Soudana, Tashika ni Kawaii Na Volume 2 Chapter 5

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Memory 5: Basketball and Midousuji-senpai and I

“—Kairiiii!”

That Senpai came running towards us. With brown, flashy hair, he’s a tall, handsome boy. Even though the color of his necktie showed him being a 3rd-year, he barged into the 1st-year classroom with no restraint whatsoever, heading straight towards Senpai—

“Kairi…Kairi! Kai—Woah?!”

Right as he wanted to grab Senpai’s shoulder, he was thrown into the air with a beautiful curve.

“Wah, Senpai?!”

“What is it, Kouhai?!”

“Eh, wait, no…”

Wrong Senpai.

“I see, sorry about this!”

He apologized while literally lying on the floor…

“Ugh…it’s Midousuji-senpai…”

A friend of mine muttered, and I realized it myself.

“It is I indeed, Midousuji Kakeru! Knowing my name, you must be…”

“No, I’m not…”

“Ahh, last year march, you confessed to me, right?! Thank you very much for that!”

“Gaaah! Stuff it! Don’t say it!”

“He just thanked you for the confession…”

“So that’s the rumoured…Midousuji-senpai…”

As everyone started whispering to themselves in disdain.

“…Possibility of an enemy…”

I heard Senpai’s faint mutter, and realized that things could go south from here awfully quick.

“No, Senpai, this person is probably—”

“Kairiiiii!”

Having jumped up from the floor, Midousuji-senpai once again tried to grab Senpai’s shoulder, got thrown into the air again, got up immediately one more time, only to be thrown…Eh, why does he continue even though he knows how it’ll end…?! Wait, that’s not what I should be paying attention to!

“Senpai, Senpai, I think you can stop now!”

Hearing my words, Senpai just twitched once, but didn’t throw him again. Through this, Midousuji-senpai was able to finally put his hand on Senpai’s shoulder, glancing down at him with tears in his eyes—flashing a soft smile.

“Thank god…you were doing just fine, Kairi!!”

…Ohhh, I thought so. If I had to guess, Midousuji-senpai probably was an old acquaintance of Senpai. Maybe classmates…or even friends? Normally, Senpai would be a third-year right now after all. He must have come here after hearing that Senpai woke up, aiming for an emotional reunion, but…

“…Who?”

With one word of Senpai, that entire setting was ruined!!

**

“I see…so just as I’ve heard, you lost your memories…” Midousuji-senpai muttered in a grieving manner, gathering the reactions of the girls around.

“Eh, a grieving handsome guy is actually right up my alley?”

“Agreed.”

“Wasn’t Midousuji-senpai the captain of the basketball club…”

“Seriously? Someone as flashy as him is the captain…?”

“You don’t know…?”

“Apparently, that’s his natural hair color.”

“So he’s flashy while not being flashy, and a handsome guy on top…”

“I heard that he’s really good at playing basketball as well. He was called to the training camp of Japan’s youth, or so I’ve heard.”

“What is this guy, some superhuman? Can’t he just marry me?”

“Hey hey hey, stop it right there! Midousuji-senpai is nothing but a weird guy! If you confess to him, you’ll suffer the same death as I did, okay?!”

“Ohh, talking from experience, huh.”

“Shut it…Nano, it’d be better if we chased him out now~”

“Hmm~~~”

Even if she says so, he’s Senpai’s guest right now…And I’d like to know what connection they shared as well.

“Um, Midousuji-senpai, can I ask you a thing or two?”

“…Hmm, and who might you be?”

“Ah, I’m Koori. Koori Nano.”

“Koori, huh…A great family name!”

“Hm? …Ah, yes.”

It’s not like I’d be happy about having my family name praised…Huh? Why do I feel like Senpai’s gaze towards Midousuji-senpai has gotten a bit sharper?

“Koori, are you…Kairi’s girlfriend perhaps?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Eh, how could he tell? And why bring that up out of the blue?

“Ohhh, I see! Kairi really is a good guy! Seems like you got a great eye!!”

He softly tapped me on the shoulder—Or at least he wanted to, but Senpai swiftly stopped his hand.

“…Don’t touch her.”

“Senpai, chill…! I’m fine, okay…!”

That time when Senpai was acting more on edge than ever?! Is it because he was afraid I would be taken away by Midousuji-senpai…? Just kidding~…Ah, this isn’t the time to be grinning, I have to ask him.

“Um, so what I wanted to as—”

“The first time I met Kairi was two years ago…during the entrance ceremony.”

He just started talking by himself?! This guy actually got a screw loose?!

“Back then, I didn’t manage to get into a basketball powerhouse school because of an injury, ending really dejected about it. I decided that I would never play basketball again. And then, we ended up in a one-on-one during P.E.”

“Eh, what is this?”

That’s a totally hot development right there.

“And then, and then?”

As I urged him to continue, Midousuji-senpai had a distant gaze in his eyes.

“It’s just some worthless P.E. lesson with basketball. Having had my head filled with regrets, Kairi helped me wake up with that fist of his.”

“…Hm? Fist?”

Not his basketball?

“Having lost any motivation, Kairi hammered his fist into my face, ramming his heat and passion into my raw skin.”

“Ohhhh!” The people surrounding us let out voices of admiration.

Though I’d like to know why it had to be a fist of all things…Senpai sure sounds cool!

“Best part, being dumbfounded in this one-on-one, the words Kairi gave me awakened my passion again. ‘Why is the school deciding your future? If the basketball club is weak here, then you just have to make it stronger’, he said!”

Another rush of admiration ran through the rows of onlisteners, and even I gazed over at Senpai in excitement, when—

“…I don’t remember.”

