Chapter 212 - One Difficulty Passed
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
Airi whispers in my ear.
"...Five more minutes."
I wrap myself in the futon, assuming a posture that shows I absolutely will not wake up.
"Uuu..."
Since that day, Airi seems to have become a bit more reserved after all.
She doesn't use forceful means.
Airi seems to be doing something in the room.
She puts something on my ear.
A headset?
Refreshing BGM begins to flow.
Is this the kind of BGM that makes waking up in the morning feel pleasant?
Listening to classical music from the morning to wake up feeling good... you'd probably end up falling fast asleep somehow.
Well, no matter what I listen to, sleepy is sleepy.
...Gradually, the volume gets louder.
It has become too loud to ignore.
"Airi, you're noisy!!"
I pull off the headphones and push myself up.
"Yay, you're awake~♪"
It's not "you're awake~♪." Honestly...
I take back what I said. Airi seems to have returned to normal operations.
Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is another matter.
"Now that you're awake, it's time to get dressed~"
Don't treat me like an elderly person in nursing care.
I change my clothes and leave the room.
After eating, I prepare and return to the room.
Today, I have some time to relax.
Things that changed since that day.
The fact that Airi has come to allow me to play games even during our time together.
The fact that Airi has started having her own time.
If she asks me to accompany her during that time, I do.
From the outside, it looks like just a date, though.
Things that haven't changed.
Messages from Sakura-san arrive frequently.
As usual, she sends basketball videos.
She has also started sending them to the Watanabe group.
I tried to avoid watching them as much as possible, but there is something that draws me to the play of skilled people, and I end up watching no matter what.
Airi has stopped interfering with that.
I wonder if she's still bothered by it?
While everyone is amazing, and the PGs are amazing too, my eyes still drift toward the SFs.
They are taller than me, and their playstyle is completely different.
I'd like to try playing with someone like that once.
I never imagined that would become a reality.
"It's almost time~"
When Airi says that, I grab my bag and leave the house.
Upon arriving at the university, I head straight for the building.
After taking the second period, it's immediately lunch break.
Eating lunch with Kanna is a daily event.
"Katagiri-senpai!"
Sakura-san brings two lunch boxes.
I check Airi's reaction just in case.
Airi is greeting Sakura-san with a relaxed smile.
It's probably fine.
"Here, Katagiri-senpai, please."
I eat the offered lunch.
"Senpai, did you see today's video?"
"I saw it. Everyone was amazing. Number 4 was especially impressive, I think."
"Ah, Sawa-senshu. His ball handling and play-calling are incredible. Also, I recommend Number 7, Aoi-senshu."
"Ah, the SF. I heard they're the same age as you?"
"They're the same age as you, Senpai. It's motivating, right?"
"I have no intention of competing, though."
"You can't keep saying that. Hehe."
What does that mean?
Just as I was about to ask, I noticed Kanna acting strange.
"Aoi...?"
"Kanna, do you know them?"
I wonder if Kanna is also a basketball fan?
"Sakura, could you show that video to me too?"
"Kanna, what's wrong?"
It seems Airi doesn't know.
"Eh? I posted it in the Watanabe group too, though?"
At those words, Kanna takes out her smartphone and looks at the messages.
Number 4, who performs agile movements and sharp passing.
There was a player who caught Number 4's pass in mid-air and completed an Alley-oop.
Kanna focuses on that Number 7 player.
"Aya..."
(2)
In the video I watched after being told by Sakura, Aya was certainly there.
"Aya..."
"Otonashi-senpai, do you know Aoi Aya-senshu?"
Sakura asked.
"A friend from middle school."
The person I liked.
I see... so he kept playing basketball.
"You're acquainted with such an amazing person! This person is currently active in the Universiade!"
"Is that so..."
Aya is working hard...
"Heh, so he was Kanna's friend."
"I didn't know. That's impressive, Kanna."
Toya and Airi say.
"...I was rejected by this Aya."
"Eh?"
Airi's expression darkens.
"This is a story from the first year of junior high. Don't worry about it!"
I've turned this into a gloomy topic.
Then, Sakura suddenly spoke up.
