As I lay on my bed scrolling through my phone, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Kiyomi had said earlier.
I liked Hikari.
I liked Akane.
Apparently that was “canon” now.
Was I in love with either of them?
Both of them?
If it was both, who was I more in love with?
I currently don’t have the answers to these questions.
Maybe I’d figure them out eventually.
All I knew for certain was that I cared deeply for them.
Was it normal to have an existential crisis because your little sister wouldn’t stop treating your life like a romance manga?
Probably not.
Or maybe it was.
At least by Kiyomi’s standards.
I stared at my phone for a few more seconds.
Then I tossed it aside.
I needed to stop doomscrolling and get some sleep.
The following day was a pretty typical school day.
The kind of the day that just flies by as you go through the motions.
As I was at my locker packing up to head out for the day, Tadashi approached me.
I bent down to tie my shoes so I could go home.
“Kaito.”
“No.”
“You didn’t even hear what I was going to say.”
“I didn’t need to.”
I didn’t look up from tying my shoes.
Across from me, Tadashi grinned like a man who had already decided to ruin someone’s day.
“Basketball…”
“Can’t play today, Tadashi. I have…”
“…Tryouts.”
“Absolutely not.”
“You didn’t even let me finish.”
“I let you start. That was enough.”
“Girls’ team.”
Pause.
I stopped tying my shoes.
“Explain.”
Tadashi’s grin sharpened.
“Oh, now he’s interested.”
“I am not interested. I am gathering information.”
“Sure you are.”
Tadashi leaned in closer.
“Remember Kaede Watanabe from our home room last year?”
“Your ex?”
“Yeah. Well, apparently she got into an accident on her bike this morning…”
My eyes widened.
A look of concern appeared on my face.
“That’s terrible. Do you know how bad it is?”
“Not sure, but from what I heard, I do know she’s not going to be able to play for a while.” Tadashi paused for a moment.
“I do hope she’s alright. We did end things pretty amicably.”
“She called you the biggest loser of all time and dumped you in front of the whole class.”
“That’s pretty amicable by my standards.”
“Facts.”
“Anyways, the girls are having tryouts for a new starting small forward. And guess who’s trying out?”
“Dude, I don’t feel like playing guessing games right now. Who is it?”
“Our new transfer student.”
“Miya Aizawa?”
Tadashi nodded enthusiastically.
“Bingo.”
I exhaled loudly.
“And? This ain’t my problem…”
“Except Hikari’s already on the team.”
“I’m well aware of that. Still not my problem.”
“And Akane just became the new team manager.”
“That… is increasingly becoming my problem.”
“I knew you’d get there.”
As I stood up, Tadashi put his arm around my shoulder.
“Let’s head over and take a look. You know you want to see the new girl in action.”
I let out a deep exhale.
Tadashi seemed pretty adamant and I wasn’t in the mood to argue right now.
Plus, I’m not going to lie, I did want to see Miya’s skills on a basketball court.
“Fine… but I am not getting involved.”
“Of course not.”
“I am simply observing.”
“Of course. Whatever you say, bro.” He grinned.
Tadashi dragged me along and we somehow made it to the gym in record time.
The sound of sneakers squeaking echoed through the gym as well as the steady rhythm of a bouncing ball.
There was a scrimmage going on between two teams of five.
The teams were mixed between some girls who were already on the team as well as the few girls that were trying out for the open spot.
The girls were sweating like crazy out there.
Tryouts clearly weren’t being taken lightly.
On the court, Hikari Tachibana moved like a storm.
A sharp pass from one of her teammates set her up for the iso.
“MOVE OUT THE WAY!” She yelled out.
A quick drive to the basket.
Explosive speed.
She darted past her defender.
The help defense came up to stop her.
She pulled up.
Quick release.
Missed.
“…Tch.”
She landed, the irritation obvious on her face
“Too fast,” Tadashi muttered.
“She’s outrunning her own control. Plus she needs to burn some more clock in the possession before she takes that shot.”
“Accurate,” I said quietly.
“…Again,” a calm voice echoed through the gym.
My gaze shifted towards the source.
Miya Aizawa stood near the three-point line.
