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When Tezuka finally made it into the locker room, he gratefully sank onto the bench.
Drawing in enough air felt painful and had a soft wheezing sound to it at the moment.
Closing his eyes, he failed to become aware of a shadow moving towards him until a second weight made the bench creak with age.
“You should have stayed home, buchō.”
Tezuka wanted to smile and tried to. But even his mouth felt exhausted. Just like the rest of his body. Every muscle screaming in protest whenever he tried to move, however little.
“It’s only been a short time since the match and aftermath. None of us needed to come in.”
‘You’re here,’ lay on top of Tezuka’s tongue. But he knew Kaidō’s stamina could outrank many an adult.
“I will ask Ryūzaki-sensei to drive you home. You shouldn’t be here.”
Before Tezuka could protest, Kaidō was already gone, returning mere moments later - it seemed. He must really be out of it still.
“Sensei will be at the parking lot in 15 minutes and she expects you to rest during the drive and not to attempt to come back until next week just like Inui-senpai.”
“Inui was in the hospital for treatment.” It was a weak attempt. But Tezuka couldn’t feel comfortable with settling himself on the same scale. He hadn’t been hurt that bad.
“He’s resting. So should you. The matches were gruesome. Just as expected from Nationals. Now let me accompany you to the car. No further complaints. Almost everyone is taking the week off. It’s not a weakness.”
The trip to the already waiting car was silent but stretched into painful intervals due to his body’s limits. Just when Tezuka wanted to get in though, he couldn’t help asking the question that had been on his mind despite everything.
“Why did you come in today then?”
Kaidō gave a small smile.
“I guess for me it’s just what a prospective buchō would do. To call especially on the maybe too devoted members. I’m on my way out now too. I’ll see you next week. After you’ve had plenty of rest, buchō.”
And for the first time since the match Tezuka’s muscles obeyed without a hint of pain. His mouth curling into a soft smile as soon as Kaidō had turned to leave.