𝚃𝙾𝙱𝙸𝙾'𝚂 𝙱𝚁𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁

Chapter 35

"Yeah, I got it. Listen, you really don't have to come with me. I'll figure it out on the way there. I'm not incompetent."

"I know that! But, at least let me go with you!"

"Weren't you saying earlier that your parents were making you go to your aunt's house to help her out?"

"Yeah, but I don't wanna! Please let me go with you! I can tell my parents this is more important--"

"Hell no. You bastard, help your aunt out...!"

"But--"

"Look, just do what you were told. I'll be heading off to pay my respects to the old man. I'll be back later today. If not, maybe tomorrow--"

"Tomorrow?!"

"Yeah--"

"Where are you gonna stay?! Have you thought about that?! Wait-- No way! Are you gonna see your parents?!"

"Wha-- Like hell I'd go see them...! I'm only going for one reason and one reason only...!"

"Now I'm gonna be thinking about this all day!!"

M/n sighed. "I gotta go now. Bye."

He hung up and slipped his phone in his pocket. He then adjusted the straps of his backpack before walking out of his apartment. Once he locked it, he slipped the key into his pocket and began to walk away.

--

M/n scrolled through the messages he hadn't seen while he waited at the street corner. He heard a car and looked up. The car stopped near him.

"Yo! M/n!" the driver called out as they rolled down the window.

M/n walked over as the driver unlocked the door for hin. He got in, setting his backpack down in front of him. "Were you waiting long?"

"Nah. Just a few minutes."

Once M/n was buckled in, they started driving away. "Thanks for agreeing to take me all the way to Miyagi."

"No problem! I'm your Senpai, so I have to look out for my kouhai, right? Besides, I owed you a favor, so I decided to repay you by taking you there."

"I see... Thanks anyway."

It was silent for a bit. "So... How's the team?"

"They're improving. Seems we got lucky this year, catching some talented first-years."

The male chuckled. "I bet. Are you guys striving for Nationals?"

"Yeah." M/n smiled a little. "They said they wanted to go all the way. They're idiots and throw logic out of the window sometimes, but...they're good guys that put their 110% into every game."

"That's good. Seems I was right to leave the position to you after I left," the male replied, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. "If only Haruto could see you now... He'd be proud..."

M/n looked away. "It still hurts you... doesn't it, Senpai? You and Hamada-senpai were pretty close after all... Despite you both being in different years..."

"Yeah..."

It was silent once again until the male spoke up. "Hey...M/n?"

M/n turned his head toward the male to show he was listening. "Promise me something?"

"What is it?"

The car stopped at an intersection and the male turned to M/n, tears pricking the corners of his eyes.