Episode 49 – Where Wishes Go

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792436954848512 “I like you. Please go out with me.” Huh…? Everything in my field of vision seemed to be turning pitch black. A sharp pain shot through my left chest, as if it were tearing apart. I thought, No, I can’t. When I came to my senses, my body was already moving. As if … Read more

Episode 48 – I want to be by your side, though?

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792436946215514 Today—I got to see Akito’s face from the very morning. For the first time in days, I walked to school with him. The kids in class were surprised. They teased me a bit too… but somehow, it didn’t feel unpleasant. Before homeroom, I helped Akito with his studies. It had been a while … Read more

Episode 47 – Resurrection?

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792436863291819 The lunch bell rang, and at the same moment, Suzukita-san called out to me. Lately, Suzukita-san hasn’t been going to buy that amazing curry bread anymore. She says she just got bored with it. That fickle vibe—that’s exactly what makes her a gal. Yeah. “Ayatachi! Let’s go to lunch!” “Mm, got it.” As … Read more

Episode 45 – The morning after a crushing defeat

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792436798365059 The sports festival ended without incident, and the next day arrived. It was nearing the end of June, yet the muggy weather persisted as usual. I hate this time of year’s heat the most. The oppressive humidity always makes it impossible for me to fall asleep. No… this time, that’s just an excuse. … Read more

Side Story – The state of my childhood friend…

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792435517281755 A mini-celebration for the sports day—that notification had arrived in the group chat of our five childhood friends. It was Sena who’d suggested it. Yuri’s in a different class, I thought, but well, if he’s up for it, then fine. ‘What shall we do?’ asked Renka, walking beside me. I hesitated just a … Read more

Episode 44 – Gently, leaning against

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792435506958388 “Akito! I’m so glad I finally found you!” The girl before me—Fujisaki Renka—grinned happily. Meanwhile, I could only blink, wide-eyed. “Fujisaki? Why are you here…?” “I came looking for you. I thought maybe you’d be here.” Saying that, Fujisaki started walking towards me. For some reason, she was still wearing her uniform, just … Read more

Episode 43 – Pathetic

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792435503909008 After losing the match, I remember my mind going completely blank. In the end…the score was 28-140. After that, instead of catching up, we just kept falling further behind. In the final stretch, Team A’s players—they started mercilessly targeting the hole in our defense that was me. My pointless taunting of Machida kun … Read more

Episode 42 – To convey

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792435499956446 The final whistle echoed through the gymnasium.In the end—Akito and his team had lost.The score was 28-140. The comeback that started with Akito’s three-pointer…quickly lost momentum, and from there on, Class A dominated the game. “Ahhh! Akito kun’s lost.” Sena messed up her hair with a sigh. Next to her, Hideki was saying … Read more

Episode 41 – [Do your best]

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792435496538509 ――I heard my childhood friend’s voice.It was an unfamiliar, slightly raspy sound. I think it was her best effort at cheering, given she usually didn’t raise her voice much. That voice propelled me forward.I caught the pass. The timing couldn’t have been better.I positioned the ball in front of my face. My body … Read more

Episode 40 – My true feelings

Source https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792435486307653 The men’s basketball game began, and finally entered the fourth quarter. The score was 18-111. Right after the start, they conceded a three-point shot, and the gap widened again. We watched the outcome of the game from the second floor of the gymnasium. But…the atmosphere was so heavy that no one could speak. … Read more