Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817139558660048790/episodes/16818093076662174226
Two days have passed since I promised Suika. It is sunny today.
The temperature is still over 30 degrees Celsius even though it is June, and I feel like a cicada that has fallen to the ground before the summer season begins.
Well, I’m glad they’ve replaced.
I can’t help but think so.
If they continue to be exposed to direct sunlight at these temperatures, they will surely dry up.
But a gymnasium is also a gymnasium, and it’s hard to keep the heat in. Especially during the rainy season, the humidity makes me feel like I am going crazy.
Putting all that aside, today is the ball game tournament. Incidentally, it is an event for second-year students only.
Although it is just a school event, this school’s ball game tournament is said to be heated every year. The reason for this is that the winning class is given meal vouchers for the school cafeteria.
For high school students with little allowance, these meal coupons are said to be irreplaceable. Another reason may be the lack of entertainment in the countryside. As was the case at the mountain climbing event, students tend to enjoy such events.
My event was basketball. I told Kirihara-sensei that Sakai and I had been asked to change, and my wish was granted.
I’m glad I didn’t have to use soccer to convey the joy of basketball…
It had been almost three years since I had played a real game, except for a 1-on-1 with Suika.
“I’m getting anxious.”
I muttered quietly so that no one could hear me. It might be okay for a short amount of time, but since I don’t do much exercise other than PE time, I feel like if I were to play a game, my legs would get stiff and crampy.
Still, I had to achieve my goal today even if my legs were torn up.
I want to remind Suika of the joy of basketball.
And I want her to believe my words. Suika can do well. I have to show her that.
That is why I made a promise to Suika that day.
◇
“I’ll make Suika remember the joy of basketball once again.”
“……How”
“I’m going to play basketball in a ball game tournament. I will win there.”
“How does that make Suika more confident?”
“I don’t know. But if I win the championship, then what I said will not be a lie, right? Suika will be able to have fun with her teammates again.
Make those words an opportunity to believe in yourself.”
“……It’s impossible even for Arase-kun to win the championship. Because the basketball team is also going to be there. Our men’s basketball team is pretty strong and famous. ……”
“That’s why. If it’s not that difficult, it won’t be convincing, right? It may be a cheap word, but please believe me. I’m going to win for Suika. So if I win, even though Suika thinks it’s impossible. I want Suika to believe my words and have the courage to run into her teammates.”
◇
Although I said that in a good tone, it would be really difficult to win the championship in reality.
The ball game tournament, in which two teams per class participate, has eight classes, so the four teams are divided into four leagues.
The four teams that finish first will remain in the tournament and compete for the championship. It is so well organized that it is hard to believe that it is just a ball game tournament.
Moreover, the current basketball team will be participating in the tournament. And there are no basketball players on my team.
What’s more, my legs might stop moving halfway through. I’ve been working out late at the park the past few days, but I’m far from my prime.
And I have other problems with my legs besides physical fitness.
It’s not fatigue, but an injury I sustained after Akina’s death.
Isn’t that pretty bad?
“Oh, what’s wrong, Arase? You’re not in good spirits.”
“You’re really high-spirited, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am! I’m going to be active here, and a future of being popular awaits me!”
I envy this confidence. In fact, it would be a complete turnaround if I were to lose confidence by trying to give it to someone else.
Maybe I should take a lesson from Sasaoka.
“I guess even Sasaoka can be useful sometimes.”
“Yeah!”
It sounds like a compliment, but it’s not, but Sasaoka doesn’t care, so it’s okay.
“Are you sure you’re okay like that?”
I turned to look in the direction I heard the voice and there was Yuri, dressed in her gym uniform. Behind her was Kurase, also in gym clothes.
“Ito-kun, good morning.”
“Good morning, Kurase.”
“Why didn’t you say hello to me!?”
“…… Good morning, Yuri”
“G-good morning.”
What is it. I greeted you properly, but it’s going to be weird. You’re not used to being called by your name yet.
Both Yuri and Kurase have their long hair tied tightly back in a single knot and seem to be in exercise mode. Both look good in ponytails.
Perhaps men in general have a weakness for this hairstyle.
But Yuri looks unusually motivated today.
“It’s rare to see you in such a high spirits. Are you the type to enjoy every event that much?”
“T-That’s because Nakashiro says unnecessary things ……! Anyway, I was just thinking that since I was going to do it, I would try to win the championship! You should see me in action!”
“Go for it”
If you’re going to go that far, then I can’t not watch women’s basketball. I’m also interested in Suika.
“……”
“What’s up?”