Ball in hand.
Expression neutral.
Looking straight at Hikari.
“…Your approach angle was inefficient.”
“What?!” Hikari replied, still fuming at her miss and with Miya now adding fuel to the fire.
“…You’re committing too early.”
Hikari frowned.
I could tell she did not enjoy being called out like that in front of a large audience.
Hikari got up in Miya’s face.
At this point I was praying for Miya’s safety.
“You saying I’m wrong?”
“…I’m saying there’s a better option.”
“…Tch.”
Silence.
“Oh yeah? Show me.”
Miya didn’t react.
She simply moved.
Her dribbling was immaculate.
Called for the screen.
Got the defense to switch.
Everything was so precise.
No wasted motion.
No excess energy.
She drove after turning the screen.
Cut straight to the basket.
Lightning quick.
Fingeroll off the glass.
Score.
Clean.
Silence.
Hikari’s jaw dropped for a second before she returned to her natural, angry expression.
Tadashi turned to me.
An expression of awe on his face.
“New girl can ball.”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
Hikari stared straight at Miya.
“Again!” Hikari said in a tone clearly meant to invite challenge.
“…No,” Miya calmly replied.
“What?”
“…You do it.”
“…Tch.”
Hikari tried again.
Slower.
More controlled.
Miya defended her flawlessly.
Hikari tried to drive but Miya stayed on her, cutting her angles to the rim.
Hikari hesitated her dribble.
Miya went in for the steal. Get faster updates on g.com.
Hikari immediately reacted and did a behind the back dribble to her off hand and cut to the basket in a blur.
Miya quickly recovered and darted after her.
Hikari ran underneath the rim and released her layup on the opposite side of it to defend against any possible block attempt by Miya.
Bucket.
“…Better,” Miya said simply.
Hikari shot her a dirty look.
She clearly thought about saying something but uncharacteristically held her tongue.
I turned to Tadashi.
“She’s adapting to Miya’s defense.”
“Yeah,” Tadashi said.
“She hates losing more than she hates being told what to do.”
I laughed.
“Truer words have never been spoken.”
Hikari glanced at Miya.
“You’re… not bad.” Hikari’s words sounded like they were painful to get out.
“…Thank you.”
“Don’t get cocky!”
“…I’m not.”
“…Tch.”
A few minutes after we showed up, the girls’ coach blew her whistle and called for a short break as she furiously scribbled on her notepad.
Both Tadashi and I had been impressed with the girls thus far.
I was deep in conversation comparing notes with Tadashi about the scrimmage when I heard a voice.
“…Good afternoon, Sakamori.”
I blinked.
Then I turned my head.
Miya Aizawa stood a few feet in front of us.
“…Afternoon, Aizawa.” Why do I instinctively mimic her speech patterns?
She gave a small nod.
Nearly imperceptible to the average human eye.
“…I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“…Didn’t expect to be here. I was brought here against my will.”
“…Is that so?”
“…Yes.” I nodded.
Pause.
“…I’m glad you came,” she said in a tone of voice that sounded very aloof.
Silence.
“…Why?” I replied.
“…You’re interesting to observe.”
“…That is concerning.”
“…I don’t mean it negatively.”
“…That does not help.”
She gave the tiniest of smiles and walked back towards the rest of the team.
I could’ve sworn she looked me over before leaving.
But I’m sure that must have been my imagination.
Tadashi leaned in.
“Oh, this just got spicy.”
“Why?”
“She came to you.”
“That is not inherently…”
“IT IS VERY INHERENTLY SOMETHING,” Tadashi said confidently as he cut me off.
“Plus, I saw that glance to the pants.”
“There was no glance. And lower your voice.”
“Never!”
On the court, Hikari froze.
Her eyes glued onto the sidelines.
She had been staring at my interaction with Miya.
It looked like our resident tsundere would blow her top at any moment.
Really didn’t want the gym to end up like Pompeii.
Hikari stepped forward.
Eyes locked on Miya as she returned to the court.
“Hey you!”
Everyone on the court paused.
Miya turned.
“…Yes?”
“Play me.”
Pause.
Miya looked Hikari dead in the eye.
