Chapter 319 - Makeover Plan
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun, it's morning~"
Airi wakes me up. Today is Sunday.
But I still keep up with my routine.
After finishing my routine, I take a shower and eat breakfast.
After breakfast, I take my coffee and go up to my room.
While I'm zoning out watching morning TV, Airi comes back.
Airi is getting ready to go out.
It seems she's gathering with the girls today to execute Asakura-san's makeover plan.
What they're doing is apparently a secret from the guys.
"It's a surprise to look forward to."
Ai-san said that.
"Toya-kun, do you have practice today?"
Airi asked.
"If Airi's going out, I'm free, so I thought I might go to practice."
"Okay~"
When Airi finishes getting ready, she sits next to me and drinks a café au lait.
"Where are you going?"
"It's a secret~. ...From everyone else, that is."
"Got it."
"A hair salon and clothing stores. She said she's going to change her look."
I thought it might be something like that.
"What she'll look like is a secret from Toya-kun too."
"I'll leave it as a surprise to look forward to."
"Yeah... but."
But?
"No matter how gorgeous she becomes, you can't cheat on me, okay?"
She's a girl who thinks about such silly things.
"There's no way I'd ever think of that, right?"
"Un! Ah, it's about time. I'm off~"
Once Airi leaves, it's time for me to get ready too.
When I arrive at the gym, Kyota is practicing hard.
The new center, Takatsuki-kun, has height and his lower body is trained.
As for the points where Kyota excels—the ability to adapt to our team's formations—he quickly showed he could adapt.
He also has more stamina than Kyota.
I can understand why Kyota is getting anxious.
The coach's judgment was ruthless: he informed Kyota of the center replacement.
Personally, I want to support Kyota, but the difference in skill is clear.
Sakura-san seems troubled too.
But she can't openly favor Kyota.
They've been using Takatsuki-kun in practice matches against the girls.
At this rate, they'll probably use him in the spring tournament too.
Actually, using Takatsuki-kun has increased the variety of attacks.
However, there's one flaw.
Maybe he's not used to our fast-break style yet—he's slow in switching between offense and defense.
That became clear in the practice matches against the girls.
Also, there's the part where he tries to decide things by himself.
It sounds good to say he plays aggressively, but it doesn't fit our formation.
That was clear in the practice matches: he immediately gets suppressed by the girls' defense.
Still, it's impressive that he moves to create passing lanes, but there's no way he can keep that up for 40 minutes.
He tires in the second half.
If they're going to use Kyota, it'll be from that point.
Kyota's chance will definitely come. He doesn't need to rush. Everyone convinces him.
"You don't need to worry. I'll make my comeback as a regular soon."
Kyota says.
"As long as you don't overdo it..."
Sakura-san says.
But Kyota's next match is his last. He still wants to play, right?
The incident happened today.
"I'll step down from the regular spot. It's Kyota-senpai's last match, so I want to let him have the spotlight."
Takatsuki-kun probably didn't mean any harm.
But it was more than enough to hurt Kyota's pride.
"That's why I hate that patronizing attitude!"
Kyota said that and left the gym.
"Everyone, please continue practicing."
We continue practicing.
Sakura-san leaves the gym in the hands of the new manager, Chii-chan, and follows after him.
During the break, we follow after them too.
We have a pretty good idea where he went.
The regular members followed after him.
(2)
"I'll step down from being a regular."
It was humiliating.
There are people desperately aiming for a regular spot.
I yelled and left the gym.
Then I sit down at my usual spot.
Who would have thought a new star would appear at center...
I was always entrusted with the area under the basket, but the coach coolly informed me of the replacement.
Damn it!
As I can't hide my irritation, Rui appears.
"Kyota... I understand how you feel, but..."
"You don't understand. You think you know how I feel, having my regular spot taken away?"
"Even I'm desperate. There are plenty of girls with good physiques. It's almost a miracle that I'm the center."
"...Yeah, you're right. Sorry. I was just sulking by myself."
"Everyone is worried about you. Let's go back?"
Rui says.
"Even if you do that, the facts won't change."
It was Sakura who said that.
"Fast breaks won't work forever, and the one suited for set plays is Takatsuki, who has height. That fact won't change."
Sakura's cold words stab into me.
"...But as long as fast breaks work, Akai-senpai has the advantage. The center who runs to the basket faster and more often than anyone is Akai-senpai. You should have seen that in the representative matches. The team with Katagiri-senpai uses fast breaks starting from his steals. The center's speed and stamina are tested. The second break when the first break doesn't work—the one who can handle that is only Akai-senpai."
Sakura says.
"Calm down, Kyota. That's not like you. Usually you'd understand that yourself, right?"
That was Tasuku.
When I look back, the other members are here too.
"The reason I can confidently shoot threes is because I trust that Kyota will be the first to get back and grab the rebound."
Toya says.
"You shoot them regardless of that anyway."
Tasuku says, and everyone laughs.
"We're using Takatsuki-kun now to get him used to the formation, and to teach him his weak points. In fact, he's still practicing taps. In set plays, he has the advantage. But in fast-paced games, he's still lacking."
Sakura says.
"If you're going to mope around here, you'd better practice. You might really lose your regular spot."
Shinji says.
I return to the gym.
Sho notices me and runs over.
"Senpai, I'm sorry about earlier. If I offended you, I apologize."
I let out a small laugh.
"Don't worry about it. Let's practice instead. You still need to learn our formation, right?"
"Yes!"
And then practice time begins again.
I couldn't play in the practice match against the girls' team, but that's fine.
I understood by watching Sho's play.
So that's the secret weapon when the fast break doesn't work...
I leave the gym and go for a run.
Just watching won't help.
I'll do what I can. That's all...
(3)
I was being caught up in the club recruitment battle.
"A club that brings happiness is here," "A group for matchmaking," there were all sorts.
I don't care, as long as I can get close to beautiful girls.
"Our club is full of beauties."
I decided. As he said, I was about to fill out the membership application when an unknown pair grabbed me.
"You're Kisaragi Shota-kun, right?"
One of them asked.
"Yeah, that's me. Who are you?"
"I'm Tada Makoto, and this is Kiritani Eita. We're going to invite you to a special group."
A club member protested, "Don't steal our customers."
"Sorry, but we can't give up on this guy," Tada-kun said.
And then I was dragged away.
"Do you have a car?"
Tada-kun asked.
"I do, but?"
"Then come by car. To a café called Blue Bird along the national highway."
"I haven't decided to join yet."
"Ah, you don't need an application. Our group is just a group."
"Who are you guys?"
"Nothing to worry about. We'll bring you a special happiness."
A suspicious group. Would it be better to run away?
"It's no use trying to run. We've got a lock on your house."
An even more suspicious group.
"Well, we won't do anything bad, okay? You're looking for a beauty, right?"
"Are they really beauties?"
"Yeah, top-notch. And she really likes you."
Is there such a sweet deal?
"Then follow me. I'll guide you."
Kiritani-kun gets into a yellow sports car and guides me.
The café building was dilapidated along the national highway, but the interior was stylish.
"Welcome."
A slender man said.
"Sakai, is she here?"
"Yes, she's here. This way please..."
With that, we were led to a table for six.
There were two couples there.
I was seated next to a beautiful woman with short bobbed chestnut hair and a small face.
"Let me introduce you, he's Kisaragi Shota."
When he said that, the man sitting across looked at my face.
After staring for a while, he smiled as if satisfied.
"You like beautiful women, right?"
Is there a man in the world who doesn't like beautiful women?
"Yes, I do."
"How about the girl next to you?"
The girl with the short bob blushed and looked down.
Not bad, in fact, this girl is great!
"I really like her!"
"Then you have a reason to join our group. She's a member of our group."
"Seriously! I'll join."
I answered without hesitation.
"Then let's exchange IDs."
With that, we exchanged message IDs and I was invited to a group.
A group called Watanabe Squad.
I typed, "Nice to meet you."
Everyone replied with "Nice to meet you." Actually, how many people are there? Almost 40 people?
Among them, I noticed a name that caught my attention.
Asakura Iori. My childhood friend. She was here too?
"Iori's here too?"
When I asked, everyone laughed.
"Yeah, she's here. She's at the local university."
So it's a group from the local university.
"Am I allowed to join a local university group?"
"It's fine. It's a group that doesn't care about university."
The large man sitting next to the short-bob girl said.
"I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Katagiri Toya. Next to me is Tosaka Airi. My girlfriend."
Tosaka Airi-san was also a very beautiful person. She was glued to Katagiri-kun.
"My name is Watanabe Masashi. And next to me is Asakura Iori-san."
Huh?
I stared at the short-bob girl.
