CH 36

Aizawa-san and I arrived at central park, put down our luggage and sat down on a bench.

“Yoshizumi-kun, you said you were coming to our school festival. I was wondering… which day of the week will you be coming?” (Haruka)

“Saturday, I think. What about it?” (Hiroto)

“Nothing, I was just wondering.” (Haruka)

“By the way, what will the festival be like? I’m a member of the festival committee at my school, so I’m curious about how it is in other schools.” (Hiroto)

“Food stalls, stage performances, exhibits, and so on. It’s probably the same for your school, right?” (Haruka)

“I figured… it’s pretty much the same.” (Hiroto)

“Oh! They said the school would be doing a special event as well.” (Haruka)

“I see, I’ll take a tour after I’m done with my errands in the baseball team.” (Hiroto)

Because it’s a private school, there were some differences from public schools. I’d like to see it after meeting with Ko-chan. As I was replying to Aizawa-san, I took out two gloves and a ball from my bag.

“I see you brought two gloves today.”

“I usually only carry one glove but… you said you wanted to play catch, so I brought an extra. Here, try it on.” (Hiroto)

Aizawa-san had been looking for a glove that was easy to use, so I gave her one that I thought would fit her.

“Wow…this is my first time wearing a glove like this. I didn’t expect the inside to feel this way.” (Haruka)

“Here, I also brought a different ball. This one’s different from what we used the other day.” (Hiroto)

Last time we used a hard ball that was meant for club activities, so it would be dangerous if it hit anyone. This time, I brought the soft ball that I used as a kid.

“Ah… the ball I saw before…” (Haruka)

“This is the ball I used in elementary school. The ball is soft and light, since I don’t want you getting hurt from it.” (Hiroto)

It brings back memories… of playing with Ko-chan…

“I’m sure it won’t hurt even if it hits you.” (Hiroto)

“Oh… thanks.” (Haruka)

“The other day we were just throwing, but today we can do both throwing and catching. Shall we try it then?” (Hiroto)

“I’ll give it a try. I’m looking forward to it!” (Haruka)

‘I see the ball coming… but I can’t seem to catch it. I’ll try to make it easier by catching it from below…’ TLN: Haruka’s POV…?

“Yoshizumi-kun…I can’t seem to catch it…” (Haruka)

“It’s because you keep trying to catch it with your glove. Try keeping it in front of where the ball is going.” (Hiroto)

“Like this?” (Haruka)

“Yes, stay that way. Here I go.” (Hiroto)

I aimed at the glove and threw it from below so that it was easy to catch.

‘Poof!’

“I caught it! I caught it, Yoshizumi-kun!” (Haruka)

“That was a great catch. You can catch it by not trying to grab the ball, right? (Hiroto)

“That’s right, can I try once more?” (Haruka)

“Of course. I’ll play with you as long as you want.” (Hiroto)

Aizawa-san throws the ball in a weird direction half the time, but I’ve learned to catch the ball. Of course, I didn’t tell her that I was throwing it into her glove either. If Aizawa-san enjoys it, then that’s enough.

“Whew… I’m a little tired. Are you tired?” (Haruka)

“I wonder if we played a little too much.” (Hiroto)

“Don’t worry, I had fun.” (Haruka)

“I’m glad. Shall we take a little break on the bench?” (Hiroto)

Even after we sat down, Aizawa-san still seemed to be excited. Was it that much fun? She’s so adorable…

“Yoshizumi-kun. What is it?” (Haruka)

“Eh? No, nothing.” (Hiroto)

Aizawa-san, who was wiping her sweat with a towel, turned to me and asked while I was looking at her happy expression. As I turned away in a hurry, I spotted a food stall in the distance.

Isn’t that the restaurant that everyone said was delicious?

“Aizawa-san, are you hungry? My clubmates mentioned that the food stall here is delicious and that they come all the way here from school to eat itl. Would you like to try it?” (Hiroto)

“I’m a little hungry. If it’s that good, I’d like to try it.” (Haruka)

“Then I’ll go buy it, please wait here.” (Hiroto)

“I’ll get us drinks. Yoshizumi-kun, what would you like?” (Haruka)

I asked Aizawa-san for an energy drink and headed for the stall. They served takoyaki. How do you split it between two people…

“Welcome!”

“Excuse me, I’ll have one piece-” (Hiroto)

“…”

“No… I made a mistake. Wait…” (Hiroto)

Should I give up and just tell Aizawa-san that they sold out…?

“Wait! Hiroto!” (Takuma)

“Takuma? What are you doing here?” (Hiroto)

“Huh? Didn’t you hear from the others?” (Takuma)

“They didn’t tell me. So… what are you doing?” (Hiroto)

“You’ll know when you see it! I’m training! I’m going to cook takoyaki at the school festival, so I asked my dad to help me become an apprentice here! Yoichiro and the others were here just now!” (Takuma)

It seems that the four of them came here while I was rehabilitating. I wonder if this was what Takuma meant when he asked me to come with him… I still don’t understand Takuma’s behavior though.

“Are you a friend of Takuma’s? It’s fine, you can eat for free! Takuma is a hard worker after all.” (Stall Owner)

The owner seems to like Takuma. But is it really okay if I take it for free?

“Hiroto, it’s ready!” (Takuma)

“Are you sure this is okay?” (Hiroto)

“My old man says it’s a good idea. When I said I’d be training here, students from our school started coming, so the number of customers went up.” (Takuma)

“Sales have increased because of Takuma here!” (Stall Owner)

“I’ll take it then. Thank you very much. Takuma, can you give me 2 more toothpicks?” (Hiroto)

“How come? Are you eating with someone?”

Takuma looks like he’s trying to remember something. I have a bad feeling about this…

“Ah! You…and… that person!” (Takuma)

“What are you talking about?” (Hiroto)

“I saw someone flirting while playing catch with a girl! That’s you!”

Takuma saw us…

“He was too far away for me to see, but I saw that the girl was wearing a Toko High uniform! You said you were in rehabilitation, but you were actually flirting!” (Takuma)

Did he not see her face since we were far away? I’m glad… I don’t know what’ll happen if Takuma saw Aizawa-san…

“I did go to rehab. We only met on the way home from rehabilitation, and we weren’t flirting.” (Hiroto)

“I see. How did you guys meet?” (Takuma)

I told Takuma about Aizawa-san, who shared the same room in the hospital. Takuma looked like he wanted to say something, but I told him that I was in a hurry and took the takoyaki back to where Aizawa-san was sitting.