**

A glass double door tinted black stood between Koji and a sea of sweat.

With the gaze of both Akari and the gleaming sun pressing onto his back, he had no other choice but to part the two doors…

‘Oh god…’

*creeeek

The doors were quite heavy, resulting in a tediously slow opening sequence. The more the doors were spread apart, the more a caustic smell permeated the air…

Koji’s face contorted, and Akari cheered him on from the back. She was seemingly unfazed…

‘Maybe it’s all in my head…’

As he thought that, he took his first steps into the gym.

‘Definitely was not in my head…’

Koji started to gag…

**

The two now stood aimlessly on a rug which seemed to be fully saturated with sweat.

Koji spoke, muffled by his shirt which covered his nose…

“So… you want me to start lifting..?”

“Yup!”

Akari was seemingly unfazed by the ghastly smell of sweat.

In response to Akari, Koji sighed. He then looked around to see many buff people doing intense sets on various machines. Almost all of their faces were contorted with vigor and pain…

‘I’m not built for this…’

But, Akari had worked so hard for this. She had presumably done much research on both lifting and its implication on basketball specific athletes…

Koji couldn’t bring himself to give up yet.

But, maybe he could after a few sets..? Yeah, that would make him feel better about himself…

Setting his sights on a desk occupied by a man hooded in formal attire, Koji began walking.

Eventually, he reached a counter which was plastered with quotes pertaining to hardcore training.

[Challenge Creates Castles!]

[Sweat Is Results]

[Get Ready For Pain!]

‘Do these really motivate people..?’

Noticing them, the clerk behind the desk spoke.

“Hello, may I help you two?”

He was seemingly pretty young, and just as out of place as Koji and Akari. In a place full of muscle heads, he couldn’t help but feel akin to him.

Koji turned to Akari, expecting her to sign herself in- or whatever it was that is required to start lifting.

But to Koji’s dismay, she didn’t do anything of the sort. Instead, she just met Koji’s gaze with puzzlement.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“What?”

Koji finally took his shirt off his nose- initiating a serious tone.

“What do you mean; what..?”

“Why are you looking at me..?”

Thankfully, the clerk was quite understanding, and let the two talk things out.

Koji took the opportunity to grab Akari by the shoulder and turn the both of them away from the desk, as if getting into a scheming huddle.

“Do you not know how a gym works..?”

Koji’s voice was low, but Akari didn’t seem to get the memo…

“Do you not just go in and lift?”

She matched her booming words with gestures which were meant to resemble lifting.

To say the least, Koji was utterly shocked…

“You didn’t know you had to pay for the gym???”

“Pay?”

With that, Koji disengaged from their little huddle. He turned around, and started speaking to the clerk with a wide smile and apologetic tone:

“Sorry about that, but we’ll take our leave now…”

He maintained his bright smile until he swiftly turned his back to the clerk. He then led Akari with a stone faced expression.

The scene was comparable to that of a lone father leading his daughter out of a store after she unbeknowingly embarrassed him.

Akari didn’t resist, and instead did nothing but look up at the back of Koji's head with a puzzled expression- as if she didn’t know what she did wrong.

Well… she didn’t to be fair.

‘What is wrong with her!!! How is she so inept to these kinds of things!!!’

As Koji reached for the sweaty door handle with his lone hand- the other still leading Akari -a voice called out to him.

“Koji? Is that you???”

The voice was deep and inquisitive. It sounded slightly familiar, but Koji couldn’t exactly put his tongue on it. Until…

‘Wait [Jones’ Recreational]? A disturbingly deep voice..? A building full of body builders???’

Koji turned his head- still piecing together the puzzle. It was then that he met a familiar face.

**

“I see! Well, you're lucky I caught you before you left!” Jones let out a very deep, creeky, chuckle.

Contrary to how one might perceive such an intimidating man, he was surprisingly easy to converse with.

“It seems so…”

Koji paused for a second.

“Wait, why am I lucky..?”

“Hm? Why do you think!” Hardy-Har-Har!”

Koji’s mind was brought astray by the fact that Jones seemingly had multiple different laughs. One moment, he would sound like a harrowing nightmare creature- the other; an old man from a 60’s cartoon.

“Look here, Koji… let’s make a deal…”

Jones’ voice deepened as he shooed away the clerk behind him.

“I’ll give you free use of the gym, if you do something for me…”

Koji grew confused.

What could he possibly do for him?

“…if you ever make it big, I want you to sponsor my gym without pay.”

What?

If Koji ever made it big..?

As in basketball, big???

“I’m sorry… what..?”

Koji couldn’t believe what he was hearing. In fact, neither could his biggest supporter- Akari.

“If you ever make it to the big leagues, I want you to advocate for my gym- which by then, will hopefully be more than just a gym…”

Koji froze.

And it’s no surprise that he did so… After all, this was a very unreasonable request…

Not because it was a hard or unfair request, but because within the deal, lied unwavering faith.

It was… weird.

Koji had lived a past full of expectations casted by his older brother's shadow… but having expectations due to his own abilities..?

It was a new feeling…

…and a good one at that.

“He accepts!”

Suddenly, Akari spoke on Koji’s behalf. One might find this as rude due to the deal not involving her, but Koji didn’t care.

Right now, he was still staring off into his own thoughts.

“I’ll take your word for it then, miss!

Alright then, the gym is yours! I’ll leave you two to it…”

And then, Jones was gone.

And yet, Koji paid him no mind.

Instead, he felt invigorated. In the distant past, there was a time where expectations loomed over him- causing him to crumble…

But now? The expectations which were placed upon Koji, they felt…

‘Good…’

Suddenly, Koji looked at Akari, who was waving goodbye to Jones. She noticed his gaze, and met it with her own.

As she did, Koji smiled.

“Thanks…”

Koji realized he might have been overlooking Akari’s support. He’s expressed his thanks before, and has even admitted to wanting to help her in return… but he’s never really put it all in perspective before…

‘Without Akari, I probably would’ve given up already, huh..?’

“…Thanks for not giving up on me.”

Koji turned around, looked at the packet which Akari stapled together, and walked off towards all the bulky men.

However, Akari didn’t follow. Instead, she stood dazed for a few seconds, then smiled.

Proceeding to catch up to Koji, she tapped on his shoulder and whispered in his ear:

“Of course, Koji~”

**

End Chapter 13:

Support Weighs Nothing