After the game, it’s customary in practice matches to receive feedback from the coach first.
As the captain called out “Gather!” and they moved toward the coach’s area…
They noticed that both coaches were talking a little away from the court.
“…Looks like it might drag on a bit, so how about we chat for a while?”
The captain of opponent High School suggested.
“That sounds good. It might take a while for the coach to come back…”
The captain of our school agreed with the proposal.
Then, the players from both teams began to interact, their fatigued faces lighting up.
“Hey, about the old days… let me say a word. Sorry.”
It was at that moment that Onoi spoke to Yuna.
“…I’m sorry too. And thank you.”
“…Huh?”
Yuna continued, somewhat embarrassed by Onoi’s tilting head.
“I woke up because of your play, Onoi.”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah.”
“……………”
“……………”
They both became restless again.
But when their eyes met again, they both burst out laughing simultaneously.
“Let’s forget about the past. Shall we talk about the future?”
“…Sure, I agree.”
Relaxing, Yuna nodded.
“Suddenly, Takamori, want to go 1-on-1?”
“Huh, even after all that movement, you still want to? Well, it’s fine.”
“Yeah. And hey, Haru-san is amazing, right? He even went to the coach for Takamori’s sake.”
“Huh…”
“You didn’t hear about that? Haru-san seems even cooler for keeping it a secret.”
“Onoi? …I want to hear more about it, but what does that mean?”
“Hehe, if you can beat me 1-on-1, I’ll tell you.”
“Okay… so 1-on-1. If I get permission, shall we play?”
“Yeah. And hey, how about a bet like back then?”
“Oh, that’s right, it wasn’t fair to me with you being treated. Uh, by the way?”
During middle school.
There was a time when Yuna and Onoi played 1-on-1 countless times.
But for the most part, it was a flow where Onoi challenged Yuna with “Let’s compete!” and Yuna accepted.
Every time they played 1-on-1, they made a bet.
It was a very simple one: the loser treats the winner to a meal.
…Although it was not fair because Onoi was a big eater and Yuna ate less, Yuna, who had no intention of losing, accepted the condition.
As a result, Yuna never lost to Onoi.
After nodding, Onoi answered.
Then, the two went to get permission for 1-on-1 from the captain, but both Yuna and Onoi received the same response from their respective captains,
“Wow, full of energy~”
and were bewildered.
While the members were socializing, the coaches of both teams were talking about the two players.
“Wow, some good players have joined, haven’t they? That girl with the ponytail. I want her in our team.”
“Well, she just joined our team a few days ago. At first, we couldn’t coordinate, and it was nerve-wracking, but it seems she grasped something from today’s match. It’s really good.”
“That’s right. Speaking of new recruits, our Onoi is also excellent, but she seems to have grasped something today just like the other girl…
Everyone played exceptionally well. They all shone and enjoyed playing basketball.”
“Yes. Let’s work together again sometime.”
“Yes, likewise.”
After exchanging greetings, both coaches looked back at the court.
There, Yuna and Onoi were seen playing 1-on-1.
“…Those two seem to be good rivals.”
“Yes, very.”
With a smile, the coaches watched before returning to their respective courts.
Meanwhile, in the stands.
Earlier, Rin had praised Yuna, but now she was pressing Sara.
“Sara-chin, I won’t be fooled. Wasn’t that person you know? You seemed really flustered earlier.”
“…Uh, well…”
Saying that, Sara’s gaze wandered.
And she glanced at Haruya from time to time.
Haruya was sitting on the opposite side of the court but was trying to leave the place quickly.
Just as Rin wanted to ask Sara something, Sara also had something she wanted to ask Haruya.
In Sara’s mind, it was a “just in case” scenario.
(…If Akasaki came to watch Yuna’s game.)
Just thinking about it made Sara’s jealousy swell up.
Unintentionally, as Sara stared at Haruya, her cheeks puffed out… and Rin narrowed her eyes with a smirk.
(…That kid with the long bangs. There must be something after all!)
There was no certainty. It was just a hunch.
But in Rin’s mind, Haruya became an object of interest.
“…Sorry, Sara. It’s really nothing.”
“Uh, I-Is that so? T-That’s okay then.”
Despite feeling a little suspicious of Rin, who was very obedient, Sara kept her gaze on Yuna on the court.
Following her gaze, Rin also looked at Yuna.
Even after the game, Yuna started playing one-on-one with the opposing player.
Despite being exhausted, Rin found it heartwarming that she truly loved basketball.
At the same time, she felt a little lonely.
(Sara is fully devoted to love. Yuna is fully devoted to basketball… and I’m just… nothing.)
Although she was working part-time, she wasn’t as committed and enthusiastic as the other two. Nor did she plan to be.
(Oh well. That kid with the long bangs piqued my interest a bit!)
Rin quietly closed her eyes and decided to tell herself that.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
Yuna and Onoi’s one-on-one.
