The Basketball-Club Middle School Girl Becomes Aware of Him

I love basketball.

I always liked being active, and the satisfying swish when the ball went through the hoop hooked me on the sport right away.

But maybe I got a little too into it.

"Good work today, Yuka! I'm heading home!"

"Oh, yeah! Bye!"

The elementary school gym.

Since it was spring break, they said graduates like us could use it freely, so I was playing basketball with my friends, but...

By early afternoon, everyone was getting ready to leave.

(Can't be helped.)

I wanted to practice a little longer, but it was important to go along with everyone.

Reluctantly, I started packing up too.

"Huh?! You and Shoya-kun are going out?!"

"I confessed at graduation, and he said yes!"

On the way home, everyone was buzzing about romance with boys.

"Huh? But wasn't Shoya-kun dating Suzuka?"

"Maybe they broke up? Well, worst case, I don't really care if they haven't!"

Dating. Becoming a couple.

I was envious of the idea itself, but there wasn't anyone I wanted that with.

There were boys in my class and basketball club, but none of them appealed to me.

"...? Why are you spacing out, Yuka? Didn't you confess to anyone?"

"Huh? Me? Umm, I don't have anyone I like..."

It was the truth.

The boys in my grade were all childish, and despite that, a lot of them acted like they were above everyone else, which made me uncomfortable...

"Yuka, you're such a basketball nut!"

"It's amazing. I joined the basketball club because I wanted to play too, obviously, but if I'm being honest, part of me was hoping to meet boys."

"You're saying that out loud? Well, I had some expectations too!"

Exactly.

Basketball was a sport that a fair number of boys played too.

I was really surprised to hear that some girls joined the basketball club hoping to interact with boys from other classes.

But I simply wanted to play basketball, and though I didn't tell them, I wanted to win more games, too.

They knew that's the kind of person I was, so I figured they wouldn't bring this sort of thing up with me... when—

"But Yuka only seems like a basketball nut. She's actually a closet pervert."

A bomb was dropped.

"Wha...! N-no, I'm not?!"

"You don't have to hide it, Yuka. We all know you're a closet perv."

"I-I'm not! I'm normal! Totally normal!"

When I looked around, my friends were all nodding...

Huh?! Why are you all acting like everyone knows?!

"Huh? You read dirty books in class and grin, Yuka."

"?!?!"

"Oh, yeah, when I went to Yuka's house, there was something suspicious under her bed..."

"W-w-wait! Stop! Seriously!"

I felt like my head was about to boil!

I'm a girl too, and of course I'm interested in boys!!

"Yep, total closet perv."

"Yuka the closet perv."

"Stop it already...!"

I'm just normal! As normal as anyone!

"See you!"

"See you in middle school!"

I said goodbye to my friends.

Most of them were going to the same local middle school, so we wouldn't be separated even after graduating.

"Hmm..."

After waving, I opened and closed my right hand.

Honestly, I still had energy to burn.

"Maybe I'll go to the park."

I decided to head straight to the nearby park with the basketball hoop I often used.

Thump, thump, thump.

I kind of liked the sound of a basketball bouncing on the ground.

But if I could hear it before I even reached my destination, that meant...

(Someone's here at this hour? That's unusual...)

Knowing someone was already there didn't mean I could just turn around and leave.

If there were only two of us, we could take turns shooting without any trouble, so it was no problem.

Thinking that, I kept walking, and...

I got a glimpse of the person playing basketball.

"...A man?"

The person playing basketball was a man.

He looked like he was in high school or college.

Seeing one wasn't all that unusual, but a man practicing alone was, maybe...?

I got close to the court, close enough to see his face.

And then... I experienced the greatest shock of my life.

"Hup...!"

His dribbling was fast. The ball handling was like the ball was glued to his hand.

Crossovers, behind-the-back moves. All sorts of techniques I wanted to master.

Then, after that, he headed toward the hoop like the wind...

"There."

A layup. Not from the front, either, but from the other side as if there were a defender—a reverse layup.

"...!"

I was captivated.

I'd seen good plays in videos and such.

But it was completely different. It was the first time I'd ever seen a man play so gracefully right in front of me.

I honestly thought he was cool.

"Hmm...?"

Our eyes met.

He had handsome features, too—a beautiful young man.

Suddenly, my heart started pounding.

"Oh, I'm just about to head out, so go ahead and use the court!"

"...Huh? Oh, yes, thank you..."

He's leaving already?!

Ah, it's because I showed up. I'm standing here with a ball tucked under my arm, so of course he knows I came to play basketball.

Meanwhile, the young man put his ball in his backpack and started getting ready to leave.

I had to say something, anything.

If I let this moment pass, I might never get another chance!

I want to talk to him...!

"U-um!"

"...?"

The young man turned to look at me.

What should I say?

"You were so cool"? No, he'd definitely be put off if I said that!

"Can I have your number?" That'd make my intentions way too obvious!

"Will you play basketball with me?" No, no, that's too much to ask someone I've just met...!

"N-never mind..."

"Hmm? Okay, then I'm heading home!"

Ah... I messed up.

I just wanted to talk to him a little...

The young man walked farther and farther away, until he was out of sight.

I was alone on the court.

I could feel my overheated body starting to cool down.

Thump, thump. I could hear my own heart beating.

He was so cool.

But it wasn't just that. It felt like everything about him—his aura, his voice—had pierced straight through me.

"Why... couldn't I talk to him...? I'm such an idiot."

Cursing my own helplessness, I murmured to myself.

But of course, I didn't give up.

Like I'd give up! I'm Yuka, and I'm a girl who never gives up!

Today, I'm going to see that cool young man!

"Well, I'm heading home!"

"Huh?! Yuka, there's a club orientation today!"

"It's fine, I'm joining basketball anyway!"

Ever since then, I'd gone to that park whenever I had time.

I saw him a little after three in the afternoon. He'd already been practicing for a while, so if I went a little earlier, I'd have a better chance of seeing him!

I'd gone every day since then, but I still hadn't managed to see him.

But today was Friday, same as the day we met, so the odds should be good!

"What's gotten into you lately, Yuka?"

"Did you start chasing some idol?"

My classmates were suspecting all sorts of things, but I didn't care.

After all, I was busy right now!

"There he is...!"

It was 2:30 p.m.

At last... at last, I was reunited with that young man!

I'd been worried that maybe he'd just been passing through and stopped by that day by chance...

It was entirely possible I'd never see him again.

His footwork was just as smooth as before.

His shooting form was beautiful, too.

He's so cool after all...

I steeled myself and headed for the bench near the court.

Then the young man noticed me.

"Oh, I think you're the girl from the other day..."

I felt my heart leap.

No way, he remembered me? We only met for a moment!

Even as I thought it couldn't be true, the thought that he remembered me made me so happy my face was already burning.

This time! This time, I have to at least ask for his contact info...

I don't want to feel that fear of maybe never seeing him again!

"U-um...!"

I forced my voice out.

I had to say something, anything.

"I used to practice here a lot..."

"Oh, really?"

H-huh? Am I saying something completely different from what I meant?

I want to play basketball with you. So, your contact info... Ah, but would that count as hitting on him?

Would I get reported?

What should I do? What should I say...?

"So, I wanted to practice here too..."

"Oh, I see! Sorry, then I'll head out."

"N-no, that's not what I meant!"

Oh no, I raised my voice. But I don't want to make the same mistake as before...!

The young man looked surprised, too... I had to clear up the misunderstanding quickly.

"U-um, with me..."

I had to say it. I had to make myself understood...!

The young man bent down a little to listen to me...

I have to say I want to play basketball together... I have to...!

I took a deep breath.

"Play me one-on-one!"

"Huh?!"

About an hour later.

"Wow, Yuka-chan, you're good! I'm surprised!"

"Th-thank you..."

I hadn't stood a chance against him at all.

I'd known from watching him play, but the young man was good at basketball.

I'd never lost to any of the boys in my grade, but I couldn't compete with him at all.

But that was okay. It was just fine.

The game was a lot of fun, and between games, I managed to ask his name. Katari Masato. That was the name of this young man.

And one more thing.

"Hahaha! But you still couldn't beat me. So, as promised, I can keep practicing here, right?"

As long as I challenged him with everything I had and kept losing, he'd promised to come back here.

It was a little strange, but it was a promise just between me and him.

Just thinking about it made my chest tighten.

"Next time, next time I won't lose."

"Hahaha, you're out of breath, Yuka-chan! Make sure you drink some water."

Actually, I hadn't had anything to drink since I got here.

At his prompting, I headed over to the bench and sat down.

Then I reached into my backpack for my water bottle...

"Huh...?"

My water bottle was gone.

Had I left it at school, or maybe at home...?

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, um, I think I forgot my water bottle."

"Oh."

"But it's okay! I have some allowance, so I'll go buy one!"

Fortunately, I had a few coins in my wallet.

There was a vending machine nearby, so I decided to buy a sports drink.

"Huh? No need to waste money. You can have mine if you want. Here."

"...Huh?"

Just as I was about to stand, the young man handed me a plastic bottle.

When I took it, I saw the contents had been reduced.

Which meant it had already been opened.

In other words, he'd already drunk from it.

What????

Wasn't this an indirect kiss?????? I mean, yeah, right?????

No, no, no, no, no way, no way, but I can't! If he realizes I'm thinking about this, he'll be weirded out!!

I want to drink it! So badly! In more ways than one!! But if he realizes I'm conscious of him, he might never see me again!!

Right away! Quickly! I have to drink it! Naturally!

As naturally as possible!!

Calm down, me!!

"Th-th-th-thank you so much!"

"What's wrong?! Your face is bright red!"

I couldn't do it at all.

My hands were shaking.

I took off the cap. I had to drink this, quickly.

I slowly brought it to my lips. My heartbeat was so loud.

Hot. Hot. My heart was burning.

Huh? My vision...

"Myaaah..."

"Yuka-chan?! Huh?!"

My consciousness was fading... Ah... my indirect kiss...

Looking at the panicked young man... at Masato-san, I thought:

Falling in love with someone is so wonderful.

Surely, ever since the first time we met.

My heart had already been captured by this young man, beyond all hope of saving it.