While sitting in the lunchroom, I got kind of curious about Tallius’ family. I know Kiyoshi is his cousin and Sparky is his adopted brother. But what about the rest? 

“So, what’s your family like Tallius?” I ask. 

“Big. 4 older brothers. 10 younger brothers and 1 younger sister.” he answers. 

“Eh? Really? Do you all get along okay?” I ask. 

“No, I don’t like any of them.” He frowns. 

“Tallius’ parents and some siblings are not the nicest.” Kiyoshi laughs, “But I am very grateful to them since they took me in when my parents passed.” 

Kiyoshi’s parents have passed away... I know how it feels to be pestered about deceased parents so I won’t ask any further questions, it may upset him.  

“Ah, I understand.” I smile warmly. 

I guess it is similar to how my older sister took care of me when I was little. But she is not so nice to me anymore. She’s always traveling for her modeling job and also goes to university. During art class I couldn’t focus after hearing about Tallius’ family. I wonder what Tallius’ siblings look like, there are a ton of them. I wonder if they look like him or if they all look super different. On my way to gym, I walk with Bohai. 

“I think coach is going to ask you about your participation in sports day today.” Bohai claims. 

“Oh... Okay.” I smile.  

Sports day, like a competition between all the classes in the grade? Like in the dramas? They actually do that here? After doing stretches with Bohai for a few minutes the coach calls me over.  

“Yoshida, I need to talk to you for a moment.” The coach calls, “Sports day is coming up. It is the 2nd Monday of October. You have little time to prepare but I will be fun. Here’s the paper of events. You must choose at least three events to participate in for a grade.” 

I quickly look over the paper, “I’ll choose 100 M Relay, Tamaire, and Tug of War?” 

“You got it. You can hit the showers now.” Coach smiles.  

After school I promised Kiyoshi that I would meet him at the library to study. I’ve never studied with someone, so I hope it makes studying more fun. After my shower I head on over to the library where Kiyoshi is waiting for me. 

“Hey Oran! Over here. Ready to help me with chemistry?” Kiyoshi calls out to me. 

“Ah, yeah sure! It’s not my best subject but I understand most of it.” I explain. 

I hope I can help him; I don’t know how to teach but I’ll try my best. After about an hour and a half I have answered all Kiyoshi’s questions. Somehow it feels quite satisfying knowing that I was able to help him understand things better than before. 

“Thanks so much for your help! I feel like I understand everything so much clearer than before. Maybe you should become a teacher when you get older!” Kiyoshi exclaims. 

“I’m flattered, I’ll think about it.” I smile.  

We pack up our things and head out. 

“We should do this again.” Kiyoshi smiles, but his smile quickly fades as he gasps.  

Across the courtyard in the shadow of a building is Zekuu hand in hand with another boy. They lean into each other and kiss tenderly. Did they... Are they... But they are both boys! This is the first time I’ve seen something like this in person, I am shocked. S-So... When Kiyoshi was talking about fighting with Zekuu... and his relationship with Zekuu is... They were a romantic couple. I thought this whole time they were close friends who joked around. I’m still unsure so... I’ll ask. 

“Well, you guys can still be friends even if he likes boys, right?” I ask. 

“He’s not my friend...” Kiyoshi sniffles drooping to the ground, “He’s never been my friend... He was my boyfriend.” 

Annnnnnd information confirmed.