Chapter 226 - I Know This Isn't a Dream
(1)
"Airi, wake up. It's morning."
When I call out to Airi gently, she wakes up with a groan, "Uuu..."
It was late last night, so Airi must be sleepy too.
It was a moment where I truly felt that Airi is also a human being.
"If you're sleepy, I can just go by myself, you know?"
When I ask Airi, she says, "Wait thirty seconds..."
After a while, she says "Alright!" and opens her eyes to start changing.
After tying her hair with a rubber band, she says "Let's go," leaves the house, and hops on her bicycle.
I do some light squats to stretch my knees and Achilles tendons, then I start running.
Airi follows behind me.
After running for about an hour, we arrive in front of the house, do some light stretching, and go inside.
Once inside, Airi immediately starts preparing breakfast.
By the time I wash off the sweat in the shower and finish getting ready, breakfast is ready.
My parents have woken up by then, and we all say "Itadakimasu" and finish breakfast.
After breakfast, Airi begins getting ready, and in the meantime, I go back to my room to change.
While I have the TV on and am checking the news on my PC, Airi comes upstairs carrying a mug.
I close the PC, and while I'm watching TV, my mother calls me.
Apparently, a letter has arrived.
It's from the JBA.
It's an invitation to the national team training camp in February.
Since I had already accepted via phone in advance, it's not something that surprises me particularly much.
It seems it will start around the time tests end and spring break begins.
"It's finally happening, isn't it?"
Airi is more nervous than I am.
Apparently, the location is Nagano.
It will last for three days.
It's a shorter period than I thought.
After putting the letter away, I tell Airi it's almost time, and she picks up her bag and leaves the room.
I also pick up my bag and leave the room.
When classes end, I head to Aoitori.
Because there is still time before practice starts.
"Is that so? Katagiri-kun is finally joining the national team, huh?"
Sakai-kun says.
"Since you're going, it'll be a problem if you don't perform well," Akira-san says.
"If it's Katagiri-kun, he'll make the starting lineup without any problem, right?" Ichinose-san says, but...
"It's not that simple," I say with a laugh.
"Well, do your best," Nakajima-kun and Kimoto-senpai say.
"Airi will be lonely," Kana-san says. But Airi says:
"I'll be lonely, but since I'm the one who encouraged him to play basketball, I can't exactly tell him not to go now."
So Airi really is lonely.
"It's only for three days, and I'll make sure to call you every night," I say, and Airi responds with a smile.
"Katagiri-kun, it's almost time. We have to go."
Kimoto-senpai says, looking at the clock.
We leave the shop.
When we get to the gym, everyone has already started practicing.
Though, it's more like individual training.
Still, I do some stretching and then begin shoot practice.
Then, when the coach arrives, everyone gathers.
"I believe Toya has already received the letter..."
So it starts with that topic.
"Starting next month, he will participate in the national team's intensive training camp for three days."
Everyone applauds.
"Toya, be careful not to get injured from here on. Now, start with the menu for when you return."
From there, the usual practice begins.
At the end of the month, there is the final practice match of the season.
There are likely adjustments being made for that.
The final match.
Everyone is probably eager to play.
The practice was full of spirit.
Mizushima-kun was no exception.
The first-years are also working hard, aiming to be regulars for next season.
They were desperate.
And then, tragedy struck.
A first-year player who went to block Mizushima-kun's shot collided with Mizushima-kun, and they both fell.
It was while I was watching the practice from outside the court.
Mizushima-kun continued practicing normally after that, but his shooting form is strange.
His shots aren't going in.
Sensing something is wrong, Sakura-san stops the practice.
"Mizushima-senpai, are you okay?"
Sakura-san rushes over, but he insists he's fine.
"If you're fine, show me your shoulder!"
Overwhelmed by Sakura-san's intensity, he shows his shoulder.
Sakura-san touches the shoulder.
"Does it hurt?"
"I-I'm fine, it's nothing."
"Don't endure it!"
"It just hurts a little."
Sakura-san looks at the clock.
