Kids were playing football on the hospital park—yelling, tripping, kicking the ball in random directions. You and Tenma were just passing through, trying to check on Tsurugi’s brother without looking suspicious. (You both absolutely looked suspicious.)

Then one of the kids yeeted the ball straight toward you. It rolled to your foot.

Before you could react, a boy jogged over—carefully, like every step mattered.

He looked 14. Soft white hair. Gentle brown eyes. Hospital slippers.

“Ah—sorry! That went too far,” he said, slightly breathless but smiling.

You were 13, but the way he looked at you made you feel like you were suddenly older or something.

Tenma’s face lit up. “Amemiya Taiyou! You’re outside today!”

Taiyou nodded. “Just for a little while.”

Then his eyes landed on you. They lingered.

“You’re from Raimon… right?”

You blinked. “You know Raimon?”

He hesitated. Then with a tiny embarrassed smile—

“…I know you.”

Tenma: “Ohoho~~~???”

You elbowed Tenma so fast he squeaked.

Before Taiyou could say anything else, a nurse burst out the doors.

“TAIYOU! You aren’t supposed to be outside this long!”

Taiyou panicked like he was under arrest.

“I—I WASN’T DOING ANYTHING!! I WAS JUST—STANDING!!”

He bowed, threw the ball back to the kids, and rushed inside while the nurse scolded him all the way in.

Tenma nearly died laughing. You couldn’t stop smiling.

And that was it.

Except… not really.

⸻

The next day, Tenma had training. You went to the hospital alone.

You told yourself it was “just to check the park.” It wasn’t.

You found him near a tree, sitting on a bench with a textbook on his lap. No kids. No Tenma. Just him.

He looked up the moment he sensed movement.

His eyes widened—not in shock, but this soft, warm way that almost stopped your breath.

“You came,” he said quietly.

You raised an eyebrow. “Why does it sound like you didn’t expect me?”

He fiddled with his sleeves like the awkward 14-year-old he was. “People don’t usually… come back.”

You sat beside him.

He closed his book, hands shaking just a little.

“So,” you said, “how did you know me yesterday? I never told you my name.”

His cheeks went pink instantly.

“I… watch the soccer matches they air here. Raimon’s games. And you—” He swallowed. “You stand out. Your passes. Your speed. Your plays. I… always watch you.”

You smirked. “Is that good or bad?”

His eyes widened in horror. “GOOD! Very good!! You’re amazing, actually! I didn’t mean it weird, I just— I just—!”

You burst out laughing. He hid his burning face with his hands.

After a moment, he peeked out through his fingers.

“…I always wanted to meet you,” he said softly. “I’m 14 and I’ve been here so long that I thought… maybe I’d never get the chance.” His voice dropped. “But yesterday… it felt like something I’d been waiting for.”

You didn’t know what to say to that. Your chest felt weird—full.

You noticed the football lying nearby. You gently nudged it toward him.

“Wanna pass it around a bit? Slow only. If you’re okay with that.”

His entire face lit up like no 14-year-old should be allowed to glow.

“I’d really like that.”

You stood. He stood a little slower, careful with his legs.

You passed. He passed back. Slow, soft touches. But the joy on his face was bright and unshakeable.

And this time— he didn’t run away.