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 47: I Overheard Them Badmouthing My Beautiful Junior Manager.

“That girl is seriously good at flattering people to get on their good side.” “Right? For real.”

Takumi looked up as he caught the sound of laughter and words laced with a condescending sneer—the kind of conversation that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

***

It started with a vague sense of unease.

Takumi felt as though, for some reason, Kana seemed drained of her usual energy. This was the day after the intra-squad scrimmage.

Her responses grew hollow, and her reactions became dull. Even when Takumi made an impact in his first external match as a member of the second string, she was happy for him, but lacked her trademark high-tension enthusiasm.

He tried to probe gently, but Kana remained tight-lipped. She still spent all her time at his house, so he didn’t think it was something as simple as her feelings for him cooling off.

Days passed, and even after a day off, her condition only seemed to worsen. In such a state, mistakes were inevitable.

“I’m sorry, Senpai…” “It’s fine, really. It’s faster if two people look for it anyway.”

Takumi flashed a smile at Kana and began parting the tall grass. He had happened to pass by and found her trudging through the greenery; upon asking, he learned she had lost the needle for the ball pump, so he decided to help her search.

“You once told me you’d make me swallow a thousand pump needles, but do you have a spare?” “I just ran out of them…” “Oh boy.” “I’m really sorry…” “It’s okay. Everyone makes mistakes.” “Yes…”

Seeing how deeply dejected Kana looked, Takumi considered that today might be the day to press her for answers, even if he had to be a bit forceful. That was when he heard it—the dialogue from earlier.

Two girls wearing the Sakura High School Football Club polo shirts were standing nearby. Both were third-year managers for the second string: Murakami Aki and Saitou Hanako. They didn’t seem to notice Takumi and Kana.

The moment their voices reached them, Kana’s body gave a sharp flinch.

(No way… is the target of that trash talk—?!)

Takumi’s suspicion was dead on.

“Looks like she’s set her sights on Kisaragi—Kana-chan, I mean.” “Tell me about it. She acts all sweet to everyone, but isn’t she going a bit overboard this time?” “She’s probably just marking her territory with someone who looks like they have a future.”

Aki replied to Hanako’s comment with a disgusted spit.

“Think about it. If she aimed for someone like Makoto or Niijima, everyone would just think she’s a fangirl. But if Kisaragi actually makes it big, she can play the ‘I’ve been supporting him all along’ card and pretend she was the only one on his side from the start.” “Ugh, how calculated! She’s quite the player for a first-year. No wonder she’s so popular.” “Men are easy, after all. The reason she’s so popular isn’t just her looks; it’s that she’s a pro at sucking up to them. I mean, how else could she have gotten promoted to the second string so exceptionally fast? She just likes soccer a little bit; it’s not like she’s actually talented or anything.” “Exactly! She’s been making nothing but mistakes lately!” “That’s just how it is. In the end, for a girl, being able to get in with the guys matters more than being competent. For all we know, she might even be selling her body.” “Ugh, I could totally see that!” ““Gyahahaha!””

(…I can’t listen to this anymore.)

Inside Takumi’s chest, a rage darker than what he’d felt when Haruhiro picked a fight with him began to swirl. Kana didn’t look shocked so much as profoundly sad. Whether she had been told directly or had overheard them before, she clearly already knew that such foul words were coming out of their mouths.

(That’s probably why she’s been so down lately. There’s no way I can let this slide.)

Takumi started to stand up, intending to call out to Aki and Hanako as they walked away with their vulgar laughter. But Kana grabbed his sleeve, holding him back.

“Senpai, don’t.” “Why? They’re saying whatever they want based on nothing but lies. I’m going to prove Shirayuki-san isn’t that kind of girl and make them apologize.” “Please, stop!”

Kana’s voice was quiet, yet sharp.

“Shirayuki-san?” “People who would stop just because someone told them to wouldn’t say those things in the first place. If you say something, Senpai, it’ll only escalate. I appreciate the sentiment, but please, do nothing. If we don’t react, it’ll die down eventually. That’s the only way to handle people like that.”

In Kana’s ruby-like eyes, there was a look of pure supplication.

“…Fine.”

Takumi backed down. He understood her logic well enough, and more than that, her words carried a strange weight of conviction.

(Knowing Kana, she might have actually gone through this kind of thing before. If my ‘kindness’ only makes things worse for her, I should probably stay out of it. But still…)

Even if he could accept it rationally, leaving those girls be was emotionally impossible to swallow. As Takumi unconsciously clenched his fist, Kana gently wrapped her hand over it.

“Senpai. I’ll be okay, so please don’t make a face like that. You’ll ruin that cute face of yours.” “…Do I really look that terrible?” “If I had to put it in one word… an Asura.”

The corners of Kana’s mouth curled upward.

(That’s the first time I’ve seen her give such a clumsy, forced smile…)

“…Sorry. I let my emotions get the better of me.” “Why are you apologizing, Senpai? You told me before, didn’t you? That because I’m so considerate of others, you can stay relaxed. I feel exactly the same way. You’re worried about me, and you’re getting angry for my sake. That’s more than enough for me.” “…I see.”

That was all Takumi could say. He felt pathetic for being right there and unable to do anything.

(But I can’t keep thinking like this. If I do, I’ll just make Kana worry about me again.)

To distract himself, Takumi resumed the search for the needle.

“…Ah.” “What is it?” “Found it. The needle.” “Eh?”

Takumi picked up the silver glint right by Kana’s feet.

“N-No way, it was right at my feet… It really is darkest under the lamp, huh? I guess because I’m so dazzling, the area right beneath me is pitch black.” “Hey, does that mean I’m not shining at all?” “It’s fine, isn’t it? Light and shadow. You and I are two halves of a whole. Woman and man, light and shadow…”

Kana froze, her mouth hanging halfway open in realization of what she’d just said.

“I bet you wanted one more needle, didn’t you?” “Be quiet!”

Kana pouted for a moment, then let out a small laugh. It was more natural than before, but the impression that she was overextending herself remained.

I just hope she doesn’t push herself until she breaks, Takumi thought.

That worry would be proven right all too soon.

***

“Kana, are you okay?” “Eh? About what?” “I mean, you definitely don’t look well.”

On the way home, Kana’s footsteps were heavier than usual, and the color had visibly drained from her face.

“…You’re quick to notice.” “Well, we’re together every day.” “I’m fine. I’m just a little sleep-deprived from watching too much soccer.”

Seeing her strained smile, Takumi’s intuition told him it was a lie. If the cause were truly just staying up late for soccer, she wouldn’t look this pained.

Concerned, Takumi decided to walk her all the way to her front door.

“This is far enough, Takumi-senpai. I’ll be fine once I get some sleep.” “Yeah, make sure you actually go to bed early.”

Even if she looked unwell, Takumi had no intention of forcing his way into her home to play nurse.

At least, he didn’t—until the moment Kana collapsed as she stepped into the entryway.

“—Kana?!”