"Mommy? Daddy?"

Holding a bear plush tightly in your arms, you observed the vacant expressions on your parent's faces as they sat motionless in front of the television. The atmosphere at home was devoid of energy, with a touch of melancholy that you, as a child with a vivid imagination, always found unsettling.

"In a minute, [name]. I already gave you your lunch." As she waved you off, you looked down, tears welled up in your eyes.

'But I wanted to play with you, mama...'

The oppressive feeling of loneliness seemed to squeeze the air out of your chest, leaving you breathless and overwhelmed. It was a sensation unlike any other, a suffocating weight that seemed to settle in the very core of your being. You turned and left the premises, heading back to your room in a fit of sadness.

The room lacks personality and color, unlike a typical child's bedroom, which should be vibrant and full of life.

It made you sick to your stomach, so you avoided your room and left the house completely. It's not like your parents ever notice anything you do.

The world beyond your home was a captivating display of diverse hues, ranging from bright and lively to deep and tranquil. You never got tired of being outside. Sitting on the grass, you watched the other kids laugh and enjoy themselves in the company of their friends. And you desperately wanted that, too.

But your 6-year-old self was accustomed to being isolated, suppressing your emotions, and being present only for others.

It sucked the life out of your days.

You buried your face into your knees, feeling like the weight of the world was crushing you, and let the waves of misery engulf you.

As you were walking along, lost in thought, you felt a gentle tap on your leg. Startled, you glanced down and spotted a soccer ball rolling to a stop right beside you.

You tilt your head. 'A ball?'

"Excuse me! That's mine!"

A small boy came running up to you with a little smile. His face was caked with sweat and he seemed to be running with everything he's got. As he stopped before you, he grabbed his soccer ball and held it like it was his prized possession.

He grinned childishly at you. "Thank you!"

You blinked. "Oh...um...no problem..."

"What are you doing here all by yourself?" He asked you, white hair bouncing with each eager dribble he made. He caught the ball in his hands once more before staring at you. "My Mama told me it's dangerous for girls to be out during the evening."

You stayed silent. "Why do you wanna know, it's not like it matters..."

Suddenly, the boy was face to face with you, and you flinched, moving away a few inches back.

He smiled once again. "Do you wanna play soccer with me?"

"Soccer—?" You felt the ball tap you again and you see the boy waiting for it.

"Yeah. If you kick the ball, that's a yes. If not...hmm..." He thought about it and smiled. "Then it's still a yes!"

You widen your eyes. 'He's...kinda weird.' And so, you kicked the ball. A bit too hard in fact that it soured past the boy and into the goalpost on the field.

"Whoa!" His eyes sparkled as he grabbed your hands. "That was amazing! Come on, let's play!" He quickly remembered something though. "Oh! What's your name?"

"I-I'm...[name] [last name]..." You hesitated. "Yours?"

He smiled cheekily, "Ryosuke Kira! Now let's go play!"

You allowed him to pull you over to the field by hand and caught a glimpse of his determined expression. His eyes were shimmering with confidence and positivity...something you lacked. You lacked a child's vision even though you were a child at the tender age of six.

However, at this moment, being with someone who wanted to spend time with you—someone who focused their attention on you—it was as if your world had begun to regain its color.

As you approached, you could see the field's green blades of grass swaying gently under the warm sunlight, and the vibrant colors of the surrounding playground equipment and flowers seemed to shimmer more vividly than ever before.

Ryosuke, with a grin that could light up any room, tossed the ball to you with a playful flick of his wrist. You hesitated for a moment, the weight of your sadness momentarily forgotten as you looked at the ball and then at Ryosuke's eager face. He was clearly enjoying every second, and his enthusiasm was contagious.

With a deep breath, you kicked the ball gently towards him. It felt different this time—less like an obligation and more like a game. Ryosuke caught the ball with ease, his white hair bouncing with each movement. He cheered, his voice echoing in the open space.

"Great job! You're a natural!"

You couldn't help but smile, your earlier sadness melting away as you joined him in a game of tag, chasing each other around the field.

The laughter and the sound of the ball thudding against the ground filled the air, replacing the emptiness that had settled in your heart.

As the game continued, you felt a warmth spreading through you, like the sun had broken through a long-standing cloud. Ryosuke's joy was infectious, and for the first time in what felt like forever, you felt truly seen and included. The colors of the world around you seemed brighter, more intense, as if they were responding to the happiness you were finally experiencing.

When the game ended, you both collapsed onto the grass, breathless and laughing. Ryosuke looked over at you with a wide smile, his eyes twinkling with genuine friendship.

"That was so much fun! I'm glad I met you today, [name]."

You looked at him, feeling a sense of belonging you hadn't felt in a long time. The field, the laughter, and the new friend beside you all seemed to fill the empty spaces inside you, painting your world with colors you'd been missing.

"Me too, Ryosuke," you replied, your voice full of gratitude and happiness. "I'm really glad I met you too."

a/n — welcome to Golazo, guys! I hope you enjoy what I have in store for this book hehe.

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