So he doesn’t!! Ahahaha, what a shame!! Then again, it can’t be helped. Two years ago—is actually twenty years ago for him.

“Or rather…pretty sure that never happened…”

“That never happened?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

…? I’d like to ask Senpai about that, but first comes the rest of Midousuji-senpai’s story.

“Back then, Kairi joined the basketball club with me, agreeing to at least stay in the beginning. This is the proof!” Midousuji-senpai said, showing us an old club registration paper, already losing its color.

Ah, he’s right. There’s definitely Senpai’s name on there…But, that’s not really proof enough that Senpai was the one having filled that out.

“Ah, so Watase-kun is in the basketball club.”

“That reminds me, he was really good during the ballgame sports festival~”

“…I’m pretty sure Senpai would just be good at everything…”

I mean, he lived through super dangerous worlds for twenty years now.

“Kairi, thanks to you, our basketball club managed to arrive at a national level…Because you brought me back on the right path! I really am thankful to you!” Midousuji-senpai lowered his head.

Aw, so passionate~

“Also, I know that it isn’t my place to say that…But, please, Kairi! Lend me your strength one more time in a game!”

Ah, that seems to be his goal. I wonder what Senpai will respond—Ah, he looks like he couldn’t be bothered.

“It’s fine, Kairi!”

What is?

“Your movement during the game at the sports festival…I can’t believe you haven’t been playing for two years…Just how many times are you going to make me awaken, Kairi!!”

“Pretty sure that’s just you selfishly feeling things…”

A friend of mine retorted in disgust, but Midousuji-senpai didn’t listen to it at all.

“Right now, the basketball club is in great peril! The very last tournament has started, but several of our club members ran out of energy, and can’t play anymore…! Please Kairi, save the basketball club!!”

“I decline.”

“Not even a second?!”

Wah…stop…pfft…aha…He retorted on it himself…

“Please!”

“Don’t wanna.”

“Is there no chance?!”

“Not happening.”

“Okay, what do I have to do that you accept?!”

“He’s not getting discouraged at all, lol.”

“That’s why I told you…”

The people around us started whispering to themselves, but Midousuji-senpai either didn’t hear, or wasn’t bothered by it. It’s true that he’s a bit off…but he doesn’t seem like a bad person.

I see, so this is a friend of Senpai…well, the person himself doesn’t feel that way, but they are at least acquaintances…Haha, I can’t get enough of this~ Then again, I guess this isn’t the time to enjoy this. For a while now, Senpai’s been looking at me with this ‘Save me’…No, rather, ‘Can I just throw this guy away’ gaze…

“Umm, Senpai.”

Hearing my voice, Senpai apparently took this as a signal, and readied himself for another throw, so I quickly stopped him.

“That’s not what I meant, Senpai. I was just wondering…is there no way that you can help him out…?”

Senpai completely froze up, staring blankly at me.

“Koori…what do you think?”

“Me?”

Does he mean what I would do in his position?

“Let me think…Midousuji-senpai, one game should be enough, right?”

“Yeah! Just until our other club members are back on their feet!”

“Then, I guess I would help out? Well, knowing—”

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

“—How good Senpai was at playing so—wasn’t that a bit too fast to answer?!”

I was in the middle of my sentence!

“Is that really fine…? I was just talking about my own thoughts, so if you don’t want to do it, then…”

“You are a role model for me, Koori. If you decided on it, then I have no reason to decline.”

“——”

Role model…that is not bad…in it’s own right…As I was acting flustered, Midousuji-senpai took both my hand, and Senpai’s.

“Thank you, Kairi! And Koori as well! I am in your debt!”

“…Let go.”

“Ohh, sorry! Did that hurt!”

“Not mine, but…”

Woah, Senpai is looking at Midousuji-senpai with such a sharp glare…Is this…what I think it is? Is the jealousy getting the better of him…?! Ehe…ehehehe…buhehehe…Eh, what is wrong with me?!

“So Watase-kun will go back to the basketball club, huh~”

“He won the basketball tournament at the festival, representing our class. We have to support him for that.”

“Do your best, okay~”

Our classmates were giving some supportive words for Senpai, making me feel really proud…but Senpai is just ignoring them.

“Now now, Senpai, everyone is cheering for you~”

“Yeah…Rather than that, Midousuji, was it.”

Not even hesitating a second, Senpai made me laugh again.

“Ohh, what is it? No wait, don’t be so distant, Kairi! Just call me Kakeru like you always would back then!”

“Again, I don’t have any memory of that…”

“It’s fine, we just have to create new memories!”

Midousuji-senpai is so pushy and strong! This is the first time I’ve seen Senpai pushed against the wall like this…

“………Alright, Kakeru.”

“Eh?!”

He just agreed like that?!

“Ohhh, Kairi! That takes me back to the good old times!”

“It doesn’t take me back though.”

I might have to learn from Midousuji-senpai for the future…So I thought for a moment, but I guess that won’t work…It feels like Senpai’s affection for Midousuji-senpai is just going down the further this conversation continues…

“—Let go of Koori’s hand already.”

“Hm? Ahh, I totally forgot! Sorry about that!”

Now that he said it, I was reminded that he still held my hand this entire time. It felt so natural that I wasn’t even bothered by it, or I just didn’t feel anything special…Did Senpai give in and call Midousuji-senpai by name so that he would let go of my hand faster…?

Either way, Midousuji-senpai did just that, and smiled.

“Alright, then I’d kindly ask you to participate in training from today on!”

**

Luckily I was allowed to watch over the practice of the basketball club, sitting in the corner of the gym hall. Senpai said it was fine for me to go home, but I can’t let this chance slip now, can I~

“Koori.”