"The orthopedic clinic is still open. Coach. I'm taking Mizushima-senpai to the hospital."
"Umu, I leave it to you. Put Toya in instead of Sa."
The two of them headed to the hospital.
(2)
Orthopedics.
There are hardly any patients, and it is deathly quiet.
Ignoring the reluctant senior, I attend the examination with him.
I hope it's nothing.
But that wish was in vain...
"You must not overdo it for one month."
One month from now.
He won't make it in time for the match at the end of the month.
Mizushima-senpai hangs his head.
A match where a chance might have finally come for him.
A heartless sentence delivered to such a senior.
Upon leaving the examination room, the senior laughs.
"It's no big deal. I'll be healed by the match. I'll make sure I'm healed."
"You don't have to worry," Mizushima-senpai says.
I understand his desire to play in the match very well, but...
I remain cold.
"No, I will report this to the coach. You will rest for one month."
The senior bows his head.
"I'm begging you! This might be my last chance. I have to make an impression in the next match, where Toya might be absent for adjustments! Please keep quiet."
"It hasn't been decided that it's the last. You still have two more years, don't you? I think there will be many times when Katagiri-senpai is away for things like the national camp..."
"Why won't you understand!?"
"As a manager, I cannot condone acting in a way that throws away your future for a mere practice match."
"I don't care what kind of match it is! I want to stand on the court! A first-year might steal my current position! Do you understand that feeling!? Even if I throw away my future, there's no meaning if I can't play in the match now...!?"
Slap!
"Is it okay to throw away your future?... Don't say words like that so easily!!"
I was screaming.
"This is a hospital, please be quiet."
"I'm sorry... Senpai, let's go."
I took the hand of the frozen senior and left the hospital.
We rested in the car for a while.
Mizushima-senpai was bewildered because I had yelled at him.
Tears wouldn't stop because of my anger.
I can't drive in this state.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Senpai, please stay still. ...Give me a little more time. I'll compose myself."
"...Alright."
After a while, I start the car.
The destination isn't the university.
Passing through the hotel district by the sea, I stop the car along the coast.
I had heard that the night view here is beautiful.
"Hello, is this Katagiri-senpai? I'm taking Mizushima-senpai home as I am. Could you tell the coach for me?"
"Got it. Is Mizushima-kun okay?"
"I'll tell the coach in detail tomorrow."
"Which means he's not okay, right."
"I'll talk tomorrow."
"...Alright."
And so the call ended.
"You're going to tell the coach after all, huh."
Mizushima-senpai said while reclining the seat to sleep.
"I will. It's something that concerns your future, Senpai."
"I'll decide my own future."
"...Senpai, could you listen to me for a bit?"
"...I guess?"
"It was when I was in 6th grade. This is a story from when boys and girls could still play soccer together."
(3)
Despite being a girl, I was active as a FW.
My physique already differed from the boys, but I covered the physical aspect with technique.
In actual matches, I was active as a point-getter.
The final of the last elementary school tournament.
The opponents, unable to ignore my play, put two markers on me.
Even so, I desperately used my feet to shake them off, receive passes, and create chances.
The panicked opponents started hacking at me.
Being inferior in physique, my strength was gradually drained.
The world of competition where gender shouldn't matter... or so it should have been.
Jeers flew from the opponents.
"Don't worry about contact play just because you're a girl."
"That girl's probably flat-chested anyway!"
Jeers that were close to verbal abuse.
At that moment, an opponent launched a tackle at me.
I fell.
The whistle blew.
It was a chance for a free kick.
However, I was sent outside.
To stop the nosebleed.
The nosebleed stopped quickly.
But the coach coldly uttered:
Player substitution.
"Why!? I can still do it!"
"No."
"Why!?"
"I didn't expect the opponent to play that rough. It would be terrible if you got a scar on your face."
Is that because I'm a girl?
It was more shocking than when I had the nosebleed.
We won that match.
But the verbal abuse from the spectators hit my heart.
"As expected, there was a handicap because they put in a girl."
It might have been a casual remark.
