Three days after Ryoma's medical check-up, Nakahara visits his apartment in the early morning quiet, expecting to find him resting just as he'd ordered.
He stands in front of the apartment door, presses the doorbell for the seventh time. But the hallway stays silent, no voice of footsteps approaching the door from inside.
After a moment, he exhales through his nose, muttering to himself as he turns away.
"They're probably already at the barbershop."
He walks down the stairs, straddles his electric bike, and rides out of the complex. When he reaches the barbershop, he spots Fumiko behind the counter with a broom in hand. But there's still no sign of Ryoma.
"Oh, Coach Nakahara. Good morning," Fumiko greets.
"Morning," Nakahara nods. "Is Ryoma here?"
"Ryoma…?" she says, leaning the broom against the counter. "He's left the house since dawn. Looked like he was going for his morning run."
Nakahara forces a polite nod. "I see. Thank you."
