Observation of the Heart || Gouenji Shuuya

Chapter 2 || Reminder

"Do you think I was too harsh at them?"

"I don't think so."

"I wasn't supposed to use a hissatsu shoot, right?"

"That's alright."

"I think their goalkeeper got hurt after trying to catch our shoots."

"It's natural for a player to get injured like that, especially goalkeepers."

"I know but it looks pretty bad."

"Kimiko."

"That reminds me, I hate how Maede just slapped my hand away."

"Kimiko."

"I mean, I was only trying to be nice! I don't do that usually on the field."

"Kimiko!"

"O-oh, Yuuto-nii!" I laughed awkwardly. I must have began to spat out nonsense once again. Yuuto was looking stressed hearing these continuous sentences coming from me. He doesn't looked like he was used of my blabbering shenanigans yet even if we were mostly together.

I'm always thankful that even after without her around, he was still there to act as my guardian outside of my house. Was guardian even the right word?

He was surely someone close to me. He was like a brother to me even if we aren't related by blood. The way he acted around me was somewhat similar to how he handled Haruna but I was more handful, I admit that.

"You have to calm those thoughts down," he advised while his hand was taking a book inside his locker.

"I don't get why I'm overthinking in the first place!" I exasperated with a frown as i tapped my fingers at a nearby set of lockers near Yuuto's locker. He closed the lock of his locker then scrambled the number code in a random combination just like usual.

"Is it because of her?" I felt as if my heart stopped beating. My lips was pressed into a thin line. I feel unusually cold all of a sudden.

"N-no," I replied quietly with my eyes wandering elsewhere. I knew what this look I was doing but I couldn't help myself. It was already a giveaway.

"If something happened to me, tell them I'm given an opportunity to get better in soccer," she said with a big bright smile.

"Are you, really?" her smile faltered, I could see there was fear in her eyes that made me scared as well. Only after a while was the fear hidden with some kind of bravery and determination ignited.

"I don't want anybody to worry, I'm only saying this to you because there are chances that I'll vanish and I won't be able to comfort you and him. I want you to move on even without me by your side. It won't be too long until I come back."

"Kimiko?"

"I-I...I'm sorry Yuuto-nii, I just spaced out," I sheepishly smiled while bowing continuously at Yuuto as a sign of apology. He sighed and grabbed me by the shoulder with both of his hands. I could see more of his pretty ruby eyes now that he was not moving as often.

"You can tell me anything that's bothering you."

'I wish I could.'

I hugged Yuuto tightly, my face buried in his clothes, hiding my face from him. I had the urge to cry but I can't. I assumed that I gave him a surprise, hugging him all so suddenly. Eventually I could feel that he hugged me back too.

"Thank you for taking care of me," I looked up at him and gave him the most sincere smile I ever had. He ruffled my hair with affection. I feel as if he was trying his best to give me the affection I lack after all these time she was gone.