As I Know Anything About You, I'll Be The One To Your Girlfriend, Aren't I? - Volume 1 Chapter 2.1

I Hope You Understand 1

“Hot…”

To think it would be this hot from the morning.

The fierce heat from the blazing sun made me grimace. For it to be this hot at the beginning of June, this year the signs of summer are showing up unusually early.

But, well, I’m just a spectator, so I’ve got it easy. I shouldn’t be too luxurious to complain.

Beyond the fence, girls clad in their school’s uniform tennis attire are energetically exchanging volleys on the court.

This place is a large comprehensive park on the outskirts of the city. With its abundance of tennis courts, it’s often used for tournaments.

In fact, today, tennis clubs from high schools around this area have gathered for an inter-school competition.

…It feels like I’m getting glanced at from all around. Is it just me, or is it not?

Both boys and girls are playing matches, but the area I’m standing in is designated for the girls’ courts. Since most of the spectators here are girls too, I definitely stand out.

Someone’s boyfriend? I hear that phrase. It would be a nuisance for them if they thought that, making me feel a bit guilty.

I guess I’ll have to apologize later.

Thinking of the person in question, I let out a sigh.

Then, as if on cue, she appeared on the court.

“Suika, sorry, but I need your help! It’s terrible to ask you at a time like this,”

“It really turned out that way…”

“We would have been fine if we could win… Sorry!”

“No worries, I came here to fight! I’m fired up, leave it to me!”

The girls around her spoke with apologetic voices, but Suika—gave them a brisk thumbs-up. Despite being my childhood friend, I can’t help but think she’s incredibly cool.

Today, I came to support Suika, who apparently was asked to be a reinforcement for the tennis club.

But she’s really been thrown into an incredible situation.

This tournament pits schools against each other in three singles matches and two doubles matches to decide the winner, and currently, each side has won two matches each.

What remains is a showdown between the aces of each school in singles. The school of the winning player will be declared the victor.

“Hey, is the ace from Itozumi High School usually that person?”

“No, that person is a temporary member. The real ace seems to have been injured.”

The girls spectating next to me on my left are having such a conversation.

“Eh! A temporary member…? That’s just for making up numbers, right? Then it’s already a lost game!”

“Yeah. I came to watch thinking it would be exciting since it’s a rivalry match, but maybe we’ll just take a look and leave.”

Probably, you girls will end up watching till the end—I thought, but of course, I didn’t say it out loud.

Hang in there, Suika.

Sending her a silent cheer, I watched as Suika then turned around and noticed me. Her eyes widened as much as possible upon spotting me.

“Kuuya!? Eeeeeh, what are you doing here!? Why are you here!?”

Surprised, Suika rushed toward the fence.

“Why? I’m here to support you. You mentioned you had a match today, right?”

“I did say that! But I didn’t hear that Kuuya would come to watch! Geez!”

She comically expressed her annoyance, as if to say, ‘You should have told me!’

“…Ah! But, wait!”

However, she suddenly looked up at the sky, checked the harshness of the sunlight, and immediately switched to a serious expression.

“Kuuya, are you okay…!? It’s really hot today…”

“I’m fine, I’m fine, thanks for worrying.”

“Really…? But, the sun is strong, and…”

“Suika, it’s your match, I’ll get energy from watching it.”

Cutting her off, I somewhat forcefully conveyed that. Actually, I’ve been really looking forward to it. I hadn’t had a chance to watch Suika’s matches recently because of bad timing.

“Kind of refreshing, you know. Watching Suika do well, I feel proud, somehow. It’s my enjoyment.”

“…”

Suika stared at me intently for a few seconds, then leaned closer. Though she was on the other side of the fence and slightly lower, her neat face came close.

Then, in a voice so quiet that no one else could hear, she stated clearly.

“…Thank you, I’m happy. I will win.”

It was a tone so startling, somewhat different from usual. A mix of whispering secrecy and submissive vow seemed to sweetly blend together.

“──Su ”

“All right! Then make sure you watch closely~~!!”

Before I could say anything, Suika quickly distanced herself. With her usual, big smile visible from a hundred meters away, she waved her hand vigorously before running off to her opponent.

The usual Suika.

“They really are a couple, huh…!”

“Right…!”

I heard such voices from next to me. It seems I’ve caused a misunderstanding.

Anyway, it looks like the match is about to start.

…Though I told Suika I was fine, it really is hot.

Despite it being early June, I hadn’t expected it to be this hot. Perhaps it’s one of the anomalies of climate change.

I tried looking up “heatstroke prevention” and “how to cure heatstroke” on my smartphone, but couldn’t really find any knowledge that would be immediately useful here.

As I was doing so, the match began.

Suika’s opponent was a tall player who serves high-speed balls with a smash-like motion from a high hitting point.

“Nice serve!”

“Okay, let’s keep this up!”

“Senior, fight!”

The opponent’s supporters are getting excited, and understandably so, as the initial development is quite one-sided.

Unable to even swing her racket, Suika merely watches the ball go by.

In no time, three consecutive points were taken.

“Is she a beginner?”

“Poor thing.”

“Who would call someone just to fill numbers?”

The surrounding gallery had already sensed the outcome of the match early on.

“Uh-huh, I see.”

But such an atmosphere didn’t bother her at all.

Suika muttered softly, holding her racket and waiting for the next serve from her opponent.

“Ha… Hmph!”

The opposing player, with incredible consistency, launched an almost invisible serve with a shout.

But she,

“…Huh?”

The next moment, she let out a surprised voice, staring in disbelief.

Gashaan, the fence behind her shook and screamed. Following that, the sound of the ball hitting and bouncing. In the silent venue, it echoed well.

After a beat, Itozumi High School—Suika’s side—exploded.

“Yesss, Suika, nice return!!”

“Good job, nice!”

“Go for it, show them what you’ve got!!”

Having brilliantly returned the high-speed serve, Suika, amidst her teammates’ cheers, moved to her next return position with a vigilant expression.

From that point on, it was Suika’s time.

“Can’t be!”

“Who is she!?”

“Itozumi’s secret weapon!?”

The opposing high school’s members and players from other schools watching the match began to express their astonishment in succession.