Volume 1
Chapter 1: A one-sided fateful encounter (Part 4)
● The Junior High Basketball Club Girl Becomes Self-Aware ●○●
I like basketball.
I’ve always loved being active, and there’s something so satisfying about the clean swish of the ball going through the hoop. It didn’t take long for me to get completely hooked on this sport.
—But maybe I got too hooked.
“Yuka-cchi, good work today! I’m heading home, okay~?”
“Oh, yeah! Bye-bye!”
The elementary school gym.
Since it’s spring break, they’ve opened it up for us graduates to use freely. So, I’d been playing basketball with my friends… but…
By early afternoon, everyone started heading home.
(Guess there’s no helping it.)
Honestly, I wanted to practice a little more, but keeping up with everyone else matters too. So, reluctantly, I started getting ready to leave.
“Wait, what?! Rikka, you’re dating Shoya-kun now?”
“Yeah! I confessed to him at graduation, and he said yes~!”
On the way home, the conversation exploded into a frenzy of boy-talk and romance.
“Huh? But wasn’t Shoya-kun going out with Suzuka?”
“Didn’t they break up? I mean, even if they didn’t, I’m kinda like, whatever~!”
Falling in love, confessing, dating, becoming a couple.
I can admire the idea of it, sure, but I don’t have anyone I’d want that with. There are boys in my class and on the basketball team, but I don’t feel the slightest spark for any of them.
“…What’re you spacing out for, Yuka? Didn’t you confess to anyone?”
“Huh? Me? Um… I don’t really have anyone I like, so…”
It’s the truth.
The boys in my grade all feel so childish, yet a lot of them act all high and mighty. I just can’t stand it…
“Yuka, you’re such a basketball nut~”
“Seriously, though! I joined the basketball club because I wanted to play, but I’ll be honest—part of it was to scope out the boys.”
“You’re just gonna say it like that? Well, I kinda had some hopes too!”
Basketball’s a sport that a decent number of boys play too.
I was shocked when I heard some people joined the team just to mingle with boys from other classes. For me, though, I just wanted to play basketball—plain and simple. I never told anyone, but I also wanted to win more games.
Since my friends know I’m like that, I figured they wouldn’t bother bringing up this kind of stuff with me… or so I thought.
“But, you know, Yuka acts all basketball-obsessed to hide the fact that she’s secretly super pervy.”
A bombshell dropped.
“Wha—?! N-No, that’s not true!”
“You don’t have to hide it~ We all know you’re a closet perv, Yuka.”
“N-No way! I’m normal! Totally normal, I swear!”
I glanced around—my friends were nodding like, yep, uh-huh. Wait, what?! Why are they all acting like this is some obvious fact?!
“Huh? But Yuka, you’re always smirking while reading naughty books in class!”
“…?!”
“Hey, speaking of which, when we went to your house, Yuka, I saw something shady under your bed—”
“Wah—wah! Stop it! Seriously!”
My head felt like it was about to boil over!
I mean, I’m a girl too, okay? Of course I’m at least a little curious about boys!
“She’s totally a closet perv.”
“Yup, Pervy Yuka-cchi.”
“Cut it out already…!”
I’m normal! Totally normal!
“See ya later~!”
“Catch you at junior high!”
I said goodbye to my friends.
Most of them are going to the same local junior high, so even after graduation, we won’t really be apart.
“Hmm…”
After waving, I opened and closed my right hand a few times.
Honestly, I still felt like I hadn’t moved enough. Looking up at the sky, I saw it was still a dazzling blue, stretching out endlessly.
“Maybe I’ll head to the park.”
I decided to make my way to the nearby park I often went to—the one with the basketball hoop.
Thump, thump, thump.
I loved the sound of a basketball bouncing against the ground.
But hearing that sound before I’d even reached my destination meant… someone else was already there.
(It’s rare to see someone here at this time…)
Just because someone was already there didn’t mean I’d timidly turn back.
