Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093087122434729/episodes/16818622177557962571
Under the blue sky, we, the second-year students of the Green Team, waited on the bench for the game to start.
Finally, the first game of the first round ended, and it was our turn.
“Oh, no. I’m getting nervous…”
I took a deep breath to calm my trembling heart.
Wow. I haven’t been this nervous since watching the announcement of my favorite singer being selected for the Red and White Song Contest.
“Even you get nervous?”
My neighbor, Itakura, seemed completely unfazed, munching on a banana for some reason.
“Well, yeah…”
“It’s just like usual, right?”
The purpose of the sports festival is to deepen friendships through sports, regardless of grade level. In other words, except for one thing, it’s no different from a regular physical education class.
However, the reason I ended up feeling nervous was because of that one thing.
That is…
“The tournament… It’s been so long since I’ve been in a situation where there’s a clear winner and loser… It’s a little scary.”
“Yeah, you’re right. If we lose, it’s over.”
Our first-round opponent is the second-year White Team. They have three baseball club members. We have four, including Itakura, so there shouldn’t be much of a difference in strength.
However.
“Hey, I know it’s too late now, but are you sure I should be the catcher?”
“Man, that’s really too late.”
“…Just a little.”
Apparently, I’m feeling sentimental, which is unusual for me.
I’ve made sufficient and necessary efforts. However, I still can’t help but wonder if there was something more I should have done.
“Ren-senpai? What’s wrong? Why do you look like that?”
“Huh? …No, it’s just my imagination.”
Shiramine should be playing in the second or third round of basketball right now.
“Muu, Senpai. Ren-senpai.”
“Eh, is that you?”
When I turned my face toward the voice, I saw Shiramine with her cheeks puffed out in dissatisfaction.
“Hey, why are you here, Shiramine?”
“I lost, so I came to cheer you on. How about it? Aren’t you happy?”
“Yeah, I’m happy. But…”
Shiramine lost? When I watched a little practice the other day, not only Shiramine herself, but the entire first-year red team seemed to be quite strong.
Shiramine seemed to have read my mind, and she pursed her lips slightly like a duck.
“Ren-senpai. There’s still about fifteen minutes until the match starts, right? Can we talk for a moment?”
“Um, well…”
I felt like I should concentrate as much as possible right now. Just as I thought that, I was elbowed in the side.
“Hayami, go on. Value your time with her more than this silly tournament.”
“Itakura… you…”
Huh, that was pretty cool, wasn’t it? If only his legs weren’t shaking, it would have been perfect.
“Thank you. I’ll be going now.”
I stood up and left the field with Shiramine.
Perhaps because it was in the middle of the ball game tournament, there were few students in the school building.
It was just right for a leisurely conversation.
As we walked side by side down the hallway, Shiramine suddenly said,
“President Sanada really impressed me. Honestly, who is that person?”
“I wonder who she is. To be honest, she seems superhuman.”
Sports, academics, and music. She excels at everything.
Of course, it’s probably due to her own efforts, but at this level, it’s hard to believe that’s all there is to it.
“She’s dazzling… I really envy her.”
When did it start? When did I start feeling inferior when I saw people like her?
My own efforts are like a drop in the bucket, and there are always people above me, but I still feel helplessly frustrated.
“Are you okay, Senpai?”
When I realized it, I had stopped walking, and in front of me was Shiramine’s anxious face.
“Shiramine, you know you’re going to lose, but you still have to try… That’s why…”
After saying that, I suddenly realized something. I noticed that Shiramine was looking at me with a serious expression.
“Ah, haha. Sorry, what am I saying? That’s not like me.”
I tried to cover it up, but it was too late.
“Is that about you and Hasegawa-senpai?”
Shiramine’s eyes, narrowed slightly more than usual, seemed to see right through me.
“…If that’s the case?”
“Yes, that’s right. I don’t like it very much.”
“Eh?”
Unexpected answer, I blurted out a question mark.
“I don’t want to lose. I think everyone feels that way. No one wants to look down.”
“…That’s true.”
Losing is painful. It’s hard. It feels like your past is being denied. Your legs shake, and your heart shrinks.
I’ve experienced it over and over again.
Every time I lose a match, and every time I chase after him.
“But I think it’s because we look down that we can find our place in the world. We look down, we cry, we suffer, and then… we all look up.”
Yes. It’s frustrating. Shiramine’s words shake me to the core.
“I won’t be disappointed if you run away from here today, Ren-senpai. I won’t hate you. But…”
Shiramine took a deep breath, looking a little nervous, and continued.
“I won’t make you omurice anymore.”
Shiramine’s serious expression disappeared, and she smiled.
I was drawn in and smiled too.
“…Haha! I see. That’s tough.”
I didn’t want to never eat Shiramine’s omelet rice again.
“Come on, Ren-senpai. Let’s go back. Don’t worry. If you lose, your cute junior will pat you on the head and comfort you.”
Shiramine said slyly and grabbed my hand.
“Okay. I understand. If I lose, I’ll ask you to do that.”
“What?! Are you serious?!”
Oh, it seems that I’ve scored a rare counterattack. Shiramine’s face turns bright red.
“Shiramine-san, you too.”
My heart feels lighter. Much lighter than before. Losing is not the end. Thinking that way, I wasn’t afraid anymore.
The match began.
I put on my mask and sat down.
“Play ball!”
The referee is really into it. I’m glad he’s having fun.
Well then.
“Alright! Let’s go! Hayami!”
“Please go easy on me.”
And so, the first match began.
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