Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093087122434729/episodes/16818622177435684819
I have a kind of habit.
It’s something I’ve been doing thoroughly as a friend of A, so it’s something I created myself, but anyway.
“Kazekawa? You look a little down.”
“Really?”
In the classroom, I put my bag on my desk and glanced diagonally in front of me, where I saw Kazekawa.
She looked a little down, or rather, she seemed to be looking down.
“Is something wrong?”
“Well… um…”
She tried to cover it up, but she couldn’t seem to do so, and Kazekawa smiled awkwardly.
“I’m not good at sports, so I can’t really get into the atmosphere of the sports festival.”
“Oh, I see.”
Indeed, I couldn’t imagine Kazekawa being good at sports. During the sports festival in middle school, she was reading a book in the corner.
“Hayami-kun is lucky, he’s good at sports.”
“Well, I’m not that good at it either. It’s just that I can do it…”
“That’s impressive enough. I take almost ten seconds to run fifty meters!”
Ahaha, after laughing pitifully, Kazekawa sighed deeply.
“…I want to be useful to everyone too.”
“Umm…”
It’s too late to do anything about Kazekawa between now and the day of the event. Besides, if it were something that could be solved that easily, she wouldn’t be worrying about it in the first place.
…It’s not exactly an alternative plan, but…
“Then, cheer them on. Cheer on those who are trying their best, okay?”
“But that’s all I can do…”
“No, no, it’s amazing, you know? The effect of cheering. Right Aota?”
I turned around and called out to my best friend.
“Huh, what is it, Ren?”
“You’re happy when people cheer you on, right?”
“Of course! It gives me maximum motivation! Maximum spirit! And somehow, I feel like I get better at it.”
Aota exaggeratedly emphasized his biceps by bending his arm above his shoulder.
“See? Even if it’s not a big deal to Kazekawa, it can be quite powerful for the person receiving it.”
“Umm, yeah. I get it. I’ll try my best to cheer them on.”
“Alright,” Kazekawa said, lifting his face. It seemed he had managed to provide some encouragement after all.
“Alright, class is about to start. Everyone, take your seats!”
Aoi sensei entered the classroom. I hurriedly made my way to my seat.
“Hayami-kun”
“Hm?”
“Thank you. I’ll make sure to cheer you on properly too!”
“Got it. Count on me.”
And so, class began.
＊＊＊
“Alright, let’s go, Hayami.”
“Yeah.”
It was lunchtime. Itakura and I were behind the school building.
Of course, our purpose was to practice. We were doing it here because it would be too conspicuous to do it on the field.
“Here we go!”
“!”
Yesterday, I couldn’t catch the slider. It’s a sharp, sliding ball.
I relaxed my grip and read the trajectory. And then…
“Yes!”
“Wow! You did it!”
The mitt caught the ball perfectly, and a crisp sound rang out.
“…Phew, that’s good.”
It was worth staying up late last night watching videos on my smartphone.
“You’re amazing! Even our catcher wouldn’t give a sign on a three-ball count!”
“Oh, yeah.”
Why is he happier than me? Well, I know he’s a good guy.
“Well, I think we’re good for now.”
“Huh? You seem pretty confident, Hayami. Just so you know, Hasegawa hit both this pitch and the curveball in gym class the other day.”
“I know. I saw it.”
“Then why are you so confident?”
“It’s simple. I can tell right away which ball he’s going for.”
“Huh!?”
That’s right, what I’m hiding. My habit is to observe people close to me deeply.
It’s a habit of observing habits, or rather, to put it simply, that’s how it is.
“Aota seems to hit the ball as it comes, but in fact, he was a little late last time… He hit it with power, though.”
“Really? Even I, a member of the baseball team, didn’t notice that…”
“It might be difficult from the mound. Was it the next batter’s circle? I could see it clearly from there.”
It’s precisely because he lacks fine technique that Aota’s habits are easy to spot.
“You’re in the after-school going home club, right?”
“Yeah, so?”
“Why don’t you join the baseball team?”
“No thanks.”
“Damn, you could probably make the starting lineup right away.”
Our baseball team is a powerhouse. It’s impossible.
“Well, I’ll just go to volleyball practice after school. Speaking of which, what did Itakura choose for his other club?”
“Soccer. Basketball and volleyball aren’t my thing.”
“…I see. Good luck.”
Well, that’s a relief. I think I can beat Aota at baseball.
However, things don’t always go so smoothly. I had forgotten something so simple.
＊＊＊
The day of the sports festival finally arrived.
Large tents were lined up on the field, and white lines were drawn. The headquarters was next to the soccer field.
“We swear! We, the students, will do our best and fight fairly in accordance with sportsmanship!”
A loud voice echoed from the morning assembly platform. It was a familiar, refreshing yet powerful voice.
“Hasegawa-kun is so cool, isn’t he?”
“That’s right.”
…Girls. That’s so true. Yes.
I silently agreed with the conversation of the girls next to me.
“Next, we have the opening declaration by Student Council President Tsubaki Sanada.”
After bowing, Aota stepped down from the stage and President Sanada took the microphone in his place.
“Well, it would be rude of me to say too much. So, just one word.”
A cough echoed.
“I hereby declare the start of the ball game tournament.”
“Woohoo!”
The students, lined up as if ready to explode, erupted in excitement.
“Alright, Hayami. Let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
The sports festival is divided into two days. The first day features baseball and basketball, while the second day features soccer and volleyball.
In other words, the baseball game is about to begin.
“Let’s win, Itakura.”
“You bet, Hayami.”
Despite being a makeshift battery, their motivation is at maximum. Not bad.
“…Oh, right, Itakura. I have a suggestion.”
“Hm, what is it?”
“Until we face Aota’s team, let’s ban breaking balls?”
“…Huh?”
Second catcher Hayami Ren. Finally, it’s time for his debut.
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