"Why don't we all go see him next time? Also to cheer for Katagiri-senpai."
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"Hoh?"
What does "cheering for Toya" mean?
"There's a Universiade reinforcement match happening locally soon. The opponent is a local university..."
The representative players of the Universiade are coming to the area, and the opponent for that reinforcement match is our university.
Apparently, they were looking for a strong local university.
Having heard that, Sakura apparently used Toya as bait to set up the matching with the local university.
And, on the condition of Toya's participation, she apparently received tickets for the number of people.
"What are you thinking!"
I shouted at Sakura.
"But if I don't do this, Senpai won't play basketball, right?"
Sakura says this without any remorse.
I try to leave the school cafeteria, grabbing Sakura's hand.
"We're going to return the tickets right now."
"It's impossible since I already promised."
"Even if we have to bow our heads, we'll get them to nullify the promise!"
Don't make me say that in front of Airi!
Airi's behavior has already been strange lately.
"Wait, Kanna!"
The one who stopped me was Airi.
"Airi?"
"Let's hear Toya-kun's opinion too... Toya-kun, what will you do? What do you want to do?"
Airi was asking Toya.
Toya is deep in thought.
Airi smiled brightly and said to Toya.
"You want to try playing against this Number 7 person, right?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
"Then let's do it. I'll be fine."
"...Is it okay?"
"Show me your cool side."
"I haven't played at all, so I don't know if I can."
"If it's Toya-kun, you'll be fine."
Airi says that and pats Toya on the back.
Thus, Toya's participation in the match was decided.
Though I don't know if he'll actually be able to play.
The next day, Toya and we head to the gymnasium where the Basketball Club is practicing.
Toya puts on practice clothes and basketball shoes, confirming the feel of them.
"I never thought the day would come when I'd stand on the same court as Katagiri-kun... it's like a dream."
"You're exaggerating, Kimoto-senpai. What's your position, Kimoto-senpai?"
"I'm a PG."
"Oh, the promising rookie has arrived! Everyone, gather round."
We were observing from outside the court.
For now, they seem to want to see Toya's ability.
It became a game-style practice mixed in with the regulars.
"Katagiri-kun, was it? Do you have a preferred position?"
"Anywhere is fine."
"If it's Katagiri-kun, I think SF is fine."
When Kimoto-senpai said that, he became the SF.
The jump ball was thrown and the game started.
The opponent got the ball.
Toya and the others were playing man-to-man defense.
Since they wanted to see Toya's ability, the ball was passed to Toya's opponent.
That was a mistake.
The opponent, not knowing whether to break through Toya's defense with a dribble, pass the ball, or take a shot.
A violation was called.
Then, Toya's team's attack.
After crossing the half-line without difficulty, the senior looked into Toya's eyes and threw the ball.
Toya started running and leaped as if he knew the destination of the ball.
Catching the ball in mid-air, he went straight into an Alley-oop.
Toya's greatness isn't just in completing dunks.
He boldly aims for steals and sinks shots from anywhere.
Airi and Sakura were frolicking happily.
In the end, Toya's one-man show continued for ten minutes, and the practice ended.
"...What a tremendous talent."
The coach says.
After that, they researched the opponent's tactics and practiced countermeasures.
I'm looking forward to the day of the match.
(3)
It was sudden.
A single phone call.
Help was needed at a site.
Apparently, the person in charge who was on a business trip collapsed from overwork.
The deadline is the end of the year.
Apparently, someone to take command is needed urgently.
"I'll go..."
The President says.
"President, you have work piled up within the prefecture, right? Please handle that. I'll go."
"Tomosaka-san's team should be at full capacity too. Someone to take command is necessary."
The office becomes chaotic.
Who will go on the business trip.
Naturally, I raised my hand.
"Is it okay? You, next month..."
"Work is more important."
I'm unlucky; just when I finally got close to my girlfriend...
I leave the office and make a phone call.
"Yes, this is Niina. Is something the matter?"
"Sorry, I've suddenly gone on a business trip. I might not be able to return by the end of the year."
"...If it's work, it can't be helped. Please take care of yourself."
"Yeah, when I return, I'll treat you to something as an apology."
