Ordinary Days Sometimes Hide Undercurrents (1)

Sunday.

I ran into Tetsuya at the dormitory entrance.

He seemed to have just come back from the Soccer Club, with a bit of sweat on his forehead.

"Seisuke, are you heading to the library?"

"No, I have something to take care of."

"By the way, have you seen Ryota?"

"What's wrong?"

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

"Maybe he'll show up at today's Study Group..."

"Hope so."

"I'll go check on him at his dorm later."

He waved goodbye as he walked into the dormitory.

"Hey."

"The Study Group's over, but Ryota still didn't come."

"What about the message?"

"He replied. Said he's fine."

"Where are you now?"

"Just left the library, heading toward the dorms."

"Wait for me at the dorm entrance. Let's go find Ryota together."

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

"Is Ryota okay?"

Tetsuya said, looking a bit worried.

"He should be better after a while. Lately, all sorts of things have piled up, so he's probably pretty tense."

"Tense, huh?"

He muttered to himself.

"But honestly, I don't really feel it. I still kick the ball around, eat, and drink like usual every day."

"If there's any pressure, it's just that I've started feeling a bit of a crisis about studying lately."

"But Ryota, that guy doesn't have anything to worry about with his studies either."

Tetsuya pressed the elevator button, and we waited together.

"Tetsuya, what was your reason for getting into this school?"

Faced with my question, he fell into a brief silence.

"A soccer team that's been in the top three of the league for years is a huge draw for any student who loves the sport."

"Besides, the seniors from middle school all admired this campus. Not just for its soccer strength—other conditions were pretty great too. So I applied on a whim."

"But come to think of it, I haven't seen any of those seniors yet. Maybe getting into this school is harder than I imagined."

"I got lucky."

He rested his chin on his hand, sounding a bit emotional.

"So, do you have any plans after graduation yet?"

Hearing that, Tetsuya shook his head decisively.

"That's way too far off. I just want to live each day the way I want. Graduation? I'll figure that out when it comes."

"What about you, Seisuke?"

"As for me, no matter what happens, I treat it as part of the experience. Something like that."

"But for Ryota, he probably has his own clear goals and thoughts."

"Actually, most people who get into this school come for the conditions the school offers. Guys like us are the exceptions."

"Hope Ryota can get himself together."

We ended the conversation and stood in front of Ryota's dorm door.

Tetsuya knocked.

But there was no response from inside.

"Let's wait a bit."

He nodded, and we stood quietly in the hallway.

After a moment, Ryota's voice came from inside the room.

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

"Ryota, I shouldn't have been so harsh back then..."

"I'm not blaming you, Tetsuya. I just feel like I need a little time for myself."

"I'm okay."

Even though Tetsuya wanted to say more, he only lingered at the door for a moment.

After that, we each returned to our own rooms.

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

Somewhat unexpectedly, I didn't spot Ichinose anywhere.

Normally, if Chihiro Shiramami spawned at a location, Ichinose was bound to be nearby.

Just then, Yui Ninomiya noticed me.

She brought Chihiro Shiramami over to sit across from me.

"Good morning."

I greeted them.

"Good morning, Hajima-kun."

Chihiro Shiramami just nodded at me.

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

Chihiro Shiramami kept her head down, eating her noodles, while Yui Ninomiya was clearly more concerned about Ryota's situation than her breakfast.

"He was busy with something else yesterday, so he didn't make it to the Study Group."

I weighed my words and decided not to tell her everything.

Just that he had other things to do, nothing more.

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

"I see."

Yui Ninomiya nodded, acknowledging it.

"Everyone's here. Morning."

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to find Tetsuya already sitting down next to me.

"Morning."

"That guy Ryota, I wonder if he's still not up. I called him to come to school together, but he ignored me."

Tetsuya bit into a steamed bun, but choked a little from talking while eating.

"You really are..."

I unscrewed the water bottle and handed it to him.

"You're a lifesaver, cough, cough..."

He chugged a few gulps of mineral water and finally got it down.

"Huh? Why isn't Ichinose here either?"

"She went to the classroom first."

"She didn't come with you?"

Hearing this, Chihiro Shiramami, who was eating her noodles, shook her head.

After swallowing the noodles in her mouth, she spoke:

"These past few days, with all sorts of things going on, Honami-chan has been really busy."

"She hasn't even eaten breakfast for several days..."

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

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

"Why don't we buy some breakfast and bring it to Ichinose-san?"

"Yeah... that could work."

I listened to them talk while blowing on the porridge in my spoon.

Why did it stop.

I looked up and found everyone staring at me.

Ah? Me?

"We've tried bringing Honami-san breakfast before, but she never seemed to have any appetite."

I turned to look at Tetsuya again.

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

It seems... there isn't any?

I tentatively shook my head.

"See?"

"..."

After the discussion concluded, Chihiro Shiramami went off to buy the things Ichinose liked to eat.

Wait, was that really a discussion?