FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

** Somewhere in Saitama, Japan**

The wind buffets against your fur as you sprint up and down the field, your mane flowing and swaying in the warm breeze, while your tail trails behind you like a vibrant flag.

As the sun begins to set, casting an enchanting orange glow over the green expanse, the scene becomes even more captivating. Despite the pounding of your heart within your chest, a peculiar absence of thrill courses through your veins-a feeling you were all too familiar with. Beads of sweat glisten on your brow, evidence of your exertion and determination.

With each powerful stride, you feel the stud tips of your cleats sink deep into the grassy field, granting you the perfect traction to accelerate swiftly.

"Tsukikage, it's all yours!" A teammate's voice rings out, causing you to turn your head just in time to witness the lob pass directed towards you.

Anticipating the ball's trajectory, you increase your pace, your eyes locked onto its every movement. Gasps escape the lips of your adversaries as you swiftly bypassed the last defender, entering the penalty area.

"Hmph!" You grunted, launching yourself into the air to gracefully cushion the ball on your chest. With minimal loss of momentum, the ball began to descend to your feet.

Your face remains impassive, revealing no hint of emotion as you draw back your dominant right foot. You can't help but acknowledge that your shots are devastating, but up close?

The anticipation builds as the ball nears the ground, and you prepare for your mightiest kick yet, pouring every ounce of energy and frustration into the strike. Your face contorts and with a burst of strength, you kick the soccer ball, launching yourself slightly off the ground, generating the more than perfect amount of force. With a resounding thud and a hollow sensation, the ball catapults off your foot, sending it soaring towards the top right corner of the net.

The feline goalkeeper springs into action, attempting to defy your destructive kick, but his eyes widened in disbelief as the ball whizzed past him, grazing the tips of his outstretched fingers before nestling into the back of the net.

They're downright lethal.

The crowd of students you had gathered around the field because of your performance erupts in a mixture of cheers and gasps, mesmerized by the sheer velocity and precision of your shot. The power and accuracy of your kick leave no doubt that you possess a remarkable talent and gift for the game, leaving your opponents and spectators alike in awe of your skill.

Breathing heavily, you gazed blankly at the net of the goal, your mind lost in a sea of thoughts.

"No, something's not right." Your teammates closed in to celebrate, their hands slapping against your back in congratulatory gestures.

"Nice one, Cap!"

"Tsukikage-san, you can score from anywhere on the field. They don't stand a chance up close!" Their words washed over you, you remained silent, fixing your gaze on the ground. Their comments failing to evoke any reaction from you; instead, you find yourself brooding.

"Why am I still feeling... Empty?" This overwhelming hollowness that had consumed you for a long time had reached a breaking point. So you took your chance to hook yourself back to soccer, the sport that usually brought you purpose.

And yet, despite scoring, you felt nothing--no passion, no spark, nada. Each movement on the field you did seemed mechanical, devoid of the joy that used to course through your veins. It was as if a shadow had settled over your spirit, dimming the light that once fueled your love for the game.

We see the group of players surrounding their "star" player, Tsukikage Toshimaru. A Scottish Collie with an intriguing blend of colors that make him stand out in a crowd. (Image fixed at the beginning for reference.)

Your average height is accentuated by a lean yet somewhat muscular thin build, giving you an air of grace, strength and agility. Your most captivating feature is your pair of mesmerizing olive-colored eyes that seem to charm every girl they land on. The luscious mane that crowns your head is truly a sight to behold. Composed of hazelnut-colored bangs that artfully cascade in a curtain style, they frame your face in an alluring manner.

To prevent them from obstructing your vision during games or studies, you often ties them behind your ears, creating a charmingly disheveled look. Beyond his physical attributes, Toshimaru possesses an insatiable love and fascination for the vast expanse of space.

Your deep love and fascination for space are further revealed through the subtle adornments on your wrists.

Above your left wrist, a delicate Warning-Crescent moon tattoo is etched, symbolizing the calming influence of the night sky. On your right wrist, a simple designed sun tattoo represents the radiant energy and warmth of the celestial body that governs the day.

Your team's jersey is consisted of an sleek black base with vibrant neon green accents.

The front of the jersey features a bold, angular design. A neon green lightning bolt that stretches diagonally across the chest, starting from the bottom left and extending towards the right shoulder. The lightning bolt is outlined in purple, creating a sharp contrast against the black background. Inside the lightning bolt, there's the High School's emblem.

