The Heart of Zero

Riyugi sat quietly on a bench by the field, her earbuds playing soft music. The lively sports day unfolded around her, the cheering and shouting of students filling the air. On the track, classmates sprinted with determination, their vibrant energy soaring like colorful kites under the blazing sunlight. Yet, amidst the noise, Riyugi found herself wrapped in a serene bubble of stillness.

She glanced toward the field where students were giving their all. A tinge of regret lingered in her heart—she had intended to participate fully but had to bow out after feeling dizzy under the morning sun's intense rays. The teacher had gently led her to the bench to rest.

"You don't need to worry. It's just mild heatstroke from the hot weather lately," the nurse had assured her with a smile before leaving. "Just stay hydrated and let me know if you feel worse."

Riyugi nodded appreciatively, though she couldn't entirely shake her disappointment. Beside her, Myouka sat on the far end of the bench, her face clouded with guilt.

"This is my fault," Myouka muttered, her brows furrowed. "I shouldn't have encouraged you to push yourself so hard."

Riyugi chuckled, her voice light. "Come on, Myouka. I've wanted to run a race for ages. Besides, what's a little heatstroke? You always tell me to give it my all, and I don't regret it."

"But you always overdo it," Myouka grumbled, though her tone was laced with concern.

Riyugi looked out at the grassy field, her hand resting lightly over her chest. She smiled softly. "It's worth it, Myouka. Moments like these remind me of what it feels like to really live. And anyway, I always have my music to keep me going."

As they spoke, Riyugi's gaze wandered toward the cafeteria. Through the glass, she spotted a familiar figure—Shingin. She couldn't help but feel a flicker of worry. "Did Shingin join the games today? He borrowed a jersey earlier, didn't he?"

"He should be," Myouka replied, her voice tinged with hesitation. "But he's been… different lately. Like something's bothering him."

Riyugi nodded, concern etching deeper into her expression. "I hope he's okay."

Before Myouka could reply, a loud crash from the cafeteria interrupted their conversation. The sound startled them, and they exchanged a glance.

"What was that?" Riyugi asked, sitting up straighter.

"No idea," Myouka replied, worry creeping into her tone. "I hope no one's hurt."

Looking toward the cafeteria, they saw a shocking scene unfold. Kaga, Riyugi's older cousin, stood with an air of disdain, her gaze fixed on Shingin. His lunchbox lay scattered on the ground, its contents splattered across the floor. Riyugi's heart sank as she watched Kaga smirk coldly before stomping through the spilled food and walking away.

"Riyugi! Look!" Myouka hissed, fury evident in her voice. "That's your cousin, isn't it? How can she treat him like that?"

Riyugi's chest tightened. She had always been aware of Kaga's overbearing nature. Her cousin exuded confidence and superiority, carrying herself as if the world revolved around her. Riyugi both admired and resented Kaga's commanding presence.

"She's gone too far this time," Myouka continued angrily. "Who does she think she is? How dare she humiliate Shingin like that!"

Riyugi's heart ached as she watched Shingin's reaction. He stood frozen, staring at the mess on the ground. His hands trembled slightly, and his expression was a mix of shock and humiliation. Riyugi wanted to run to him, to console him, but her feet felt rooted to the ground.

"Shingin doesn't deserve this," she thought, a wave of helplessness washing over her. Yet, another voice in her mind countered, "But if I step in, will I make things worse for him?"

Myouka noticed her hesitation and smirked knowingly. "Don't tell me… you like him, don't you? You're totally acting like someone with a crush!"

Riyugi's cheeks burned, and she stammered, "W-What? No! I just feel bad for him, that's all."

Myouka leaned closer, teasing. "Oh, come on. You're so worried about him, and now you're blushing? If you're so concerned, go help him!"

"I—" Riyugi bit her lip, unable to deny her feelings entirely. Shingin had always been kind and thoughtful, and seeing him so vulnerable now made her chest tighten. "I just think he doesn't deserve this," she muttered.

Despite her embarrassment, Riyugi couldn't shake the image of Shingin's downcast figure. Her resolve wavered, and she struggled to decide what to do.

Around them, the chatter of the sports day continued unabated. The vibrant energy felt jarring compared to the heavy, painful atmosphere surrounding Shingin. Some students nearby whispered about what had happened, and a few even took out their phones to record the incident. Riyugi's heart clenched as she realized how much worse this humiliation could become.

"I can't let him face this alone," she thought, her inner turmoil giving way to determination.

Taking a deep breath, Riyugi stood. Her hesitation melted away as she caught Shingin's gaze across the crowd. His eyes, filled with a fragile mixture of hurt and hope, locked onto hers. It was all the encouragement she needed.

With newfound courage, Riyugi stepped forward, ready to stand by his side. Shingin's surprised expression softened as he watched her approach, a faint glimmer of gratitude shining in his eyes.