Category: British Stepsister

And when I arrived behind the school—

“Oh… you’re here.” (Sophia)

Someone was already there. The moment she saw me, she started fiddling nervously with her hair, unable to stay calm.

“Sophia…? You’re here?” (Kento)

I hadn’t expected to see her there, so my voice came out hesitant as I called out to her.

That didn’t seem to be the right thing to say, as Sophia began to shift her gaze around restlessly, looking visibly anxious.

“I-I mean, I just wanted to hear your thoughts on the food! It’s not like I wanted to eat together or anything…!“ (Sophia)

She rattled off in English, which was a clear sign that she was flustered. It was a habit of hers that only came out when she was really shaken.

I must have asked a bit too insensitively…

“You’re slipping into English again. Take a deep breath and calm down.” (Kento)

I softened my voice and put on a gentle smile, hoping to help her relax.

“Oh, I’m sorry…” (Sophia)

Sophia quickly came to her senses, turning her face away in embarrassment.

I knew she didn’t mean any harm, so I had no intention of scolding her.

“We shouldn’t waste time. Let’s eat.” (Sophia)

She was holding a bento box in her hands, making it clear she had intended to eat here.

Since she already knew that I often ate or practiced my swings behind the school, she’d probably come here hoping we could eat together.

Even though she had left the house early to study, she had still walked to school with me this morning. Maybe this was her way of staying close, not just as someone living under the same roof, but as family.

“Um, you don’t mind eating together, right, Shirakawa-kun…?” (Sophia)

“Of course I don’t mind.” (Kento)

I replied immediately with a smile.

There was no way I could dislike it—if anything, I was happy.

“I see… That’s a relief…” (Sophia)

Sophia let out a soft sigh of relief, placing a hand on her chest as if to calm herself.

However, when she realized I was watching her, she panicked slightly and spoke again.

“Ah, um… I was just curious about your thoughts on my cooking… Well, I actually came because I wanted to eat together…” (Sophia)

The moment of happiness vanished in an instant.

Apparently, she really had come just to hear my feedback on her cooking.

I couldn’t quite catch the English part, but realizing I had misunderstood and gotten excited over nothing made me feel a little embarrassed.

Thank goodness I didn’t say anything out loud.

“You don’t need to worry. Your cooking is always amazing, Sophia.” (Kento)

I smiled warmly at my overly concerned little sister, who had gone out of her way to come all the way here just to hear my feedback.

This wasn’t flattery — every dish Sophia made was genuinely delicious.

Knowing her, she was probably spending even her lunch breaks studying. I wished she would just eat her lunch in the classroom without worrying about me.

That was the thought behind my words — but then…

“~~~~~!” (Sophia)

For some reason, Sophia’s face turned bright red, and she started squirming in embarrassment.

“…Huh?” (Kento)

“Y-You’re so unfair! Saying something that sweet with such a wonderful smile out of nowhere — how am I supposed to handle that?! I need to mentally prepare myself for things like that!” (Sophia)

I had no idea what I did wrong, but Sophia was rambling at an incredible speed.

The only word I managed to catch was “smile,” but the rest flew right over my head.

From the looks of it, though, she seemed really upset…?

“Did I say something to make you mad…?” (Kento)

“Ah…” (Sophia)

Sophia’s eyes widened slightly, and she bit her lip as if she realized something.

When I asked, Sophia seemed to snap back to reality and gasped softly.

Then, she clutched her head in her hands.

“Ahh, I messed up again…! Why do I always, always do this…!” (Sophia)

With her back turned to me, she muttered something in English under her breath.

From the looks of it, she seemed to be regretting something…

“Let’s eat. No point wasting time.” (Kento)

Since she didn’t seem to have any ill intentions, I decided to change the mood by gently urging her.

“Ugh… I’m sorry…” (Sophia)

Muttering an apology, Sophia sat down next to me, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The fact that she came to sit next to me so naturally made me happy, and I found myself not caring at all about the little things that had happened earlier.

“Don’t worry about it.” (Kento)

After all, I was starting to get used to Sophia acting a little strange every now and then.

The truth is, Sophia acting strangely isn’t that unusual anymore.

Especially over the past few days, the frequency of these moments has increased, but as long as a few words can bring her back to normal, I don’t see it as a problem.

After that, the two of us ate the bento Sophia had prepared while chatting.

“—Ah, the sports festival, huh? I hope I get picked for an easy event.” (Kento)

As I savored the delicious food, we ended up talking about the upcoming sports festival.

Even though we have the prefectural tournament coming up, the school’s sports festival is just around the corner, too.

I’d prefer to focus on the tournament, and I definitely don’t want to risk getting injured, so I’d rather choose an event with minimal strain.

…Though, of course, everyone thinks the same way, so getting into those events can be tricky.

“I’d prefer an easy event too…” (Sophia)

“How are you with sports, Sophia?” (Kento)

From what I saw during our game of catch, she doesn’t seem like she has bad reflexes.

But she also doesn’t come across as someone who actively participates in sports, so I’m curious how she really feels about it.

“I’m not trying to brag, but I’d say I’m pretty good at it. Back in middle school, I had the best results in the physical fitness test among all the girls.” (Sophia)

Sophia said this in a matter-of-fact tone with a composed expression.

She wasn’t boasting; it was likely the truth.

A girl who was not only smart and incredibly beautiful but also good at sports. A true example of someone who excelled in both academics and athletics. Truly unfair.

“Then, wouldn’t your classmates want you to participate more actively?” (Kento)

“The special admission students all hate the sports festival, so they don’t care about winning. Besides, the Sports Course will win anyway.” (Sophia)

Sophia’s point wasn’t wrong.

As the name suggested, the sports course was made up of students who were there for sports. Naturally, those with better athletic abilities would gravitate there, and in an event like the sports festival, they would dominate.

Given that, it made sense that students from other courses might not feel very motivated to compete.

“Plus, there’s no one who would ask me to join.” (Sophia)

Sophia said with a self-deprecating smile.

Since becoming family, our relationship had grown closer, but her situation at school hadn’t changed. She still seemed to stand out in a way that made her distant from others.

She had an image of being solitary, and it seemed like her classmates were still afraid of her.

“Don’t you ever try to get along with others?” (Kento)

“I don’t mind being alone.” (Sophia)

Sophia turned her gaze away awkwardly, beginning to fiddle with her hair.

A while ago, I probably would have believed this was her true feeling.

But now, knowing the kind-hearted person she was, it didn’t seem like her real thoughts.

I had always thought something might have happened in her past, and now I was starting to think that perhaps Sophia pushed others away as a form of self-defense.

Perhaps, like the girls from the other day, she had been bullied or harassed in the past?

And as a defense mechanism, she had grown cold, only to have that coldness become her image, making it difficult for her to set boundaries with others.

Thinking back, it made sense why she had been so cold to me when we first met.

She had probably mistaken me for someone like those girls back then, just based on my appearance.

I was glad that the misunderstanding had been cleared up.

“Well… you don’t have to be so scared. I’m here now, so maybe you should try getting along with others? If anything happens, I’ll handle it.” (Kento)

I must have reached that conclusion on my own without really talking it through with her.

