Kicked Out of the Bottom Soccer Team, I Found My Strength Thanks to My Beautiful Junior Manager. What Began as a Simple Act of Kindness Turned into Her Coming Over Every Day.

Chapter 3: The Beautiful Junior Manager Ends Up Coming Home With Him.

“—Senpai!”

At the voice calling from behind, Takumi, who had been sitting slumped on the bench, turned only his head.

The first thing that entered his vision was a cute patterned umbrella. Beneath it, even in this gray, rain-soaked world, vibrant red hair swayed with a slight dampness, refusing to lose its shine.

“Shirayuki…”

“Haa… haa… I knew you’d be here…! Wait, you’re completely soaked! You’re going to catch a cold!”

Seeing water droplets dripping steadily from Takumi’s hair, Kana breathlessly grabbed his arm and tugged hard. However, Takumi weakly shook his head.

“…It’s fine.”

“…I knew it. Something happened, didn’t it?”

Kana furrowed her well-shaped brows and peered into his face.

“It has nothing to do with you, Shirayuki. I’m okay, so just leave me alone.”

“There’s no way I can leave you alone! If you catch a cold, you won’t be able to play the soccer you love so much! Ah, I have a folding umbrella, so please use this!”

Takumi held up his palm to stop the cute patterned umbrella Kana was offering.

“I don’t need it.”

“But—”

“I said I don’t need it.”

“……”

Kana’s breath hitched at his cold tone.

“Even if I catch a cold or can’t play soccer anymore, it’s fine. Because… I’ve already decided to quit soccer.”

Before he realized it, the words had left his mouth. Even though he had been agonizing over it just moments ago, the declaration of his resignation slipped out as smoothly as water sliding off a board.

“Q-Quit…? Wait, you’re… lying, right?”

“Are you okay? You seem really confused…”

Takumi gave a bitter smile.

“Eh? No, because… senpai, you love soccer so much!”

“Don’t worry. I still do.”

“Then why?!”

“You’ve been in the third string too, Shirayuki. You understand, don’t you? I don’t have any talent as a player.”

“——”

Kana gasped.

“My dribbling, shooting, even my defense… none of it holds up. I don’t have a single thing you could call a weapon.”

“B-But you have things like direct play and spatial awareness that are better than most people around you!”

“Yeah, that’s true. But that alone isn’t enough to compete… Sorry. You’re trying to encourage me, yet I keep shooting everything down.”

Takumi lowered his head apologetically. Several strands of his wet purple hair, stuck to his face, peeled away and fell.

“N-No, that’s not…”

Kana’s words trailed off. Seeing Takumi look so utterly resigned, she seemed unable to find the right thing to say.

“Anyway, I’ve already made up my mind. You should stop worrying about someone like me and focus on doing your best in the second string. You might hear all sorts of things, but you earned your spot there purely through your ability as a manager.”

Takumi said this with a gentle softening of his expression. Because of her idol-level beauty and figure, Kana often attracted jealous glances and baseless rumors, but even Takumi—who had only worked with her for two months—could clearly see how outstanding she truly was.

Sakura High School was a powerhouse that consistently reached the best eight in the national inter-high tournament. With many managers competing for spots, Kana’s promotion to the second string after just two months was due to nothing but pure skill.

“The rain doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon. You should head home soon.”

When Takumi spoke up, thinking it would feel bad if she caught a cold because of him, Kana moved as if she had been jolted into action.

“Sh-Shirayuki?”

She quickly stepped in front of him and forcefully pressed the umbrella into his stunned hands.

“Even setting club matters aside, I don’t want you to catch a cold, senpai. I won’t leave until you’re properly holding an umbrella and heading home.”

“B-But that would be bothering you. You’re pretty soaked yourself—”

“If you’re worried about me, then please hurry up and go home.”

Her tone left no room for argument, so Takumi gave up trying to persuade her.

“…Thank you.”

Murmuring his thanks, Takumi began walking. Kana followed half a step behind him.

After walking for about three minutes from the park and passing the familiar convenience store, Takumi’s apartment building came into view. It was also the same building Kana had recently moved into.

Since they lived in the same complex, they naturally entered together.

Once inside the elevator, Takumi first pressed the button for the second floor, then reached toward the button for the third floor—only for Kana to suddenly grab his hand.

“Shirayuki?”

Not understanding her intention, Takumi frowned.

Kana opened and closed her mouth hesitantly several times, then looked up at him with slightly upturned eyes, as if gauging his reaction, and spoke timidly.

“Um… I know this is really forward of me, but… could I come into your home for just a little while?”

“…Eh?”

Takumi’s eyes widened.

He found himself staring intently at her refined, beautiful face.

What is this girl saying—?