Bocchi the Love Story!

37. Sent and Sent Back

Fwip! The ball succesfully went through the goal. Haru released a breath, the young boy's features were graced with a relieved smile.

" He did it..."

" Haru, that was amazing!"

" Teach me, I still don't get it!"

" That's it." Akihiko pats the boy's head.

" Was it amazing?" Haru asked.

" Very." Akihiko chuckled. " Now you just gotta keep practicing. If you're taking the sport seriously, that is."

" I'm definitely going to!" Haru said as he clenched a fist in determination.

" That's good to hear. But....I want you to remember something important, you've gotta remember this above all else."

" What is it?"

" Have fun."

" What? That's it?" Haru looked disinterested.

" It's the most important part of it all, kid." Akihiko says, " Play the game to your heart's content, that's what brings out the best player. Of course, you've gotta play to win, but that doesn't mean you should throw away what makes it fun, right?"

" Alright then, I guess..." Haru decided to nod along. He doesn't understand what he meant, after all, isn't winning what makes the game fun in the first place? Nobody wants to lose, only idiots would find losing ' fun '.

" You seem to doubt me." Akihiko called him out.

" Because I do." Haru shoots him a bold gaze. " It's no fun if you don't score, and it's no fun if you lose! I'm not stupid, you know?"

" You'll understand soon, when you've matured a bit in the game--"

" Let's have a game."

" Have a what?" Akihiko blinked in suprise. He wondered if he misheard the kid.

" Hey, Daichi! This big brother will be on your team, so sub yourself to being the goalkeeper!" Haru said as he turned to his friend.

" Eh? Why me?!" The boy named Daichi whined but did as he said nonetheless. He switched with the previous goalkeeper, the latter being told to take a break and spectate the show.

However, Akihiko doesn't want to put a show.

" Hey, kid I never agreed to anything like this." Akihiko tried to gently placate the situation, " Why don't you just continue playing with your friends? Practice, and have fun like I said--"