Chapter 12: A Visit From A Best Friend

“Tomorrow, Let’s practice soccer for the ball game.”

When Chiaki sent him such a message, Asahi’s face clouded over as he pondered over it.

I’m more of an athletic person, but I won’t go out of my way to kick a ball during my day off.

However, when I remember my classmates’ enthusiasm to win the competition, I think about practicing for at least a day.

In the end, Asahi convinced himself that he was bored at home anyway, and sent a short reply saying that he understood.

It was pretty surreal to imagine the two of them kicking a ball together, but Chiaki was a former soccer club member, so he would get a lot out of it.

Although it was undeniably an amateur’s hasty preparation, it was surely better than doing nothing.

The next day, Saturday, Asahi let out a big sigh when he saw Chiaki operating the controller next to him.

“…Hey, Chiaki. I thought we were going to have soccer practice today…”

“Yeah, I’m in the middle of doing just that.”

Chiaki, muttering, “Watch me,” dribbled past two defenders and made a spectacular loop shot over the goalkeeper’s head in a brilliant arc.

“This is how you score a goal.”

“Isn’t this just a game…What’s more I play defense.”

When the meeting place was not at the nearest station or park, but at Asahi’s house, he already had a bad feeling.

The premonition came true, and since the daytime of the holiday, Asahi had been practicing soccer, or rather, soccer games.

“Well, I’m perfectly fine with this…”

Asahi turned his attention to the TV screen, muttering to himself with a sigh.

The game had become much more one-sided with all the famous players.

The console itself belonged to Asahi, but the game software was brought in by Chiaki, so the difference in skill was directly related to the difference in scores.

“I’m up by three points in the first half…I’m worried for you about the ball game.”

“That’s why I thought we’d practice today.”

“That’s why right now-”

“Yeah, right.”

If you respond to sarcasm with sarcasm, a similar exchange awaits you.

While having this idle conversation, another player controlled by Chiaki scored a goal, and the originally decisive outcome of the game became certain.

It annoyed me that he was getting more and more sloppy in his play, but I couldn’t say anything about it because he was still far too good for me.

“Speaking of which, yesterday, didn’t you have a nosebleed, Asahi?”

“Yeah.”

“I heard there was an accident with the girls practicing in the gym at that time.”

Perhaps he was bored because the score gap was so wide, but Chiaki still wanted to talk to him, even though the game was in progress.

That time, the gym, the girls, an accident. Each word reminded him of an event that he could associate with, and Asahi couldn’t help but loosen his grip on the controller.

Chiaki took advantage of the opportunity and scored another goal to make it a five point difference game, but I didn’t care about the score difference at this point.

We continued our conversation in an indifferent manner, neither pleased nor disappointed.

“It seems that she twisted her hand in an accident during a basketball game. And, you know, the girl who got hurt…”

“It’s Himuro, right?.”

“Oh, that’s unusual, you already knew?”

“Well, that’s what the rumors said.”

I had actually met Fuyuka in the infirmary while she was being treated for her injuries, but I didn’t bother to tell him that, so I kept quiet.

In fact, rumors of Fuyuka’s injury had circulated throughout the school yesterday.

In addition to being the “Ice Lady”, Fuyuka’s injury was also a hot topic as she was one of the players to watch out for in the upcoming ball game.

Among them, there was one disturbing rumor that was flying around.

“Is it true that Himuro is in a situation where she can’t use her dominant hand?”

“I heard it’s true. Apparently she was immobilized with bandages wrapped around her wrist. It looks like it was pretty serious.”

“Then, the ball game-”

“It’s going to be tough. You can’t help but use your dominant hand at times, and I don’t think it will heal in a week.”

Fuyuka said she would be fine if she rested for a week, but as Chiaki said, it would be impossible to rest completely since it was her dominant hand.

Chiaki had no way of knowing, but the fact that Fuyuka lived alone next door was also a big factor.

In a situation where you had to do all the housework by yourself, and not being able to use your dominant hand was not very realistic.

‘Is she gonna be fine?’

Even if she couldn’t participate in the ball game, Fuyuka would still act as the “Ice Lady” as usual and watch the games indifferently.

However, when Fuyuka expressed her honest desire to win, her expression was calm and soft, yet there was definitely a small fighting spirit within it.

I don’t think it will be easy for her to accept that the injury did not heal and she can’t participate in the ball game.

“There, I win hands down. As promised, I’ll have you serve me a home-cooked meal for dinner this evening.”

“I don’t remember making that promise. You only came here today for dinner anyway.”

“You’re right. I wanted to eat some since it’s been a while.”

“Sheesh, this guy…”

When Chiaki, who was in a good mood, pulled my attention back to the TV screen, I saw that the game was up by seven points before I knew it.

Asahi was good at games in general, but Chiaki’s soccer sense apparently applied to games as well.

“Chef Asahi. I would like to eat some beef stew if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Such hassle…Don’t you know how much beef costs?”

“Of course, we’ll split it 50-50, or I would even pay for the whole thing. So, Chef Asahi, please!”

“I wonder…”

It takes a lot of time and effort, and you need to buy the necessary supplies, but it was not something that I couldn’t make.

To begin with, it was a secret pleasure for Asahi to serve Chiaki a home-cooked meal.

Chiaki, who ate everything with enjoyment, made a very good impression as a cook.

Besides, I haven’t had a chance to cook for anyone lately due to the influence of living alone, so Chiaki was a very valuable customer.

He had no intention of refusing, but it was Asahi’s desire to tease that made him pause a little and looked uncomfortable.

It may have unconsciously included the anger at losing the soccer game.

After a long pause, he replied that he understood, and Chiaki made an exaggerated victory pose and began to dance joyfully.

As he watched the unnecessarily sharp dance, Asahi thought about his neighbor.

Is there anything I can do to help?

Is it too much of a meddler to think like that?

Asahi laughed in disgust at himself for taking more care of Fuyuka than necessary.