A big dilemma arose in Cyro Hannigan's mind. Since his past will literally be by his side in just a few days, the conclusions seemed simple: Letting Blaire live in his house means going around his past every day by looking at her, but at the same time, it's a pretty intense challenge to keep to a normal life like any teenager in your city. Even though the conclusion would be walking a fine line between his future and his past, Cyro was certain it would be a complicated journey, but determined to move on to his future, he kept to the idea that he would not allow his past to take over from him.
The days passed… Everything seemed peaceful in his vision. The school was still in its initial period of classes, so Cyro only bothered to go to school, meet his new classmates with whom he would avoid getting too close, meet the new teachers he would talk to if necessary, wait to give the time to go home, get home and wait for the next day. For 3 days, this was Cyro's tedious routine, but whenever a day passed, he was disguising his anxiety about Blaire's arrival and what awaited him. And even so, the 3 days passed that way. Until Thursday…
3:00 PM
Many students already seem to have been released from their school duties, but in an area devoted to physical activities, some classes were sharing space for their physical education classes. And among the classes, there was Cyro's class, with the students doing physical exercises with the sun over their heads. Everyone was stretching or talking to start playing a sport that would be proposed by the teachers. And there in the middle, was Cyro, stretching alone, who unlike his colleagues, seemed to be much more focused on keeping in shape than caring about a certain commotion near him.
- Mallory looks great in her PE uniform, don't you think?
Surrounded by some friends that she ended up making in these 3 days, Mallory Shimura, Cyro's class newcomer, was drawing the attention of many students, much because of her youthful body on display. In addition to her long blond hair tied back, her skin slightly sweaty from the sun, her charisma seemed to be infinite in front of the students, chatting modestly with her classmates that she did due to a certain popularity gained, both in classes due to her student efforts and socially with the people around her.
After a few seconds, the physical education teacher ended up calling the students in the class that Cyro and Mallory are near an area prepared with some lines on the floor, indicating that there would possibly be a dodgeball game among the students. With everyone close by, the professor decided to speak the obvious.
- Guys, here's the thing. As you are still coming back from your lazy holidays or for newcomers, not having gotten used to our exercise routine, I decided it would be good to practice a sport that requires more of your motor coordination than to abuse it with something more extensive like a lap across the field.
After saying these words, many students seemed to be commenting on such an initiative by the teacher, which was ended until the teacher used his whistle to get the attention of his students.
- We will do the following. If you don't want to play dodgeball, you'll go for a lap around the field. And those who already know me will take two turns.
All the students ended up getting scared and many started to go towards where the dodgeball match would take place, but a hand ended up rising in the middle of these students, drawing the attention of some students nearby.
- Teacher, I prefer the laps.
And looking at whose hand it was, the teacher just laughed.
- Obviously you prefer them back, right Cyro?
- It's not my fault. Was you who decided the punishment and seemed better to me.
- Even so, Cyro. It's not because you want to be outcast that you have to do what no one wants.
- So you offend me cool, huh?
- Cyro, play dodgeball soon and give up of the laps.
- No, I prefer the laps.
- (Teacher speaking quietly) You can't help it...
Cyro's classmates simply started commenting on what was said. Everyone who knew Cyro already knew that he was part of the athletic club and an extensive activity like this seemed to be something simple for him and it is not expected that he would select for what he thought was the most obvious. But after a few seconds, a second hand ended up reaching out among the students and that hand ended up causing a bit of amazement.
- Teacher, can I refuse to participate in the dodgeball?
- Mallory? Seriously?
- Yeah. It's just that I didn't want to hurt anyone, you know?
- To chew? It's easier for people to get hurt than to get a kick out of you~~
- Well, if that's your mind, I'd rather not play dodgeball to avoid people getting hurt for me~~
- I was kidding…
A few laughs were heard, followed by the girls close to Mallory questioning why she refused to participate in the dodgeball.
- Look, Mallory. If that's the case, you'll go around the entire field. And it's a complete lap.
Looking at the field, Mallory noticed that the field is so big that it looks a lot like an Olympic track, which would explain why students prefer the dodgeball. And yet…
- Alright, there's no problem.
- Oh. Eh… You got away with the 2 laps, Cyro. You and Mallory are going to run 1 lap across the field when the burning is over so you can set an example to opt for my classes.
