The Softer Minami-chan

After some desperate persuasion, we arrived at the park at night.

In the nearly empty parking lot of this park, a basketball hoop was oddly installed.

As I toyed with the borrowed outdoor ball and did some light stretching, I noticed the soft glow of a bicycle light illuminating me. Looking up, I saw Kinoshita in her school-issued tracksuit.

“Oh, you came.”

“I did, but that’s not the point!”

Uh-oh, she seemed upset.

After hurriedly parking her bicycle, Kinoshita ran towards me, her braids bouncing, wearing a pouty expression that screamed, “I’m mad.”

“Everyone makes typos like that!”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah, true.”

“If you’re going to admit it so easily, don’t tease me in the first place!”

“Alright, I’ll show you how to delete messages.”

“So there is a way to delete them!!! But you didn’t tell me right away!”

I never said there wasn’t a way.

Though she was fuming, Kinoshita still listened and operated her screen while glancing at mine. I noticed her friend list had a few more names than before.

“I-it’s deleted…”

Kinoshita visibly relaxed.

“Do some light stretches. I’ve already finished, so I’ll just get my body used to it.”

“Understood.”

Starting from a high position, I tapped the ball lightly. Gradually lowering it, I dribbled close to the ground. My body remembered the movements better than I thought.

Crossover, through-the-legs, behind-the-back. Not bad.

I decided to start with a simple layup and moved toward the hoop when a thought hit me.

──Kinoshita said she has experience, but how can she have no friends despite playing basketball?

“Oh.”

I missed. Got distracted.

“Goda-san, your form is solid.”

“Hmm? Oh, I practiced a lot. But I missed.”

“That’s… common even for experienced players.”

She chuckled and threw her ball from the free-throw line with both hands.

It lightly touched the rim and smoothly went through the net. She was clearly skilled.

“Ah, it went in… Sometimes accuracy improves after a break.”

“I can understand that, but have you not played in a while?”

“Yes, not since last year’s ball game tournament.”

“You practiced for last year too.”

“Huh? Oh, yes. It was a school event.”

Kinoshita tilted her head as if to say it was obvious.

She wasn’t excited about the tournament itself but felt obligated to participate properly because it was a school event. Typical Kinoshita.

“You played a lot in elementary school?”

“Yes. My school had a weekend club where I played to get some exercise.”

“I see… were you good?”

“Not sure… I did what I was taught… I guess. But, well…”

Dribbling repeatedly, Kinoshita murmured.

“Looking back, I realize I wasn’t suited for team activities. Didn’t notice it then… never hung out with my teammates.”

“Oh…”

“What’s that reaction!! I told you I had no friends!”

“Right, right. But you have some now, so let’s call it even.”

“I-I appreciate that, but…”

Kinoshita pouted in dissatisfaction.

“Hope you do well with them in this tournament.”

“Yes.”

I took a shot from a bit further out. It hit the backboard and bounced off, so I moved to retrieve it, but Kinoshita anticipated its path and moved to get it before me.

Her familiarity with these small details confirmed her experience.

“Thanks.”

Receiving the pass with a bounce, I said, and Kinoshita froze.

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh? Oh, nothing. Please, continue.”

She awkwardly gestured toward the hoop, indicating I should keep playing.

Not understanding why, I took another shot. Missed again.

The ball bounced off the rim in the opposite direction.

As I walked to retrieve it, a breeze passed by me.

“…Kinoshita?”

“Here, go ahead.”

“Oh… thanks.”

“No problem.”

I realized I had a girl picking up balls for me. What should I do?

Feeling a strange pressure, I snapped my wrist and released the ball in an arc.

Adjusting the feel and angle, the ball smoothly went through the hoop──then rolled away beyond the goal.

I started to run after it, but Kinoshita was already on her way.

“Here you go.”

Taking the ball she handed back, I noticed her looking at me expectantly, her eyes clearly asking for something.

Uh…?

“Thank you…”

Her face lit up instantly. …Seriously?

“Not at all! Let’s score the next one!”

She waved from under the hoop, ready.

“…Kinoshita, come here for a moment.”

“? Yes.”

Kinoshita trotted over, making me feel like a PE teacher.

Up close, she seemed happy. It made it harder to address this, but still, the situation wasn’t ideal. I wasn’t overthinking it, was I?

“I appreciate you retrieving the ball, but…”

“Yes!”

She responded eagerly, her face beaming.

“…Thanks, Kinoshita.”

She smiled blissfully, as expected. Yep, that’s it.

Thinking back to school, it was obvious. She’s not used to being thanked.

This diligent girl is at risk of being exploited.

I need to help her.

“But I can get my own ball.” (tln : godammit, i really hate translating this line)

“Uh… why?”

“Well, you came to practice too, didn’t you?”

“Oh, right.”

She seemed to calm down. At school earlier, she looked shocked when Kouno thanked her.

“If you act just for the sake of being thanked, you’ll end up hurt.”

…A statement that boomerangs back to me. I don’t even get thanked, making it worse. But I won’t let Kinoshita be taken advantage of.

“No, that’s not it!”

“Really?”

What, then?

She turned away, gripping her braids tightly.

“Y-your thanks… it’s like a drug.”

…What?

“What’s that?”

I chuckled.

“B-because! I feel… like I’m not repaying you.”

Her earnestness was almost laughable.

“At least when you smile at me… that way.”

“Huh…?”

