Just wait

"Right now, her emotions are more sensitive, and she is very fragile." Futaba chose her words carefully. "Hamano-kun, how much do you know about Succhan? What was your impression when you met her in middle school?"

At those words, Atushi paused. "To be honest with you, at first, I judged her like everybody else did. Some stuff happened in elementary, and because of that, I moved away to a new town. I wanted to lay low, and after hearing the rumors about Sumire. I decided I would stay away from her."

"Hm, so you got bullied?"

He freezes in his tracks, and Futaba laughs. "Don't worry. I didn't investigate you or anything. It's just how you reacted when you saw me crying and casually covered up the bruises on my shoulders the other day."

Right, he draped his coat around her when he saw the bruises on her shoulders. He did it so casually, but other people had seen. Atushi exhaled deeply.

"You're pretty popular, Momoi-san. I don't know how I survived those glares."

"Popularity is superficial. Well, Succhan was the one who taught me that. Back when I was getting bullied. I tried so hard to fit in and please people. However, it was stupid of me to do so. Succhan saved me from an embarrassing situation, and since then, I have been eternally grateful to her. It's because of her I understood that I didn't have to work so hard to please people who only cared about my status."

Atushi doesn't say anything. It's exactly like her to say that.

"Hamano-kun, I think you understand by now. But Succhan is a complicated person. She isn't the type of person you can judge and get to know quickly."

"So, are you saying that I should be patient?"

Futaba nodded. "Just wait. I don't think she truly hates you. But she needs to figure out whether or not she wants you back in her life. After much decision, you have already decided that you want to be part of her life again, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then it's the same for her. Whatever thoughts and feelings you had about seeing her again, the same goes for Succhan."

…..

A few days later, at Tsukuhara high school.

Atushi, who had been looking around for the pink hair girl to give some documents, heard she was in the first gym. On his way, though, his thoughts would drift to his conversation with Momoi Futaba the other day.

He wondered just exactly how much the pink hair girl knew. No that's wrong. She probably knows all about it. Not because Sumire told her, since he's clearly established the fact that she wasn't the gossiping type.

Sumire...huh? Even though he said he wouldn't give up, there was a reason why he hadn't been making his moves at all. He wanted to see it, the changes within her. Although it seems like, unlike before, she's surrounded by people she actually wants to be with now. Occasionally he would see that same look in her eyes.

His thoughts broke upon seeing a certain navy blue hair boy. "You...."

"Hamano Atushi-San correct? I believe this is the first time we are speaking properly. I am Ichiko Daiki."

Even without the name, Atushi was well aware of who he was. Because he was the one who openly approached Sumire back when he still attended moonlight middle school, she would act completely normal whenever Sumire was with this person. There would be no walls between them at all. He would see her smile naturally.

"What do you want from me?"

But he already knew what Ichiko wanted. It was obvious, after all.

"About Sumire-san."

At those words, Atushi exhaled deeply. He did think it was about time that one of them said something. Although his cousin Mikaze has been very welcoming, and Senna Masato. He knew the other guys in nanairofeather were still cautious toward him.

_________

It was going far too well. Futaba watched as Hamano Atushi slowly changed from the shy new kid to one of the most popular boys in school in a short time. Futaba didn't know what this had to do with him speaking to Succhan, but she figured that he had a plan.

Futaba turned her attention back to the basketball team. Currently, she was jotting notes on each of the members as the sounds of the match were carrying on. Momoi Futaba, age seventeen. A model, a yankee's daughter, and part of the underworld. But she was also a regular high schooler and had a great interest in basketball.

Unfortunately, this school did not have a female basketball team, but she was satisfied for now being the basketball team's manager; and the ace's childhood friend.

She was glad that he returned to playing basketball and seemed to be enjoying himself now. Yet there did still seem to be something wrong with him. Plus, she had heard the rumour that was going around the school too.

'Your mine' huh? Futaba always thought she knew him the best, but that clearly didn't seem to be the case here. Since it wasn't like him at all to say something like that. Her childhood friend Iwa Ran said those words to her best friend, Ibuki Sumire.

'To be honest, I feel weird about the idea of the two of them dating. I care for them both deeply, but if they ever became a couple, I would feel very left out.'

A deep sigh escaped her lips. That sounds so selfish. In the end, she isn't the one who will decide. She is just overreacting after hearing those rumors. Besides, she recalled the sight she saw the other day. Succhan is dating Mashima Toh now. For now, her friend is doing a good job keeping it a secret, but it won't be long before others find out.

When Ran-chan finds out, she wonders how he will feel. Would he give up if he knew that Sumire was taken? Futaba sighed again. No, with his stubborn personality, she can't see him give up just like that.