Cyro and Mallory ended up looking at each other, but no reaction occurred between them, and shortly after that, the teacher told them to sit on a covered bleacher, watching their classmates practice dodgeball. Sitting with a chair's distance between them, Cyro and Mallory just stared at the dodgeball match, silent, until…
- Is he always like this?
Cyro turns his gaze to Malloy and notices that she is looking at him with a slight smile.
- So... It's just his way of showing he has authority, but once he gets used to it, he really makes everyone suffer.
- Thought you'd say he's just taking it easy.
- I doubt he would go easy on new people. He no longer meets the students he knows, imagine who he doesn't know well.
- I see...
A quick silence ensues, until Mallory decides to start a conversation with Cyro, who seems to be looking straight ahead, but without something specific, as if she was looking at nothing.
- So, Cyro… How are you?
- Hmm?
- Well, it's normal to know how your classmate is doing, isn't it?
- I am fine. And you?
- I'm fine, thanks for asking~~
- You're welcome.
- Eh… What are you thinking of the classes? Are they cool or boring as expected?
- And since when is a class considered cool or boring?
- Well, Physics classes are quite complicated and the teacher didn't help much with that serious way of his. So, I would say their classes are pretty boring and sleepy.
- Maybe he just wants people to pay more attention to what he says and take the class more seriously, don't you think?
- Ah, eh… It's an interesting point of view. But his classes could be livelier. Everyone seems to go dead when classes pass.
- Yeah, I've already figured that out...
- It is not? Well… what do you…
Before Mallory says anything, Cyro ends up sighing hard for Mallory to notice, who ends up saying nothing until Cyro opens his mouth.
- Look, I don't mean to be rude, but you don't have to force yourself to talk to me, okay?
- But I'm not forcing it. It's just that I wanted to get to know my classmates better and you are one of them.
- Hmph...
- So, will you mind if I want to get to know you better?
Cyro's discomfort at having Mallory close and talking to him was noticeable. Unlike his peers who saw Mallory as a very attractive girl by their standards or her pleasant way, Cyro was slightly tense around her for the simple reason that she was something he was in the recent past, and it made him think of something to try to deconstruct and prevent her from knowing more about him. So much so that during those days, they didn't speak to each other anymore, except for common greetings like a good morning to get to school.
- Mallory… I don't care. It's just that your friends might not like to see me talking to you.
- Because? Are you someone so hateful to them?
- No. I just want to keep my distance from people who might try to screw me up in some way.
- Screw you? You didn't do anything bad to them enough to tell me to be careful with you.
- Because there was no time. I'll bet you a lunch if they're going to talk to you to avoid me.
- I don't like to gamble, but I admit the food here is good, so I accept~~
- (Cyro speaking quietly) Tsk…
- But then… You didn't answer me. What did you do?
- Well… Let's say they think I'm too arrogant for not talking or trying to befriend them. This is extremely silly to think, when I just want to study and I don't want to be wasting my time with gossip or ways to skip classes, especially since we are in the last year and everything that happens now can be marked for the rest of our lives …
- There was no need to exaggerate.
- What I mean is, I don't want to be like them. I just want to live my life without anyone telling me or making me do what they think should be normal.
Hearing this, Mallory was wearing a neutral expression, and somehow those words seem to have resonated differently.
- I understand…
- Sorry I talked about them like that in front of you. I think I got carried away a bit…
- You are not wrong.
- Hm?
- I agree with you. It sucks when people just want to make you be in a way you don't want. But you know what? I don't think it's a reason to try to isolate yourself from them. Okay they can be annoying or hypocritical sometimes, but it's the grace of being human. Even when they take cruel actions, it encourages us to seek something for ourselves. But wait, we're going to need people around us to be at least a little bit important and know why we're doing this, don't you think?
Upon hearing this, images of his best friend Hyoudo, his sister Samantha and Blaire begin to play through Cyro's mind. Even though he had a slight disagreement with what Mallory had just said, he sensed there was sincerity and truth in those words. And for a moment, he just let that tension around him loosen and get a little calm having that conversation with Mallory, letting out a small smile.
- Yeah, you're a little bit right. But saying that kind of offends your friends, don't you think?
- Well, I'm not like them if that's what you think. I care about them, but not to the point of telling whether they are right or wrong. It's good that they learn for themselves that reality is not a wonder in itself.
- Yeah…
Out of nowhere, a whistle blast echoed across the field, making Cyro and Mallory look at the PE teacher, who is waving them both over with him.
- Cyro, it's our time to suffer~~
- Don't say it like it's cool.
