"Dodgeball Frenzy #5: You Make Me Worry"
Shiriku couldn't help but wonder why Fuyumi hadn't made her move yet. He had mixed feelings about it and thought to himself, "Huh? Why's Fuyumi still not throwing the ball? If I were her, I would have already started the chaos. I'm in a bad state right now, and she isn't moving." Confusion and fatigue etched across his face as he observed the situation.
In contrast, Fuyumi was experiencing a whirlwind of panic and indecision. Her inner thoughts raced, "Ahhhhhh! What should I do? If I hit that idiot, he would intentionally end up in the nurse's room, and it will seem like it's all my fault. But at the same time, this is my team's chance to win." The weight of the game's outcome pressed heavily on her mind, leaving her in a state of panic
The tension between wanting to secure victory for her team and not wanting to hurt Shiriku further left Fuyumi in a dilemma, and her inner turmoil continued to grow.
With the tension reaching its peak, Shiriku decided that it was "now or never." He started to move, positioning himself for a better throw, his determination shining through. Fuyumi noticed his movement and thought, "Huh, he started moving, then I should—" But before she could react and release the ball, her face twisted with horror and worry.
Shiriku's point of view was filled with adrenaline and determination as he attempted to throw the ball. However, much to his dismay, the ball didn't soar as intended. It barely left his hand and didn't even pass Fuyumi.
Fuyumi, witnessing Shiriku's sudden collapse, was overcome with worry and fear. Without hesitation, she rushed toward him, her expression filled with concern. The members of both Team 1 and Team 2 joined in the rush to assist Shiriku, following Sensei Takahashi's suggestion that he should be taken to the school nurse.
As they gathered around Shiriku, Fuyumi volunteered to help, but Sensei Takahashi had another idea. She suggested that Daiki should carry Shiriku. Fuyumi, Sachi, and Junichi quickly positioned themselves beside Daiki as they prepared to assist in carrying Shiriku to the nurse's office.
Fuyumi, Sachi, and Junichi ran alongside Daiki as he carried Shiriku, their faces filled with worry. The rest of the class returned to their classrooms, while the upper-grade students commented casually on the unexpected turn of events.
.
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Location: School Nurse Office
In the tranquil confines of the school nurse's office, Shiriku gradually regained consciousness. The lingering echoes of the dodgeball match were replaced with the soft hum of the air conditioning, creating an oasis of calm. It took a moment for Shiriku to recall the adrenaline-fueled game that had led him here.
The gentle tick of the clock on the wall marked the passage of time, indicating that approximately 30 minutes had elapsed since the dodgeball incident. Shiriku stirred and turned his head, noticing the familiar sight of his classmates within the school nurse's office. The room was bathed in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains.
Shiriku noticed Fuyumi seated nearby, her expression a mix of relief and concern. But Shiriku decided to act unconscious still
Meanwhile, a short distance away, Sachi's playful but affectionate prodding caught Fuyumi's attention. "Fuyumi! Me and Junichi are heading out now," Sachi announced. Her words were accompanied by a gentle poke to Fuyumi's back, ensuring she had her attention.
Sachi continued, "It's already lunchtime, and Junichi is begging me to go with him so that he's not alone at the table. Wanna join us?" She inquired, offering Fuyumi an opportunity to join their lunch excursion.
Fuyumi's brows furrowed as she realized the time. She looked around the room and spotted a clock on the wall, which confirmed Sachi's words. She seemed taken aback, as the sense of time had eluded her during her concern for Shiriku.
As the realization of lunchtime set in, Fuyumi managed a weak smile and replied to Sachi's invitation, "Oh, it's already lunchtime?"
Fuyumi's concern for Shiriku remained, Her eyes darted to the clock once more, and she made a quick decision. "Umm... you guys go on first," Fuyumi said with a bereft expression she also didn't want to leave Shiriku alone while he was recovering.
Sachi seemed understanding and nodded, Junichi was already eager to satisfy his hunger, so he interjected, "Come on, I'm starving."
Sachi and Junichi walked out of the school nurse's office, leaving Fuyumi behind.
Fuyumi returned to her seat, which was conveniently close to Shiriku's resting bed in the nurse's office. Her thoughts were a tumultuous whirlwind, and she couldn't help but voice her concerns.
Fuyumi's gaze rested upon Shiriku, who lay on the bed, "unconscious". She spoke softly, her words almost a whisper. "Oh, Shiriku... Why do you always make me worry about you?" Her voice was filled with a blend of frustration, affection, and an underlying turmoil.
She continued to express the complexity of her feelings. "Why am I even worrying about you? I don't even like you," Fuyumi asserted, her voice tinged with denial. "But every time you mention Ayaka, my heart aches. When you accepted her proposal to be her fake boyfriend, I felt irritated and jealous at the same time." Her internal conflict was palpable.
Fuyumi paused, her voice growing softer and more uncertain. "I don't know why, but I'm denying my feelings. I can't fall for you. You're a 'KAMI,' and my Sister Kujou..." Her words trailed off, the rest of her sentence left unspoken.
She clenched her fists, her frustration evident. "Hates kamis," she concluded, as if that were the ultimate barrier to her emotions.
Shiriku's habit of doing silly things also came into focus. "Whenever you'd do something stupid, it makes me want to slap you. It makes me want to slap you to make you realize how much you worry me. Just like now," she lamented, her voice trembling. "You're here, lying in bed in the nurse's office when we should be out there eating lunch with our friends."