“Ah, Senpai. I bought you a sports drink a second ago, so here. Also, a towel to wipe your sweat…it’s my own towel, so only if you—”

“…!”

“A-Ah, nevermind, forget about the towel!”

“No!”

“Woah?!”

He grabbed the towel with some crazy speed.

“…Ah…well…I’m sorry…”

Because Senpai panicked a bit, I was able to calm down.

“Ahaha, which is it now~?”

“…I’ll properly wash it before I return it.”

“No need for that~” I grinned, handing Senpai both the drink and the towel.

“…Thanks…Also, if you’re bored, feel free to go home.”

“Gotcha. Well, seeing Senpai during club feels fresh, so I’m not getting tired of it anytime soon.”

“…I see.”

“Let’s grab some Starpa on our way home~”

“…Kairi, come here for a second!”

“Well, I have to go.”

“Yup, do your best~”

Waving my hand, I watched over Senpai return into the rows of the basketball club members…How do I say it, that exchange just now was more than enough to make me happy. I felt like I would start grinning the second I relaxed a bit.

I’ve always wanted to watch Senpai like this. I barely get to see him participate in any club activities, just wondering what it would be like~ The sounds of them running on the ground in the gym hall was crazy. Back at the sports festival, I didn’t pick up on it because of everyone talking, but the ball hitting the ground during a dribble, the sounds of the badminton club hitting the ball over the net, the sound of the table tennis club up above, it feels like there’s sports all around me.

I wonder…is Senpai somewhere in there…? Hm? What’s going on over there? Midousuji-senpai and…some first-year students are pointing at Senpai…seemingly angry…right? Did Senpai do something—

“Not good…!”

In a panic, I started dashing, breaking between the members…But things had already calmed down?

“What’s wrong, Koori?” Midousuji-senpai called out to me.

“Ah, well…I was just wondering if something happened…?”

“Ohh, sure did! Our first-year ace is going one-on-one with Kairi!”

“Huh?”

A…one-on-one?!

“W-Why did things end up like that…?!”

“Okuura, the first-year ace didn’t accept the fact that Kairi would participate in the match after not having played for two years.”

“…Hmm? Midousuji-senpai, did you not tell the club members about this before you asked Senpai?”

“Of course not!”

…Is that really something you should declare so proudly…?

“It’s the same as always! Ha ha ha!”

“Ahahaha…”

I feel bad for the club members.

“That being said, Kairi had always been good at playing basketball, so I’m sure he’ll be helpful. I have to make them accept him, if even by force.”

“So that’s why you gave the OK for this one-on-one?”

I mean, that often happens in manga or TV dramas but…in reality? Really?

“Yes, I came up with it!”

“…Huh? Not Okuura-kun?”

“Nope, but he was onboard immediately!”

“So easy!”

There’s no real reason to fight here, is there?!

“But, I knew that he wasn’t fully acceptant of this! I can’t have this reserve appear in the actual game, so I’ll have Kairi show his skill in this one-on-one! That’s the fastest method, don’t you think?”

“…Makes sense.”

He probably doesn’t think that Senpai would losebut…

“What if Kairi lost…you were thinking that right?”

“Eh.”

I was, actually. As I showed my surprise, Midousuji-senpai flashed an invincible smile, continuing in a calm fashion.

“Well, just watch.”

Though I had a lot of things I wanted to say, I decided to keep quiet, as the one-one-one between the first-year ace Okuura-kun and Senpai started…well not quite. Senpai did play in the basketball game at the sports festival, but it seemed like he didn’t know the rules for a proper one-one-one, so they had to explain that.

After that, and several questions on Senpai’s end later, Okuura-kun apparently couldn’t take it any longer, once again complaining at Midousuji-senpai, who just ignored that with a bright grin. In short, nothing was happening.

As Midousuji-senpai and Okuura-kun were in a heated discussion, Senpai walked over towards me.

“…Things sure turned complicated. I don’t mind if I don’t have to participate in the match anymore, though.”

“It sure doesn’t seem like Midousuji-senpai would accept that though~?”

Ah, Senpai is making some complicated face again.

“…Either way is fine, I just want to hurry and go home with you.”

“Oh.”

If you tell me something like that—I feel like trying out some things!

“No no no…before that, how about you just beat that first-year, and show me how cool you are~?”

Ah, that was more embarrassing than I thought it would be!

“J-Just kidding~”

“Got it.”

“—”

Ohhh…what was that face just now? A weird mix of being surprised, happy, and relieved at the same time. I mean, that alone is plenty cool already…! As I was spacing out in admiration at this great face, Senpai was called over by Okuura-kun, and the one-on-one finally started. It finally started, but…

“—Wha?! He’s…he’s flying?!”

“Ahhhhhhhhhh stop stop stop Senpai! That’s not what I meant!”

Of course, turned into a great ruckus, tehe~

**

And then, as things calmed down, the one-on-one match could come to an end, with Senpai’s overwhelming victory. In the beginning, he used magic for a second…or wait, it wasn’t magic…right? Something called ‘Kurae’, that could make his body stronger. Anyway, everybody was surprised, Senpai all the same, but eventually things ended safely…

“Sorry…I just…wanted to impress you, but I went too far…”

No, that’s just…Don’t blush like that…You know? Ahhh, I can’t take this…Senpai is just too cute…

Also, in case you were wondering, Okuura-kun’s statement towards Senpai’s win was:

“Even after your two-year break…That’s reassuring. Let’s get along, Kairi-kun.”

Though he looked a bit frustrated still, he sought out a handshake (?) high-five (?) from Senpai, and it totally felt like…what should I call it, youth between boys?

