Chapter 127 – Special Training in Secret?
The next week after that small incident happened.
Amami-san, who was our class’ representative, drew a lot for the class match.
The results were, for softball, pur class 10 would be seeded in the first round. We were thankful for the fact that we would play one match less than the others, but we had to face Nozomu’s class in the same block, so honestly, I didn’t know if our luck was good or rotten.
Nozomu’s class, class 4 would most likely win their first match and if that was the case, they would be up against us…
In other words, softball was a bust for us, but at least we could try to make everything more exciting… Maybe…
In the end, the most interesting result of the lot was for basketball. There were a lot of teams for basketball, so they divided it into groups of four. The winner of each group will be determined by their number of points.
“Amami-san, this…”
“…Mm… Well, this kind of thing could happen, huh?”
Amami-san, who drew the lottery herself, was showing me a bitter smile while standing next to me. It was understandable, since the result of the lottery was as follows:
Second-Year Group C
Team 10A Team 4B Team 7B Team 11A
Team 10A was Amami-san and Arae-san’s team, but both team 7B and 11A were Nitta-san’s and Umi’s respectively.
The schedule stated that the match between team 10A and 11A would start immediately after the opening of the class match. They said it was to show off the match between the preparatory class and the regular class, but I felt like they were jumping on the gun here and placed the climax right at the beginning for no reason.
If it wasn’t because of the last time’s incident, I would happily watch this match because it would be the showdown between Amami-san and Umi, but because of the incident, the situation was a bit delicate…
“Amami-san, have you told Arae-san about the matchup?”
“I tried, but she kept ignoring me, so I told another girl to tell her about it. Also, I’ve sent a text to Umi about this…”
Right as she said that, my phone vibrated.
I excused myself to Amami-san and started texting with Umi.
[Asanagi: Maki.]
[Maehara: I heard everything from Amami-san.]
[Asanagi: My bad, Maki, I don’t want to lose to your class.]
[Maehara: I know.]
We backed down from the incident last time, but there was no proper conclusion to that incident.
Of course we couldn’t just lash out at her back then because we were out in public. Even though we weren’t the one at fault, we would still be held responsible because we were also involved in the ruckus. That was why Umi wished to settle the score properly in this class match.
It wouldn’t be a catfight or fistfight, but a proper basketball match. If she could beat her properly in basketball, that would make her shut her mouth at least for a moment.
Seeing it that way, the strange lottery results didn’t look too bad.
[Maehara: But, can you win?]
[Maehara: She said she won’t be playing seriously and she hasn’t been playing for a whole year, but her previous school was the 4th rank of the prefectural tournament, right?]
[Maehara: I’m not saying that you’re weak or anything, though.]
[Asanagi: Hehe, thank you, Maki.]
[Asanagi: Like you said, she hasn’t been playing for a year, but she is still an experienced player. Amateurs like me would be beaten down quickly if I were to fight her head on.]
[Maehara: Man, if only there’s someone good enough to coach you so you could compete against her…]
[Asanagi: I know someone.]
[Maehara: Huh, really?]
[Asanagi: Mhm.]
[Asanagi: But I have to confirm things with them first since their schedule is packed.]
[Maehara: I see.]
I didn’t expect that she had found someone to coach her already. Her circle of friends were smaller than back before she started dating me, but it seemed like she was still able to find someone among her acquaintances.
But Umi said that their schedule was packed, so there was a chance that they would be unable to coach her. Nevertheless, I wanted to try to get along with them so I could help Umi if she needed it. I was still anxious about getting along with strangers, but I could try.
[Asanagi: Will you come with me, Maki?]
[Maehara: Obviously.]
[Maehara: You’re trying your best, of course I will try to stay by your side.]
[Asanagi: Is that because of your love for me?…”
[Maehara: …Uh…]
[Maehara: Yeah sure, let’s go with that.]
[Asanagi: Hehe~]
[Asanagi: Maki is such a doting boyfriend~]
[Maehara: Sure sure.]
[Maehara: Anyway, is this the so-called special training? When will you do it?]
[Asanagi: If they’re okay with it, we’ll start today after school, every day except weekends since they’re busy on weekends.]
[Maehara: That’s so sudden… By the way, who’s the coach? What kind of person are they?]
[Asanagi: Ah right, I haven’t told you about it, huh?]
[Asanagi: Okay, a question for you!]
[Asanagi: Arae’s school was the 4th rank of the prefectural tournament, but do you know which school won that tournament?]
[Maehara: Huh?]
[Asanagi: Here’s a hint, it’s a famous school in this area.]
The hint itself was the answer though.
This place was rather rural after all, there was only one other school that was quite famous here.
The school that fostered the young ladies wearing their white uniforms back at the Christmas party.
[Maehara: Houjou-san or Nitori-san?]
[Asanagi: Right, both of them actually… Well, my hint was too obvious, huh?]
[Asanagi: Both of them were in the basketball club back in middle school.]
[Asanagi: If they give me their okay, we’ll have the special training after school at the basketball court at that park, a distance away from our school.]
I guessed the answer perfectly. Tachibana School was known as the school for young ladies, but they were also known for their amazing results in both their studies and sports.
I had only talked briefly with those two back at the Christmas party, but they seemed to excel in both academic and athletics, at least that was the vibe I got from them.
[Asanagi: …Maki.]
[Maehara: Mm?]
[Asanagi: This will be tough, but you’ll stay by my side, right?]
[Maehara: …Of course.]
Of course I would, she didn’t even need to ask.
…Jeez, what a spoiled girl. Now, I was excited for what was going to happen after school.