On the sleeves, there are sleek black panels that run vertically along the sides, with thin neon green stripes tracing the edges. On your back, the jersey continues the black base, with your proud number 22 displayed prominently in large neon green font.

The font is clean and sharp, ensuring visibility from a distance. Just above the number, your name, Tsukikage, is bolded in a thick white font with a small white Crescent moon on top of the i.

And below the number, there is a small silver silhouette of a soccer ball, representing the team's love for the game. Around your left arm, there is a wide purple band that wraps around the upper arm, accentuating your role as Captain for Minamikawa High School's team.

For the shorts, you wore a black base while on the sides, neon green stripes similar to those on the sleeves are present, running vertically from the waistband to the hem. You and your teammates wore black socks with neon green accents.

But the game wasn't over yet. With the referee's whistle, you sprinted back to your position unamused, ready to defend against any counterattacks as your team's striker.

The rival team was a force to be reckoned with, their passes as swift and unerring as a falcon in flight. Yet, you were the wind itself, your agility unparalleled as you danced through their ranks and players with finesse, reading their tactics like an open book.

In a well-timed ballet of brute force and strategic brilliance, you landed a slide tackle just as their midfielder made a crucial error. The ball was once again in your team's clutches. The roar of the crowd filled the field as fellow students cheered for your remarkable skills. However, the energetic cheers from the crowd fell deaf on your ears.

The feeling of emptiness pervaded your being, dampening the joy that soccer and spectators once brought you. Undeterred, you swiftly stood up and turned around as your team gained possession, ready to initiate a powerful counter-attack as your team regained control of the ball.

But just then, an intense, searing pain pierced through your chest, causing you to crumple onto the grass. Your instinctive reflexes kicked in, one hand reaching out to break your fall, while the other clenched tightly at your chest and shirt as you gritted your teeth in agony.

Your acute hearing, once attuned to the sounds of the game, suddenly waned, replaced by an incessant ringing that drowned out the world around you. Your vision began to blur and darken. The vibrant field now lay in eerie silence, leaving only the resounding thump of your heart reverberating through your body. Your face furrowed down in agony.

"Ugh.. It fucking hurts.." Each beat sent shockwaves of pain radiating from your chest, leaving you bewildered and gripped by fear. Confusion engulfed your mind as you struggled to comprehend the sudden turn of events.

"I was fine just a few minutes ago.." Gasping for precious air, you realized that each breath was now a desperate struggle, your lungs gasping for the life-giving oxygen that seemed to elude you. The weight of the situation bore down on you, and your body instinctively fought for survival, craving the air that had become a scarce commodity.

"I... I can't breathe." You gasped, your chest heaving in a frantic attempt to draw in air. It felt as if your lungs were starved of oxygen, leaving you in a state of panic and desperation.

"Damn it, not again..." You thought through strained breaths as the faint cries of your teammates and opponents echoed in your ears, their hurried muffled footsteps closing in on your side.

"I ignored the warning signs... I pushed myself too far." You thought, berating yourself for disregarding your body's limits. The game abruptly ground to a halt as the concerned referee rushed over to assess your condition.

Your body lay sprawled on the grassy field, with your belly to the sky. The worry etched on everyone's faces was evident, mingled with a hint of pity.

"Don't... Don't you pity me..." You gritted your teeth, a surge of frustration and vulnerability coursing through you. It took several agonizing minutes for your heart to settle and your breathing to regain its rhythm. One of your allies extended a helping hand, pulling you to your feet as the eyes of everyone present lingered on you.

You noticed their gaze, filled with genuine concern.

"What?" You asked, confused and disoriented, scanning the faces around you for answers.

"See, I'm fine... We can continue, no time to waste." You said, hoping to convince your teammates as you moved back into position. But they remained motionless, their gazes fixed on the ground.

"No, Tsukikage-kun.." One of your allies spoke in a pitiful, apologetic tone, causing you to spin on your heels.

"Huh?" You looked at your teammates, their eyes avoiding yours.

"You're getting benched, for your own sake, Cap." Your Right Wing man approached you, his expression filled with pity and concern.

"What..?" The word hung in the air, your wide-eyed stare locked on his face as your dark brows began furrowing down. The lean and short Ocelot placed a gentle hand on your shoulder.

"It's for the best, man.." His voice was soft, a regret-laden smile on his face. You stared at him, your ears flattening against your head, a dark frown marring your features. Anger began to simmer within your chest, your eyes opening wide. The Ocelot continued speaking.

