[15] Plans

"Pass me the chili oil"

Izumo requested, asking for the la-yu, a Japanese chili oil on the sides for his tonkatsu ramen.

"Mn"

Haruto nodded, calmly grabbing the bottle beside him before he passed it onto Izumo who immediately started dousing it on his ramen.

And for a while, the two peacefully ate their pipping hot meals and enjoyed it in delight.

"Graduation's coming"

"Uh-huh"

"Do you have a school in mind already?"

Haruto asked, feeling curious as to which school Izumo had chosen to go to.

"I do"

"Where?"

"It's in Tokyo"

"..."

Hearing Izumo's nonchalant response, Haruto just blinked for a couple of seconds before he chuckled and nodded his head in understanding.

"Hmm, you're not gonna ask?"

Izumo raised his left eyebrow, feeling doubtful after seeing Haruto's calm reaction to his answer.

He assumed Haruto would start questioning considering he rejected an offer from the best football club in Japan from weeks ago.

And now, he just happened to coincidentally choose a school from that very same place the club is located at. One would quite wonder whether the decision was deliberate or not.

"Knowing you, It'll probably be some absurd reason"

"Well..."

Izumo smirked and was about to continue when a little kid suddenly walked up to them and interrupted their conversation.

"H-Hello!"

"Hm?"

Both Izumo and Haruto paused and turned their heads toward the voice just to see a young boy with a teensy backpack, staring at them with sparkling eyes.

"What can I do for you?"

Haruto immediately asked and smiled kindly, giving off sunshine and a flowery vibe.

And for a moment, Izumo had to cover his eyes and cringed back at how bright and sunny the scene was.

"A-Are you the... I-Izumo and Haruto from Aoba Academy?"

The little kid nervously asked, looking back and forth between Haruto and Izumo with anticipation and excitement which elicited a chuckle from them.

"That's right"

"R-Really!?"

The little kid exclaimed and squealed in glee as he took a notebook and a pen from his backpack and showed it in front of them.

"C-Can I get your autograph?"

The little kid politely asked, feeling nervous and afraid that they might not do so.

But it seems his worries were unfounded as Haruto happily took the notebook and pen, signing it with his name before giving it to Izumo who did the same.

And after a few seconds, Izumo gave back the notebook and pen which the little kid gratefully accepted.

"Here you go"

"T-Thank you so much!"

"No problem"

Izumo responded while Haruto just watched in silence, looking at the interaction between the two with a small smile.

It didn't take long before the little kid bowed and left, walking away cheerfully with a big grin on his face.

"What an adorable kid"

Izumo commented, eliciting a chuckle from Haruto before they resumed eating their ramen.

And while they were eating, Izumo suddenly put down his chopstick and gulped a glass of water before he put them down and turned to stare at Haruto.

"By the way, continuing on our conversation earlier..."

"...?"

"The reason I chose Tokyo was because my father had a close friend who lived there"

"..."

"And his friend happened to know an apartment with a room open. So, I took the chance and decided upon it"

Izumo explained as he grabbed the chopstick he put down and resumed eating his ramen.

Meanwhile, Haruto hearing Izumo's explanation, paused and felt doubtful.

"Is that really the only reason?"

Haruto questioned as not for a minute did he ever believe that was the true reason he chose Tokyo.

And indeed, Haruto's doubt was further proven after Izumo smirked and chuckled in response.

"Of course not. After the whole offer thing, it got me thinking..."

"...?"

"Wouldn't it be a shocking scene if the best soccer club in Japan were defeated by an ordinary team?"

"..."

"Doesn't that sound exciting?"

Izumo smirked, looking quite excited and eager at the prospect of seeing the despair etched on their faces.

"I knew it..."

Haruto smiled helplessly and shook his head, knowing that only Izumo could possibly think such thoughts.

Meanwhile, Izumo merely chuckled and shrugged his shoulders in response to Haruto's reaction.

"Hey, you should be scared, you know?"

"...?"

"You do remember that you're going to be part of that club now"

Hearing Izumo's words, Haruto lit up his eyes before he smiled and resumed eating as if it had nothing to do with him.

On the other hand, Izumo had question marks appearing above his head, seeing the lackluster reaction.

"I feel offended"

Izumo grinned dangerously, thinking Haruto was underestimating him.

Meanwhile, Haruto just kept smiling as he continued slurping on the noodles, unbothered by the deep stare of Izumo.

'It seems the little boy before has now grown up'

Izumo grinned and nodded at himself, feeling proud like a grandpa who saw his grandchild beat him in chess.

However, because of this, he now doesn't plan on holding back once they meet in the upcoming high school tournament.

He will show him no mercy and obliterate that smile off his face.

"By the way, when are you going to tell your parents about it"

Izumo suddenly asked, knowing Haruto still hadn't told his parents about his acceptance of the club invitation.

Though he knew the reason behind hiding it...

But Izumo still felt it was important to tell his parents despite their unwillingness and opinions.

After all, no matter the dispute and quarrel between them...

They are still his parents and have the right to know even if they don't support it.

Well, that's what Izumo believes anyway.

"I... I'm going to tell them after graduation"

"Hm, I understand"

Izumo nodded, respecting his decision as he kept quiet and didn't pry anymore regarding the topic.

It wasn't his business after all and he didn't have the right to interfere unless, of course, the situation got out of hand...

Then he might have something to say about it.

And for a while, the atmosphere was quiet as neither of them said anything and the only sound heard was the slurping of the noodles and its soup.