Chapter 61: I’ll do my best too

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Translator: Soafp

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[Momo PoV]

It's a bit awkward to say this myself, but I'm the ace of the basketball team.

So… I'm kind of popular. I'm aware of it.

Of course, it's not from the guys. I mean, just look at my height.

It's mostly from the girls. Well, better than being unpopular, right?

――But.

Sometimes, when I'm talking to Icchi, there are girls who give him a dirty look.

Not at me, but at him.

They probably think I won't notice, but—honestly, I can tell.

Icchi probably doesn't know, though.

There are even girls in our class who do that.

“…Hey, Hatsune. Are you really close with him?”

“Eh?”

“In class before… well, it was pretty loud, you know. You should stay away from that guy.”

The day before our study group, just before the test.

The last basketball session before our club break for exams, and a girl came up to me.

It had been a fun practice session up until then.

“That guy?”

“Don't play dumb—that rainbow-haired guy!”

“…Oh~”

“He's definitely a sketchy guy, I'm telling you.”

“Haha, you think so?”

“You should really drop it with him.”

I felt irritated.

How could she say something like that about him when she doesn't even know him?

“…For the record, Toumachi-kun was fifth in the grade during the last finals, you know?”

“Ugh. Even so… it's still a bad idea.”

“Don't worry about it~”

“…Fine, whatever. Don't say I didn't warn you.”

I'm sorry, Icchi.

I couldn't get mad.

But at least I know the truth.

[――“That's just how things are.”――]

His kindness in not being put off by my strange comments.

[――“It's fine. I'll stick with you no matter how long it takes.”――]

He always listens to me. Really listens.

[――“Maybe it's because I brewed the coffee well today.”――]

That kind of obvious, but adorable, way he hides his embarrassment.

“What are you grinning about, Hatsune? Want me to chuck the ball at you?”

“Oh. Haha, it's nothing~”

Spending time with him feels so natural, it makes me wonder how he didn't have any friends before.

…If no one else can see the good in Icchi, that's fine by me. It's their loss, honestly.

Though, it seems like those two gals and Momiji-san get along well with him…

But I'm sure I know him best.

Because I'm his first friend.

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――At least.

That's what I thought up until yesterday.

I didn't realize what he was carrying behind that happy face.

I must have been pressuring him without knowing it.

Just because he's good at exams doesn't mean he's used to teaching people.

…He was so nervous.

Even so, he crammed so much knowledge in that he ended up falling asleep during our study session.

All because of me. How much of his precious time did I take from him—

“Hey, Momo, are you okay? You seem really tired.”

“I'm fine…”

Now.

The study session is over, and we've left Icchi's house.

“…Alright then. Take care on your way home, okay?”

“Yeah… bye.”

――Click.

After seeing Ayanon off, I start walking home.

The air should be warm by now, but my body feels cold.

…As I left his house, it hit me—maybe it's too late, but I have to apologize.

Even if that apology might steal more of his precious time――

“Ah… hello?”

His voice.

Even now, there's no sign of anger in it.

“Something up?”

“I fell asleep too, you know.”

“Don't worry about it. I don't really study that much before tests, anyway. Haha.”

I didn't understand.

Why he could say something like that.

“I can tell just by looking at how you were before tests in our first year, Icchi.”

“There was a time you sat next to Ayanon, remember?”

“When you got fifth place in the grade, you were so happy.”

“After the rankings were announced, you kept glancing at Ayanon with a smile.”

“I know… everything.”

And so, as if I were pressing him, I said it.

Even as I spoke, I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

“An apology isn't enough, but… I'm sorry.”

“You stuck with us the whole time, teaching us, and you even fell asleep. Not to mention, you took care of Kanon-chan too… It's definitely going to affect your grades, Icchi.”

“The test rankings… you probably knew from the start this would happen—”

I poured all of that into the phone.

Even now, I hated how I hid the fact that I'd seen that room.

Because… I don't want him to hate me.

I won't get in the way anymore.

So please――

“Hey, Hatsune-san.”

His voice.

That gentle voice.

And then――

“My ranking won't drop.”

The way he said it sounded almost as if he was telling himself.

“You're underestimating me too much, Hatsune-san.”

“I'll be fine, for sure.”

“My only strong point is my academics.”

Even though his voice trembled terribly, Icchi continued.

I wonder if he realized it.

“Well then, let's both do our best.”

――Click.

The call ended, but I was still holding my phone to my ear.

“It's so obvious you're pushing yourself too hard…”

Even though he couldn't hear me, those words slipped out.

“…Icchi.”

I always thought of tests as nothing more than an annoying interruption to my club and hobbies.

But if Icchi――is going to give it his all…

I don't want to waste today either.

“I'm going to do my best too…!”

Muttering that, I ran.

I headed straight for Ayanon's house.