My Childhood's Wish

Chapter 2.2

The gymnasium is one of the largest buildings here. With tons of equipment, 2 basketball courts, and an all-purpose space outside of it. I'm excited now that I have seen it in person.

"Wow! This is too big for a gymnasium." She said.

I couldn't talk much now that I've been looking at the players dashing back and forth. Seeing the gym is already sightseeing for a freshman. Reina, being the attention grabber, hits my sides with that pointy finger of hers.

*I immediately felt small pain from my sides*

"Ouch!!" I whimpered

"That's for ignoring me." She shook her head.

"My bad, I got carried away," I said.

We kept watching their practice until they started a match. An old man came in to greet us both.

"Ahh, my niece has come to watch aye?" He said.

"Sir Hendrick!" He responded.

It seems they know each other. Are they relatives?

"Don't call me that. I'm your grandpa." He laughed.

I guess they are. One point for me!

"Who's this fellow young man?" He added.

"I'm Eugene, I'm Reina's classmate."

Rather, a childhood friend.

"Nice to meet you sonny boy! What brings you here?" He said.

The original plan was to go around with Reina, but I guess I'll make a small detour before we head back. Commence Operation: Reserve Slot (I'm bad at making names I know.)

One of my goals in going to this school is to join a club. In my previous clubs, I never partake in interests aside from playing fighting games after school. Now that I have taken an interest. It's about time I put them to use!

"Well.. we were going to check the gymnasium and seeing the coach in person is quite a treat," I replied.

"Your words are making me flatter a little, too bad I'm not easily swayed by that." he got his composure in check.

"I guess so." I laughed out of sincerity.

"I actually wanna join the basketball club here." I straightly told.

"Hmm... Judging from your face, you seem to be serious about joining." He looks closely.

"I'm not the one handling tryouts in the senior high category though." He rightfully said.

Mission failed I guess?

"ohhh..." I sighed.

Reina rushes in to give me words of motivation.

"Don't be like that, I'm sure you'll get in there sometime soon. Besides, I wanna see you play!"

Those words me blush for a bit.

"T-thanks," I muttered.

"Don't worry sonny boy, Just show us what you got." He held up a thumbs-up sign.

As the shoes keep kicking sounds of a whoosh of air enter the gymnasium.

"LOOK OUT!!!" Someone shouted.

A Flashing basketball going in fast as the speed of light right above us and it's about to hit Reina. What do I do? I can only react quite a bit and I-

*Eugene quickly moves Reina, Only to get hit in the right side of his face very hard*

I got... Pummeled...

Everyone saw the impact of the hit. Coach Hendrick whistled out just to stop the match. Meanwhile, Reina seems concerned about what just happened.

What the hell was that Eugene? Out of the three possibilities, you choose one of the worst ones yet. It hurts but seeing Reina safe is enough for me. My Eyes are kind of blurry... I can't see a thing... I might even pass out. I can't do that! I have classes after this. Sir Jamie might kill me.

"Hey!!! Jin!!!!" A small glimpse of a voice has been reaching me from my ear.

I can't see very well in my right eye but I slowly woke up.

"Finally you're awake," She said in relief.

Looking at her hand, I saw ice packs. I think she is nursing me from the get-go. I don't remember going to the clinic but I'm guessing I stood my ground while going in the clinic.

I sighed. Hoping to fend off my shortcomings wasn't enough after all. My decisive skills aren't the best of them. I made her worried again. 

Being swallowed by shame really is my worst enemy.

"I'm sorry that I made you worry. I'm such an idiot for not dodging the ball in a split second. I'm okay now. Trust." I made a long pause after that.

All of a sudden she burst into scolding me for a short time. I have never seen her get mad at me. Let alone she never gets mad for it. She grabs both of my shoulders to intimidate me.

"Honestly, I know you are an idiot but you aren't as idiot as earlier!" She looks concerned. Just as the time I got hit by the ball.

"But... seeing you protecting me, Makes you manly Jin." She muttered.

I heard that softly yet clearly. I'm turning redder by the second she said that. It made me happy to hear those words again. It's fascinating to feel at ease with someone who took care of me long ago. Then again, it's not all about happy times in that sense. 

"To tell you the truth, I haven't remembered anything of my past aside from the incident that took place. Shutting myself by locking up that part of my life so that I can keep moving forward is mainly the reason why I saw life from a different perspective. A perspective thinking that the world is cruel to live in. " I made a short pause.

"Sure, you can be happy by getting a lucky clover or getting the last flavor of your favorite ice cream, but in the end, you still have to pay the price to get that ice cream. I came here to make peace with the world. Even at that goal, I still somehow manage to barely hold on to my lowest. Even at that goal, I want to strive harder. To be motivated! And possibly forgive me for all of this."

Reina felt empathy. She knew that the incident had wrecked me. A path that I selfishly took just to protect everyone that got involved. Even though I want to change, there's still some part of me that needed an answer before I moved on. I sign of closure perhaps? I don't wanna hold grudges any longer.

"4 years ago..."