Chapter 3.1

The time is.. eleven fifty-one…

What do I even do to burn time..?

It’d be better if I could leave with Hayashi right away..

…

..One thirty-three…

Why is the clock ticking so slow..?

..And here I thought he’d be excited… but he’s just sleeping..

Should I just sleep too…?

…

..Four forty-nine..

Sleeping really does help… but can’t this go any faster..?

..Hayashi on the other hand was already awake…

Though I kept my head buried in my arms, I turned to look at him—he’s just..

“Look at the board, not me.”

“...” I didn’t utter a response, but I didn’t look at the board either.

..The silence dwelled, lingering as I rested—so I lifted my head and looked outside; awaiting a distraction that could pull me from this torment.

“You’re that excited?”

“Me?” I asked, and he just stared at me. “..Why would I be?”

I scratched my head in annoyance, asking such stupid questions..

…

I stared at Hayashi with my head on the table.

The sound of chairs moving spread across the room as everyone began to stand—leaving the classroom for their departure.

“Hey.” he called.

I watched him sit and stare at me, waving his hand in front of my eyes as the students continued to leave the room.

..Can’t time flow by faster…?

“Get up already.”

…I narrowed my eyes—staring at him as he continued to look at me.

“Aihara.” he mentioned; a sudden pain spread from my forehead.

Immediately I raised my head, putting a hand over my forehead as I looked around..

Hayashi with his hand in the air… just stared at me.

“..Did you just?”

“I did.” he confirmed—having flicked me in the head.

“Why..?” I groaned, rubbing my forehead.

“You weren’t listening.” he stated before standing up and walking away from me. “I’ll go alone if you don’t want to.”

I stood from my chair and immediately carried my bag, running to the hallways and eventually caught up to him, taking his shoes out of the lockers and already changing..

Tediously… I swapped my indoor shoes with the outdoor pair before finally stepping outside—washed over with the air that felt chiller than it was supposed to be.

Winter… I’m excited..

“..It’s quite exciting.” He muttered.

“...What does?”

“Winter.”

“...” I paused, taking a moment to steady myself as he stared at the sky above.. “...You—read my mind.” I mumbled.

“Huh—you were thinking the same thing?”

I nodded, holding onto my head as I watched the pale sky.

“Do you like it..?” I asked.

“Yeah, winter just makes the world move slower. It lets me take my time and relax.” he let out a sigh.

…This buzzing in my head again..

“..I agree…” I muttered—yet everything felt fragmented… “..It just feels… ethereal.”

I saw his lips move… yet I couldn’t hear him clearly.

This feeling… it’s almost like—

“Aihara-san…” this unpleasant voice ringing in my head… Sakuragi.. “What’s this supposed to be?” he spoke, tone ringing with mockery—setting migraines to my vision..

Pulled towards him too suddenly—the headache once mild… began to feel like needles being driven deeper down my brain.. slowly piercing through—

“What do you think you’re doing?” a voice turned everything silent—setting a halt to the chaos in my head… Hayashi..?

His voice.. different.

I saw him brush Sakuragi aside—swatting away a leaf bigger than him.

Firmly, he grabbed my wrist; pulling me away from Sakuragi.

“Hayashi..” I muttered.

When I finally noticed, I was behind him. The headache weakened—my vision cleared.. and the constant ringing noise in my head somewhat subsided.. though it’s still there…

Why are they… just staring at each other..?

“Here I thought you sounded familiar…” Sakuragi laughed, piercing my ears as my knees weakened.. “What’s our soccer genius doing here?”

..Soccer genius..?

“I thought I made it clear to everyone that she’s mine?” he claimed.

..Strangeness may have settled within me… my head may have been gradually buzzing with pain—but there was something far more different.

..Hayashi.

“What’s this wannabe protagonist doing here?” he retaliated with a voice that silences all.. “I thought I was done with your petty tantrums.”

I reflexively took a step back because all of a sudden.. the pain spread all over my head—worsening as I felt it sharpen; Sakuragi’s fist suddenly flew towards Hayashi—but it never connected.

Hayashi had already caught it with… surgical precision, his posture—remained perfectly still… he didn’t even move his feet..

I held my head in my hands, the pain unbearable as nothing came to me… every step I took felt like I was going to fall..

“Aihara… to think you had to tolerate this clown.”

“What’d you call me?!”

“A bottom-feeder blaming his mediocrity on me… two times now.”

Instantly, Hayashi moved again.. efficiently. Sakuragi was immediately pinned to the pavement beneath his knee…

All the while—the silence grew on me… numbing the driving pain..

So… effortless..

“For too long I’ve held back from your antics. I won’t hold back if you pull off another stunt like this.” Hayashi stated.

..Did they have… history..?

For the moments that passed, I stood there—unaware of the words being exchanged as everything… From the constant buzz that rang my head.. the world was suddenly too silent.

I couldn’t movemy voice

I felt… disconnected

disconnectedNothing.

disconnected…?Where

My body— I can’t

cold

I snapped, pressure on my arms…

..Everything came crashing back—

Noises flooded my ears, I… could hear again.

The world blinded my eyes… I could.. see again.

Hayashi… holding my arms, gently shaking me..

“What happened? Are you alright..?” he asked, the warmth of his hand leaving my arms—moving to my forehead, pressing against my neck.

“..I’m fine…” I muttered. “What happened?”

“I already told him off.” His hands returned to my arms. “You’re disoriented aren’t you..?” he asked..

…How do I even..

“Hold onto me—I’ll escort you to your dorm.” he held onto me…

“No..” I shook my head—holding onto him.. “We’re going on a date..”

“..You sure?”

“...Yeah.” I muttered… he seemed to want to say something.. but he finally began leading the way. “...May I..?”

He looked at me wondering what I was asking for.

..I extended my hand, reaching towards him.

Holding onto his wrist…

For.. stability.

Yet it seems my legs just…