not wanting to say anything that might derail Chigiri's improved mood.

"Are you hungry?"

"I could eat."

"Great! What do you want? I've got rice, miso soup, eggs, toast, cereal…"

"Toast is fine."

Kunigami got it ready and sat a plate in front of Chigiri.

"When you're feeling better, I'm gonna cook a real feast for us."

"You cook?"

"Yeah, I gotta stay in shape for work, and being a bachelor meant I had to learn."

"Makes sense. How come you don't have a girlfriend though?"

His eyes met Chigiri's, and the answer was right in front of him, but he couldn't say it. Kunigami felt himself blush.

"Sorry," Chigiri said, looking down at his food. "That's none of my business."

"Don't worry about it. Do you feel like getting some fresh air today? I was thinking we could go for a walk…" It wasn't until he was saying it that he thought of Chigiri's knee and wondered if that was possible. "Only if you feel like it…" he hurried to add, feeling his cheeks warm up again. Why do I feel like I can't get anything right today?

"Um, yeah. Sure. That sounds fine."

"Great! Maybe we can go to the konbini and I'll buy you anything you feel like eating."

"Okay," Chigiri agreed, falling silent and picking at his food. It was so hard to watch him struggling to get through every simple task, but Kunigami forced himself to stay positive, certain that was best way to help his friend.

Once Kunigami had finished the chores, they headed out.

It was a warm day, the sun was shining, and the last of the sakura were falling from the trees. Kunigami watched a petal fall onto Chigiri's hair, which was practically glowing in the sunlight. Blue Lock had all been indoors under artificial light, so seeing Chigiri's hair in the sunlight was a real treat.

"A change of scenery must be nice," Kunigami ventured, hoping for some insight into Chigiri's state of mind.

"I guess…"

Kunigami let it go and thought for a minute about where they needed to go from here. Now that Chigiri's health was improving, he would need to get other parts of his life on track. It seemed like that might be hard to do without a phone, so when they passed an electronics store Kunigami suggested they take a look.

"Which colour do you like?"

"Huh?"

"You need one, right?"

Chigiri looked down at the price tag.

"I can't afford that."

"I can."

"Kunigami, no."

Kunigami thought for a second.

"Okay, how about I get a new one, and you can have my old one. It's not great, but it'll do the job. That sound fair?"

"I guess," Chigiri agreed reluctantly. Kunigami wanted to touch Chigiri's chin, make him look up, but he refrained. Instead he bought the phone and got the sales assistant to switch it over, and then set up his old one for Chigiri.

"There you go," he said, handing it over.

Chigiri looked up at him curiously.

"This doesn't worry you?"

"Huh?"

"Giving me freedom…"

It hadn't occurred to him before, but he supposed it would make it easier for Chigiri to fall back into bad habits.

"I trust you," Kunigami answered honestly, believing that Chigiri had worked too hard to derail his progress now.

"Thanks," Chigiri mumbled, eyes cast down, but Kunigami swore he could see a faint glow in his cheeks. It made him happy, made him feel like they were getting somewhere if Chigiri was engaged enough to feel things like this.

They left the store, heading along the street again.

"Decide what you want at the konbini yet?"

"Manjuu probably…"

"It's your favourite, right?" Kunigami recalled from their Blue Lock days. Chigiri looked up at him in surprise.

"You remember that?"

"Of course. I'll bet you can remember mine if you try."

It only took Chigiri a second to answer.

"Wakame soup. I always thought it was a weird preference for a big guy like you."

"It's comforting. And tasty. And suitable for an athlete."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," he laughed. "Just teasing."

"I was the trimmest guy on the pitch."

"Yeah," Kunigami agreed, thinking back fondly. "Guess I better buy you as many buns as you want then, huh?"

At the konbini, Chigiri grabbed an armful of sweets, and Kunigami let him. Right now he didn't care what Chigiri ate, as long as he ate plenty of it.

Chigiri dumped his haul on the counter and Kunigami paid for it. Even though it might only be a small thing, it felt immensely satisfying. I like this, spending time with him and taking care of him. I hope he lets me keep doing it.

xxx

Getting out of the house for a walk each day had become a routine. It was better than trips to the hospital for methadone. Kunigami was trying so hard to help him, and Chigiri did appreciate the effort, even though it made something ache in his chest because ultimately he knew that Kunigami was wasting his time. I'm not worth all the effort he's putting into me. Despite Kunigami's faith and best efforts, Chigiri knew that as soon as he wasn't by his side anymore, he would fall back into old habits. How could I not? I have no plan or purpose. I'm no good for anything.

On their walk they ended up at a park. On the lawn were a bunch of kids playing soccer. Chigiri stopped, watching them run as fast as they could on strong legs. All the kids were focussed on the ball, but one was running to an open space. His teammate passed and the kid put a nice direct shot into the goal. His friend ran over and high-fived him.

"Just like Isagi!" the kid cheered. Their old teammate from Blue Lock had of course made it to the and was a popular player because of his relentless play style.

Kunigami laid a hand on Chigiri's shoulder, he knew it was hard for Chigiri to see them with a promising future ahead of them, one that he had now lost.

"Come on. Let's sit down for a bit."

They found a bench away from the soccer game, overlooking a pond.

"You doing okay?" Kunigami asked, deliberately leaving the question ambiguous so that Chigiri could answer however he wanted.

"Yeah," Chigiri said, rubbing his bad knee like he sometimes did. "I'm used to disappointment these days."

"Chigiri…"

"Sorry. I know I'm no fun to be around."

"I didn't mean that. I just want you to be happy."

"Yeah well that's a long shot. I have no idea how I'm supposed to achieve that."

As far as Kunigami could tell, the main problem was that Chigiri's head was always stuck in the past.

"You have to find another passion, Chigiri, that's all. Your life can be fulfilling again."

"But I've never cared about anything except soccer."

"That not true," Kunigami smiled, lifting a strand of Chigiri's shiny red hair.

"My hair? That's not a career path."

"I disagree. Post a couple of styling videos online. You'll see."

Chigiri gave him a surprised look.

"Are you serious?"

"I sure am. I used to love watching you style it before a game."

Chigiri's eyes went wide and Kunigami blushed.

"I just mean, it's pretty amazing being able to braid your own hair like that. It takes talent, you know?"

"Maybe…"

Kunigami smiled because that at least meant Chigiri was thinking about it.

"Hey, did you hear that kid?" Chigiri scoffed. "Emulating Isagi…"

"Yeah, he's popular for sure."

"I wonder if those kids know what a psycho he really is."

"He's not a psycho," Kunigami laughed. "He's just passionate."

"Crazy obsessed more like."

"Lucky he's got Bachira to balance him out."

"I dunno, he's pretty crazy too."

"Do you ever watch their games?" Kunigami asked, using a softer tone to let Chigiri know he understood that would be hard for him.

"Not really. Even I'm not that much of a masochist. Do you miss it, Kunigami? Do you wish you were still playing?"

"I used to, but I've got my job now, and I've got…" You. "…other things to keep me busy. I still like watching, but my job is physical and I'm part of a team, so that's enough for me."

"Yeah, I guess you played to be a hero, and you've definitely found another way to become one. I mean, you saved me…"

"I'm working on it…" he agreed.

Chigiri looked up at him with those pretty eyes, something sad in them, and Kunigami wanted nothing more than to pull him into his arms and hold on tight, but he didn't because as much as he wanted to comfort Chigiri, he wanted Chigiri for himself too, and that was too selfish.

He settled instead for a hand on his shoulder and a smile.

"Come on, I'll get you some karinto manjuu, and if you can wait until we get home, I'll even heat it in the oven for you."

Just like he hoped, Chigiri smiled in return.

"Okay, Hero. Sounds good."