I was in Weekend Garage, watching as my dad talked to Akito.
It had been a couple of weeks since he started doing solo events, and we were all getting worried that he was overdoing it.
"Thanks for the advice, Ken-San", Akito said half-heartedly. "Anyway, I've gotta get going. I'll see you around."
With that, Akito left…and my dad let out a worried sigh.
"I can't believe even you weren't able to get through to him, Dad", I said.
"I'm afraid so", my dad side as he held onto the back of his neck.
Then we both let out frustrated sighs.
"What's gotten into Akito anyway", I asked. "Did what that Arata guy say really upset him that much?"
"I have a feeling that it may be more than that", my dad stated. "But I'm not sure."
"Dad, what should we do", I asked. "We're all really worried about Akito. Toya especially seems really anxious."
"I'm worried about him too", my dad added. "But, if this is something he really wants to do, then we should let him do it."
"But…is there really nothing we can do for him", I asked.
"For now, all you guys can do is be there for him as his teammates", my dad stated.
"That's what we're trying to do", I stated. "But he insists on doing this thing on his own."
"Then, find other ways you can be there for him", my dad suggested.
"Other ways we can be there for him", I repeated. "But how can we do that?"
I started thinking of things I could do, and soon had an idea.
The Next Day
Akito's POV
I arrived at Weekend Garage, where I found An waiting for me.
"Hey there, Akito", she greeted when she saw me.
"Yo", I greeted. "Why'd you ask me to meet you here?"
"I have something for you", An revealed.
"Something for me", I asked in confusion. "What is it?"
"Take a seat", An instructed. "I'll bring it out in a moment. Be right back!"
"Wait…", I started, but An had already left. "I wonder what she's got planned?"
After asking myself this, I sat down and waited for An.
"I'm back", she said. "Here you go, Akito!"
With this, An put down a plate of a particular food in front of me.
"Pancakes", I asked in confusion.
"Yep", An replied. "Eat up!"
"Why did you make me pancakes", I asked.
"Well", An started as she sat down. "You've been working really hard, so I figured I'd make you a treat as an reward!"
After hearing this, I looked at An in shock before looking down at the plate of pancakes.
Then, I took my fork, and took a bite out of them.
"How are they", An asked. "Are they good?"
"They're great", I replied, before beginning to devour the pancakes.
After a moment, I suddenly heard An giggle.
"What", I asked in confusion.
"You always have such a serious, scary look on your face", An stated. "But when you eat pancakes, your face suddenly lights up like a little kid."
"Shut up", I demanded, which made An giggle even more.
"Well", she started. "It looks like I was able to achieve something."
"Achieve what", I asked.
"You've just seemed so warned out these last couple of weeks", An stated. "It's nice to see you smiling again."
Hearing this took me surprise, and I looked down as I thought about it.
"You know, Akito", An started, which got me to look up at her. "I understand that you wanna get better. I've got nothing against that, but…just make sure not to overdo it, okay? And, remember that you can always come to us if you need anything."
"I'll keep that in mind", I stated.
"You'd better", An stated. "Because you've got us all really worried."
"You don't need to worry about me", I reassured.
Then, I quickly changed the subject.
"By the way", I started. "Thanks for the pancakes."
"Well, I couldn't just sit around and do nothing while you were going through a hard time", An stated.
"You couldn't", I asked. "Why not?"
"Because we're teammates!"
When An said this, I looked at her in shock. Then, I smiled.
"Thanks An."