Push Me. Pull Me

Chapter 5: Lonely Ring

I feel him walking from behind towards me. The crisp sound of the grass that are stepped on is getting closer and closer.

"Kazuki?" I asked still not turning around.

If I turn and look now, will he glare at me harshly like always?

"That's Sir Kazuki to you." I heard him gave a little laugh. A mocking laugh.

I thought I don't want anything to do with him but I ran after him instinctively.

"I was right. I knew you would run after me."

Then the walking stopped and a hand tapped my shoulder. The wind blew a little hard which made the dry leaves drop from their branches giving off a rustling sound that gave an ending to a quiet scene.

"You came rushing out, didn't you?" He asked. "What a fool." Kazuki chuckled. "This will be the first win for the Ryokuyo Team since forever. You're missing an historic moment." 

"Ka.." I turned around and saw his genuine look.

"Kazuki." I continued.

He just stared at me for a while and said "Your shoelaces are untied." Oh! So that's the reason why he knew that I came racing after him.

I knelt down to tie my shoelaces. He knelt down too. I'm expecting that he will tie my shoes so I stopped fixing my laces. But I noticed that he's looking where the gym located is so I continued making a ribbon with my laces.

"The game should be over soon." He said in a soft calm voice.

"You can't fool me. You we're planning to leave before the end all along." I confronted him.

"What? The game?" 

"Why are you being so incosiderate? They're winning because of you. I bet the team wants you to play through till the end."

 "I got bored." Then he sighed.

A loud whistle sound broke the silence between us. Based from the cheers, I'd say our team won. He stood up and started heading back to the gym. I followed him but he stopped when we reached the opening before the shady part of the school.

"I'd better get changed." He raised his hands and held his bangs moved by the little swish of wind.

I looked at his finger involuntarily. He's not wearing his ring. I wonder why.

Oh, yeah. I talked with Kawamura about it. "He must just carry it around."  But why am I sad? As if I lost my other half. What's happening to me? 

I used to hate having the same thing as someone else. And now, I'm sad?

"What? The ring? I took it off for the game." He told me while I stare at his finger in a gaze. "Too bad for you I didn't lose it, huh?"

"Of course not! I'm not thinking of that."

"Man, you're easy to read! Anyway, I'm not that stupid that I'd lose it again."

"So I'm stupid. I've lost in once before." I felt so naive. 

"Before?" He looked at me with confusing eyes.

"Yeah, about two to three months after I bought it. Again, it was a school. I took it off to wash my hands like last time and left it there. It wasn't that expensive so I gave up on it pretty easily. But then a week later, it just came back."

"Came back? I thought you lost it?"

"Yes, I totally lost it. But one morning, I came to school and there it was on my desk. I still don't know how. I was so surprised. It was like the ring came back to me on its own and I was moved. From then, I've treasured it. Wouldn't you be happy if you got something that you had gave up on? Everytime I look at this ring, I remember that feeling." I smiled.