Chapter 18: Ball of Rejection

TL: Sponsored chapter. Thanks for supporting. Enjoy.

“Then, Yukito. If I win this game, Kamishiro is mine!” (Miho)

　The gymnasium was enveloped in silence. However, the next moment, it was filled with cheers and screams. The person herself, Kamishiro, was the really confused.

“Wawawawawawawa, what do you mean, Kouki?” (Shiori)

Heeeh. Kouki liked Kamishiro? Maybe they’re a good match for each other, both athletic beauties. At the very least, it’s a lot healthier than hanging out with a helpless gloomy dork like me. No one will complain about this fresh, handsome guy. Holy crap, youth is (・∀・) good!

“Good for you, Kamishiro. Kouki is a good guy.” (Yuki)

“……Eh?” (Shiori)

“Oi, Yukito! Are you really fine with that!?” (Miho)

“Yeah, go ahead.” (Yuki)

For some reason, the fresh, handsome guy who said it himself was the most impatient. I realized, does it really matter to me if that happens? I don’t know why I’m doing this. The rest is up to you two young people.

Haha, I see. This refreshingly handsome guy, you must be under the impression that Kamishiro has a crush on me.

To her, I’m nothing but a pathetic and pitiful existence. That’s why she only concerned herself about me. Even the reason why she feigned to do that fake confession, is clearly because Kamishiro’s compassion as an cheerful person. What we had was only such a relationship. There was nothing special about it at all. That’s what Kamishiro herself said. There was no way there could be any mistake in that.

“What’s the point in playing this game?” (Yuki)

“Why, Yukito, why don’t you notice! Don’t you really feel anything? You don’t feel anything about Kamishiro, about Suzurikawa, even when you see those girls’ attitude?” (Miho)

“I don’t really understand but I think you should get along with Kamishiro.” (Yuki)

“Yukito, why do you try to reject them so much?” (Miho)

Rejection? Reject what? Reject who? I still don’t understand what this refreshingly handsome guy is saying. Thinking about it, both Suzurikawa and Kamishiro had told me nothing but lies. I couldn’t even set apart which was the truth. Needless to say, it was impossible for the current me to comprehend it.

Who am I rejecting? It’s rather the opposite, isn’t it? I’ve always been rejected. My mom, my sister, my childhood friends, my classmates, my senpais. I was rejected by everyone. I’m not needed by anyone. There was no place for me anywhere. It was always “rejection” that was directed at me, never “love”. It’s not me who’s rejecting you. It can’t be me… I was the one who was being rejected, and that’s why I–

　A dull pain hit me as a headache. It’s a familiar feeling, as if I’ve lost something important, as if a void has opened up again.

　I heard a click, as if something was broken again.

　Well, it doesn’t matter!

　I gave up everything. I couldn’t understand anything anyway. It was useless to think about it.

Now that I’ve lost faith in the WHO₁, I, Yukito Kokonoe, am a man who doesn’t believe in international organizations. In a world where we can’t even trust the United Nations, how can we trust a single individual? A world where we can’t even say what we want to say is nothing but a poison. What’s the point of lying to me? Why are you lying to me? There is no answer to that question. I can’t think of a reason. It’s stupid to think about whether it’s a lie or the truth.

　Nevertheless, the right thing to do would be to support your classmate’s love life. There was no doubt that Kouki Miho is a good guy. I’m sure he’s a good guy, and I’m sure Kamishiro is a good person who feels sorry for me. Then there was only one thing for me to do.

“Okay, then, if I win this game, both of you are staying away from me.” (Yuki)

“What?” (Miho)

“Yuki, …… what……” (Kamishiro)

“It’s up to the two of you from here on, but that’s none of my business. If you don’t get involved with me, you won’t get into this kind of trouble. I’m not going to join the basketball team, and I’m not going to get involved with you two. It’s all good!” (Yuki)

“Wait, why are you so–?” (Miho)

“Let’s just get on with it.” (Yuki)

　This way, Kamishiro and the fresh, handsome guy can deepen their relationship without worrying about me. I’ve never had a girlfriend in my life, so it’s not like I’m some kind of love cupid. Can’t help to laugh at this situation. Of course, it doesn’t show on my face at all.

“Kokonoe, I can’t deal with such a game.” (Senior)

“I don’t know what’s going on, but if you’re like that, we can’t help you.” (Ito)

　Ito-kun and his senior were looking at me accusingly. It’s the eyes that seem to shy away. That’s right, those are the eyes. These are the eyes that should be directed at me. When I look into those eyes, I feel at ease. I feel safe. It’s as if my existence is being affirmed, or rather, denied. And they don’t want to get involved with me anymore. It’s the right thing to do for me, a loner.

“Okay then, I’ll play alone” (Yuki)

“Hey, Kokonoe….. Just because you can do a little…” (Senior)

“Just stay there.” (Yuki)

　I started dribbling slowly. The audience looked puzzled. It was the usual business for me. For some reason, even when I was playing a basketball game, the venue would often become quiet before I knew it. The way they look at me as if seeing something bizzare, but I didn’t need to worry about it, because it was business as usual.

Why is this happening to me……?

　That’s the question that’s always swirling around in my mind.

[Kouki Miho POV]

“Impos….sible” (Miho)

　The scoreboard read 21-10. 3 on 3 is a game that can be won by scoring 21 points in addition to the time limit. The game was decided so easily that everyone could only shiver.

