Someone Who Believes They Can Live Normally in a World Where Chastity Is Reversed (Did You Think You Could Live Normally in a World With a Male-To-Female Ratio of 1:5?) - Chapter 8: The Middle School Basketball Loving Girl Gets Weird

It has been a month since I started playing basketball with Onii-san.

Lately, playing basketball with him has been so much fun.

Today was Friday. Once this fifth period class ends, I’ll be able to meet up with Onii-san.

Fortunately, the basketball club I joined happened to have Fridays off, so I can go to my Onii-san’s place without any hesitation, which makes me very happy.

Inside the classroom, perhaps due to the Japanese class after lunch, there were a few students dozing off here and there.

I was so excited for what’s to come that I was not sleepy at all.

As I was feeling excited, the chime signaling the end of class rang.

Yes! Time to go to the park!

“Alright, it’s time for the class representative to dismiss us.”

The class representative gave the command, and the teacher left.

Now, we just have to wait for the homeroom teacher to come, and then we can leave early!

As I pack my textbooks and belongings into my bag, getting ready to leave, Rika-chan from the basketball club called out to me.

“Yuka~ Yusuke-kun said he wants to do some extra practice today, so a few of us are planning to go to the community center gym. Come join us!”

“Uh,… well…”

Yusuke-kun was a guy from the basketball club. He was not very good at basketball, but he was friendly with girls and was popular among them regardless of club activities.

I don’t particularly dislike him, but we were not close enough for me to go out of my way to talk to him…

More importantly, I’ve already decided to play basketball with Onii-san today.

“Sorry! I have something to do today!”

“Huh~! You said the same thing last week and went home! What’s going on?”

“Well, uh…um…”

Oh no, what should I say?

If I tell them I’m going to play basketball alone with my super handsome and incredibly good at basketball Onii-san, I’ll either be accused of having wild fantasies or be pressured to introduce him to everyone…

“Um…I’m going to play basketball…”

“Huh? Couldn’t you just join us?”

“Um, I promised someone! So, sorry!”

I bow my head and apologize.

I know I’m not good at socializing, but the time I spend playing basketball with my big brother is something I absolutely can’t give up…

“Hmm, I see. But even if someone starts getting close to Yusuke-kun, it’ll be too late if you try to join later!”

“Oh, that’s okay.”

I think he’s a nice guy, but he’s not my type…

Successfully avoiding the attempts of my classmates to stop me, I leave the school.

Since I met him.. Or to be precise, since I started to like him, every day has been filled with excitement.

I don’t think he sees me as a romantic interest right now.

But that’s okay.

I’ll keep trying to catch his attention, and if he notices me when I’m in high school… That would make me really happy.

“Isn’t Yuka acting a little strange lately?”

“Yeah, I noticed too! She’s been humming during breaks and leaves right after class ends…”

“Hey, I’ve been thinking… Maybe Yuka’s meeting some guy from another school or something…?”

“Wha~Really!?”

“No,, but it might be possible… Lately, her smiling while reading a book during class seems to have increased, you know?”

“Is that related…?”

“Right? Let’s ask Yuka next time. What is she doing after school so quickly!”

—–

Uh-oh, uh-oh! Checking myself in the mirror at home took a little too long!

By now, Onii-san should be at the park as usual if everything’s normal.

I rushed to the park in a hurry. Running like this, my hair will get all messed up, and checking it was pointless!

Spring had definitely arrived, and the sunlight was getting a bit stronger.

As I ran, I could feel sweat dripping down my forehead.

It would be the worst if he thought I smelled bad… I brought deodorant just in case…

As I ran, I heard the sound of the ball hitting the ground, just like always.

No mistaking it. He was already there!

I stopped in the shade of a tree, took out the deodorant spray from my backpack, and sprayed it on my clothes.

I also take out a small hand mirror I brought in a pouch and check my hair.

Not weird, right? Alright.

Taking a deep breath to calm my ragged breathing from running, I head towards the court.

Onii-san was dribbling the ball.

As always, his handling was very clean.

Ah, his outfit today looks cool too…

A loose-fitting style that boys of our age can’t pull off, with loose-fitting cropped pants perhaps for sports. He used to wear a vest over a simple short-sleeved T-shirt before, I guess. He looks really cool…

But I shouldn’t think like that. I can’t keep staring. We came here to play basketball together today!

I have to say something.

“U-umm, Onii-san!”

“Hm?”

Onii-san, who was in shooting form, responded to my voice and looked at me.

His profile was cool, but he looks even cooler head-on.

…No, wait, um, I have to say let’s play basketball together…

Even though we’ve met many times, I still find it hard to say what I want to when I meet him…

I take a deep breath.

“T-today, I’ll definitely win! And, I’ll take back this spot!!”

Ugh, why does it end up like this?!

I want to be more straightforward!

“So, you’ve come, little one.”

“I’m not little anymore! Yuka is in middle school now!!”

Lately, Onii-san has been jokingly calling me a little kid.

It’s a casual way of interacting, and I think we’ve become closer because of it.

But, I won’t let him call me a little kid without correction…! I have to make sure he notices me someday, definitely.

“I-I’ll definitely take back this spot today…!”

I have absolutely no intention of taking it back.

Rather, I think I’d be happy if this time could continue forever.

“Hahaha, have you ever won against me even once, little girl~?”

Ah, I leveled up to ‘little girl.’ I was kind of happy about it.

“T-today, I have a secret plan!”

“This isn’t a lie.

