Cleanup

The gymnasium ceiling is high. So, normally, it’s impossible for a shot to reach it… yet sometimes, it feels like it might just touch the sky.

For instance, the beautiful arc of the three-point shot just now felt like it might reach the heavens.

With a satisfying swish, the ball went through the net and into the hoop, bouncing once on the floor before a loud cheer erupted.

It’s understandable. It’s not common to see a three-pointer during a ball game tournament.

And more than anything, it was made by a cute girl who isn’t even in the basketball club, which makes it all the more remarkable.

As the cheers rang out, the members of Class 5 returned to their side, and she turned to face me, flashing a double peace sign next to her cheeks with a beaming smile.

It felt like she was saying, “I did it!” I returned a slight smile and waved back.

Then, a guy plopped down next to me.

“What’s up with that? Kinoshita-chan is super cute.”

“What’s with you?”

“Godai Ryoma, you really piss me off. You should just die.”

“What’s with you?”

Saiga sat beside me with a look of pure spite, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Well… I messed up this time, really.”

“Kinoshita has integrated into the class, so it’s a win-win situation, even for you.”

“Yeah, that’s true. I’m not a fan of a bad class atmosphere either.”

The game was going well. This ball game tournament, the girls were doing pretty well too.

Kinoshita, having gained trust from her repeated scores, seemed to be getting more passes.

“It’s strange for a girl like Kinoshita, who does a double peace sign to Godai Ryoma after making a shot, to be getting passes. It’s even stranger that it’s Kinoshita Minami. Isn’t she that gloomy girl who snapped at everyone?”

“Do you hate Kinoshita too?”

“No, the only person I hate in this world is you.”

“Oh, I see…”

His immediate answer left me at a loss for a reaction. It’s almost overwhelming.

“Look at that. It’s clear someone’s been filling Kinoshita-chan’s head with something.”

“Filling her head…?”

Curious, I shifted my focus from the flying ball to Kinoshita. She was receiving some advice from her friends on the bench.

…She suddenly turned into an instant boiler Kinoshita, glaring at me. What’s going on?

“Kinoshita-chan definitely loves you, Godai.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, right. Seriously, go die.”

“No… honestly, I’m confused too…”

“Confused? There’s nothing to be confused about. You created that love-struck girl; there’s only one thing to do.”

“I don’t have the same policy as you, where any spark of interest means I should act on it.”

“You’re garbage.”

He says whatever he wants.

While we were talking, Kinoshita received the ball again and, after a moment’s hesitation, made a clean pass under the goal. Her classmate scored, a great assist.

Kinoshita glanced my way, looking uncertain—relieved, maybe disappointed.

“…Is she going to be alright?”

“Are you her guardian? She’s fine. She’s probably just trying to impress her crush.”

“You know a lot about this.”

“It happened a lot in middle school. Didn’t it happen to you? Virgin?”

“Don’t take this opportunity to mock me. I don’t remember if it happened in middle school.”

“Huh?”

It’s obvious. I’ve never paid this much attention to a girls’ match.

“I’m only watching because it’s Kinoshita.”

“Watch your words, seriously. My urge to kill you is bad enough.”

“What should I do about your urge to kill?”

“Make sure Kinoshita-chan doesn’t get ambushed. It’s possible she’ll be envied for being noticed by Godai Ryoma. Feels like I’m reading a shoujo manga with Kinoshita-chan as the protagonist.”

“What do you mean? Didn’t you say manga was for kids?”

“I read my sister’s shoujo manga in elementary school.”

“Did that influence you to become this self-proclaimed handsome guy, Saiga Naomichi?”

“I’ll fight you. You act like a character straight out of a shoujo manga.”

“A shoujo manga character wouldn’t be targeted by a female teacher.”

“True, hahaha!!”

Pointing and laughing, I might kill this guy.

Kinoshita stole the ball and made a fast break. A perfect layup.

Her form was beautiful. Her focused gaze on the hoop was impressive. She really does have a nice face.

“Hm?”

Right after scoring, Kinoshita looked intently at the bench. The girls there pointed emphatically toward us.

A blushing Kinoshita looked our way, her trembling finger pointing at us.

She’s pointing at us—it’s more like she’s angry about being pointed at by others.──Wait, she’s not pointing.

“Bang, bang.”

She mimicked shooting a gun… then covered her face in embarrassment and retreated. Oh, she tripped. That’s what happens when you do something uncharacteristic…

“She’s trying to shoot your heart too. Poor thing.”

“Why tell me that…”

As I grumbled, the buzzer sounded. Oh, a member change… ah.

“Does she have an unusual aura, or is it just me?”

“It’s not just you, go die.”

“Is it just coming from you?”

Despite Saiga’s harshness, the one emitting a fierce aura on the court was Kisaragi Airi. She immediately approached Kinoshita. They’re teammates, you know?

“They should get along… but it’s my fault, isn’t it?”

“It’s good that you realize it, two-timer.”

“I haven’t even had one relationship.”

“Saying ‘yet’ is problematic.”

But I can only say ‘yet’…

The game resumed with little time left.

Right after starting, Kisaragi made a sharp pass to Kinoshita.

“…Looks like they’re okay?”

If she hated her, she wouldn’t pass. Kinoshita, surprised, took the pass and made a clean shot. The arc created a moment of silence.

As the ball swished, Kinoshita smiled at me—oh, Kisaragi blocked my view, cheering. Kinoshita disappeared from sight.

I see, a total eclipse. (tln : kuroko no basket references)

“Kisaragi-san!!!!”

“What. It was a good pass.”

“That’s not the issue!”

“Yes, it is. I was showing off my good pass. You might not know, but Ryoma’s over there.”

“I know!?!?”

Kinoshita looked shocked.

Are they friends or foes…?

“Well, at least I don’t have to worry about the game.”

“Ryoma, you have nerves of steel?”

“I’m a perfect man, after all.”

“You’re a terrible man right now.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you.”

The score was good. It was almost time for our game.

Oh, right.

“Saiga. There’s one way to embarrass me, want to hear it?”

“I’m very interested.”

“Lose this next game miserably.”

“Screw that. I’d look bad too. I have my pride.”

“Like being the most popular in class?”

“No? The only handsome guy who can talk to Godai Ryoma equally.”

“Don’t talk about equality. If it’s just about talking, I have Kouno too.”

“I’m the only handsome one.”

“Kouno will cry.”

Sigh.

When the buzzer signaled the end of the game, the excellent teamwork between Kinoshita and Kisaragi secured a victory for their class.

As Kisaragi raised her hand, Kinoshita hesitated, then clapped.

They probably did this in elementary school… at least, they should have. Unless there’s a sad story of knowing but never doing it.

Afterward, Kinoshita waved her raised hand vigorously at us, while Kisaragi blocked her again. Smiling, I went to my final game.

Neither Saiga nor I ended up embarrassed.