I had stepped into territory I probably shouldn’t have, and Sophia looked at me in surprise, as though she wasn’t expecting that from me.

“Ah, no… sorry, I said something weird…” (Kento)

I quickly apologized before she could say anything, realizing what I had done.

However, Sophia didn’t respond to my apology. Instead, she silently continued eating her lunch, looking down at her food.

Did I upset her…?

In the awkward silence that followed, I continued eating my lunch as well, but then I heard her mutter something softly.

“…I knew it… you really are something,  Shirakawa-kun…” (Sophia)

As I sat in the awkward silence, eating my own lunch, Sophia mumbled something under her breath.

When I glanced her way, it seemed like she had just looked up at me, and our eyes met perfectly.

But she quickly looked away.

…What should I do…?

Having little experience with situations like this with girls, I had no idea what the right thing to do was.

Maybe it would help if I could say something thoughtful right now…

“If I end up causing trouble with others, it would be a hassle for you, wouldn’t it, Shirakawa-kun…?” (Sophia)

While I was lost in thought, Sophia asked me, as if checking my reaction.

She had broken the heavy atmosphere herself, so I appreciated that and decided to speak up.

“Of course, I’d rather not have any trouble, but…” (Kento)

That’s a given.

Everyone would naturally want to avoid conflict if possible.

“But sometimes, it can’t be avoided. And when something happens to you, I’d prefer you didn’t try to handle it alone. I’d be happy if you relied on me, and I’ll never think it’s a bother, so I want you to rely on me.” (Kento)

When people try to handle things alone to avoid troubling others, it can sometimes backfire and make things worse.

Actually, it happens sometimes even in the baseball club. There are things you can only notice from the outside, or people around you can see things more calmly, so, at the very least, I’d want you to ask for help.

I wasn’t the type of person to think being relied on was a burden or a hassle, so my intentions weren’t that selfish.

“…That’s unfair… to be able to say such things so casually…” (Sophia)

For some reason, Sophia turned her face away.

She’s been doing that a lot lately… but I don’t think she dislikes me, right…?

“What would you do if I really brought trouble every time…?” (Sophia)

“That’s an extreme example.” (Kento)

But with Sophia, it’s not impossible.

She tends to stand out, for better or worse.

There are probably others who’ve taken notice of her, just like those girls from before, and it’s possible that a lot of people don’t like her cold demeanor.

As she tries to get along with others, there’s a chance that some might try to make things difficult for her.

“You don’t need to hold back. After all, I’m your brother, and there’s no need to be distant between family.” (Kento)

“――!” (Sophia)

When I answered with a smile, I heard Sophia gasp.

She still wouldn’t face me, but I wondered what kind of expression she was wearing right now.

“Well, in all seriousness, I’d appreciate it if you relied on me. If some annoying or strange person bothers you, feel free to pass them off to me.” (Kento)

Sophia probably only knew how to fight back when people picked on her.

Anyone who would go out of their way to provoke someone like her was clearly trying to get a rise out of her, so just responding would probably only give them what they wanted.

Especially since she doesn’t ask for help from others, it might be better for her to just pass the issue to me.

At the very least, I’m more used to dealing with those kinds of people.

“Aren’t I… being spoiled too much…?” (Sophia)

Sophia, having apparently taken my words in a different way, glanced at me from below, asking with a sideways glance.

I was drawn to her gaze, but I made sure to keep my face neutral as I spoke.

“This wouldn’t be spoiling, right? Asking for help when you’re in trouble is normal.” (Kento)

“…I see… Thanks…” (Sophia)

It seemed she had come to understand, and she thanked me.

When she thanked me so sincerely, it made me feel a little awkward.

“You can save the thanks for when I actually get a chance to help you.” (Kento)

As I said that, I closed my lunchbox.

“Thank you for the meal, it was really delicious.” (Kento)

I didn’t have the best vocabulary, but today’s meal had truly been fantastic. I felt it wasn’t fair to have Sophia make me lunch every day, considering how much of a burden it must be, but I couldn’t help but feel genuinely happy to have such delicious food every day.

“It was nothing. Are you going to practice your swings now?” (Sophia)

“Yeah, that’s right. You’re heading back to class, right?” (Kento)

“…Well, there’s nothing to do in the classroom, so I’ll watch.” (Sophia)

I thought she’d return to study in the classroom, but after closing her lunchbox, Sophia sat down and hugged her knees with both hands.

It made me a bit embarrassed and nervous to be watched practicing but I couldn’t tell her to leave. If I did, she might think I was rejecting her. So, I kept quiet.

“I don’t think it would be anything interesting to watch…” (Kento)

“You don’t have to worry about that, I won’t disturb you either.” (Sophia)

Hmm… I think it would be better to go back to the classroom rather than watch someone practice their swings like this…

Well, if she decided not to return, there’s nothing else for me to say.

Having made that decision, I started my swings as usual.

For some reason, she was watching me with a smile, seemingly enjoying it.

Eventually, the alarm on the phone I had set went off—

“Shirakawa-kun’s form is just like Riley Clark’s, isn’t it?” (Sophia)

Sophia, understanding that my swings were finished, spoke up.

I was surprised by what she said.

“How did you know…?” (Kento)

It would be one thing if he was an active player, but the person she mentioned had passed away when I was ten.

If she’d been watching professional baseball since she was little and knew about his achievements, I could understand, but she had said she wasn’t interested in baseball.

Normally, there’s no way she should know.

“After you mentioned him, I searched for videos related to him and watched them yesterday.” (Sophia)

Even if she had searched and watched, could she really have figured it out after just one night?

…No, actually, since she had already deduced that my swing was the same as Clark’s, it was probably possible for someone as smart as her.

I had always thought she was quite intelligent, but it seemed Sophia’s memory was extraordinary.

“I thought I understood how amazing you were, but… wow, Sophia, you really are on another level…” (Kento)

“W-What? It’s nothing to boast about, though…” (Sophia)

When I sincerely expressed my admiration, Sophia blushed slightly, looking embarrassed, and avoided my gaze while fiddling with her hair.

“I’d heard you admired him and looked up to him, but… to have your batting form be so similar means you really like that player, don’t you?” (Sophia)

As she said this, Sophia gave me a meaningful look.

To me, it looked like she was expecting something.

Could it be that she actually liked talking about things like this…?

“Well, he was the one who got me into baseball. Becoming a player like him is my goal.” (Kento)

“…So in your eyes, Riley Clark is really that cool, huh?” (Sophia)

“By the time I found out about him, he was already the cleanup hitter on his team—the best batter. He was considered a star player. For me, seeing him for the first time was a shock.” (Kento)

If I closed my eyes, I could still remember it.

It was the final inning with a three-run deficit—two outs, bases loaded. A situation where it seemed like there was no way out, but also a chance for a comeback.

The atmosphere in the stadium was intense, and it was a moment that must have been under intense pressure.

At that moment, Clark hit a home run with a single swing, leading his team to victory.

When I was young, I didn’t fully understand the rules of baseball or the significance of a team’s victory, but when I saw him hit the ball into the stands, make a fist pump as he rounded the bases, and get greeted at home plate by his jubilant teammates, I thought he was incredibly cool.

“Wow… If you liked him that much, don’t you have any memories with him?” (Sophia)

As we headed to the clubroom to return the bat, Sophia dug deeper into Clark’s story.

I was surprised that she was so interested in this kind of thing, but I recalled the memories from when I was a child.

“Since he was a pro, I didn’t have many opportunities to talk to him… but once, I selfishly asked my dad to take me to the training camp of the team Clark played for. I was able to talk to him a little, but… Clark only spoke English, and I couldn’t understand a word he was saying.” (Kento)

Even as a child, I understood he was a foreigner, but back then, I thought all foreigners could speak Japanese.

Especially since Clark was a catcher, which was rare for a foreign player, I thought he might be an exception.

“Well… it’s not uncommon for foreign players to come to Japan with an interpreter.” (Sophia)

Sophia said with a wry smile as if understanding the situation.

From what I heard, it seemed that Clark had a young female interpreter with him.

But at the time, I didn’t know what an interpreter was, and there was no woman around him who looked like she could have been one.

It was probably just bad luck that the interpreter happened to be away at that moment.

“So, what did you do when you couldn’t understand each other?” (Sophia)

“Ah, well, Clark noticed I was having trouble, so instead of words, he picked me up and held me. It was embarrassing, but it made me really happy… And he also gave me a signed ball.” (Kento)

It wasn’t exactly being held, more like being lifted up in a “high-high” sort of way, but at that time, I was in the lower grades of elementary school, so I was embarrassed by the attention.

But more than that, I was just happy to be treated like that by the player I admired.

Above all, the signed ball was a treasure I would keep for life, and I still proudly display it on my desk.

“Hehe… So that’s how it was.” (Sophia)

Sophia, listening to my story, smiled happily, looking very entertained.

However, she quickly looked off into the distance with a gaze that seemed to be focused on something far away.

“That’s so like Dad… I wonder if I looked like that to him sometimes…” (Sophia)

Sophia muttered softly, almost as if she was reminiscing. I couldn’t help but become captivated by her.

When we were alone, she had started to show softer expressions from time to time, but this look was even gentler than any I’d seen before.

What could she be seeing in her eyes right now?

It almost felt like there was still a side of Sophia that I didn’t know yet.

I couldn’t help but think that it would be nice if one day, I could come to understand that side of her as well. As I thought this, I continued to watch her profile.

---

Thanks for reading!

Sophia’s main rival isn’t even Kujouin at this point, it’s her own tsundere tendencies. Speaking of which, Sophia has gotten really deredere hasn’t she? I like it, gimme more!

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1. None

“Well then, I’m off—” (Kento)

“Ah, um, Shirakawa-kun. Wait a moment…” (Sophia)

The day after I went to the amusement park with Sophia — as I was about to head off for morning practice as usual, Sophia stopped me at the front door.

Unusually for this time of day, she had already changed into her school uniform, and for some reason, she had both hands clasped behind her back.

“What’s wrong?” (Kento)

“Um…” (Sophia)

Sophia wouldn’t meet my gaze, fidgeting restlessly.

Her cheeks were faintly tinged with red, and something about her behavior seemed off.

“Do you have a fever or something…?” (Kento)

“…Baka” (Sophia)

When I showed concern, she pursed her lips slightly in displeasure and muttered something under her breath.

It sounded like she mumbled something in English, so I couldn’t catch it clearly, but judging by her attitude, it was probably an insult.

“Were you upset about something…?” (Kento)

“It was just your imagination.” (Sophia)

Sophia responded curtly, as if nothing had happened, and began putting on her shoes.

Her cheeks were still faintly red.

“Huh? Are you heading out too, Sophia?” (Kento)

Unlike me, who had morning practice, she usually left at a later time.

Even if she had morning duties… this seemed way too early.

“Well, yes… I thought I might be able to study more efficiently at school.” (Sophia)

Now that I think about it… she usually studies even after breakfast until it’s time to leave for school.

She really works hard…

But wait, doesn’t this mean we’ll be heading to school together? Is she okay with that?

“W-What are you waiting for? If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the train!” (Sophia)

As I kept staring at her, Sophia hurriedly urged me.

Should I apologize for staring…?

As I pondered that, Sophia glanced at my face.

Our eyes met, but she immediately looked away.

However, she kept sneaking glances at me—stealing quick, repeated looks as if checking my reaction.

Should I say something…?

“…Here.” (Sophia)

As I hesitated, Sophia suddenly held out her hand in front of me.

There was something in her hand—

“A bento…?” (Kento)

I recognized it right away.

But I had no idea why Sophia was offering it to me.

“You can eat it… for lunch.” (Sophia)

Noticing my confusion, Sophia added quietly, turning her face away once again.

But that’s not what I want to know.

“But why did you do this again…? I understood that it was a thank-you gift last time, but…” (Kento)

I couldn’t think of any reason why she’d make me another lunch, so I ended up asking her.

“From now on, I’ll make lunch every day… That way, you’ll have more time for your practice during lunch break, okay…?” (Sophia)

I was expecting her to start ranting in English again, but surprisingly, Sophia calmly explained her reasoning.

…Well, maybe “calmly” isn’t quite right. She still had her face turned away, and she was fidgeting with her hair, clearly restless.

“That’s thoughtful of you, but… won’t it be hard on you?” (Kento)

Sophia stayed up late every night studying. Making lunch on top of that would surely cut into her sleep time.

I appreciated her kindness, but I didn’t want to be a burden on her.

“Um… in exchange, I have a favor to ask…” (Sophia)

Unlike her usual tough demeanor, Sophia nervously rubbed her index fingers together and looked up at me with upturned eyes.

It was incredibly rare for her to act like this.

At the very least, this was a side of Sophia she never would’ve shown back when we first met.

“A request?” (Kento)

With her going out of her way to make me lunch and sneaking glances at my expression like this, I asked cautiously, feeling a little on guard.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that she might ask for something outrageous…

“From now on, I want you to… pick me up after cram school on weekdays, Ke—Shirakawa-kun.” (Sophia)

Contrary to my expectations, Sophia’s request was ten times gentler than I had imagined.

Jessica-san had already returned from her trip, so starting today, she was supposed to resume picking Sophia up by car as usual.

But rather than returning to that arrangement, it seemed Sophia wanted me to continue picking her up instead.

She was probably trying to avoid putting more burden on Jessica-san.

While I felt happy that Sophia was honestly relying on me, there was something else that bothered me more.

Just now… did she almost call me Kento?

It sounded to me like she almost called me by my first name, and that really caught my attention.

After all, she had insisted that I call her Sophia by name, yet she still referred to me as Shirakawa-kun.

Normally, I’d expect her to change the way she addresses me too, but… I couldn’t bring myself to point it out.

Because, while I already knew Sophia was kind at heart and we’d grown closer over the past few days, I still hadn’t fully figured out what might set her off. There was always that lingering impression that she could be difficult to deal with at times.

Simply put, we had only just started becoming friends.

Even if she had only started just seeing me in a positive light, our relationship was still fragile—one careless remark could break the trust we’d begun to build.

I absolutely wanted to avoid making any blunder that might cause her to dislike me again, especially now that things were going well.

So, I couldn’t afford to act recklessly.

“I guess it does make more sense for me to swing by and pick you up on my way home rather than having Jessica-san go out of her way to do it.” (Kento)

Deciding it was best not to mention her choice of words, I chose instead to focus on her request.

In my case, even if I picked up Sophia after my club activities, it would only take a bit of travel and a short wait.

The cram school was about a fifteen-minute walk from the station, so if I thought of it as a quick stop on my way home, it wasn’t much of a burden.

However, Jessica-san had to drive all the way from home to pick Sophia up, which required a significant amount of time and effort.

Furthermore, she must have already been tired from work, so I completely understood Sophia’s desire to let her mother relax at home.

“Y-Yeah…! I thought it’d be better to ask you instead of having Mom go out of her way to pick me up!” (Sophia)

Sophia nodded eagerly, perhaps happy that I had understood her feelings.

As I thought, she really cared about our mother, and that warmth filled my chest.

Not to mention, the fact that she asked me to pick her up instead of walking home alone probably meant she was scared of the dark streets at night.

There were times when, while walking home together, she would grab the sleeve of my shirt. And she had been overly terrified of the haunted house at the amusement park.

Also, with how beautiful she is, she could easily become a target for stalkers.

That was likely why Jessica-san had gone out of her way to pick her up all this time.

“Of course, I’m fine with it. Should I contact Jessica-san for you?” (Kento)

There was no way I would refuse when Sophia had reached out to me, so I readily agreed.

I offered to be the one to contact Jessica-san because I figured if Sophia told her, Jessica-san might feel like she was imposing on me.

It would probably be easier for Jessica-san to accept if the suggestion came directly from me.

At least, that’s what I thought—but…

“Ah… I’ve already told my mom that she doesn’t need to pick me up on weekdays starting today…” (Sophia)

It seemed she had already taken care of it.

Well, it was probably not so much that she wanted to make it harder for me to refuse, but more that she trusted I wouldn’t turn her down.

After all, I’d already been picking her up from cram school before.

“I see. That’s good, then.” (Kento)

“…You’re not going to complain…?” (Sophia)

Did she think I was narrow-minded?

“I wouldn’t complain about something like this. In fact, I’m happy that you trust me.” (Kento)

I honestly expressed what I was feeling.

Upon hearing that, Sophia let out a small chuckle.

“Why are you laughing…?” (Sophia)

I couldn’t understand her reaction, so I immediately prodded her.

“I don’t mean it in a bad way. It’s just that… I was thinking, Shirakawa-kun, you have that side to you.” (Sophia)

It was as if the nervousness and uncertainty she had been showing earlier were a lie, as she let out a warm sigh and gave me an adorable smile.

For a moment, I found myself completely captivated by her beautiful, happy smile.

But I quickly snapped out of it, hastily opening my mouth before she could notice I had been staring.

“What do you mean by ‘that side’…?” (Kento)

“Hmm, I don’t really know how to explain it but… to put it simply, you’re broad-minded?” (Sophia)

Sophia placed her hand on her chin, thinking, and tilted her head as she answered.

It seemed like she had the complete opposite impression of me than what I had imagined.

However…

“Why does it sound like a question?” (Kento)

I noticed her tone rising at the end, which made me wonder why she didn’t speak more decisively.

“It’s just that I was wondering if that was the most fitting description. I don’t mean anything else by it.” (Sophia)

For a moment, I thought she might be teasing me, but it seemed like Sophia had just been unsure.

It really felt like her sharp edges had softened… 

“I see. By the way, I don’t need the lunch as a thank you for picking you up, you know?” (Kento)

It seemed like I had been overthinking things, so I steered the conversation back to the topic at hand.

I understood that the lunch was meant as a thank-you for picking her up, but I didn’t think I deserved anything in return.

In fact, I felt happy just being able to walk home with her.

“Haa… I thought you might say that.” (Sophia)

However, it seemed my response didn’t sit well with Sophia. She let out a sigh.

“We’re equals, right?” (Sophia)

“Ah…” (Kento)

Sophia gave me a sly, teasing smile and tilted her head again, and it clicked in my mind what she was trying to say. I couldn’t help but stare at her.

“Then, let me properly thank you.” (Sophia)

With that, Sophia’s teasing grin shifted to a more genuine, joyful smile.

It seemed she had already known I wouldn’t easily accept the thank-you, so she had decided to respond like this.

She really was a bit mischievous, wasn’t she?

“Yeah… I’ll take you up on that. Thank you, Sophia.” (Sophia)

Since we were equals, I realized that her point was correct—that it wouldn’t feel right if I accepted something unilaterally. So, I decided to accept the lunch from her.

Honestly, as siblings, even if it’s out of obligation, I think it would be fine for me to do something for her without her needing to give anything in return… but I decided that prioritizing Sophia’s feelings here would be the best way to maintain a good relationship.

Plus, her cooking is really good, so the idea of getting it every day makes me genuinely happy.

“I’ve made sure the nutritional balance is good, so don’t worry.” (Sophia)

“As expected of you.” (Kento)

Though she had earned a reputation for being cold to others, the truth was that Sophia was someone who could act with others’ well-being in mind. I thought she would surely make a wonderful wife someday.

Though, whether someone worthy of her would come along… was another question.

After that, we continued chatting and headed towards school.

◆

Lunch break――

“Kento, let’s go to the cafeteria already!” (Shouta)

The moment class ended, Shouta came over to my desk.

“Sorry, I’ve got a bento today. Actually… I’m planning to bring lunch from now on.” (Kento)

We usually ate together, so I felt a bit bad as I turned him down.

The cafeteria was always filled with other club members during lunch, so it wouldn’t be an issue if I wasn’t there.

“Seriously? You did this last time too. But hey, why not bring your bento and eat at the cafeteria?” (Shouta)

“I already told you before—it’s too crowded, and I don’t want to take up a seat.” (Kento)

Bringing a bento to the cafeteria wasn’t against the rules, but it didn’t feel right to take up a seat when I could easily eat elsewhere, especially when space was limited.

Besides, I’d rather make good use of my time.

“Right, right. Well, I’m starving, so I’ll go with the others.” (Shouta)

Shouta, clearly hungry, left the classroom with the other club members as soon as he realized I wouldn’t be joining.

Times like this are amusing—despite being in the same class with the same destination, most people stick to their club groups when moving around together.

I guess it’s just easier to be with people you already spend a lot of time with, or maybe it just feels natural to do so.

“Shirakawa-kun, if you’ve got a lunchbox, wanna join us~?” (?)

As I took out my lunchbox and stood up, a group of volleyball club girls, who had already pushed their desks together, called out to me.

They were all grinning mischievously. Clearly, they were just teasing.

“Spare me. That’d be way too awkward.” (Kento)

Being the only guy eating in the middle of a group of girls? That’s like walking into a lion’s den.
Some people might not mind, but there’s no way I could handle that.

“Haha, right~?” (Girl)

“We wouldn’t care, though. Besides, we wanna hear more about Frost-san!” (Girl)

“Yeah, it’s super intriguing, isn’t it?” (Girl)

The girls from the Sports Course were, as always, full of energy.

They didn’t shy away from talking to guys, and they were never hesitant to strike up conversations like this.

Of course, it depends on the person itself, but aside from volleyball, the hard and soft tennis teams, badminton, and basketball members are all generally very cheerful.

Excluding a figure skating girl, who only shows up at school occasionally and gives off a quieter impression, the girls from the sports course are way too energetic for me to handle.

They aren’t bad people, so there’s no concern about them bullying Sophia like the gals from the General Course do.

“There’s nothing interesting to tell.” (Kento)

That was all I said before grabbing my lunch and leaving the classroom to avoid getting caught in the conversation.

“—Looks like he got away, huh?” (Girl)

“Shirakawa-kun may seem easygoing, but he’s got a pretty solid guard. Still, he’s way better than Kurogane-kun.” (Girl)

“Kurogane-kun is scary~ Shirakawa-kun, on the other hand, is kind, tall, calm, and quietly considerate. But… I feel like he draws some kind of line.” (Girl)

“And he seems sharp, too. Speaking of which, Kurogane-kun seems overwhelmingly popular in the other courses, but for us, Shirakawa-kun is way better, right?” (Girl)

“No comparison, really. But lately, it seems like even the girls from other courses are starting to notice how great Shirakawa-kun is. His fanbase is slowly growing, you know?” (Girl)

“Ehh, that’s a problem. We already have a formidable rival in Kujouin-san, the baseball team manager, and now another strong contender in Frost-san just showed up…” (Girl)

“I’m not sure about Kujouin-senpai since they’re just in the same club, but Frost-san lives with Shirakawa-kun. She’ll definitely notice all his good points.” (Girl)

“I mean, if Frost-san actually decides to go for it, we don’t stand a chance, do we?” (Girl)

“………” (All the girls)

For a brief moment, I felt a dark, dejected aura creeping up from behind me… but was it just my imagination?

I turned around, but there wasn’t anyone standing there.

What was that strange feeling just now…?

Even though it nagged at me, I couldn’t afford to waste any more time. I headed to the clubroom to grab a practice bat and made my way to the usual spot behind the school building.

---

Thanks for reading!

MC’s popularity phase is starting to show itself. Also, it’s nice to see the two of them getting used to each other. 

This chapter is quite short, part 2 is gonna be the last of this chapter. Don’t worry, we’ll get more Sophia next part.

---

1. None

<Sophia’s PoV??>

To me, baseball is something special.

It was something my beloved father played, and I was greatly influenced by it from a young age.

When I came to Japan at the age of five, I grew up watching the Koshien tournaments held every spring and summer.

According to my father, “In Japan, standing on the stage of Koshien seems to be the big goal for kids who play baseball. From a young age, they pour all their youth into baseball, and only those who make it through can stand on that stage. The energy of the players, the cheerleaders, and the spectators is incredible. It really is something special.”

Naturally, as someone who loved baseball, I longed for the stage of Koshien.

But… I gave up on it right away.

Not only was it impossible for me to become a player, but being a manager was out of the question too, since I was never good at socializing.

So, I chose to experience the stage of Koshien as one of the cheerleaders.

—Though, deep down, I really did want to be a manager.

---

Thanks for reading!

I’m assuming Sophia said this… but I don’t remember her being a cheerleader. Maybe it’s part of her past or something. Either that or I forgot.

I’m sorry that the break I took was so long. I was busy playing the new Wuthering Waves 2.0 update. I lost so much Asterite during the banner, now I’m broke for future banners.

I didn’t really have a stable connection at my army camp, so I could only play it during weekends, which is when I usually translate, so yeh sorry.

---

1. None

---

Spoiler Warning Obviously… To be honest, there isn’t really anything that spoils the story. It’s just a bunch of cute illustrations of Sophia which I will take.

---

<Sophia’s PoV>

After we finished playing catch, I happily returned home with him. I immediately took a bath and then returned to my room.

Right now, my heart is pounding really fast, and my entire body feels like it’s burning with warmth.

That’s just how happy I was about today’s events.

The date with him at the amusement park, and the time we spent playing catch together at the park, were both precious moments for me.

But more than that, there was something else that made me even happier.

“Fate, huh… Things like this really do happen…” (Sophia)

I took out a photograph I had carefully hidden inside my desk drawer.

It was a family photo taken when I was little.

Needless to say, it’s one of my most treasured possessions.

“Hey, Papa…” (Sophia)

I spoke to the man in the photo, who was smiling brightly.

The young me, cradled in his arms, wore a blissful smile.

I’ve lost count of how many times I wished I could return to that moment.

That’s how much my Dad meant to me, how much I loved him.

And now, I had something I wanted to tell him.

“Someone remembers you. They said you were someone they looked up to.” (Sophia)

I thought I was the only one left who still remembered Dad.

I’m sure Mom remembers too, but she’s found someone new to love.

I don’t think that’s a bad thing, and I’m sure Dad would be happier knowing she hasn’t let grief hold her back.

I had wholeheartedly wished her well in her remarriage.

But—even so, there’s still a part of me that feels lonely.

Because it feels like Dad’s presence has slowly faded away.

But there was someone who still remembered Dad, someone who had etched him into their heart even now.

That fact made me incredibly happy.

More than anything, I thought he was by far the most wonderful man I had ever met.

“He’s kind, hardworking, and a truly amazing person. I’m so glad I met him. I believe that, with him, my dreams will come true. Papa, please help support him from heaven.” (Sophia)

After saying that, I carefully placed the photo back such that it wouldn’t get damaged.

Then, I shifted my thoughts.

“I kept thinking that his personality was too good to be true… but I’ll throw thoughts away. Not to mention, fate doesn’t happen often… and if he ends up liking me, nothing else matters. But still, what should I do…?” (Sophia)

I found myself troubled over how to close the gap between us.

There was no way I could approach him honestly.

I had never interacted with someone that way before, and even if I tried hard to be honest and rely on him, memories of how I’d acted in the past would come rushing back.

To be honest, even I know that I’m clumsy when it comes to relationships.

So maybe it’s best to do what I can, in my own clumsy way.

Fortunately, he’s kind, so if I approach him, I think he’ll let me stay by his side.

By taking it slow and steady, it might be possible to gradually close the gap between us.

“First, I need to change how I address him… He calls me Sophia, so I should call him Kento… Kento-kun? A nickname… no, that doesn’t suit me. Calling him onii-chan… no, that would be embarrassing. It feels safer to stick with Kento-kun… but I’ll have to figure out how to naturally make the change…” (Sophia)

And so, I found myself wracking my brain over how to shorten the distance between us.

---

Thanks for reading

That’s the end of Vol 1. To be honest, I know my translation for this series so far feels kinda scuffed. I guess a part of me does feel tired juggling translation and army commitments at the same time so I’ll take a break before starting on Vol 2. 

