Chapter 50: The Ice Lady and Soccer Club’s Ace

Asahi only knew three things about Yamada, he was the soccer club’s ace, quite good-looking, and popular with girls.

According to Chiaki, the male students trusted him a lot.

Indeed, many students, both male and female, had gathered around Yamada, who had scored a goal in the finals of the ball game.

There was also one more thing that Asahi knew about Yamada.

“Isn’t it unusual that Yamada-kun is here at this time?”

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a day off.”

“Good luck in next week’s match, Ryoma-kun! I’ll be there to cheer you on.”

“Thanks, I’ll do my best to win.”

Even as they walked down the corridor together where no one was around, there was a constant stream of heated glances directed at Yamada.

He had a slender height, well-developed muscles, and a sweet, neutral mask with a dazzling, refreshing smile.

According to his classmates, they liked the gap between him being a reliable striker during games and being soft-spoken in everyday life.

Looking at Yamada’s fluttering hands waving at the girls, Asahi affirmed that this kind of man would be popular.

“Were you in the middle of something earlier? I’m sorry, I called you out of the blue.”

“No, I’m fine. I was just waiting for my other friend.”

“I’m glad.”

Asahi was taken out of the classroom and he arrived at the back of the school building, which was not popular.

It was a great place for a confession, but this time, it would pass as a place, perfect for a private conversation.

Yamada’s business could be roughly predicted from the fact he wanted to talk at such a place.

“By the way, when I meant ‘talk’ earlier, It was about Himuro-san.”

“About my relationship with Fuyuka?”

“A-amazing, that’s exactly right.”

 

Since he had already been asked the same question dozens of times and had given the same answer dozens of times, there was no lack of surprise for Asahi.　

Again, like a NPC, he just informs the player of the same answer.

“Fuyuka and I live close by. We just happen to get along.”

 

“So the reason why Himuro-san changed was because of your influence, Kagami-kun.”

“I don’t know. Well, we’re just regular friends.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah, are you doubting me?”

Touko, Chiaki, his classmates, and even students from other classes liked Yamada.

Why were they so interested in a perfectly normal relationship as friends?

Apparently, the answer was the same for all of them: the “Ice Lady” was close to him.

In fact, Chiaki told him that it looked like that, and Yamada said the exact same thing.

As for Asahi, he just shook his head and denied it.

‘We just got to know each other earlier.’ He said, smiling a little to himself for some reason.

“I thought you were dating…”

“That would be a grand misunderstanding.”

“…Then, I still have a chance…”

 

Yamada’s expression, which had been slightly tense, clearly broke down.

Asahi couldn’t read the kind of emotion that was being expressed by that smile.

“Kagami-kun, can I ask you just one more question?”

“If it’s a question that I can answer.”

“How do you feel about Himuro-san?”

Asahi remembered that Chiaki had asked him a similar, or rather the exact same question on the day of Hatsumode.

Thanks to that, he could guess that this abstract question was asking if he had romantic feelings about her.

At the same time, Asahi painfully felt the straight gaze being directed at him.

His eyes were serious and his expression was tight.

It was different from being strong, it was as if he was looking at an opponent against a ball game.

“…I hope that was a question you could answer.”

“Well…”

 

“Don’t worry, I won’t force you to answer.”

Asahi unconsciously turned away from Yamada, who now had a friendly smile on his face.

It must not have been an unanswerable question.

He already assured Chiaki that they were just friends.

However, with Yamada in front of him, Asahi was speechless for some reason.

Somehow, he felt a tug in his heart.

It was the same feeling he felt during Hatsumode.

“You see, I really like Himuro-san. She once rejected me before I could confess, but I think she can talk to me now. Slowly, we should be able to get closer.”

Yamada opened his mouth slowly, as if to chase after the silent Asahi.

“That’s why I wanted to check today, if she already has a boyfriend. And whether or not I had a strong rival.”

 

“…Why are you telling me this?”

“Eh… Now I’m embarrassed to hear you say that with the way things are going. It was a declaration of rivalry, in case you were wondering.”

 

“I don’t remember doing anything for you to make that declaration.”

“It looks like it. But I thought I should tell you about it.”

With a smile as fresh as ever, Yamada was not shy in expressing his fondness for Fuyuka.

Asahi had heard from Chiaki that Yamada had really been rejected by Fuyuka.

To be precise, it seemed that he was rejected without even being able to confess.

Yet, he was still in love with her and was trying to tell her how he felt again.

The expression on the man’s face was calm, but there was something passionate in his eyes and in his words.

“Let’s get along from now on, Kagami-kun.”

 

With that, Yamada turned his back on Asahi and left the back of the school building.

Even Asahi, who was not familiar with such things, could understand that “Let’s get along,” was not just talking about friendship.

Asahi didn’t know what he was thinking, but Yamada seemed to have recognized him as his rival in love.

The words that hit him head-on greatly confused Asahi’s mind, even though he said himself that it had nothing to do with him.

“Whoa, you’re finally back.”

“Asahi, where have you been? Why are you arriving later than us?”

“My bad, I was occupied with something.”

 

When he returned to the classroom, he found not only Chiaki, who had said he would be waiting, but also Hinami, with her cheeks puffed out.

And next to her stood Fuyuka, who looked a little tired.

“Looks like you had another exhausting day.”

“Listen to this, Asahi! Even though I’m right next to her, everyone just kept talking about Fuyu-chan and Fuyu-chan!”

“It was Friday after school, so it was more lively than usual.”

“Well, good work. You need to get some sleep for tomorrow.”

“Yes… but I may not be able to sleep because of excitement.”

“Wha-, you’re talking like a 4th grader.”

 

Asahi’s heart jumped a little when Fuyuka smiled a little innocently.

‘Adorable’, he thought.

“Fuyu-chan is so cute!”

 

And so, Hinami complimented her on behalf of Asahi.

“Al~right! Now that we’re all here, let’s go to a strategy meeting!”

After leaving the school, they went to a family restaurant in front of the station.

It seemed that the big amusement park where they were going to play tomorrow had just opened recently and was very popular.

In order to have a full day of fun, they need to have a strategy meeting beforehand to make sure they were able to get around efficiently, said someone.

Imagining the four of them playing together, Asahi started to look forward to tomorrow.

And his feelings for Fuyuka, who was walking next to him, were also slowly and unconsciously heating up inside him.