Chapter 25: XXII-XXIII
[Word Count: 1787]
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There were a few things that Leo found more tedious than mandatory physical education at school. It felt unnecessary to him, and the activities were often dull and unchallenging.
Leo had effortlessly aced the fitness tests, including the dreaded fitness gram pacer test, so what was the point of continuing? It felt like he would just be showing off and outperforming grade schoolers, which held no satisfaction.
The problem arose when the coach saw Leo as an opportunity to compensate for his past failures. Leo preferred to avoid being the center of attention, especially since his current situation required him to maintain a certain finesse. He couldn't go around boasting about his abilities, especially not to children.
The issue was that these grade schoolers had a tendency to rub salt in a nonexistent wound if you let them win. Leo, being the petty person that he was, immediately shut down their arrogance and ensured that their landing hurt as much as possible. However, he realized there was no merit in continuously defeating children. The joke grew stale, and the satisfaction faded.
This led Leo to his current conundrum: the lack of suitable competition. While he possessed the strength to compete against adults, it wasn't socially acceptable or fair to engage in games against children. This wasn't some over-the-top TV show where such scenarios were the norm. Leo needed to find a middle ground.
With no viable alternatives in sight, Leo decided to opt out of playing games altogether. It simply wasn't enjoyable for him, and if the little kids insisted on playing, he would participate only until they lost all hope and enthusiasm. If he couldn't win by not playing, then at least he would ensure they didn't have any fun either.
However, there was still the issue of the coach. The coach, a failed athlete himself, saw potential in Leo and projected his hopes onto him. Leo wanted nothing to do with these expectations, but as a child, he had little say in the matter.
The coach even went as far as discussing Leo's potential with Yuki, who promptly approached Leo for clarification. In response, Leo simply said, "The only position I want to play is bench warmer."
This statement shut down the coach on all fronts. Leo made it clear that the only physical activities he was interested in were the ones that focused on building strength and gains. The prospect of competing against literal babies was completely crossed off his to-do list.
All of these circumstances led to Leo's current predicament. It was recess time, and Leo was enjoying a delicious homecooked meal prepared by Yuki. The peaceful solitude, however, was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Himeno.
Himeno considered herself a good friend to Leo and had taken inspiration from Yuki, the nicest person she knew, to encourage Leo to participate with their fellow classmates. Yet, she was met with the same resolute attitude that Leo displayed toward the other kids.
"No," he firmly replied, unmoved by her insistence.
Himeno wondered why she was friends with him in the first place. However, she understood the value of friendship and believed in looking out for one another. Would Leo return the favor? Probably not but that was besides the point.
"You can't do everything alone, Leo. You need to make friends," Himeno stated with a hint of sternness.
"Says who?" Leo retorted.
"Says literally everyone around you," Himeno answered, highlighting the widespread opinion.
Leo clicked his tongue in annoyance. Trying to convince Himeno otherwise seemed futile. Thanks to Yuki's positive influence on her, she refused to leave Leo alone.
Knowing that reasoning with Himeno would likely be fruitless, Leo resorted to plan B: ignoring her.
Himeno pouted in frustration as Leo turned his head to focus
on something else, hoping for a quiet recess.
However, Himeno wasn't one to give up easily. Determined to make Leo a better person and friend, she stood up from the bench they were seated on and positioned herself in front of the direction Leo was looking.
Instead of the serene recess Leo had hoped for, he was faced with Himeno and her unwavering kindness. Leo would persist in his own way, destroying kids in sports just wasn't what he wanted to do.
This ongoing interaction between Himeno and Leo continued, with Himeno's words seemingly falling on deaf ears. Leo considered himself many things, but a bully was not one of them. He couldn't simply stroll in and overpower the other kids in whatever game they were playing. It wouldn't be fair.
Even the other kids recognized this fact. Playing with Leo wasn't enjoyable for them either, especially when banter was involved. One wrong word could lead to being crushed by the weight of his pettiness. They were secretly grateful that Leo's attention span was short-lived. While he did find amusement in outperforming them at their own games and might even smile while doing so, he eventually lost interest when they lacked motivation.
Consequently, Leo refrained from playing with them anymore.
The other kids silently cursed Himeno for wanting to subject them to Leo's dominance once again. However, they were wise enough not to voice their opinions within earshot of Leo. If anyone were to insult Himeno, it would be him.