“…A one-on-one?”
“Unless you’re scared.”
“…I’m not.”
“Good.”
Tadashi shot up like a rocket.
“OH, WE’VE GOT A CHALLENGE!”
“Sit down, dude.”
“ABSOLUTELY NOT.”
I sighed.
“This escalated quickly.”
“This is what we came for, Kaito.”
“I…I did not come for this.”
“I did. Besides, you’re staying for it.”
“That is not the same. This is getting complicated.”
“Buddy,” Tadashi said, grinning, “this is just the opening tip-off.”
“Do not compare my life to a game.”
“Too late.”
The coach was on the sidelines looking both flabbergasted and dejected.
She begrudgingly blew her whistle and ordered everyone to clear the court.
“First to five!” someone on the bleachers called out.
The voice sounded familiar but I couldn’t place it.
“…You can have the first possession.” Miya calmly stated.
“Check,” Hikari replied as she passed Miya the ball.
The ball was passed back.
Game on.
Hikari moved first.
Fast.
Aggressive.
She drove but Miya stayed on her.
Pump fake.
Miya didn’t react to it.
She waited.
Hikari pulled up for a mid range shot.
Blocked.
Clean.
You could hear “oohs” from the crowd.
“Oh. Damn,” Tadashi said.
“She didn’t bite,” I murmured.
Miya picked up the ball and doubled around to the three point line.
Hikari picked her up on defense but Miya blew past her for an open layup.
Score.
“1–0!” Someone on the girls team shouted.
Hikari clicked her tongue.
“Again!”
“…Losers.”
Hikari’s eyes narrowed in response.
I could only infer what was going on in Hikari’s head as Miya graciously gave up the ball to her.
And all of the inferences lead to doom.
This time, Hikari moved faster.
Attacked harder.
More pressure.
More force.
She did a quick crossover to get space and drove.
Miya stayed on her.
Hikari went in for a layup.
Contact, but not enough for a foul.
Miya shifted her body.
Barely.
Just enough to alter Hikari’s shot.
Miss.
“She’s being too aggressive,” I said quietly.
“Yeah,” Tadashi grinned.
“She’s emotional. And Miya’s not.”
“That’s the problem.”
“This one’s going to be over quick if they keep playing like this…”
Miya grabbed the rebound and scored again.
“2–0!” Yelled the same girl from earlier.
As she got the ball back, Hikari’s grip tightened.
She was staring daggers at Miya.
“You’re doing that on purpose!”
“…Doing what?”
“Acting like you don’t care.”
“…I’m focused.”
“…Tch.”
Hikari took a deep breath.
For the first time, Hikari slowed down.
Less force.
More control.
She drove, then paused.
Hikari got just enough separation and pulled up for a mid range jumper.
Swish.
“There it is,” I said.
“She’s learning mid-match,” Tadashi added.
“Of course she is. You said it earlier. She hates to lose.”
“2–1!” Shouted the girl who had designated herself the scorekeeper.
Miya nodded slightly.
“…Better.”
“Don’t praise me!”
“…I wasn’t praising you. Merely stating my observations.”
“…Tch.”
On the sidelines, opposite the bleachers, I could see Akane watching the match.
Quiet.
Observing.
Eyes sharp.
An unchanging smile on her face.
For a moment we locked eyes with one another.
Her smile widened.
I gave her a quick wave.
She blew me a kiss.
I caught it.
Seemed rude not to.
I could see her emotionally melt in real time.
I was certain if she wasn’t the team manager, she would’ve ran across the court to “join me quickly” in her words.
Back on the court.
The pace increased.
Hikari pushed harder.
Miya adapted faster.
Miya drove to the basket.
Hikari read her movements and swiped the ball.
She blitzed towards the three point line before Miya could react.
Then pulled up just inside the three point line.
Nothing but net.
Hikari smirked.
Then she glanced over at me.
Our eyes met and I could see the intensity and focus on her face.
I always liked that look.
When she was locked in.
It was scary but cute as all hell.
Just like Hikari herself.
I waved at her and gave her a nod of approval.
She immediately turned her head but I could see that her smile had widened ever so slightly.