"I hope you un-" In a surge of frustration, you swatted his hand off your left shoulder with a sharp motion of your left arm, leaving him looking at you in shock.

"Whatever." You muttered, striding past him. From the corner of your eyes, you could see your team watching you leave in concern. Your heart and chest ached with the familiar sting of this repeated scenario.

Exhaling deeply, you accepted the bitter truth - you had only yourself to blame. You made your way towards the bench, where your substitute eagerly awaited their turn to enter the game.

Sporting the No. 10 Jersey, a Tabby Cat exuded an infectious enthusiasm as he warmed up, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Reluctantly, you unfastened the captain's armband from your arm and approached the enthusiastic feline. His vivid blue eyes mirrored his excitement and dedication to the sport. Despite his slightly shorter stature, which was to be expected given that most of the players here were freshmen, sophomores, or juniors, his energy and talent were undeniable.

You couldn't help but question the significance of being one of the few seniors on the team. You paused in front of the Cat.

"Their defense is a fortress, you'll need to be a battering ram to break through." You advised, wrapping the band around his arm. His enthusiastic nod was your only response.

"Coordinate with the wings, that's your best shot at finding a gap." You patted his shoulder encouragingly.

"Break a leg." The crowd erupted in cheers as the new player took to the field.

"I should have known better than to let you play today." Your Coach, a portly grizzly bear in a suit, approached, accompanying you to the bench. You took a long swig from your water bottle and wiped your face with a towel.

You could feel his gaze remained on you, filled with worry. You sighed, exasperated.

"I'm fine..! Shouldn't you be focusing on the game, Coach?" You snapped, the Coach held your gaze for a moment before sighing.

"You should quit." His defeated tone made you jerk your head up in disbelief.

"Quit?!" The word echoed in your mind, a bitter pill to swallow. Soccer was one of the things that brought joy to your pathetic sad life, even though you're not in your best form at the moment and it slowly began to bore you.

"You've been like this for months.. Go to the nurse's office, get yourself checked. I'll warn Toryu to message you the score." He said, his gaze distant as he turned to watch the game.

Anger and frustration surged within you as you rose from the bench, heading back to Minamikawa High School with gritted teeth. This match was merely a friendly precursor to the J. League tournament a few months away.

Fortunately, you were on home turf, so the journey back to the Main Building wasn't far, though your legs felt as heavy as lead and you doubted your ability to continue playing if you had the chance. As you neared the Main Building, your ears perked up on a murmuring chatter.

Turning towards the sound, you spotted four of your classmates engaged in lively conversation: a fox, your class representative, two white-furred rats who were almost identical except for slight differences in height and build, and a familiar tall Shiba, his amber eyes unmistakable.

The boys wore the school's navy blazer and the fox also wore the school's blazer alongside a skirt. From what you could gather, they had roped the Shiba in after his Tennis Club practice. You pay them no mind, focusing on getting inside the building and getting this over with.

"Wait.. Is that who I think- Toshi!" You stopped in your tracks, muttering a curse under your breath as you recognized the Shiba's voice.

"Oh for crying out loud.." You turned around, forcing a smile onto your face. The group, which included the fox, the rats, and the Shiba, converged around you, their eagerness almost overwhelming.

"You're back unusually early from your match, Toshimaru-kun." The fox commented, her smile warm and kind. You flinched, a twitch of annoyance crossing your face.

"Will you ever stop calling me that.." You grumbled, suspecting she enjoyed riling you up.

"D-Did you already win your game?!" The Shiba asked in disbelief. You exhaled loudly, pinching the bridge of your nose.

"Yuuichi, how many tim- Soccer isn't like Tennis. You don't win by sets." The Rat brothers looked at you, confusion evident in their faces.

"What? Did you get yourself a red card or something." Jin, the rowdier and younger of the two, snickered. You merely raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed.

"Sorry about him, Toshi-kun. You know Jin..." The older, chubbier and more congenial rat, Gin, stepped in. You shook your head.

"No need to apologize, Gin." You replied before addressing the group.

"Well, it was nice seeing you all, but I have to go..." You gestured towards the school building with your thumb.

"I'll go with you, I have stuff to do inside as well." Yuuichi chimed in. You arched an eyebrow in surprise. Yuuichi, having something to do inside the building? You exchanged a worried glance with Gin, Jin and the Class Rep.

