beyondskyfall

Will Sprout | LOST GARDEN Card Story - Walk in Step

Will: Huff... Huff... Phew...

Billy: Oh, it’s Mr. Wilson!

Gray: Sure is... He came to get some training done too, huh...?

Billy: Woohoo! Motivation comes way easier when you’ve got friends around! I’ll get his attention—

Will: ...Whew...

Billy: H-Huh? He doesn’t have much of a game face on.

Gray: Oh... Maybe it’s because of what happened to Oscar-san...

Billy: Good point...

Gray: But even so, he’s here training and working hard... Not that I’d expect any different from him...

Will: Sigh...

Billy & Gray: ......

———

Will: Hey, I’m back...

Brad: Hello, Will.

Will: Brad-san?

I wasn’t expecting you. You’re not usually here in the dorms at this time.

Brad: ...Circumstances have changed. I wanted to check in with you and Akira, so I stopped by for a bit.

Will: Oh...

Brad: How is Akira doing? Is he eating enough?

Will: Y-Yeah, he’s getting plenty. Just this morning, he had three hot dogs...

But that’s what he ate yesterday for all three meals too, so I’m a little concerned about that. I guess it could just be a force of habit...

Brad: I see... Is he still going running and training like normal?

Will: Yeah... Akira has never been the type to sit idly by when something like this happens - he gets up and moves.

I’m actually more worried about whether or not he’s getting enough rest with how much more he’s been throwing himself into things.

Brad: Hmm...

How about you, Will?

Will: Me? I mean...

I’m still going to the gym, but to be honest, I’m not exactly giving it my all...

Akira is working hard, so I know I need to as well, but... I just haven’t been able to focus very well.

Brad: ...That’s perfectly understandable.

People like Akira are probably more rare. I know it’s in your nature to put forth your best, but make sure you don’t push yourself too hard, Will.

Will: Right... Thank you. The same goes for you, Brad-san.

Brad: Indeed... That reminds me, could I ask you for a favor?

Will: What is it?

Brad: There’s one last check-in I’d like you to do—

———

Will: (—Brad-san was right - Alexander-kun looks pretty down...)

(Normally if someone gets close to his cage, he runs wild trying to break out, but now he’s just curled up in a ball...)

(I guess he’s been really quiet at night, too.)

You okay in there, Alexander-kun?

...You’re pretty lonely without Oscar-san around, aren’t you? I totally understand how you feel.

I thought you might handle it the same way Akira does... But I guess the two of us have some things in common, don’t we?

...I know Brad-san said not to push myself too hard...

But I don’t think I should let this feeling inside keep festering...

———

Billy: Whoa, Mr. Wilson?!

Will: Hey there Billy-kun, Gray-san.

Gray: H-Huh...? Will-kun, weren’t you just training a little bit ago?

Will: I was, but I was pretty sloppy with it, so I came back to redo my workout.

Gray: Hm? That cage...

Billy: Is that Alexander?!

Will: Umm, I thought I could give a better effort if he was here with me... And he seemed like he needed a chance to clear his head, too.

Now then, I’ll set the treadmill up for an aerobic workout, and...

Gray: Wow... Look at that, Billy-kun. Alexander-kun started running on his wheel...!

Billy: Whoa! Is he trying to copy Mr. Wilson? Or maybe he’s trying to give his best, too?!

Gray: Will-kun and Alexander-kun are both trying to keep their spirits up and do their best, huh... They’re both amazing.

Billy: They sure are...

Hey, Gray, do you still have some gas in the tank?

Gray: Huh? Uh, yeah... I could keep going...

———

Will: Ha... Ha... Ha...

Billy: Ha... Ha... Ha...

Will: ...Huh?

Gray: Would it be okay if we joined you...? U-Um... If we’ll just be in your way, we can leave, of course...

Will: W-Why would you...?

Billy: The more the merrier! We can work even harder if we do this together, right? ♪

Gray: Billy-kun and I... We understand completely how your team is feeling right now, so...

Will: ...!

Billy: I know you haven’t given up yet, Mr. Wilson. Alexander hasn’t, either.

Gray: And also... Being depressed all the time isn’t good for your mental health, either...

I-I mean... Not that I have room to talk or anything... I-I think it would be good to try following Billy-kun’s lead...!

Will: You guys...

???:: Hey! I want in!

Will: Huh...?

Billy: Akiracchi!

Akira: What’s with this? There’s all this equipment around and you’re all lined up running together... You're pretty chummy, huh?

Lemme join!

Gray: Oh, Akira-kun... Do you remember how to operate it...?

Akira: Of course I remember!

LET’S GOOOO! I’M GONNA LEAVE YOU ALL IN THE DUST WITH MY VOLTAGE MAX SPEED—!!

Billy: No, no, Akiracchi! This isn’t a race~!

Will: ......

...Alrighty, let’s put our best foot forward too, Alexander-kun.

———

(←back to masterlist)