But it was a shock to me.
Then, when I entered middle school, I submitted an application to join the club, even though I thought it was hopeless.
Because there was no girls' soccer club.
As expected, it was rejected.
"If the opponent knows you're a girl, they might hold back without even realizing it, right? No, even if they didn't, they might use you as an excuse. The one who gets hurt is you, Sakura."
Those words were hurting me right now.
My soccer life ended there.
I had no choice but to let it end.
But wanting to stay involved with soccer, I pursued the path of a manager.
While being entrusted with chores, I sometimes gave advice.
Perhaps they found that advice annoying...
"You're overstepping too much for a manager! What does a girl know about soccer!"
I couldn't talk back. I was frustrated, and the one who took my side was Tada-senpai.
"I understand it's frustrating to be criticized by a girl, but in an era where there are female soccer players, you're being incredibly anachronistic!"
I was saved by those words.
The only player that Tada-senpai recognized was Katagiri-senpai.
"His play is captivating to watch. I wouldn't want him as an enemy."
Tada-senpai said, laughing.
What kind of play does he do?
I was able to see that play just once.
Katagiri-senpai, performing an incredibly eccentric play.
A single play by Katagiri-senpai that ignored the difference in physical strength and left no room for complaint.
I admired that senior.
And I recommended soccer, but I was rejected with "I have studying" and "Time with Airi is important."
More than the fact that he had a girlfriend, I felt irritation toward the senior who voluntarily withdrew from the path of soccer for those reasons.
I learned that such a senior also played basketball.
Apparently, he likes basketball.
In that case, I'll drag him into the path of basketball.
It doesn't have to be basketball. Anything is fine, I just want to see him play a sport.
Thinking that, I recruited him desperately.
I might have said harsh things at times.
But I'll prove that I wasn't wrong.
And that leads to now...
(4)
Mizushima-senpai is listening intently to my story.
"Saying it's okay to throw away your future is wrong. Because for me, even a future wasn't provided. Please, don't give up until the end. You love it, right? Basketball."
I was crying again.
Mizushima-senpai, who had remained silent, finally opened his mouth.
"You had it rough, huh. You too... I'm sorry."
Saying that, Mizushima-senpai puts his arm around my shoulder.
I was sobbing in Mizushima-senpai's arms.
Mizushima-senpai rubs my back, as if soothing a wailing child.
I let out everything I had been bottling up until now.
After a while, perhaps having calmed down, I stopped crying.
"I'm sorry for showing you such a pathetic side of me."
"You're way more amazing than someone like me, Sakura."
Oh no, I feel like I'm going to start crying again.
"I'll talk to the coach tomorrow myself, honestly and everything... I'll focus on treating the injury."
"Mizushima-senpai..."
It seems my feelings reached him.
"Let's head back soon. Your family will be worried."
"I live alone."
"I see..."
After that, I deliver Mizushima-senpai home.
The senior also lived in an apartment near the university.
I stop the car in front of the apartment.
"Hey..."
Mizushima-senpai opened his mouth.
"Could you give me your phone number?"
"Eh?"
"Because I want you to listen when I have worries or something... And I want to listen to your complaints too."
"...Alright."
Saying that, I give my phone number to Mizushima-senpai.
I also asked for Mizushima-senpai's phone number.
"Well then, Mizushima-senpai, please don't overdo it and rest well."
"Sa..."
Eh?
"From now on, 'Sa' is fine."
"I understand, Sa-senpai. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah..."
I drove the car away.
I didn't know that this was a step forward from the relationship of manager and player.
(5)
"Well then, shall we start the victory party, doubling as a New Year's party!?"
When Kira-kun says that, the feast begins.
"Toya, drink up! This is also a celebration for you!"
"Aoyama-senpai, please stop! The match is tomorrow! It's no joke if you can't play because of a hangover!"
Sakura-san resists.
However, I was surprised to hear about Mizushima-kun's injury.
I wonder how Mizushima-kun became convinced to rest. I thought for sure he'd say he was definitely playing.
