I Chose the Plain Girl Instead of the Class’s Top Three Beauties, and Somehow She Became the Heroine - 30

Chapter 30: Moving Your Body Is Fun

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《Sora Mukei’s POV》

After school, Hino-san stopped me at the entrance.

“Hey, there’s no practice today. If you want, would you come with me to practice at the court in the park?”

It was a casual invitation. I thought she could have just invited someone from the club, but maybe having a guy there was better than having only girls around.

“Sure. Let’s meet at the court in front at seven.”

“Thanks, I’ll be waiting.”

Hino-san’s energetic vibe was appealing as a friend. I rode the same train car as Anno-san on the way home. For me, reading the books we borrowed while traveling together felt like we were spending time in the same space with just the two of us, which made me happy.

Night. The white lines on the park court glowed faintly under the streetlights. I arrived a little before the scheduled time and went to the convenience store. This time, I bought one for her as well. But beyond the fence, I could see Hino-san. Two guys were messing with a ball in the foreground—caps and hoodies. Their stance pushed the air with their shoulders, but their feet were light.

“It’ll only take a bit, let me use it.”

“I was here first, though.”

Hino-san closed the distance. The two guys didn’t hold back either.

“Hino-san.”

I called out and stood beside her.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Mukei-kun. Perfect timing.”

The guy in the cap looked our way.

“If it’s just the two of us, how about a two-on-two? First to seven, shots from outside are two points. The losers yield. How’s that?”

Hino-san smiled just with the corner of her mouth.

“Sounds good, let’s do it.”

“Let’s go.”

It was a strange development, but if Hino-san wanted to play, I would just go along.

Check ball. Starting from our side.

“First, I’ll match your pace.”

“Got it.”

I received at the top and handed it off to Hino-san. She returned it immediately. As soon as the defense closed in, I lightly screened with my back, and Hino-san was free for a stop-jumper. The net snapped. 1-0.

“Whoa, not bad!”

“This is fun.”

The two guys moved well enough. Cap drove hard, using his shoulder. I defended with my karate-trained core, but in the final in-out, he shook me off and made a layup. 1-1.

“Seriously, you don’t move like that normally. How do you train?”

“Nice move.”

“Hehe.”

Next offense. Hino-san’s shoulder shifted slightly. A backdoor signal. A lob, just a bit floating. Hino-san caught it in the air and, landing, stepped in for a layup. 2-1. Back and forth to 3-3. Hino-san and I were in sync. It was just breathing. Then Hoodie hit a three. Perfect arc. 3-5 (outside shot, two points). Skilled.

“Mukei-kun, delay your timing by a beat next.”

“Got it.”

I initiated slightly late from the check. I moved slowly to the right at the top, dragging Hoodie along. Cap stayed shallow to guard against Hino-san’s drive. I stopped perfectly and signaled the backdoor with just my gaze. Hino-san sprinted behind, and I passed a one-bounce through. Layup. 4-5.

Hoodie tried to push through Cap’s isolation. I received with my hips and shifted the line just a bit at the last step. Board, missed. Rebound was mine. I immediately pushed it out so the ball wouldn’t die.

“Last three points.”

“Let’s go.”

Cap reacted to my fake. Hino-san flared out instantly. Quick kick-out, catch-and-shoot. Hit the rim and dropped. Outside, two points. 6-5, we took the lead. Final play: screen-and-roll. Received at the top, right-side screen. Hino-san wrapped around. As the two approached her, I rolled short to the free elbow spot. Open mid-range. Softly, I released. Metal rang clear. 7-5. First to seven. We quietly high-fived. Hino-san muttered “Nice” and tapped her fist.

“Impressive.”

“Two people actually playing real basketball, this is fun.”

Hoodie sat down laughing.

“We just wanted to move our bodies.”

Cap shrugged.

“It’s the deal. I yield. Nice game.”

“Likewise. Good tension. Let’s play again if we meet. Thanks.”

“Your boyfriend’s too strong. I won’t lose next time.”

They held the ball, waved lightly at us from the fence exit. Fresh, strong backs. The chain net rattled faintly in the wind. The court was empty except for the two of us. Hino-san caught the ball at her chest, spinning it around.

“Mukei-kun, they called you my boyfriend.”

“I’m honored to be regarded as the boyfriend of someone as beautiful as you.”

“Hehe, Mukei-kun, you really can say that kind of thing so casually.”

“Well, I know I’m not suitable for you.”

“Not suitable?”

“Yeah, you’re a flower on a high peak, Hino-san. You’re out of my league.”

I handed her the sports drink I’d bought at the store and she drank it all at once.

“…Mukei-kun, I think it’s unfair how oblivious you are sometimes.”

“Huh? What?”

“Nothing. Thanks. You think ahead. And your screen angles, they’re seriously good.”

“I practiced spacing a lot in karate.”

“Ah, I see… Thanks. That felt great.”

She wiped her sweat, enjoying herself. I was grateful to them both.

“Do you want to shoot a bit more?”

“Yeah. Let’s finish with ten free throws each.”

We took turns. Breathing in sync, shooting with knees and wrists. The chains clinked in the night air. After ten each, we walked off the court. The sky above the fence, lit faintly by streetlights, was tinged softly.

“Now then, see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

At parting, Hino-san looked back and raised one hand. That small gesture carried the lingering rhythm of our two-on-two. I returned the gesture, watching her run off. The shadow on the chain-link fence swayed in the wind. That night, more than winning or losing, I was happy that we were both in sync.

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