“Don’t look at me like that! Anyone would feel this way! Knowing I can be useful, it’s overwhelming! Say whatever you want!”

“I’m really worried you might be tricked into financial scams.”

“Ugh…!”

Kinoshita clutched her chest and staggered. I meant it seriously, and I don’t regret saying it.

“I’d only give to you, Goda-san…”

“That doesn’t make it okay.”

I sighed, then spun the ball on my finger and said,

“Let’s practice properly. That’s why we’re here.”

“Yes…”

Despite her fading words, she seemed motivated, moving energetically.

“Are you really not experienced?”

“I researched and practiced, but I never joined a club.”

I just make sure not to look foolish during events. I’ve learned the basics of all major ball sports. I’ll study any recent rule changes before the next event.

We live in an age where you can learn endlessly by googling ‘●● basics.’

I’m not naturally athletic. I can’t just mimic what I see. To be perfect, I must prepare in advance.

“Still, thanks for helping.”

“Yes, thank you!”

That smile was not what you expect from someone being thanked.

“No, thank you. You were going to teach me if I was a beginner, right?”

“Haha… seems you caught on. Yes, that was my plan.”

After some shooting, we reviewed basic movements.

Focusing on offensive and defensive stances. With Kinoshita’s experienced feedback, it went smoothly. Her presence was genuinely helpful.

“Hah…!”

With a strong breath, she released a perfect backspin arc.

Her fully extended body showed her effort. Her determined gaze focused on the hoop.

That’s what they mean by a beautiful form, like Kinoshita’s right now.

The net swished, making a satisfying sound, and I found myself watching her.

Was I… mesmerized? By this hardworking girl, illuminated by streetlights.

“Kinoshita’s charm lies in that effort, so it’s understandable.”

Murmuring an excuse to no one, I thought.

Yeah, but still, having her fetch balls feels wrong!

“Haah. It’s getting warm.”

Kinoshita turned, her cheeks flushed, looking genuinely warm.

“Hmm? Yeah, we’ve been moving a lot, and it’s a warm season.”

By her bike, Kinoshita unzipped her tracksuit, revealing her school-issued gym clothes underneath.

In just her short-sleeved shirt, her thin frame was more apparent. She looked… delicate.

Her full-body effort in shooting hinted at this. Her arms and torso were slender.

She had a feminine waist and a rounded butt, but still petite. Her upper body looked like a middle schooler’s. Yeah.

Maybe I’m just too used to Kisaragi’s figure.

“…What’s up?”

I got caught staring. Kinoshita, after neatly folding her tracksuit, turned and tilted her head.

What could I say? I couldn’t just voice my thoughts.

Thinking quickly, I said,

“You’re wearing the school gym clothes.”

“Uh, yes… what’s odd?”

She raised her arms and checked her sides, puzzled. The gym clothes weren’t faulty… She looked back at me, almost in tears.

“…Huh?”

That face of someone worried they messed up unknowingly.

“Okay, I was being mean.”

It was my fault for forcing a topic.

“I just noticed you’re wearing the school tracksuit even though it’s not PE or club activities.”

“Was that bad!?”

“No, it’s fine.”

I smiled, and Kinoshita seemed to notice I wasn’t in school attire.

“You look cool…”

“Thanks.”

She covered her mouth in shock. She didn’t mean to say it aloud. Just like me earlier.

I run and train daily, so I use proper training wear. Mom says it’s economical in the long run to buy good quality.

My innerwear is tight, sleeveless, and quick-drying. Over that, a loose training shirt. I rotate a few knee-length basketball shorts. Comfortable and airy.

“…”

Kinoshita looked down at herself, trembling.

“But I have nothing else…”

She was really down.

“I said it’s fine.”

“But…!”

Kinoshita’s desperate cry.

“Don’t you think I’m just a plain girl with zero fashion sense!?”

“That impression hasn’t changed since we started studying together.”

“!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

She looked like a struck pigeon. Cute.

“…!”

“That shocking?”

I wondered what she thought I saw her as, but asking now would be cruel.

“It’s fine. Your wardrobe doesn’t affect your charm. It’s a type of charm.”

“But… that’s just being an interesting girl, right…”

So she knows.

“I don’t deny it.”

“~~~!!”

You realize your comment just now was an ‘interesting girl’ move, right?

Kinoshita lightly hit my chest. It didn’t hurt.

“Well, let’s practice.”

“…I’m just Kinoshita, not an interesting girl.”

“Got it.”

If I could say something…

“Wearing the tracksuit shows your dedication. It’s practical for practice.”

Her dedication to her goals is reflected in her attire.

I patted her shoulder, feeling her sports bra strap, but ignored it.

“So, don’t be so down. I like the interesting Kinoshita.”

“I’m not interesting!!!”

Oops, wrong choice. Points deducted from perfect.

“Let’s practice.”

I threw the ball at the hoop. Missed.

Kinoshita, despite her pout, calmed down with more shooting practice.

“Alright, let’s head back. Is your curfew okay?”

It was getting late. Kinoshita nodded without checking the time.

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“So your parents let you be free?”

“…Something like that.”

Her strained relationship with her parents was clear.

I hoped her improving school life would naturally mend things, but it seems not yet.

“Alright. Be careful on your bike.”

“Yes. You be careful too, Goda-san.”

We parted ways at the park, her waving until she disappeared. I resumed my run home, holding the ball. (TLN : ARGHGHHHHHHHHHHH )