"I'll be looking forward to it."
I go to the smoking area provided outside the building and smoke a cigarette.
It can't be helped, it's the usual thing.
"Was that okay? It was a chance to get closer to Niina-san."
Manabe-kun calls out from behind.
"That's the hardship of being a working adult. You should take action quickly before you end up like this. You don't have time to worry about me, do you?"
"I..."
"Whether you win over Niina-san while I'm gone, or get close to the President, spend your time so that no regrets remain for you."
"Do you have any, Shiina-san? Regrets."
"Who knows. I had my youth too. There are things that are just the follies of youth... Looking at Manabe-kun reminds me of my old self. Youth, delusions, misplaced confidence, passion, patheticness, lingering affection, naivety... I had many things."
"...Can I become like you, Senpai?"
"The moment you think that, it's no good. Well, you're still young, so you probably wouldn't understand even if I told you."
Saying that, I laugh.
"Let's head back soon."
Saying that, I returned to the office.
I cleaned up the remaining work locally, reserved a plane ticket for the first thing in the morning, arranged accommodation, and went home.
Leaving precious things behind in my hometown, I took flight.
(4)
Basketball shoes I'm not used to wearing.
A brand new uniform I'm wearing for the first time. The number is 15.
And a court I'm standing on for the first time.
The spectator seats are packed with people.
Airi and the others should be watching from the arena seats.
Nervousness? Excitement? Anticipation?
Various things rush in.
No one is looking at someone like me anyway.
If I'm going to embarrass myself anyway, I might as well do it flashily.
Telling myself that, we form a huddle.
"I won't say 'win!' Let's show them the pride of the local university!"
When the coach says that, everyone shouts "Oh!"
I sit on the bench.
The seniors are nervous.
The opponents seem used to it, and one can even sense their composure.
Even in the league, we are a local university from a lower league.
The opponent is the Universiade... Japan's youth representatives.
They probably think of this as nothing more than a light warm-up, right?
Or a confirmation of tactics?
I wonder why they chose a local university.
Apparently, Sakura-san negotiated through the coach.
Either way is fine.
I'll just do what I can.
I wait for the moment the game begins.
It started.
The opponent's offensive continues, but our team is also resisting with all its might.
By the time the 1Q ends, we are at a disadvantage of 10-30.
If it continues like this, we lose.
But the opponent shows no sign of easing up.
It seems they will play with their regular members until the end.
"Katagiri-kun, can you go in from the next quarter?"
When the coach says, I begin preparing.
By the time the quarter ends, the point difference had widened to 15-45.
(5)
Everyone starts making a fuss.
Toya-kun stood up from the bench.
The game ended the 1Q with the opponent's overwhelming advantage, but considering Toya-kun is entering, it's like a handicap, right?
Kanna is mesmerized by the opponent's Number 7 player. Makoto-kun is right next to her, you know?
"It looks like it's Toya-kun's turn!"
When I tell Kanna, she says "Ah, right" and looks at Toya-kun.
When the referee's whistle blows, Toya-kun substitutes with the Number 7 player.
When Toya-kun conveys the instructions from the coach to his teammates, they each take their marks.
Toya-kun's opponent seems to be the Number 4 person.
Toya-kun's movement at times like this is amazing; he doesn't even give them the luxury of blinking.
Toya-kun's play begins the moment the Number 4 person holds the ball.
Defense that doesn't let the opponent choose between a pass or a dribble with exquisite spacing.
At this rate, five seconds will pass.
It was the moment the opponent tried to put the ball on the ground to dribble.
As if he had been aiming for it, he quickly flicks the ball away, and then, as if he had predicted the ball's destination, he runs toward the loose ball.
Riding that momentum, he dribbles, and almost simultaneously with entering the opponent's area, he releases a shot.
The opponent must have been panicking. They make contact with Toya-kun from behind. The ball goes into the goal, and furthermore, he is granted one free throw, snatching 4 points all at once.
People in the area know. But the opponent knows nothing about Toya-kun. That carelessness was fatal.
Toya-kun doesn't miss the moment they try to pass to Number 4 from the end line. He steals it and takes it straight to a shot.
