Kotone and Kenichi practice

The day before the sports festival.

Kenichi and I were at a park near our houses.

 

There was a basketball court where Kenichi and I had played since we were children.

The sun was beginning to set and the park, always bustling with activity, was slowly regaining its serenity…

 

Neither Rin nor Tokiwagi-kun are here today.

It’s dusk, and it’s just me and Kenichi practicing.

 

“Well~. It’s been a while since I played basketball! Hey, Kotone!”

 

Kenichi said with a carefree smile as he scored a three-pointer.

As for me,… my hands were emphatically cut off in the air as I tried to block Kenichi’s shot.

 

“I think it’s a good idea to attack with … your height.”

 

“Haha. I’m sorry, sorry, sorry! But it’s better to practice that way, right?”

 

“… It would be. It’s going to be too sad if I can’t reach it.”

 

I say as I look down. Then he patted me on the head and said, “Next time it’s Kotone’s turn to attack!” He tried to quiet me as I swelled up.

He treated me like a … child even though I’m not a child anymore.

 

When I brush off his hand, he puts the ball on the hand that I wiped off and turns his good-looking face at me.

It’s a good-looking smug face for nothing.

He teases me again, … not at all.

 

I sighed, dropped back to the half line and took my stance.

Then I passed the ball back to Kenichi once, and when it came back to me, I made my move.

I made a few feints and easily shot past Kenichi, and the ball went straight through the ring.

 

Kenichi was impressed and said, “Oh, wow!” He clapped.

He looked quite happy even though he lost easily.

 

“… Kenichi, be serious. This isn’t good practice.”

 

“Ahaha, I’m sorry. I was just admiring you.”

 

“… Admire. I’m not as sophisticated as the pros.”

 

“Really? I simply love watching Kotone play basketball like this.”

 

“…Oh yeah.”

 

I returned it without hesitation, picked up the ball and headed for Kenichi’s spot.

I wish I could be a little more endearing…, but I just couldn’t resist returning it this way.

 

I wish I could honestly say “thank you” for the compliment…

I’m almost disgusted with my own personality – but before I can fall into self-loathing, Kenichi speaks to me, “Hey Kotone.”

I’m sure he knows my personality, so he spoke to me before making me think about it.

 

…Jeez.

I’m always sneaky.

 

As soon as my depression faded away, I looked at Kenichi as if nothing was wrong.

 

“We don’t participate in each other’s club activities, so the exercise is new for both of us. Besides, don’t you think it’s very adolescent for high school students to work so hard for such an event?”

 

“… Every class is kind of uptight about it. I thought people would say, ‘That’s such a hassle’.”

 

“No, no~, it’s a school that works very hard on its events. Some people even go here because they like it.　That’s not possible, right?”

 

“… Heh. That’s right.”

 

A school that demands independence and initiative from its students.

That’s what Kenichi and I both came here for.

 

But I never thought.

I didn’t think we would take the sports festival seriously.

I wondered if we were inspired by those two …

 

While I was thinking about that, Kenichi picked up the ball before I knew it and started twirling it around with the tip of his index finger.

Smiling thinly, he looked up at the sky and squinted.

 

“It’s been a long time since we practiced together like this. I miss it.”

 

“… That’s right. Maybe since the summer of our junior year in high school.”

 

“I see. It’s been a year since then~.”

 

“… Yeah. In high school, we didn’t do any club activities. But even though it’s been a while, your body remembers things. I don’t have the strength to run anymore, but …”

 

“Well~. I’m not going to do any running. It’s exhausting.”

 

“…You’re not holding your breath at all for that kind of thing. You’re still cunning as ever. You’re a physical fitness monster…”

 

“I’m not a monster, you know. I have my limits too~. I just have more stamina than other people and I’ve learned to take it out moderately so I can hold it in. I can’t give it my everything all the time either.”

 

“… Is that so?”

 

“Of course. I’m a human being, and I can’t do what I can’t do, can I?”

 

“… Kenichi seems to be able to do anything.”

 

“Well, I’m good at making it look that way.”

 

He smiled with a face that was as good as an innocent boy.

His face made my heart beat faster, and I felt my face heat up slightly.

 

I fan my face with my hand, saying, “It’s hot.”

To cover my embarrassment, I decided to ask Kenichi what was on my mind.

 

“…Hey.”

 

“Hmmm? What’s up Kotone?”

