Being the Best Friend in a Romantic Comedy Isn't Easy! - Chapter 7:: Shino Asahi is Cute as Always

Episode 6: Shino Asahi is Cute as Always

“Hey, underclassman.”

“Yes, senpai?”

“Why do I have to watch your practice match?”

“I wanted Tsukasa-senpai to watch instead of you, Subaru-senpai!”

After school, I was suddenly dragged out of the classroom by Hinata. Now, we were walking down the hallway side by side, both looking somewhat dissatisfied.

How did we end up in this situation?

—‘We have a practice match today, and I have a chance to play! If I do well, I might be selected for the next tournament!’

—‘Oh, really? And?’

—‘Come on, senpai! Show some interest!’

—‘Oh, really? And?’

—‘See, this is why you’re so… never mind. Anyway, I wanted Tsukasa-senpai to see my great performance, so I came to invite him!’

—‘Tsukasa’s not here. So, see ya!’

—‘Then Subaru-senpai will do. You’ll have to tell Tsukasa-senpai how amazing I was later!’

—‘Huh?’

End of flashback! Not that it makes any more sense in retrospect.

Why do I have to watch her match?

However, Hinata was a junior I had known since middle school, so I couldn’t just dismiss her. Besides, I was free today.

I decided to humor her for a bit.

“You’re really working hard with the girls’ basketball team, huh?”

Hinata is currently a member of the girls’ basketball team. She’s been playing basketball since middle school, and even I, as a novice, can tell she’s really good.

In fact, Hinata has excellent athletic ability and can handle almost any sport with ease.

I recalled the times in middle school when I’d often watch games with Tsukasa and Shino-chan, and felt a wave of nostalgia.

“Of course! I’m a sports girl, after all!”

Hinata puffed out her chest with a proud look. Not that there’s much to puff out. Not saying what, but you know.

I nodded and gave her a smile.

“But you’re kind of an idiot too, aren’t you?”

I gave a bright, cheerful smile.

“Don’t call me an idiot with that smile! And you know, the one who calls someone an idiot is the idiot!”

“Oh, so you just called me an idiot, which makes you the idiot?”

“I’m not an idiot… wait, the one who called the other an idiot first was Subaru-senpai, so… huh?”

Hinata’s face went blank with confusion.

Seeing her like that made me chuckle. She really is a fun person to talk to.

Though I called her an idiot, the truth is, Hinata’s academic performance in middle school was… well, abysmal. I remember Shino-chan, who was helping her study, often holding her head in frustration.

Hinata worked hard to stay with Tsukasa and managed to get into the same school as us.

She must have studied a lot. As her senior, I have to acknowledge her effort.

…Though I wonder if she’s keeping up with the classes. I should subtly ask Shino-chan next time I see her.

“Oh, senpai!”

“What is it? By the way, I don’t have a girlfriend—”

“I don’t care about your love life, senpai.”

…….

“What’s going on between Tsukasa-senpai and that… Tsukinose-senpai? They were eating together!”

Now, how should I answer this?

Even though Hinata is a solid heroine candidate, if I say something wrong and she withdraws from the race, it would be a problem as Tsukasa’s best friend.

I stopped walking and cast a meaningful glance downward.

“It’s like this… Hinata.”

“Y-yes, senpai?”

Hinata also stopped and looked puzzled by my change in demeanor. She gulped.

“Tsukasa and Tsukinose… well, it’s hard to say, but…”

“Hard to say, but?”

“They’re already…”

“T-they’re…!?”

I slowly lifted my head and then—

“There’s absolutely nothing going on! In fact, I don’t know much either!”

I put on a brilliantly goofy face and exclaimed loudly.

Glancing at Hinata, her almost teary face turned into one filled with anger. Her shoulders were trembling.

Hmm, maybe I went a bit too far.

The best course of action here is—

“Let’s head to the gym! Hahaha!”

I quickly walked down the hallway. Running would get me in trouble!

Passing students gave me strange looks, but I didn’t care!

“W-wait, Subaru-senpaaaiiiii!!!”

Hearing her angry shouts behind me, I hurried to the gym.

×　×　×

Shiori High School has two gymnasiums: the First Gymnasium and the Second Gymnasium.

The First Gymnasium is mainly used for events and assemblies, but now I was heading to the Second Gymnasium where the basketball team practices.

I went up to the gallery, leaned against the railing, and looked down.

The boys’ basketball team and the girls’ basketball team were each practicing on their half of the court.

The distinctive squeak of basketball shoes echoed throughout the gym.

“Subaru-san?”

A soft, cute voice came from the gallery entrance. Turning around, I saw Shino-chan, Hinata’s best friend, standing there.

She walked over slowly and stood next to me.

“Oh, Shino-chan. Did Hinata invite you?”

“Yes, that’s right. So, Subaru-san too?”

The gallery is open to anyone, and many students stand here just like me to watch the practices.

Some even come to watch their significant other practice. Lucky them.

Is ‘lucky’ still a current term? I wonder.

“Well, she actually wanted to bring Tsukasa, but he wasn’t around, so I was brought along instead.”

“I see… I can imagine that.”

