Chapter 16: school inter-class ball-game competition

Translator: Soafp

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From the next day, Obata-san began to join us for lunch and contacted us on days when she could not eat with us. Since that day, I feel that Obata-san no longer looks at me in a probing way, but rather, she seems to be more attentive and asks how I am doing. ……. I wonder why?

　Also, about three days after that, I was asked to follow the same three guys who had called me out not too long ago. I refused and told them that I would tell the school the next time something like the last time happened, and they clicked their tongues and left. Well, I don’t think they would want to be suspended or expelled from school, and I don’t think they would do something like that again. I think that kind of thing is aimed at people to shut up. …… I might want to keep an eye on things a bit, though, in case they might do the same thing to others.

　Then again, I also got a part-time job. I work at a coffee shop a short distance from the school, run by an old man I met through a chance encounter. I’ve been there quite often, so I’ve gotten used to the job recently. ……However, I am not busy.

　After about two weeks like that, a routine has been established. At first, there were stares of jealousy and suspicion, but these have faded.

Today is the day of an extraordinary event. An event that has been talked about for several days, as we had decided on the events to compete in during HR a while ago. It’s a ball game tournament.

　All you have to do is be there at the time you are going to compete, and the rest of the time is divided between cheering and hanging out.

　Now I am, surprisingly, in the cheering section. Miyamoto-san is competing in volleyball, so Yuki, Obata-san and I are here on the second floor of the gymnasium to cheer her on, though I’m not really vocal …….

　The game was dominated, and with one more point, Miyamoto-san’s class was on the verge of winning.

　……And it’s all over.

　The match ended easily due to a failed serve by the opponent. Miyamoto-san didn’t seem to be …… bad at sports, but she didn’t seem to be good at it either. I guess she is better at studying since she was even greeting new students.

　When the game was over, the contestants naturally disbanded, and Miyamoto-san came toward us.

“Good job.”

“Yes. Thanks for cheering me on.”

“Good work~! Nice moves!”

“No, I didn’t do anything ……, I made a lot of mistakes.”

“No, you are the MVP!”

　Obata-san was more excited than ever. I guess she likes every event. Her cheering was about three times as loud as ours.

“Shota, when are you going?”

“Oh, I’ll go soon.”

　While I was having such a conversation with Yuki behind Miyamoto-san and Obata-san being lovey-dovey, Miyamoto-san responded.

“Ishikawa, you do your best, too. I’ll be rooting for you!”

“Eh, ah, no, I think I’m going to stay in the back and play defense, so you don’t have to come support me, okay?”

“N-no, no, of course I’m not going to!”

　When I say this to Miyamoto-san, Obata-san reacts with surprise. But I think it’s a little strange to be cheered on when I am not trying to win. I don’t want to stand out, so I don’t intend to aggressively attack.

“Or rather, you two are not in our class….”

“Ah, right.”

“Well, I’ll cheer for for you!”

“I’m usually a cheerleader. Well, I have to get out of the way.”

　That’s why everyone seems to be coming to support the event. ……Something, you can’t cut corners too much anymore. …… I feel bad for the people who come to support me if I don’t do at least a reasonable job.

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“Good work.”

“Yes. Thanks.”

　The game ended in a 0-0 draw. It was Miyamoto-san who called out to me. It must have been time for Yuki and Obata to play their own games. Miyamoto-san was the only one who was there.

“Ishikawa, you are good at soccer, huh?”

“Really? I don’t think so”.

“You were very good. I felt you had a lot of confidence.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

　Like I said, I was focused on defense and there was no running around, so there was definitely room to spare.

“The other 2 were playing basketball, right?”

“Yeah, they both went ahead.”

“You could have gone over there to cheer them on.”

　When I said this, Miyamoto-san looked a little peeved.

“I still have plenty of time, so why don’t you come with me?”

“…… Sure.”

　When I answer, Miyamoto-san gives a quick smile.

　…… Cute. I know for while that she was cute, but I’ve rediscovered it. No wonder I’m getting jealous stares.

　The first time I went to the gymnasium, I talked with Miyamoto-san about a lot of things.

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