Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792435374616599
At Sena’s request, I joined the basketball team for the sports festival.
I was definitely on the basketball team in junior high school, but that was two years ago. Recently, I haven’t been exercising outside of PE class, and I don’t have the confidence to move like I used to.
So, at the very least, I have to practice hard so I don’t cause any trouble for Sena and the others. With that in mind, I kept trying my best.
Two weeks have passed, and tomorrow is finally the day of the sports festival.
After finishing guitar club practice, I went home, took a shower, and got into the bath…but then, suddenly, I became afraid of tomorrow.
If we lose because of me, Sena will surely be sad. She probably won’t blame me, but then I’ll blame myself.
To prevent that from happening, I want to practice a little more. With that in mind, I quickly changed clothes and headed to the nearby park.
I arrived after 8 PM.
The basketball court was already dark, and…there was someone else there.
“—Eh, Akito…?”
I blurted it out and quickly covered my mouth with my hand.
Then I hid behind a nearby cherry tree.
…My chest tightened. I never expected to run into him here.
(Oh, right. Akito was practicing on his own…)
I peeked out and looked at Akito.
He was still in his school uniform, practicing his shots diligently. Large beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.
(Good job, Akito. You must be working hard for Sena’s sake…)
Sena is competitive. And when it comes to sports, she’s incredible.
Kind-hearted Akito is probably practicing on his own because he cares about Sena. Just to improve the class’s win rate a little.
Thinking that, my chest suddenly felt tight and painful.
(…Yeah. I should go home, right…)
Because.
I said something terrible to Akito.
I tried to apologize for it, but in the end, I couldn’t do it properly.
Sena kept apologizing to me. But…Sena isn’t at fault. It was me who did terrible things to Akito.
And I…
Since that day…I haven’t even been able to talk to Akito, let alone see his face.
But it can’t be helped.
I’ve said terrible things to Akito many times before. I used our childhood friendship as an excuse and took advantage of his kindness.
As a result…I think I’ve hurt Akito a lot.
So, this is only natural retribution.
(…It’s all my fault. I’m really sorry, Akito…)
One day, Akito told me he wanted to keep his distance from me.
At first, I couldn’t accept it. Going to school became really unpleasant. I thought about skipping school every day.
But…I felt like that would cause more trouble for Akito.
So I decided to follow Akito’s words.
I kept my distance from him. I focused on that and managed to keep going to school.
From then on, every day was incredibly painful.
It was agonizing to see Akito blatantly avoiding me. I hated hearing his voice as he talked normally with others. Every time I saw his smile, which he never showed me, my heart ached. Every time I remembered those things, I cried in secret.
Ah—this must be my punishment.
Thinking that, I endured it desperately. I tried my best to accept a daily life without Akito.
I thought that was the only way I could atone for what I had done to him.
Not getting involved with Akito was the best way to make him happy.
(……..Akito—)
I had to leave before he noticed me.
But I wanted to see him one last time.
Akito had been shooting dozens of shots since earlier. He had a serious expression on his face, one he never showed to anyone else.
…That’s right. He’s usually lazy, but when it comes down to it, he works harder than anyone else.
Seeing Akito’s back as he silently continued practicing alone, I…
(He’s so cool.)
I was completely mesmerized.
Before I knew it, I had lost track of time.
I was standing there motionless. Then,
“…..Renka?”
I heard his voice.
Our eyes met.
Renka—he was calling my name like he used to.
“Ah…sorry, Fujisaki. It’s just a habit of mine…”
Akito looked away from me, looking embarrassed.
I couldn’t say anything back. My mind felt completely empty.
…I think I was so captivated by his determined figure that I ended up like that.
“Oh, right. Fujisaki, you’re practicing too…well, I’ll be going home then.”
That’s when I finally snapped out of it. I finally managed to think, “What should I do?”
He passed right by me. …Just like always, he was trying to avoid me.
His profile overlapped with the serious expression he had when he was playing basketball earlier.
(…Akito, I’m sorry. I’m really a terrible childhood friend…)
Suddenly, the wind blew.
The warm early summer breeze caressed my back.
At the same time, I was clutching the friendship bracelet on my left hand.
“——–Wait…!”
I gripped it tightly.
I was firmly holding onto the sleeve of his uniform as he tried to pass by.
I thought I could say it.
The words I had tried to say so many times since that day, but had never been able to say.
“Fujisaki? What’s wrong? All of a sudden…”
Our eyes met. His confused gaze pierced my heart.
I know. I’m the worst childhood friend.
I’ve said so many cruel things to him that I don’t deserve to be involved with him. I think it’s actually wrong for me to even be in his line of sight like this.
But…I still don’t like it.
I can’t stand this forever.
So, I…
“Hey, Akito. ….Please. Will you help me practice?”
Just a little bit.
I decided to muster up my courage.
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !