—Oya, exclaimed Igarashi in an amused tone. What took you so long?

Keisuke didn't even bother to reply, used to his friend's reflections. As usual, the student had been given a few laps of the field as punishment for his late arrival at training. He'd done them without much enthusiasm, already bored by the idea of having to endure - once again - the freezing water of the showers. It hadn't failed, and neither had the fact that Igarashi was waiting for him in the locker room to make fun of him. They were alone. Their other baseball buddies had long since deserted the locker room.

—You seemed out of it today, and by that, I mean even more than usual.

Keisuke grumbled an incomprehensible reply while shoving his clothes into his bag with an annoyed gesture.

—May I know why? Asked his team-mate a little more seriously. It's not like you to be so expressive.

Keisuke was indeed in a bad mood for all sorts of reasons of his own, and if Igarashi wasn't his best friend, he'd probably have sent him packing long ago. But again, Keisuke didn't bother to explain further. In any case, Igarashi always ended up finding the answers to his questions himself. That damn sixth sense.

—Could it have something to do with the fact that Midori didn't give you a break all day? Or maybe it's because your father's pushing you hard to be at that fancy dinner your family's having this weekend? Or... is a certain Hoshino on your mind?

Seeing his best friend tense up slightly at his last assumption, Igarashi knew he'd hit the nail on the head. He had no doubt that his other assertions also had their part to play in his foul mood, but apparently it was the subject of "Hana Hoshino" that seemed to be working his brain the most.

—Are you still thinking about what happened last week at the hospital? Igarashi guessed, resting his head on his knee, which he had folded up against himself. You told me it was okay and that you didn't care.

No reply. Keisuke remained unperturbed, continuing to dress himself as if nothing had happened. He didn't even glance at him, which was beginning to annoy Igarashi. The latter made sure to let him know.

—Hey dude, I'm talking to you. How much longer are you going to let me talk to myself? Not cool.

Akaashi pulled on his sweater and glanced sideways over his shoulder.

—Whatever, he finally retorted wearily. You get excited enough for two.

—Finally! Exclaimed Igarashi victoriously. I was beginning to think you'd lost your tongue doing your running laps.

This reflection earned him a murderous look, but the young man ignored it. A satisfied smile took its place on his lips, and he quietly waited for his friend to spill the beans.

Feeling that he was being watched, and knowing that he wouldn't escape, Keisuke sighed discreetly. He was cornered, and Igarashi had waited for the right moment to interrogate him. So, with his back to the wall, the student decided to share what was bothering him.

—It's just that lately, our relationship feels different, he explained, folding his belongings.

Keisuke took advantage of the fact that he had to put his clothes away in his bag to carefully avoid looking at his comrade. He didn't want to see the look on the latter's face as he spoke. Or rather, he preferred to postpone the moment when he would be confronted with the mocking smile of the happy idiot who served as his best friend.

—Things are always very clear with my sex friends, continued the young man, zipping up his bag. But right now, I feel like things have gotten a little weird.

Just thinking about it was giving him a headache. A sigh escaped him as he closed his eyes.

—And is it that much of a big deal ? Igarashi questioned him cautiously. After all, you're friends too. It's normal for you to be there for each other, isn't it? Besides, I'd remind you that you guys fuck whenever you have a moment. It's a bonding experience, ya know?

—I don't want to get her hopes up, Keisuke said, massaging his temples. I don't want her to think I'm acting like this just to manipulate her.

—And what makes you think she's deluding herself ? Are you sure you're not just being dramatic?

Keisuke swung his bag over his shoulder and finally turned to face his comrade. He hadn't told him the whole truth, which Igarashi seemed to understand from the look he gave him. Once again, Keisuke felt obliged to tell him.

—She called me by my first name before I kissed her, he said breathlessly. She'd never done that before.

—Bah. You've been calling Hoshino by her first name for months, haven't you? It makes sense that she'd end up doing it too, dude.

Keisuke shook his head. No, this was different. Igarashi didn't understand. Hana had asked him to. He'd just granted her request. Here, she'd done it on the spur of the moment, probably without thinking about how meaningful it was to him. It was as if she were highlighting the obviousness of them getting closer, as if she too felt that something had changed between them.

Keisuke, however, didn't have the opportunity to share his thoughts with his friend.

—What did you say?

