One and Only | Osamu Miya

Chapter 2

Unexpected Proximity

The days following the volleyball match were a blur of anticipation for Ari.  She eagerly watched every practice, every game, her gaze constantly drawn to Osamu.  How incredibly lucky she was; her elementary school crush had not only spoken to her, but had become her only fan.  She was hopelessly, undeniably in love with him. But was the feeling mutual?  That remained a tantalizing question mark.

 

Arishira's Point of View:

Class ended, and I headed to the gymnasium. It was already 4 PM; Kira and I had finished cleaning our classroom.  The bleachers were populated with girls, and I joined them, finding a spot to observe the team's practice.  Drills, practice serves, and strenuous exercises filled the air with the rhythmic sounds of athletic exertion.

My nearsightedness didn't hinder my ability to appreciate Osamu's handsome face from afar.  Damn, I thought, a familiar warmth spreading through me.

Osamu dropped the ball, his eyes meeting mine.  He offered a slight smile. My stomach somersaulted.  Did he just… smile at me?

There were dozens of girls present, yet he seemed to have found me amidst the crowd.  The realization sent a blush creeping up my neck. I felt my face heating up.

Boredom started to set in. I wanted to go home, but the thought of standing up felt too arduous.  I leaned back against the bleachers, closing my eyes. A thirty-minute nap sounded perfect.

 

I awoke to a gentle poke.  Opening my eyes, I saw Osamu standing over me.

"Ari-san, you're awake," he said, his voice calm yet cool.

Confusion washed over me as I looked around.  It was night.  Darkness had fallen.

"W-what time is it?" I asked, a worried tone creeping into my voice.

He checked his wristwatch. "10:19 PM."

Panic seized me. It was far too late.  There would be no public transportation at this hour, and my house was a twenty-minute walk from the school – a walk I couldn't safely take alone.

I called my mother.

"Mom?"

"Sweetie, where are you? I'm so worried."

"Mom, I overslept. I don't know how to get home."

"I'm sorry, dear, but Dad's not home yet, and he has the car. If you have a friend there, you should stay at their house if they don't mind."

"Okay, Mom. I'll call you again if I can't find a place to stay. Bye, Mom. Love you."

She hung up.  Where would I go?  I texted Kira, but her status read "sleep mode," and she didn't respond.  The idea of sleeping in the gym, if even allowed, seemed less than ideal.

Then, Osamu spoke, his words a lifeline in the growing darkness.

"You can stay at my house."

My heart fluttered. This was the perfect opportunity to spend time with my favorite volleyball player, my elementary school crush.

A school assistant locked up the gym, and Osamu and I started walking towards his house.  As we walked, he pointed something out.

"Hey, what's that red stain on your pants?"

Mortification washed over me. It was my period.  I hadn't brought any extra supplies.  How could I possibly buy more without money?

Osamu offered his turtleneck jacket. "Here. Use this to cover the stain. We'll go to the convenience store."

I gratefully wrapped the jacket around my waist.  As we walked toward the store, I decided to be honest.

"Um, Osamu… I don't have any money to buy pads…"

"I'll buy them for you. Don't worry," he replied.

Without another word, we continued to the nearest convenience store.  He bought the pads, and I went to the restroom to change.  When I returned, the familiar pang of period cramps hit me.

I forced myself to remain calm. He might find me weird if I got grumpy.

We resumed our walk.

"Um, Osamu… I'll return your jacket. I'll wash it first."

"It's fine, Ari-san. You can return it anytime," he said.

We walked in comfortable silence until we reached his house.

"Um… thank you for buying the pads for me. I'll pay you back tomorrow," I said.

"Don't mention it. You don't have to pay me," he replied, his tone emotionless.

He opened the door quietly.  The living room lights were off.

"Shh. Don't want to wake my brother or my parents," he whispered.

We went to his room. He placed a thick, comfortable mattress on the floor.  I assumed I'd sleep there.

Then, he surprised me.  "You can sleep on the bed."

I shook my head. "No need. I'll sleep on the mattress."

"Are you sure? Let me know if you change your mind."

He lay down on his bed, while I settled onto the mattress.  The cramps were still bothering me, so I lay on my side, careful not to stain the mattress.

 

Osamu's Point of View:

2:36 AM.

I felt an arm wrap around me.  I woke up to find Ari hugging me.  How did she get here? I thought she was on the floor.

I gently woke her. "Hey. You should go back to the mattress."

Her sleepy voice mumbled, "Not now. I want a hug."

She continued to mumble in her sleep.  I wasn't a hugger, but she was an exception. I let her hug me.  This was new, unexpected.  And who knew my elementary school crush, my elementary school crush, was my one and only fan?

She mumbled again, "I need a hug. I want the pain to go away."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "What pain, Ari?"

"Don't wanna talk about it," she mumbled before drifting back to sleep.

Maybe it was her period cramps. Or something else?  The mystery only deepened the intrigue. The unexpected intimacy of the night, the quiet comfort of her presence, the unspoken understanding between us, created a bond that transcended the boundaries of fandom and friendship.  This was something entirely new, something… more.