Chapter 43.

"Ah... coach, what the hell's this kind of training?" I asked, panting.

"It's a serious training, it'll help you surely." The coach said, enjoying the cookies I baked.

"Haha, more like a punishment than a training," Akatsuki said.

"For real, let's leave here before we get something worse than his," Yusuke said as he nodded approvingly before walking out.

"H-hey, guys! You guys just wanna leave me here." I said, almost falling.

"Haha, bye Atsushi-kun." Ryuto said, smiling while waving at me.

They were going to begin the shooting drills.

"Haha, friends." The coach said, standing up.

*What does he want now?* I thought as he walked towards me.

"Okay now, looks like I am going too easy on you friend, you need to be faster than this." He said.

"Y-yes coach!" I said, trying to run.

Okay, I seriously didn't do anything wrong, and even if I did, I can't remember it.

It was already Thursday, and we were all just idle. We haven't played any match since the last one we had.

I tried training alone for some time before Koenji asked me to let him join me. Well, I did agree cause I wanted everyone to improve.

That particular day, the coach wanted us to do some training in case of future matches.

"Oh, looks like you guys are training," Ryuto said as he, the coach, Akatsuki... and the other guys walked towards us.

"Well, that makes things easier." The coach said, grabbing a seat.

"Well, you know one of the most important things on the field is your stamina and also springing." He started.

"Huh? What did...?" I stopped when I noticed the coach staring at me.

"Ahem... as I was saying. Wait, what was I saying again?" He asked as we all laughed.

"Well, either way, you guys will be taking some drills. Let's repeat the sprinting drills today, and we'll do the rest on other days." He said.

"What about the girls?" I asked as he glared at me.

"It's not important now." He said.

"But they are also..."

"Let's talk about you, 'captain'." He said, smiling.

And the next thing I knew I was carrying a very big and heavy bag.

"Seriously, I am sorry, coach." I pleaded while walking up the stairs.

"And seriously, this is part of your training. Don't complain and do it, boy." He said, smiling.

*Looks like he's enjoying this.* I thought while walking up the stairs.

"Good work, boy." The coach said as I lay on the field already out of breath.

*I-I'm gonna die.* I thought, unable to stand.

"Atsushi," Akane called running towards me.

"O-oh, Akane," I called while smiling. "Looks like you girls are here," I said.

"Yeah, we went shopping," Misaki said, walking towards me.

"Come on, let me help you up," Akane said, trying to help me up.

"O-oh, don't bother," I said after noticing the guys glaring at me.

"No, I insist." She said.

"You aren't strong enough to lift him, I'll help him up," Kimishita said, stepping forward.

"Huh? Am not weak, okay?" She said.

"O-oh, a-am really sorry." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I'll give you a hand," Suzune said walking towards us.

"I can do it on my own, don't stress yourself okay," Akane said.

"He'll be too heavy for you to lift along," Suzune said.

As they kept arguing, Koenji and Misaki took me back to my room.

"Thanks guys," I said smiling.

"Don't worry about it, just be careful," Koenji said.

"With what?" I asked.

"The others." He said before walking out.

*Probably Kimishita. Ha... I just want to stay on my own.* I thought before going into sleep mode.