In other news, Toxic Game Streamer is confirmed to be getting a third volume, so that’s something to look forward to.

---

1. None

“Good job, Kento-kun. You were amazing out there.” (Kujouin)

When I boarded the bus after the match, Kujouin-san, who had already taken her seat, patted (*pon-pon*) the seat next to her.

It was clear she wanted me to sit there.

“No, I don’t think it was that special…” (Kento)

Following her lead, I sat down beside her and looked at Kujouin-san.

“Two home runs, a triple, and a double. Your last at-bat ended with a walk, but you still racked up nine RBIs. And you call that nothing special? The prefectural tournament in two weeks looks even more promising.” (Shuuto)

On the seat across the aisle, Shouta sat grinning at me as he rattled off my batting stats.

What’s with that smug look…

“I’m looking forward to your performance as the cleanup hitter next time, too.” (Kujouin)

And then, with a smiling face, Kujouin-san added some pressure from beside me.

Everyone sure says whatever they want…  

“Still, you were even more focused than usual today. Did something happen?” (Shuuto)

“Well, that’s—” (Kento)

I couldn’t exactly bring up Sophia, so I decided to dodge the question with something vague. Or at least, that’s what I thought…  

“—Isn’t it obvious? It was the power of love on full display.” (Coach)

“Coach… please don’t say weird things.” (Kento)

The coach, who was thirty-two and had the vibe of a friendly uncle outside of practice, absolutely loved teasing people like this.  

And right now, I was his chosen target.  

“It’s not weird—it’s the truth, isn’t it? You pushed yourself harder than ever because you didn’t want to disappoint your girlfriend waiting for you at home, right?” (Coach)

The coach flashed a sly grin my way.  

It was as if he could see right through me.

“Hey, don’t say that…! I never said anything like that, right?!” (Kento)

All I told the coach was that Sophia’s condition had improved enough for her to come to the venue and that she wanted to watch the game. I didn’t even hint at any sort of promise between us.

“I figured something was up since you were mostly by yourself today, but could it be… Did Shirakawa-san catch a fever?” (Kujouin)

Kujouin-san, sharp as ever, looked at me with concern.

So the coach hadn’t mentioned it to everyone…

“Well, yeah… But her fever went down by this morning, so it’s all good.” (Kento)

“That’s good to hear.” (Kujouin)

Kujouin-san flashed me a cute smile, making the whole situation feel a bit lighter.

In moments like these, I was grateful that Kujouin-san never said anything harsh.

The problem was…

I glanced over at Shouta.

He had his hand on his chin, as if deep in thought, but he probably already had an idea that it was related to her.

I just hoped he wouldn’t say anything weird to Sophia…

“Hmm… If that’s the case, why not have your girlfriend join the baseball team?” (Shouta)

When Shouta finally spoke, it was something I never could have expected.

“Haa?!” (Kento)

I couldn’t help but raise my voice.

“Oh, that’s not a bad idea. Why not go for it?” (Coach)

And then the coach, clearly enjoying himself, jumped right on board.

This guy was definitely having way too much fun with the situation.

“Shouta, you… After telling her not to get in our way, what are you even saying…?” (Kento)

“If she’d drag us down, that’d be a problem. But if she could actually help, wouldn’t it be better to have her around? I don’t fully get it, but I’ve heard before from coach that this kind of thing can be a source of strength. And knowing you, Kento, it makes sense that you’re that type. Coach himself said it wasn’t a bad idea.” (Shouta)

This coach worshipper…!

Don’t just take everything the coach says at face value!

This guy just wants to mess with me…!

—Or so I wanted to yell, but I couldn’t exactly do that on a bus with the coach and my senpais around.

“Coach, aren’t you going to stop him…?” (Kujouin)

Since Shouta seemed completely serious about this, Kujouin-san turned to the coach.

Considering Shouta’s nature, he might actually act on this idea, so I was hoping the coach would step in and put an end to it. But—

“Sounds interesting. Let him be.” (Coach)

—expecting anything from this guy was a waste of time.

Actually, he’s the root of all this in the first place.

“Maybe I should go talk to her about it today…” (Shouta)

“Wait, Shouta? No, seriously, stop. Don’t do it. She’s busy with her studies, okay?” (Kento)

Seeing Shouta rubbing his chin, looking like he was seriously considering it, I hurriedly tried to stop him.

He could negotiate all he wanted, but there was no way she, someone so devoted to her studies, would agree. All I could see was a future where I’d be the one getting scolded later.

Things were finally going well between us, and there was no way I was letting it go back to the way it was before.

“Her presence clearly gives you strength, right? You were super focused today, and the results speak for themselves—” (Shouta)

“Stop it…! Seriously, just stop!” (Kento)

“Kurogane-kun, Kento-kun clearly doesn’t want this. You should leave him alone.” (Kujouin)

Unlike the coach, who was laughing like he was having the time of his life, Kujouin-san actually tried to stop Shouta.

In times like this, she really was reassuring.

“Well~ I also think Kento’s girlfriend is essential for the team to make it to Koshien. It wouldn’t hurt to at least try asking her—” (Coach)

“Coach~?” (Kujouin)

When the coach took his teasing up another notch, Kujouin-san called out to him with a cheerful smile.

Oh no, that smile…

“W-What is it, Kujouin?” (Coach)

“Do you enjoy bullying your students?” (Kujouin)

Kujouin-san rarely got angry.

In fact, she’d never shown any anger towards a kouhai like me.

But that didn’t mean she was incapable of it—after all, she was human.

And when she did get angry, it looked like this: a bright smile masking a menacing aura that loomed behind her.

Usually, it was the coach, getting carried away, who ended up provoking her.

“Alright, everyone! Let’s have a review session before we get back to school!” (Coach)

The coach, visibly sweating, awkwardly shifted the conversation, addressing the group in an overly casual tone.

“Coach?” (Kujouin)

But Kujouin-san wasn’t about to let him off the hook.

“—Ahem. Shouta, what I said earlier was more of a joke, or at least, something that varies from person to person. While it’s true that Kento focused and delivered results, any influence from Shirakawa Sophia is purely speculative. Above all, imposing our expectations on someone else is absolutely not okay, so drop the idea of asking her. Got it?” (Coach)

Understanding exactly what Kujouin-san was after, the coach, still sweating profusely, reluctantly scolded Shouta.

“If the coach says so, I get it. My bad, Kento.” (Coach)

True to form, Shouta listened to the coach without complaint and seemed to give up on the idea.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

At least now, I was safe from any further headaches.

“Ah, as long as you understand, that’s fine. Kujouin-san, thank you as well.” (Kento)

“It’s fine. This is part of my role, after all.” (Kujouin)

She’s probably the only one who can keep the coach in check.

At times like this, she’s incredibly dependable.

