Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817139558660048790/episodes/16817330665605603863
(TL/N : Ok before you say anything, No, this is not a typo, it is now titled as episode 88. The title numbering went up because author san decided to change the prologue and epilogue into chapter numbering.)
“And you’re here with a man?”
“Eh, that Suika?
“……!”
The voices of the seniors brought me back to myself.
The seniors seem to have said this when they saw a man’s bag on the seat in front of me. The way they say it seems to have some sneer in it.
“Haha, you don’t look good in that kind of thing, do you? Unexpected!”
“Right, I thought Suika was just a basketball lover and not interested in that kind of thing at all.”
“That’s right. I’m sure he’s abandoning this woman. But here you come with this fashionable shop guy.…”
“N-No, it’s not like that. ……”
It’s true that I have no interest in anything other than basketball. I’ve always wanted to live like this. But why does that mean I have to be denied my femininity?
Besides, Arase-kun and I are just friends. I came here just because I wanted something sweet. that’s all.
“Is it okay if you don’t practice? you already missed the shot the other day.”
“That’s right. You don’t have anything else to offer other than basketball. If you let a guy pass you in a place like this, he’ll probably pass you again, right?”
“───! I said It’s not like that!”
I couldn’t help but raise my voice. Because of this, I feel like the attention from people around me has suddenly increased, and I feel embarrassed.
“What, you got serious?”
“We’re saying this for Suika’s sake, you know?”
“I’m telling you! Well, next time you might not get a chance to shoot.”
“See you later~”
The seniors probably noticed that the clerks was looking at them as if they wanted to say something, so they said what they wanted to say and disappeared to the back seats.
They had all they wanted to say.
I want to leave this place right now.
My heart was filled with such feelings.
Still, I couldn’t leave here without leaving Arase-kun’s luggage behind.
Fortunately, the seniors’ seats are not in sight from here.
“Hurry up and come back,……Arase-kun,…….”
Then, powerlessly, all I could do was whisper quietly.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
“I made her wait a bit too long ……”
I had a case with Yuri, which ate up more time than I expected.
I made Suika wait more than half an hour too long, even though I came out to tell her I had to go to the toilet.
Shall I pretend I had a stomach ache?
No, or that I didn’t know where the toilet was.
“No, it’s not like I did anything wrong? Well, I just happened to meet Yuri, so why don’t I just be honest and tell her?”
I decide on the content of my excuse while thinking back to what happened earlier.
Honestly speaking, it’s not a coincidence. The reason why I headed to that place was because I could see a future in which Yuri was entangled with those two college students.
I wasn’t expecting Yuri to cry after that, though.
In the first place, rather than making lame excuses, if I honestly explain why I was late in the first place, people will surprisingly forgive it. Human honesty is the best.
Or rather, Suika would normally forgive me.
─ ─ Yes, that’s right! I should have told Suika about it too.
What a thing to say. Yeah, it should be fine.
I don’t have any evidence, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. ……!
For some reason, I finally returned to the café where Suika was waiting for me with a sense of confidence, and returned to my seat.
And before I even get to my seat, I immediately carry out what I decided earlier.
I’m going to take the initiative.
“I’m sorry, Suika.I made you wait a long time.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“No, actually, I ran into Yuri. I was talking to her for a while and we had some time to talk.”
“I see. I’m sorry, can we go out now? I’m a bit tired.”
“O-Ou ……?”
My mind goes blank at the reaction that is diagonally above my imagination. The plan I had made instantly collapsed with a bang.
Then, as I was prompted, Suika and I left the cafe.
“……”
“…..”
And for some reason, me and Suika have become less verbal.
The atmosphere is also somewhat heavy.
“…………”
Awkward.
Oh no, what should I do …… did I make a mistake ……?
Or perhaps she’s angry.
A bead of sweat brushes down my cheek.
Was my excuse from before a bad one?
Did I take advantage of Suika’s kindness too much?
