Chapter 8: Build it Together
Mina burst through her front door, tears streaming down her cheeks. She sprinted past her stunned father without a word, up the stairs, and into her room. The slam of her door echoed through the house. She collapsed onto her bed and buried her face into her pillow, her sobs muffled but fierce, shaking her whole body.
Hauji Kawahara stood by her door, his brow furrowed in worry. He raised a hand and knocked gently.
"Mina… is everything alright?"
No response—only quiet, shuddering cries. He rested his hand on the doorknob, then sighed and stepped back.
"I'm here if you want to talk," he said softly, before walking away, leaving her to her grief.
The next day at practice, Mina wasn't herself. Her usually sharp strikes were dull, each punch lacking the rhythm and drive she was known for. She stumbled during footwork drills, her coordination off. Teammates glanced her way, concerned, but no one dared speak.
Elsewhere in the gym, Joji trained alone. He slammed a barbell down onto the floor, breath ragged, shirt drenched in sweat. There was no coach. No friend. Just him and the weight of regret pressing on his shoulders harder than any dumbbell.
He muttered under his breath, over and over, "I have to fix this."
That evening, as if the universe had grown impatient, he bumped into Mina just outside the gym. She had her hood up and earbuds in, but she stopped when she saw him. She didn't speak, tried to walk past, but Joji reached out and gently grabbed her shoulder.
"Mina… what's wrong? Please, talk to me."
She paused. Then, without warning, she turned and slapped him—hard. The sting lanced across his cheek, but he didn't flinch. He met her eyes.
"You forgot my birthday," she snapped, voice trembling. "I waited for you. I really thought… I meant something to you. Then I saw you. With that foreign girl. Laughing in a way you never did with me."
Her voice cracked.
"I cheered for you when no one else did. I stayed beside you, even when you acted like I was just… there. Do you know how that feels?"
Joji stood frozen, guilt flooding his veins. The words in his mind were useless—'I had a gift', 'I didn't know the date', 'Alisa's just a friend.' None of it mattered now. So he stayed quiet.
The next morning, Joji stood before the Kawahara home, heart pounding. He knocked. The door opened to reveal Hauji, whose brows immediately furrowed at the sight of him.
"Excuse me for the fuss," Joji said quickly. "I'm Joji Tenshi. Is Mina here?"
Hauji crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. "Are you the reason my daughter's like this?"
Joji hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. I think I am."
"You her boyfriend?"
"No, sir."
"Then what exactly did you do?"
Joji took out a small box wrapped in clean blue paper. "I missed her birthday. I had this for her. I just… didn't realize her birthday had already passed."
Hauji opened the box and saw a delicate silver bracelet inside. He closed it again with a sigh.
"I'll give it to her later. So, what's your plan to make up for it?"
"I don't know," Joji said, voice low. "She said she felt invisible. And I made her feel that way."
The man scratched his beard thoughtfully, then nodded. "Sunday. August 9. 1:30 p.m. Take her on a date."
Joji blinked. "A date?"
"If she's hurt this much, it means she cares. Message her. Be decent. Be bold."
That same morning, Joji found Uncle Naru sprawled on the couch watching a house renovation show.
"Unc, can I talk to you for a second?"
Naru turned his head lazily. "What's up?"
"I need help. I have… a date."
Naru's eyes widened. Then he burst out laughing and sat up. "No way. Took you long enough!"
He clapped his hands and stood. "Come on, then. Let's make you look like less of a cave boy."
---
The amusement park buzzed with laughter and shrieks of joy. Colorful banners swayed with the summer wind, and the smell of sweet popcorn and grilled yakitori filled the air.
Joji stood near the entrance, stiff in a navy shirt tucked neatly into dark jeans. His hair was styled carefully, a rare feat thanks to Uncle Naru's surprisingly good taste. He checked his phone every ten seconds.
At exactly 1:30 p.m., Mina arrived. Her peach-colored dress fluttered slightly in the breeze, and on her wrist, the silver bracelet gleamed softly. Joji's breath caught.
"You came," he said, caught between disbelief and relief.
"I got dragged out of the house," she mumbled, avoiding his eyes—but the way she fiddled with the bracelet spoke volumes.