This dynamic arose because Yuki had grown fond of Himeno. The two of them were not too dissimilar; they had formed a close bond, where one's emotional state influenced the other's.
Interestingly, Himeno wasn't the only one who had been influenced by Yuki. Leo, too, had adopted some of Yuki's habits. While he wouldn't go out of his way to help someone, he did exhibit a willingness to assist those in his immediate vicinity, and Himeno happened to be one of those people. Anyone who dared to badmouth Himeno would soon discover that sports weren't the only area where Leo could kick their ass in.
As Himeno continued to passionately express her perspective, a few of her words managed to grab Leo's attention. There was a flicker of interest in his eyes as he contemplated her viewpoint.
"I know you think it won't be fair, Leo," Himeno said, her voice tinged with earnestness. "But maybe it's not about winning or losing. It's about the experience, the laughter, and the memories we create together."
A brief silence hung in the air as Leo absorbed her words. Himeno observed him, her eyes brimming with hope. Could it be that her message was finally breaking through to him?
However, that glimmer of hope was swiftly extinguished.
"...that's stupid," Leo retorted dismissively. "Why bother playing if I'm not winning?"
In moments like these, Himeno couldn't help but question if Leo truly shared any resemblance to Yuki. Their stark differences were difficult to overlook.
With a resigned sigh, Himeno accepted that, for now, she couldn't change Leo's mindset. Perhaps Yuki would have better luck in shifting his perspective.
Unbeknownst to Himeno, Yuki had long abandoned the hope of changing Leo's outlook. As long as he remained healthy and content, she was at peace with whatever path he chose. Besides, he had Himeno as his friend, and she was a kind-hearted and genuine person.
November 10, 1982
It was Leo's birthday.
Nothing remarkable, truly.
Yuki, on the other hand, believed it was a day worth celebrating, and she was determined to make it special for him. Leo reluctantly went along with her plans.
They visited shops, restaurants, and parks, and explored everything in between. Leo had experienced all these things before, and birthdays held no particular significance for him. It was just another passing day in the grand scheme of things, so why make a fuss?
But Leo realized that it wasn't about his own desire to celebrate. There was a warm and fuzzy feeling in his chest, realizing that someone wanted to celebrate him. It was a distinction between wanting to celebrate and being celebrated, and it touched him in a way he couldn't fully explain.
Since Yuki entered his life, Leo discovered that the little things held great importance. The seemingly insignificant moments and gestures became the highlights. Yuki had a way about her, much like Leo himself—an anomaly in this world. Leo by all accounts should be dead... but he wasn't, he'd refused to die by this world's standards. And Yuki shouldn't be alive... but she was.
The world they inhabited was not cruel but unforgiving. Yet, they persisted.
It's the little things like these that make things worth celebrating.
There was a line Leo heard in the past that stuck with him, though he never found a use for it until now: "Life is made up not of great sacrifices or duties, but out of the little things in which smiles and kindness and small obligations are given habitually, are what preserve the heart and secure comfort."
Yuki had revived that way of thinking that Leo had long abandoned. He was willing to get his hands dirty so that hers could stay clean.
Initially, Leo thought it would be a straightforward plan, one where he wouldn't have to constantly watch his back or analyze every word he was told. He was well aware of the lengths people would go to fulfill their dreams.
At first glance, Yuki appeared far too trusting, an open book that could be read at leisure. She was open about everything, with no need for hidden agendas or ulterior motives. She had nothing to hide.
With Yuki, Leo found a sense of relief. Maybe it was just a fleeting feeling of youth, but he felt like he didn't have to worry about anything.
It was akin to the story of "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse." The town mouse lived a more dangerous but thrilling life, while the country mouse led a safer yet less fulfilling existence. In this world, there was no safe alternative—there would always be someone threatening their way of life.
As the day neared its end, Leo came to a profound realization: life was, indeed, a tapestry woven with those seemingly small moments of celebration, laughter, and kindness. It was in these moments that the heart found solace and comfort.
In a world that could be harsh and unforgiving, Leo may never fully understand the need for cultivating new relationships beyond the ones he already cherished, but he was determined to cherish every precious moment he had in the moment.
"Now there is no forever, and soon we'll fade away. So laugh in every day you get, don't let it go to waste," Yuki softly spoke as the day gradually came to an end. The setting sun surrendered to the night, allowing the city lights to illuminate the darkness.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone