When I Brought The Lost Little Girl To Her House, The One Who Came Out Of The Front Door Was The Most Beautiful Girl In The Grade.

I never expected Class 2-1 to be this strong. Even if they have some basketball club members, Sasaki is on a different level.

However, the basketball club has a handicap, where all shots count as one point.

But that handicap seems almost non-existent from the start, as they keep racking up the points.

“Hey, we’re definitely going to lose this…”

“They’re too strong.”

Even the popular kids on the court are exchanging negative comments.

“Get the ball for me!”

Sasaki is shouting loudly all by himself to collect the ball. However, even after getting the ball, he can’t get through. He’s forcing shots that won’t go in.

The game continues in that manner, and it’s our turn as the backup team in the second half.

Then, Ayano’s expression seemed to brighten up somehow. Could it be that she’s being overly self-conscious just because I stepped onto the court?

“Well then, let’s do our best.”

“Kuroda.”

“I know… You want to win, right? I want Kuromi to apologize too.”

“Thank you.”

Before the match, I was told that everyone really wants to win this one.

They really want Kuromi to apologize. And it seems they want to show up Sasaki and his gang who have always looked down on them.

I readily agreed to that too.

“If we stay calm, we can win.”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah, you guys might not have the best stamina, but you’re skilled, right?”

Saying that, the second half begins.

Since the jump ball happened earlier, this time it’s our turn to attack.

I dribble the ball a bit after receiving it, then suddenly pick up speed and quickly score a point by bypassing a defender.

I could hear voices around me saying, “Wow!”

After that, the basketball club members tried to guard me, but I wasn’t completely unbreakable.

However, after getting through once or twice, they started adapting to it, showing that they truly were part of the basketball club.

They certainly didn’t let me through easily anymore.

Nevertheless, I passed to someone in the backup team who could make the shot, and this time, I became the decoy.

During that time, our shooting accuracy as a team was better than in our usual gym practices.

We couldn’t afford to be underestimated, as we have a different level of intensity compared to their class.

And unexpectedly, we ended up winning.

Everyone was surprised.

Well, it’s natural, considering nobody thought we could actually win.

“Yuusei-kun!”

“Oh, Ayano-san?”

“Um, I’m not sure what to say, but that was amazing! Good luck in the next one too!”

“See you!” Saying that, she quickly left the gym.

Maybe because of that, I let my guard down. When I took a step forward, I suddenly felt a sharp pain. My left leg cramped.

In the next match, we were soundly defeated by the third-year students.

***

“Kuromi, do you have something to say?”

“…I-I’m sorry.”

I wished Kuromi could be more straightforward.

After that, she threw a bit of a tantrum, but when Shirasaka sternly scolded her, it must have hit home, as you could visibly see her feeling down.

As for Sasaki, he went to Ayano after the match to hear her praise, but she told him she hadn’t been watching and he seemed dejected, realizing there’s no connection between them.

Hah, serves him right. I thought that right away. Maybe I’m not that nice of a person after all.

“Thank you, Kuroda-kun.”

The class representative bowed to me. I was captivated by her graceful bow.

“No, I haven’t done anything. Everyone worked hard together for this result.”

“Yeah, everyone was amazing…”

She seemed a bit relieved, as her lips curled up slightly.

After that, we had the closing ceremony and the announcement of the results, and the sports festival came to an end.

After the closing ceremony, Ayano messaged me and asked me to meet her.

I was called to an empty classroom, and we were alone.

What’s with this tension? A strange atmosphere hangs in the air.

“What’s up, Ayano-san?”

“Yuusei-kun, do you like someone?”

“…Yeah.”

“I do too.”

I felt a slight thump in response to her answer. Why would she bring this up now? I kept pondering that in my mind.

“Is it the person you mentioned before, the one you’ve liked since elementary school?”

“Yeah… Who do you think it is?”

She leaned closer, looking up from below and smiled at me.

Right now, I’d get embarrassed if I met her gaze, so I shifted my eyes downward, but now they’re fixed on her chest.

I need to answer quickly, or I’ll lose my sanity, and I have to think again about who I like.

Maybe it’s me. No, there’s no one else but me. I was convinced of that.

Maybe I’m being overly self-conscious again today.

“That’s, um, well…”

A chime sounded from the speaker.

“The organizing committee members and sports committee members, please gather in Classroom 3-1 of the third year immediately.”

That was the announcement.

“Oh! I was on the organizing committee! Sorry! I’ll go, okay?”

“Ah… sure.”

In hindsight, what a foolish thing I was about to say.

Thinking that, my face turned completely red.

“Why do I always have such bad timing?”

***

“Ah, Shiirakawa-san, please wait a moment.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Well, it’s a bit sudden, but do you think Kuroda-kun is cool?”

“Huh? Y-yeah.”

“Today, I saw him playing basketball and thought he looked cool.”

Huh, wait, isn’t this girl the class president in Kuroda-kun’s class? Could it be that she also likes Yuusei-kun?

“I’m sorry for asking all of a sudden! Um, do you like…?”

“…Yeah, I do.”

“I see.”

Her face is clearly turning red. What’s with this feeling? The mixed emotions of being happy when Yuusei-kun is called cool and this uneasy feeling… What is it?

“Oh, I actually don’t like Kuroda-kun. I like Shirasaka-kun, so don’t worry.”

“Huh? Oh, okay.”

Phew, that’s a relief. I’m surprised at how relieved I am.

“Can I ask you something?”

Saying that, she takes off her glasses.

I was surprised. Her eyes are so big. She has a really cute expression.

“I’m sorry, I’m going home now.”

“Ah, sure. I’m sorry for bothering you.”

She bows her head and says that.

“Oh, just taking off your glasses and switching to contact lenses might make a difference. You’re really cute!”

It’s fine to say that, but I was really relieved inside.

“I’m glad I didn’t increase my rivals…she’s so cute, Yuusei-kun, you idiot! Don’t increase my rivals!”