🔥 Scene 1: BBQ Before the Storm
Coach Anzai gave us the weekend off.
So Sakuragi somehow convinced the squad to do a backyard yakiniku party at Mitsui's place.
Sakuragi: "KUDO! You bring the sauce. If you mess up, you're OUT of the team!"
Me: "I wasn't aware I was ever IN the team."
Mitsui: "You guys shut up and grill something already."
We ended up laughing over who could flip meat the fastest.
Sakuragi flipped one into the air—it landed on Rukawa's head.
He didn't even blink. Just kept eating.
Ayako: "You're all idiots. And I weirdly love it."
Kogure handed me a drink. "You're different, Kudo. But you're starting to feel like one of us."
For a moment, I forgot the countdown inside me.
Just one warm night… with friends.
💥 Scene 2: The Collapse
Two days later—during practice—I went for a fast break.
My vision blurred.
Too many data points. Overclock flared. My head screamed.
I passed out mid-air.
Thud.
When I opened my eyes… everyone was surrounding me.
Haruko was holding my hand. Sakuragi shouting, "CALL SOMEONE!"
Rukawa, for once, looked actually concerned.
Coach Anzai stood still, eyes narrowed.
"It's time you tell us who you really are."
🧠 Scene 3: Coach Anzai's Ultimatum
Later in the clinic room, just him and me.
Coach Anzai sat beside the bed, holding two photos. One of me now. One of Akira then.
"Same eyes. Same hands. Same game. Who are you really, Hirata?"
I stared at the ceiling.
Then whispered, "You wouldn't believe me."
He sighed. "Try me."
So I told him.
About my death. My rebirth. The memories.
Everything.
He didn't speak for a long time.
Then said quietly:
"Then you're not just a player…
You're a miracle.
And we protect our miracles here."
😠 Scene 4: Sakuragi Explodes
But outside the room… someone overheard.
Sakuragi.
He heard just enough.
Me. Not normal. Not who I claimed to be.
So he waited until I was walking back home alone.
Then he stepped in front of me.
"What the hell are you?"
I paused.
"I'm… still figuring that out."
He grabbed my collar. "You're lying to everyone. To Haruko!"
"I never lied. I just didn't tell the whole truth."
He punched me.
Not hard. But hard enough.
"Stay away from her."
He stormed off, furious.
And for once… I let him go.
Because I deserved it.
📓 Final Thoughts
I bonded with the guys.
I collapsed.
I confessed.
I got punched.
The walls I built are cracking.
And I don't know which version of me will survive the fall.