YOU REMEMBER HEARING the buzzer go off as Sukuna, the captain of the other team, dunked the ball through the hoop, leading his team by two points. The team on the benches ran onto the court, surrounding him as they celebrated their win.
Satoru, who was out of breath and tired out of his mind, plopped down on the wooden floors, chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath. He lost.
His arms were spread out, mind hazed. Suguru walked up to him, his hand reached out towards his best friend. Satoru took his hand, being pulled off the ground.
The black haired male patted his back, walking over towards their bench. Some third years were crying, but he was looking for you.
It was when he saw you crying that it finally crashed onto him. He dropped his head, looking straight at the ground.
Suguru placed a towel over the Satoru's head quietly, letting him keep his pride by not letting anyone see him cry.
Itadori had flames in his eyes. He was determined more than ever to become better at basketball. He wanted to win next year, for sure. Megumi would try his best to help his friend achieve his dream.
Nobara had tears in her eyes, but was trying her hardest to keep her composure. She was known as the cool headed girl, and she wanted to keep that image.
Shoko was glaring at Sukuna. It just wasn't fair. The team worked their asses off. They deserved to win.
You hadn't expected yourself to cry this much. You didn't realize how sad you would be when reality hit. You weren't necessarily sad that you lost. You were sad that this was goodbye.
You held your breath, trying not to let out any sobs as you wiped the tears on your face. Satoru stood behind you, using you as a wall to hide himself from his team as he quietly cried.
He was the best captain, he didn't want anyone to see him so vulnerable. The coach gathered everybody for a quick team meeting, Satoru still standing behind you, holding your hand behind your back where no one could see.
You rubbed the back of his hand with your thumb in an attempt to soothe him. It was a close game, it really was.
The ride home on the bus was quiet, but in a peaceful way. Everybody was tired, physically from the game, from the adrenaline rush, and from crying. Satoru slept quietly with his head on your shoulder, while you watched the scenery.
Tomorrow would be the "Retirement Party", where there would be food and drinks, hosted by the coach himself in one of the classrooms at school. It was one of everybody's favorite events of the year, because they just ate and laughed.
When you reached the school, everybody was drained. It was nighttime, and it didn't take long for everybody to say their goodbyes, ready to take a shower and sleep. Satoru, as always, was determined to walk you home.
He held your hand tightly as he walked the familiar streets, swinging your arms lightly. There was a comfortable silence between the two of you.
It stayed like that until you reached your home.
You turned to face your boyfriend, a small smile on your lips. "Satoru," You called. His eyes were droopy. He was sleepy. "You did good today." You told him sternly, looking him in the eyes.
You had to make sure he didn't go home and cry his eyes out or anything. You felt reassured when he smiled back—a real smile—and nodded. "Thanks."
He leaned in, pressing a firm kiss to your cheek. "Goodnight." You waved your hand as he backed off your porch. "Goodnight."
WHEN THE NEXT day came, everybody joined each other in the classroom with renewed energy. Their loss from the day before was put in the past, and they were ready to make the best out of today.
There was pizza, chicken, fries, and mountain loads of snacks. Despite not having an official club rule of having a diet plan, everybody was serious about basketball, so they personally had a strict diet plan.
Consider today their cheat day.
"God damn it, Itadori, you're eating all the pizza!" Nobara complained, blocking Itadori away from the pizzas, who was trying to push the girl away from him.
Shoko rolled her eyes, silently taking a slice for herself. "Thanks!" Satoru grinned, stealing the slice from her hand, taking a bite before she could say anything. "Asshole! That's mine!" She shoved his head.
It was chaos.
"Oh, shut up, both of you. I ordered more." The coach grumbled, placing down two more boxes of fresh pepperoni. "And, "He started, "I have an announcement!" He said, his voice reaching everybody in the room.
"As you all know, I'm retiring from coaching this year. I've hired a new coach. As for who, it's coach Yaga Masamichi."
There were shrieks of dread from the first and second years, Satoru and Geto side eyeing each other. Oh, they were fucked.
Coach Yaga was one of the most popular coaches because he meant business. Coach Yaga would definitely shape their team into the best team out there, but the only problem was his harsh training schedule. It was basically boot camp.
"What? Is he scary or something?" Nobara mumbled, seeing everyone's reaction. "He's the devil in disguise, I'm afraid." Nanami huffed, massaging between him temples.
"It's better than having Airi as a manager." Suguru whispered into the white male's ear, the two snickering to each other. "Who's Airi?" Megumi asked.
Gojo grinned. "Only the most dramatic pick me girl ever." His arms were up as if he were telling a scary story around a campfire. "She was a manager last year that quit." Geto continued.
