[b]Toma Tanaka - After School[/b]

Toma's smile widened at Aiko's words. [color=f26522]"That's what I like to hear,"[/color] he said, giving the boy a light, reassuring punch on the shoulder. He tossed his bag over his shoulder before leading the way out of the classroom. Glancing over at Aiko, a bit of worry flashed across his face for an instant, as he noted the less-than-stellar state he was in. Not that Toma himself was much better.

[color=f26522]"Just don't push yourself [i]too[/i] hard, yeah?"[/color] he said, looking away. [color=f26522]"I think I know how taxing the past several days have been for you, I guess."[/color] He stopped at a vending machine, continuing as he inserted money. [color=f26522]"No shame in taking a day off every once in a while."[/color] 

He grabbed the two drinks he had bought with his left hand, and tossed one to Aiko. [color=f26522]"Down it quick,"[/color] he said with a smirk. [color=f26522]"Arata won't be impressed if he sees us drinking this stuff just before practice."[/color]

As Toma worked on cracking the can open with his teeth, he receded momentarily into his own thoughts. There were more than a couple people he felt like he should apologize to. His parents, of course, but also Kotori and the big guy, Alexei. He had, at least partially, put the two of them into awkward spots when he had burst into the flower store.

With a sigh, he finished guzzling his drink. He eyed his injured wrist, bending it ever so slightly. A small frown formed on his face as the pain registered. He'd have to grab some tape to wrap it up, to help keep it from moving as he ran. He could find some in the nurse's office, but immediately discarded that idea. He'd heard too many horror stories about that place. There were both a Boxing club and an MMA club at the school, so there was bound to be some in the gym storage room. That option was much safer.

He looked back over towards Aiko as they walked. [color=f26522]"So, how's your brother doing? I've overheard that he's okay, but I figure you're a more reliable source."[/color] Toma sort of also wanted to ask about [i]how[/i] Noboru had been found, but decided against it, for no real reason other than being satisfied enough just knowing that he was fine.