Chapter 31: Crossed Eyes

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Translator: Soafp

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After school, once the classes had ended, the school was abuzz with excitement, and everywhere you went, people were talking about the upcoming 1-vs-1 basketball match between Aoi and Kagura in the gym.

“Really? This is gonna be so interesting!”

“Can Kagura-chan even play basketball? She can't beat Tachibana, right?”

“No, no, there might be something going on. For someone like Kagura Shinomiya to challenge her, there must be more to it.”

“By the way, why are Kagura Shinomiya and Marin Kousaka here again? Are they filming?”

Such conversations were bouncing around the classroom, and it seemed like everyone was filled with excitement and curiosity.

Apparently, when Aoi went to get permission to use the gym, the teachers had leaked the news to the students.

I listened to the conversation while absentmindedly watching the scene unfold. Then, Miyabi stood up from her seat, looking a little restless.

She glanced at me, and her expression seemed a bit unsure, as if she wanted to say something. But, without saying anything, she left the classroom.

I was curious about her behavior, but I decided to head to the gym without following her.

Although I was bothered by Miyabi's actions, my desire to witness Aoi and Kagura's match outweighed it.

When I arrived at the gym, there were already many students gathered. Among them, Marin, who was hiding as if trying to avoid attention, noticed me and smiled at me with a cute expression, then quickly walked over.

“Hajime-sensei, I've been waiting for you!”

Marin smiled happily as she approached me. I had expected her to be worried about Kagura, but she didn't seem concerned at all.

“Aoi is really strong, you know. Do you think Kagura-san will be okay…?”

I couldn't help but murmur this.

In the center of the gym, Aoi was stretching energetically in her jersey. Her movements were smooth and efficient, giving off the aura of a basketball club ace. On the other hand, Kagura was casually practicing shooting, and her skills were still a mystery.

I started to feel a growing sense of anxiety. Knowing just how strong Aoi was, I couldn't help but wonder if Kagura could really stand up to her.

However, Marin seemed completely unconcerned, tilting her head slightly.

“Hm… I think she'll be fine?”

She gave me a puzzled look, as if she couldn't understand why I was so worried.

“No, Aoi is the one who led the basketball club, which was pretty weak at first, all the way to the prefectural tournament. She worked incredibly hard to get that strong, so she's not an opponent you can easily beat.”

I explained, getting a little heated.

But Marin, without showing any surprise, simply replied casually.

“I see. But… Kagura's been to tournaments too, you know? Back in middle school.”

“Tournaments?”

“National basketball tournament.”

Those words stunned me.

“I've never heard about that before…”

It might have been obvious that I didn't know, but I was still shocked.

Kagura? National tournament?

It was hard to imagine that from Kagura's usual mischievous and seductive smile.

“What's more, there's been a gap since then, and that's what worries me… But I guess that's why she suggested a 1-vs-1.”.

“Ah, so she's aiming for a short game to level the playing field.”

So that was the reasoning behind the challenge…

However, despite my surprise, Marin calmly gazed over at the court, her expression almost as if the outcome of the match was already decided from the start.

At that moment, I suddenly felt a gaze.

When I turned around, I saw Miyabi standing near the entrance of the gym, staring at me intently.

It was as though she was trying to gauge my reaction.

There was a complex look in her eyes, and I couldn't quite tell what she was thinking. Was she trying to say something, or was she simply observing me?

I couldn't read her emotions, but the intensity of her gaze made me involuntarily hold my breath.

Without saying a word, Miyabi lowered her gaze and slowly turned away, as if giving up on something. Yet, it seemed like she hadn't fully made up her mind.

I could only watch Miyabi's back as she walked away.