It was Saturday, the day before the tournament. In preparation for the upcoming match, everyone put effort into their morning practice. We couldn’t afford to lose our first game.
“Ahh, I’m so tired. Don’t force me to practice much in the morning, even though it’s the day before the game.”
“But instead, we’ll only have a light practice after school, remember? Just try to stay strong.”
“Right. But it didn’t make me feel motivated…!!!”
On the way back to the club room, we saw three girls approaching us. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them before, what do they want?
“Oh, um.....Yanagi-senpai! Can I have a picture with you?”
“Yes, me too, please!”
“Me too!”
Apparently, they were first-year students and came here to take a picture with him. Kouichi has a handsome face. It’s no wonder first-year students are fooled when they don’t know about Kouichi.
“Well, really? Yukari...... she is not here. Okay, let’s take a picture!”
“Hey, Kouichi!”
I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen to me. Kouichi happily took pictures with them...... Ah, I am not jealous of him. It’s not like I’m trying to be famous or anything. So I decided to head back to the club room. I don’t care if Kouichi is late.
Afterwards, I went to the club room first to change my clothes and then to the classroom.
“Umesaki-senpai, good morning.”
"Ah, Ayukawa-san. Good morning."
On the way to the classroom, I ran into Kaede Ayukawa, a little tall, stylish, and beautiful woman with a matching bob haircut and glasses. She’s my Kouhai at the Environmental Beautification Committee I am a member of.
At this time of year, the Environmental Beautification Committee has to take care of the flower beds in the schoolyard. Still, I’m not able to participate because of the morning practice sessions of the club activities for the upcoming competition. So I asked Ayukawa-san, who was in charge of another task, to take care of it for me. She’s as sincere as she looks, so I’m sure she was taking care of the flower beds today as well.
“Thank you for today. You’ve been really helpful.”
“No, no. It’s not a big deal. It’s nothing compared to what senpai did for me when I took my high school entrance exam.”
“───No, no, it’s nothing.”
“No. My senpai was the only person who saved me from molesters on the day of the entrance exam and the only person who took care of me afterwards and accompanied me to school. If it weren’t you, I might not be here.”
Indeed, we happened to be on the same train that day, and I saved Ayukawa-san from the molester. Because everyone pretended not to see what the molester was doing. After that, when I found out Ayukawa-san was applying to the high school I attended, I accompanied her. The time was running out, and I didn’t want her to get lost on her way towards school.
So I was happy when I met Ayukawa-san again at the committee meeting for the first time. Because she had successfully entered our high school.
“Therefore, I want to return the favour to my senpai as much as I can. So please don’t mind asking me to help you in any way.”
“No, it can’t be like that! When the club activities are over, I will do the work Ayukawa-san did for me.”
“Is that so? If senpai says...... By the way, did the tournament start soon?”
“Yes. We have our first game tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? ......It’s not going to be postponed or anything, is it?”
Ayukawa-san asks me with a disappointed expression on her face.
“Eh? If it rains, there is a chance, but.......Were you planning to come and support us?”
“Yes, yes. But I have something else I have to do tomorrow, and it can’t be postponed.”
“I see. But don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll win tomorrow’s game, and there will be another one in upcoming days.”
“Oh, really? Then I’ll definitely be there next time.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it. But Ayukawa-san, do you know any soccer rules?”
“As I was forced to watch my brother’s game. I know some of the rudimentary rules.”
“I see. At which school does your brother go to?”
“......My brother is in Tokyo. My parents are divorced, so my brother went with my father, and I went with my mother.”
Oh, no. I forced Ayukawa-san to say something difficult to answer.
"Sorry, I'm sorry, Ayukawa-san.”
“No, there is nothing to apologize for. My brother and I are not close from the beginning. Although my brother has a great appearance on the outside, inside, he is an arrogant, jealous, and troublesome person.”
Ayukawa-san said with a sigh and a frightened look on her face. I don’t know if you and your brother get along so badly. As an only child, I envy you for having a sibling.
“I wish my senpai was my older brother.”
“Hmm?”
