Lena's Big Book of Extras

【Short Story】《TINAT》#3.4

*Author's note: Very Unedited

{7} Untitled

I hated P.E.. Because I was slow and weak, I hated it. Team sports were the worst.

We were doing basketball that day and I awkwardly stood in the court, trying not to get in the way of the other boys, but unable to do anything to help them score a point. I was invisible. Just as I should be.

Udou-kun's friend had the ball and was bouncing it towards the basket. Someone blocked his path and he spun to trick them. But he ended up spinning right into me and, in dodging bumping into me, the ball slipped from his grip.

His friends laughed and teased him for trying to look cool and he shot me a glare. It was my fault. I wondered if I should move someplace else, but I was sure if I did, I might get in someone else's way. The next play started and I turned in a circle, biting my thumbnail as I worried about ruining the game further.
I heard some girls on the side of the court giggle and ask, "What is he doing?"

I wanted to hide. Just as I was about to step off the court with the excuse of going to the bathroom, a heavy weight hit my body and knocked me to the floor. I landed on my wrist and winced, then looked up to see Udou-kun's friend looking down at me uncaringly.

The teacher blew his whistle.

"Oh, sorry," the boy said before returning to his teammates.

I tried to stand up but fell back when my wrist spasmed under the weight. The teacher was beside me and put his hands under my arm to help me stand. "Did you hurt your wrist?" He looked towards the court and called, "You who knocked him down! Take him to the infirmary!"

I immediately began shaking my head, knowing that would make things worse. "It's okay. I will go... alone..." I bowed my head and left the gym to head to the infirmary. The courtyard was quiet, the hallway was quiet. Everyone was in class and I was glad that no one else could see me looking so pathetic. When I arrived at the infirmary, sliding open the door, the female nurse greeted me.

"What's wrong?"

"Um... my wrist." I held it out and she took a look then bent it causing me to flinch.

"It's a light sprain. I'll wrap it for you."

"Thank you very much."

As she bandaged my wrist, she asked, "What's your name and class?"

"Hi-Hiramoto Hitori. Class... 1-C..."

"Okay, Hiramoto-kun. I'm all done. Be more careful, okay?"

I bowed deeply and shuffled out of the room. As I walked back to the gym, I stared at the ground, pouting. She'd said be more careful. I was trying to be careful. To not get in the way. To not make people angry. I didn't want to go back to the gym. At the outside walkway, I looked up from the ground, wondering if I could find a place to be alone for a while and I spotted him.

The angel from before was sitting alone on a bench in the courtyard. Again, he was all alone. Why? Did such a beautiful person not have friends?

As he looked at me, I felt my heart leap. Part of me wanted desperately to be close to him, to make contact with this being. So, although I was afraid, I went to the bench where he sat and settled on the opposite end.

He was quiet, but he didn't move away which was a good sign.

Say something, a bird said.

"Why... is Senpai... not in class?" I was able to squeak out.