T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Epilogue bonus 2: Bird Watching

A week later, 6-year-old Hikari Takuma decided to spy on the newly established race car club under the grounds of Teitan Elementary School.

Even though Ranran had set out cameras across the school campus, she wanted to see how Shoji was doing, which is why she secretly sent Takuma to observe him from afar.

Takuma, small and nimble, blended seamlessly into the school environment. His tiny frame ducked and weaved through the playground, his eyes sharp and focused on the target. He had a mission, and he was determined to see it through.

As he approached the hidden corner where the race car club met, he could hear the excited chatter of the members as all of them were pushing each other for one odd reason, "Let me drive!"

"No, me!"

"No one is allowed to drive, you hear me!?"

The competitive energy in the air was palpable, each member vying for their turn to take control of the tiny race car, a P-50 which was to Takuma the smallest car he had ever seen.

"Why not!?" Takuma's eyes widened in amazement at the intensity of the other children's determination.

"You know what the principal said about driving on the grounds of the school."

Peering around the corner, Takuma continued to observe.

Shoji stood at the centre of the commotion, trying to assert order but clearly enjoying the enthusiasm of his newfound club members. It was a side of Shoji that Takuma hadn't seen before, a glimmer of potential for leadership and camaraderie. "But that is the world's smallest car! We can drive around the school!"

The enthusiasm in Shoji's voice was infectious, and the club members exchanged eager glances. They were drawn in by his energy, and even though they were breaking a school rule, the excitement of driving the tiny P-50 was too enticing to resist. However, the club members were not the only ones who were interested, to say the least."

"Neh, Shoji! Let us drive!"

Takuma's eyes widened as he recognized the voice. It was none other than the victims Shoji 'bullied', or rather, forced to since Amaya made him.

It was Kenta and Yuki, the two boys who had once been on the receiving end of Shoji's domineering attitude. Takuma watched with bated breath, wondering how Shoji would respond.

Shoji turned to face Kenta and Yuki, a mixture of surprise and uncertainty flashing across his face. It was clear that he hadn't expected them to be interested in the race car club.

"Kenta, Yuki..." Shoji began, hesitating for a moment. "You want to join the club?"

Kenta and Yuki exchanged a quick glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Then, with a shared nod, they stepped forward.

"Yeah," Kenta said, a newfound confidence in his voice. "We want to drive too."

"But....."

"In the first place, I know you are the one who kept leaving us that medication and ailments for us secretly whenever that idiot Amaya forced you to. And your crappy mother being biased over your half-sister, just because she is born a prodigy." Yuki scoffed.

Shoji's eyes widened in surprise, shock rippling across his face at Yuki's unexpected revelation. He hadn't anticipated that Yuki and Kenta were aware of his secret gestures of kindness. His throat tightened, struggling to find words in response.

Kenta, seeing Shoji's speechlessness, chimed in. "We knew, Shoji. We knew you were looking out for us, even back then."

"And you were desperate to get this dream up afloat. I have been there." Yuki nods knowingly.