Wednesday, 05/02/2001, 4:48 p.m.
The sunset light painted the horizon of Domino City red.
The weather was calm, and a faint scent of earth and grass lingered in the air.
On the second floor of Domino High School, Anzu Mazaki stood by the central window of class B, broom in hand. Her eyes attentively scanned the school's sports field. There, two teams of boys were playing soccer, one in black and the other in red.
A small crowd of students cheered from the stands.
A paper sign displayed a score of '2-1' in favor of the team with the red placard.
Anzu's gaze followed the figure of a slim, black-haired boy wearing the number eleven on his red jersey. It was Shin, who was currently advancing the ball diagonally from the edge of the opponent's box.
A whisper escaped Anzu's lips, her tone excited and her expression confident as she gripped the broomstick tightly.
"Come on, come on."
Just then, Shin entered the box, sidestepped a defender with a subtle feint, and struck a clean shot toward the near post.
The ball rolled across the ground with no spin and slipped into the lower corner of the goal. The opposing goalkeeper didn't move at all, his expression frustrated as he watched the black and white ball twist into the net.
The crowd erupted.
Clap clap!
"Hey, hey!"
Raising her fist, Anzu watched as the small crowd nearby applauded, then saw Shin being surrounded by his teammates at the edge of the box.
Anzu raised her fist so high she dropped her broom, then exclaimed with a light smile on her face, her breathing heavy and her cheeks flushed.
"Nice!"
At that moment, dark blue hair peeked from behind Anzu at the window. It was a slim girl with round features and black eyes. Her voice startled Anzu slightly, breaking her out of her daze, her expression confused.
"Huh? Were you saying something? Hey, what are you doing? You're not planning on leaving all the work to me, are you?"
Turning around with a red face, Anzu spoke in a flustered tone as she picked her broom off the floor. Immediately after, she began sweeping, her back visibly stiff.
"Miho, don't do that again! You scared me! I just—I just got distracted for a moment, that's all."
Miho brought a hand to her mouth, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Anzu and then at the excitement on the field. There was mischief in her gaze. Brushing away some cobwebs near the window, she commented in a casual, almost teasing tone.
"Distracted, huh? Ha! Anyone would think it's because you like soccer. Tsk tsk tsk. But I know the truth, sweetie. You can't fool me. I've seen you eyeing that cute new boy all week. Hmph! Just admit it already, you sly girl!"
With a toothy grin, Miho pointed her broom at Anzu. Anzu froze for a second. Then, she turned, her expression dark as she spoke in a sinister tone.
"Miho… This is necessary. Definitely!"
She then began chasing Miho around the classroom, trying to hit her with the broom. Miho dodged and took several hits while pleading desperately, her expression terrified.
"Forgive me, Anzu! Ow ow ow! That hurts! No! I won't do it again! I won't do it again! Ow! Ow! Stop it already, woman! Ow! I give up! It was a joke! A joke!"
Panting, Anzu stopped near the classroom door, her hair completely disheveled. Miho looked even worse, sprawled on the floor with her hair full of straw, cobwebs, and dust, sweating heavily and visibly dirty. In a weak voice, she commented while trembling.
"Ow, ow… Who would've imagined such violence behind that sweet girl facade—?"
A sharp look from Anzu made Miho swallow hard, but it didn't stop her words.
"I admit that guy is cute. Those melancholic eyes, that sophisticated way of speaking. He's so… mysterious. But he's kind of aloof too, don't you think?"
Lowering her head with a red face, Anzu silently shook her head. Meanwhile, Miho stood up from the floor and went to the window. Anzu followed a moment later, doubt clearly in her eyes.
Miho and Anzu watched Shin on the playing field as his team defended. Meanwhile, Shin stood still with his hands on his hips near the halfway line. His eyes calmly followed the black team's attack. Lifting his jersey to wipe the sweat from his face, Shin revealed his defined abs and sun-tanned brown skin.
Anzu and Miho swallowed at the same time, their cheeks flushed and breathing tense. Miho murmured teasingly, breathless.
"He-he's a total snack, no doubt, but… I don't think he's into us, you know? He's probably with someone. He doesn't look at any of the girls in class. I heard Akiko confessed to him last week and he rejected her on the spot. Didn't even read her letter. Cruel and heartless guy."
Anzu blinked for a second, then murmured with her eyes still on Shin, her expression surprised and then twisted. A hand went to her chest, her fist clenched until it turned white.
"Shin, with someone? Who?"