Itadori ate his food like popcorn as he eagerly listened. "Remember when she lost those permission slips and didn't own up to it?" Shoko laughed, leaning her arm on Satoru's shoulder.
The three cringed at the memory. "She made manager cry." Satoru crossed his arms as the memory of you getting yelled at by the coach by taking the blame. "I always had a bad feeling about her." Suguru said.
Itadori pouted. "Sounds like a lot of drama." He flinched when you put a hand on the pink haired boy's shoulder, joining the conversation. "She was, but she's gone. Thank god." You muttered the last part.
"Let's get cleaned up, guys. Party's over." You tapped your watch. It was half past seven, and you had to close up by eight.
"Damn, already?" Suguru complained, shoving down the last of the food on his plate. Nobody wanted this moment to end. This blissful moment, full of nothing but fun and laughter.
After this, it was really the end. The third years would graduate from the club, and the fate of the club would be passed down to the next generation. It was a scary feeling.
Even so, obediently, everyone cleaned up the room.
The extra food went home with whoever wanted it, and the decorations would be stored for next year.
You locked up the classroom as everybody left. It was quiet, and the school was empty. You didn't want to leave. Not yet, you thought.
You hadn't realized how unready you were to let go.
You had time, so you headed to the gym, alone. You opened the loud, heavy doors and stood at the entrance.
You remember the first time you entered this gym. You were shorter, and more frail. Confidence wasn't in your spectrum, yet.
Your eyes glanced towards the storage room. That was where Satoru confessed to you.
You remembered very well. You were mad at him because he lied to you and went to the festival with Airi. Damn, that memory still pissed you off. He kissed you for the first time in that storage room.
You looked down at the steps behind you. Satoru comforted you on these steps when you took the blame for Airi losing the permission slips and had gotten yelled at. He gave you a handkerchief to wipe your tears.
You started to feel something towards him at that moment, you think.
You looked at the sinks further behind. He would endlessly follow you everywhere. He always insisted on helping you with your chores, like refilling the water bottles. He was desperate to talk to you. You laughed to yourself. He always tried so hard.
Behind the sinks were the vending machines. Now that you think about it, that was where Satoru first approached you. He complimented you, saying how he thoughts you were pretty. You shook the compliment off. If only you knew then he'd be your person.
There was a sigh that left your lips. When you came to the gym, you expected yourself to be filled with memories about the team and club activities, but they were only filled with Satoru.
You closed the doors behind you as you left. It was time for the next chapter of your life.
AS SEASONS CHANGED, in the blink of an eye, spring had come. March 9th, the day of your graduation. Cherry blossoms rained down around you as the wind carried them. The first and second years didn't have school today, but everybody came.
Nobara, Itadori, Megumi, Suguru, and Satoru. They came just to see you. You couldn't help but grin giddily when you saw them.
"You guys didn't have to come." You said as you joined them, standing next to Satoru. Nobara scoffed. "We couldn't let you graduate without saying goodbye." She had a duh expression.
You turned towards her, holding her shoulders. "Nobara, thank you for joining as the manager. I'm counting on you." You told her, shaking her lightly. Her face hardened in an instant. She was trying not to cry.
You turned towards the two other first years. "Don't tell anyone, but you guys were my favorite first years." You said in a low voice. The two smiled at this.
"She only meant me, by the way." Itadori whispered to Megumi, which resulted with an elbow to the stomach.
You turned to Shoko, but was attacked with a hug from her. "Manager!" She cried, burying her head in your shoulder. You smiled, embracing her. "Thanks for everything, Shoko." You looked up at Suguru, who had his hands in his pockets.
You held your arm out to him. "You, too." Shyly and hesitantly, he joined the hug. You and Suguru were always at a grey area.
You couldn't call him your friend, because he was more of an underclassman. But, both of you thought of Satoru in a precious way. He was special to both of you. You respected each other because both of you were special to the person you thought was special.
You backed away, joining Satoru at his side and taking his hand in yours. "I'll be busy at college, but I'll come to as many games as I can." You promised them.
"I won't be able to do my best if you don't show up, you know that." Satoru pouted, leaning against you. You rolled your eyes playfully. Shoko huffed. "What are we going to do without you? You're the only one he listened to." She rested her hands on her hips.
Suguru scrunched his nose, crossing his arms. "Yeah, tell me about it." Satoru snickered, punching his arm lightly.
You looked at Satoru, and it was the look he was all too familiar to. The one of warning. You squeezed his hand.
"Don't worry, I've got him on a leash."
THE END
"ON A LEASH"