After this, Senpai was accepted into the team, allowed to practice lots. Since I’m not the biggest fan of basketball, I’m not too familiar with everything, but Senpai had some sick tricks he was showing, making me wonder if he even had a break in the first place. That being said, the basics of basics were an absolute mess, so he had to ask Midousuji-senpai and the others for some advice, and after trying it out for two, three days, he got it down just fine, and was swiftly accepted by his teammates.

Things gave the impression that everything worked out in the end, and yet, during the important day, in the half-time of the match, it happened. What was it… The shadows following the light…or something?

**

“Eh, aren’t things going like crazy good! You’re super in the lead!”

“Ha ha ha! Right, right! Well, 10 points in basketball doesn’t mean too much though.”

The waiting room during half-time. We had a lead the entire time, and even though we were only five people, they had great control over the enemy team. Isn’t that amazing?! I thought, getting fired up on my own.

I mean, a tournament is really crazy. At first, I just assumed they’d be playing in a slightly bigger hall than usual, but things completely changed when the match started. I could hear the cheering voices from other schools around us, and all the members from our club were suddenly dead-serious, as if they were someone entirely different. What surprised me the most was Midousuji-senpai. He…really wasn’t just some weirdo.

He really wasn’t one of Japan’s youth for nothing. During training and such, I couldn’t tell, but during the game, he was like a different person. Even people from other schools, or just normal onlookers like myself all were like ‘Yeah, he’s really on a different level’ or ‘I’d love to see him in the B-league soon’. It really felt like Midousuji-senpai was invincible.

But, but, Senpai was just as amazing! While Midousuji-senpai was busying scoring points, Senpai would score the next batch, always moving faster than the enemy, or allowing his allies to move easier on the field, making me wonder ‘Was this really all planned like that?!’ something like that. I got goosebumps just watching him.

“Midousuji is pretty crazy, but this Nr.7. Who even is that?”

I heard near me, making me almost scream out ‘Right?! That’s Watase Kairi! Remember the name!’ but I could barely control myself. I only said ‘Right?!’ in the end, so fired up was I.

I mean, just Senpai in his uniform was enough to have me stare at him endlessly. His belly showing every time he would wipe away his sweat with the top of his uniform…Oh lord help me. I mean, if his uniform wasn’t bad enough, the time he was dribbling, his acrobatic passes, his beautiful shooting skill, sitting above this scenery, being able to take as many pictures I want, I’d literally pay money for this.

I had already taken a hundred or more pictures, as well as videos that my phone battery was running low. Ahh, I should have brought a charger with me…Maybe I could borrow one from someone? There’s still half of the game left after all…

But, this as far as my excitement lasted. The third quarter was about to start, and a club member went out to look after Okuura, who had previously left to buy some drinks. After a bit of time passed, the door to the waiting room opened with a bang, and the club member barged inside.

“—Captain, this is bad! Okuura was wrapped up in an accident!!”

Everyone went ‘Huh?’ in unison, and I was the same.

“H-He made it to the vending machine of a nearby parking lot, and there…”

The club member was clearly missing the energy to finish his explanation, so Midouji-senpai instead asked.

“And, how is Okuura doing?”

“Ah…h-he is conscious, but he’s on an ambulance right now…”

In other words, he should be on the way to the hospital—everyone probably thought, when Okuura-kun suddenly entered the room as well.

“…Captain! I’m sorry for being late!”

“Okuura?!”

“Huh?! Y-Your injury…No, what about the ambulance?!”

“I snuck away.”

Everyone raised their voices with a shocked ‘Huh?!’, the exception being Midousuji-senpai.

“What about the hospital?”

“As if I could go there now…! I’ll participate in the second half as well!”

“……”

“But…”

He was bleeding quite a bit from the wound, and he might have hit his head as well.

“Get that looked up right away.”

…Figures.

“Don’t make me!. I’ll play in the second half!” Okuura-kun shook his head.

“…No can do.”

“Why?! Please!”

“Not happening.”

“I have to play! Otherwise it would be just the four of you!”

That’s…not wrong…As of right now, they were barely five people to play on the court, so if Okuura-kun had to sit out, they’d be at a crazy disadvantage. Midousuji-senpai must be aware of this as well. He surely does, but…

“Okuura…It might be our last, today won’t be your last day of playing basketball. You still have a way ahead of you. There is no reason to go this far—”

“No there isn’t a path for me!!” Okuura-kun screamed. “I always…Ever since middle school…I always admired the captain—Midousuji-senpai! I entered the basketball club so that I could play with you!”

Everybody grew quiet, as even Midousuji-senpai found no words to return.

“That’s why…today’s game…this tournament might be my last chance…!!”

I guess… that makes sense…they’re 1st-year and 3rd-year—Or so I thought.

“Okuura!!”

A loud banging noise rang out, as Okuura-kun flew backwards against the wall. M-Midousuji-senpai slapped him across the face?!

“Why?!?!?!”

I thought to myself, and spoke out loud as well.

“You moron!!”

“Eeek!”

Uwah, that scared me…H-His voice was so loud…

“Nobody said that today would be the last time, right?!”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

Eh? Didn’t Midousuji-senpai say that before…?

“Midousuji…senpai…”

“When did I ever say that today would be the last time?!”

E-Ehhhhh?! D-Didn’t you literally just say so…?! I would have loved to say, but I couldn’t…He was just too scary. And, it wasn’t just me who felt that way, because nobody said anything.

“Basically.”

There, Senpai, who had kept quiet this entire time, now spoke like it had been obvious from the start.

“Even without Okuura, we won’t lose. That’s why, today won’t be your last chance…that’s what you want to say, right?”

They all became silent…I mean, isn’t Senpai way too cool…?

“Yeah! Exactly that!” Midousuji-senpai clapped his hands and pointed at Senpai, making everyone freeze up.

