After lunch, the peaceful rhythm of the morning gave way to the sound of voices and laughter from the backyard. Through the kitchen window, Aiko could see several young men setting up what appeared to be an impromptu soccer field, using backpacks and water bottles as goal markers.
"Hiroshi's university friends," Yuki explained, following Aiko's gaze. "They have a standing weekend game whenever everyone's free. Usually, we just ignore them and their testosterone-fueled competitions."
"Don't be so dismissive," Mrs. Tanaka said with amusement as she cleared lunch dishes. "They're good boys, and exercise is healthy. Besides, they always invite anyone who wants to join."
Kenta perked up at this. "I haven't played since middle school. It might be fun to try again."
"You want to play with Hiroshi's friends?" Yuki asked skeptically. "They're all university students who take their weekend games very seriously. Plus, some of them are on the actual soccer team."
Through the window, Aiko watched as Hiroshi jogged across the yard, his movements fluid and confident. She hadn't realized he was athletic—their previous interactions had focused on academic and social work topics. Seeing him in this context revealed a different side of his personality.
"Why don't we at least go outside?" Aiko suggested. "The fresh air would be nice after the intensive morning of practice."
As they settled on the back porch with iced tea, Hiroshi noticed them and jogged over, slightly out of breath but grinning.
"Perfect timing," he said. "We need a few more players to make the teams even. Any interest in joining?"
"I haven't played soccer since elementary school," Aiko admitted. "I'd probably just embarrass myself."
"That's impossible," said one of Hiroshi's friends, approaching with a friendly smile. "I'm Takuya, by the way. And Hiroshi's been talking about you non-stop, so we're all curious to meet the famous stylist."
Aiko felt her cheeks warm, both from the compliment and from the implication that Hiroshi had been discussing her with his friends. "Famous might be overstating things."
"Come on," Hiroshi said, his eyes bright with encouragement. "It's just for fun. No pressure, no judgment. Besides, we'll make sure you're on my team so I can help you out."
"I'm in," Kenta said eagerly, already standing up. "We can all look ridiculous together."
Something about their enthusiasm was infectious, and before Aiko quite knew how it happened, she found herself on the makeshift field wearing borrowed athletic shoes and trying to remember basic soccer rules alongside Yuki and Kenta.
"Just stay near me," Hiroshi said quietly as they lined up for the opening play. "I'll pass to you when you're in a good position, and don't worry about being perfect. The goal is to have fun."
The game that followed was unlike anything the three Stellar Academy students had experienced in years. There was something liberating about running around without any academic pressure, any career implications, any need to be impressive or professional. When Aiko stumbled trying to kick the ball, everyone laughed good-naturedly—including herself. When Kenta accidentally kicked it in the wrong direction, Yuki just grinned and helped him redirect his energy.
"You're getting the hang of it," Yuki called out to Aiko during a brief water break. She was clearly enjoying herself, her usual perfectionist tendencies replaced by pure physical exertion and friendly competition.
"I can't believe how much fun this is," Aiko admitted to her friends, slightly breathless from chasing the ball. "When was the last time any of us did something purely for enjoyment?"
"Exactly what we've been trying to tell you," Kenta replied, looking surprisingly athletic despite his claims about not playing since middle school. "Life needs balance."
What Aiko began to notice, though, was how attentive Hiroshi was throughout the game. Not in an obvious or uncomfortable way, but in small gestures that spoke to genuine care for her experience. When an opposing player got a little too aggressive near her, Hiroshi smoothly intercepted. When she scored her first goal—admittedly more through luck than skill—his celebration was more enthusiastic than when he scored himself.
"Nice work," Takuya said during another break, nodding toward Hiroshi. "He's not usually this focused on making sure new players feel included."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean he's clearly trying to impress you without making it obvious. It's actually kind of sweet—I've never seen him care this much about someone's opinion."
The observation made Aiko more conscious of Hiroshi's behavior, and she began noticing details that had escaped her attention before. The way he always positioned himself where he could easily pass to her. How he offered encouragement after every attempt, regardless of the outcome. The genuine pride in his expression when she successfully executed a play.
"This is way more fun than studying," Kenta said as they took another water break, and Yuki laughed.
"Don't let Professor Martinez hear you say that. She'd make us write essays about the biomechanics of soccer as punishment."
"Hiroshi," Aiko said as they walked back toward the house after the game, all four academy students grass-stained and pleasantly tired. "Thank you for encouraging us to play. I needed that more than I realized."
"You were great out there," he said, and something in his tone made her look at him more carefully. "You approach everything with such determination and grace. Even soccer, which you claimed to be terrible at."
"I was terrible at it. I'm pretty sure I scored on our own goal at least once."
"But you kept trying, kept learning, kept enjoying yourself despite making mistakes. That's..." He paused, seeming to search for words. "That's one of the things I really admire about you."
The comment hung between them, more personal than their usual conversations but not quite crossing into explicitly romantic territory. Aiko found herself studying Hiroshi's face, wondering if Takuya had been right about his motivations.
"Hiroshi, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Your friends seem to think you've been talking about me quite a bit. Is there something you want to say to me directly?"
He stopped walking, running a hand through his hair in a gesture that spoke to nervousness. Behind them, she could hear Yuki and Kenta's voices growing fainter as they continued toward the house.
"I... yes, actually. But I wasn't sure if this was the right time, given everything you're dealing with regarding the viral video and your Spain application."
"What would you want to say if the timing were better?"
Hiroshi looked at her with an expression that was both hopeful and uncertain. "That I've developed feelings for you that go beyond friendship. That watching you navigate challenges with such strength and integrity has made me care about you in ways I didn't expect. And that I know you're focused on your academic goals, but I'd like the chance to support those goals as more than just a friend."
The honesty of his admission touched something deep in Aiko's chest. Here was someone offering genuine care and support, someone whose feelings seemed based on understanding who she really was rather than being impressed by her achievements or viral fame.
"Hiroshi..." she began, then stopped, unsure how to respond. The truth was, she had been developing feelings for him too, but the complications with Ryo and the pressure of her academic goals had made her reluctant to acknowledge them.
"You don't have to answer now," he said quickly, misinterpreting her hesitation. "I just wanted you to know where I stand. Whatever you decide, I'll respect it."
As they rejoined the group on the porch, Aiko found herself processing this new development alongside everything else demanding her attention. Hiroshi's feelings were genuine and based on real knowledge of her character. Unlike her arrangement with Ryo, there were no ulterior motives or strategic considerations—just honest emotion and the offer of authentic connection.
The question was whether she was ready to accept that offer, or if doing so would add one more complication to an already overwhelming situation.
But as she sat beside him during the group's post-game conversation, conscious of his presence in a way she hadn't been before, Aiko began to think that some complications might be worth embracing—especially ones that promised support rather than additional pressure.
The afternoon had revealed new aspects of both Hiroshi's character and her own capacity for enjoying life beyond academic achievement. Perhaps it had also revealed possibilities for connection that she had been too focused on other goals to recognize.