Volume 1 - CH 14

Episode 14: “Promised Victory”

“How pathetic of you to refuse the challenge! Nanami-san, you’re not suitable to be with a coward like him! If you’re not a coward, then accept the challenge!”

With the shout from senpai, I managed to break free from my stupor.

“What are you doing all of a sudden, Nanami-san!? If you’re blushing and feeling embarrassed, you don’t have to do it. But it’s so cute when you turn away!”

…Alright, let’s first deal with my senior and calm the mood.

“Senpai, this isn’t some old drama where we bet a girlfriend in a match. Besides, what matters is Nanami-san’s feelings, right? Moreover, it makes no sense for a senpai who has been rejected once to ignore that and compete only between us…”

“Don’t talk sense! Understand that sometimes speaking the truth can hurt more than insults!”

He knows it’s the right thing to say, doesn’t he? He’s such a self-centered senpai.

This person is Shouichi Shibetsu, the captain of the basketball club. Even I know that he’s a well-known player and one of the handsome guys who got rejected by Nanami-san.

He probably challenged me to a match in a sportsman like manner when he heard that I started dating her… But I don’t see any benefits for me to accept the challenge.

Even if this person doesn’t acknowledge it, Nanami-san and I will continue dating. I don’t want to treat Nanami-san like some prize and hand her over to someone who sees her as a reward.

Even though we’re in a punishment game and she’s my girlfriend, Nanami-san is still my girlfriend.

And I have to make her like me. I don’t have time to worry about unnecessary things.

So, I’ll say it again, there’s no meaning for me to accept this challenge.

Well… the downside of losing is too big, and if I had a normal mindset, there’s no way I would accept such a match.

Why did he think I would accept it? This senior…

“Let’s go, Youshin.”

“Yeah.”

As Nanami-san’s blushing subsided, we tried to return to the classroom, but the senpai yelled angrily from behind.

“Ah! Wait a minute!! What does Nanami see in this small and plain guy?! At least, in terms of looks, I’m better, aren’t I?”

Being told that, I don’t have any words to retort.

Certainly, this senpai… he has a pretty handsome face. Like a model.

But then, Senpai collapsed from his knees. He’s tall, so the sound that echoed around indicates a more serious damage to his knees compared to an average person.

“Hate….? You hate me?! Nanami-san… you hate me…”

“During the confession, Senpai was only looking at my chest, wasn’t he? I know it!althought at morning Youshin also….”

Nanami-san’s words pause for a moment.

Perhaps she remembered that I saw her chest quite a bit this morning. …I’m sorry, Nanami-san.

“It didn’t happen!”

She said it firmly!

Nanami-san declared that the incident this morning didn’t happen.

While Senpai was on the ground with a despairing expression, I stuck my tongue out at Nanami-san for just a moment, like a mischievous child, without paying attention to him.

I’m not sure if it’s in response to the lie I told or a protest against me accidentally seeing her chest…

Even though she forgave me, I feel bad for Nanami-san, who is uncomfortable around men… But it can’t be helped, right? Humans tend to look at moving objects.

Nanami-san tried to leave, but as Senpai desperately lifts his face with a despairing expression, I hurriedly moved between them, crouching down to be at the same eye level as Senpai.

“Nanami-san, cutting ties completely would be going too far, right? Aren’t we friends, to some extent? Well, I guess… I’m a bit worried having such a cool male friend like him around Nanami-san… Honestly, it makes me jealous. I don’t want you to get involved, but… I think it would be a bit pitiful for Senpai.”

“Oh… Youshin Misumai-kun…”

Senpai, with tears streaming down his face, shifts his gaze towards me. Yes, it’s good. Senpai’s gaze is directed at me.

If he had lifted his face as it was, Nanami-san’s skirt would have been fully exposed.

“Hmph, it seems you’re a bit confident… I’ll acknowledge it to some extent. However, I can’t fully acknowledge it. Prove to me that you’re a man worthy of her by competing against me.”

Just as I was about to gather my resolve and speak, Senpai seemed to have recovered and stood up.

I sighed while looking up at him. It seems Nanami-san felt the same way as me, as our sighs synchronized perfectly.

It was such a great opportunity to say something clever to Nanami-san…

“So? What kind of competition are we talking about?”

“It’ll be a three-point shootout. I serve as the captain of the basketball club. A 10-shot showdown is a tradition in our club.”

Ugh, how dirty…

The captain of the basketball club challenging someone to a basketball competition. I’ve only had a little experience with basketball in class, and the rest of my knowledge comes from manga…

Nanami-san also looked at Senpai with a bewildered expression. She probably didn’t expect him to propose such a competition.

But… it seems like Senpai won’t settle unless the competition is accepted. I can’t help it… I don’t want him to come again tomorrow either…

“Alright… Senpai… I’ll accept the competition, but I have three conditions. Since I’m a beginner in basketball, it’s fair, right?”

“Hm? Of course. I can give you as many handicaps as you want. Just tell me.”

We tightly shook hands, and the people around us cheered with excitement.

Interlude: At that moment, Nanami

We… We make a good couple… What should I do? Even though it’s something Senpai said, I’m really happy.

I wonder if we really do look good together? I wonder… I hope Youshin also feels happy about it…