　I practiced a lot. I’ve achieved results all over the country with the aim of defeating him. Still, I couldn’t reach the man. He was no longer there. He quickly left the place. A very swift defeat. He looked bored until the very end, as the three of us tried to hold him off, only to have him shoot us on the spot. I tried to prevent a quick attack, but he ducked. It was as if we were no match for them.

　But that was a trivial matter. More than that, Kouki was curious. Why can’t they talk to each other, why can’t they get close to each other, why are we so far away from each other that no one can touch him?

“Kamishiro I’ve asked you before, why didn’t Yukito play in the final tournament? (Miho)

　It’s impossible for a player of his caliber to not be a regular, except for a circumstance or his decision not to play. Kamishiro answered the question that she had previously dodged.

“Yuki had a broken bone.” (Shiori)

“So, it was an injury…..” (Miho)

“It was my fault……. I lied and Yuki was ……!” (Shiori)

　There were only two people left in the gym. The crowd had already disappeared.

“I don’t know how he got so broken like that…….” (Shiori)

　The muttering melts away with a hint of sadness.

[Yuki POV]

“Here, have a drink.” (Yuri)

“I’ll give you 150 yen.” (Yuki)

In exchange for the sports drink that I received, I gave my sister a 1,000 yen bill. I smiled grimly and said I don’t the need change. I paid 850 yen for my sister’s kindness, so it’s not a problem. It’s worth it, for example, to have your sister walk to school with you. My sister still looked doubtful, but it was the same as always.

It is very rare for me to go home with my sister. However, in this case, it would be more correct to say that she was being taken away. It’s completely like in Donna Donna₂. However, it feels good to have a beautiful woman walking next to me. It’s probably the only thing I can be proud of. I am not proud of myself, but I am proud of my sister. It’s a bit of a selfish thing to do, but that’s just me.

“Are you going to do club activities? Did you have some fun?” (Yuri)

“No, it was boring. I don’t do club activities because I’m a loner.” (Yuki)

“Is that so” (Yuri)

Such a half-hearted response, as I listen to my own replies. I don’t really care, because it goes without saying that this is actually true. As for my sister, it’s not like she’s really interested in me or anything. She’s just trying to keep the conversation going. She is too kind. Yuri-san is an angel.

“So what’s up with Michael all of a sudden?”

“Hmm?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I’ve put Michael in a bad mood. . Maybe because the angel grade was too low. It was completely my fault. From now on, I will revere her as an archangel. There is no topic for us to talk right now. We soon ran out of things to talk about. What’s the weather like today? It’s evening now. There was no need to worry about it now.

“Are you enjoying school?” (Yuri)

“Am I…. enjoying….. school…..” (Yuki)

“Did something trouble you?” (Yuri)

“Maybe, I’m not really having fun” (Yuki)

“Hmm” (Yuri)

Silence falls again. The relationship is awkward. But that’s okay, don't get too close to your sister. If you do, you’ll probably end up in a situation like that again.

“What are you going to do when you graduate from high school?” (Yuri)

“What do you mean……?” (Yuki)

Ambiguous questions. I was baffled by the sudden start of career counseling, but thinking about it, I’ve never been very good at this kind of questioning. I’ve never been able to give an honest answer about my future dreams, what I want to be, or what I long for. I’ve never even thought about it. Even when I was asked what I was going to do after graduating from high school, it never occurred to me. Do you want to go on to higher education? Or get a job? Is that what they want to hear?

“Well?” (Yuri)

“What?” (Yuki)

　That’s all I can say. Suddenly, I felt something warm on my hand. A human body temperature. A little colder than mine. Before I knew it, my sister was holding my hand. What is happening? It’s an iron will that will never let you go. It’s like handcuffs.

“Don’t go.” (Yuri)

“Where?” (Yuki)

“Nowhere. Stay with me…” (Yuri)

It’s evening now.

What’s she saying? I don’t understand. I don’t have a weekend trip planned. I have no time. I have no plans to hang out with anyone. I’m a gloomy loner! There’s no way I’m going to be able to hang out with my friends on my days off like a real person HAHAHAHAHA!

“Yukito” (Yuri)

“Yes?” (Yuki)

I don’t know why she was hugging me.　What is this? What’s going on here? I’m not going to run away, even if you don’t restrain me. Where would I run to? What’s going on?

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said it. I’m sorry, but seeing you today has made me even more scared. I thought it was too late. But still…” (Yuri)

“Yuri-san?” (Yuki)

“Don’t try to disappear from me. Don’t try to hurt yourself. Everyone loves you, you know.” (Yuri)

“You’re lying.” (Yuki)

“I’m not lying.” (Yuri)

My sister is saying something strange. I wondered if I looked depressed. Of course not. My poker face is a legend. I’ve never lost a standoff, and my childhood friend Suzurikawa said she’s never seen me smile. I’ve never been depressed, and I’ve never had such emotional ups and downs. So I’m confused.

What is she saying?… and you are lying.

　Because you said…

“You said you hated me.” (Yuki)

“I love you.” (Yuri)

　A soft touch on my lips.

Why am I being kissed?

Ed- Hello editor here, So wow He absolutely demolished them in basketball 1v3 and then he got kissed by his sister…. Can't really say much all I know is that the mc will most likely question everything in life in the next chapter but as usual if there are any mistakes or errors please comment down below and I hope you enjoyed chapter 18 of the series :)

TLC:

1. I feel like it’s a joke about his name (literal: snow rabbit), but i can’t really find the connection. What i know people of japan put a lot of faith in UN organization like WHO and WWF. So much that a lot of game and fashion brand in japan have collab with them.

2. Yiddish theater song about a calf being led to slaughter. Have a lot of localization version, and apparently there’s a japanese version too.