“No, it’s nothing. Well, I’m looking forward to the second match. Oh, why don’t we exchange contact information? I’ve recently started to use LINE.”
“Oh, so Ayukawa-san is also starting to use LINE. Since Sensei is not here, let’s exchange here.”
We both took out our phones and exchanged our contact information. It’s a cute little yokan mascot strap hanging on her phone. I wonder if it’s a character from some anime.
“Thank you very much. I’ll contact you next time about the match date and time. Oh, yes, there’s one thing I’d like to ask you.”
“What?”
Did Ayukawa-san have any questions? I’m sure she is more familiar with the committee than I do.
“Senpai, do you have a girlfriend at the moment?”
“............Eh?”
The question was far beyond my imagination. What the hell is she talking about?
“No, I don’t.”
I told the truth. I know I have a childhood friend who has made some unusual promises, but it’s not something I can say to her.
“Really? No, I was just wondering if you have a girlfriend. I recently saw you hang out with a beautiful classmate at school.”
“‘Oh, you mean Yuki? Her name is Yukiho Hamachi, and she’s my childhood friend. Until recently, she never attended the school, so I guess Ayukawa-san doesn’t know about it.”
“......Ah, I see. So you are not in a relationship with that person?”
“No. We are just childhood friends.”
“I see. I’m sorry I asked you something weird. Well, good luck with tomorrow’s game. Bye.”
Ayukawa-san bowed her head and walked away. I wonder if Yuki and I stand out so much together? No, it’s true Yuki is very cute when looked at objectively. It’s a little dangerous to stand out as a couple. We have to be very careful as much as we can.
“Good morning, Yuki.”
I went to the shoe rack to change my shoes, and I met Yuki over there.
“Oh, good morning, Hiro-kun.”
Yuki was staring at my face as if she wanted to say something. I wondered if there was something on my face.
“What’s wrong?”
“I was thinking......you were talking happily with a very beautiful person just now.”
“...... Ah! You mean her!!”
It seems like she saw me talking with Ayukawa-san and misunderstood something.
“The person I was talking to earlier was Ayukawa-san, my Kouhai at the Environmental Beautification Committee. We were just chatting for a while.”
“.....I see. Thank goodness───”
“Popularity makes me exhausted. Ah, Good morning, Hamachi-san.”
As soon as Yuki was about to say something, Kouichi, who had finished taking pictures with Kouhais, came to the shoe box.
“You’re popular, or you just don’t know who you are. So Yuki, were you about to say something?”
“...No, no, it’s nothing.”
I thought she was about to say something. Was it my imagination? But it’s okay because Yuki herself says it’s nothing.
“All right, let’s have a race to the classroom. If I win, buy me some juice!”
“...What?”
Kouichi started to say something unreasonable as he put on his shoes and suddenly started running. No, no, no, there’s no way you can win if you start the race on your own. Well, I could just tell Yukari that you were taking a picture with Kouhai and getting rid of the bet.
“Let’s just ignore that idiot and head out slowly, shall we?”
“Yeah, yeah...... Um...Hiro-kun.”
“Hmm?”
Yuki stretched up to my ear and said in a quiet voice so no one else could hear.
“I am looking forward to today as well......”
She whispered into my ear.
“......Ah.”
I replied. And so, we started our day at school.
＊
We finished our classes earlier than usual because it was Saturday.
“Chuchu .......”
In an empty classroom, we kissed as we had promised. Even though I was getting used to her kissing by now, Yuki’s kisses were getting better and better, leaving me no room to relax and let her do her thing. I don’t know if I can find a way to keep my confidence.
“Thank you for today. Good luck with your club activities, Hiro-kun.”
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
Yuki cheered me up, and I felt like I could do my best again today. Then I went to the club activities, and Yuki went home. If I had a day off from club activities, I could go home with her, but since I only have once a week off, that’s not so easy.
“......Hmm?”
After changing clothes in the club room, I was on my way to the ground when I noticed something noisy on the soccer field. Is it possible practice has already started? No, but when I looked at the clock in the club room earlier, there was still plenty of time left. What the hell happened?
“Damn it, I can’t get the ball!”
