LEAVING EVERYTHING BEHIND**
The car horns of retired office men roared in the distance.
*"Good evening. How's everything hanging?"*
***Smirks.*** *"Nice, I guess."*
*"Found a new recruit. Yeah, the place can't run on just a single employee."*
I can't believe I'll miss you guys this much, she added. *"Come on, Fuka-chan, it's not like we were all chatty."*
***Smirks.***
(I took a cigarette from the pack and lit it.)
*"I never knew you smoked."*
*"So now you know."*
*"I still can't process the real reason you quit first. I understand, Yui."* (Her voice was low and sad.) *"...I don't get you."*
*"Don't you remember what I told you? I hate stuffy atmospheres. Nothing more, nothing less."*
*"I remember vividly."*
(I stood up and dusted off my pants.)
*"Later, then."*
*"Okay, bye— Wait, are you still job hunting or what?"* she asked.
*"Yeah, found a convenience store job. Just night shifts. The current guy's leaving next week."*
(Bye, I said, waving the back of my hand, then focusing on the smoke.)
*Working here has already become a memory.*
---
**The Next Day**
The sun was blazing. *"I can't believe we're doing fitness sessions in this heat. Damn, it's too hot."* Not that I was doing anything, anyway. Everyone picked a sport they could handle. No rush—I filled in last.
(From the touchline, I watched the basketball court.)
One of the seniors explained the basic rules—a mixed team of amateurs and pros.
***Yawns.*** *"Sleepy eyes... I hope this ends soon."*
*"You should be playing, not napping. Hmm, Fuyuki-san, yo!"*
*"Don't 'hi' me—stand up. It's time for you to sub in."* (She threw the ball at me.)
I didn't even have time to fake an injury and escape to the clinic.
*"Hananoi-san! Hananoi-san!"* The nurse called my name.
(I stood up faintly, rubbing my eyes.)
*"It's closing time. You've been asleep for a while."*
The nurse locked up and left. I headed to class to grab my backpack.
*"Good afternoon, Fuyuki-san."*
*"Ah! Hananoi, I told you to drop the honorifics. Just my first name."*
*"I forgot... You're still in your jersey?"* she asked.
*"Yeah. Problem?"* *"Nothing,"* I replied.
We left the school grounds like usual.
A few meters in silence.
We crossed the road, turned a corner, and—
*"FUYUKI!!!"* A sharp voice echoed.
Both of us turned.
*"I've been searching for you!"* the guy shouted.
*"What do you want, loser?"* she snapped.
*Wow. Didn't know she could be this arrogant.* Guess I'll stick around for some ex-drama.
The guy dropped to his knees. *"Please, just give me back half of what you took! I've been struggling ever since!"*
*(Wow. Dorobo neko.)*
*"Where do you think I'd even have it?"* she shot back.
He kept negotiating—down to a quarter—until a message from Chi came in.
He glared at me, only now realizing I was there. *"Who's that?!"*
*"My new boyfriend, loser."*
*"New... Eh?!"*