Chapter 30: It’s no different than a child sulking and throwing up.

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

“What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”

　Isn’t that a little out of context?

“We talked about the ball game this morning. I was just curious.”

“I see. I’ve told the other guys that I don’t want to play soccer anymore.”

“I see… on a different note, Tsukiyomi, when do you think you first met me?”

“I think it was after high school.”

“As I thought. Actually, we had a soccer game in junior high school, you remember?”

“I didn’t know that.”

　I’m sorry Sasaki, but I don’t remember anything about it.

“Of course you don’t remember. I wasn’t as famous as Tsukiyomi-kun, and I wasn’t very good. I was just overrun in the match.”

“………”

“I was not talented. I never stopped trying, but I was limited to being a starter for a weak team. And Tsukiyomi-kun didn’t have the teeth for it.”

“………”

“I can’ t say that Tsukiyomi-kun didn’ t work hard. In fact, I think you practiced harder than I did. And I admired you.”

“………”

“I worked even harder than before. I wanted to be as good as you. But when I played against your team again, I broke down. Seeing the amount of talent that was easily kicking our asses despite our best efforts.

“………”

“So I didn’t join the soccer team in high school. I thought I was no match for the real thing. In fact, I was even beaten by a mere experienced player in a ball tournament.”

“………”

“I’m glad you beat them on my behalf. But…but…”

　He turned his head and shivered as if he was trying to hold something back. A few moments later, he looked up and shouted.

“Why did you quit soccer, Tsukiyomi? You have skills that I can never reach! Don’t so easily throw away something that I couldn’t get no matter how hard I tried! If you’re going to throw away your talent, then give it to me!”

　Sasaki’s eyes were filled with tears as he shouted this.

“Haa…haa…”

“Are you finished?”

　I asked Sasaki, who was out of breath due to her sudden loud voice.

“I’m sorry. I think it will only embarrass me if you say this, and I know what Tsukiyomi-kun’s situation is, so I wasn’t going to tell you, but I couldn’t help myself…”

“Don’t worry about it. I know you wouldn’t say that.”

　For someone who is making a serious effort, I might be unforgivable. Especially the members of the team I beat in junior high school.

　I’m no different than a child who throws away his passion and results because he’s stingy with his work.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t even consider your feelings…”

　Sasaki apologizes to me as if he’s calmed down, but I don’t care.

　Sasaki says he doesn’t think about my feelings, but I don’t think about anyone else’s feelings either.

　In the first place, only the person himself can know how he feels.

---