“This sucks.”
 
A natural response. It was only a matter of time before her attitude got to her, but in the midst of the scorching summer heat, the patronizing cry of Cicadas and multiple scrapes along the arms and legs.
 
Worse still for the young runner is the fact she could not run long before losing balance. So now she sits on the bleachers, pouting to the sky as she thinks of the most natural response.
 
“This really sucks.”
 
She doesn’t know how long she’s been there for, couldn’t be long gone 10AM, but she had lost count of time. All she wanted to do was undo her short ponytail and collapse into a bath, yet she couldn’t bring herself to move.
 
Home wasn’t in her best interests anyway, not after an argument. Being told that out of the blue so close to graduation...
 
Her thoughts are halted as footsteps draw near. Emi has a glance over, the track field not seeing many users this time of day on a sunday.
 
Instantly she recognizes the relaxed demeanour and scruffy hair.
 
 
“Do my eyes deceive me, or am I seeing the great Ibarazaki slacking instead of running?”
 
She rolls her eyes, but can’t bring herself to suppress a cheeky grin.
 
“I already finished my laps, you were just too slow getting here,” she beams to the familiar figure, flexing her arms for emphasis.
 
He returns a small smile despite the girl’s obvious lack of breathlessness or sweat-stained tunic-turned-seethrough. Not that he would never admit to peeking.
 
“Too slow getting here? My company was expected then?” returning to his jovial demeanour again, his expression contrasting against the medical uniform belying the seriousness that his position would imply, much to the girl’s fondness.
 
“It’s not unwelcome,” she returns, “How did you know I was out here?”
 
“Hmm, let’s say a little bird told me.”
 
“You mean a mother hen,” Emi wavers for a moment as she thinks to the events prior to her run.
 
“You can’t blame her for storming out the way you did,” he takes a seat and dons a sterner look as he inspects her.
 
“Emi, you know what we said about running unsupervised.”
 
He looks down at the sixteen year old, her expression taking on an apologetic, wounded puppy look.
 
“I’m sorry, I won’t ever do it again.”
 
The pair hold their roles for a moment before they burst into a fit of giggles.
 
The Nurse refrains from pursuing his lecture and let’s a calm settle between the two, basking in the morning sun as they relax against the bleachers. Eventually, a reluctant voice picks up from the runner.
 
“I take it mom told you about that school,” her gaze is distant, a small pout making its way onto her lips.
 
“Actually, the idea was mine,” he claims nonchalantly, bracing for the accusations to follow.
 
“Why? Did anyone even ask me if I wanted this? I thought you said I was one of the best patients you had!”
 
The young adult sighs to himself. It’s true, her recovery has been exceptional, but he also knows the girl too well.
 
“I didn’t know you placed so much esteem on my words, I’m honored,” he lightly jabs her side and flashes a wink, “but you’re getting a bit of an ego, don’t ya think?”
 
She pokes her tongue out, “Hey, I’ve earned it! I came in 4th place in track this week. I don’t need to be watched all the time anymore, I’m fine.”
 
“You got a rash on your legs from pushing yourself too hard as a result from that. I don’t think I need to tell you that today could have been far worse, you got lucky.”
 
“No, I was unlucky. This doesn’t happen anymore…” her voice trails off, knowing resisting would be pointless once he gets serious.
 
“C’mon, you didn’t mind our agreement when we let you join the track team. It won’t be any different at Yamaku.”
 
A stray cloud covers the sun, fitting Emi’s overcast expression as she thinks. It’s true that she might have reacted too strongly to the medical team at Yamaku, but for her it meant more than that. It meant that wasn’t just like any other high school.
 
“It just won’t feel like I’m normal anymore.”
 
A silence erupts between the two again, one could hear the sound of the nurse’s brow furrowing in thought were it not for the Cicada cries. However, it doesn’t take long for Emi to pick up again.
 
“Besides, what about Yuuji? What are we going to do if we go to different high schools?” her tone picks up a bit despite the topic.
 
“You have your own phones, you could keep things going and see each other on Sunday and Holidays.”
 
The girl shakes her head rapidly in response, her ponytail making the sight seem comical.
 
“No way, it’s not the same. Who would I wouldn’t be able to see them at track, or goof around in class, or make out-- uh, hug.”
 
The nurse flashes a fox-like grin.
 
“From what I hear, the pair of you seem to hug most on Sunday anyway”
 
Emi’s cheeks break out into a red hue matching her gym shorts.
 
“Hey! Don’t be an ass there’s more to it than that,“ she jabs into the nurse’s side, failing to hide the fact she’s flustered, much to the Nurse’s joy.
 
“Such as?” the Nurse takes a step down from his mischief as Emi cools off.
 
“Well… I dunno,” she shrugs, “just boyfriend stuff. Having a partner to run with at track is great! He gets my sense of humor too and doesn’t mind these things.” she gestures to her prosthetics, “like I said, it feels normal.”
 
“Is it just him that makes you feel normal?”
 
“No, but-”
 
“Then was it because everyone went out of their way to make you fit in?”
 
“No, not anymore...”
 
The nurse can’t help but let a smirk slip through his features.
 
“Then would you say you feel normal because you can run on these again?”
 
“A little,” Emi begins to return the smirk, a childish feeling bubbles inside of her again, but she can’t help but go along with it,
 
“And who managed to get themselves back on their feet after just a year?”
 
“Me.”
 
“And who’s gonna win first place during track?”
 
“Me!”
 
“See? Atta’ girl. It’s all on you at the end of the day. I don’t think it matters where you end up, Sunshine, you’ll make the best of where you are; doing what you love doing.” The nurse pulls the girl into a sidelong hug, ruffling her hair as he does so.
 
“Yamaku will be like any other high school for you, you’ll make it your own. Your mother only wants what’s best for you. You’ll be able to have your own independance at Yamaku and you won’t have to worry about burning the rest of your legs off at the track team there.” The news of a track team visibly brightens the whole situation for Emi.
 
The Nurse takes a stand and looks back at Emi, “so what do you say? Think you’ll consider enrolling with me?”
 
Her face breaks out into a bewildered shock.
 
“Enroll with you?”
 
He offers her a wink,
 
“Well you don’t think you’d be going to Yamaku alone, did you? I’ve taken a job over there.” his foxlike grin appears again, “tell ya the truth, I didn’t want to head there on my own. So how about it? Please?”
 
After failing to restrain a grin by pouting, Emi throws her most energy-fuelled wink towards the Nurse.
 
“All right, all right, you win. I’ll give it a shot, but only because you asked so nicely.”
 
The Nurse smiles to himself and extends his hand to Emi. If she’s willing to put up this much mischief he knows she’ll make it through.
 
“Ready to head back now then?”
 
“Ahem.” Emi makes a gesture as if to say ‘on your knees,’ “Piggyback.”
 
“Hm?”
 
“I fell over, remember? Shouldn’t you carry me back?”
 
Maybe she’s putting up too much mischief.
 
“Well… only because you asked so nicely.”
 
“Heheh! You betchya!”