"But Sa. You actually decided to endure it. Also, you didn't come back to the gym, so where did you go?"
When Kira-kun asks, Mizushima-kun makes a shocking statement.
"The hotel district..."
The air around them froze.
"...The sightseeing spot beyond it."
"Sakura, is what this guy is saying true?"
"...We didn't go to a hotel, though."
"Even if it's not a hotel, that place is a spot for all sorts of flirting, right!? You two, don't tell me..."
"No it's not!"
"It's not!"
"The fact that you both deny it is what's suspicious."
Kira-kun's interrogation doesn't stop.
"...So, how far have you progressed?"
Akai-kun is relentless too. Is it because of the alcohol?
"We progressed to exchanging phone numbers,"
Mizushima-kun says with a laugh.
I know his phone number too, though?
"Sa-senpai, please stop! I didn't give it to you with that intention! Strictly as a manager!"
"I know, I know."
Saying that, Mizushima-kun drinks beer.
Something I understood while watching the interaction between the two.
Ah, so that's the kind of relationship they have.
I said nothing.
"Toya! You can read minds, right? Look into these two's feelings right now."
Aoyama-kun says to me.
"Sorry, but I won't do something so tacky."
"Wait, is Katagiri-senpai misunderstanding too!?"
"I can tell without reading. You've become close enough to call each other Sa-senpai, right?"
When I say that, Sakura-san's face turns red.
"Did you read my mind?"
Mizushima-kun asks.
"No, like I said before..."
Mizushima-kun lightly taps my head.
"I'm truly envious of you."
There were no thorns in those words from Mizushima-kun; he seems to truly think so from the bottom of his heart.
I wonder what really happened between those two?
"Damn it! Toya, Sota, and Sa! Wasn't the Basketball Club supposed to be popular!? Is it just that I'm not popular!?"
I heard something similar in soccer. That soccer players are popular.
I can't say I was popular, though. Ah, but Makoto is popular, maybe because he's handsome?
I wonder why I think there are many handsome guys in soccer and basketball? And tennis too, maybe.
"I get it, so calm down, Yuki. I'll set up a group date with the women's basketball team next time."
"Seriously!? Sota. As expected!!"
"If we win tomorrow's match..."
"With Toya here, we'll definitely win."
I hope so.
"Well, let's go to the after-party."
"No! If you're planning to drink again tomorrow saying it's a victory party anyway, then prepare for tomorrow today! If anyone says they lost the match because of lack of sleep, drinking parties will be banned for a while!"
Sakura-san is completely uncompromising.
"Aoyama-kun, your group date is on the line tomorrow, right? You should make sure you're in top condition."
"Kuh, I guess it can't be helped. In exchange, if we win tomorrow, it's a victory party!"
Toma-kun is on the phone, so I'll call Airi too.
"Yuki, I just asked Kiyomi while calling her for a ride. If we win tomorrow, it's a group date! She says she'll come to cheer us on too."
"Hell yeah! I'm fired up!!"
Aoyama-kun's tension is rising.
The way he gets hyped is amazing...
Beep beep.
A car is honking its horn. Ah, it's Airi. Was she nearby?
"Well, my ride is here, so I'm going home."
"Good work everyone. Sa-senpai is going home too."
"Got it, see ya, Toya."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Saying that, I got into Airi's car.
It's rare for me to go home with Airi driving.
I told Airi about what happened at the drinking party.
"Eh? Then, are Mizushima-kun and Sakura-san dating?"
"It hasn't gone that far."
"Sakura-san got a boyfriend too~ The Watanabe group is mysterious."
I told you, I didn't say they were dating.
"Even so... a group date?"
"I-I wasn't the one who suggested it!"
"Yeah, I know..."
"It's fine, there's nothing going on."
"Really?"
"You trust me, right?"
"Yeah."
When I get home, I take a shower and go to sleep.
In the next day's match, Aoyama-kun demonstrated his abilities greatly and won by a large margin.
At the long-awaited group date, Aoyama-kun hit it off with Murakawa-san and they exchanged contact information.