“2-2!” Our new resident announcer yelled out.
Miya got the ball.
She took one dribble inside the three point line, did a step back, and drained the shot right in Hikari’s face.
Tadashi jumped up.
“Did you see that, bro?”
“Yeah…” I was dumbfounded.
For the first time, I had seen some level of emotion coming from Miya.
That shot was a statement.
And by the look on Hikari’s face, message received.
Loud and clear.
A couple of “oohs” could be heard from the crowd.
“3–2!” Rang out from the sidelines.
You could feel the tension between the two players on the court.
If this was a scene in an anime or manga, electricity would be firing off from both girls.
Hikari got the ball and drove.
Hard.
Miya stepped in between Hikari and the basket.
Contact.
This caused Hikari to shift.
She adjusted mid-air, like she was Dr.
J.
The layup clanked around the rim but got the friendly bounce.
“3–3!” The audience erupted after the announcer stated the score.
That was a gorgeous move by Hikari.
Play of the game for me thus far.
Miya’s ball.
She dribbled calmly and made her move.
Crossover between the legs.
Hikari stayed on her.
Crossover again but Hikari remains in front of her, refusing to give Miya an inch.
Miya keeps her dribble low, daring Hikari to reach but she doesn’t go for it.
Miya pulls up with a hand in her face.
CLANK.
Hikari rushes for the board and secures it.
Miya runs after her.
Hikari drives for the basket the moment she steps past the arc.
She gets cut off by Miya late.
They’re both in the paint.
Hikari shot fakes high.
Miya bites and goes up in the air to contest.
Hikari then finishes the up-and-under with a soft touch off the glass.
“3-4! Match point!” The audience erupts again.
I stand corrected.
That was the play of the game.
Tadashi looks over at me.
“You think Hikari has her rattled?”
“I don’t know. Hard to tell. Her face hasn’t budged an inch.”
Hikari was beaming right now.
Miya still had a calm, neutral expression on her face.
Miya brings the ball up.
Slow.
Measured.
Hikari stays in front of her, cutting her lane to the hoop, but she gets too close.
Miya dribbles the ball between Hikari’s legs and explodes to the rim for a wide open layup.
“4–4! Final possession!” The noise in the gym becomes deafening.
Everyone watching is on the edge of their seat.
“This is insane!” Tadashi said with his jaw dropped on the floor.
“They’re both adjusting in real time. Been a minute since I’ve seen a 1v1 like this.”
Hikari inhaled.
“I’m not losing!”
“…I’m not trying to make you lose.”
“That’s worse!”
Hikari has the ball.
She drives left but Miya stays in front of her.
She then spins trying to get around Miya but Miya reacts instantly and swipes the ball.
I glanced over at Tadashi.
“She’s not going to drive. She’s going to shoot,” I said confidently.
“What?”
Miya gets Hikari in the mid-post at the top of the key.
She shakes and bakes and shoots a fadeaway jumper over Hikari.
Swish.
“5-4! It’s all over!” The crowd is in a stunned silence.
Tadashi looked at me dumbfounded.
“How did you know that?”
“Because Miya spent the last two possessions setting it up. Plus she has the size advantage.”
“Oh ok. Makes sense.”
Hikari walks up to Miya.
“Again!”
“…Another time.”
Hikari clicked her tongue so loud you could have heard it on the other side of the planet.
“…Tch.”
I could tell Hikari wasn’t upset because she’d lost.
She was upset because she’d found someone she couldn’t immediately overwhelm.
I mean she was also pissed because she lost but that’s beside the point.
Hikari stared at Miya as she walked away.
“Next time…”
Miya glanced back.
“…Looking forward to it.”
Up at the top of the stands, unbeknownst to me, Kiyomi Sakamori watched.
Smiling.
“Oh, this is perfect…”
Pause.
“…New player added.”
Her grin widened.
“Yeah…”
Kiyomi looked down at her phone.
There were three names.
Hikari.
Akane.
And now Miya.
“…The bracket is coming together nicely.”
Her smile was terrifying.
“…I can work with this.”
Announcement on Older Chapters Will also split older chapters in future.
TY to all my readers!