I couldn’t stand still and jumped into the coat. I didn’t want to leave Yuki alone. I was driven by such an impulse. I was surprised at my own boldness.
“What are you talking about, Kamishiro?!”
“I’m sorry, Mihou-kun. And thank you.”
“I’m sorry I got you involved in this. But this guy—-“
Confusion, bewilderment, and a bitter look on his face. It seems that Mihou’s intentions were not what he had in mind. I was surprised when he suddenly said something like that, but I’m sure he was just being considerate in his own way.
“Yes, I know.”
Turning my face to Yuki.
“Let’s do it together like we did last time, Yuki.”
A sinful line of dialogue. Such an act that blows away his kindness in trying to keep me away from him.
I wonder when was the last time I enjoyed myself from the bottom of my heart like that. A sparkling time. I was in the park with the senpai and Yuki, moving my body, laughing, and telling him how I felt once again.
” Were you listening to me?”
“I’m not qualified to be involved with Yuki. I know that. But I was happy.”
“Happy?”
I don’t care what the reason is. If I can be a motivation for Yuki, then …… that’s all that matters.
Even if it’s a rejection, Yuki will stand on the court once again. If that reason is me, I couldn’t be happier. Disappointment, abuse. That was what I should have received from Yuki that time. I never want anyone to look at Yuki that way again.
“That’s why I …… wanted Yuki to win ……–“
No matter how much he hates me, I will never hate Yuki. If he goes far away, I will chase after him for that. I couldn’t give up. I wanted to be next to him even if I couldn’t reach this feeling. This is my selfishness.
–I was so happy to see him.
“If you’re happy, stop crying,”
“Eh…..? Y-you are right. How embarrassing. Ahaha “
Surprised, I touched myself and found tears spilling down my face.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why. I can’t …… stop.”
“I’m sure the fresh and handsome guy won’t make you cry or make you sad.”
“….Mihou-kun is really sweet”
“He will make you happy.”
“I still love you, Yuki. I’m not interested in anyone else. I love Yuki.”
I said so clearly. The crowd, who were waiting with bated breath to see what was going on, heard this and started to murmur. But it didn’t matter. It was an uncontrollable surge of emotion. I would never deny my feelings again. I would tell him again and again.
Yuki seemed to be in a lot of pain. I rushed to support him, but it was only for a moment, and I gently held him in place. I gasp at the expression on Yuki’s face.
“Haa ……. Why is this happening? …… Kami–Shiori. We’ll do it together.”
“Yeah, yeah!”
“I’m going to blow away the guy there who brags about not watching TV.”
“I’ve never done that, I ……”
Mihou-kun looks puzzled and makes a comment. Yuki’s usual aloofness and calmness is a relief to me. He can’t be so ruthless. Yuki is always sweet and kind to someone other than himself.
“Kouki. No messy conditions for now. I’ll deal with you.”
“Yukito, you……!”
“Uhm……You’re going ahead on your own, but what about the basketball team?”
“Can I speak to the manager?”
[Third person Pov]
“Haha. I……can’t……. This is not enough for me, damn it!”
Laughter naturally comes out of him. There was no excuse.
In addition to the time limit, in 3×3, if you score 21 points, the victory is decided at that point. He could do nothing but shudder at how easily the game was decided.
He continued to practice. The team had achieved results throughout the country under the slogan, “Beat the odds.” Even so, they still couldn’t get there. The team was no longer there. They left quickly, looking bored.
The high wall was still there. That made him impossibly happy. Breathing well, he stroked his trembling arm. It was a very simple defeat. It was like he was no match for him. And yet, it was fun, exciting, and unbearable. He tried to discipline myself to stay calm, but it was impossible.
But more than that, Mihou was curious. Why can’t he come that close to his friend, who is so far away from him that no one can touch him?
“I’ve heard this before, Kamishiro, but why didn’t Yukito participate in the third year tournament?”
There was no way he couldn’t be a regular player with his ability. The question he had previously brushed off was answered by Kamishiro.
“Yuki had a broken bone…..”
“A broken bone….”
“It was my fault ……. I lied, and then Yuki ……”
Only the two of them remained in the gymnasium. The gallery had already disbanded.
“How could he have broken down like that,……”
“Here, your drink.”
“I’ll pay you 150 yen.”
In exchange for the sports drink she handed me, I offered her a 1,000 yen bill. I don’t need change. The rest I paid for her kindness, so there is no problem. Maybe the money could be used to pay for her to get off to school. It is worth it for her to go to school with me. She still looked doubtful, but that was usual.
It is very rare for me to go home with my sister. In this case, it would be more correct to say that she was being taken away from me. But it felt good to have my beautiful sister walking next to me. It was probably the only thing I could be proud of.
“Are you going to participate in club activities? Did you have fun?”
“No, it was boring. I don’t do club activities because I’m a negative person.”
“I see.”
While asking the question herself, I answered with a response that seemed to be unimportant. Needless to say that is actually true, so I don’t particularly care. As for my sister, I don’t think she’s really interested in me, and I don’t think she’s asking me. She is just trying to keep the conversation going. She is too kind. Yuuri-san is a real angel.
“So what’s up with Mikael all of a sudden?”
“Ha?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Mikhail was in a bad mood. Maybe he was a low grade angel. It was completely my fault. From now on, I will revere him as an archangel. There was nothing in common between the siblings. Soon we had nothing to talk about. What’s the weather today? It was now late in the evening. There was no need to worry about it now.
“Are you having fun at school?”
“Am I……having fun……hmm”
“Was it a place to get lost in?”
“Probably not.”
“Hmm.”
Silence comes again. The relationship is awkward. But that’s okay. I mustn’t get too close to my sister. If I do, I’m sure I’ll end up like that again.
“What are you going to do after you graduate from high school?”
“I….wonder?”
Vague questions. I was puzzled by this sudden start of career counseling, but thinking back, I was extremely bad at these kinds of questions. I have never been able to give a straight answer about my dreams for the future, what I want to be, or what I aspire to be. I have never thought about such things. Even when asked what I planned to do after graduating from high school, I had no idea. Will I go on to higher education? Or get a job? Is that what he wants to ask me?
“Well?”
“What?”
I can only answer that. Suddenly, I feel something warm in my hand. Human body temperature. A little colder than mine. Before I knew it, my sister was holding my hand. Is this that thing? An iron will that refuses to let me go. It’s like handcuffs.
“Don’t go.”
“Going where?”
“Nowhere. Stay close to me.”
What is my sister talking about? I don’t understand. I’m not planning a weekend trip. Nor do I have any plans to hang out with anyone. I’m just a loner in the shadows! There is no way I’m going to play with my friends on my days off.
“Yukito”
“Yes?”
For some reason, she was hugging me. ??? What is this? What’s going on? I wouldn’t have run away even if you didn’t have to restrain me so much. Where would I run to? Is she thinking I’m an escaped convict?
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said it. I’m sorry. Seeing you today, I’m even more scared. I thought it was too late. But still…”
“Yuuri-san?”
“Don’t try to leave me. Don’t try to hurt yourself. Don’t keep people away from you. I want to be near you. Everyone likes you.”
“That is a lie”
“I’m not lying”
My sister is saying strange things. Did she look depressed by any chance? Of course not. Even though I look like this, my poker face legend is too numerous to enumerate. I have never lost a staring contest, and I had such an iron face that my childhood friend, Suzurikawa, told me that she had never seen me laugh. I have never been depressed, nor do I have such emotional ups and downs. So I’m confused.