- Well, maybe the idea of going around the field wasn't a bad one. After all, I got to talk to you after all this time.
- Wait… What?
- Nothing. Let's go right before he beeps any more and messes up my hearing.
Slightly confused by what Mallory had said, Cyro and Mallory end up heading towards the teacher, who starts walking to a part of the field that has running lanes, where the turn in the field would probably take place. And as they got closer, they noticed that all the students in their class were watching the two of them go down to the running lanes, talking something that neither of them could make out what it was.
- Relax, Cyro. It's just a walk around the field with everyone watching. What could be worse?
- It's they're betting which one of us will win.
- Seriously? Think you can beat me in a race?
- Honestly, I find it hard for you to beat me.
- Will it be? Want to place a bet between us?
- Wasn't it you who didn't like it?
- But now it's for my pride. If you think you can beat me and you're so confident of it, then I feel like my pride is being challenged. So how about I screw you?
- (Cyro chuckling slightly) How about Monday's math activity?
- Done~~
When they got to where the teacher was, they end up hearing a little lecture from the teacher for having refused to participate in the fire, but that wasn't even what the two were more worried about, but who would win in the race.
After a few seconds, the two prepared in their respective lanes, with a slight distance from each other so as not to get in the way.
- When I beep, you start. It goes full back and ends right here. Ready?
Cyro and Mallory just nod their heads at the professor. I could see their expressions of confidence, as if they had their reasons for winning a simple recreational race, but it seemed like something more serious that only the two of them noticed.
- 3,2.1... PRIIIIII!!!
And with the sound of the whistle, something mildly surprising happened in front of the teacher. He expected that they both ran at different speeds, as he hadn't stipulated that they needed to run to complete the lap and even more so with the sun being pretty strong at the moment, it looked pretty much like they were going to walk a little too fast.
But with the whistle blowing, Cyro and Mallory began to run at high speed. From his daily training at the athletic club, it was expected that Cyro would run quickly, but the surprising thing to everyone, including Cyro himself, was that Mallory was running at the same speed as he. The students started cheering for Mallory when they realized it was a "competition", while Cyro just looked away quickly and focused entirely on the race to win a simple bet.
Their speed looked the same. Within moments there was significant distance between them, and they were both doing their best, with Cyro looking serious and Mallory looking confident, her hair being lifted by the speed she was taking at that moment. On the first turn and the second straight, there was still no significant difference in distance, and it seemed that all the students were looking only at those two students running around the field.
And so it remained, until the second curve…
- GO, MALLORY!
Hearing this, Mallory quickly looks up to smile at a student who's cheered for her, but at that moment, she ended up almost out of her lane and ended up destabilized for a second, which would end up causing her to fall directly on the ground. She thought about the idea of putting her hands to keep her from falling straight to the ground, but for the time being, it was almost inevitable that she would fall face down, however, she ended up looking to the side and realized that Cyro had left his lane, his streak with a look of concern and threw himself in front of her, to prevent her from ending up on her face on the ground, putting himself in front of her and being pushed against the ground soon after, causing his shirt to rip at his back and scratch your back hard on the ground. And nedd some seconds to the students began to happen to know if Cyro and Mallory were okay, even the teacher who was slightly distant went towards them.
After a few seconds, realizing what happened, Mallory ended up getting up off of Cyro, who was making a pained expression because of his back, and worried about him, Mallory helps Cyro to get up carefully because of his pain.
- Damn it! Come here, Cyro! I'll take you to the infirmary!
- Calm down! Are you okay?
- Forget about it and come soon! You are…
Before saying anything, Mallory soon realized that the bruise on Cyro's back didn't look as bad as she'd imagined. A fall like that without the shirt on could have grated someone's skin and left it in a much worse state than it was on Cyro's back, which only grated very little.
- Just help me get up here...
- Okay. Come here.
After seeing this, Mallory ends up helping Cyro to get up, and he starts to run his hand over his shirt to see how much she had torn in that fall, and when he noticed the ripped part, he started trying to pull the shirt so as not to reveal his body to whom was close by. And it didn't take long for the teacher and some students to get close and start a common mess around situations like this.
…
After a few minutes, all the students went back to their classrooms except for Cyro and Mallory who were eventually taken to the school's infirmary to see if they had both been hurt. Mallory only had a few light scratches on his palm from leaving them a little outside Cyro, while Cyro had scratched and scraped some of the skin on his back, and was getting a school nurse cleaning the grate to keep from getting infected.