After that, the reflection session began—but…

“Five innings, and we scored nineteen runs. Against today’s opponent, we should’ve hit twenty. Especially the lower batting order—did you lose focus after the big scoring spree in the first inning?” (Coach)

“No, not at all…!” (Team)

“Then why are you swinging at obvious balls? Your pitch selection is way too sloppy. Depending on your attitude in practice, I might replace you with someone else.” (Coach)

“Yes, sir…!” (Team)

Once the meeting started, the coach transformed into a completely different person, exuding a serious and intense atmosphere.

I couldn’t help but genuinely respect how the coach was able to switch gears like that.

If he had kept goofing off during serious moments, it would’ve been a problem.

“Starting next week, we’ve got the prefectural tournament. Tomorrow will be a full rest day to recover from all the fatigue, but we’ll be working hard again next week, so be ready. Everyone, make sure to get today’s score from the manager and reflect on it.” (Coach)

A rest day tomorrow, huh…

The schedule had it listed as practice, so I had been expecting that.

“Kento-kun, do you have any plans for tomorrow?” (Kujouin)

As I was thinking about what to do, Kujouin-san smiled and asked about my plans for tomorrow.

Well, it was probably just casual conversation.

“No, not really…” (Kento)

“Then—” (Kujouin)

“But, I’m worried about… Frost-san’s condition, so I’ll probably stay home.” (Kento)

I thought her cold would be better by today, but it was still best to keep an eye on her.

After all, she was likely to push herself and try to study again.

“—Oh, I see, it’s a cold… Make sure you take good care of her, okay?” (Kujouin)

“…? Yeah, of course.” (Kento)

For some reason, Kujouin-san turned her eyes away awkwardly, and I couldn’t quite figure out why.

After that, an uncomfortable atmosphere settled in.

◆

“—I’m home.” (Kento)

When I got home, I called out from the entrance.

However, there was no answer.

She probably wasn’t in the living room.

I hoped she was just resting in her room, but if she was studying… I’d have to scold her a little.

“Yeah, not in the bathroom either.” (Kento)

The sign on the door said “Unused,” so I opened the door without hesitation.

““…………”” (Both)

For some reason, there was Sophia, completely exposed with her fair skin on full display.

Yes, she was in her naked state, not wearing a single piece of cloth.

Sophia was holding a towel in her right hand, and from the fact that her whole body was wet, it seemed like she had just finished her bath and was trying to dry off.

Her skin, flawless and beautiful, was exposed in a way I hadn’t seen before, and the sight was so alluring that I couldn’t help but stare—

“KYAAAAAA!” (Sophia)

Of course, she came to her senses and immediately went to the door and slammed it shut.

“Don’t mess with me! So you’ve finally shown your true colors…!” (Sophia)

And she was back to shouting in English with all her might…

She looked incredibly angry.

Wait, didn’t I check the sign?

I thought to myself and double-checked the sign on the door.

Yep, it still said, “Unused”.

“My head hurts…” (Kento)

Even if I told her the truth, she probably wouldn’t believe it.

She’d think I secretly changed the sign.

So, at this point, there’s nothing I can do about the situation…

I’m the one who ended up enjoying it, so I figured I should just explain the situation and apologize for now.

“I’m sorry, it was my mistake. The sign said ‘Unused,’ so I didn’t think twice about entering, but I should’ve checked the sounds inside before coming in.” (Kento)

Or, I could’ve knocked first.

I was at fault for neglecting those steps.

“We’ll talk later…! For now, just leave…!” (Sophia)

This doesn’t look good and I was told to leave.

I could understand that much English, but maybe it would’ve been better if I hadn’t.

I could feel my chest ache, realizing I had once again made her upset with me.

“Ugh, all the effort I’ve put in… down the drain. I honestly feel like crying right now…” (Kento)

I placed my hand on my forehead and sighed, looking up at the ceiling as I left the changing room.

Ten minutes later—

“You’re here, right…?” (Sophia)

She called out from in front of my room.

I quickly stepped out and bowed to her.

“I’m sorry about earlier…” (Kento)

“Just… forget about it.” (Sophia)

I had thought she was going to scold me, but instead, she turned her face bright red and looked away shyly.

Is she really not mad…?

“But it was my mistake…” (Kento)

“I was the one who forgot to change the sign, wasn’t I…? Now that you mention it, I don’t remember changing it…” (Sophia)

It seemed like she was properly acknowledging her mistake.

That was surprising…

I honestly thought she wouldn’t admit it.

“Will you forgive me…?” (Kento)

“Forgive you…? No, I’m the one at fault here… So, um, for seeing me like that, I hope you’ll forgive me for getting angry…” (Sophia)

She really has changed…

It’s like she’s a completely different person.

Even if it was a mistake on her end, the old her would never have forgiven someone for seeing her naked.

“No, if you’re forgiving me, then that’s fine. Of course, I’m not angry at all.” (Kento)

Given the dangerous situation earlier, it was understandable that she would be angry.

On top of that, I had enjoyed the situation, so there was no way I could blame her.

“Thank you… Can I ask you something…?” (Sophia)

She let out a sigh of relief, her hand resting on her chest, and then looked up at me with puppy eyes.

I swallowed nervously at her gaze, but I nodded quietly.

“Well… I’m sorry… I misunderstood you… I’ve been rude to you until now, and I’m really sorry…” (Sophia)

Sophia deeply bowed her head in apology.

The turn of events was so unexpected that my mind froze for a moment.

For a second, I even wondered if this was a dream.

It was surprising to me that she was apologizing and reconsidering her view of me.

“What’s with the sudden change…?” (Kento)

I couldn’t help but ask.

After all, I had no idea what had caused her to change so much.

“I’ve had a lot to think about… Especially recently, there have been moments where I’ve really had to face my own mistakes…” (Sophia)

I wondered what exactly she was referring to.

The time I took care of her might be one thing, but I also wondered if she was talking about the time I helped those girls out.

But, to be honest, those actions felt like basic human decency.

It seemed strange that I would be seen as someone who wouldn’t do such things.

—So, she must have thought I was a cold-hearted person who wouldn’t do that kind of thing for others…

“Well, if the misunderstanding has been cleared up, then it’s fine. If you’re willing to face things properly from now on, there’s no problem at all.” (Kento)

After everything that had happened recently, my impression of Sophia had changed too.

I no longer had any negative feelings about living with her. As long as she continued to treat me like she had been lately, there wouldn’t be any issues.

If you want me to forget about the past, I will.

“Thank you…” (Sophia)

“There’s no need to thank me. More importantly, you just recovered, so you should rest properly.” (Kento)

I appreciated her coming to apologize, but if we needed to talk, we could do that later. Right now, it was better for her to take it easy and rest.

“Ah, the match…” (Sophia)

As I was about to lead her back to her room, she asked about the result of the game.

She must have been thinking about it all this time while waiting at home.

“Of course, we won, just like I promised.” (Kento)

She probably blamed herself for what happened, so I absolutely couldn’t afford to lose.

Though I denied it to the coach, I truly believe that the reason I was able to concentrate so well today was because of her.

“That’s great… Congratulations on making it to the prefectural tournament.” (Sophia)

“――!” (Kento)

After letting out a relieved sigh, she congratulated me with a very cute smile.