"What's going on?" You asked them, noticing Yuuichi flinch at the mentioning.

"Katsuragi-sensei wanted to see Yuuichi-kun here. Something about today's assembly." The Class Rep explained. You slowly turned your gaze to Yuuichi, who gave you an awkward, embarrassed look.

"S-Surprise?" He offered, knowing he was in trouble. Your expression relaxed and you sighed, grabbing his wrist. You then turned to the Fox.

"Thanks for the heads up, Rep. I'll escort him to Sensei. See you tomorrow." Without wasting any more time, you spun around, tugging Yuuichi along as you headed into the building. The group behind you chuckled and waved goodbye.

---

As you led Yuuichi into the main building of your school, you had to resist the urge to tighten your grip on his wrist. Knowing that this sly Dog would take the chance to bail on you.

"Alright, alright! I got it, I won't ditch you. You can let go now..!" Yuuichi protested, his tone a blend of amusement and exasperation. You paused for a moment, then released your hold on his wrist.

"Damn, your grip's as unyielding as ever." He remarked, flexing and massaging his wrist with a wince.

"Quit your whining. Shoichi's much rougher than I am, and that's putting it mildly." You retorted, an unamused glint in your eye.

Anyways, aside from the numerous outbuildings dedicated to various athletic departments, your school was divided into three primary structures.The two of you proceeded to saunter down the vast hallway, a comfortable silence settling between you.

The Main Building, an architectural marvel, housed several important facilities including the Nurse's Office, faculty rooms, and the clubrooms for the most prestigious clubs or those with the most expensive equipment.

Next was the Classroom Building, a considerably smaller edifice with only three floors, each assigned to a different grade level. At your school, each grade was divided into sections from "A" to "E", amounting to fifteen classrooms in total, evenly spread across the three floors.

The senior year was unique in that the "A" class was designated for advanced studies. This was where the most promising students were nurtured and guided through college-preparatory classes and life skills lessons.

Interestingly, participation in 3-A was not obligatory. There were always a few students who chose to decline the opportunity. The Class Representative, for instance, was offered a spot but she turned it down, wanting to see her responsibilities as Class Representative through to the end.

Yuuichi also rejected the invitation on the grounds that he had no intentions of pursuing college. Instead, he was wholly committed to his dreams of becoming a professional tennis player.

As for yourself, you too declined the offer for reasons you preferred to keep private. The weight of your past experiences and personal circumstances weighed heavily on your mind, leaving you with limited mental energy to take on additional academic challenges.

The third building was the Club Building, which housed the remaining clubrooms. Your school was nationally recognized and received a significant number of applications each year. Just getting accepted was an achievement in itself.

Neither you nor Yuuichi had any problems with the entrance exam. You had known each other since you were six, and now you were both eighteen. The years had flown by, but your bond had only strengthened.

Occasionally, you find yourself caught in nostalgic reverie, fondly reminiscing about the carefree days of yore. Back then, life was a simple rhythm of eating, studying, playing, and sleeping, where troubles seemed to dissolve into thin air.

Despite the seemingly lackadaisical attitude of some students give around your school, everyone had to have a certain level of intelligence to be admitted. You and Yuuichi often joked about how Jin had managed to get in...

As you continued your journey down the hallway, you spotted two of your classmates ahead of you both, heading towards the entrance.

"Ah, Kyoko-san, Ryoji, what are you two doing here? And...why are you together?" Yuuichi asked, his curiosity piqued.

Kyoko Nekonishi, a white furred Cat girl known for her fierce persona and her signature beret perched atop her head, shot a menacing glare at Yuuichi.

But your close friendship with Saya had conditioned you to such glares and you barely flinched. Unfazed, you promptly thwacked Yuuichi on the back of his head, causing him to wince and his ears bend sideways.

"Ouch! What gives?" He spun around to face you, a blend of surprise and irritation etched onto his face. Your face remained unamused.

"Mind your own business, Yuuichi. Don't be impolite." You reprimanded him. Sometimes you felt like the oldest soul in your circle of friends, playing the part of everyone's elder sibling. Kyoko, appreciating your intervention, offered a small, approving smile.

"If only Yuuichi-san could take a leaf out of your book, Toshi-kun." She mused. You closed your eyes, returning her smile with a small amused one of your own.

"You're preaching to the choir, Kyoko-san." You responded, your tone lighthearted. Yuuichi scowled at the two of you, clearly not thrilled at being the subject of your banter.

"Hey! I'm standing right here, you know!" He protested, attracting another fierce glare from Kyoko.

"And just what on earth made you leap to such outrageous assumptions? We simply happened to be leaving at the same time." She clarified, her tone icy. Beside her, Ryoji Kumagawa, a hulking Brown Bear, seemed completely engrossed in his portable video game console and utterly oblivious to the conversation around him.

"R...Ryoji?" Yuuichi called out, but his inquiry was met with silence as Ryoji furrowed his brow, focusing more intently on the game in his hands. It was well known that Ryoji was a video game aficionado, often playing even during class by hiding his console behind his textbooks.

Despite this, he consistently achieved high grades, leaving the teachers with little room to complain about his seemingly disrespectful habit.

"...Heading home..." Ryoji finally muttered, not looking up from his game.

"Were you two visiting your club rooms or something?" Yuuichi asked, his curiosity unabated. You groaned in response, rubbing your temples in mild exasperation.

"Yuuichi, could you be a little less intrusive?" You complained. You'd hoped that spending twelve years together would have brought about some change in him by now, but it seemed old habits die hard.

Yuuichi looked at you, sensing your sour demeanor.

"Gee... Why are you in such a bad mood?" You sigh relaxing your face back to your impassive one.

"It doesn't matter. I doubt you would even realize that you're the reason." You retorted, leaving Yuuichi gaping in disbelief.

"Hey!" He barked, taken aback by your accusation. Kyoko giggled at your remark, and then addressed Yuuichi, still wearing her haughty smile.

"Well, Yuuichi-san. I've been made responsible for the Fashion club this year so I was just turning in all the required paperwork at the faculty office." She informed him. Ryoji nodded along, then added.

"Dealing with paperwork... For the Game Dev Club." You and Yuuichi exchanged surprised glances at Ryoji's revelation.

"Wait, Game Dev Club?" Yuuichi echoed, his shock evident.

"I didn't know we had one of those at school." You added, equally astounded.

As those words escaped both of your mouths, Ryoji's intense glare fixated on the Shiba. The sheer presence of a towering, 6-foot tall brown bear should have sent shivers down your spine, but strangely, you felt no fear or intimidation.

However, the same couldn't be said for Yuuichi, whose ears bent sideways as a chill ran down his spine. Attempting to diffuse the tension, Yuuichi managed a nervous, apologetic smile.

"S-Sorry, sorry. I swear I wasn't making fun of it or anything. Hahaha.." He stammered, his voice laced with unease. Observing the interaction, you couldn't help but speculate on Ryoji's thoughts.

"Ryoji must have assumed that Yuuichi was poking fun at him due to his tendency to make quick-witted comments.." You pondered silently. What Yuuichi had said seemed to appease Ryoji as his gaze softened and he returned his attention to the game before him.

"Aand he's back into his game." You mused to yourself, noticing Ryoji's focus rekindling as he burned his eyes into the screen once more.

"What about you, Yuuichi-san? I know for a fact that Toshi-kun has a ton of paperwork as the Soccer club's captain, but do you also have your fair share? Oh, wait, my mistake. I remember now that Saya-chan is the one in charge of the Tennis club this year." Kyoko corrected herself, a hint of amusement in her voice. Yuuichi grinned in response.

"Yeah, Saya-chan's heading the tennis club. I've been made vice-captain but, really, I'm just along for the ride because she made me do it." He replied with a lighthearted tone. You let out a heavy sigh, closing your eyes briefly.

"If only this fool knew that Saya nominated him as vice-captain because she wanted him to regain his former glory." You thought to yourself before flicking Yuuichi's forehead.

"Ouch! Cut it out already! Stop harassing me for today!" He snarled baring a small part of his fangs out, rubbing his forehead in mock indignation.

"You're the one wasting my time." You retorted unamused to the Shiba as you turned your attention back to Kyoko.

"About the paperwork, I usually only drop by when there's an absolute need." You explained. The cat smirked in hearing that.

"Fufu, is it that Tabby Cat I've been hearing so much about lately?" Kyoko inquired, a mischievous glint in her eyes. You let out another sigh, nodding in confirmation.

"Yep, that guy hoards all the paperwork for himself. He's really keen on taking over as Captain." Kyoko smiled.

"I'm still glad that Saya-chan pushed for you to step up and take the captain's position. You guys have been on a winning streak ever since." She continued, causing you to reminisce about today's game. Your expression faltered slightly.