If it was just one or two people, we could take turns shooting—no problem at all. With that in mind, I kept walking.
Soon, I could make out the person playing basketball.
“…A guy?”
It was a guy playing basketball.
Probably a high schooler or maybe a college student.
Seeing a guy around here wasn’t that unusual. But a guy practicing alone? That might be a little rare…
I got closer to the court, close enough to see his face. And then… I experienced the biggest shock of my life.
“Hmph…!”
His dribbling was fast. The way he handled the ball—it was like it was glued to his hand. Crossovers, behind-the-back moves—techniques I’d been dying to master myself.
Then, he darted toward the hoop like the wind…
“Here we go.”
A layup. Not a regular one from the front, either, but a reverse layup, as if he were slipping past an imaginary defender.
“…”
I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
I’d seen skillful plays in videos before.
But this was different—completely different. Seeing a guy move so gracefully, right in front of me, was a first.
Cool. That’s what I thought, plain and simple.
“Hm…?”
Our eyes met.
He had sharp, handsome features—a good-looking older guy. Suddenly, my heart started pounding.
“Oh, I’m about to head out, so feel free to use the court!”
“…Huh? Oh, uh, thank you…”
He’s leaving already?
Wait—did he decide to go because I showed up? Standing here with a basketball tucked under my arm, it’s pretty obvious I came to play, right?
While I stood there, the guy packed his ball into his backpack and got ready to leave.
I wanted to say something, anything.
If I let this moment slip by, I might never get another chance! …Even just once, I wanted to talk to him…!
“U-Um!”
“…”
He turned to look at me.
…But what was I supposed to say?
That was cool? No way, he’d totally think I’m weird!
Can I have your contact info? That’d make me sound like a total creep with ulterior motives!
Play basketball with me? Come on, that’s way too forward for someone I just met!
“It’s, uh… nothing…”
“? Oh, okay. Well, I’m heading out then!”
Ugh… I messed up.
I just wanted to chat a little…
He walked farther and farther away until he was out of sight. All that was left on the court was me, alone.
I could feel the sudden heat in my body cooling down.
Thump, thump, thump—my heart was still beating loudly.
He was cool.
But it wasn’t just that. His vibe, his voice—everything about him hit me like an arrow straight through my chest.
“Why… couldn’t I say anything…? I’m such an idiot.”
I muttered to myself, cursing my own helplessness.
But, of course, I didn’t give up.
There’s no way I could give up! I’m Yuka Maeda—the girl who never knows when to quit!
Today’s the day I’m going to meet that cool guy again!
“Okay, I’m heading out!”
“Huh? Yuka, wait—there’s a club info session today!”
“It’s just the basketball club anyway, so whatever!”
Ever since that day, I’d been going to that park as much as my schedule allowed.
I’d run into him around 3:00 p.m. that time. He’d already been practicing for a while, so if I went a little earlier, I’d have a better shot at seeing him!
I’d gone every day since then, but I hadn’t run into him again.
Still, today was a Friday—the same day we’d met—so the odds had to be higher!
“Yuka, what’s gotten into you lately?”
“Did you start chasing after some idol or something??”
My classmates were throwing around wild guesses, but I didn’t care.
I mean, I’m way too busy for that right now!
“There he is…!”
It was 2:30 p.m.
Finally… finally, I’d reunited with that guy!
There’d been a real chance I’d never see him again. I’d worried—what if that day he’d just been passing through from somewhere far away or something…?
His footwork was just as smooth as before.
His shooting form was so clean, so perfect.
He really is cool…
Steeling myself, I headed toward the bench near the court. Then, the guy—who’d been practicing—noticed me.
“Oh, hey, aren’t you that girl from the other day…?”
My heart gave a loud thump.
No way—he remembered me? Even though it was just a fleeting moment?
I tried to tell myself there was no way he could, but the joy of being remembered was already making my face burn.