- What happened?
- Nothing.
- (Mallory almost screaming) Nothing? You hurt yourself doing that!
- Calm down! It was either running or letting you fall on your face. And I don't think anyone would… Ouch!
- (Nurse) Calm down, I didn't finish. Be quiet for a moment, please?
With that, Cyro and Mallory were silent for a few seconds.
- Malloy, you can go now. Those scratches won't leave any marks or anything like that. Just don't forget to wash it properly and if you don't feel like it's gone, better go to a doctor to see if you didn't hurt.
- Fine. Thanks.
- And you, Cyro… I put a little gauze on your back. Wait a while until they bring your shirt and you'd better be careful when sitting down.
- Fine. Thanks.
Upon saying this, the nurse ends up getting off the bed where Cyro was to get a clipboard with some information to take to the teacher who was watching Cyro and Mallory leaning against a wall.
- Cyro...
- Hey, mind if you don't look at me for now?
- Do you really think I'll mind seeing you shirtless?
- Is not it. It's just a little uncomfortable for me, you know...
- Ah... Anyway, I'll stay here and when I leave, I'll…
- It is not necessary. You can go ahead. I bet everyone in the room will be worried about you.
- Hey, I'm not leaving you here alone for something that was my fault. If I hadn't been distracted...
-bDon't worry about it. I know it wasn't your fault. You can go, please.
Realizing that Cyro seemed to be slightly serious about that request, Mallory only makes a neutral expression and ends up getting up from his bed, to leave the infirmary. And before leaving, she stops in front of the door.
- Thanks, Cyro.
Cyro doesn't even respond and Mallory ends up leaving the infirmary, leaving Cyro with the nurse and the teacher, who were talking on the other side of the room.
As he exits the infirmary room, Mallory begins walking slowly towards the stairs that would lead to his office and ends up breathing heavily for a good part of the way.
- Do you think I overreacted?
- (?) I wouldn't say I overreacted, ma'am.
- I told you not to call me that.
- (?) Ah, forgive my habit. I need to refrain from talking like that.
- No problem. Just try to avoid maintaining these habits while we're here.
- (?) But, sen… I mean, Mallory. Do you think that boy might be...
- I don't know if that's the case, but if it is... He must be a troublesome guy.
- (?) I didn't think that when he threw himself to protect you.
- I don't say troubled in a bad sense.
- (?) And what sense would you give?
- Well… I would say… In the sense of knowing how to deal with it~~
After a few seconds, Mallory ends up noticing some classmates and heads towards them, trying to calm them down about what had happened. And even though she was talking to them in a charismatic way like she always does, she kept thinking only about that scrape on Cyro's back.
- But what then? Are you all right, Mallory?
- I 'm fine, no need to worry about me. Hey, what's Cyro's backpack?
- W-Why do you want to know?
- I'll take it there for him. I don't think he's going to want to come back here since he got hurt.
- Well, it's just...
Mallory soon noticed a silence coming from her colleagues and before questioning why, one of her friends ended up pulling her shirt.
- Mallory, I don't think it would be a good thing to get involved with him. You know, he's a little weird and stuff and… He's not a nice person and there are bad rumors about him and…
- Tell me what his backpack is.
Speaking in a slightly thick tone, her friends ended up pointing at his backpack. Saying nothing more and wearing a neutral expression, she simply grabs Cyro's backpack and leaves the room, descending the stairs and heading towards the infirmary. Before entering, she ends up stopping and listening...
- Cyro, whatever went into your head, what you did was irresponsible and reckless. I could have hurt you more and hurt Mallory if I wasn't so lucky. So keep in mind not to do this again.
- Yes teacher. I understand.
-You can go to the classroom, grab your backpack and wait until it's time to leave.
Before they finish their conversation, Mallory ends up leaning against the wall and waiting for Cyro to leave, and when he leaves, he takes a deep breath and heads for the stairs, but ends up seeing Mallory holding his backpack.
- Mallory?
- Well, I didn't bet any of that food… But take it here. It's because I lost the bet~~
- Thanks...
Cyro ends up grabbing his backpack and starts walking towards the stairs, but before continuing, he ends up turning to Mallory and…
- I hope we get along this year.
Mallory was slightly surprised by what Cyro had just said, but she masked her expression of surprise and smothered a slight smile.
- I hope the same, Cyro~~