[Absolute Only-Me King's Game] Something’s Off About the King's Game Started By My Childhood Friend Beauties With Me. A Story of Endlessly Fun Times with Girls Whose Personal Boundaries Keeps Going Off the Rails! - Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Interlude

The milestone tenth round of the game had ended, and the sleepover was nearing its close.

As a grand finale, Anna, true to form, proposed something outrageous.

“Alright, alright! Time for a penalty game!”

“Penalty game~?”

“‘Everyone says one thing they love about Rei-kun’!”

“Pfft!? W-Wait, what!?”

Anna’s cheerful declaration made me choke.

“Hey, that’s not a penalty game—it’s a public execution!”

“Come on, it’s fine!♪ I wanna see Rei-kun’s embarrassed face!♡”

“Me too~ That Rei-kun’s so cute~”

“Suzune agrees. Hehe, no holding back.”

—No escape, huh.

I flopped onto the tatami, thinking I’d cover my face with a towel and pretend not to hear, but the three were way too excited.

“Then~ Top batter’s the mastermind, Anna-chan~!”

“Okay! What I love about Rei-kun… that he was the basketball team’s ace!”

“…Huh?”

Her instant answer made me sit up and stare.

A bright, unapologetic grin.

“’Cause, Rei-kun was so cool! At the Inter-High, all the girls in the stands were screaming, ‘Zeroji-senpai’s my fave!’♪”

“Ugh, stop…”

My face burned.

That game. The summer we took second at nationals, a memory that still weighs heavy in my chest.

“My turn~ What I love about Reiji-kun… he never gives up~”

Fuwari clasped her hands, smiling softly.

“I watched every second of that game~ Reiji-kun kept running till the end. Getting worn out was unavoidable… but you shone so brightly~”

“F-Fuwari…”

“Last is Suzune. What I love about Reiji-kun… his strength in supporting the team.”

Suzune’s voice was calmer, her cheeks faintly red as she murmured.

“Even if you deny it, Suzune knows. That game, everyone fought to the end because you were there. Second place is your achievement.”

“…”

—Stop it.

They’re hitting right at the regrets I’ve buried deep.

I was at a loss for words.

I wanted to laugh it off, but my throat tightened, voiceless.

“Rei-kun?”

“…I wasn’t even the ace.”

My voice came out smaller than I expected.

All three furrowed their brows, as if rejecting my words.

Anna stepped forward, poking my chest.

“Rei-kun was our school’s basketball ace point card!”

“Uh, yeah…”

“Second place is amazing! You always downplay yourself—fix that habit!”

Fuwari chimed in with an even softer smile, like a saint brimming with love.

“Exactly~ Reiji-kun was so cool~”

Suzune added, quietly but firmly, “If you weren’t there, it wouldn’t have been such a great game. …You were definitely the ace.”

My chest tightened.

My vision blurred, and I quickly covered my face with the towel.

I must look pathetic as hell.

No way I’m letting them see this ugly mug, a disgrace for generations.

“…Sorry. Made you worry.”

The moment I said it, Anna’s big eyes welled up, a tear falling.

“…I’m not worried.”

Her voice was strained.

“A-Anna…?”

“No matter how much you put yourself down, I can proudly say you were the coolest in that game! Running till the end, leading everyone… you were so frustrated you cried, right!? How could I not think that Rei-kun’s cool!?”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pleaded.

I caught my breath.

“…Reiji-kun.”

Fuwari’s voice trembled.

Her eyes brimmed with tears, staring at me.

“I can’t forget you either… Giving your all, running till you were broken. I saw it all. …That Reiji-kun was the coolest in the world.”

Tears dripped, staining the carpet.

Then—Suzune bit her lip, eyes glistening, and spoke.

“…Reiji-kun. You led everyone in that game. There’s no need to blame yourself. The coach, your teammates, everyone knew. …Suzune, more than anyone, is proud of you.”

All three were crying.

Anna wiped her eyes with her fist, forcing a smile.

Fuwari’s voice shook, but she kept talking.

Suzune held back tears, gazing straight at me.

Their fierce sincerity overwhelmed me.

I couldn’t show my pathetic, crumpled face.

I retired after that summer. But honestly, I wanted to play through winter.

If I hadn’t collapsed from exhaustion, maybe we could’ve won.