“Listen Okuura—Basketball is a sport played with several people, right?!”

“T-That’s…”

“Of course, I won’t say that it’s completely unrelated, but numbers are just numbers! There’s more important things besides that!!”

Okuura-kun completely grew silent as Midousuji-senpai raised his fist…He’s not scared, right?

“I have absolutely no plans of losing today! Be it four of us, or three of us, we’ll still win!”

O-Ohhh…so cool…!

“…Captain…”

“Once you get it, move your ass to the hospital already.”

“…………Yes……” Okuura-kun bit his lip, and slowly went his merry way, only stopping one last time next to Senpai.

“Kairi-kun…um…”

“Make it in time for the next match.”

“~~~! Thanks…!”

Unable to bear any more of this, Okuura-kun had his face cast downward, as he stepped out of the room. Yeah…makes sense that he would try…Even I feel like shedding a tear, and I’m not related…Ah, I’ll seriously start crying, not good…

“Koori.”

“Yeshh?!”

Yikes, that was a weird voice alright…But, that at least let me control my tears…that was close…Midousuji-senpai and the others were having a serious conversation, as Senpai came talking to me.

“Well…things sure turned troublesome there…”

“…Though a wound like that wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

“Eh…do you mean…”

I see…that makes sense…With some magic, Senpai should be able to fix this. With that, Okuura-kun would be able to play, being a great help for everyone. But…

“You…you can’t, Senpai.”

“Yeah, I know.”

He can’t use magic. He shouldn’t. I knew that, he knew that, but seeing Okuura-kun’s motivation, how serious Midousuji-senpai was, and the strained expression of the club members…Can I really tell Senpai not to use magic here? Do I have the right to do so?

“It’s fine.” Senpai put his hand on my head.

Raising my gaze, Senpai smiled at me with a kind expression.

“We just have to win.”

“——”

…Ah, for crying out loud…Uuuuuu…My boyfriend is just too cool~~~!! I can’t…I’m full to the brim, I can’t say anything…

“—Alright, let’s go, Kairi!”

“Yeah, I’ll be back, Koori.”

“…Be careful out there.”

Well, I don’t imagine Senpai actually hurting himself…Though, he can’t use magic, so there is always a chance.

**

I won’t use magic.

Of course, Koori doesn’t have any ability to confirm if I am actually using magic or not. Yet, I don’t think of this as shackles, it’s the obvious, the expected.

It’s four versus five. No, they have substitutions over there. I’ve had to deal with a difference in strength many times during my passing through the different worlds, and I’ve never really relied on using numbers in cases like these, but that was only under the condition that I could use magic. This time, I have no means of overcoming this difference in strength. Yet, I had to do this no matter what. Because I could not bring grief to Koori. So that I would become someone worthy of her…

**

…I still think it was too ridiculous.

“Huh? They’re gonna play with four people? That’s gotta be the end for them.”

The people in the audience gave the logical conclusion, and it was actually driving towards that result. Though they still managed to somehow hold their ground in the 3rd quarter, whether it was offense, or defense, the difference in number was too much to handle, denying any chances of scoring points, just being run-over. As a result, the score was soon reversed.

Once the fourth quarter came around, the other two people besides Senpai and Midousuji-senpai had reached their limits…They were unable to move along that fast anymore, even falling over from exhaustion. This led them to eventually be behind by ten points.

“—Excuse me! A time-out please!”

**

“…Sorry…I kept…making stupid mistakes…”

“Shit…shit…! Four people really is impossible…!”

The two are unable to play any more. Their exhaustion couldn’t be lessened with just a minute break. Then, what I should do next, is—

“Alright, now I’m getting excited!” Kakeru spoke in a loud voice.

He instead was trying to gather the attention of the others, to give motivation, rather than despair.

“Captain…?”

“What are you…”

“Are you kidding me?! How can you not get fired up in a situation like this?!”

“I mean…physically, I am, but…”

“We have one minute left, with a difference of ten points…and we’re missing one player… you know? This is just…”

“That’s exactly why.” Kakeru showed an arrogant grin. “Nobody thinks that we can still win this. Neither the audience, nor the players themselves. In a situation like this…we’ll come out on top…Isn’t that the best thing ever?!”

The two had their eyes open wide, bursting out in laughter.

“Pfft…Ahaha, the captain really got a screw loose! How could you think about this in such a dire situation!”

“You…yeah, that’s just what I expected.”

“Ha ha ha, right right?!”

“We’re not praising you, okay?”

“Give it up…this ain’t getting through to the captain…”

“Well, we’re still following him after all of this.”

“Right………I guess there’s no way but to go all out, huh!”

“We’ll be the ones to laugh last!”

Luckily, the two took it with some humour, slapping their own cheeks. Of course, that still doesn’t change the fact that their bodies were at their limits, and they must be aware of that themselves. But, those who arrived at the boundary can often muster up strength that goes beyond this. It’s something I’ve seen countless times in the different worlds I passed. And Kakeru’s words were the trigger for that.

“…Great work.”

“Hm? Ahh, these two would always stick with me through every possible training…But, Kairi, isn’t this situation awfully nostalgic?!”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Huh, you forgot about that as well? Back when we entered the basketball club, we had a dispute with the Senpais, and had an upperclassmen vs us match, right? Back then, we also were ten points behind with just one minute left!”

I…still can’t say for sure if that really happened. It sounds more than suspicious, but.

“Back then, you helped us turn things around, in the flashiest way possible, right?” Kakeru grinned. “Let’s do that again, Kairi.”

“………Yeah.”

“Ohhh!”

“We need to win this.”

For Koori’s sake.

“Seems like you’re finally motivated!”

