*After School May 19*
After a slow day in class, you sat in your seat, softly breathing in and out. Your mind has been occupied with this morning and the discovery of the mark on your chest, it hasn't acted up during the school day but you can still feel a slight coldness where the mark is. You sigh and get from your seat and begin to head out of class and down the stairs. On your way to the exit, you turn the corner to see Makoto standing in the hall. She seems to be lost in thought, you begin to approach her and you touch her shoulder. She jumps and turns to face you.
You: H..hey..! Are you alright..?
Makoto: I.. I um...
You: You seem a little lost? Is there something I can help with..?
Makoto: N..No..
You can tell she is trying to avoid eye contact with you.. It causes a stir inside you and you can't understand the feeling.
You: W..Well we have a busy day tomorrow. Seeing as I will meet your Sister and everything.
Makoto: O..Oh that..yeah..
You: Hey..!
Makoto: A..Ah! Y..yes..?
You: Seriously, what's gotten into you all of a sudden? Jeez.. If you aren't feeling well you shouldn't be in school you know.
Makoto: Mm..
You: *Sighs heavily* Just so you know, I am very much looking forward to meeting your Sister.
Makoto: Y..You are?
You: Yeah! I mean, I wouldn't be lying if I wasn't a little nervous but I got a good feeling it's gonna be alright. Besides, we need to hang out sometime anyways. Meeting your Sister is a pleasure.
Makoto: I.. I see.. Yeah..
You see her start to become more timid around you and continue to avoid your eyes. You get a sudden urge and sensation that begins to control your movements. Almost like your hand moves on its own. You reach out and grip her chin softly and direct her gaze towards yours. She is surprised, eyes wide open, completely frozen. Staring into her eyes, you sense mixed emotions within them. It causes you to worry and feel like it's about you.
You: Hey.. You're worrying me you know..
Makoto: *Flustered heavily* I..I umm..! I..
You: If there is something about you that is making you feel this way.. Please tell me alright..
Makoto: I......s..sure...*trying to avert gaze*
You: I don't like it when you try to avoid me you know. It's going to be okay silly.
You start to realize how close you are with her and your hand is still softly gripping her chin. You get flustered and pull your hand away and try to hide your embarrassment.
You: A..Anyways! I'll see you tomorrow okay! I look forward to it..!
Makoto: *Still flustered* R..Right..!
You wave her goodbye as you dash out of the school and head to meet up with Kasumi....
*Makoto POV*
After Y/N had said his goodbye, I ran and hid myself around the corner. Holding my flustered cheeks, trying to calm down. I pressed my hand against my chest, my heart was beating faster than before...
Makoto: W..Why. Why do I feel this way.. I'm so confused about everything.. Is he toying with me..!?
Caught in frustration, I pressed my hand harder to my chest. Taking a deep breath to try to clear my mixed state. The thoughts of Y/N from yesterday and today are starting to blur together. The Y/N was shining even more.. I rubbed my chin, trying to recreate the same feeling he made me feel. What is this feeling, I kept on thinking to myself. His eyes weren't lying when he was speaking to me.. But his eyes yesterday weren't lying either.. I still can't figure him out.. Maybe I will get my answers tomorrow... I know I will..!
*Your POV*
After leaving school, you caught up with Kasumi who was waiting for you just outside.
Kasumi: Ready to go Senpai!
You: Ready whenever you are.
Kasumi: Awesome! Let's go!
You followed Kasumi to the train station and took a train to her meet. You walked and talked with her about various things...
You: Are you sure you think you did bad on your exams?
Kasumi: Well.. I'm really sure I didn't do great..
You: Give yourself some credit. I think from the sounds of it, you just lack the self-confidence.
Kasumi: Self-confidence huh..
You: Hmm..?
Kasumi: It's nothing. Just I seem to have that kind of vibe don't I?
You: I just think you are struggling with what you want to accomplish.
Kasumi:..!
You: Yeah. I can see that you are having many internal conflicts within yourself.
Kasumi: I guess..ever since the accident I still have a lot to grow from.
You: You're talking about your sister right?
Kasumi: Y..Yes I am..! H..how did you know about Sumire's accident?
You stop in place for a moment and think. How did you know about her sister's death..? Hell you don't even know she had one. It was almost like before with Yusuke's code name, you already knew about it but somehow forgot..? You shake your head from the confusion...
You: When I was in the hospital.. I think I overheard a story about it from some nurses.. I don't know the full story but I think I know enough.
Kasumi: I..It's okay.
You: If you are sure about it. I didn't mean to bring up a bad memory.
Kasumi: No, it really is fine. I promised my sister that I will do my best no matter what.
You: There you go, that's some self-confidence if you ask me!
Kasumi: *Blushing* R..Really? You think so Senpai?
You: Yep! Let's go to this meet with that mentality alright!
Kasumi: Alright!
With heavy hearts and smiles, you accompany her into the building. You set up next to Kasumi, her personal coach approaches you both.
Kasumi: C..Coach! Good afternoon!
Coach: Good afternoon Yoshizawa. And this is..?
Kasumi: This is my Senpai from school, he has agreed to encourage me to get better.
You: Hello, I am Y/N L/N. It is a pleasure to meet you.
Coach: Nice to meet you too. Are you sure all you are gonna do is watch and cheer her on?
You: I..I'm sorry?
Coach: I can tell that you got the body type for gymnastics. You got nice lengthy arms and legs for your size, not to mention you got a really good muscle tone that screams flexible.
You: *Flustered* I..I guess? T..Thanks!
Coach: You should really join in, I think you'll be more of a help with Kasumi if you learned yourself.