I know that’s pointless what-ifs, but I couldn’t shake the helplessness, so I retired like a coward.

With all the third-year starters gone, I left the team to the underclassmen.

I don’t know how passionate they were, and going back now feels awkward.

There’s a second-year ace, and my absence raised the team’s average height.

They’re strong enough to fight without me.

“…You guys are way too good for me.”

My voice was hoarse.

Anna leaned in immediately.

“What’re you saying!? You need us, and we need you, Rei-kun. Right!?”

“Exactly~ Being with Reiji-kun’s so fun. Forget regrets for now~”

Fuwari, face messy with tears, forced a bright smile.

“…Yes. Instead of dwelling on the past, cherish now. For me, days with Reiji-kun are my greatest treasure.”

Suzune wiped her tears, stating firmly.

…They’re incredible.

I had no comeback.

“…Thanks.”

That’s all I could muster.

But it was enough—they all beamed.

“Rei-kun.”

“What?”

“Look here.”

I turned as Anna said, and soft lips covered mine.

“Ngh!”

“Mchu~♡”

Something soft and slick slipped into my mouth.

“Pwah!♡”

“My turn~ Mchup!♡”

“Nguuuh!”

My mouth was sealed again. Not just a kiss—deep, rich, lingering… yeah, the kind I’d get in trouble for describing.

“Last is Suzune. Hamu.”

Suzune’s kiss was simple, direct, brimming with earnest passion.

Anna, Fuwari, Suzune—different styles, but the intensity of their feelings was the same.

“Me again~♡ Mchu~!”

“Ngh~! Ngogoh, c-can, A-Anna, s-stop!”

“Me too~♡ Mchuchu~”

“Suzune too!”

“An!♡ Unfair, you two! Me again~♡ Mchu~”

“Let’s do ten more rounds~♡ Chupachupa!♡”

“Agreed!♡ Mchuuu!”

“G-Guys, s-stop! Nguh!”

A legit ten-round deep kiss rotation started.

My rationality’s on the brink.

“Pwah!♡ Alright, that’s the vibe for now! Come on, Rei-kun, next is King Game prep!”

Anna wipes tear tracks with her sleeve, already pitching the next game.

“Yup~♪ I wanna be Main Wife next and order Reiji-kun tons~♪”

Fuwari giggles, as if she never cried.

“Then Suzune’ll aim for Main Wife and make him squeal with humiliating service!”

Suzune, eyes still red, pushes through with a wicked laugh.

Yeah, of course.

With them, even regrets start to fade.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“…You guys are so busy crying and laughing.”

I muttered, and—

“’Cause Rei-kun’s such a perv~♪”

Anna laughed it off, and just like that, the air was back to its usual brightness.

Epilogue

As an aside, after this day, the idea of returning to basketball crept in.

Some time later, I bowed to my underclassmen and peers, retracted my retirement, and rejoined the team.

After intense training to close the gap, I aimed for a national championship in the winter tournament… but that’s another story.

Needless to say, in the stands were my three favorite girls, cheering in cheerleader outfits.

Afterword

Now revealed: Secret backstory on our protagonist!

① Reiji-kun was a top-tier national basketball ace.

• Despite 164 cm, nearly dunk-capable jump height.
• Insanely skilled dribbling.
• Ridiculous passwork (Emperor Eye-level?).
• Absurdly accurate 3-point shots, like he’s in the wrong story.

In the Inter-High finals, marked as the key threat, his stamina was drained, leading to a concussion and collapse.

Underclassmen desperately wanted to stop his summer retirement, but respecting his pre-stated wishes, they let him go smoothly.

② Popular with girls not just at school but nationwide.

③ A cheerleader squad, led by Anna and co., follows him to nationals, including students from other schools, nearly 100 strong.

④ Nicknamed “The Pillar That Can’t Reach the Ceiling” with envy and admiration (short for a player but the team’s backbone).

⑤ Anna and co.’s dominance at school keeps fans at a distance.

⑥ Rumors of a “Reiji-kun and Childhood Friends’ Romance Watch Club” exist… or not.

7) Periodic “Which Childhood Friend Will Reiji End Up With?” betting pools, with odds split evenly: “1. Anna,” “2. Fuwari,” “3. Suzune,” and “4. Harem with All Three.” Percentages? Use your imagination.