Break with friends.

FEW WEEKS LATER:

*I took a break from the salon, but... I never expected to be back here.* Ryunnouske thought, husband hands in his pocket as he walked into the salon with Hajime, Haryu, and Juro.

"Hmm? Ryu, I thought you said you had somewhere to go." His mom said as he looked away.

"Ryu?" Juro asked.

"Well..." He started still looking away.

"Are they friends of yours?" She asked, walking towards him.

"Well..."

*Ryu... you finally made some friends.* She thought, looking away and trying to hide the tears that welled up in her eyes.

"Well, come on in." She said happily as they walked in.

"Whoa! I never knew Ryunnouske stayed here." Juro said as Ryunnouskes' mom cut his (Juro) hair.

"He's quite shy, hope he's not causing you any trouble."

"He's not ma'am. In fact, he's a really good guy." Juro said, smiling.

"Is that so?" She asked, showing a hint of sadness.

*Mom...*

"He even joined the soccer team with us. He played really well during the practice match, and we won because of his goal." Juro said.

"Heh...?"

"But they've not gotten back to us yet, even though we played weeks ago."

"I'm sure they'll get back to you guys. Since you guys did well." She said, smiling.

"I hope so."

"I don't know you all yet." She said, looking at Hajime and Haryu.

"Ah... I'm..."

After the introduction, his mom styled their hair and gave them something to eat, even after they tried refusing it.

"Mom, we're out." Ryunnouske said as they left the house.

"Okay, stay safe." She said, waving at them as they walked out.

*Ryu, I'm so glad that you've made some friends in school.* She thought.

...●●●...

POW POW POW...

"Ryunnouske, you're really good at this." Juro said, throwing the game console he held on the bed.

"I am, I never knew." Ryunnouske said as Haryu grabbed Juros'console and threw it back at him.

"Let's go another round, I won't believe it's your first time playing, and you won." Haryu said.

"It's not my first time, though."

"It's not?"

"I've played in an arcade once."

"And you're this good? I won't accept it!" Juro said, restarting the game.

"Ah-haha." Ryunnouske laughed as they restarted the game.

They played on and on, restarted on and on till the other three gave up.

"Okay, okay, you're really good at racing games. How about fighting games?!" Juro asked, changing the game to a fighting game.

"I'll go first, I against Ryunnouske. If he loses, someone else would replace him." Juro said.

"Why don't we bet on it?" Ryunnouske asked.

"Bet?" Haryu asked.

"The person who wins most of his fights would receive lunch from the others for a whole week." Ryunnouske said.

"Sounds good to me."

"Same here."

"I'm in."

*Hehehe, they don't know that I'm the best in this particular game. I've levelled up my player and had many fights. I'm totally unbeatable in this game.* Juro thought, smiling wryly as they started the game.

[YOU LOSE.]

"Eh? I'm totally unbeatable..." Juro said, lying on the floor in defeat.

"My turn." Haryu said.

[YOU LOSE]

"Well, guess I earned it." Ryunnouske said.

"Earned my ass! You're so good, you deceived us." Juro cried.

"Haha, Juro, you couldn't even touch him." Hajime laughed.

"Don't laugh at me!"

"Unbeatable? I'm afraid that should be for Ryunnouske."

"Looks like I don't need to buy lunch for the next week." Ryunnouske said laughing.

*I'm happy. He's finally being more friendly.*

*He's totally smiling. Never thought I'd see him smile so sincerely.*