IEGO: CS || Time Catcher

『 CHAPTER 10 』

You woke up when the Sun had rose ever so slightly past the horizon. An unsual hour for a zombie like you to wake up, but you've gotten used to it, because you always had soccer practice round such hour.

Right. You blinked your sleepy eyes twice. Soccer practice is no more in this ... time.

As a yawn slipped out of your mouth, your hand reached out to your phone on the table by the bedside. The blue light shining from the screen made your eyes widened, for a few moments, before you readjust your vision to it. Your finger hovered the message app.

Would ... Chi-senpai even be awake at this time anymore?

You assumed no. Once you did, you assumed the rest of your mind-controlled seniors and fellow peers (Hikaru and Kariya) would probably stay asleep past what was once your soccer practice hour. You sighed. Well, what about your non-Raimon friends? And then there's Hakuryuu, too, and Taiyou. It's been a while since you last seen them.

With that in mind, you started planning your day: a less that frequent practice you've done in your life.

♡ ┄ ♡ ┄♡

Both you and Minamisawa were surprised to see one another at the usual bus stop.

In your case, it's because you did not expect Minamisawa to be awake and waiting by the bus stop at his usual time. After all, you assumed with the soccer ban, Minamisawa didn't need to wake up so early anymore.

In Minamisawa's case, it's because he assumed you also wouldn't be up and about with the soccer ban ⸺ he did remember that you were not quite the early bird after all. However, that was a small factor on why he was surprised. The main factor to his surprise was the fact that Sangoku was not seen with you today, for Minamisawa always saw you and him together in the early morning.

So, he asked, "Where's Sangoku? Did something came up?"

You glanced off to the side awkwardly, causing Minamisawa to raise an eyebrow.

"It ... can't be that he's sleeping in .... Is he?" Minamisawa continued.

"I think so," said your google-voiced message.

"Did you check?"

Man, Minamisawa was acting quite like your mother right about now. Nonetheless, withholding a sigh, you shook your head but then quickly typed down another google-voiced message: "I mean, I didn't want to disturb him. And he might need the rest after yesterday."

"Yesterday?" Minamisawa quickly check to see if you had any injuries (while you sweated because you worried he may spotted a part of your stitched skin you did not cover up with makeup). "Did something happen?"

"It's a long story," you replied. "I'll explain after school once the rest of us is there for the hangout."

♡ --- ♡ --- ♡

"Hm? You're not getting off?" Minamisawa asked when the bus reached the stop near Raimon Jr High.

You shook your head.

"Oh, I see." A playful smirk came across his face. "You've transferred to Gassan Kunimitsu, haven't you?"

You lightly punched his shoulder, earning a light chuckle out of him. You then explained, via phone, that you were heading for the hospital to visit a friend. Thus, once the bus reached his stop, Minamisawa waved goodbye to you. He watched as the bus headed for Inazuma Hospital.

Stopping at the nearest bus stop of the hospital, you hopped off the bus. You walked towards the hospital, entered it, went up the elevator, and reached Amemiya Taiyou's room. Before you reach out to knock on the door, a sudden premonition hits you: