Chapter 7

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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It was gym class in the afternoon, basketball.

In recent years, mixed-gender classes have become rare, but for some reason PE at Shirazaki Academy always ends up feeling like a recreational activity.

Honestly, I don't mind it. It's easy to slack off just enough to be comfortable.

But thanks to my memories returning, even slacking off now comes with a strange sense of guilt.

Seriously… maybe it would've been better if I had never remembered anything in the first place.

“Uooooh… Man, Maaya-chan's seriously got huge b00bs.”

“Damn, they're bouncing like crazy. I wanna touch them.”

As I was thinking that, I could hear Yamana and the others getting excited while watching the girls—especially Maaya.

Maaya in her gym clothes. Even someone like me, who has never really felt any kind of lust toward my childhood friends, couldn't help but hold my breath for a moment at her proportions.

Her large ch*st bounced with every step, and the boys were completely captivated.

“But lately, even Rin-chan's starting to look cute too.”

“Yeah, I get it. She's seriously beautiful.”

“She's cold normally, but a girl like that would be insanely cute if she got flustered.”

Now even Rin was being targeted.

Of course she was. Both of them are among the three biggest beauties in the class.

If she heard this conversation, she'd definitely lose it…

While thinking that, I absentmindedly watched them run around the court too.

Rin, dribbling the ball with sharp movements.

She's slim and not very strong, but her athletic ability is decent enough to hold her own against the boys. Her swaying side ponytail gave her a dignified beauty, just like her name.

On the other hand, Maaya looked like she was barely keeping up.

She's never been good at sports, and while she tries her best, her effort rarely goes in the right direction.

And right now, she looked like she was about to trip—

Ah.

She fell. And it looked like she didn't manage to break her fall, so it must've hurt.

“Maaya-san, are you okay?!” “Oh no! Maaya!”

The gym suddenly became noisy.

…It feels nostalgic, somehow.

This used to happen all the time in elementary school.

And every time, I was the one as the health committee member who would take Maaya to the infirmary—wait.

Don't tell me this is that pattern…

“Let's see… the girls' health committee member is Tanaka… ah, she's absent today. Then for the boys—”

“…That's me.”

The moment my name was called, the gym quieted slightly.

Then whispers started spreading.

…What an annoying atmosphere.

I haven't even done anything yet, and I'm already being treated like I messed up.

Honestly, I felt like ignoring it like I usually would.

If I don't go, someone else will probably take over anyway.

But then I looked at Maaya, crouching there holding her leg.

Before I even realized it, I stood up.

And since I already stood up, it would be weird not to go, so I reluctantly walked over to her.

“…Let's go. To the infirmary.”

“Ah, okay. Thanks.”

I let her lean on my shoulder, and we left the gym under everyone's stares.

---

On the way to the infirmary, an awkward silence hung between us.

Honestly, I didn't want this, but at this point I couldn't just leave her.

To break the silence, I glanced at her foot and spoke.

“…Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I'm totally fine. Actually, I was kind of exaggerating earlier—ah, no, never mind.”

…Did she just say something pretty suspicious?

Well, I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

“Thanks for helping me, though.”

“It's just my job…”

I answered in a way that didn't sound like me at all. The same guy who used to ditch every responsibility was now talking about “his job.”

“…”
“….”

The conversation stopped again, and the awkward silence returned.

I'm not bad at talking or anything, but being alone with Maaya like this is just difficult.

In a way, it feels like we're in the middle of a fight.

Even though it happened four years ago, I never properly apologized. Nothing has been resolved.

“Hey… Reita-kun.”

She spoke up again.

Hearing my first name after so long made a wave of nostalgia wash over my chest—and at the same time, a tightness.

So she still calls me that…

“…Um, I… I mean…”

She stopped walking and looked at me, clearly nervous.

“About that time… I'm not mad about it anymore.”

That was completely unexpected.

“So… you don't need to feel guilty about it.”

She smiled at me gently, as if trying her best.

…Why.

Why can you make that face?

After everything I did to hurt you, how can you look at me like that?

I didn't know what expression I was supposed to make.

Should I smile back? I can't. I can't even force one properly anymore.

Then should I apologize? Right here, about that time…

I opened my mouth—

“Wait!”

A voice suddenly came from behind us, along with running footsteps.

“…Rin!?”

We both turned around.

There she was—Rin, panting heavily with her hands on her knees.

“Haa… haa…”

“W-what's wrong?!”

“What's wrong is… I can't just… leave you two alone…”

“Seriously… what are you doing, Maaya? If you didn't like it, you should've said so and let someone else take you.”

“I don't dislike it or anything—”

“Maaya, I told you already, didn't I? Stay away from dangerous guys.”

“But Reita-kun is—”

They started arguing.

Well, I get what Rin is saying.

From her perspective, someone like me is exactly the type you should avoid.

She's just trying to protect Maaya.

“…Hey, can I go back now?”

I asked, since the atmosphere was getting painful.

Honestly, I'd already done my part.

“You can go back.”

Rin nodded.

“W-wait…”

But Maaya stopped me.

“…What now?”

“I… my foot hurts too much to walk, so… um… I was thinking… maybe Reita-kun could carry me… haha…”

“…Huh?” even Rin froze.

“What are you saying all of a sudden, Maaya…”

“If I can't walk, I'll carry you.”

“I'm fine, don't underestimate me.”

Rin crouched down behind Maaya.

Then—

“Ah—wait… I can't…!”

“Waaah!?”

Thud.

They both collapsed.

It seemed that didn't work out.

Whether it was Rin's lack of strength… or Maaya being heavier than expected…

Let's leave that mystery unsolved.

In the end, for Maaya's safety, I ended up carrying her on my back to the infirmary.