Ordinary Days Sometimes Hide Quiet Turbulence (1)

Sunday.

I ran into Tetsuya downstairs from the dorm.

He seemed to have just returned from the Soccer Club, and there was sweat on his forehead.

"Seisuke, are you heading to the library?"

"No, I've got something to do."

"By the way, have you seen Ryota?"

"What's wrong?"

"I messaged him yesterday, but he still hasn't replied."

"Maybe we'll see him at the Study Group today..."

"I hope so."

"I'm thinking of stopping by his dorm later to check on him."

He waved goodbye as he headed into the dorm.

"Hey."

"The Study Group's over, and Ryota still hasn't shown up."

"What about the message?"

"He replied. He said he's fine."

"Where are you now?"

"I just left the library and am heading toward the dorm."

"Wait for me downstairs from the dorm. We'll go check on Ryota together."

When I got to the dorm, Tetsuya was sitting on a bench by the road.

"Is Ryota all right?"

Tetsuya asked, looking worried.

"He should feel a little better after a while. All sorts of things have piled up lately, so he's probably been under a lot of strain."

"Under a lot of strain?"

He murmured the words to himself.

"But honestly, I haven't really felt that way. I still go play soccer every day, and I eat and drink like usual."

"If I had to say, I've just started feeling a little pressure to study lately."

"But Ryota's got nothing to worry about when it comes to school."

Tetsuya pressed the elevator button, and we waited together.

"Tetsuya, what made you decide to come to this school?"

At my question, he fell silent for a moment, deep in thought.

"The soccer team has been among the top three in the league for years, which is a huge draw for students who love soccer."

"Besides, all the older students from middle school admired this place. The soccer program is strong, and the other conditions are excellent too. I figured I'd give it a try, so I applied."

"But now that I think about it, I haven't seen any of the seniors I knew before. Maybe getting into this school is harder than I imagined."

"I got lucky."

He propped his head on his hand and spoke with a hint of wistfulness.

"Have you made any plans for after graduation?"

At my question, Tetsuya shook his head firmly.

"That's way too far off. I just want to live each day the way I want to. As for after graduation, I'll figure it out when the day comes."

"What about you, Seisuke?"

"As for me, whatever happens, I'll probably just treat it as part of the experience."

"But Ryota might have a clear goal and a plan of his own."

"Actually, most people come to this school for the opportunities it offers. People like us are the exception."

"I hope Ryota can get back on his feet."

We ended our conversation and stopped in front of Ryota's dorm room.

Tetsuya knocked on the door.

But there was no response from inside.

"Let's wait a bit."

He nodded, and we stood quietly in the hallway.

After a while, Ryota's voice came from inside.

"I'm fine. I just need some time alone. You should go back."

"Ryota, I shouldn't have gotten so worked up back then..."

"I'm not blaming you, Tetsuya. I just think I need a little time to myself."

"I'm fine."

Although Tetsuya still seemed to have more to say, he lingered in front of the door for only a moment.

After that, we each went back to our rooms.

On Monday, I ran into Shiranami Chihiro and Yui Ninomiya in the cafeteria.

What surprised me was that I didn't see Ichinose anywhere.

Normally, whenever Shiranami Chihiro showed up somewhere, Ichinose was sure to be nearby.

Just then, Yui Ninomiya noticed me.

She brought Shiranami Chihiro over and sat across from me.

"Good morning."

I greeted them.

"Good morning, Hajima."

Shiranami Chihiro only nodded at me.

"Beppu-kun didn't come to the Study Group yesterday. I'm a little worried..."

Shiranami Chihiro lowered her head and ate her noodles, while Yui Ninomiya was clearly more concerned about Ryota than breakfast.

"He had something else to take care of yesterday, so he didn't make it to the Study Group."

I considered it for a moment, but decided not to tell her everything.

It was just that he had something else going on, not some other reason.

I didn't want her to let her own overthinking affect other things.

"I see."

Yui Ninomiya nodded to show she understood.

"Everyone's here. Morning."

I felt a slap on my shoulder and turned to find Tetsuya sitting down beside me.

"Morning."

"Not sure if Ryota's still asleep, but I called him to go to school together and he didn't answer."

Tetsuya took a bite of his bun, but nearly choked because he was talking while eating.

"You really are..."

I unscrewed a bottle of water and handed it to him.

"You saved my life. Cough, cough..."

He grabbed the bottle and gulped down several mouthfuls of water before finally getting it down.

"Huh? Ichinose isn't here either?"

"She went to the classroom first."

"Didn't she come with you?"

At that, Shiranami Chihiro shook her head while eating her noodles.

She swallowed her mouthful and said:

"Honami-chan has been really busy these past few days because of all sorts of things."

"She hasn't had breakfast in days..."

"Skipping breakfast isn't good for you. Is that really okay?"

"I've talked to Honami-chan about it, but she said she hasn't had much of an appetite lately."

"Why don't we buy something Ichinose likes and bring it to her?"

"Hmm... That might work."

While listening to them talk, I blew on the porridge in my spoon.

Why did they stop?

I looked up and found them all staring at me.

Huh? Me?

"We've tried bringing Honami breakfast before, but she didn't seem to have any appetite at all."

I turned to Tetsuya.

"Hey, what difference does it make if I bring it or you do?"

It didn't seem like there was any difference...

I tentatively shook my head.

"Exactly."

"..."

After they finished discussing it, Shiranami Chihiro went to buy something Ichinose liked to eat.

Wait, had they really discussed anything?