Within the club activities, I’ve honed some skills. Today, I’ll use them to take at least one point from Onii-san!

Of course, I made a promise with him that if I win, he won’t come to this spot anymore, but honestly, beating him was quite a challenge. But that’s exactly why I can challenge him with all my might.

Huh… Onii-san looks amused. Ahh… he’s just too picturesque in everything he does…

“W-What are you daydreaming about?! Let’s play one-on-one, okay?”

Did I sound a bit cheeky? I might have sounded too cheeky, and my tone became timid.

“Sure thing. But make sure you warm up properly. You might get injured, you know?”

Onii-san is worried about me… That fact seeps gently into my heart.

“Oh, of course. I’m already done with that.”

“Huh? But didn’t you just arrive…?”

I rushed here because I wanted to see Onii-san, so I’ve already completed my warm-up. And as for the stretching, I did it quickly when I checked my appearance earlier.

So, I’m good to go!

I take the ball out of my backpack and bounce-pass it to Onii-san, assuming a defensive stance.

Onii-san adjusts his basketball play according to my ball’s size. He’s such a gentle person.

“Quite hasty, huh… Alright, here I go.”

Here he comes…! My mindset instantly switched to that of a basketball player.

Onii-san was an all-rounder. His handling, his shots, even his skills near the basket. As a defender, it’s incredibly difficult to guard against everything.

Onii-san swiftly executed a crossover, cutting sharply to the side.

He’s fast…! But I know he’s fast, so…!

“I won’t let you pass…!”

I quickly moved to intercept.

If I can’t do this much, I won’t be able to handle him.

“It’s okay so far!”

“Ah!”

Onii-san’s decision-making was quick.

As soon as I caught up, he saw that my balance wasn’t stable yet due to my recent movement and instantly took a mid-range jumper.

His shooting motion was too fast, and I couldn’t make it in time to block…

“….!”

At that moment, Onii-san jumped.

The loose T-shirt he was wearing.

As he jumps, the T-shirt flipped up.

Revealed underneath is Onii-san’s abdomen.

His well-trained abs were evident.

“Alright, this should be the first score… Huh? Yuka?”

Even though I was supposed to be focused on basketball, in that instant, my brain capacity was completely taken over.

T-Too sexy… This is…!

My heart kept pounding loudly, drowning out everything else.

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh…”

Before I knew it, Onii-san was right in front of me.

(…!)

Oh no. If it’s revealed that I was looking at Onii-san’s stomach, I’ll never get to play basketball with him again!

I need to calm down now. But I can’t get that image out of my head…

“Hey, your face is red. Are you getting heatstroke? Should we take a break on the bench?”

“A-Ah?! No, no! I’m fine! H-Hurry up and give me the ball! I’ll tie the score right away!”

Phew, that was close!!

It was truly a feast for the eyes… No, it’s toxic for my eyes…!

I’m getting flustered just by playing basketball with such a wonderful Onii-san.

Deep breaths. Inhale deeply, then exhale.

I need to focus now. I have to show Onii-san the results of this week’s practice!!

—

The sound of the basketball bouncing off the rim brought me back to reality.

Wait… I was…

Playing basketball with Onii-san, and then…

(…!)

I remembered. My foot got tangled, and I ended up falling on top of Onii-san…

I must have fainted in a situation where Onii-san was holding me…

How embarrassing!!

He must think I’m such a weirdo…!

As I hurriedly got up, I noticed a towel folded where my head was. Onii-san must have left it for me when he laid me down.

Even in this situation, I felt a surge of happiness.

I glanced back. Onii-san was practicing his shooting.

“Hu…!”

A shot from near the 3-point line.

With a beautiful vertical rotation, the ball arced through the air… and smoothly sank into the basket.

(How cool…)

Of course, I had developed feelings for him, but seeing him play basketball was especially cool.

Taking the ball back, Onii-san noticed me.

“Ah, you’re awake. Feeling okay, Yuka?”

My heart skipped a beat.

H-He just called me by my name, right? It’s the first time he’s called me by my name…! I’m so happy…!

“I-I’m fine. I’m sorry for causing you trouble…”

“It’s totally fine! It’s already getting late today, so I’m heading home too.”

Huh… Looking at the park clock, the hands indicated it’s already 4:30.

I must have been unconscious for quite a while… This is the worst… I wanted to play basketball with Onii-san for longer…

It seems like my disappointment showed on my face.

“Come on, I’ll come back next week too. You’ll make a comeback, right? Take back this spot.”

Onii-san seemed to have noticed my downcast mood as he pat my shoulder reassuringly.

It makes me happy that he’s encouraging me and making plans for next week, but being this close to him makes my heart race…

“Oh, I’ll lend you this towel. I think you’ve sweated, so use it to wipe off before going home, okay? I have another one!”

“Huh…”

I looked at the towel neatly folded on the bench.

He’s going to lend me this…?

“Well then, see you later! Oh, and even though it didn’t work out this time, I think your roll is good! With that speed, if someone were to roll like that, I doubt a single defender could stop them, right? So, have confidence!”

With that, Onii-san walked away.

…He said everything I wanted him to.

Onii-san had left. And I was left with his towel in my hand.

Suppressing my rapidly beating heart… I first picked it up.

Just an ordinary sports towel.

But…

“Haa…Haa…“

My breath became ragged.

I’m sorry, Onii-san, I seem to be a bad kid…

I buried my face in it. As if wiping my face. Onii-san’s scent spread all over my face.