“What the hell is this guy?”
“...You handsome bastard─── Don’t think you’re getting carried away easily...”
An unfamiliar figure easily dodges other players while trying to take the ball.
I could see my senpai and Kouichi playing regularly with him. It means he’s pretty good at the game if those people can play around with him as if he was a child.
“I’m not sure what to do. Hey Hiroki, you are the opponent. We’re no match for this guy!”
When my senior saw me, he beckoned me over to him.
“Who the hell is this guy anyway? If the coach comes─── Ah, wait? You are…”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Umezaki-kun. I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”
When I saw his face, I was shocked. The other side doesn’t seem to be like this and talks to me in a friendly manner. I didn’t expect him to remember me, and I couldn’t help but be surprised.
“Hey, Hiroki. Do you know this guy?”
“Well, yeah. Um───”
“By the way...I haven’t introduced myself to everyone yet. I’m Kengo Akutagawa, a third-year student at Teisei High School. Nice to meet you. I heard Yukiho has started attending school, so I came to school today to check on her. Still, when I saw you were enjoying playing soccer, I decided to join in.”
“Teisei High School is a national tournament school, isn’t it? And Yukio is......”
“It’s about Yuki. He’s Yuki’s fiancee.”
“...What? This guy?”
Kouichi honestly expressed his surprise. The other members of the club reacted in the same way. However, the other members of the club who knew about Yuki wouldn’t have known she had an in-law in the first place, so they were probably surprised.
“Heh, heh....... He is handsome, good at soccer, and looks cool....... Hmmm, you are a good competitor when it comes to me.”
Although Koichi said it mysteriously, his voice was trembling. It seemed he thought in his heart he was no match for him.
“Well, it means you live in Tokyo, right?”
“Yes, I was able to come today because it’s Saturday, and I had a day off from school and club activities.”
“You’re off on Saturday......as expected from elite school!?”
“No, it has nothing to do with it. But Yuki has already gone home.”
“Well, I guess we crossed paths today. I wanted to show Yukiho how good I play soccer, like in a one-on-one match with Umezaki-kun.”
“No, it won’t be a fair game.”
I’ve seen you play before, but you’re not the kind of opponent I can beat. You may not be beaten to a pulp, but I don’t see my winning at all.
“Really? Let’s try it sometime. I can’t do it today because I have to see Yukiho. Yes, if you come to the national tournament, we can play against each other.”
“Hahaha..... Well, I’ll do my best.”
Oh, so it’s a matter of course for him to attend the national tournament. He’s really on a different level than me.
“No, we’re definitely going to play! Be prepared!”
Kouichi boldly declared the challenge. The other club members, who had been beaten by Akutagawa-san, seemed to be full of energy.
“I’m looking forward to it. See you, Umezaki-kun. We will meet again.”
Akutagawa-san bowed politely with a refreshing smile and left the school grounds. I didn’t expect Akutagawa-san to suddenly come to school. If this person saw Yuki and me kissing in school, I might never see her again. I’d better be on my guard on weekends.
“But Hiroki. I think you’re too scared of him, right?.”
“Well, is that so? Maybe it’s his......personality.”
“I don’t know how you feel, but... You’re an excellent player, too, so you should have confidence. Oh, you’re late, Yukari.”
While we were talking, Yukari came in an angry mood. I’ve never seen her, though she usually arrives quite early.
“I’ve been complaining about the short length of the skirt to coach Tanaka....... It’s a long story. Forget it but, I saw a really good looking guy just now...”
“Oh, he seems to be Hamachi-sean's fiance. I was playing soccer with him earlier.”
“Seriously? He is Hamachi-san’s....... Hiroki, do you want me to buy you something today too?”
“Don’t feel sorry for me! Oh, the coach is here.”
As soon as the coach arrives, we switch gears and get ready for practice. I’m worried about Yuki and Akutagawa-san, but it’s not my place to step in. Akutagawa-san is a very nice person, and I’m sure he’s doing well with Yuki.
I just do what I have to do. Therefore today, I’m going to practice hard to win tomorrow’s match.
Sponsored Content