“W-What if? If I win, give me a reward.”
“Is a reward supposed to be a request in a commanding tone?”
“A-anyway! I’m going to contribute to the class, so you can give me that much!”
As Yuri said, winning is a big point for winning food coupons.
In this ball game tournament, the rankings in the various competitions are converted into points and the total points are used to compete.
“Then, if I win, is there any reward?”
“T-that’s …… fine! If you win, I’ll do anything you say!”
“That’s a big one. Are you sure you want to make a promise like that?”
“……n-no dirty orders!!”
“I won’t.”
What are you talking about when you made that promise on your own?
“Well, okay. If I win, you’ll do whatever I say.”
Before I knew it, she had decided on the same reward from me. I don’t mind though
“But isn’t winning a championship pretty hard to do? The basketball team will be there, too, right?”
“Yeah, but we have an ex-basketball team, too, you know?”
“Ex-basketball team?”
“Nanami!”
“Eh!? Really?!”
“Heheeh.”
Kurase scratched her cheek shyly.
It was unexpected. Kurase had an image of being rather inept at sports.
“a former top eight in the prefectural tournament!”
“Oh! Why does …… Yuri look so proud of her?”
“That’s how great Nanami is!”
“That’s not true at all! Now that you mention it, Yuuri-chan isn’t even on the basketball team, and she’s not very good at it! As a former member of the basketball team, I don’t think she’s any worse.”
“fufuunn, I’m sure we’ll win the championship!”
Is that so? That seems like a possibility. Still, it seems like it depends on Suika.
I’m sorry to say this, but Suika is currently active, so I think her ability is vastly different from someone with more experience.
“Oh, and since you’re here, Nanami, do yourself a favor.”
“Favor?”
“Yes, if we win, Arase will do whatever we ask.”
“Wait a minute.”
Why is the scope of the competition extending to Kurase!
“A-Anything! D-Does that mean he’ll replace the broken light bulb in my house?!”
“Is that how it’s going to be ……?”
I would change that much anytime if asked, but on a much smaller scale. Again, Kurase’s naturalness comes into play.
I mean, why don’t you ask your father to do that?
“I’m sure Arase will do that for you anytime. Think of something even more amazing than that!”
“Heheh, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
I wonder what she will ask me to do. And since they are both on the same team, that means that if they win, I will have to listen to both of them.
“I can’t not hear you talking like that! Senpai, if I win, please listen to me too!”
Then I looked back at the voice and saw Yuyu for some reason.
“There won’t be a ball game tournament in the first year. I mean, classes are about to start soon, so why are you here?”
“Of course not! It’s to see how cool senpai is! If I cheer you on, you’ll do your best, right?”
“…………”
Yuyu crosses her arms with a mischievous smile on her face.
I don’t deny it, but I want it to stop because it’s becoming hot hot. However, this girl has really changed. Before, she would never have skipped class.
“W-Wait a minute, Mitani san? Aren’t you getting too attached?”
“Ah, Good morning, Asagiri-senpai!
But this is normal? If you don’t mind, how about senpai join too?”
“M-Me too!?”
“Stop it!”
I shook Yuyu off with a joke and her mouth twitched and she made a disappointed face.
…… why is even Yuri making the same kind of face?
“By the way, Mitani-san, how are you going to win the ball game tournament if you aren’t even participating in it?”
“Eh? If senpai win, I’ll have him listen to what I have to say.”
“T-that’s so sneaky!! You didn’t do anything!”
“Yes. Asagiri-senpai, please do your best!”
She just jumped it. Can you please continue the conversation without me?
“Araase!!”
“Woah!”
What is it this time? I thought, but there was a girl who physically climbed on my back.
From the sound of her voice, it was Fujibayashi.
Fujibayashi was also unusually participating in the ball game. I’m sure she’s probably not in good shape to attend.
And please don’t let me get this feeling on my back.
“Sana!”
“Ah, good morning. Yuuricchi! What were you talking about?”
“About how Arase will do whatever we say if we win.”
“Hee~, really?”
The conversation spread rapidly.
Then Fujibayashi grinned. She is thinking of something bad, isn’t she?
“Well, I don’t have to win to be heard!”
““……!””
Ah, …….
“What do you mean, Arase!?”
“What do you mean, senpai?!”
“N-no, Ito-kun! Don’t make any dirty wishes!”
I’m really tired before it even starts. Give me a break. ……
(TL/N : BTW, this series has been adapted into manga, you guys should check it out!!
https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_005690_S/episodes/KC_0056900000300011_E?episodeType=latest)
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