 

“…What are you and Tokiwaki-kun doing secretly lately?”

 

Every day they sneak around together … and really, I envy them.

Kenichi is the only one who has cared about Tokiwagi-kun for a long time, and I feel like they communicate with each other even if they don’t talk.

That’s what I really envy…

 

“Haha! Are you jealous?”

 

“…Bad?”

 

“It’s not that bad! But still, you admitted it honestly! You’re so cute, as usual.”

 

“… Hey. Don’t pet me and treat me like a child…”

 

“Well, well, well. That’s good, isn’t it?”

 

He patted my head and smiled happily.

I can’t deny that I feel like I’m being played for a trick, but I don’t … feel bad about it, it’s foul play.

 

“…So, what are you doing with Tokiwagi-kun? Come on, tell me. Since it’s tomorrow anyway, why don’t you just tell me?”

 

“Hmm~? I guess so. It may not be clear to Kotone, though. Towa and I are just doing prep work for the sports festival, you know? Like a primer? But in his case, it’s a little different.”

 

“… What’s that? I thought he’s doing good deeds to make a good impression.”

 

“From my point of view, he’s doing a lot of good deeds. Besides doing the obvious, he doesn’t talk about it himself, but I’m sure people… are watching.”

 

“… Then wouldn’t people around him appreciate it? It doesn’t look that way to me.”

 

“That’s because he hides what he did, doesn’t say, and puts it on me. Therefore, only the bad parts stand out, and the impression is not good. In fact, Kotone doesn’t really know either, do you?”

 

“… Yeah. I don’t actually see it. To be clear, there were times when I thought, ‘Why both Rin and Kenichi can?’”

 

“Well, that’s a fair opinion! Towa is really a character to lose, you know. Before, he was so bad that if you left him alone, he’d just disappear.”

 

Kenichi chuckled and shrugged.

 

I don’t know Tokiwagi-kun very well.

However, Kenichi and Rin don’t lie, so I tried to ignore the rumors around him.

 

“…So you’re lending a hand?”

 

“That ain’t all, though. I’ll be happy if people get to know the real him and recognize him~.”

 

“…Happy?”

 

“Yeah! But Towa has a low self-esteem, twisted, unreliable, and easily misunderstood personality!”

 

“…Ehhh. Is that a compliment?”

 

“Haha! But he has a better eye for people than anyone else and does exactly what he’s entrusted to do. Kotone may not know it, but he’s very honest and serious.”

 

“…Certainly, he is serious enough to endure Rin’s spartan education.”

 

“Right?”

 

Rin doesn’t compromise, so when she teaches, she’s just very strict.

It’s easy to understand, but the standards she demands are high…

 

Come to think of it, Tokiwagi-kun is keeping up with that, even though he complains about it…

That’s true, that might be amazing.

 

“I’m going to do what I can. I’m just preparing opportunities and chances, but it’s up to Towa whether he can seize them or not.”

 

“… I see. Is it okay to talk about this with Rin?”

 

“Isn’t it fine? Well, it’s Wakamiya, so you know.”

 

Rin would understand…

 

Ah, that could be said.

I’m more enthusiastic than usual.

That makes me smile when I think about it, acting all healthy and smiling.

 

I thought of my best friend’s enthusiasm and couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“So let’s get to it! This time, let’s get serious.”

 

“I’m looking forward to it …”

 

“I’m telling you, I’m going to take advantage of the difference in height. Of course, I’m serious.”

 

“…Don’t worry. I won’t lose this one to Kenichi.”

 

“Haha! Then, if I win, it’s a penalty game! Let’s call it a five-run first round.”

 

“… It’s okay. I’m the one who will win.”

 

“Don’t tell me~ II’ll definitely make Kotone eat the green bell pepper she hates.”

 

“… If I win, you’ll have to eat a bottle of marmalade.”

 

“I’m the only one who gets punished too much…?”

 

“… Let’s do it. I’ll definitely feed it to you.”

 

“Hahaha … Your eyes are serious, aren’t they? No, Kotone … you’re joking, right?”

 

I answer him with a big smile on my face as he withdraws his facial expression.

 

“… I will take care of Kenichi when he falls ill from the bad flavor. I’ll be gentle, so leave it to me.”

 

“Love is distorted!?!?”

 

Kenichi’s comment echoed in the deserted park, and he and I looked at each other …and laughed.