Izumi’s Surprise

Aoi stood up, watching Izumi sauntering towards him.

Her friends in his peripheral vision seemed to be non-existent, observing the world turning slow, processing what was Izumi's holding.

Her radiant smile was blinding him.

To be honest, Aoi was a decade older, and loving an underage girl felt like a crime despite having a sixteen-year-old body.

If he knew he was not dreaming during the confession, he might have distressingly rejected Izumi.

Yet, he was not aware, and since his body had the emotion of a sixteen-year-old, easily falling in love after his desire for the future body completely integrated to the current one, there was no turning back.

He was completely attached to the younger Izumi.

It felt a bitter taste in his mouth just thinking of loving a girl a decade younger than him.

"Aoi!" Izumi snapped her finger before Aoi's face, trying to wake him up from his stupor.

"Ah. I'm sorry."

Izumi genuinely smiled.

"There's no need to. Anyway, I bought a pair of cleats online and just received the delivery. I know you didn't have one. I didn't see you bringing one earlier today."

Aoi lowered his gaze and dazedly stared at the box, lost for words.

At this point, the guilt in his heart became heavy… but then again, so was his love for her.

It would have been fine if he treated her like his younger sister, but it would do no good.

After all, they finally established their relationship the moment he accepted her confession – unintentionally or not, what happened already happened.

If he suddenly decided to break up with Izumi, he was certain it would only break her heart… forget about his heartbreak, for he was already an adult, he could handle his emotions already…

But that was if his body was a decade older.

Now that he had returned to the past, and his future was bleak anyway - living an ordinary life, just trying to make ends meet - he decided to let go without attachments and slowly adapted to his new life.

His conscience might be assaulting him, especially now he saw Izumi acting kindly due to the fact they were now in a relationship, he could endure it.

Furthermore, he was now beginning to adopt a more self-centered attitude, choosing to focus on his own immediate desires rather than dwelling on the fact that he was nearly thirty years old in mind despite being in the body of a sixteen-year-old.

He was totally detached from his life in the future, so there was no attachment to it anymore.

He was only suffering from the conscience, but he was confident it would not last long.

Before long, he would have accepted the fact he was now sixteen years old.

Breaking up with Izumi simply conveyed that he was still attached to being a thirty-year-old adult.

"Why won't you try it?"

He snapped awake, welcoming him with a stunning smile of Izumi, and the heavyweight on his heart slowly vanished.

He smiled, accepted the box, and opened it.

He was surprised about the color – it was his favorite, Sky Blue.

He gave Izumi a sincere smile, wanting to hug her.

Still, he refrained, taking out the shoes.

He felt it was the perfect size, but it would not really be confirmed unless he tried it.

He returned to the bench. Izumi followed him behind, and so were her friends, giggling and whispering, watching a couple having their lovely moments.

Aoi tried it… and it was perfect!

He was stunned, and his heart jumped in delight.

Who would have thought that even his shoe size was something Izumi knew?

Not only was she aware he did not bring cleats, yet not even asking him why he suddenly wanted to play football, she was also aware of his shoe size.

What's next? His shirt size? His shorts?

Just as he was admiring Izumi's vast knowledge about himself that he did not even know - apparently not aware of his shoe size since he came from the future - Izumi walked in front of him, and a SkyBlue short came into his view.

He was momentarily stunned, not lasting when Izumi's voice echoed.

There was a hint of shyness mixed within.

"I-I brought you a short, too. There's no way you can play with tight pants. And, umm… also white knee socks, too. It should be fit for you."

Aoi tilted his head upward, meeting Izumi's gaze, suddenly changing to another direction due to the awkwardness.

His mind turned blank.

However, a single thought emerged in his mind, coming from his heart.

'If I let go of this girl, I would be a fool. Fuckening! I'll kill myself if I do it!'

He swore to himself.

"Thank you, Izumi. I owe you one." 

Aoi could only smile, accepting the shorts and socks. 

Izumi smiled in response, nodding.

She hesitated, wanting to say something, and Aoi beat her into it.

"What do you want?" He asked softly.

"Ah. Let's have a date after your play."

He was stunned but then nodded without hesitation.

He replied, "If that is what you want. Then, that's fine. Ah, my treat. Accept it as repaying the debt."

Izumi beamed a smile, closing her eyes.

Aoi smiled in response but then focused on the shorts and socks on each of his hands.

He had to change, hesitating whether to proceed to the isolated place or the bathroom or just change here since he wore boxer shorts anyway.

However, he realized Izumi was near him, so showing his boxer shorts would be inappropriate.

He wisely decided to change to the bathroom.

He turned to Nakahara, who gave him a side glance, saying, "Go change quickly. I will sub you in five minutes."

Aoi was stunned and then nodded.

He turned to Izumi, to which the latter responded with a nod.

"I will wait here. My friends are with me."

Aoi nodded, briefly giving them a glance.

He appeared cool and aloof, not even reciprocating Izumi's friends' greeting as he was in a hurry.

He soon disappeared in a flash.