My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up

Chapter 83: Sports Festival 8

As I walk with Uryu, he explains the rules of this sports festival.

Both boys and girls are divided into four blocks, with league matches determining the top two teams from each to advance to the finals tournament.

There are two blocks with five teams and two with four.

By luck of the draw, we’re in one of the four-team blocks, which is supposedly an easier path to the finals.

With Uryu on our team, advancing is practically guaranteed.

Plus, the perk of playing one fewer match means conserving energy.

“Talk about bad luck. One less match than the others.”

But Uryu has the complete opposite take.

Since our team was thrown together, he thinks we need as many matches as possible to gel.

Sure, experience fuels growth once you get greedy for wins, but who’s that intense about a sports festival?

I shouldn’t judge by my own standards.

Some guys pour their all into showing off for girls—a pure kind of desire, in a way.

They can sweat it out for the crowd’s eyes.

Go ahead and hog the spotlight for me too.

Lost in thought, we reach a court where the match hasn’t started yet.

Apparently, everyone, including benchwarmers, has to gather at the center for greetings.

“Now, let’s begin the match between Class A3 and Class B1. All together, bow!!”

““Let’s have a good match!!””

The students’ loud voices echo through the gymnasium, rivaling the sound of dribbling basketballs.

The Class A guys are seriously hyped.

“Aoyagi-kun, unfortunately, we can’t afford to lose.”

A guy who seems like the leader of Class A suddenly says this to Uryu.

His intense eyes burn with what looks like deep resentment.

“Our class is always kind of scattered, never united. But if we can go far in this sports festival, I think Class A could forge a strong bond.”

What a passionate guy.

As the leader, he’s clearly worried about his class’s lack of cohesion.

He wants this sports festival to bring them together.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less.

“I see. So, to keep the sports festival going and make it to the finals, you can’t lose to us, right?”

Surprisingly, the warm-hearted Aoyagi Uryu responds earnestly.

He might be the type to get fired up in this kind of atmosphere, but shouldn’t we start the match already?

Everyone’s still standing in the center of the court.

“…No, that doesn’t even matter anymore.”

I expected another fiery retort, but the leader guy tosses his earlier words aside, calling them “that stuff.”

Question marks float above the Class B team.

What changed in those few seconds?

Looking closer, some Class A guys are crying.

The match hasn’t even started—why?

“Truth is, that was just a front. We only cared about bonding with the girls in our class. That’s why we threw ourselves into this sports festival.”

In a way, his new confession is even more passionate, brimming with refreshing honesty.

He really laid it bare, but how are we supposed to react?

“Practice was great—we got along well. We thought the real thing would go even better. Heck, we even fantasized about getting girlfriends by tomorrow. For this match, we hoped our class’s girls would cheer us on. But, but…!”

Spilling his teenage boy desires, the leader’s teary eyes sharpen as he reveals why his heart changed.

“But why is our class’s Madonna, Natori-san, sitting on your bench!?”

At his words, we turn to the three-person bench set up for Class B.

Sure enough, there’s Natori Mayoi and Kamishiro Haruka, occupying our bench without a hint of hesitation.

Noticing my gaze, Kamishiro Haruka waves at us with a grin.

Hold up, why are you two acting like it’s natural to be there?

“And on top of that, Class C’s idol, Kamishiro-san, too? Unforgivable… unforgivable!!”

“OOOOOOHHH!!”

The leader’s near-personal grudge resonates with his classmates.

Apparently, they’re pissed that their classmate Natori Mayoi is on our bench.

I get the feeling, but Natori Mayoi doesn’t strike me as the type to cheer for her own class.

Honestly, isn’t this a bit of misplaced resentment? We didn’t do anything.

“Crush Class B!! Class B’s the enemy!!”

“Aoyagi-kun’s too popular!! Show us some restraint!!”

Echoing their leader, Class A boldly proclaims their feelings.

Good for you guys—you’re definitely united now.

