๐ฌ Scene 1: Akira's Last Game
FLASHBACK:
Thunder. Rain. Packed stadium.
The crowd screamed as the clock ticked down.
IโAkira Sanadaโwas drenched in sweat, my heart pounding as I stole the ball and dashed past two defenders.
Overclock: Full Power.
Pain: Everywhere.
But I passed anyway. Scored anyway.
Thenโdarkness.
My vision blurred. I collapsed.
The crowd gasped.
The last thing I heard?
"Sanada collapsed!"
"Call a medicโNOW!"
Thenโฆ silence.
๐ญ Scene 2: Class Trip Trouble
Present day.
We were on a class trip to the mountains, staying overnight at a hot spring inn.
Of course, Sakuragi got in trouble immediately for throwing snowballs at Rukawa.
Ayako: "Don't kill each other before dinner!"
In the lounge, everyone relaxed.
Some played cards.
Some whispered about who'd end up in the same room.
Haruko sat beside me. "You've been distant again."
I was about to respond, but Sakuragi barged in.
He grabbed Haruko's armโnot roughly, but full of bluster.
"Let's go to the bonfire. I need you to witness my snowman!"
She looked at me for a secondโฆ then nodded and went with him.
Ayako walked up next to me. "You should've said something."
I clenched my fist.
Because honestly?
I didn't know what to say anymore.
๐งช Scene 3: The Doctor's Warning
Late that night, I snuck away.
Took the last train to a hidden clinic in Tokyo. One recommended by Sanada's old mentor.
Dr. Shigemura examined my brain scan.
He stared at it in silence.
"You're accessing parts of your mind thatโฆ shouldn't be awake in someone this age."
He turned, deadly serious.
"This Overclockโit's like forcing an old engine to run nitro. Eventually, something will snap."
I swallowed. "How long do I have?"
The doctor didn't answer right away.
"That depends on how far you're willing to go.
And how much you're willing to lose."
๐ญ Scene 4: Bonfire Confessions
Back at the trip, Haruko and Sakuragi sat near the fire.
She watched the flames dance. "Sakuragiโฆ You've changed a lot."
He scratched his head. "Heh. You think so?"
Haruko smiled softly. "You're trying hard. Butโฆ there's something about Kudo."
Sakuragi froze.
"You like him?"
She looked away.
"I don't know. Maybeโฆ but I'm confused."
Sakuragi stood up. Loud. Hurt.
"Tch. Kudo this, Kudo that. He's not evenโhe's not even normal!"
He stormed off.
Rukawa, watching from behind a tree, muttered, "Idiot."
๐ Final Thoughts
I'm dyingโagain.
Sakuragi's heart is cracking.
Haruko is slipping further into my orbit.
And my past life? It's clawing back into focus.
There's no more pretending now.
Kudo Hirata is barely holding it together.
And soonโฆ something will break.