Chapter 17: The Two Protagonists Fight

Haruki quietly goes about his morning routine in his empty house. His movements are methodical and slow, reflecting his calm demeanour. He prepares himself a simple breakfast and sits down to eat at the kitchen table, where the silence is so palpable that even the sound of his spoon clinking against the bowl seems loud. While looking at a family photo on the fridge, capturing a younger Haruki with his parents. The picture seems somewhat faded, symbolic of the distance that has grown over time.

Meanwhile, Hiroshi's house is a stark contrast. The smell of freshly cooked pancakes fills the air as Hiroshi's mother moves busily around the kitchen. His father is sipping his coffee while reading the newspaper and occasionally glancing at a small notepad, probably jotting down some ideas or plans. As Hiroshi enters the kitchen, his dad hands him a piece of paper with a list of chores.

"Make sure you get these done before you head out, Hiro," his dad says with a smile.

"Sure thing, Dad!" Hiroshi replies energetically.

Hiroshi dives into his chores with gusto. He feeds the family dog, tidies up the living room, and even helps his mom with a few kitchen tasks. The whole time, his thoughts are on basketball and how he can improve his game. The previous day's match left a deep impact on him.

After completing his chores, Hiroshi heads upstairs to his room, which is adorned with basketball posters, trophies, and souvenirs from various matches. His room is almost like a shrine to his passion for the sport. He gazes at a poster of a renowned basketball player and clenches his fist, silently promising himself to work harder.

On his desk, Hiroshi notices his gaming console and a few game cases scattered around. An idea begins to form in his mind. His thoughts wander to Haruki, his teammate, who he realizes he doesn't know much about outside of basketball.

The scene shifts back to Haruki, who has finished his breakfast and is now sitting in the living room. The loneliness of the house seems to weigh on him as he flicks through channels on the TV without really watching anything.

At that moment, Haruki's phone rings, breaking the monotony of the room. He looks at it and sees Hiroshi's name flashing on the screen.

Back in Hiroshi's room, we see him nervously waiting as the phone rings on the other end. He's not sure why he's nervous; maybe it's because he's never really hung out with Haruki outside of school or practice. They're teammates but not exactly friends.

As Haruki picks up the phone, the chapter comes to an end, with both of them initiating what could be the beginning of a deeper friendship.

Haruki holds the phone to his ear, not sure what to expect. On the other side, Hiroshi's voice comes through, sounding excited.

"Hey Haruki, whatcha doing today?" Hiroshi asks energetically.

"Um, nothing much. Just… at home," Haruki replies hesitantly.

"Awesome! How about I come over to your place, and we play some video games? I got this new fighting game that's super cool!" Hiroshi says.

Haruki's eyebrows raise slightly in surprise. No one from the team had ever asked to come over before. He hesitates, glancing around his quiet house. Then, thinking it might not be so bad to have some company, he agrees.

"Sure, that sounds fun," Haruki responds.

"Great! I'll grab my controller and head over. See you in a bit!" Hiroshi says before hanging up.

Haruki sets the phone down and, for a moment, just sits there, processing the conversation. The house suddenly seems even quieter than before. He decides to tidy up the living room a bit before Hiroshi arrives.

Meanwhile, at Hiroshi's house, he is rummaging through his room to find his gaming controller and the game he mentioned. He stuffs them into his backpack and races downstairs.

"I'm heading over to a friend's house, Mom!" Hiroshi shouts to his mother in the kitchen.

"Be safe, dear!" his mother replies, waving him off.

Hiroshi's excitement is palpable as he cycles through the neighbourhood towards Haruki's house. His mind races through all the things they could talk about, and he can't help but feel excited about hanging out with a teammate outside the basketball court.

When Hiroshi reaches Haruki's house, he's slightly out of breath from pedalling so fast. He rings the doorbell, and within seconds Haruki opens the door. Haruki's face is calm, but Hiroshi thinks he can detect a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"Hey, Haruki! Thanks for having me over!" Hiroshi greets him with a wide grin.

Haruki just nods and lets him in. They head to the living room, where Haruki has set up his gaming console. They sit down, and Hiroshi eagerly hands Haruki a controller.

For a moment, there's an awkward silence as Haruki isn't used to having guests, and Hiroshi realizes that Haruki is much quieter than he is. However, as soon as the game starts, the atmosphere begins to change. They start to chat about the game, and little by little, Haruki seems to open up.

They play several rounds, and both of them are clearly enjoying themselves. It's during these games that Hiroshi starts to notice the concentration and focus in Haruki's gameplay, similar to how he is on the basketball court.

Meanwhile, Haruki, who is usually reserved, finds comfort in Hiroshi's easy-going nature. He starts to share some strategies in the game and even cracks a small joke. They laugh, and at that moment, it's clear that a bond is forming between them.

As the afternoon light begins to cast a warm glow in the room, Haruki and Hiroshi continue to play, talk, and build a friendship that extends beyond just being teammates.

As the characters on the screen clash with intense combinations and moves, Hiroshi bounces in his seat while Haruki remains focused but relatively motionless. After several rounds, Hiroshi notices something peculiar about Haruki's playing style.

"Hey, wait a second," Hiroshi says, pausing the game and turning to Haruki. "Are you letting me win on purpose?"

Haruki's eyes widen slightly, and his cheeks redden. He looks down and mumbles, "Maybe... I just thought you'd be happier if you won."

Hiroshi bursts into laughter. "Dude, that's really sweet of you, but it's way more fun if we both try our best!" he exclaims, nudging Haruki playfully.

Haruki looks at Hiroshi, who is still grinning widely and can't help but smile back. He nods and picks up his controller again.

"Alright, get ready to see what I'm really made of!" Haruki says with a shy but determined expression.

Hiroshi's eyes sparkle. "Bring it on!" he responds eagerly.

The room is filled with the sounds of button-mashing and the characters' voices from the game. The intensity picks up as they both start playing earnestly. This time, Haruki is pulling off combos and evasive maneuvers, and Hiroshi is thrilled to have a real challenge.

As they trade wins and losses in the game, their laughter and cheers fill the house. Haruki, usually so reserved, feels a genuine sense of camaraderie with Hiroshi, and Hiroshi is just as thrilled to see this side of Haruki.

Their characters clash for the final round, and it's a nail-biter, but in the end, Hiroshi's character lands the decisive blow.

"Great game!" Haruki says sincerely, and they exchange a friendly fist bump.

Hiroshi grins. "Definitely! But next time, no holding back from the start, okay?" he says.

Haruki nods, a content smile on his face. The day continues with more games, laughter, and the strengthening of a newfound friendship.

As the shadows grow longer outside, Haruki and Hiroshi find themselves engrossed in another racing game, weaving through traffic and outrunning their virtual opponents. They eventually decide to take a break and order pizza.

When the pizza arrives, they sit on the floor in front of the TV, with boxes of pizza and sodas scattered around them. As they munch on their slices, they talk about the basketball game, school, and their hobbies.

Haruki, usually so reserved, finds himself speaking more openly. "You know," he says quietly, "it can get pretty lonely here sometimes."

Hiroshi, who has been animated all day, becomes more subdued and turns to Haruki. "What do you mean?"

Haruki hesitates but decides to share. "It's just... the house is usually empty. It gets quiet."

Hiroshi looks at Haruki with understanding in his eyes. "Hey, man, you know you can always come to my place, right? My house is anything but quiet, and I'd be glad to have you around," he says with a genuine smile.

Haruki's eyes widen slightly, and he nods. "Thanks, Hiroshi," he murmurs, smiling.

They continue to eat and chat until it's time for Hiroshi to leave. As they both stand by the front door, Hiroshi slings his bag over his shoulder.

"Thanks for having me over, Haruki. We should definitely do this again," Hiroshi says enthusiastically.

"Yeah, I'd like that," Haruki replies with a smile.

They exchange a friendly wave, and as Hiroshi walks down the path, Haruki stands in the doorway watching him leave. The house that had felt so empty earlier is now filled with the warmth and echoes of laughter.

As Haruki closes the door, he leans against it for a moment. He thinks about how different today was compared to other Saturdays. There was noise, there was laughter, and there was someone to share it with. For the first time in a long while, the house didn't feel empty, and Haruki didn't feel alone.

Haruki's heart feels lighter as he cleans up the remnants of their gaming session. He can't help but look forward to the next time they hang out as teammates and as friends.

Outside, as Hiroshi walks home, he makes a mental note to invite Haruki over again soon. He knows what it's like to want company, and he's glad they could share this day together.

Unbeknownst to each other, they both go to bed that night with a sense of gratitude and the beginnings of a bond that could last a lifetime.