We, From The First
#25. Dodgeball

Teams from the Rakha class and Teams from the Nico class are already facing off in the middle of the indoor court to start the dodgeball game. Whether it was a coincidence or not, the position of each of them was very precise. Rakha confronts Nico, Aira confronts Nana, and Natta confronts Sheryl.

When the referee blows the whistle, they immediately start the game. Sheryl, who had been targeting Natta, just threw the ball hard enough towards Natta. Natta could have actually fended off and made the eliminated Sheryl, but he didn't want to. And the thing that Natta did, immediately led to protests from Aira and Yumi.

"Natta!" Aira's squealing is pretty loud.

Natta exited the field after being declared 'dead'. The game has just begun.

"The basics are bucin. So it's hard." Ledek Yumi while shaking her head that felt inexhaustible with the action of Natta just now.

Game continued. So far, the Nico-class Team is superior to the Rakha-class. Rakha who indeed has such a strong competitive spirit, this time determined to be able to defeat the Nico class. In addition, his jealousy this morning when accidentally meningtip chat sent Nico to Aira, increasingly makes his competitive spirit heated up.

Aira was already about to throw the ball at the opposing team, but when he saw Nico who was in front of him, Aira was instead pensive for a while. Before 5 seconds passed, and Aira threatened to quit the game, Rakha immediately took the initiative to throw Nico, but too late, because Nana had already thrown the ball in the direction of Aira. Nana's hard enough throw hit Aira's arm and made her grimace in pain.

"God..." Ringis Aira while holding her arm.

At that moment, Nico unconsciously crossed the middle line because he hurriedly approached Aira who was in pain.

"NICO, OUT!"

Rakha and Nana sighed simultaneously. They both feel sorry for each other.

"Aira, are you okay?" Said Nico anxiously while examining Aira's arm. And sure enough, Aira's arm was slightly bruised from Nana's 'fat' throw.

Nico then immediately led Aira out of the field.

"Nicooo! Which class team is it?" Sheryl's murmuring is getting pretty upset at Nico now.

Finally Sheryl can feel what Yumi CS feels.

As soon as Nico and Aira had gotten out of the field, Rakha suddenly stared at Nana with a cold look. He knew it was just a game, but as far as he knew Nana all along, even though they weren't so close, Rakha knew, that Nana had gotten out of control. That's not the usual Nana.

"Gue just found out you can throw a ball that hard, Na." Said Rakha sarcas in a tone that was no less cold than her gaze.

Nana stared back at Rakha, but she said nothing.

...****...

The game of dodgeball was eventually completely won by the Rakha class. And Rakha has also really proven how strong the competitive spirit he has.

When Rakha was about to approach Aira who was sitting alone on the bench, Nico suddenly came in a rash step while carrying an ice bag. He sat down beside Aira, then immediately compressed Aira's arm.

Feeling reluctant to retreat, Rakha continued her steps and approached Nico and Aira.

"Ra, are you okay?" Rakha asked trying to look calm.

"It's just a little bruise, really." Answer Aira. He then took the compress out of Nico's hand, and compressed his own arm.

And from where she was now, Aira could see Nana turning around, then stepping away from the field. Looks like Nana wants to say something to Aira. But as soon as he saw that Nico and Rakha were with him now, Nana finally abandoned her intentions.

In her little heart, Aira actually began to harbor guilt towards Nana. Not only Nana who felt, but lately also, Aira who is every day with Nico and indeed understands Nico without needing to say anything, began to feel a change in Nico's attitude.

Lately, Aira began to rarely see Nico call Nana. It has been two weeks that they have not been seen walking together. It's starting to look awkward. Aira felt something was wrong, so inevitably she thought, what because her presence caused Nico to start away from Nana?

Then one day, during school hours, Aira ventured to invite Nana to speak with four eyes when they accidentally passed each other in the corridor.

Aira takes Nana to a cafe across from the school. A place where students from their school usually gather.

"What are you doing, Ra? Still sore?"

Nana asked attentively while glancing at Aira's arm which a few days ago he threw the ball quite hard.

Aira slightly gasped. While glancing at his arm he then replied, "aaah this? It's okay though. It's just a little bruise."

"Sorry, huh? I threw the ball too hard."

"It's okay, Na. I'm just a weak and less deft, hehehe" Aira ended her sentence with a rather awkward ruckus.

"You want to talk to me about something?" tanya Nana —again with a little doubt.

Now Aira was confused as to how to start a conversation with Nana. He did not know Nana yet, which is why Aira seemed hesitant to convey what was on her mind right now. She was afraid to offend Nana.

"You... Nico is fine, right?" Aira finally let out her question after a long time struggling with her taste.

Nana who was stirring her drink immediately stopped her activities. It seemed to freeze for a while. Before long, he tried to smile and looked at Aira.

"Yes, Ra. We're doing fine. Just lately, we've all been busy, right? We know class XII. I don't have time to walk or hang out."

Actually there is still a lot that Aira wants to convey. But he felt that it was not his capacity even though he was very worried about Nana and Nico. He doesn't want to cross the line.

^^^To be Continued...^^^