Chapter 48.

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

"When you said let's go out, I didn't expect it to be here." I said as we walked into a cinema.

"You were more confused." She said, smiling.

*Seriously.* I thought as we grabbed some popcorn.

"Which movie would you like to watch?" I asked, smiling.

"Well... let's go for this." She said, smiling.

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

*I didn't expect her to choose a horror movie. Am not really good with them. * I thought, looking at her.

*She looks so focused on it. She isn't even scared.* I thought, looking away.

*Well, whatever. I'll just watch it.*

"Ha... that was so fun." She said, stretching as we walked out of the cinema.

"Y-yeah, it was." I said, forcing a smile.

"Hmm... where should we go next?" She asked.

"Anywhere would do." I said, yawning.

"You sure about that? You look kinda da tired." She said.

"Oh."

*Am actually tired.* I thought, looking away.

"Then let's go grab lunch." She said, smiling.

"Yeah, that would be nice." I said as she led the way.

As we walked inside one of the restaurants, I saw someone familiar inside there.

"Um, Suzune, can we go elsewhere?" I asked, stopping her from walking in.

She looked at me for a while before nodding.

"Mhm, if that's what you want." Shr said, smiling.

*What's going on?* I thought, looking back into the restaurant.

*Why is he here?!*

"Ah... that was a nice meal." Suzune said, smiling as we walked out of the restaurant.

"Yeah." I replied, my hands in my pocket as I looked down.

"It's getting late. We should head home." She said.

*Ah, she must want to go back because of how I've been acting. Well, yeah. I want to go back now.* I thought before nodding.

"Oh, you guys went out together. Huh?." Ryuto asked with a weird smile as we walked into the sitting room together.

"Yeah, we are back." Suzune said, smiling.

"Welcome home." Hinami said as I heard a sigh from Kimishita.

*Whst do I do?* I thought, walking out of the sitting room.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Well, I don't..." She kept talking as I walked into the room and closed the door behind me.

*Ah, I just have to think, right?* I thought, curling up on my bed.

"Hmm, I'm not surprised to see you here, I swear." The coach said, walking into the field.

"Evening coach." I said.

"It's the muddle of the night. Don't overdo it, Captain." He said, walking towards me.

"Sorry, I'll be gone once I get all these back into the equipment room." I said.

"Let's play a one on one." He said, smiling.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Come on, you scared of your old man?" He asked, juggling a ball.

"Huh? You don't look old, though." I said, running towards him.

"Yeah, I am still 27." He said, smiling.

"Oh, that's... Great, I think." I said.

"That's definitely not what you're thinking right now." He said, kicking the ball in between my open legs and using his left leg to position himself for a quick get- behind.

"Whoa." I said as he smiled at me.

"I played once." He said.

"That's good to hear. I wonder how your team was." I said.

"Well, they weren't up to his level as a whole." He said.

"Hmm?"

"Nah, just an old friend of mine. Either way, my job now is to guide you kids. And I'll make it count." He said.

"By pushing the whole work to a total amateur?" I asked as he laughed.

"You got me there." He said as I stole the ball from right under his feet.

"Got it."

"Seems like you're back to normal."

"Huh?"

"You've been acting all gloomy since you got back with Suzune yesterday." He said, trying to take the ball from me.

"Oh." I said as he stole the ball.

"Be focused, Atsushi!" He shouted as I opened my eyes widely.

"Huh?"

"Whatever it is, as far as you're in a match, don't be confused!"

"You're the captain, so whatever is dragging you down would affect the others. You have to try leaving your emotions behind during a match. You get that?!"

"Y-yes, Coach!" I answered as he smiled.

"Now, come get this ball from me." He said as I nodded, smiling.

*I think I've been overthinking. I'll just make myself stronger to fight against any opposition.* I thought, smiling.

"Oh." The coach said as I slid the ball right off his feet.

"Haha, I've got this one, coach." I said, smiling while juggling the ball.

"You really are quite different, I'll beat you to it." He said, smiling while running towards me.

"Sorry coach, I'll keep this for long." I said flicking the ball over him.