Like, scarily united.

Chapter 84: Sports Festival 9

Glancing at Class A, united by their teenage boy dreams, I head to the bench with the other reserve member, Kubota.

But the three-person bench is occupied by Kamishiro Haruka and Natori Mayoi.

For some reason, they’re sitting at the edges, leaving the middle open.

“Move. We can’t sit.”

I glare down at the two, who are acting like they own the place, but Kamishiro Haruka pretends to whistle, and Natori Mayoi just points at the empty space with a grin.

“There’s room. Plenty of space.”

“Are you blind? It’s me and Kubota here.”

“It’s Yamashita.”

“Right, me and Yamashita. How are we supposed to fit?”

“Yukki… that mix-up’s kinda…”

Kamishiro Haruka, in full dodge mode, looks a bit put off by my words.

Can’t help it—his face screamed Yamashita.

Now that he mentions it, Kubota’s not a bad fit either, but the accuracy’s still low.

Gotta work on that.

“Just move. One of you is fine.”

“Move, move, so noisy. You’re not playing, so you move.”

What…

Sure, I could’ve done that from the start, but who says something that brazen? How far is this girl gonna push her way?

“Fine, Kamishiro Haruka, you move.”

“Eh, I’m tired from the match. I wanna sit.”

I don’t care.

There’s plenty of space to sit—why here?

It’s a gym; the floor’s fine.

Why are they so fixated on the bench?

“I see. So I’m the one who should move?”

“K-Kubota…?”

Kubota, the guy who’s supposed to be on the bench, points his thumb at himself.

What are you saying, Kubota?

You’ve got the second half to prep for.

Isn’t your job to stay on the bench till then?

“If a guy like me sacrifices so two beautiful girls can rest, that’s a win. I’ll warm up and be ready to jump in anytime.”

“Kubota, you legend!!”

What a guy, Kubota.

Putting aside his own needs for the sake of tired girls.

A true man among men. I’ll never forget you, Kubota. But if I call you Yamashita again, sorry.

“Wait, if he’s giving up his spot, isn’t that a nice resolution? You’re not playing anyway.”

“What are you talking about? Like I’d give up my seat.”

“Kubota-kun…”

Ignoring Natori Mayoi’s baffled suggestion, I plop down in the empty space.

The girls on both sides look at me, slightly surprised. What’s with them?

“You’re just… sitting there like it’s normal.”

“Huh? You said there was space, didn’t you?”

“No, I don’t think that’s what she meant.”

Natori Mayoi and Kamishiro Haruka are being vague.

No point fussing over them.

Since I’m on the bench, I might as well watch the match.

Turning to the court, I see Uryu dribbling toward the enemy’s side.

Even with a defender in front, he scans the field while dribbling with ease. Classic Uryu.

Then, out of nowhere, he passes.

The ball lands with a teammate who’d sprinted into open space, easily getting free near the basket.

But the layup misses, and it’s the opponent’s ball.

What a lackluster play.

“Sorry, Aoyagi!”

“No worries! Let’s score next time!”

Despite his perfect assist being wasted, Uryu smiles and rallies the team.

Seems like he’s not planning to score himself in this match—probably wants his teammates to get experience.

“That pass was amazing! I wanna catch one like that!”

Kamishiro Haruka’s eyes light up watching Uryu’s play.

Even to a basketball club member, that pass was a slick move through the defense.

“Passing doesn’t really suit Aoyagi, does it?”

“It’s not about suiting him. His usual position’s forward.”

“With these weak opponents, he could just blow past them.”

Ma’am? Those “weak opponents” are your classmates, you know?

“That’d just be Ururun having fun. He wants his teammates to enjoy it too.”

“That’s… kinda dumb.”

Despite her words, Natori Mayoi’s tone is soft.

She wants him to play his way but can’t hide her feelings seeing him care for his team.

Staring straight at Uryu, she’s undeniably a girl in love.