They pass to someone other than Number 4. But Number 11 takes a 3P, and the rushing Toya-kun blocks it.
The moment a teammate holds the ball, Toya-kun immediately receives the pass and sinks a shot.
In the blink of an eye, a timeout is called just as Toya-kun had chased back 15 points.
When the timeout ends, the person Toya-kun is guarding changes to Number 10.
The person Toya-kun praised as a "person who is good at defense."
He is taller than Toya-kun—well, everyone is taller than Toya-kun, but.
He performs defense on par with Toya-kun. Toya-kun continues to dribble in a low posture.
Number 4 came to steal from behind.
Does Toya-kun have eyes in the back of his head? He switches the ball from his right hand to his left and evades the steal.
While doing so, he moves backward. Then, with a quick motion, he shoots a 3P.
The defense is hindered by the person who tried to steal and cannot enter the block. They were in a state of being screened by their own teammate.
That ball draws an arc in a high trajectory and is sucked into the goal.
The Watanabe group is all excited. Sakura-san is also stunned.
The opponent also sinks a few goals, but unless they stop Toya-kun's 3Ps, the point difference only continues to shrink.
The opponent defends by looming over Toya-kun to prevent him from shooting. If they defend like that...
Toya-kun dives into the opponent's chest in an even lower posture. If they step forward even half a step, it's exactly as Toya-kun intended, and he leaps from the free throw line.
Two blocks were placed, but amazingly, he evades the two with a Triple Clutch and dunks.
By this point, the cheers of the spectators were directed from the representative players toward Toya-kun.
The representative players are shaken. Who could have predicted such a situation? I expected it, though.
The representative team challenges Toya-kun with a double team.
Toya-kun directs his gaze toward the goal. Thinking it's a shot, one person jumps.
The other was likely preparing for a feint. But the one who jumped was unlucky.
He slips through the chest of the one who jumped and shoots.
It has become a game development that seems to exist only for Toya-kun.
Is it the final strategy? They prepare for Toya-kun with a triple team.
If they commit that many...
Toya-kun does not overlook a teammate who has become free.
He releases a no-motion pass.
The receiver was also panicking, but when Toya-kun says "Shoot quickly!", they sink the shot.
By the time the 3Q ends, they had completely overturned the game to 80-50.
But, that was as far as it went.
Perhaps it was due to a daily lack of exercise.
Toya-kun gives the coach an X sign, and there's a member change.
However, perhaps he broke the opponent's spirit. They say mental strength is important in basketball.
The opponent's shots and passes lack brilliance, and the PG is ejected after committing 5 fouls against Toya-kun.
They held on just like that and achieved a miraculous great victory of 100-80.
We frolic.
"Toya really is a 'do-anything' kind of guy. I'm glad he's not in the Soccer Club," Makoto-kun says.
"See, I told you! Katagiri-senpai was full of life!" Sakura-san says.
"Won't the recruitment for Toya become intense again?" Kanna worries.
It's okay, let's leave Toya-kun's path to Toya-kun.
I'll just cheer him on, just support him.
"Let's all go celebrate Toya!" Kanna says.
We all headed to the waiting room.
(6)
The waiting room was lively.
"Katagiri-kun, it's not too late even now, why not join the Basketball Club? For practice, you can just come whenever you have free time."
I struggled with the answer.
If I start a club activity, Airi will be left alone.
I don't want to do such a thing.
But it's also a fact that I felt it was fun playing basketball.
"...Please let me think about it for a bit."
I'll consult with Airi.
When I leave the locker room after changing, everyone is waiting.
Words of praise are thrown at me one after another.
Amidst that, Airi is just standing there with a smile.
"Airi... can I consult you about something later?"
"Do you want to play basketball?"
"Just a little bit."
"It's okay, don't worry about me. I'll join the Basketball Club too."
"Eh?"
"Managers are necessary, right? If so, I can stay by Toya-kun's side."
"I'll join the Basketball Club too. I want to cheer from nearby."
The Basketball Club members get excited.
Amidst that, a group wearing black jerseys pushed through the members of the Watanabe group.
"You got me. Since when have you been playing basketball?"
The Number 4 person asked.