They wandered through the park in awkward silence until Joji pointed toward the towering ferris wheel. "Let's start with something calm?"
She nodded wordlessly.
Inside the cabin, as they rose into the sky, silence hung heavy. Mina stared out at the city, hands folded in her lap. Joji hesitated, then spoke.
"I'm sorry. I really am. I know saying it won't fix what I did, but… I never meant to hurt you."
"You don't let people in," she said quietly. "You walk through life like everyone's just background noise. I didn't want to be background."
He let that sit. Then he said, "You're right. I was scared. Getting close to someone means risking something… and I've lost people before. But I see now that you didn't deserve to feel invisible."
She finally looked at him. "I'm sorry I slapped you."
"I deserved it."
"My dad told me why you weren't there for my birthday. I guess it all just… built up. Then I saw you with that girl and I lost it."
"Alisa?" Joji scratched his head sheepishly. "She's Coach's daughter. He just asked me to help her adjust to life here. That's all."
Mina stared. "Oh…"
"So," Joji continued, offering a small, hopeful smile, "I thought maybe this date could make up for everything. Or at least… be a start."
Mina's lips twitched. "Let's see if it's worth the tears."
---
They tried to finally have fun with the roller coaster.
As they were strapped in at the front, Joji clutched the safety bar like his life depended on it.
"You nervous?" Mina teased.
"A bit."
The ride roared to life, climbing slowly. At the peak, Joji squeezed his eyes shut. The drop sent them spiraling downward in a scream-filled blur. By the time they stopped, both were breathless with laughter.
"That was terrifying," Joji gasped.
"You didn't let go of my hand the whole time," Mina pointed out.
"O-oh. Sorry—"
"No, it's cute," she said, laughing.
They headed to the spinning tea cups next. Mina grinned mischievously and yanked the wheel with gusto, sending their cup spinning madly while Joji tried not to hurl.
"Slow down! I'm gonna pass out!" he cried.
"Not until I win!" Mina shouted gleefully.
Afterward, they staggered out like drunks, leaning on each other for balance.
"Alright," Joji said, swaying. "You're scary."
"I try," she said proudly.
When Mina pointed to the haunted house, Joji hesitated. "You sure about this one?"
"Scared?"
"Of course not."
Inside, flickering lights and eerie sound effects filled the air. Mina clutched Joji's sleeve tightly, pretending not to flinch at the jump scares. But when a ghost popped out of the wall, she shrieked and buried her face in Joji's arm.
He laughed softly. "Who's scared now?"
"Shut up," she muttered, still clinging to him.
Next was a shooting gallery. Mina took aim with determination—missed every target.
Joji, grinning, hit almost all.
"Show-off," she muttered.
"Winning this for you," he said proudly, handing her the stuffed penguin he'd won.
Mina blushed as she took it. "Thanks… idiot."
By sunset, the park shimmered in gold. The two sat by the fountain sharing takoyaki, quiet but content. Mina leaned gently against Joji's shoulder.
"Today wasn't bad," she said softly.
"It meant a lot to me," Joji replied, his voice steady.
---
Later that night, Joji returned home to Uncle Naru's house. He walked through the gate, humming faintly, still carrying the stuffed penguin Mina had forgotten in his bag.
"Can't believe she forgot the penguin, I'll try to give it back to her tomorrow" He sighed in disbelief.
"Hey Joji! You're back, did you have fun?" Naru chuckled
"You could say that" Joji replied while untying his shoes off
"Oh, i almost forgot. Isn't the gym you train in is the Fujiwara Gym? Because i just saw a poster earlier saying there would be a tournament held in the Osaka Municipal Gymnasium" Naru exclaimed to Joji
"What? Are you kidding me? How come have i not heard about this?" Joji took out his phone and calls Coach Haruto. "Coach! Is it true that there would be a tournament held in the Municipal?"
"Yeah, there is actually. Why? You want to join?"
"Yes! That's the reason why i trained"
"Sure but, the last i recorded your weight it was only around in the lower 50s and the lowest weight division caps at 56kg"
"Still, i want to prove to myself that i have changed!" Joji bit his lip
"..... *Sigh* alright"
---
[End of Chapter 8]