“It’s not like I wasn’t until now…”

Rather—I wasn’t missing the motivation.

“Kakeru, let me correct you on one thing.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“You said that nobody here would believe that we could still win this…but you are wrong in that.”

I looked up. Standing out the most in the rows of the spectators, she was screaming at the top of her lungs.

“Senpaaaaai! Everyone! You can do iiiiiiiiiiiiit!!”

“….Haha, sorry, seems like I was wrong! At the very least, there’s one who believes in us!”

I met eyes with Koori. No matter what situation, Koori’s voice is always crystal clear to me.

“Senpai! You still have time! It’s fine! I believe in you!”

…Koori was cheering for us. With her hands folded like she was praying, she looked over at me. I don’t need any magic for this. Koori’s existence is more than enough magic for me—

**

“It’ll be fine…you can do this…”

Realizing that I was probably telling myself excuses, I bit my lip. Senpai and the others worked really hard. They totally did, but…with one minute left and a difference of ten points, they also had to play this four vs five.

“Yeah, this one’s obrt.”

I wanted to scream back at this voice I heard nearby. Saying ‘That’s not true!!’ to argue. But, there was no need for that. Because the plays of Senpai and the others were more than enough for that.

The game resumed with a throw-in from the enemy. Midousuji-senpai managed to cut in there, stealing it. With three people on defense against him, he—didn’t decide it on his own, and instead gave a no-glance pass. And of course, who stood there was—

“Senpai…!!!”

With a beautiful shot, the ball flew right into the net, and I jumped up together with the sound of the point being scored.

**

With another steal and quick play, another three-pointer was scored. I finished all of it.

“Wha…Nr.7 never tried to score it for himself so far!!”

Of course, that was just as planned, but even more than that.

“It’s not Midousuji…?!”

Hearing the grunts of the enemy team, Kakeru turned around like he was a member of their team.

“Ha ha ha, I figured you’d say that!”

“…?!”

“In the fourth period, I scored most of the points, and the same goes for the steals. Of course, I’d continue that until the very end to get us the win—that’s what you thought, right?!”

“We used that, and had me get completely free on the field.”

“Hey, Kairi?! Don’t steal this from me!”

“Just come back to the defense already.”

—Stealing a third time however proved impossible, and they got another two points on us. This is our next offence turn. From the point-guard (PG), a pass came flying to Kakeru.

“Alright, let’s treat this point carefully!”

Contrary to his calm words, Kakeru rushed right into their defence—which didn’t react.

“We won’t be deceived again! Nr.7 will definitely…Ah?”

Like this, Kakeru just scored the points for himself, smiling at the enemy team.

“What if that was a faint as well?”

“—T-This guy…!!”

“Ha ha ha!”

“…That’s quite the personality you have there.”

“Oh, you think so? Can’t complain, being praised by Kairi!”

“………”

“Kairi-kun, you’re a bit too late for that…”

“Right right. How many people do you think stopped coming to the club after going through his hellish training, being forced to watch his shit-eating grin.”

“But, in the end, you managed to survive this normally impossible training, and stand with me now! Just shows that I was right!”

“Don’t refer to your own training as ‘normally impossible’…”

“Can’t believe he can say that about himself…”

Even in the face of the two being clearly-fed up with him, Kakeru kept laughing.

“Now, it’s time for the defense! Steal it quickly and score some more points!”

“…There’s something I need to tell you before that.”

“What is it, Kairi?”

“About the enemy’s offense, if Nr.4 has the defense on his right shoulder, he’ll come in for a dribble from the left, and if he’s got it on his left shoulder, he’ll pass, or even go for the shoot. Their Nr.5 would always go for a shot of his own if he pulls off a faint to the left, but his efficiency is awfully low in that, so no need to chase after him. Nr.6—”

“Hold on, what…?!”

“Tell us about that sooner?!”

“I thought it would have the opposite effect if I told you while you were tired.”

“Urk…that’s not wrong~”

“Yeah, can’t complain there…”

“If it’s just going to confuse you, then forget about it.”

“Ha ha ha, Kairi, you really are interesting! Well, I couldn’t say it for the exact reason though!”

“You knew that as well?!”

“Tell us! That’s what a time-out is for, right?!”

“Oh, there’s a quick attack coming! Let’s try this out right away!”

“Shut it! I know without you having to tell me!”

“Ahh, for crying out loud! We’ll definitely win this!”

You really can’t make fun of someone else’s feelings. Even though they should be running on reserve energy at best, they could still complain from the top of their lungs. On top of that, they even managed to block a rash shot of the enemy team, turning it into another chance of ours.

“Captain, you better sink this one for us!!”

“Leave it to me! —Or so I’d like to say, but I won’t be the one scoring.”

Kakeru was perfectly aware of my position, giving me a no-glance pass. The defense of the enemy team tried to catch up, but was too late. My free shot went in perfectly.

“Leave it to me—Should have been my phrase there.”

“Ha ha ha, it’s a small revenge for before!”

Kakeru and I exchanged a small banter, ending up in a fist-bump.

“Just survive for twenty seconds! We have a three-point lead—”

“—That’d be troublesome.”

“Wha?!”

I managed to steal it.

“A quick is coming!!”

“Shit…Midousuji or Nr.7…who is it?!”

“What if it’s neither of us…?”

“—!”

Kakeru’s mutter was a clear bluff. But, it was enough to leave the enemy team confused for a brief moment, allowing him to score.

“Alright!!! Only one more point to go!”

**

“What…is this…”

Even though there was a ten-point difference. Even though it’s just four of them…

“Are you serious…?”

“Can they…actually pull it off?!”

“You’ve come this far! Turn it around!!”

