The ref blew the whistle. "The first years won the match," the ref said.
"Yeah, we did it!" Takashi said, running to me.
"Yeahhh!" Yoru said, jumping up for joy.
"Man, this is great," Youske said with a smile.
"Yes, we actually locked in and won," Akira said, jumping.
"Man, I'm genuinely so happy," Marasu said with a smile.
Takashi gave me a big hug and was spinning me around a few times.
"Ok, I know that you're happy, but please drop me," I said. Takashi dropped me and just smiled.
"Man, how did you make it curve?" Takashi asked.
"Yeah, it's like it was going out of bounds, then it was just magically in," Youske said.
"Man, like I said, I played volleyball before, and that's just something I practiced," I said.
On the other side of the court:
"You goddamn bastards, we just lost because of you," Daiki said.
"We're so sorry, boss, we swear," a teammate said, bowing. Then they all bowed and said they were sorry.
"Leave my sight immediately," Daiki said.
They all went to the locker room to get their clothes and leave.
You have won this one, Ren Aokami, but know this—I always have another plan, Daiki thought.
"Ok, so what are we going to do to celebrate this comeback?" Yoru said.
"Celebrate? I don't think that's needed," I said.
"Yeah, I don't think so either," Marasu said.
"Nah, we should, I'm telling you," Youske said.
"How about we go out to eat at the ramen shop nearby?" Akira said.
"Yeah, I heard they got some good spicy ramen, and I've been dying to go," Yoru said.
Spicy ramen… I would love to go there.
"Yeah, I guess, why not," I said.
We went to the locker room and were changing, but an unpleasant guest greeted us.
"Hello," Daiki said.
"What do you want now?" Yoru said.
"Yeah, you come to beg for an apology?" Takashi said.
"Yeah, if not, we'd rather you leave," Youske said.
"No, I didn't come here to beg. Why would I beg to mere ants? None of you interest me, to be honest," Daiki said.
"You said what, you bastard?" Takashi said.
"You talk real big for somebody that just lost," Youske said.
"Oh, please spare me your chatter. I'm only here to talk to Ren Aokami," Daiki said.
"What do you want with Ren, huh?" Yoru said.
Why do you want to speak to me?
"Yeah, please, as if we will ever let you talk to him," Takashi said.
"It's alright, he can talk to me," I said, scratching my head.
"You sure?" Youske said.
"Yeah, positive," I said.
"Oh, and I want to talk to him alone," Daiki said.
"Yeah, how about you go to hell?" Yoru said.
"Why would we ever leave you alone with Ren, huh?" Takashi said, approaching.
"It's fine. Just wait for me outside of school, if you all don't mind. Or you can walk to the restaurant and wait for me if you want. It wouldn't hurt me," I said.
"You sure?" Youske said.
"Positive," I said.
"Are you sure sure? Because this guy gives off hella bad energy," Takashi said.
"Yeah, I'm positive," I said.
"Ok, if you say so," Takashi said.
"We will be waiting outside of school for you," Youske said, and they grabbed their bags and left the locker room, of course without eyeing Daiki.
"So, what do you want? I've got to go out because I won a game," I said.
"Oh really? You don't seem too happy for a big game you won," Daiki said.
"Well, why would I get happy for something I always do?" I said.
"Oh really?" Daiki said.
"Oh yeah, what did the ref say?" I said.
Daiki laughed.
"You're a funny one," Daiki said.
"Yeah, a lot of people say that," I said.
"True," Daiki said.
"What do you want? You're wasting my time," I said.
"It's simple. I just wanted to give you a heads-up that I'm still coming for you, so watch your back," Daiki said.
"Yeah, I thought about that," I said.
"I just wanted to let you know that I will crush you some way possible," Daiki said.
"Yeah, if you say so. You talk pretty big after losing twice to a first year you're targeting," I said.
"Ah man, you get me so angry that I just want to choke you to death," Daiki said.
"You're free to try anytime. Nobody's stopping you," I said.
"Man, you're such an interesting one. You manage to surprise me every time I do something to you," Daiki said.
"That's crazy, and I only just met you," I said, getting up and grabbing my bag. Right before I left, I stared Daiki in his eyes and told him,
"You're free to do whatever you want. It doesn't matter what situation it is or what you try to do. The outcome will always be the same," I said.
"Oh? And what outcome is that?" Daiki said, smiling.
"Me on top, winning," I said, walking away.
Damn, Ren Aokami, I can't wait to crush the hell out of you. It's actually so exciting that I've got a rush of adrenaline right now, Daiki thought.
"I've got to calm down. The party is just getting started. I have so much planned for you that it will no doubt be your worst nightmare," Daiki said, smiling.
Outside of school:
"Sorry, guys, for making you wait. That loser just wanted to have a chat with me," I said.
"Yeah, why?" Marasu asked.
"Yeah, what did he say?" Yoru asked.
"Nothing important, just bull crap. Let's go to the ramen place—I'm quite hungry," I said.
"You sure you don't want to talk about it?" Marasu asked me.
"Yeah, I'm sure," I said.
Oh, Daiki Fujisawa, I can't wait to see what you have in store for me.
At the restaurant:
"Umm, can you tell me what you want for your orders?" the waiter asked.
"We will all take the spicy ramen and one mild ramen," Akira said.
"What drinks would you like?" the waiter asked.
"Lemonade," Takashi said.
"Cola," Yoru said.
"Fruit punch," Youske said.
"Strawberry lemonade," Akira said.
"Fruit punch too, please," Marasu said.
"Water," I said.
"Alright, it will be ready shortly, I promise," the waiter said, walking away.
"Man, what a busy day we had today, huh?" Akira said.
"Yeah, you're right, it was quite stressful," Youske said.
"Yeah, and we had to d—" Yoru said before she was cut off by Akira.
"How was your day, Ren?" Akira said.
Why did you cut me off? Yoru thought.
"It was alright, nothing too much today," I said.
"What do you mean? We just had a whole volleyball game that was intense," Youske said.
"Well, I guess if you say so," I said.
"Yeah, I know everyone was struggling at first," Takashi said.
I wasn't even struggling—you all were just holding me back.
"Well yeah, my day was just stressful too," Akira said.
"Yeah, school just started and it's already getting intense," Marasu added.
"Well, if you think about it, we are at the most prestigious high school in the world. Kids are dying to go here," Yoru said.
"Well, you're all right, and we were so blessed to make it here," Akira said.
"So, are we struggling in any subjects right now, or is it only me?" Takashi said.
"Nah, not really. It's quite simple right now," Youske said.
"Yeah, bro, English is not that hard," Yoru said.
"You're struggling in English?" Marasu said, confused.
"Yeah, like c'mon, that's like the easiest subject," Akira said.
"Yeah, yeah, just forget I asked about it," Takashi said.
The waiter came with the food and the drinks.
"Oh yeah, I'm about to eat this up," Takashi said.
"Oh my God, it looks so delicious," Yoru said.
"Yeah, for real," Akira said.
"Why didn't you get spicy?" I asked Marasu.
"Oh, because I'm not really good with spice, so I can probably take mild," Marasu said.
"Oh, alright," I said.
"Oh, about to dig in," Takashi said, grabbing his utensils.
We said our prayers and got straight to eating. Ten minutes later, everyone was full.
"Ahh man, that was the best spicy ramen I have ever had," Takashi said.
"Yeah, bro, the absolute best," Yoru said.
"Man, I'm filled to the max," Youske said.
"Yeah, I'm definitely coming back again," Akira said.
Marasu was just too full to talk.
I got up, took out my wallet, and paid my share.
"Hey, where are you going, Ren?" Akira asked.
"Yeah, man, you sure you don't want to stay a little?" Takashi said.
"I would like to, but I have stuff to take care of. See you guys tomorrow," I said, walking, and I looked at the sun.
"It's so bright today," I said. I walked to the nearest bus station and got off at the flower shop near my house. I entered the flower shop.
"Hey, Miss Kunoechi," I said.
"Hey, Ren, how are you doing today?" Miss Kunoechi asked.
"I'm doing good. I'm just here for what I get every time I come," I said.
"Just coming from school?" Miss Kunoechi asked.
"Yep," I said.
"That's nice to hear," Miss Kunoechi said.
I grabbed two red roses and went up to the counter.
"Double red rose. The price is four dollars, Ren," Miss Kunoechi said.
I took out my wallet and paid the four dollars.
"Alright, bye, Miss Kunoechi, see you next time," I said, leaving.
"Ok, bye, and have a good day," Miss Kunoechi said.
That kid is such a sweetheart, Miss Kunoechi thought.
I went back on the bus and took the bus to the graveyard near the flower shop. I walked past all the graves until I found the two I was looking for. I put one at each grave. The names on the two graves said Masato Aokami and Kekio Aokami.
I got on my knees and bowed down.
"Hey, Mom and Dad, it's been a while since I last saw you," I said.
To Be Continued