The only thing that comes to mind is that incident.
Let’s look back at the excuses I made once more. This time, put myself in her shoes.
I told Suika to wait for me because I was going to the toilet.
She suggested to wait until after we left the shop, but I refused, saying I would be right back.
But I didn’t come back after such a long time at all.
And when I did come back, I was talking with another friend, leaving the person who had kept me waiting behind.
…… Oh, this usually makes someone angry.
And my first move was to make excuses and I didn’t even apologise.
I am a big fool.
That’s when I finally realised my blunder.
What was that unfounded confidence I had earlier? I’m an idiot.
I must have gotten worked up because I was able to rescue Yuri
…… I apologise. When a human being makes a mistake, it is best to apologise first.
Is that not what I was saying earlier? I don’t know anything about the past.
I only have to look to the future. When I say it, I’m persuasive, aren’t I?
Let’s put such future prediction jokes aside and get on with it.
I cough deliberately to change the atmosphere.
And then…
“Suika.
I’m sorry for earlier—”
“Thanks for today.”
I stopped Suika who was walking in front of me and tried to apologize. But my words were interrupted by Suika, who turned around.
The expression on Suika’s face wasn’t angry, it was just a smile.
What is it ……?
“Thanks to you, Arase-kun, I’m refreshed.
Suika reminded of something I have to do, so why don’t we split up here today?”
“Eh? Ah, yeaah.
It’s fine. ……”
“Well then, Suika will be going home first! Oh, Arase-kun, go home slowly! There’s no need to rush home just because Suika has something to do! ”
“Eh? Wait!?”
“See you at school!”
Suika waved at me and in the blink of an eye, she blended into the crowd and disappeared towards the station.
“…… What do you mean?”
Before I could even catch my breath, she said goodbye and I was left alone, unsure of what was going on, so all I could do was whisper.
Is this that thing? Refusal to apologise?
“No, but …… I don’t understand.”
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
“Haa….”
I let out a small breath as I parted ways with Arase-kun and boarded the train alone.
There are various emotions mixed in there, including anxiety, relief, and regret.
I did something bad to Arase-kun.
Even though he had invited me to hang out with him, I came back like this.
In my head, I replay the words my seniors said to me at that cafe.
──Even though that kind of thing doesn’t suit you. Surprising!
── I think he’s definitely abandoning you. But you came here with this fashionable shop guy. I just noticed the color…
──I hope the man doesn’t pass you
──Next time, you might not get a chance to shoot.
I knew the other day that those seniors didn’t think well of me. At that time, it was said behind my back, but I never expected it to be said directly like this.
I’ve lived my whole life thinking only about basketball, no matter what I had to put aside.
But when I worked hard at practice, I was told I was too intense, and this is what I get for just playing with boys for a bit of relaxation.
It’s not that I was looking for something like that. I was just playing normally.
“──..”
I hold back the tears that are about to come out.
It’s frustrating.
It’s the same with basketball, and above all, …….
“…………”
But I shake my head and shake off the bad feelings.
“It’s okay …….”
Then I tell myself as if they were magic words.
I’ve had similar experiences in the past.
I’ve been used to being told that I look like a man.
Also, what my seniors said about basketball is true.
Simply because I wasn’t good enough. That’s all there is to it.
I’m sorry to Arase-kun, but it wasn’t the time to be playing.
What I lacked was the amount of practice. And a strong mentality.
If I had shot with confidence at that time, that wouldn’t have happened. That shot went off because I had doubts about whether I was good enough.
“I need to practise more.”
I muttered another small determination, went home, changed my clothes and headed for the park.
───────
(A/N:
Thank you for waiting for the update.
While Arase was away, something happened that gouged Suika’s heart, but Arase-kun was unaware of it.
Will he be able to save Suika’s heart safely?
I look forward to your feedback!)
(TL/N : It’s been too long, author san)
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Welp, back to chapter 1 i guess. I forgot all the plot
lmao actually me too