Chapter 32: Encounter with the Former Third-String Captain.

“…Tch. Of all people, it had to be you two.”

Takeoka clicked his tongue in clear irritation and raised his right hand. A soccer spike dangled from his grip. His gaze was fixed on the trash bin ahead.

“What are you doing, Takeoka-senpai?”

“Can’t you tell just by looking? I’m throwing these away.”

“…Does that mean you’re quitting the soccer club?”

“Hah.”

Takeoka twisted his lips into a sarcastic smirk.

“Laughing through your nose at me? The guy who lost to the same person who tried to kick him off the team?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

(Takeoka-senpai’s aura is clearly different from before. He doesn’t seem like he’s about to try anything… but still.)

Feeling a strong sense of unease and caution, Takumi shook his head. Takeoka’s eyes sharpened.

“…I doubt it, but you’re not seriously thinking of stopping me, are you? Kisaragi, women are creatures of emotion. If you side with me even a little here, that girl who hates me is gonna think way less of you, you know?”

Takeoka jerked his chin toward Kana, who still wore a stiff, tense expression.

“That’s not it. I just wanted to give you a proper apology and thanks.”

“…What? Are you out of your mind?”

Takeoka snorted.

“Thanking the guy who tried to force you off the team and steal your girl?”

“Shirayuki-san isn’t my girlfriend, and what you did was unforgivable. But that’s separate from offering an apology and gratitude. I’m sorry for causing trouble with all those mistakes on plays I couldn’t actually pull off. And even though you were strict, thank you for leading the team. These past two days—especially yesterday’s practice match—really made me realize how important the captain’s voice is.”

“Hah. That was all just me indulging myself. It sure as hell wasn’t for the team, let alone for you.”

“Even so, the fact remains that you looked after us.”

Realizing Takumi had no intention of bending, Takeoka simply grimaced and said nothing more.

“Well then, excuse us.”

Takumi bowed once more, then gently patted Kana’s back as he started walking.

They passed right beside Takeoka. Takumi had kept Kana slightly behind him just in case, but the older boy showed no sign of trying anything.

“…Hey.”

“Yes?”

Takumi and Kana turned around. They were already about five meters away. Kana hid behind Takumi’s back and clutched his arm.

“…Sorry about that.”

“——!?”

Both Kana and Takumi froze. They never expected an apology to come from Takeoka.

Leaving the stunned pair behind, the former third-string captain walked away. The spikes still swung from his right hand.

“…What was that about? Apologizing now… does he really think we’ll forgive him?”

Kana’s unusually slow and quiet tone revealed just how unsettled she was. She was deliberately keeping her voice calm to prevent her emotions from exploding. Even so, her gaze was sharp and her fists were clenched tightly.

“I don’t know what he’s after. But for now, we can treat it as a positive, right? It doesn’t look like he’ll bother you anymore.”

Once she returned to the second string, their commuting times would no longer match. Takumi had been worried Takeoka might try something during those gaps, but after seeing him today, that concern seemed unnecessary.

“I suppose so…”

Kana’s response lacked conviction. She clearly couldn’t accept it as easily as Takumi had.

(It’s probably more of an emotional issue than a logical one.)

After waiting a moment, Takumi spoke again.

“What should we do about commuting from now on? The risk has dropped dramatically, but still…”

“You’re right… but honestly, I’m still a little scared. And to be frank, he’s not the only persistent one…”

“Ah, yeah. Being popular sure is tough.”

“It really is. Even a beauty has it rough.”

Kana’s expression finally softened.

“So, as long as it doesn’t burden you too much, could we keep doing this for a while longer?”

“Of course.”

“Yay! Thank you—Takumi-senpai.”

She added the last part in a soft whisper and gave him a bright smile.

“……”

Takumi involuntarily caught his breath.

“Senpai?”

“…No, it’s nothing. We should hurry. Practice has probably already started.”

“Ah, right.”

The two broke into a light jog toward the park that served as the third-string practice ground. When they arrived, several club members were already there.

“Yo, Takumi. You’re late for your standards… wait, Shirayuki?”

Masaru, who had greeted them cheerfully, shifted his gaze to Kana beside him and widened his eyes.

“Good morning, Momose-senpai.”

“Wait, you two—don’t tell me—”

“We’re not dating. We live in the same apartment building, so we came together.”

“O-oh. I see… Good. Didn’t get beaten to the punch.”

Masaru let out a sigh of relief. Takumi grinned.

“Masaru, with that kind of negative mindset you’ll never get a girlfriend.”

“Shut up. You don’t have one either.”

“Then whoever gets one first buys the other ice cream.”

“Oh, you’re on! Deal!”

“Men don’t go back on their word,” Masaru added before returning to his preparations.

“Senpai, senpai.”

“Hm?”

Kana leaned in close to Takumi’s ear.

“If I help you get Masaru-senpai’s ice cream, you can pretend I’m your girlfriend, okay?”

“Wouldn’t that just mean Masaru bought you ice cream?”

“Exactly. So I only stand to gain.”

“No, no. You shouldn’t become someone’s girlfriend just for one ice cream, alright?”

“I know, I know~ This perfect beauty, Kana-sama, isn’t that cheap.”

“You know, truly perfect people don’t call themselves perfect.”

“Don’t worry. I’m on an even higher level than that.”

“How many scoops does that cost?”

“Who knows?”

Kana played dumb. Takumi couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Quite a few other members had seen them arrive together, so he was asked multiple times whether they were dating. Each time he answered, “We live in the same building,” and by the end of practice the news had spread throughout the entire third string.

“Takumi-san, I’m seriously jealous. Living in the same building as Shirayuki… Do you guys already go to each other’s houses and stuff?”

After practice, first-year Keiichi asked, leaning forward eagerly.

“No way. We don’t do that.”

We’ve gone to mine, but not hers, Takumi thought, technically not lying.

“But you’re close enough to come to school together, right? Nice. You aiming for her?”

“I’m not. Shirayuki-san and I aren’t like that, and thinking that way would be rude to her.”

“Wow, Takumi-san. With that attitude you’ll never get a girlfriend.”

“It’s fine. Masaru and I made a bet on who’ll get one first.”

“For real? Who do you think will win?”

“Both of them look like they could get one any time.”

“Totally.”

Human interest shifts quickly. The topic moved from Takumi and Kana’s relationship to the debate over who between Takumi and Masaru would get a girlfriend first. Takumi breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

“Takumi.”

The third-string coach, Kawabata, called out to him.

“Yes.”

“Come with me for a moment.”

(Something he can’t say in front of everyone.)

Kawabata wore his usual stern, expressionless face. He wasn’t the type to show emotion openly. It could be good news or bad—both were possible—but the fact that he was calling Takumi alone made the latter feel more likely.

As long as it’s not trouble, Takumi thought.