Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093605365078/episodes/16818622170443574665
Weekend.
I went to the local gymnasium in the next town over to watch Haruto’s game.
I took the train in the opposite direction from the one I usually take to school.
As we had discussed in advance, Hinayo was on the train.
“G-good morning, Hirakawa kun.”
“Good morning, Nishimeya san. Thank you for taking the trouble to get on the same train with me.”
“N-no, no, this is nothing to worry about……”
Hinayo lives near the high school. Naturally, the closest station to her is the one I always get off at on my way to school.
This time, the train was going in the opposite direction, so I had contacted Hinayo, who had boarded the train earlier to meet up with her, to find out which car I was in and where I was sitting.
The reason why I did this was because Haruto said that I was unguarded and dangerous.
This is partly because I’m a resident of the original world, but apparently I also give off the vibe that I myself am an easy target for women.
……Really?
I’m just a plain, simple, shady guy…….
Well, okay.
“This might be the first time I’ve ever seen a basketball game outside of gym class.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, I guess I’m the same. I’ve been friends with Haruto since middle school, but I’ve never been to a game.”
“Was he regular in junior high school?
“Yeah. He’s tall and in shape, and he loves basketball so much that he practices it whenever he has free time. He got good at it, and before I knew it, he was a regular player by the time he was in his second year of middle school.”
“That’s amazing……he’s like the main character in a manga.”
“Indeed. He’s the type of guy who becomes invincible without even realizing it.”
The main character is the type of protagonist that is common in trendy web novels.
He’s laid-back, but before you know it, he’s become skilled and powerful without even realizing it.
Haruto is just like that on the basketball team.
Despite that, he is very friendly, has a dazzling smile, and is kind to everyone.
He is tall, thin, and macho, which makes him very popular with the girls.
Haruhito is very popular with girls.
There are too many elements of attractiveness that I can’t imitate even if I wanted to.
I’m sure that Nishimeya san will be immediately captivated by Haruto after watching today’s match.
“I’ve never ridden the train on this side of the line before, by the way.”
“I see. I hardly ever go to the local gym in the next town, and if I want to go to a big city, I have to go in the opposite direction.”
“I mean, it’s kind of scary when you’re in an unfamiliar place.”
“I know what you mean. I have to be sure not to get off at the wrong station.”
In the meantime, we arrived at our destination station.
As we arrived at the municipal gymnasium while having a casual conversation, Hinayo had a look of relief on her face.
I know, it’s scary to worry about getting lost in an unfamiliar place.
Come to think of it, Hinayo doesn’t seem to get so nervous when she talks to me anymore.
If she can become more confident, she should be able to talk with anyone. This is the first step. I think it’s a very good sign.
Walking along the concourse of the gymnasium, I came across our high school basketball team warming up.
Among them was Haruto, who stood out from the crowd.
“Hey, Haruto.”
“Ah, Asahi and Nishimeya san ! You came !”
“I came to watch my best friend’s big day. How many points are you going to get today?”
“Well, I hope to get about fifty points. Just kidding.”
I don’t know much about basketball, so at the time, I just replied with a “Wow,” but later I found out that the record for individual scoring in a single game in the Japanese professional league is 45 points.
Is he planning on going pro?
“Thank you for coming, Nishimeya san.”
“N-no, I’m not that…….”
“It’s not often that people come to watch basketball games, so I’m very happy that you came.”
“I-it’s not that big of a deal…….”
“I’ll do my best, so please support me. I’m gonna continue practicing, I’ll see you later.”
Haruto returned to the group of basketball club members warming up.
What’s wrong with him? His attitude towards Hinayo is just like how you would treat someone you like.
He definitely likes Hinayo. I know because we’ve known each other for a long time.
Hinayo and I have been through a lot……but that was an accident and…..it can’t be helped.
From now on, I’ll focus on assisting Hinayo and Haruto so that they can get together. Yup.
Hinayo and I sat down on the seats in the gymnasium.
There was still some time left before the game started, and the floor was busy with basketball teams from other schools practicing with the ball and mopping the floor at a ridiculously fast pace.
“H-Hirakawa-kun, aren’t you thirsty?”
“Oh, I’m a little thirsty. This gym is air-conditioned and dry, isn’t it?”
“I-I’ll go get something for you……!”
“Eh you don’t have to worry about that. Actually, I have a bad feeling about Nishimeya san buying me drinks…”
I remember the herbal tea the other day.
Well, I guess she’ll probably buy it from a vending machine, so something like that won’t happen.
“Oh, yeah, that was, you see, an……accident, so……”
“T-that’s right, that was an accident. …..”
“Yes, that’s why I’ll buy it !”
As if shaking off her evil thoughts, Hinayo ran off to where the vending machine was.
I didn’t say what I wanted to drink, so I wondered if that was okay.
I can drink anything, so I’m not too worried about that, but I’d rather not have corn potage or sweetened rice porridge.
Suddenly, I looked across the court at the other side of the auditorium.
There I saw a familiar figure.
She had ash brown hair that stood out a bit, and she was dressed a bit like a gal, and for some reason she was holding a pair of binoculars and looking at the basketball players on the floor.
“…..Hm? Isn’t that Sotogahama san over there?”
Yes, for some reason, Riria had also come to watch the basketball game.
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