K-k-k-k-k-k-k-k… I kissed him.
The moment I got back to my apartment, I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
These lips… touched Makishima’s c-cheek…
I wanted the time we spent holding hands during our aquarium date to last forever, and when we let go in front of the station elevator, I completely lost control of my emotions.
In that moment, I was overwhelmed and ended up kissing Makishima… but thinking about it now, I really did something incredible.
“This is the first time my heart’s ever raced this much.”
Back when I was an idol, I never got particularly nervous—whether I was on stage or on location.
And yet… right now, I can’t stop my heart from pounding.
“I-if I was going to do it anyway, I should’ve kissed his lips instead of his cheek…”
I say something impossible, trying to sound brave.
But kissing his cheek really does feel childish.
Still… it’s progress, right?
As I start to calm down, I remove my makeup and begin a reflection meeting in my head.
Makishima didn’t reject my kiss.
And he kept holding my hand the whole time. There’s no doubt the distance between us has gotten closer.
“Hehe… I did pretty good, didn’t I?”
Now I just need to tell Makishima about “everything up until now.”
My first love. What happened after I quit being an idol. How I chased after Makishima and came here.
I always thought I’d tell him someday… but I was scared he’d pull away if I seemed too desperate, and I couldn’t find the courage.
But… now that I’ve come this far, I don’t want to run anymore.
“Next time we meet, I’ll tell him properly.”
After doing something like that, I have to be prepared too.
To make our next promise, I pick up my phone.
That’s when I notice I already have two messages from Makishima on Lime.
The first one seems to have arrived quite a while ago… I probably didn’t notice because I was busy agonizing over everything.
I open the app and check the messages.
“There’s the first round of the Emperor’s Cup on May 16. It’s an important match, so I really want you to come watch.”
If it’s the Emperor’s Cup, that means he made it to the first team, right?
Makishima is doing his best… so I have to do my best too.
The moment I read that message, my resolve was set.
✳︎✳︎
Golden Week ended, and before joining the first team, Azaki and I were summoned to the A Team’s meeting room.
Inside were three A Team coaches, and standing at the center—
“Azaki Seiichi. Makishima Yuutaro.”
“Yes, sir!”
The stocky, sharp-eyed middle-aged man who called our names.
This was Murazaki, the head coach who commands Koutou University’s A Team.
“Before you officially join us tomorrow, I’ll be giving you your A Team uniforms.”
With a glance from Coach Murazaki, the coaches handed each of us two uniforms—home and away.
Uniforms? It’s not even match day, so why?
Don’t tell me this is some kind of final test… like we’re playing a game right now…?
“From this point on, you will—”
I swallow hard.
What kind of test is coming?
“Have your photos taken in uniform.”
“Huh?”
The unexpected instruction makes me blurt it out.
“These days, the Emperor’s Cup is streamed online, so we need photos. We also wanted them for the homepage, so get it done.”
As the coach spoke, the other staff began setting up a camera and backdrop.
Getting called in so suddenly, I thought it’d be something serious… turns out it’s just photos. All that tension for nothing.
“As for jersey numbers, they’ll change from time to time, but for now, Makishima will wear number 16, and Azaki will wear 21. No complaints, right?”
Azaki’s always said he wants 9 or 10 someday, but personally, 16 feels easier—less pressure.
While I was feeling relieved, Azaki was clearly displeased.
“Why does Makishima get the smaller number?”
Knew he’d say that.
“Who cares? We finally made it to the A Team. Stop complaining.”
“You’re wrong, Makishima Yuutaro. It’s not ‘who cares.’”
Saying that, the coach steps in front of us, plunges his right hand into Azaki’s hair, and messes up his already wild perm even more.
“A lower number reflects higher expectations. You’re free to take it that way.”
“So you’re saying you expect more from Makishima than from me?”
“That’s right.”
The coach… expects more from me than Azaki?
It’s hard to believe, but I’ve heard Coach Murazaki is a motivator. Maybe he’s just trying to light a fire under Azaki.
“Azaki Seiichi. I’ll say this now—this isn’t your team. It’s my team. I have no intention of building it around you.”
He says it calmly and removes his hand from Azaki’s hair.
“If you want to earn a starting position, then face soccer seriously.”
“…You don’t need to tell me that. I’ll do it. I made a promise—with this guy, with Makishima. If it’s to make Makishima the ace, I’ll do anything.”
Azaki steps forward, standing face-to-face with the coach.
“So, before we take the photos, mind if I do something?”
“What is it?”
Azaki casually reaches up and grabs his own hair.
What is he doing…?
“Azaki Seiichi? What are you—”
The moment he lowers his hand, that messy hair drops to the floor like a magic trick—and wait, what?!
“I shaved my head.”
Azaki’s head is now completely bald, making him look like nothing more than a high school baseball player.
“Azaki, why would you do that?! What about your perm?!”
“Cutting your hair after getting your heart broken is normal, right?”
“That’s taking it way too far!”
Coach Murazaki watches our exchange with a perfectly straight face.
D-don’t tell me… earlier, when he touched Azaki’s hair, he realized it was a wig?
If that’s the case, that’s impressive on so many levels.
“Azaki Seiichi.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Teach me how you made that wig sometime.”
…Ah. Guess not.
✳︎✳︎
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