CH 137

“Dead ball!”

——The voice of the referee shouting loudly.

People reacted to the voice in different ways, cheers and groans … and some laughter could be heard.

It was a “giggle” that bordered on mockery.

Some of them were even saying, “Good grief!” and some agitated voices…

Whenever I heard such sounds, my heart throbbed and I felt like I was being interrupted in my fun time.

Everyone is creating a somewhat pleasant atmosphere, the so-called “groove”, but I don’t understand it.

With this feeling in my heart, I turn my gaze to the ground.

At the tip of my gaze, I see my all-time favorite person walking with a familiar stride toward first base.

He was looking at Kato-san and seemed to be confirming something.

Now … this happens, I know what I’m going to do.

“… Mainly men are making fun of it.”

“I agree.”

“…It might be a bit of a daily grudge thing. I can understand it because Rin is popular and …well, boys have that kind of vibe, and if I say it can’t be helped, then it can’t be helped. I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Kotone-chan, I’m going to step out for a minute.”

“Eh… where are you going?”

“Of course, I’m going to … head over.”

I make a gesture like a cat beckoning to Kotone-chan.

Now, the other pitcher is from Class C, isn’t he?

Then the person laughing is definitely that classmate.

… Okay.

“… Come on. Don’t you get violent thoughts immediately?”

“Kyanya!?”

Kotone-chan smacked me on the head and I stared at her as if to voice my dissatisfaction.

She sighs loudly when she notices my gaze.

Then, as if to quiet her horse, she said, ‘Do-do”.

“I don’t like it~! Please let me smack your head~! I can’t stand it if you don’t~!”

“… No. I understand how you feel. But you need to calm down a little.”

“Muuuu. Is this a situation where you can calm down? I don’t think anyone can be calm when someone they love gets hit by a ball!”

“I think it would stand out if you got on … there, wouldn’t it? Wouldn’t that make sense?”

“Wha…! You’re absolutely right…”

She rebuked me and I choked on my words.

Kotone-chan is right, if I stand out, I will cause trouble for Towa-kun.

Besides, “Operation Sneaky Cheer” would not go well. … I was trying not to make him feel self-conscious, so I tried to make it look like I was pulling back, but it turned out to be a waste of time…

I really wanted to support him with waving flags, penlights, and fans…, but unfortunately, I thought Towa-kun would refuse it.

Face to face, I show him that I do not want him to see me, but in reality, I want him to put me first.

In other words, his true intention would be to ‘just take it easy and rest between rounds’.

I am glad to see such concern from Towa-kun, and of course I don’t want to be indifferent to it because I understand his intentions…

But…

–I still want to support you!

It is most frustrating not to be able to see his hard work!

Because I know how hard he worked, ‘You did a great job!’ and I want to say it right!

And… I said ‘I give up’, but I didn’t say ‘I don’t support you’.

Here, I will use Towa-kun’s favorite tactic, too!

Ah … but I wanted to make an appearance with a “Towa-kun LOVE” fan or something. I wanted to cheer loudly and share my energy with him.

But there is no use in dwelling on it!

I’m glad you’re concerned about me, because as far as I’m concerned, I definitely want to cheer you on.

I tried to pull back before he refused my cheering, and that’s why I secretly came to cheer for him in between competitions…

I never thought I would see such a scene …

Perhaps Towa-kun had anticipated this situation as well.

I sighed and watched the game with a still bewildered feeling.

“… I’d like to pop over to … right now. Kotone-chan. What should I do about this dilemma!?”

“… Swallow it up and throw it away.”

“But~”

“…Anyway, dame. Don’t get blindsided right away. Rin doesn’t have to worry about it, it’s not a problem. Look at Tokiwagi-kun.”

“Yes…”

I looked at Towa-kun as Kotone-chan urged me to do.

Then, just as Kato-san was getting a hit and Towa-kun was returning to home.

“Did you see that!? Towa-kun was running properly! It’s wonderful~”

“… Rin! Hold back or he’ll spot you.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

I hold my mouth shut and look around.

Phew. I’m glad.

Apparently, I’m not attracting attention.

It was a close call.

Now, let’s focus on Towa-kun again.

As I was staring at Towa-kun, I heard a loud sigh from the side.

“…It seems like you’re happy with anything Tokiwagi-kun does.”

“That’s not true, is it?”

“……is it wrong?”

“If there’s a mistake, I’ll tell you, and if it’s great, I’ll clap my hands. It’s a natural emotional response.”

“…Yes?”

Kotone-chan tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

I coughed lightly and then pointed a finger.

“Can I? Kotone-chan?”

“… Umm, yes.”

“Towa-kun had never done anything until now. He was self-defeating and unmotivated, and no matter what happened, he just gave up and didn’t move.”

“… That’s a terrible thing to say.”

“Then he started studying, and then he started working on his sports …. You can see how hard he works, can’t you?”

“………”

“That makes me happy. You may think it’s a small thing. I can see the change in his feelings…, so maybe that’s why I get more excited than anyone else.”

He was good at advancing the runners with a bunt earlier as well.

I am sure it was one of the results of his sneaking practice with Kato-san.

Towa-kun’s unobtrusive efforts in his own way are dazzling to me.

His shadowy efforts are something I can understand only because I’m with him, though….

That’s why…

“I get irrationally angry at such behavior that makes fun of Towa-kun. It makes me want to say just one thing, doesn’t it? I want to say something like, ‘Are you capable of making the effort to keep trying things that you are not good at?'”

“…Rin.”

Kotone-chan looks at me with a mysterious look on her face.

Then we both looked at the game again and saw that Towa-kun and his team had just turned the tables.

Kato-san looks happy.

Behind him, Towa-kun was quietly taking care of his equipment, and Kato-san noticed and pulled him along.

Hehe. Everyone high-fived and… I think it’s cute that he’s a little embarrassed…

I’m happy for you, Towa-kun.

“Well then, now that the match is almost over, it’s time to go.”

“… Where are you going, Rin? … Don’t put your hands on him. It will definitely cause trouble.”

“I’ll do it so they won’t notice, so it’s no problem.”

“…This is a no-crime zone.”

“Do you know what? It’s not a crime if you don’t get caught. … Oh! Towa-kun has decided to bunt! Ah! He’s so embarrassed, he’s so bashful~! Ehehehe~! I’ll have to burn this into my brain.”

“… Haa. You’re really simple.”

Hehe. Today’s dinner, we are celebrating.

Let’s think about what to make!

I took some pictures and secretly watched him until the game was over.