Cross-Court Connections【 Echizen Ryoma 】

09.0 Hospital Visit

As Ryoma emerged from the shadow of the clubhouse, his gaze swept across the fading day, effortlessly finding Asuka where she waited patiently. 

The dwindling sunlight, now a rich tapestry of oranges and purples, bathed the scene in a warmth that seemed to dance around her, lending a soft luminescence to her presence.

Her dark brown hair, with strands turning amber and gold in the sunlight, framed her face and emphasized her smooth skin. Her eyes, a striking shade of emerald, sparkled with life and curiosity, drawing attention. These vibrant eyes, set under long lashes, seemed to reflect a mix of emotions and thoughts, hinting at depth beyond the surface. 

The overall effect of the sunlight on her features gave her a noticeable, almost vivid appearance that stood out in the dimming light.

Just then, a playful gust of wind swept through, catching Asuka off guard. It toyed with her hair, sending strands fluttering wildly around her face. 

With a mix of grace and mild irritation, she reached up, attempting to tame the unruly locks. A small grunt of annoyance escaped her lips, a stark contrast to the composed figure she usually presented. 

Ryoma couldn't help but let out a huffed chuckle, finding amusement in the rare glimpse of her less guarded, more human side.

However, his amusement was short-lived. 

As Asuka battled the wind, her movements exposed her wrist, revealing a stark red mark that hadn't been there before. The sight of it wiped the smile off Ryoma's face, replaced by a sudden crease of concern between his brows. 

His heart skipped a beat, the earlier warmth of amusement cooling into a cold draught of worry. Without a second thought, he closed the distance between them with a few decisive strides.

———

Asuka turned towards the sound of his footsteps, her face lighting up with an instinctive smile at Ryoma's approach. "There you are, what—"

Her greeting faltered, the smile slipping from her lips as she noticed the unusual briskness in his steps. "Uh, Echizen-sa—!?"

Before she could finish, Ryoma had closed the distance, his fingers wrapping a bit too firmly around her wrist. The sudden grip drew a startled "Ow ow ow—!!" from her.

"... so you did injure your wrist," he observed, voice laced with frustration.

"It's nothing big. Can you please let go? It hurts," Asuka protested, trying to pull her wrist away gently.

Ryoma's response was a sharp glare, his worry manifesting as irritation. "If it's nothing big, it wouldn't hurt."

He sighed, a sound heavy with exhaustion, not just from the day's events but from the stubbornness she displayed. Deciding he wasn't going to debate her on it right now, he released her wrist abruptly. "Let's just go," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument as he turned to walk towards the exit of Seigaku, his pace quick but measured.

Asuka, rubbing her wrist gently, hurried after him, a mix of confusion and concern in her voice as she called out, "H-hey, wait up."

Throughout their silent walk to the train station, Asuka couldn't help but notice Ryoma's unusually reserved demeanor—silent, yes, but more so than usual. She tried to pierce the silence with tales from her first practice session, hoping to spark some sort of dialogue. Ryoma, however, only responded with noncommittal grunts, his attention seemingly elsewhere.

"So then, Captain Kurogane said—" She realized they were headed towards a different line, not the one they usually took. "Wait, where are you going? This isn't our train," she questioned, a trace of confusion in her voice.