Kazuya Shirai's voice had trembled. The captain, who had simply come to close the locker room, had just witnessed the end of a conversation that had shaken him to the core. He hadn't intended to listen to Igarashi's words, but when Hana's name spilled out of his mouth, the rest hadn't escaped his ears. And he feared he'd understood what he'd heard, feared that Igarashi had indeed insinuated that the boy Shirai sported most in the world was interested in his friend.

Shirai took a few steps forward, facing his team-mates. Neither of them had replied. They were silent, one glancing at him in panic, the other staring at him with animosity.

—I think I've misunderstood, Shirai continued in a tone he struggled to keep calm. Or maybe not, after all. Why were you talking about Hana?

Igarashi felt goose bumps creep up his arms. He'd always been warned about such people, those who stay calm when angry, and the boy was slowly beginning to understand why. It was simply frightening to see a normally serene person gradually lose his self-control. Igarashi didn't know exactly what his captain had heard, but he did know that he had heard enough to make it impossible to deny.

But the worst was yet to come. Because not only had Igarashi managed to arouse Shirai's anger, but the subject of their discord was the two people for whom his captain had strong feelings. On the one hand, there was the girl he esteemed most. On the other, the boy he liked least. And to make matters worse, Akaashi was there, staring at him, as if looking for the most scathing retort to hurl at him. And that was a bad sign. A very bad sign. Igarashi knew his best friend well enough to know that the situation could get out of hand at any moment. He wasn't the type to fight physically, but when it came to the verbal, Akaashi didn't usually keep his tongue in his pocket. And when it came to Shirai, he'd certainly make no exceptions.

—Well, nah, I'll ask again, Shirai corrected, turning his gaze on Akaashi. Why do you call her Hana?

Igarashi tensed. They were in deep shit.

—Why would you care ? Said the dark-haired man in a bored tone.

Correction. They were in really deep shit.

And if their captain's tensed face didn't entirely convince them of his fury, the tone of his voice dispelled any remaining doubts.

—What do I care ? Shirai repeated, clenching his fist. I think of Hana as my little sister. And knowing that someone like you has spoken to her is enough for me to be concerned.

Shirai took another step towards his teammate. His knuckles had turned white from the tenseness of his fists, but only Igarashi seemed to notice. The other two were far too preoccupied with their staring contest to care.

—If you're that horny, pick another girl, Shirai hissed authoritatively. Leave Hana out of your plans. Got it, Akaashi?

Igarashi shivered again. He'd never heard him use such foul language, or even raise his voice. To make matters worse, Akaashi began to snigger nastily. Even before his friend opened his mouth, Igarashi knew he was about to retort with something even bloodier.

Unfortunately, it didn't fail.

—Why are you laughing ? Shirai asked harshly. There's absolutely nothing funny about this. I'm dead serious.

—Ah? Keisuke said in a falsely surprised tone. You think someone like me is going to be satisfied with just talking to her ?

Shirai's jaw twitched. His gaze turned darker than it already was.

—Stay away from her, Akaashi, warned the captain menacingly.

—It's too late, announced the brunet quietly.

—What's the meaning of this?

—Would you like me to draw you a picture? Taunted the boy, who was beginning to lose his patience.

Shirai frowned, not believing it for a moment.

—You're lying, he accused without hesitation.

The young man had called him a liar, but he himself found it hard to believe. The list of Akaashi's faults was as long as his arm, but lying was - surprisingly - not one of them. He was far too lazy to bother inventing such nonsense. If he seemed to defend his words with such conviction, it was because there was some truth in them.

—Hey guys, relax, exclaimed Igarashi in a vain attempt to calm things down. I think we should stop the conversation now, don't you think?

His words were royally ignored.

—Hana would never do that, asserted the captain.

He simply couldn't believe it. Hana had assured him, right in his eyes, that she'd done nothing more than bump into him at the vending machines during breaks, and she'd promised to keep him informed if anything happened. He'd warned her enough not to tempt the devil, and he'd trusted her on that.

The fact that she could have lied to him was simply unbelievable.

—Just ask her, challenged Keisuke as if he'd read her mind. Though, should be obvious the reason she stays with me.

—Shut up, squeaked Shirai.

Keisuke's gaze turned icy at the order. His jaw twitched, but instead of shutting up, a most acidic spike escaped him. Blinded by resentment, the young man didn't think for a moment about the consequences of his next words. He held all the cards to strike back at his captain, and Keisuke didn't hold back.

—Well, Keisuke said, his tone tinged with irony. Does it bother you that I've been fucking your girl friend for months, and there's nothing you can do about it? He asked, not without a sneer creeping across his lips.

