CH 5.2

“I mean, what time does it end?”

It was around 7p.m.

Sugiuchi finally began to complain.

After about 30 minutes of playing catch on the field, we returned the glove to the warehouse. It was getting dark and it was hard to see the ball.

After that, we spent our free time going to a convenience store to buy some sweets and eat them, or taking a nap at the nearby city library.

There were a few patrons in the library, but it was only me and Sugiuchi in the free space.

“Tonomura, when does the girls basketball end?”

“Don’t ask me.”

“You don’t know either…”

Sugiuchi fiddled with his cell phone, complaining that she should at least promise to call me.

“Then you should just call her, Sugiuchi.”

“That’s, well, you know…”

Know what?

From the window of the library, I began to see students going home. I don’t know which club it is, but it’s about the right time.

“Let’s go back to school.”

“…Ou.”

Even though we had gone home together many times before, I was starting to get a little nervous.

“You can’t speak for others either.”

It was the first time since junior high school that I had met up with someone to go home like this, as far as I could remember.

It was about a five-minute walk from the library to the school.

We walked in silence and looked into the first gym.

There, the club members were cleaning and mopping up.

After another fifteen minutes of waiting, we saw more members of the basketball team walking towards the school gate after they had finished changing.

“Ryu…. Tonomura-kun.”

Hinagata came out with Uchinokura-san.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Aa, yeah.”

Sugiuchi poked me with his elbow.

“Say something like ‘I didn’t wait’. Don’t you have something besides a template greeting?”

This guy was giving me the feeling that he was tired of waiting just now.

“See you later, Shiori. You too, Tonomura-kun.”

With a wave of her hand, Uchinokura-san walks off on her own.

…Hmm? Sugiuchi, don’t tell me you’re waiting for a signal without putting in effort?

I couldn’t help but notice that Sugiuchi was having a hard time talking, so I called out to Uchinokura-san.

“I heard that this guy is going to treat you a juice.”

When Uchinokura-san stopped and looked back at me, I pointed at Sugiuchi.

“What? Wai—”

“It’s fine, just go.”

“These things have their own timing, you know….”

“It’s okay.”

Sugiuchi, who had walked out complaining, lined up with Uchinokura-san.

A caring guy.

“No, Tonomura said he was waiting for Hinagata-san, so I was forced to go along with him.”

You used me as a soup stock…

Hinagata watched the scene with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Sugiuchi-kun… Ku, Kura-chan…”

Hafuhafu, she was unusually excited.

I could hear the conversation between Sugiuchi and Uchinokura-san.

“No, it’s just that… those two are going home in the same direction.”

When I gave a painful excuse, Hinagata nodded her head.

“The same…?”

…No. It’s nothing.

“We should go home too.”

“…Yes.”

We left the school gate and headed home. What did we usually talk about?

I’ve never gone home like this before, so I have a hard time finding a suitable topic.

“It’s late, isn’t it? Not as late as the baseball team, though.”

“Well, yeah. You’re practicing hard.”

You came to the warehouse but what were you doing? She asked me what I was doing there, and I then narrated the whole thing to her.

“You’re good friends with Sugiuchi-kun, right?”

“We were in the same club in middle school.”

“…Must be good.”

“What?”

“I’m jealous.”

“Cause we played catch?”

“Yeah, that, too.”

That too?

The streets were already dark, with street lights lighting the way at even intervals.

“I don’t mind, but you don’t want me to get the wrong idea, do you?”

“Why?”

Hinagata tilted her head curiously.

“You’re saying… It would be troublesome if people thought we were dating, right?”

“Surely.”

You just realized that.

“But it’s okay. I won’t get it wrong.”

Why are you so sure of yourself?

If you want to predict the true love of your life, gently put aside the possibility in a corner of your mind… is it someone you are close to but don’t usually interact with.

If you were from a different school, you probably wouldn’t see me walking around like this.

“You know, like the people you see in games and stuff?”

Seeing them at a tournament is a classic pattern. You just remember the school, the number, and the face, and then you get to know each other at practice games, and then you have a chance to get to know each other.

“It happens sometimes.”

Hmmm. It’s starting to look like that.

The possibility of a one-chance game has been reduced to about 0.2 chance.

I didn’t have high expectations, but it’s a little depressing….

At this time, it doesn’t matter what I think. Regardless of the circumstances, since I have decided to help Hinagata, I have to see through it.

“Did you see the way he played the game? Or do you just like his face?”

“Both, including personality.”

That’s impressive, both things huh.

The basketball team is so refreshing. They’re thin and tall. They seem to sweat lightly. Though that’s just my image.

“But he’s been injured lately.”

Sprains and that kind of trouble are common, I guess.

“I see. So you can’t watch him play until he’s healed.”

“Yeah.”

I mean, based on everything you’ve said so far, isn’t it unreasonable to think that he doesn’t have a girlfriend?

He seems to be a very popular guy.

“Are you sure he doesn’t have a girlfriend? Is it possible that Hinagata doesn’t know?”

“No. There’s no possibility that I don’t know.”

“That’s a lot of confidence.”

If I were to start dating someone, I’m sure I’d be in a position to grab that information right away.

Oh, this lovers’ talk  reminded me of something.

“Uchinokura-san… Does she have a boyfriend?”

She stared at me. She furrowed her eyebrows suspiciously, and gradually her eyes became half-lidded.

“Kura-chan, what? Why?”

Sugiuchi, can I tell her? That he’s in love with Uchinokura-san.

“Why? …I was just wondering if she had a boyfriend, that’s all.”

Hinagata pouted, her lips puckered and she spoke quickly.

“You don’t have to worry about Kura-chan, Ryunosuke.”

“No, well, I guess so, but…”

“You’ll get into a fight with Sugiuchi-kun. So it’s a no.”

Sugiuchi, your favoritism is apparently already obvious.

Hinagata puffed out her cheeks angrily as she continued.

“We’re going home together, and you’re talking about another girl.”

“This other girl is your friend.”

Pssst, Hinata exhales in a strange way

“I was hoping you’d come to the next practice game, but nevermind.”

“A game? Where?”

“Our gymnasium. But now it’s impossible. Ryunosuke cares about Kura-chan.””

“I care, just out of curiosity….”

“Mou, I’m going home.”

We are on our way home currently though.

I walked faster, keeping pace with Hinagata, who was walking faster.

“Kura-chan is an ace and the coolest, so Ryunosuke can’t come to see her.”

“Why? Why aren’t you performing?”

“I’ll perform, I think.”

“So, it’s okay for me to come and see right?”

“….”

Our walking pace slowed down.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a game, so I’d like to check it out. I haven’t seen a game since I started high school.”

I glanced over at her and saw her face relaxed.

“Alright. Then it’s decided.”

Hinagata said rather calmly.

Then she gave me the date and time.

When we arrived at Hinagata’s house, Ayahi was the first to appear at the door with chopsticks in her hand.

“Nee-chan, nii-chan, spending some time together~ Okay~!”

“We’re going h-home in the same direction that’s why….”

Hinagata whispered as if to explain.

“Su-chan, your brother is here…”

When I called out, Su-chan came out of the hallway with a thud.

“Ryu, Ryu-kun came! Shi-tan, Ryu-kun is here!”

“Yes. We came home together.”

“A-chan, Ryu-kun! Ryu-kun is here!”

“I understand, I understand, don’t pull the jersey. My panties are visible.”

Then take your time~, said Ayahi as she took Su-chan in her arms and went to the back.

“Ryu-kun!” I heard Su-chan’s voice.

“It was lively.”

“…I’m sorry, it was noisy.”

“No.”

“Thanks for today. I know I’ve kept you waiting a long time, but…You that…”

When she stopped speaking as if she was lost, she walked into the doorway and just showed her face.

“Yeah, It was a pleasure…..”

She quickly retracted her blushing face.

There was still a shadow in the frosted glass.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I said and heard a small voice saying, “Yeah.”