"Today is the first time I've played a match."
"To do that play on your first time, that's amazing. Today was a complete defeat."
While they were talking, Kanna was talking to one player.
The Number 7 person from the opponent.
"Aya... it's been a while."
"Kanna, is it since middle school?"
"Um, are you still with Yukari?"
"Yeah, because my university returned to Tokyo."
"I see, then that's good."
"At that time, I didn't consider your feelings. Sorry."
"It's fine. Ah, let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Makoto. He plays soccer. And the Number 15 over there is Toya, my friend."
"Toya?"
The man called Aya approaches me.
"On paper, it's a complete defeat. I admit it. I'm looking forward to being on a team together."
"Aya, that's enough, right? Let's go soon. Well, see you again."
Saying that, the black group departed.
See you again?
That bad feeling was correct.
A slightly tall man approaches.
"How old are you?"
"19 years old."
"Wouldn't you like to try playing on a bigger stage?"
It's effectively a scout.
This is why I don't want to do sports.
"I haven't thought about it much."
"...I'll contact you again. Please think about it carefully."
"I am thinking about it; I don't want to fail my credits at university, so it's impossible."
"I think someone like you could make a living as a pro even without going to university."
"I haven't thought that far."
The man left without saying anything.
"Toya, that offer was a waste, wasn't it!"
"I said this in high school too, but my life with Airi takes priority."
I'm just doing what I want to do. When I conveyed that, everyone seemed to understand.
"I'm satisfied with just today's match. Thank you, Katagiri-kun. This is the first time I've felt this way. We're talking about having an after-party together after this, how about it?"
"Ah, I'll pass. My body is already exhausted."
I can't drink...
"I see, please participate if there's another opportunity."
Saying that, the Basketball Club members also went home.
"Can I rely on Makoto for the ride back?"
"Ah, yeah. So, what are you going to do in the end? Basketball Club."
"I'll consider it if it's just as a helper."
"I see..."
I don't want to do it every day.
As the tension of the match dissolved, I began the journey home, dragging my heavy body.
(7)
Toya-kun was fast asleep in the car.
He must have been extremely tired.
He is sleeping using my lap as a pillow.
"Toya is a waste. He's wasting his talent too much."
"Kanna, you must absolutely not say that in front of Toya-kun, okay?"
"I know."
There is only one reason why Toya-kun doesn't want to do club activities.
Because I am here...
I worried a lot, but I won't waver anymore.
I'll rely on Toya-kun.
I'll let Toya-kun do as he wishes.
If that is the proof of the bond between Toya-kun and me.
I'll just make sure not to leave Toya-kun's side.
Toya-kun desires that too.
The car arrives home.
I wake Toya-kun.
"Ah, we're back home."
"That's right~"
"I thought we might stop at a family restaurant."
"I have some pork I bought."
"?"
"I'll make some ginger pork to build up your stamina."
Toya-kun's expression brightens.
I'll make a big portion and feed it to Toya-kun.
After eating and taking a shower, I gave Toya-kun a massage.
While massaging, I watched today's news.
The sports news was mostly preoccupied with Toya-kun.
Since Toya-kun returned as if escaping from interviews, I couldn't hear many of Toya-kun's words, but.
"Since when did you start basketball?"
"From today."
"Eh?"
"Today is the first time I've played in a match."
"Then, you'll be active from now on."
"I'm not thinking about that."
"Like wanting to become a pro or something like that..."
"No."
It was like that.
And the media is fast at gathering information.
They quickly sniffed out that Toya-kun had also performed super plays in soccer.
He'll probably lead a life surrounded by the media again.
"Good grief."
Toya-kun turns off the TV.
"Do you regret it?"
I tried asking Toya-kun.
"No, it was fun."
"Then, will you join the Basketball Club?"
"I thought it might be okay if I just appear in matches occasionally, but I thought the club fees would be a waste."
I chuckled.
It's a very Toya-kun way of thinking.
"If I'm invited to a match, I'll think about it again."
"That's true."
"I'm tired today, so I'll sleep for now."
"Oka~y."
I dimmed the lights and got into bed.
It was a night in late autumn.
There were two months left in the year.