Shirai hadn't seen this revelation coming. But Keisuke hadn't seen the punch striking his face either.

─── ∗∙⋅❀⋅∙∗ ───

—So, are you going to remain silent, or will you have the kindness to explain what happened? Hana asked, observing her interlocutor's slightly swollen face. You're lucky I've still got my first-aid kit in my skating bag.

Faced with the young man's silence, Hana breathed again. Without realizing it, she pressed the handkerchief she was holding a little too hard against the boy's bloody lip, and he recoiled. Still, he gave her an annoyed look.

—Oh, sorry, she apologized, examining his wound again. It seems to have stopped bleeding.

Keisuke didn't say anything, just casually took out a cigarette and lit it. A grimace contorted his features as he felt his lip tugging, but the sight of blood staining the orange cone didn't stop him from continuing.

Hana got up from the bench to throw away her stained handkerchief, then sat down again beside Akaashi. In addition to the bruise dotting his lip, a bruise was forming on the top of his cheekbone. Although Hana had asked him several times what had happened, he hadn't deigned to answer her about either injury. In fact, ever since she'd joined him at the bus stop where they were waiting for their connection, the dark-haired man hadn't said a word.

—Did you fall down the stairs? The young woman tried to guess. Or did you get hit by an icy snowball?

The young man's azure eyes flashed in the direction of his companion. They showed concern. Keisuke wondered if she'd still look at him like that if she knew what had happened. In any case, she'd find out eventually. So if she was going to find out, she might as well hear it from him. After all, she deserved a few explanations.

—I fought.

Hana's eyebrows raised in disbelief. Was this a joke? Apparently not. Given the serious look on his face, she didn't question his words.

—Gosh, I can't believe it. But with whom? The young woman wanted to know, now genuinely intrigued. I think that of all the people I know, you're the last one I'd have imagined fighting. Well, there's Kazuya too, but...

Keisuke pinched the bridge of his nose, already annoyed by what he was about to say.

—I'll break your illusions, then.

—Don't tell me you got into a fight with Kazuya? Hana exclaimed in a slightly higher-pitched voice.

His silence confirmed her hypothesis. The young woman couldn't believe it. She knew that these two couldn't stand each other, but to come to blows...

—And may I ask the reason of your fight ? Asked the brunette once she'd recovered from her stupor.

You.

—No, he grumbled instantly.

The smoker had no desire to revisit what had happened between him and Shirai. He was aware that he'd pushed things a little too far, but he'd never expected his last line to make him lose his temper. Keisuke had barely had time to finish his sentence when Shirai's fist exploded in his lip. But unlucky for his assailant, he hadn't seen the dark-haired man's retort coming, which exploded his eyebrow.

Many insults followed, and they fought like rag dolls until their other team-mates, alerted by Igarashi, came to stop them. From the moment that several pairs of arms had come to separate the two young men, both had walled themselves into a silence that no one had been able to break.

The smoker took another drag. With absent eyes, he watched the smoke evaporate into thin air before finally turning to Hana. Even if she didn't know it yet, he'd put her in a very uncomfortable position. True, she shouldn't have lied to Shirai, but Keisuke fully understood the reasons why. He shouldn't have exposed her like that, and he couldn't cowardly refuse to enlighten her.

The least he could do was warn her of what to expect the next time she met her childhood friend.

—He knows about us, the young man finally blurted out. And he wasn't particularly happy about it, as you can see. That's what happened. Among other things, he added, before falling silent.

Hana was speechless with astonishment, painfully digesting the information he had just given her. The regret of having concealed the truth from her childhood friend left an unpleasant void in the pit of her stomach. But above all, it was the shame of having betrayed his trust that took over.

She hadn't told him for fear of worrying him, but knowing she'd probably let him down was a thousand times worse.

—You'd better go and see him.

Hana turned her head sharply towards Akaashi, but he deliberately avoided her gaze. If these words cost him an immeasurable effort, the young man showed none of it. His face expressed no emotion whatsoever. Hana couldn't help thinking that he reminded her of the distant boy she'd met a few months ago.

Almost as if they'd suddenly gone backwards.

—I think you've got some things to clear up, added the student, crushing his cigarette butt under his shoe.

In the distance, his bus was approaching at high speed, marking the imminent end of their conversation.

—You're right, nodded Hana, slipping her bag over her shoulder. I'll go now. The sooner, the better.

They exchanged one last look before going their separate ways.