Volume 1 - CH 10

[Kanade’s Point of View]

By now, Yuu-kun must have told those two that he was going to have a joint practice session suddenly. The joint practice would indeed take place from now on, but in fact, it had been decided from the beginning. I didn’t tell them that we were going to have a joint practice but just told them that we were going to have a game and asked them to come.

Incidentally, both the coach and my teammates knew that I would not participate in the joint practice from the beginning and that Yuu-kun would leave halfway through. Of course, I did not honestly tell them the reason for that.

And what I am doing now is hiding near the exit and waiting for those two to come out. The reason why I am doing that is I am going to follow them.

You see, the area in front of the station where this school is located is famous for its many love hotels, or in other words, castles where adults talk about their love. There was no way those two would not know about it. And I didn’t think they would pass up a chance to be alone with each other. That’s why Yuu-kun and I were trying to trap them and catch them red-handed when they came out of the love hotel.

Even if they didn’t go into the love hotel, we could call them out on the video, and either way, Yuu-kun and I were going to settle things by the end of the day!

(Wow, Yuu-kun was really cool today. I never thought he could be so muscular against that team.)

I was bored waiting for the two of them and was squealing by myself, remembering Yuu-kun’s performance today. Then I saw two familiar faces walking toward me from near the venue exit. I was in a heart-fluttering, heart-pounding mode, but as soon as I saw them, I knew my blood had run cold.

(I still can’t forgive those two. How could I forgive those two for betraying Yuu-kun?)

I followed them, glaring at them with eyes filled with hatred as they talked happily.

———

They were walking in a friendly manner, passing through an area with many love hotels and walking toward the station.

(Huh? They’re not going to do anything today?)

I thought for a moment that my guess was off, but the two of them were heading for the opposite exit instead of toward the ticket gate. Then I remembered that there were several love hotels at the opposite exit. If they entered the love hotel at the exit on this side, there was a possibility that they would run into Yuu-kun and his friends after practice, so they chose the love hotel at the other exit. ……

I don’t know whose idea it was, but that calm decision irritates me.

But then again, when I see those two walking around, they are nothing more than a couple, no matter how you look at them. I don’t even know what they are talking about, but when Kouki says something, Hazuki covers her mouth with her hand and giggles. Then, about the time we passed through the exit on the other side, Hazuki-chan was being held by Kouki around the waist. If that isn’t a couple, I don’t know what is.

I have seen Yuu-kun and Hazuki-chan in that kind of back position many times, and each time I have looked at Hazuki-chan with envy. But today, when I look at Hazuki-chan, my eyes are filled with nothing but a mixture of scorn and contempt.

(Why? Why is she looking so happy with her arms around another man when Yuu-kun is there?)

I couldn’t believe it. Hazuki, whom I used to think was beautiful, is now just something ugly and terrifying.

———

The two entered a love hotel a short distance from the station. Looking at the sign outside, I saw that it said “Rest (max. 3 hours) from 5,500 yen”. I went into a coffee shop a little further from the love hotel and took a seat by the window. I had a clear view of the entrance and exit of the love hotel and was thankful that the coffee shop was in a good location. It is indeed too scary to have a girl standing in front of a love hotel for three hours.

After I told Yuu-kun where I was on RINE, I had nothing to do and just stared blankly out the window. After about an hour of that feeling, Yu-kun entered the shop.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.

“No problem. It’s okay. Yuu-kun, you had to practice after the game, too, so thanks for your hard work.”

“Thanks for your help. But to be honest, I couldn’t concentrate on practice. My heart was not in the right place.”

Seeing Yuu-kun’s face as he forced himself to speak cheerfully, I felt a prickle of pain in my chest.

“Well, I can’t help thinking about the future. Because I’ve been here too, doing nothing, just moping around.”

“I see. I’m still grateful. Or rather than that, is Kanade serious and will accompany me in discussions with them? We’re childhood friends, but Kanade isn’t directly involved in this mess, right?”

“Don’t be so lonely. I have something to do with it too. Because both Hazuki and Kouki are my trusted friends. I’m not going to let Yoo-kun go in front of those two by himself. Yoo-kun will probably get hurt a lot.”

Yoo-kun looked a little pained when he heard my words, but he immediately smiled and said, “Thanks.” Yoo-kun is the one who suffers the most, so why are you so kind to me? I really don’t want you to be hurt. I don’t want to make you suffer anymore. I will stand next to you and bear a part of your suffering.

(I will definitely save you.)

———

About two hours after Yoo-kun came to the coffee shop, those two came out of the exit of the love hotel. We had had too many drinks, so we hurried to pay the bill with our stomachs feeling flabby, and then followed those two. And when their backs were in front of us, Yoo-kun called out to them.

“Yo. What a coincidence to see you two here. By the way, it looks like you guys came out of the love hotel, what were you two doing together?”