Shino-chan giggled cutely.

“But if my brother isn’t around—”

“Oh, actually—”

I explained to Shino-chan what had happened after school.

Tsukasa was asked by a teacher to show Tsukinose around the school. Hasumi and Nagisa were also with him. And I got caught by Hinata when I was about to leave.

After I finished explaining, Shino-chan puffed out her cheeks slightly.

“Being with three beautiful women… as a sister, I have mixed feelings about that.”

Even sulking, Shino-chan is adorable, I thought, feeling delighted inside.

Since Tsukasa and I are childhood friends, I’ve known Shino-chan for quite a while too. We first met when she was in sixth grade, and we’ve been in touch ever since.

I often envied Tsukasa for having such a cute sister.

At first, Shino-chan was wary of me, but now she’s comfortable enough to talk to me like this. It’s a pleasant development.

“Haha, you could call it an after-school date.”

“Hmm… can you really call it a date if it’s just a school tour?”

Shino-chan pouted in defiance.

I folded my arms exaggeratedly and nodded.

“Well, if a boy and a girl are hanging out, it’s a date, Shino-kun.”

“Professor Aoba, I think a school tour doesn’t count as a date.”

“Hm, indeed. That’s a good point, Shino-kun.”

“Yay, I won.”

What an adorable creature.

Talking to Shino-chan makes me feel like my heart is being cleansed. Such a contrast to a certain troublemaker.

I understand why Tsukasa cherishes Shino-chan so much.

Who wouldn’t want to protect such a cute sister?

“So, Subaru-san,”

“Hmm?”

I responded with a carefree smile.

“—Did you not go with them to be considerate of Hasumi-senpai?”

My expression stiffened.

Shino-chan’s voice was calm and uninflected, like a knife slowly piercing my skin.

A bead of cold sweat trickled down my cheek.

I couldn’t focus on the practice unfolding below.

“N-no, that’s not it…”

“What do you mean ‘that’s not it’? Why did you leave my brother as the only guy?”

“Well, it’s not really…”

My earlier relaxed demeanor was gone, replaced by a stammering mess. Shino-chan sighed softly.

“Phew. …I know. That’s just how you are, Subaru-san.”

She seemed a bit sulky, but the fear she had earlier was gone.

Between Tsukasa and me, there is one promise.

—We must never, ever make Shino-chan angry.

Normally she’s an angel, but when she’s mad… she’s really scary. And if it involves Tsukasa, it’s even worse.

“But, still… Tsukinose-senpai was really beautiful, wasn’t she?”

“Yeah, seriously. When she walked into the classroom, I was pretty shocked. ‘Whoa! A stunning beauty just arrived!'”

“Brother, do you like beautiful women like her?”

A lonely voice, barely audible.

Just like Hinata, she was also concerned about the relationship between Tsukasa and Tsukinose.

If you see them acting so close on the first day of transfer, anyone would be curious.

Since it’s Shino-chan, I should deny it without joking.

“No, I don’t think Tsukasa has those kinds of feelings. Didn’t you see him at lunch? He didn’t seem to be thinking about anything, did he?”

Tsukasa didn’t even understand why Hinata was desperately looking for him.

I can’t believe that Tsukasa was thinking, ‘Yay! Lunch with a beautiful girl is the best!’ while with Tsukinose.

“That’s a bit concerning too, though.”

“It’s fine. Tsukasa was happy to meet you during lunch, Shino-chan. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Really? That’s good to hear… Hehe.”

Shino-chan smiled happily.

Seriously, how can something be this cute? Can I take her home? Oh, I’ll get arrested? Yeah, you’re right, sorry.

Well, this should improve Shino-chan’s mood a bit.

Even if she asks more questions after we get home, I’ll leave that to Tsukasa as his brother.

“Ah!”

Shino-chan, who was watching the girls’ basketball practice, suddenly exclaimed.

“Subaru-san, Subaru-san.”

She tugged lightly on my uniform.

“What’s up?” I replied, and Shino-chan pointed towards the girls’ basketball court.

Oh right, I came to watch the girls’ basketball team.

I was having so much fun talking with Shino-chan that I completely forgot my purpose.

If this keeps up, Hinata will complain again.

“Look, Subaru-san, Hinata is waving at us.”

What?

I followed Shino-chan’s pointing finger with my gaze.

There was Hinata in her practice gear, waving energetically at us.

“The game might be starting soon. Do your best, Hinata.”

Shino-chan waved back modestly.

Uh, what was it again? Watch Hinata’s game and tell Tsukasa how cool she was?

Will I even see her in a cool light…?

I know Hinata’s skills well, but she’s just a freshman, and the overall level should be higher in high school.

But as her senior, I’ll just cheer her on honestly.

“Alright, give it your best!”

When I waved back, Hinata’s expression suddenly changed to a pout.

She glared at me with resentment, then turned her back on us.

…

…

“Honestly, Hinata…”

“I’ll have to punish her later.”

“Haha… please go easy on her, okay?”

Alright, I’ve decided. If her performance is terrible, I’ll really let her have it.

Who cares about being childish?

—And so.

The girls’ basketball team’s practice game began.