She approaches you and places her hand on your shoulder. She gives you an encouraging smirk and you begin to get shy.
Kasumi: Are you sure Coach? Don't you think he will have trouble?
Coach: I think your friend here has more to offer than what is on the surface. I can tell, he has done gymnastics before.
Kasumi: I..Is that true Senpai?
You: N..no..? I am sure I haven't done it before..
Coach: Well then take a good minute to observe Kasumi and others here and then give it a shot.
You: I..If you say so, but don't laugh when I don't know what I am doing.
Coach: Don't worry, you'll be fine.
Kasumi: Just keep your eyes on me Senpai!
You stood back and watched as Kasumi came out of the locker rooms wearing her gymnastic uniform. You couldn't help but admire how beautiful and cute she looked. It was elegant while also being quite serious. You stood and watched her warm up and started to get entranced into her movements. You saw her graciously perform complex movements and jumps that surprised you, starting to get excited, you subtlety started to move back and forth, working out some kinks in your muscles.
Coach: A little excited aren't you there..?
You: Sorry!
Coach: Don't be, I think Kasumi appreciates the enthusiasm. Just save the energy for your own performance. Maybe she will learn a thing or two from you.
You: S..Sure!
You continued to watch her perform in front of you. She was filled with determination but underneath was a hint of sorrow and lack of heart. Almost like she is pushing herself when deep down she is lost. You still admired her efforts, even if they seem to be brought down by her own internal conflict. Another few minutes pass and she finishes her performance. She breathes heavily and approaches you, grabbing her towel, you hand it to her.
Kasumi: *Breathing Heavily* T..Thanks Senpai!
You: No problem. You did great!
Kasumi: Really?
Coach: You are still being held back by your own conflict.
Kasumi: I see.. I guess I still haven't changed..
You: Hey don't be so down..
Coach: You noticed it too didn't you? I could tell from your eyes that you understood completely that she did good but there was something off in the end.
You: There was..
Kasumi:..I see..
Coach: Don't be so down Yoshizawa. Besides, it's your friends turn to show you how it's done.
You: I am not better than her, but I will do my best.
Coach: That is what I want to hear.
You begin to step out onto the mat and begin to stretch a bit. Working the muscles you slowly start to feel a sense of excitement build within you. Almost like your body is eager to move. Taking a deep breath you try to envision Kasumi's movements once more. You slowly recreate the movements and do it at your own pace.
Kasumi: W..Wow..!
Coach: Impressive..! He is copying you down to the exact detail..!
Kasumi: Senpai is already amazing!
Focused on your movements and recreating the same pattern Kasumi took, you slowly begin to pick up speed. A step forward, a small jump, twist, and then raising your leg high into the air. Suddenly, you begin to let go of the image of Kasumi and open your eyes. You feel a force push you to move. You take a large step and then with all your weight, you push off the mat and launch yourself high into the air. It catches the entire room's attention at how high you get off the floor.
Kasumi: T..That height! I've never seen anything like it!
Coach: T..This kid really is something else!
As you begin to decline to the floor, you shift your weight into a spin. When your feet touch the mat, you push your body towards the mat, sticking your arms out, you cartwheel forward and push off with your arms, launching you into a twirling spiral in the air. You hear the room gasp in awe. You flip in the air and land onto the mat into a roll to your feet, your arms raised high. Breathing heavily, you push forward and cartwheel once more, this time when your arms touch the mat, you turn your direction and let one leg land on the mat. As you do so, you kick up with that leg and it causes you to do a unique twirl flip that lets you perform a hand push when you land to flip once more into the air and land once again with a graceful presence.
There is a moment of silence, then suddenly, applause. You open your eyes and see the entire room clapping at your performance. You are then approached by Kasumi and her Coach.
Kasumi: That was amazing Senpai! You never told me you were that good!
You: I.. I wasn't. This really is my first time doing something like this..
Coach: You truly are a natural if this is your first time. However you seriously showed us all some great moves!
Kasumi: I wanna reach that high like you did! That truly was amazing!
You: I kinda let my body do everything. I kinda closed my mind to everything and let instinct take my path.
Kasumi: You let instinct take your path?
You: Y..Yeah I guess so. I took a lot of inspiration from you Kasumi.
Coach: So you are saying you let yourself come up with that stuff on the fly? I like your style.
You: I guess hehe..!
Kasumi: You totally have to come to our next meet and help me do those moves!
You: A..Are you sure!
Kasumi: Mhm! I am sure Coach has nothing against that?
Coach: Seeing what this kid has shown so far, that is a great idea.
You: I..I guess if it helps you out Kasumi, then sure! I will continue to help you out!
Coach: Perfect! The next meeting is next month. I will tell Kasumi the details and have her relay them to you for the date.
You: S..Sounds great!
You laugh it off and after spending some more time helping out Kasumi, you begin to feel your bond with her grow quite rapidly. However the sudden skill in the acrobatic nature of gymnastics that you were able to pull off, you have come to learn how to incorporate a lot of the moves you saw and made up in some of your infiltration moves. Soaring to new heights, you develop more muscle memory skill in moving your body in a certain way to dodge more efficiently in a fight.
After a few more hours, you said your goodbyes with Kasumi and headed off to your home. The day feels like a whole new experience for you. You are sore from the sudden use of your body in the meet, so you take it a bit easy as you return to your home.......
Thank you guys for reading this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know what you think about it and other parts of the story! Things are gonna get more interesting character wise very soon! I can't wait to show off some creative writing direction and decisions in the upcoming chapters! I look forward to it and I will See you all in the Next one!