Chapter 84: Ace’s heroic figure

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Translator: Soafp

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10 AM.

After taking a break from creative activities and building a bottle ship, I boarded the train.

I got off at a station two stops away from the one closest to that Indian restaurant.

“…Huge.”

After walking for a few minutes, I arrived at a large gymnasium.

It seemed to be run by the city and hosted various events besides basketball, like track and field or tennis tournaments.

…Me?

Maybe I should compete in the “Most Colorful Hair Championship” (which doesn’t exist).

“Well, I’m wearing a knit cap anyway…”

Too bad, I’m an unchallenged loser. But if I unleash my “true power”—only the color though—I’d be unbeatable… (protagonist hiding their strength).

Right.

Just standing here won’t warp me inside the tournament, unfortunately.

I mean, can you blame me? It's nerve-wracking. A male student showing up to watch the girls’ basketball team from his own school play.

What if they recognize me? I'd be labeled as a weirdo who came to watch girls' basketball (creepy).

Actually, doesn't wearing this knit cap already make me look suspicious—

“Let's go.”

Oh yeah, I've always been a weirdo.

There's nothing to fear.

Not crying, though.

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“…Oh, there she is.”

A little before 11, I arrived at the spectator seats.

It was pretty empty, so I wandered around a bit—then, using my introvert radar (set to max sensitivity), I spotted Hatsune-san.

She was standing in a circle with the other players, arms linked.

Everyone else was a stranger to me (obviously).

…Or so I thought, but is that someone from our class? I'm not sure.

I still don't remember most of my classmates’ faces or names. Because as a loner, I never needed to (pathetic).

The only person who talked to me was Hiiragi-san, for the longest time (tears).

―― “We'll definitely win!”

―― “””Ooooh!”””

―― “Hoshigaoka, fight!”

―― “””Ooooh!”””

“…Whoa.” (so basic)

It was quite intense.

This was my first time seeing the Hoshigaoka Girls’ Basketball Team's pre-game huddle.

For someone like me, who's never been in a club, this is pretty refreshing.

And, a little lonely.

…But never mind that. The match is about to start, so I'll focus on watching Hatsune-san.

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―― “Nice shot!” “Great rebound!”――

“…”

A few minutes into the game, I realized something.

―― “Nice one, Momo!”

Hatsune-san's really good at basketball. Probably.

I'm no expert, but she's definitely blocking the opponents a lot. Like, Defense! Defense! (but not exactly).

Also, she's great at shooting from far away. Her shooting accuracy? Whatever you call it, it's high.

“…Wow.”

It's clear that the other team is starting to focus entirely on Hatsune-san.

…This is a scene straight out of a manga!

―― “Ugh!”――

“…Whoa…”

Just then, the opposing team made a push, but they missed their shot. Hatsune-san immediately jumped.

She grabbed the ball as it bounced off the board—was that a rebound?—and passed it to her teammate. They scored.

Not only is she good on offense, but she's also strong on defense. Amazing.

That jump was way higher than the other team’s players.

“…She's even better than I thought.”

I muttered this random scout-like comment and leaned back in my seat.

I was in a far corner with almost no one around. No one could see me here.

“Haa… clubs, huh.”

So.

I let out a deep sigh.

She was shining so brightly that it felt like too much for me to handle—

―― Beep!

Just as I was thinking that, the buzzer sounded from the court.

In the end, Hoshigaoka High won the match by double the score.

The players began lining up.

Once that was done, they shared their victory with their teammates—

――”!”

At that moment.

Among the crowd on the court, she—Hatsune-san—was the only one looking at me, waving her hand.

Even though I was just a guy in a knit cap, without any shine.

Even though I wasn't sporting rainbow-colored hair.

Even though I was still the same old me from back then.

“…G-good job.”

My trembling voice echoed faintly within the gym.

Of course, there was no way she could actually hear me.

Instead, I weakly waved back.

Before long, her teammates gathered around her.

――”!!”

But even then.

She kept waving at me from afar.

Her joyful face directed right toward me.

“Heh…”

The smile that escaped me was something she probably saw too.

How can she notice me?

A background character as invisible as I am.

Hatsune-san is the ace of the basketball team.

She's admired by so many, surrounded by friends.

Yet, why does she direct such a bright smile at someone like me?

“I really don't stand a chance—”

She truly shines too brightly for someone like me.