The Bet - Whistle!
For sarasusa. Saionji wants Shiina to explain himself. Whistle! © Higuchi Daisuke, et al.
Having heard about Shiina's decision to move to Hiba Middle School, Saionji seemed less disappointed than his parents, if as skeptical. This came as no surprise to Shiina - when children wanted to pursue their education at mediocre schools, it tended to halt adults in their tracks. Not even logical explanations were sufficient to banish their doubts. What he had not really anticipated was Saionji asking for his reason in detail.
She was taking him home from his last after-school practice in Asashiro. On the way, she stopped at a fast-food joint. "My monthly indulgence," she told him; she was, he knew, a scrupulous eater, yet not above a dubious meal or two. They sat next to the large glass window, the sort of spot he liked. The place was abuzz with students his age, mostly girls, some of whom threw speculative glances at the two of them. He bit into his cheeseburger, too used to attention to notice theirs.
"So," Saionji said, "what do you plan to do in Hiba?"
"Plan?" Shiina repeated, munching contentedly.
"Other than be the captain of the soccer club by the time you're a third-year, that is."
He washed down the chunk of deep-fried meat with a gulp of orange juice. "If I try my hands on activities other than soccer, how successful do you suppose I'll be?"
"How successful do you suppose you'll be if there's no one you can shine against?"
"If you're worried I'll be the only school idol, I assure you no such thing ever happens in middle school. As for Asashiro - it's got too many brilliant people who are too busy trying to outdo their teammates instead of improving their teamwork. An environment like that gets old in a hurry. Searching for diamonds in the rough is more exciting." After a while, he added, "Remind me to apologize again to my folks for my selfishness."
"You are ambitious, then."
"No, just bored." The cheeseburger was now halfway eaten; Shiina put it aside in favor of the fries. "But I'm surprised you took me here just to hear my confession. It isn't like you to be so crass."
From any other person the word would have been insulting; from Shiina, it was nothing but casual speech. "I am indulging myself," she replied, making no move to touch her vibrantly garnished sandwich. "But what if you can't find anybody who plays soccer in Hiba? Spending your time fighting off bullies or love letters will only bore you again."
"A school in Japan where not a single person wants to play soccer? Perish the thought."
Neither spoke for a few minutes. Finally Saionji picked up the sandwich. "Would I be a nuisance?"
It was not Shiina's habit to frown, or to grow unduly anxious. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that, should you happen to find what you're looking for, I might join in. If there's going to be a soccer club, they're bound to need a coach. It's not like I haven't got credentials. And a recommendation from you would come in handy."
Shiina broke into a grin. It looked almost predatory. "Are you also bored?"
"Let's just say I'd like to see you live up to your choice."
"Akira, you know me better than that. What you're challenging me to do would be too easy."
Saionji dabbed at her mouth with a paper napkin. "It depends on how fast you'll be able to make your potential soccer players see past your looks and make you their captain."
"Less than a year," Shiina said without hesitation. "Six months, max."
"You sure?"
The grin resurfaced, became even wider. "How fast do you think you can get the job as a coach?"