Determination with Anxiety in Heart

Living room—after the stretching was finished.
Shota remained on the mat, sniffling.
“Hey...”
He said softly.
He grabbed the hem of Shin's clothes.
“Make me a little kid... is that not okay?”
Shin's expression softened just a little, and he sat down next to Shota.
“...Is it tough?”
Shota hesitated for a moment, then—nodded.
“Sorry... I... I want to try hard... I have to try hard... but...”
He couldn't continue his sentence.
Shin didn't rush him, waiting quietly.
He gently placed a hand on Shota's shoulder.
“...I understand. But... it's a promise. Don't skip your rehabilitation! ...Okay?”
Shota nodded.
A gentle voice.
“Don't cry.”
After a breath—his tone became a little more serious.
“But... listen. This is important.”
Shota nodded while rubbing his eyes.
“Right now, you're in your second year of middle school.”
“...Yeah.”
“You'll graduate in two more years.”
Shin's gaze seemed to be looking at something far away.
“Your student life is almost over... this time won't come back.”
Shota looked up and stared at Shin.
“You can become a little kid.”
He continued quietly.
“But... you only have 'now' for your student life.”
The words struck home.
“We can make you a little kid in our daily life to help you make memories.”
He smiled a little bitterly.
“But... we can't create 'this time' for you.”
Shota's eyes wavered.
Shin continued.
“If you don't want to go to school, I won't force you.”
A pause.
“But... I don't want you to regret it later.”
Shota was silent for a while, then—
He nodded slightly.
“...I... I like school... and it's fun...”
He began to speak in fragments.
“It's not that I don't want to go... but...”
He choked on his words.
Shin let out a sigh.
“Your physical strength will gradually recover... and your hair too.”
He touched Shota's head lightly.
“It won't go back to normal right away.”
And then—he returned to his usual tone a little bit.
“In that case... shall we go to school as a little kid?”
Shota looked up.
“Eh...?”
Shin shrugged.
“If you're a five-year-old... your current physical condition will also be carried over.”
He explained calmly.
“Only your appearance will become that of a little kid. But... it will be just as tough, you know...”
Shota's eyes welled up.
“Yeah... is that okay?”
“You decide.”
Shota nodded firmly.
“Please...”
His voice trembled slightly.
“I'll work hard at rehab too... I...”
Shin exhaled softly—
And placed his hand on Shota's head.
“...Understood.”
—At that moment.
Softly—a light.
A gentle light enveloped Shota.
His body slowly shrank.
His clothes became too big, and his hands and feet became small.
Into the form of a five-year-old.
“...!”
Tears spilled from Shota's eyes all at once.
“Ugh... ugh...”
The next moment—
Cling.
He clung to Shin.
With his small body, desperately.
“...Shin...”
His voice had also become childlike.
Shin said nothing—he just patted his head lightly.
“...Don't push yourself too hard.”
Briefly, just that.
Shota kept his face buried and sniffled.
But—the way he cried felt a little lighter.
Nick peeked in from behind.
“Oh... it's little Shota~♪”
He crouched down to meet his eye level.
“Now you can go to school without worry~♪”
Shota wiped his tears and nodded slightly.
“...Yeah...”
Shin stood up.
“Don't forget your promise.”
Shota looked up.
“Rehabilitation.”
He grinned slightly.
Shota flinched for a second, then—
He smiled a little.
“...Yeah... I'll do my best...”
It's scary. But... I won't run away. I'll face it properly.
As a first step—with his small body, he began to move forward again.