Even though everyone said they’d be losing for sure. The spectators were all realizing the possibility of them winning still. To be fair, I was about to break out in tears. But, I can’t cry. Not yet. Because Senpai and the others are still fighting. I have to cheer them on..!!

“…You can do it! Finish this!!”

**

In the midst of my concentration, I could hear Koori’s voice.

“Focus! Focus up! Limits?! Who cares, go beyond them!”

“Shut it you shitty captain!”

“I’ve already gone past them a long time ago!”

That’s it. They already made it past their limits with methods attainable by everyone. You don’t need magic to achieve that.

“…Kakeru.”

Kakeru turned towards me, and the second our eyes met, I started running.

“Be careful of any possible steal!”

The enemy team’s PG let out a warning. While focussing that the ball wouldn’t be stolen from him, he realized. Because I had moved, I opened a perfect pass course for him. I wouldn’t be able to reach it. Kakeru wouldn’t be able to reach it. Nobody of our team would—the second the PG judged that, the ball flew—

“—I knew that!!”

If he had been late for 0.1 second, he wouldn’t have made it time. Cutting between the pass, one of the two other members managed to safely secure the ball right at the sideline. Naturally, I wasn’t only aware of the enemy’s habits. I had vision on everyone in this entire match.

“Captain!!”

“—Got it!”

The ball was passed to Kakeru, as a roar of excitement filled the hall. Naturally, being the greatest star today, everyone was expecting Midousuji Kakeru to land the drive to save the game.

“Stop him! Stop him at any costs!!”

The enemy was desperately trying to build their defence. Looking at the clock, this was the last possible play. Thinking of the score, they couldn’t risk a foul. Hence, they had to focus on stopping Kakeru, because there was a high chance he could force his way through—

“That’s what you’re thinking, right?”

I heard Kakeru’s voice behind me. The defense couldn’t even pick up on that so desperate were they. With Kakeru suddenly dropping his speed, the defense tried to go for a steal—when Kakeru just threw the ball into the air towards the basket. It wasn’t even a shot. Not an attempt, but almost as if—

“Nice pass.”

Removing any possible limiter inside my body, using up every ounce of strength left, I started dashing towards the ball, and jumped. Catching it mid-air, I smashed it right into the basket.

**

“A-An alley-oop?!”

“S-Seriously?! At a time like this?!”

“So friggin cool!!”

“They turned it around!”

The place grew noisy, so much that I couldn’t even hear the final buzzer anymore. But it didn’t matter, because the second Senpai scored that point, I was already running towards him.

**

After the end of the game, Kakeru and the others came rushing at me.

“Kairiiiiii! You mad bastard! To think you’d finish it like that! Ahahahaha!”

“Seriously though, Kairi-kun, are you even human?!”

“Tell us if you could do that from the very start!!”

“…No, that was the first time I’ve done that.”

“…Eh?”

“I watched this in a reference video before, looking the most flashy, I felt like trying it, but I’m glad it worked out.”

“Wha…hold on?! You’re amazing to pull it off, sure, but could you not try out something on a stage like this?!”

Naturally, he was completely right in that. But—

“That’s exactly why I did it.” I looked over at Kakeru. “Two years ago, I won us a game in a flashy way as well, right?”

“…! Kairi—”

“Senpai!”

That voice could make me turn around at any given point.

“Ko—”

Before I could even finish calling her name, Koori embraced me.

**

I don’t even know why I did that. The second I arrived down at their floor, spotting Senpai, I just jumped at him, deeply hugging him…

“Senpai…Senpaaaaai~…”

“Koori…are you…crying?”

“…Of course…I’d start crying like that…After watching something like this you know…Uu…Sniff…”

Ahh, I must look so ugly right now…I wouldn’t want Senpai to see me like this…but…

“Ohhh, you show-off.”

“Shit, I’m so jealous…”

“Ha ha ha, that’s Koori for you!”

I felt like they were talking about me, but I couldn’t raise my head…Everyone is just so amazing…Ahh, I can’t stop crying…

“Koori……I’m sweating still…”

“…I’m…fine…”

A sweat-drenched Senpai wasn’t too bad either…he’d definitely be disgusted if I said that, right?

“No…it’s…getting a bit hard on me…”

Those words allowed me to calm down a bit. I mean, I’m still clinging to Senpai like crazy, and I can even hear his heartbeat—

“I-I’m sorry!!”

“Ah…no…it’s fine…”

What am I doing, me?! What in the world am I doing?! And everyone’s looking at us like crazy…!

“Haaa…I want to get my girlfriend to hug me like that as well…”

“How about you get a girlfriend then, for starters?”

“Shut it. Even if I had a girlfriend, I still wouldn’t be able to pull off an alley-oop like that.”

“Agreed.”

Gaaaaaaaah I want to die…!

“Alright, time to report to Okuura! Kairi, Koori, you must be busy now, so you can just join us later!”

“M-Midousuji-senpai…”

“Alright.”

Senpai—?! I looked up at him in disbelief, but before I could say anything, Midousuji-senpai and the others already went on their way. Not to mention that Senpai just sunk to the ground, leaving me in surprise.

“Senpai?! E-Eh?! Are you okay?!”

“…Should be…but not that much…”

“Eh…n-no way…”

I totally never saw Senpai like this before…?

“The damage itself was just as I expected. I’ll be able to get up again if you give me some time, so don’t mind me.”

“As if I could just leave you here!!”

In a hurry, I grabbed a towel, a sports drink, and something like icing to help him cool down a bit.

“Is there anything else I can do?!” I asked, to what Senpai—

“Actually—” He spoke up, and continued after a short silence. “I want to hear it…from you.”

“Eh? What exactly?”

Unable to hear him properly, I moved my face closer to his, which led Senpai to avert his gaze.

