As I Know Anything About You, I'll Be The One To Your Girlfriend, Aren't I? - Volume 1 Chapter 2.2

I Hope You Understand 2

With a sharp exhale, Suika returns every high-speed serve that comes her way.

Moreover, even if her opponent manages to barely return the ball, Suika mercilessly delivers the finishing blow in the next move.

Despite being on the supposedly disadvantageous return side, she ended up winning the first game.

Now it was Suika’s turn to serve.

Given her petite stature, serving should have been difficult for Suika…

“…Hah!”

“Nice serve!”

“Okay, okay!”

“Let’s score another one!”

Suika compensates for her height with an unusually high jump and precise racket handling, delivering strong and fast serves.

“Wow, such a high jump…”

“Whoa, nice shot!”

“And she’s fast too! Like, she’s so cool!”

The murmur in the venue gradually turns into cheering.

…She’s really amazing.

Though it might be presumptuous, the praise for her felt as if it were for me as well.

The reason Suika, who isn’t a part of the tennis club, is so strong, is not only due to her basic physical abilities but also because she is exceptionally skilled at “moving her body exactly how she wants.” This ability is the fruit of her efforts, honed from being drilled in various martial arts from a young age as the successor of the Ado family tradition.

Having closely watched her efforts as a childhood friend, seeing her bloom in the sunlight is always a joy.

“Damn!”

The opponent player lets out a pained voice.

However, as expected from an ace of her team, she plays her cards of experience, utilizing a wide variety of shots and clever tactics, seeing that she’s at a physical disadvantage. Suika, despite her efforts, couldn’t match up to that.

As a result, the situation became evenly matched. A clash of power and technique, the back-and-forth battle hinted at a drawn-out match.

I want to keep watching.

I really do.

…Damn, am I feeling dizzy?

“Ugh, damn, seriously…”

As noon approaches, the scorching sun only intensifies. I wore a hat, but it’s not just the sunlight; the temperature is also harsh.

I don’t want to say that I’m feeling sick from the heat while Suika and the others are fighting on the court, but sadly, that’s the reality.

It’s not like I’m sleep-deprived, but this condition is just embarrassing.

However, I’m determined to see this match through. Afterwards, I’ll try to move without causing Suika worry and somehow make my way home, even if I have to rest intermittently.

That’s when I decided in my heart…

“Overheating should be avoided, whether you’re a mass of semiconductors or a lump of proteins.”

“Eh? Whoa!”

Something cold touches my neck. It’s a sports drink.

Before I knew it, standing next to me and offering it is…

“…Kujo-san!? Why are you here…”

“Is it a problem? Just take this, it’s a thank you for yesterday. You can drink it, but first, it’s good to cool down your neck. There are thick blood vessels there, so it’s effective.”

“Ah, thanks, I mean, it really helps…wow, that feels good…”

The drink must have been bought recently; it’s very cold. I was surprised at first, but following her advice and applying it to my neck again, it feels incredibly comforting.

“And here, salt tablets. Eat these. This is oral rehydration solution, better than sports drinks, perhaps. Chugging is not recommended.”

“Ah, um, then I’ll take that… no, wait, why?”

“…By the way, I also have a handheld fan, one I made myself a while ago. I wound the coil and built it from a motor myself. I don’t know how effective it is against heatstroke.”

“Wow, the wind is strong…”

With a woosh~, the wind from the handheld fan she’s holding is sent my way. The volume of air it produces is incomparably greater than that of commercially available ones, and it feels so good.

“Really, thank you so much, this is a lifesaver… Are you an angel…? …………Would you tell me why Kujo-san is here? It’s totally fine if you don’t want to say.”

“It’s obvious I just happened to pass by, I just happened to pass by. I’m not interested in sports and don’t have anyone to support, so I have nothing to do with what’s happening in this park. It’s just a coincidence.”

Her rapid-fire response was delivered with her usual cool expression.

Taking a beat, she continues in a calmer tone than before.

“These heatstroke prevention goods are, of course, for my own use. In this day and age, you can get heatstroke even at home, so it’s best to take precautions. I’m just doing the best I can. Do you understand, or do you have any questions?”

If she states it so crisply and clearly, I guess that’s how it is. It’s true that it’s probably a good idea to stock up on heatstroke prevention goods at home.

To have just happened across a tennis court in a comprehensive park on the outskirts of town, and moreover, to have come all the way inside, is a bit hard to imagine, but if she says so, then it must be true.

“No, I understand. I feel like I’m feeling a bit better now. Thank you so much!”

“It’s thanks for yesterday.”

“It’s just because we had fun playing games, it’s kind of embarrassing. But, this is a record. To think I would be talking with Kujo-san like this two days in a row.”

Until now, our interactions were limited to talking maybe once every ten days in class.

“It’s a coincidence, things just overlap. Miyashiro-kun, you came to see Ado-san, right?”

“Yeah, you got it right. Wait, you know about Suika?”

It would be nearly impossible for a student at Izutsu Mina High School not to know Suika, but if there were any exceptions, I would have thought Kujo-san would be one of them.

“She comes to our classroom occasionally, to see you. You’re close, aren’t you? Even now, she keeps glancing over here.”

“Eh, really? Why would she do that during a match? Well, anyway, watch her. Suika is amazing. She’s going head to head with the incredibly skilled ace player of the opposing team, and… huh?”

There was a loud sound, and I saw Suika’s ball hit the net. It was a miss shot.

Hearing the score called by the referee, I realized that the match I thought was closely contested had gradually started to tilt in favor of the other side.

“Are we being pushed back? Seriously, why… No, no, no, no, it’s not ‘why’!”

I figure out the reason and instinctively press both hands to my head.

Earlier, Kujo-san mentioned that Suika keeps glancing over here. Then, there’s only one answer.

“It’s me…! She noticed I’m not feeling well…! Wow, I’m really sorry!”

Given Suika’s keen eye and observational skills, she could definitely notice from my paleness and the PET bottle I pressed against my neck. She must have become so worried about me that she couldn’t focus on the match.

It’s a self-conceited, idiotic idea, but considering how much care Suika shows me, it’s plausible.

“Suika, I’m feeling better now! Can you hear me?”