"Y-Yeah..." You replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach your eyes. Despite their contrasting personalities, you had heard that Saya and Kyoko had become close friends since you all met Kyoko three years ago.

Although Kyoko still spent most of her time with the Class Rep, it was evident that they had known each other since childhood.

"Well, if it's not paperwork, then what brings you two here? We regular folks don't usually have club meetings on the first day of classes. And Toshi-kun, why are you still wearing your jersey?" Kyoko's quizzical remark caught you off guard.

"Yeah..." Yuuichi turned to you, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

"What's the deal with you still wearing your jersey?" He repeated, prompting you to roll your eyes. Might as well come clean now.

"To the infirmary." You announced, causing everyone to turn their attention toward you in shock. Even Ryoji, who usually never took his eyes of his videogame, widened his eyes and stared directly at you.

"I-Infirmary? Are you hurt?! Why didn't you tell us?" Kyoko exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine concern. You let out another weary sigh, frustrated by the way people always overreacted when it came to your well-being.

"I'm not hurt. I just need to go for a routine check-up. It's coach's orders." You explained, hoping to alleviate their worries. However, Yuuichi turned to face you, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

"A check-up? But why? What happened?" He inquired, his voice laced with worry. You turned to him, shooting him a glare that hinted at something you didn't want everyone to know.

"You know why." You replied, hoping that his usual airheadedness wouldn't fail him today. He squinted his eyes, attempting to guess the reason.

"I-Is it because you smo-"

"Yes, it is exactly because of that. What the heck do you think, man?" You interrupted the Shiba, annoyance evident in your voice. He gave you an awkward yet apologetic smile in response.

You roll your eyes, anticipating his inevitable apology for being forgetful.

"Don't even think about apologizing." You stated, catching him off guard.

"W-What?" He sputtered, clearly taken aback by your response.

"A-Am I that easy to read?!" Yuuichi asked, genuine confusion etched on his face. With a sigh, you looked at the Shiba inu sincerely.

"Yes." You replied, causing the Shiba's face to fall almost immediately in response to your blunt honesty.

"And it's fine. We all have our quirks." You reassured him, your annoyed demeanor softening. Yuuichi's ears perked up slightly as he listened to your words.

"Besides, your forgetfulness is what makes you... you, I guess." You added, your tone taking on a hint of affectionate mockery. Yuuichi stared at you, his eyes widening in surprise. A faint blush tinted his fur as his tail wagged sheepishly.

He couldn't help but glance away, feeling a mix of embarrassment and delight.

"S-Shut up.." He sputtered, his voice filled with embarrassed protest.

"Wow, Toshi-kun, I didn't know you had such a sentimental side." Kyoko jested, her teasing tone adding a touch of levity to the moment. You chuckled, shrugging nonchalantly.

"I try not to be inhuman." You replied, a faint smile tugging at your lips.

She then approached you, her hand gently resting on your arm as she looked up at you with concern.

"Well, I won't keep you here talking to me. Hopefully, whatever's going on isn't too bad." She said, her tone filled back with apprehension. Even in her worry, her refined mannerisms remained intact. Well, being the daughter of a wealthy family and the owner of the school probably had its influence.

You glanced away, feeling a surge of irritation building within you once more. The weight of your troubles seemed heavier in that moment.

"Again, I'm fine." You reiterated, trying to keep the frustration out of your voice and convey a sense of composure. At this point in life, you've mastered the way to not let your emotions carry in your voice so everyone can get off your ass.

"Just make sure it's nothing serious. It doesn't hurt to check." She advised, her words laced with genuine care. You fought the urge to snap at her, reminding yourself that her concern came from a place of kindness.

"Fine." You replied, your tone softer this time

"Alright, I'll see you two tomorrow then." Kyoko said, offering a small smile before gracefully moving past you. Now, it was Ryoji's turn to exhibit his irritating "well-mannered" behavior that never failed to get under your skin when he heard about your trips to the infirmary.

"Ryoji, I'm fine. You know it's nothing serious." You tried to convince him, hoping to put an end to his unnecessary worry. However, his expression fell, signaling your unsuccessful attempt.

"Really...? Because last year, you ended up in the nurse's office after every game." The bear retorted. Exasperated, you couldn't help but roll your eyes.

"See you two tomorrow. And don't forget to make your way to the faculty room." You directed the last part at Yuuichi, knowing well that he winced at the reminder.

---

~4989 words