“—How…was I?”

—For a second, a question mark appeared above my head. ‘How was Senpai? Huh?’ in a sense like that. But, remembering things as the one-on-one with Okuura-kun, the performance during this game, and the final points he scored, I realized just what exactly he wanted to hear.

“—”

He worked this hard for something trivial like that. Realizing this, I couldn’t help but turn like a young maiden in love. Seriously, how cute…how adorable can he get…! Hence, with a super smile, I simply said.

“You were the coolest person I’ve ever seen!”

**

Two days had passed since then. Senpai and I were about to make our way home, around the time classes had ended for the day.

“Kairi-kun!”

“Ah, Okuura-kun—Woah, they already took off your bandages!”

Apparently it wasn’t that deep of a wound, but I’m glad he’s doing fine now~

“I heard the results. Seems like you’ll be able to play in the next game.”

“Yeah…It’s all thanks to you…wait, that’s not it!”

“Hm? I’m pretty sure it said that you could?”

“Not that! Is it true that you’re going to stop playing basketball?!”

“Yeah, I promised to only join for one game. Though Kakeru apparently didn’t tell you of that…”

“You rang?!”

“Midousuji-senpai?!”

That scared me! He came storming into the classroom with perfect tim—Hm?

“That had to have been on purpose, right…?”

“How sharp, Koori! You’re right about that!”

“……Ehhh…?”

He’s just going to admit that…? Midousuji-senpai without basketball is really just a weirdo…

“Kakeru, having Okuura ask me again doesn’t change the results.”

“That’s Kairi for you! So you knew!”

“………”

Ah, Senpai just let out a faint sigh! SSR!

“Kairi-kun…Not just the captain, or me even…everyone from the club wants to play with you again…Did you not enjoy playing basketball with us?!”

Ohhh…so passionate…! Seriously though, Okuura-kun feels totally like Midousuji-senpai. I wonder how Senpai will respond…Looking over, he had gotten quiet. During that time, Okuura-kun didn’t say anything. Neither did Midousuij-senpai. Everyone had gone silent.

Eh? What is this? What’s going on?

“…It was fun.”

The second Senpai spoke those words, even the classmates who happened to overhear this let out a shocked ‘Ohhh!’, as Okuura-kun approached Senpai.

“Then—!”

“But, I have to decline.”

“Why?!”

Phew…he sure doesn’t let up…Look at how close they are…if I was that type of girl, I’d go crazy now…Well, at least it’s not with another girl…

“Playing basketball is fun…but there’s something more important to me.”

…Um, does that mean…Okuura-kun was looking over at me, forcing me to give him an awkward smile. I mean, there’s only one thing he can mean by that, right…

“Can’t help it then!” Midousuji-senpai put his hand on Okuura-kun’s shoulder. “Okuura! Nobody likes a persistent man!”

“Midousuji-senpai…but…”

“Okuura. You said you wanted to play basketball with me, right? Although it was short, you had to take a break. So, what do you have to prioritize now?”

“………”

Okuura-kun looked a bit lost for a second, only to eventually walk away after giving a last glance towards Senpai…He’s probably off to practice now. Seeing this, Senpai sighed.

“…So that was your actual objective, huh.”

“Eh?”

What?

“Ha ha ha! Well, Okuura is a talented fellow, so I’ll have him carry our club in the future. He can’t just chase after me forever.”

“Eh?!”

Huh…Why is he sounding so smart now…Is this the real Midousuji-senpai?!

“Anyway, let me thank you again, Kairi!”

“…No need.”

“I’m glad we got to play basketball again for old times’ sake.”

“………”

“You forgot your line. ‘That’s the same for me’, right?”

“You looked like you wanted to hear that, so I didn’t.”

“Read the mood, read the mood!” Midousuji-senpai burst out in laughter.

“If it was someone else, then I would have had to do something different…But knowing you, I felt like that should be enough.”

“Bahaha, very well then!”

Midousuji-senpai suddenly looked over at me with a crazy handsome expression.

“You heard that, Koori?!”

“…Eh…Ah, yes…” Surprised, I could only give a vague response.

“I leave Kairi to you.” He softly tapped me on the shoulder, and walked away as he kept one hand in the air.

…Eh…Ehhh? What’s with that flashy exit…kinda cool. But, even more than that—

“……”

The profile of Senpai watching off Midousuji-senpai…was glorious.

We left the school, went on our way home, and right around the time we were about to split up for the day, I felt the urge to say the words I kept to myself the entire time.

“Um…Senpai, was that really the right choice?”

Maybe Senpai was waiting for me to ask that. After all, he didn’t return his usual ‘What do you mean’ as he normally would..

“Um…I was wondering if you were holding back for my sake, because if so, then I wouldn’t want you to…I want you to do whatever you feel like doing, because that’s—”

“That’s not the case.”

That surprised me. Senpai would rarely interrupt me like this. But, he himself seemed just as much taken aback.

“A-Ah…well, I’m sorry…Just, during this entire ordeal, I realized one thing.”

“…Something you realized?”

I wonder what?—I thought to myself, when Senpai suddenly blushed…Wait, time-out. What is this face? I need to take a picture. But, what came after was even worse for my heart.

“I want to…spend as much time as possible with you…and I like it more…when it’s just the two of us…”

“……”

Well. You know. Really. Seriously…seriously…!

“…I feel…the same…”

Even though I must have muttered that with barely a voice coming out.

“—Thank god.”

Senpai properly heard me. Also, that smile is clearly against the rules…Really, what was I thinking, assuming that I was holding him back…Anyway, hearing that Senpai felt the same way as I do—

“~~~!”

I felt so happy I was close to getting crazy. The End.