Chapter 5: The Blush Of Admiration

Tatsuya despised Physical Education class, finding little joy in sports and preferring the quiet solitude of his books. As the PE class began, he sat at the back of the classroom with Sakura , his manga-loving friend who had become a close companion.

"Why don't we join them today, Tatsuya?" Sakura suggested, flipping through the pages of a manga with a playful smile.

Tatsuya shook his head, his blue hair falling over his eyes. "I'd rather stay here. What would I do alone out there? It's better this way."

Sakura pouted playfully. "Come on, let's go have some fun together. You don't have to be alone."

Reluctantly, Tatsuya agreed, and they made their way to the sports field. As they approached, Sakura was immediately surrounded by her group of friends, who enthusiastically pulled her away to join their activities. Tatsuya watched as she disappeared into the crowd, feeling a twinge of loneliness. However, he quickly resolved to make the most of the situation.

"Fine then, today I'll show them," he muttered to himself, a determined glint in his eyes.

Throughout the class, Tatsuya surprised everyone with his skill and determination in every game. Whether it was soccer, dodgeball, or even track and field events, he excelled beyond expectations. His classmates, who had always seen him as quiet and reserved, were amazed by his sudden prowess.

At the far end of the field, Tatsuya prepared for his final move—the Void Ball. With a flourish, he threw the ball high into the air, imagining it surrounded by flames. As it descended, he touched it gently, as if extinguishing the fire with practiced ease (or so he imagined).

Watching from a distance, Sakura couldn't help but laugh at his dramatic display. She admired his enthusiasm and determination, even if it did make him look a bit silly.

However, before Tatsuya could revel in his imagined triumph, he lost the ball and was startled by a voice behind him.

"Wow, Tatsuya!"

He turned abruptly to find a short girl with short white hair and an innocent face standing behind him. Her cheeks were flushed red, and she seemed slightly out of breath.

"Uh, hello," Tatsuya replied, caught off guard by the girl's sudden appearance.

The girl shyly held out the ball to him. "You dropped this."

Tatsuya took the ball, feeling a mix of confusion and embarrassment. He managed a mumbled "thank you" before the girl hurriedly ran off, her cheeks now a deeper shade of red.

As he watched her retreat, Tatsuya couldn't shake the feeling that he had somehow startled her with his dramatic display. He sighed and made his way to a nearby bench, feeling drained both physically and mentally.

Sakura approached him with a concerned look. "Hey, Tatsuya, are you okay? You look exhausted."

Tatsuya rubbed his temples. "I think my mana is depleted," he joked weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

Just then, the same girl from earlier returned, this time accompanied by Sakura. Sakura introduced her as Saika and explained that she was in their class, sitting directly in front of Tatsuya.

"Oh, sorry, I don't really know many girls in our class," Tatsuya apologized sheepishly.

Saika smiled warmly. "No worries! And uhh I, am a boy."

Tatsuya and Sakura exchanged surprised glances, realizing their assumptions had been wrong. They listened as Saika complimented Tatsuya on his impressive sports skills and chuckled at his fiery ball antics.

"You're pretty amazing, Tatsuya," Saika remarked with a grin. "And that's why I have a favour to ask you."

Tatsuya blushed furiously, his mind racing. "W-what is it?"

Saika's smile widened. " Tatsuya. I think we could be good friends."

Tatsuya was at a loss for words. He glanced at Sakura, who looked equally stunned. The air around them seemed to buzz with uncertainty as they processed Saika's unexpected confession.

"Um, do you really mean it?" Tatsuya finally managed to stutter out.

Saika nodded, his expression earnest. "Yes, I do. I've always admired your dedication and your unique way of doing things."

Tatsuya felt a strange mix of emotions—surprise, confusion, and a hint of flattery. He had never been the center of someone's attention like this before, especially not from someone as genuine as Saika appeared to be.

As they sat in awkward silence, Sakura broke the tension with a nervous chuckle. "Well, this is unexpected."

Saika laughed softly. "I hope I didn't scare you off. I just wanted to be honest."

Tatsuya cleared his throat, his mind racing with thoughts. "No, not at all. I... I appreciate your honesty, Saika."

With that, the bell rang, signaling the end of PE class.

As Tatsuya watched Saika walk away, his mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts. He couldn't shake the feeling that Saika's admiration for him went beyond mere friendship. The way Saika had looked at him, with that hint of blush and earnestness in his eyes, made Tatsuya wonder if there was something more there.

Sakura glanced at Tatsuya, noticing the contemplative expression on his face. "Hey, Tatsuya, you okay?"

Tatsuya blinked, snapping out of his reverie. "Yeah, I think so. It's just... Saika's confession caught me off guard."

Sakura nodded understandingly. "It did seem unexpected. But maybe Saika just really admires you, like he said."

Tatsuya nodded slowly, unsure of what to make of the situation. "Yeah, maybe. But why did it feel... different?"

Sakura shrugged, offering him a reassuring smile. "Who knows? Sometimes, things aren't as straightforward as they seem. Let's see how things unfold."

With those words hanging in the air, Tatsuya and Sakura continued their walk back to the school building, each lost in their own thoughts. The mystery of Saika's feelings lingered in Tatsuya's mind, leaving him curious and unsure about what the future might hold.

Little did he know, Saika's entry was just the beginning of a new chapter in their lives—one that would challenge their perceptions, and ultimately lead Tatsuya to discover sides of himself he never knew existed.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***