Chapter 24: Unaswered Question
During the break, Toya found solace on the rooftop, seeking a moment of respite from the chaos of the school. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, evident in the way he slumbered peacefully, unaware of his friend Kei's concern.
Kei searched frantically for Toya, his worry growing with each passing moment. "Where is he? I can't even have a proper conversation with him anymore. He just smiles and pats my back. I hate feeling so distant from him," Kei muttered, determined to find his friend.
Just then, Miyazaki appeared on the rooftop, catching sight of Toya in his peaceful slumber. She approached him, her gaze filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Your best friend is looking for you," she mentioned softly.
Toya, eyes still closed, responded nonchalantly, "Yeah, I know."
Miyazaki took a seat beside him, studying his fatigued form. "Toya, aren't you bored?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.
Toya's eyes fluttered open, revealing a hint of exhaustion. "I'm tired, not bored," he replied, his voice carrying a weariness that belied his age.
Miyazaki's curiosity piqued further as she observed Toya. "Hmm, I've been wondering why an orange-haired girl has been watching you like a stalker," she remarked, her tone laced with intrigue.
Toya let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, Hikari. She's always been like that. Just let her be," he replied dismissively, as if accustomed to Hikari's peculiar behavior.
Perplexed by Toya's nonchalant response, Miyazaki shrugged. "Okay, if you say so. Anyway, here, take my number," she offered, handing him a slip of paper with her contact information.
Toya accepted the paper, tucking it into his pocket. He closed his eyes once again, ready to drift back into much-needed rest.
After school ended for the day, Miyazaki walked beside Toya as they made their way towards the school gate. Without saying a word, Miyazaki glanced towards Hikari with a mischievous grin, then leaned in closer to Toya and whispered, "Toya, good luck."
Toya felt a wave of confusion wash over him as Miyazaki abruptly left his side. He watched her retreating figure, unsure of what she meant by her cryptic words.
Unbeknownst to Toya, Hikari seized the opportunity and tugged at the back of his clothes, demanding his attention. Toya turned to face Hikari, her eyes searching his for answers. "Who is that girl?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.
"Miyazaki," Toya replied simply, unsure of how to explain their connection.
"I know her name, but what are you to her?" Hikari pressed, her gaze fixed on Toya.
Toya pondered for a moment before responding, "Hmm, I guess we're acquaintances."
Hikari studied Toya's face intently, searching for any signs of deception. "Okay, I'll trust you this time. But that still doesn't explain why she whispered something to you," she remarked, her curiosity unabated.
Just as the conversation reached an impasse, Toya's attention was diverted by the sound of Kei's voice calling out to him. Kei approached them, running with a sense of urgency. "Toya!"
Toya's eyes widened, realizing that Kei needed his immediate attention. "That's my cue," he said hastily, his instincts kicking in. He swiftly turned and began to run away, leaving Hikari and Kei in his wake.
"Oi! Don't run!" Kei shouted after him, desperately trying to catch up.
Unfortunately, Toya's speed surpassed Kei's, leaving Kei to stop running and stand next to Hikari, panting heavily.
"He's too fast," Kei muttered between breaths, frustration evident in his voice.
Hikari looked at Kei with concern, her eyes searching for answers. "What's the matter with you two?" she asked, genuinely curious about their sudden chase.
Kei let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping. "It's nothing you need to worry about, Hikari. But he hasn't explained to me why he's been so exhausted lately. It feels like he's hiding something from me. I suppose this is my payback for keeping secrets from him in the past."
Hikari's curiosity piqued further, her eyes narrowing with determination. "What secret? Tell me, Kei," she insisted, her voice filled with a mix of concern and intrigue.
Kei hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to share his burden with Hikari. "You don't need to know, Hikari. But it's good to see you," he replied, a hint of sadness in his voice. With that, he turned and ran, determined to catch up to Toya and get the answers he sought.
Hikari watched Kei's retreating figure, a mix of confusion and curiosity swirling within her. "Boys will always be boys, as my mother used to say," she mused to herself, trying to make sense of the situation.
After Kei arrived at Toya's house, he approached the intercom and pressed the button. "Is Toya home?" he asked, hoping for a response.
On the other end of the intercom, Shoto, Toya's younger brother, adorably grabbed a small chair and placed it next to the intercom. He stood on the chair, reaching up to press the button and answer Kei's inquiry.
"Onii-chan hasn't returned home yet," Shoto replied in his sweet, innocent voice.
Kei's confusion grew as he processed Shoto's words. "Oh, I see. Thank you, Shoto," he said, appreciating the young boy's response.
Shoto beamed with a smile. "No problem, Kei-nii-chan," he replied, using the affectionate term for Kei.
"See you then, Shoto. Bye," Kei bid farewell, his voice filled with warmth.
"Bye! Have a good day," Shoto replied, his voice filled with genuine well-wishes.
Rei, Toya's mother, overheard the conversation and approached Shoto with a gentle smile. "Who was that, Shoto?" she asked, curious about the visitor.
Shoto looked up at his mother, his eyes sparkling with innocence. "Onii-chan's friend," he replied proudly.
Rei's smile widened as she patted her son's head affectionately. "Good job, Shoto," she praised him, proud of his helpfulness.
Kei left the Todoroki Mansion, his mind still filled with questions. "Where the hell is he?" he muttered to himself, feeling a mix of frustration and concern.
Unbeknownst to Kei, Toya had been hiding in the bushes within the mansion's premises, observing the interactions from a distance. After a few minutes, Toya decided it was safe to return home. He entered his house quietly, hoping to go unnoticed.
Rei spotted Toya inside the house and greeted him warmly. "When did you arrive?" she asked, curious about his sudden appearance.
"Just now. I have a lot of homework to do, so I'm going to finish it quickly. I'll head upstairs first," Toya replied, his voice filled with a sense of determination.
"Alright, take your time," Rei said, understanding his need to focus on his studies.
Toya's gaze then fell upon Shoto, who was engrossed in watching a television program about heroes. Toya couldn't help but smile at the sight of his younger brother's unwavering focus and admiration.
With a contented smile, Toya made his way upstairs to his room, ready to tackle his homework and immerse himself in his own world of responsibilities.