Today’s the day! Today, I have to at least get his contact info…
This past week, while searching for him, I’d been so anxious that I might never see him again. I mean, I knew the odds of not running into him were higher, but I didn’t want to give up.
I didn’t want to feel that fear—that I might never see him again—ever again!
“U-Um…!”
I forced my voice out.
I had to say something, anything.
“I, uh, I’ve been practicing here a lot, like, for a while…”
“Oh, really? That’s cool!”
Wait, huh? That’s not what I meant to say at all!
I wanted to play basketball with him. So I could ask for his contact info… Ugh, but would that just sound like I’m hitting on him? Would he report me or something?
What do I do? What should I say…?
“So, I wanted to, uh, practice here too…”
“Oh, got it, got it! Sorry about that—I’ll head out then!”
“No, wait, that’s not what I—!”
Oh no, I raised my voice too loud. But I didn’t want to repeat the same mistake as last time…
He looked startled… I needed to clear up the misunderstanding, fast.
“U-Um, I mean, with me…”
I had to say it. I had to get it across clearly! At some point, he’d crouched down a little, meeting my eyes. He was listening to me.
I had to say it—play basketball with me—I had to, I had to…
I took a deep breath all at once.
“With me! Let’s have a match!”
“Huh!?”
About an hour later.
“Man, Yuka-chan, you’re really good! I was shocked!”
“T-Thank you…!”
I couldn’t beat him at all. I’d known it from watching him play, but this guy—he was really good at basketball.
I’d never lost to the boys in my grade, but against him, I didn’t stand a chance. And yet, that was fine. More than fine, actually.
The match was so much fun, and during a break, I got his name. Masato Katari. That’s what this guy’s called.
And one more thing.
“Hahaha! But you still couldn’t beat me~ So, as promised, I get to keep practicing here, right?”
It was a little lopsided, but as long as I challenged him with everything I had and lost, he’d promised to keep coming back here. A weird little deal, but it was our deal—just me and him.
Thinking about it made my chest tighten naturally.
“Next time… next time, I won’t lose!”
“Haha, you’re all out of breath! Yuka-chan, you should hydrate.”
He was right—I hadn’t had anything to drink since I got here. Following his nudge, I headed to the bench and sat down.
I reached into my backpack for my water bottle…
“Huh…?”
It wasn’t there. Did I forget it at school? Or maybe at home…?
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, uh, it looks like I forgot my water bottle…”
“Oh, oops.”
“But it’s fine! I’ve got some pocket money—I’ll just buy something!”
Luckily, I had a few coins in my wallet. There was a vending machine nearby, so I could grab a sports drink with that.
“Nah, that’d be a waste. If you don’t mind, you can have some of mine. Here.”
“…Eh?”
Just as I started to stand, he handed me a plastic bottle. Taking it, I noticed it was already half-empty.
Which meant it’d been opened. In other words, he’d already drunk from it.
…Huh?
Wait, isn’t this an indirect kiss? Yeah, it totally is, right?
No way, no way, no way—this is too much! But I can’t let it show! If he figures out I’m freaking out, he’ll think I’m weird! I want to drink it! I really want to drink it! In so many ways! But if he realizes I’m overthinking it, he might never come back!
Quick! I’ve got to drink it fast! Naturally! As naturally as possible! Calm down, me!
“T-T-T-T-Thank you!”
“What’s wrong!? Your face is bright red!”
Yeah, no chance of pulling that off. My hands were shaking.
I twisted off the cap. I had to drink this—quickly.
I slowly brought it to my lips. My heartbeat was deafening.
Hot. So hot. My heart felt like it was burning.
Wait, my vision’s…
“Unyaa…”
“Yuka-chan?? Wait, what!?”
My consciousness started to fade… Oh no… my indirect kiss… Watching Masato-san panic as I slipped away, one thought crossed my mind.
Falling for someone… it’s such a happy feeling.
Probably from the very first moment we met.
My heart had already been completely captured by this guy, and there was nothing I could do about it.
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