The air still felt heavy from what happened earlier, even though the park had gone quiet. The rustling leaves and distant barking of a dog were the only sounds breaking the silence now.
After Reijiro finally left with the three boys, dragging them toward the exit like a strict older brother, both Fumiko and Rin exhaled deeply at the same time.
Almost in sync.
As if their bodies had been waiting for permission to relax.
Rin stretched her arms up, then dropped her shoulders dramatically.
"Gosh… I don't wanna do practice anymore… mood's off…"
she grumbled, lips forming a deep pout.
Fumiko looked at her and couldn't help but smile softly.
"It's okay, Rin, let's go to eat something. Treat from my side!"
She added a small wink to lighten the mood.
Rin blinked, then grinned instantly.
"...Fine. I accept the bribe."
They both burst into laughter, the tension dissolving little by little as they walked out of the park.
---
The sun was sinking.
That magical golden hour, where everything glowed with orange and pink, wrapped the town in gentle warmth.
Rin and Fumiko walked side by side, strolling down the sidewalk with sticks of freshly bought dangos. The sweet smell still lingered on their hands.
A light breeze lifted their hair, brushing strands across their faces.
Rin chewed aggressively as if the dangos represented the boys from earlier.
"I need to practice harder from tomorrow… those bastards ruined my day… How dare they even touch you?! I should've snapped their neck right there to teach them a lesson!"
Her irritation was building again just by imagining about things which happened back in the park.
Fumiko nudged her with her shoulder gently.
"Yoo, Rin, chill. Everything's fine now. I'm also good, no need to worry so much. Just focus on your practice. I can't wait to see you winning the basketball match."
Rin slowed her steps.
Her pout eased.
Fumiko's genuine encouragement softened something inside her.
"Awwh come on! I'll try my best, wait—no…"
Rin clenched her fist dramatically.
"I WILL win gold. Just you see."
The spark of fire in her eyes is unmistakable, bright, fierce, determined.
Fumiko smiled, proud.
The two continued walking, talking, laughing about anything and everything, school, teachers, food, even Rin's fantasy of kicking certain people off the planet.
For a moment…
Life felt normal.
Peaceful.
Warm.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Across the city, at a huge open stadium glowing under floodlights, the atmosphere was completely different.
The sound of footballs hitting the ground echoed alongside team whistles and distant cheers.
After finishing a round of intense drills, Reijiro collapsed onto the grassy field, staring up at the sky.
Sweat clung to his forehead, hair messy, breathing uneven.
But instead of feeling accomplished after practice,
He felt distracted.
Bothered.
Restless.
A teammate approached Reijiro, tossing a water bottle down beside him before sitting on the grass as well, resting as he spoke.
"Rei… you seem to be thinking about something. What is it?"
Reijiro rolled to his side, then to his back, then covered his face with both hands dramatically like the world was too much.
"That girl…back in the park.."
he mumbled through his palms.
"She's so strong… I still can't believe she beat those three up all by herself… How amusing."
The player beside him, crimson-haired, sharp eyes, recognizable anywhere, raised a brow.
Then he smirked.
"Oh… is that her strength that amused you…
or… her."
"COME ON RYU!!! Don't speak it out loud!!"
Reijiro shot upright, face red, not from running, but from embarrassment and flustration.
The crimson-haired player wasn't just anyone.
He was Ryuji Takahashi.
Star striker.
(National pride and international football player. Reijiro and him both are in same teams.)
Ryuji leaned back with a mocking sigh.
"Bro… just accept the fact you can't stop thinking about that lady."
"Shut up, bro…"
Reijiro muttered, looking away, embarrassed yet unable to hide the small smile tugging at his lips.
But Ryuji wasn't done.
Not even close.
"Look at you, Rei… you're turning into a whole tomato...hahaha!!"
Reijiro grabbed the water bottle and threw it towards Ryuji, not too hard, but definitely with intent.
Ryuji caught it effortlessly, still grinning.
Reijiro lowered his head… voice softer… almost hesitant.
"…But still… I… want to meet that girl… again…"
He didn't say it aloud.
But he didn't have to.
Ryuji heard it anyway, through the silence, through the regret, through the lingering fascination.
Ryuji crossed his arms and spoke casually.
"Hope you meet her again soon."
Reijiro's eyes widened.
"HEY– ARE YOU READING MY MIND?! YOU CRIMSON CARROT!!!"
The field erupted in laughter from nearby players.
Ryuji immediately stood up and sprinted away as he laughed
"NOT AGAIN– DON'T CHASE ME YOU TOMATOE"
But Reijiro was already running after him.
Their footsteps echoed across the stadium as teammates shook their heads with fond amusement.
These two… never change. The siblings-like bond between them is never gonna change.
---
Night had fully settled by the time Fumiko reached home.
Her room is dim, quiet, nothing but the soft hum of the ceiling fan and the faint glow of the city outside her window.
She lay on her back on bed, staring at the ceiling.
No matter how much she tried to relax… her mind kept replaying the scene in the park.
The anger.
The fear.
The shock.
And Rin.
Standing between her and danger like a shield.
Fumiko inhaled deeply.
Why do I feel uneasy?
She sat up suddenly.
No reason.
Just instinct.
She walked toward the window, planning to gaze at the night sky… maybe to calm her thoughts.
But before she reached it, a sound–
Ding dong.
Her heart jumped.
Someone is at the door.
"…Someone came at this time? Who could it be?"
Feet light against the floor, she walked downstairs cautiously.
Before opening it, she peeked through the door hole.
Her breath hitched.
It was them.
The same three boys from earlier.
But–
Not how they were before.
Now they rather are looking terrified.
Shaken.
Their eyes wide as if they'd seen something monstrous.
She slowly opened the door.
"What… are you all doing here–"
Before she could finish–
THUD.
All three immediately dropped to their knees.
"PLEASE LADY!!! FORGIVE US!! WE ARE SO DUMB!!"
One boy cried loudly, voice cracking like he is pleading for his life.
The other two followed quickly, bowing repeatedly.
Fumiko froze.
Her brain blank.
"WAIT—WAIT!! I...It's okay… I forgive you! Please stand up!!"
They scrambled to stand, wincing from pain.
"You're a goddess!! Thank you for forgiving us!! We owe you with our life!!! We promise we will never touch you or ANY girl ever again!!"
They spoke over each other, desperate, trembling, nearly sweating from fear.
Fumiko blinked rapidly.
Her shock deepened when she noticed..
Their arms.
Bandaged.
Heavy splints.
Bruises dark and swollen across their cheeks, ribs, shoulders.
It looked like they had been in a life-ending MMA championship.
"I… don't remember Rin hurting them THIS badly… Earlier… they weren't injured like this…"
She thought.
Her stomach tightened.
Something wasn't right.
Something else happened.
Someone else intervened.
Someone much, much stronger.
Before she could question anything
They bowed once more, then ran, no...fled as fast as their injured bodies allowed.
Not looking back.
Not daring to breathe near her.
The street grew silent again.
Fumiko stood at the doorway, frozen, confused, heart beating painfully fast.
She silently stepped back inside and closed the door.
Her hand stayed on the handle.
Her mind still racing.
"…How confusing…"
she whispered.
"What actually happened to them…?"
She turned to go back to her room…
But then–
She stopped.
Her breath caught.
A realization struck her like lightning.
"How… did they know my address…?"