Although it seemed like a post-game fan service, Haruya couldn’t stay here forever. …Especially since Sara had spotted him.
He felt that he needed to retreat quickly before things got troublesome.
Feeling that way, Haruya left the gymnasium even faster than anyone else, trying to suppress his presence.
(But today’s game was amazing. It was a game that made me want to join the club again. Thanks for the thrilling play.)
While holding such thoughts about the game, he rode his bicycle.
Although it was still the rainy season, the sun outside was strong, giving off heat.
Perhaps because he had received more heat during the practice match, the heat outside felt somewhat pleasant.
But Haruya thought it was a mistake to come by bike.
He wanted to run with his own legs.
Inspired by the play that reminded him of the enthusiasm he had when he was in the club.
With that in mind, Haruya’s desire to run reached its peak.
Although it was his fault for oversleeping, when he returned home, he would go running again. He poured that feeling into his bike.
His legs naturally put more strength into pedaling.
At 12:30 noon, when the sun’s rays became even stronger,
Haruya returned home after running alone.
He couldn’t resist the urge to run after being impressed by the practice match.
Sweating pleasantly while basking in the scorching sun.
After finishing his run, he went straight home.
When he got out of the shower, he noticed a message.
Nayu: Hey. Have you had lunch yet? If not, want to have it together?
It seemed to be a lunch invitation.
The timing was good because Haruya hadn’t had lunch yet.
And Haruya also had a lot he wanted to tell Yuna about today’s game and about the shoujo manga.
He had been thinking about waiting for an opportunity at an offline meeting, but now was a good time.
Especially since he had no plans after this.
Haruya replied enthusiastically.
Haru: No, I haven’t eaten yet. If that’s the case, let’s eat together.
Nayu: I see, that’s good. I’ll let you know the meeting place and time later.
As soon as Haruya replied, he saw that the message had been read, and a reply came from Yuna.
Haruya sent an appropriate stamp and waited for instructions from Yuna.
And so, the meal with Yuna was arranged.
The designated meeting place was a familiar place for Haruya.
He had often used this meeting place even when meeting Yuna offline.
It was past 1:00 p.m.
On weekends, and with good weather, this family restaurant was crowded.
But even in such a crowded place, Haruya was able to spot Yuna’s figure quickly.
Not just talk about the basketball match, but it seems she has been freed from the shackles of her past.
She has a serene expression, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.
Yet, she was still wearing sunglasses.
I wonder why…her face has already been revealed, hasn’t it?
Although I was curious, I didn’t pry and simply raised my hand.
“Sorry for the wait, Nayu-san.”
“Oh, hey…Haru-san.”
After exchanging greetings, I took a seat across from her.
…Well then, it’s been a while.
(I want to share my thoughts on the match, and I can’t wait to passionately discuss shojo manga again after so long.
First, about the shojo manga that’s been on my mind—
And about today’s game—)
As haruya was organizing thoughts on what to discuss about today’s match, she took the lead.
“You know…Haru-san. I heard some things from Onoi, so…thank you again.”
Twirling her hair with her finger, Yuna muttered softly.
“Eh, O-Onoi-san!?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected topic, Haruya let out a flustered voice.
“…Actually, I talked to Onoi after that. About various things concerning you, Haru-san. How you were secretly doing things for me without my knowledge…”
After the match ended,
Yuna defeated Onoi in their one-on-one…and she became aware of Haruya’s hidden contributions.
Yuna recalled that day
when the teacher welcomed her into the basketball club.
The teacher’s quick understanding and smooth handling could only mean someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
A possibility she hadn’t even considered. No, a possibility she had dismissed entirely.
That the teacher invited Yuna to join the basketball club that day and assured her a chance to play in matches wasn’t particularly surprising.
Because it was simply inevitable…
“U-Um, Nayu-san. What is this all about?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Haruya’s feigned ignorance made Yuna let out a slight laugh.
He couldn’t keep up.
Discussing shojo manga? Wait, wasn’t it about the match?
“I’ve…decided.”
And with that, Yuna coolly removed her sunglasses.
“D-Decided what exactly?”
“That I’m going to get to know more about you, Haru-san.”
“…………”
(Whats? What does that mean?)
Facing Haruya’s bewilderment, Yuna continued.
“My name is Takamori Yuna, and I attend Eika High School. It’s unfair that only I have my personal information known to you, right…?”
“B-But you just volunteered that information yourself!”
After Haruya pointed that out, Yuna grinned slyly and went on.
“Well, today I just wanted to declare that to you, Haru-san. So thanks for coming.”
Her resolute eyes seemed to quietly burn with the message “I won’t let you go” in Haruya’s view.
(Eh…so today’s summons wasn’t about the match or anything? What about the shojo manga discussion?)
The scent of Yuna’s perfume stung his nasal cavity.
“So…be prepared, okay? Haru-san.”
Having been issued that declaration of hostilities to uncover his true identity,
all Haruya could do was inwardly scream “how did this happen aaaaaargh!”
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