The bell rang for recess. Nishimura approached Riccardo.
"Do you want to eat on the roof?"
The two left the classroom, and Riccardo handed his snack to a confused Nishimura.
"I'm going to get something to drink. Go ahead without me," Riccardo said, walking away.
"Okay…"
As he moved down the corridor, Riccardo felt the familiar weight of stares from the other students. It was beginning to bother him; his expression darkened.
When will this finally end…
Lost in thought, he reached the vending machine and was about to insert a coin when his hand bumped into someone else's.
"Oh! Sorry, I didn't see you…" Riccardo said, glancing up—and froze. The hand belonged to Sato.
"No, I should be the one to apologize!" Sato replied, realizing only now who he was. She quickly looked away.
"Oh… it's you, Shiori…"
Did he just call me by my name!? Sato's cheeks flushed.
"Lost in thought too?" Riccardo asked, sliding coins into the machine.
"Yes… something like that," Sato admitted hesitantly. Riccardo noticed her unease and pulled out a bottle, handing it to her. She blinked, caught off guard.
"So… do we want to talk about it?" he asked quietly.
Moments later, they stood in a quiet corridor, the windows overlooking the baseball field where boys practiced. Sato didn't immediately grasp the purpose of this private moment—but then it hit her.
We're actually talking alone…!?
"So, what's on your mind?" Riccardo prompted.
Sato's expression grew serious. "It's about one of my third-year senpai. She's in the same club as me. A while back, she got injured during the first heat of the prefectural qualifiers. She tore her Achilles tendon, and that keeps her out for the rest of the year—wasting her last chance. But even after that, she never stopped coming to practice. She's always there, supporting us, giving advice. One day, she saw something in me… and chose to mentor me of her own free will. But that only adds pressure. I don't want to disappoint her… I don't want to disappoint anyone."
Riccardo noticed the edge of tears forming in her eyes and leaned against the window next to her.
"Do you love your sport, Shiori?"
"I love it so much…"
"What do you think about when you run?"
Sato paused, reflecting. "When I run… I only think about running. My mind goes blank for those few seconds. The only thing I feel is the joy of being free!"
Riccardo smiled faintly.
"I think you know what's been happening with me lately—prejudice, pressure… it eats at me. But let me be honest," he took a deep breath, "I don't give a damn what people think of me!"
Sato's eyes widened at his blunt honesty.
"Just like you love running, I love soccer—totally. And if this pressure takes the fun out of it, turns me into some kind of robot… then screw them all! I'll reach my goal my way!" Riccardo's gaze held hers, unwavering. "Don't you think it should be like this?"
"Yes… I think so too," Sato whispered.
"So, if living up to your senpai's expectations inspires you, then give it your all. But if it makes you sad and takes away your love for the sport… forget it. Where I come from, we say it's good to make others happy, but if you're not happy yourself, you're just lying to everyone."
Sato smiled softly. Those were the words she needed to hear.
"Yes…"
The bell rang, signaling the end of break.
"Thank you, Shiori. Talking to you really helped," Riccardo said sincerely, prompting a small, disconcerted bow from Sato.
"No, I should be the one thanking you. You helped me clear my head!"
Riccardo returned her smile. "I'm glad. See you around!"
"See you…"
Sato watched him turn the corner, then stared out the window. Is it over already…? Ugh… I want to talk to him again!
Riccardo walked through the hallways back to class, but something had clearly shifted inside him. Did I forget something…?
[On the school roof]
Nishimura was furiously eating Riccardo's lunch. "He'll pay for this!"