Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093087122434729/episodes/16818622177457190681
“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. Ever since I talked to you last week, I’ve been excited about competing in something like this.”
It was the first day of the sports festival. The venue was the gymnasium. The event was women’s basketball.
The opponents were the third-year Green Team and the first-year Red Team.
Due to time constraints, the game was not played according to the official rules of four 10-minute quarters, but was a simplified two-quarter game.
“Are you sure? You’re a pianist, right? What if you hurt your fingers?”
Red jerseys. Led by Hisui Shiramine, the Red Team was the favorite to win, with three members of the basketball club.
On the other hand, the third-year students, led by student council president Sanada Tsubaki, had only one member of the basketball club, and the difference in strength was obvious.
“Then, let’s start the first round. The game between the first-year Red Team and the third-year Green Team.”
In the early stages, the game went as expected.
The Green Team defended, and the Red Team attacked. It was a one-sided game. With three minutes remaining in the first quarter, the score was 20-8, more than double the difference.
However…
“Well, well. Is it about time?”
The Green Team showed their true colors in the second quarter. …No, rather than that.
“Ugh, my legs are heavy!”
Suddenly, the Red Team’s movements began to slow down.
“Everyone… Why?”
Shiramine, who received the pass, was surrounded by two players but was looking for someone to pass the ball to.
But she couldn’t find anyone. Her teammates, who had been there just a few minutes ago, were now gasping for breath behind her.
“It’s only natural, nothing out of the ordinary is happening… Shiramine Hisui-kun.”
A hand wearing a black glove reached out from Shiramine’s field of vision. The ball was snatched away as it passed between her hands, and the player began to dribble.
It was Sanada Tsubaki
In an instant, Sanada reached the three-point line and sent the ball into the air with a textbook form.
“Our Green Team’s game plan was to defend in the first half and wear down your stamina. Like a spider slowly spinning its web, waiting for its prey in the second half. You know?”
“Damn!”
The ball arched high into the air, then fell into the net like it was being sucked in.
Sanada didn’t even wait to see if her shot went in. She turned around and started walking back to her own side.
“I may not have overwhelming physical ability, but there’s nothing I can’t do with these fingertips.”
Without touching the rim, the ball slipped through the net.
“Now, here we go. This is where our real game begins.”
As she said, the momentum shifted dramatically after that three-point shot.
The red team, lacking in stamina, was completely overwhelmed in the remaining time, gradually closing the point gap.
And then, the second quarter ended with the whistle.
“Please line up.”
At the referee’s words, the green and red team students lined up along the center line.
“The score is 34 to 26, with the green team winning.”
The students surrounding the court erupted in cheers.
“Way to go, president! You’re so cool!” “Wow… they pulled off a comeback victory.”
Amidst the cheers and applause, the two faced each other.
“…That was amazing. I didn’t know you were so good at basketball.”
Shiramine, still feeling frustrated, took a deep breath to calm herself down before saying,
The player with the most points was Sanada Tsubaki . She scored four 3-point shots and five 2-point shots. She played brilliantly, scoring a total of 22 points by herself.
“Well, despite how I look, I don’t dislike sports.”
“Is that so?”
“So, I win the bet, Shiramine-kun.”
“…A promise is a promise. I have no right to stop you.”
“That’s right. I like your honesty. Then, I’ll take you up on your offer and ask Hayami-kun out on a date next week.”
The other day, a secret agreement was made in the student council room.
It was that “if Sanada Tsubaki wins against Shiramine Hisui in the ball game tournament, she will askH ayami Ren out on a date.”
＊＊＊
“I never thought I’d end up competing against you in baseball, Ren.”
Wearing a gym uniform, helmet, and bat, his fresh-faced expression was filled with joy.
“Just get ready already, Aota.”
I was standing behind home plate, in what should have been the catcher’s box… but it wasn’t.
“Please, Hayami!”
“Yeah. Don’t get your hopes up, okay? I’ve hardly ever thrown a ball before.”
I replied to Itakura’s voice from the bench, as if to cover myself.
I hate it when people have unrealistic expectations of me. I’ve never even pitched before.
Ah, if only I had magic power, I could beat Aota too.
That’s right, I was on the mound in the final game of the boys’ baseball tournament.
“Pheww, well… how did this happen?”
Before throwing the first pitch, I looked up at the sky with its towering cumulus clouds….
….Haaa, why did it have to turn out like this? Really.
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