She's not the Iori I know.
"No way. That kind of joke won't fool me."
"But it's true. Iori-san, don't you have something to say?"
"Long time no see... Sho-chan."
The voice was Iori's voice. Iori was this beautiful!?
I was speechless.
"Women can transform. Just a small image change can make them different~"
Tosaka-san said.
"Iori-san, you still have something to say, right?"
Katagiri-kun said.
"...I've always liked you. Since elementary school."
I've been liked by such a cute girl since elementary school!?
"How about it? Want to date her?"
Katagiri-kun said.
"Yes, I understand! Iori, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you... Sho-chan."
"Then, shall we leave it to the two of you? I have a part-time job."
Watanabe-kun said.
"We have club activities too, so shall we go?"
And then we were left alone.
"Sorry for surprising you... Do I look good?"
I nodded silently.
"I'm glad. It's like a dream... This group really makes you happy, right?"
"But why did you change so suddenly?"
"I was called out by the seniors last weekend..."
Then she was taken to a hair salon and they chose clothes and accessories for her, apparently.
She had transformed beyond anything I could have imagined from the Iori I knew.
"Are you sure you want me, Sho-chan?"
"I'm the one who didn't notice. Iori is this cute."
At the word "cute," Iori's cheeks reddened.
"Thank you."
That seemed to be all she could say.
After that, I exchanged contact info with Iori, and she left because she had a part-time job.
It was like a dream. I got a beautiful girlfriend. And she likes me.
I went home in high spirits and called her that night.
(4)
After school ends, we go home.
We wait for Naru.
Naru's daily routine.
A confession behind the gym.
It's like a lie compared to the days when I was bullied.
Day after day, she receives love letters and then confessions.
Each time, she refuses by saying, "I'm already dating someone."
After finishing that routine, she gets into the car.
She seems tired from the daily routine; she shows signs of fatigue.
"If it's a hassle, you could just ignore them."
"But I can't disregard the feelings of those who wrote the letters."
"Don't you think you don't have to take it so seriously?"
"...Could it be you're jealous?"
My beautiful one says with a mischievous smile.
"Well, of course I'm jealous. Afraid someone might take you away."
"Don't you trust me?"
Naru seems a bit miffed.
"Trust and worry are different. If I said I'm not worried at all, you'd be angry, right?"
When I say that, Naru seems convinced.
"Then you should come with me, Kosei."
"If Naru wants me to, I'll come."
"Then, I'll ask you. It's a pain to explain that 'I'm dating Kosei' every time."
"Got it."
"Conversely, don't you have anything like that?"
Naru seems worried about me.
"I'm a problem child, so I don't have anything like that at all."
I say and laugh.
"Everyone has no taste."
Naru laughs.
"My beautiful one looks at me, so no problem."
I reply.
"I'll keep watching you..."
Naru says.
"Those words alone are enough."
Naru looked happy.
"Just seeing my beautiful one happy is enough for me."
Seeing her shy face was truly enough for me.
(5)
"This time, Airi and the others really got us."
After club activities, after eating dinner and taking a bath, I was drinking a chu-hi and talking with Airi.
"Hehe~, I mostly went along with Ai's tastes though."
I see.
"Makoto-kun was quick to act too."
He used his special skill, right?
"I wonder if they'll get along."
"Who knows, it's only the first day. I can't say for sure."
"There are also family issues."
"I see~... But I hope it works out."
"Yeah."
"How are Chitose-san and the others doing?"
"From what I can see, there's no progress."
"Then as expected..."
"It depends on the training camp, I guess."
That said, Takatsuki-kun is an important asset for the basketball club. We can't let him get injured.
"Should we let them go out together again?"
Like Haruto and Shiratori-san, Airi says.
"That might also work."
"This time things are going smoothly."
"Yeah."
I don't know what will happen from now on.
There may be some change of heart.
We won't know until it happens.
It's still a thin red thread too weak to be called a bond.
Tying it together and making it thicker is something the two of them have to do.
We can only watch over them.
"Toya-kun, have you found a job?"
"I plan to take a few interviews."
"I hope you find a good place?"
"I have to find a good place for Airi's sake too."
"I'm counting on you, husband."
"Leave it to me."
Little did I know that this job hunt would bring together the thin threads of fate.
That night, I had that dream.
The dream of that girl.
The dream of a past I want to forget.
It was an event too sad to put into words.