The contrast with her usual self makes her surprisingly cute.

“Yukki, Yukki.”

Lowering her voice so Natori Mayoi can’t hear, Kamishiro Haruka leans closer to me.

We’re already close, but now she’s really close.

“Mayo-nee… is she maybe into Ururun?”

“Into…?”

I’m dumbfounded by Kamishiro Haruka’s old-fashioned phrasing. There are tons of ways to say it—why “into”?

“Well, it’s not like it doesn’t look that way.”

“Right? Who’d have thought even Mayo-nee’s got it for Ururun?”

Even with my agreement, Kamishiro Haruka doesn’t get excited.

A topic like love, which most girls would eat up, doesn’t spark her.

“…It’s kinda amazing, being in love.”

Instead, she says something you’d never expect from someone with a partner.

Her face is stiff, devoid of her usual childish smile.

It might’ve slipped out unconsciously, but I’m glad I’m the only one who heard.

“Hirose, I’ve got something to ask you.”

Natori Mayoi, seemingly back from her own world, looks at me with her usual expression.

Whether I answer is my call. I wait silently, and she locks eyes with me, resolute.

“You and Tsukikage—why are you two kinda close?”

Her eyes betray her desire to dig up any info on her rival.

Chapter 85: Sports Festival 10

“I wouldn’t say we’re close. We just happen to talk sometimes.”

I understand Natori Mayoi’s angle but dodge it with my response.

Seriously, first Kirita Akari, now this—why’s she so hung up on it?

She should just focus on Rando-dono, who openly declared herself a rival.

Spreading her radar in every direction like this, she’ll lose sight of her own goals.

“Talk sometimes? But you’re not close?”

“Make whatever assumptions you want. I’m not saying anything.”

“Hmm, that’s your stance, huh?”

Seemingly satisfied with my vague answer, Natori Mayoi doesn’t press further.

She probably pegs Tsukikage Miharu as a rival now.

Honestly, since 99% of the people I talk to are tied to Uryu, she likely suspected that from the start.

To be frank, I didn’t want her fixating on Tsukikage Miharu.

Looks-wise, Miharu might be the most formidable threat, but she’s still a goof who can’t handle a one-on-one with Uryu.

I don’t want Mayoi getting reckless over someone like that, but maybe winning Uryu requires a bit of recklessness.

It’s a complicated guy thing.

“…By the way.”

“Hm?”

“Who do you think’s gonna win?”

Careful not to let Kamishiro Haruka, sitting next to me, catch on, Natori Mayoi keeps her question short.

Her eyes, rare for her bold self, waver slightly.

Who’ll win—meaning, who’ll end up with Uryu?

She’s probably picturing four people, herself included, but I don’t hold back and give my take.

“How the hell would I know?”

Natori Mayoi’s eyes widen in shock.

Was my white flag that surprising? No matter how you slice it, there’s no clear answer.

“He’s an undefeated, invincible opponent. I don’t even know what works on him—how could I possibly predict that?”

“…Fair point.”

“But—”

I pause, then lock eyes with Natori Mayoi beside me.

“That’s exactly why anyone’s got a shot. A sudden move could land a one-hit KO. As long as you don’t give up, you can seize victory yourself. That’s what I think, at least.”

“…Yeah.”

Natori Mayoi responds with a rare gentle smile.

The anxious waver in her eyes is gone.

If my words boosted her motivation even a bit, I’m glad.

“Hey, hey, what’re you two talking about?”

Since we kept things vague, Kamishiro Haruka butts in, eyeing us suspiciously.

“Oh, we were discussing how babies are made. Right?”

“Yeah, yeah, but neither Hirose nor I could figure out the key part. Kamishiro, you know?”

“W-What… You’re teasing me, aren’t you!?”

““Yup.””

“Ugh!! You’re only in sync for stuff like this!”

Thanks to me and Natori Mayoi’s teamwork, Kamishiro Haruka flushes red and flounders.