My heart started pounding loudly, and I reached out to grab both her shoulders, spinning her around.

“Eh…?” (Sophia)

Of course, she was confused by my sudden action.

“As I said earlier, you need to rest. I’ll go buy dinner, so send me a text about what you’d like.” (Kento)

I was probably blushing right now because I felt extremely hot.

I didn’t want her to see my face, so I tried to cover it up like this.

“I’m already feeling fine though…” (Sophia)

“It’s important to rest when you’re just getting better.” (Kento)

I gently pushed her back, and reluctantly, she went back to her room.

“—Phew… that was close…” (Kento)

Once I returned to my room, I leaned against the door and sat down on the floor.

Her smile, coming out of nowhere, had an unbelievable destructive power.

Honestly, it felt unfair.

She had been distant and cold until now, but suddenly she showed me such a sweet smile— it was way too effective for a guy with no experience with women…

Living with a girl like that from now on… I wasn’t sure if my heart could handle it in a different way.

By the way, the message that Sophia sent me was:

[Rather than buying something, I might prefer Shirakawa-kun’s porridge…]

It was so incredibly cute that I ended up being taken in once again.

◆

“Huh…? No club activities today…?” (Sophia)

The next morning—while I was washing my face in the bathroom, Sophia walked in.

“Today’s a rest day. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be training hard again for the prefectural tournament, so they told us to take it easy.” (Kento)

“A rest day…” (Sophia)

For some reason, Sophia stared at me intently.

Did she need something?

“What about you, Sophia? Do you have cram school today?” (Kento)

“No, mine’s on break too. Apparently, there’s a cold going around at the school.” (Sophia)

Both of us had the day off—it was a rare coincidence.

Usually, neither of us spends the entire weekend at home.

That being said…

“A cold is going around… Could it be…?”(Kento)

I instinctively glanced at her, thinking of a possible cause.

“Th-that’s not it…! It was already spreading around before that…! If anything, I was the one who caught it from someone else…!” (Sophia)

Even though the distance between us had lessened, it seemed her habit of switching to English when flustered hadn’t changed.

Since she denied it, it probably wasn’t her fault.

So, it must have been going around from the start.

“Well, since you have the day off, why not take it easy again today? You’re always studying so much anyway.” (Kento)

While I figured she was probably fine now, I still hoped she’d rest if possible. Otherwise, she’d just dive back into her intense study sessions.

“Ah, but…” (Sophia)

As expected, she hesitated the moment I suggested taking a break from studying.

I understood how important it was to her, but overdoing it wasn’t good. Somehow, I needed to get her to rest properly.

“Perhaps it’s uncomfortable to take a break?” (Kento)

“Well, that’s yes, but…” (Sophia)

What’s going on?

It’s rare for her to sound this hesitant.

Could it be that her reluctance stems from something else entirely?

“If you have something you want to say, just come out with it. No need to hold back, right?” (Kento)

At this point, we weren’t the kind of people to hold back with each other.

She used to say whatever she wanted without hesitation not too long ago.

“Um, well… since we’re both free today, maybe… maybe we could go somewhere…?” (Sophia)

Sophia hesitantly fiddled with her index finger while her gaze cast downwards, avoiding my face.

“Eh?” (Kento)

I tilted my head reflexively, not expecting her suggestion.

“W-Well, I just wanted to thank you…! For helping me and taking care of me while I was sick—that’s all! There’s no hidden meaning behind it…!” (Sophia)

She looked up at me, her cheeks flushed red as she earnestly explained herself.

Since she was speaking in Japanese, she probably wasn’t panicking. The redness in her face might simply be due to the natural embarrassment of her age.

Honestly, I was surprised she invited me, but—this could be a good change of pace for her.

She’s always been tied up with cram school and self-study, without much time to enjoy herself. Spending time like this could do her some good.

The only problem is… I have no experience hanging out with girls.

“Alright, let’s go out.” (Kento)

“Really!?” (Sophia)

When I agreed, Sophia’s face lit up with a radiant smile.

She must have mustered a lot of courage to ask me.

Feeling my heart race at her expression, I tried to respond with a smile of my own.

“Yeah, it’s important to have fun sometimes. Is there somewhere you’d like to go?” (Kento)

“Ah…” (Sophia)

I thought she might have a plan in mind, so I asked, but her expression darkened immediately.

Did I just step on a landmine…?

“Something wrong?” (Kento)

“……” (Sophia)

Sophia stayed silent, her gaze falling to the floor again.

She gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, looking as though something was weighing heavily on her.

I couldn’t think of anything I might have said to upset her.

“If there’s something on your mind, feel free to tell me.” (Kento)

I repeated similar words to her again.

After all, I can’t read minds—unless she puts it into words, I won’t know what’s bothering her.

If something is troubling her, I’d like to hear about it.

“Sorry… I’ve never hung out with friends before… so I don’t even know where to start.” (Sophia)

Sophia spoke in a quiet, downcast voice, clearly lacking her usual energy.

I see. By asking her where she wanted to go, I ended up putting her in a tough spot.

As always, she’s so earnest, in a way that’s almost endearing but also a little troubling.

“You don’t need to stress about this alone. I only asked if there was somewhere you’d like to go. You don’t have to decide, and if you’re unsure, we can figure it out together..” (Kento)

I just wanted to respect her feelings if she had a place she wanted to go. I wasn’t trying to make her decide.

If she didn’t know where to go, then I could decide for her.

…Though, to be honest, my ideas are probably as basic as they come.

“Like I said before, is there really no place you’re curious about or want to see?” (Kento)

I asked her again, clarifying my intent to avoid any misunderstanding.

But—

“No… I really don’t know where I’d want to go…” (Sophia)

She shook her head from side to side.

Since she’d never shown interest in going out to play, maybe she didn’t even know what kinds of options were out there.

It seemed like I’d better make the suggestions myself.

When it comes to classic spots for a guy and a girl to hang out together…

“How about an amusement park?” (Kento)

I mentioned the first place that came to mind, somewhere I thought would be fun to visit with her.

“An amusement park…” (Sophia)

“Do you not like the idea?” (Kento)

She softly repeated the words “amusement park” as if savoring them, and I couldn’t quite grasp what she meant, so I asked.

Then, she eagerly nodded her head up and down.

“I want to go to an amusement park…!” (Sophia)

“Great, then let’s get ready and head out!” (Kento)

And so, we decided to head to the amusement park.

After changing my outfit, I returned to the living room and—

“How do I look…?” (Sophia)

I was captivated by the sight in front of me.

She was wearing a sleeveless summer sweater in a soft pink shade on top and a white mini-skirt on the bottom.

Her usual casual outfits were more conservative, so seeing her in something that revealed more skin was a first for me.

Honestly, I was surprised she even owned something like that.

“It looks really good on you…” (Kento)

Lacking the words to say anything more eloquent, I could only manage such a simple comment, though I genuinely meant it.

More than anything, she looked so stunning that it was hard to keep my excitement in check.

“I see… that’s a relief.” (Sophia)

It seemed like she had worked up the courage to wear this outfit, and now she was visibly relieved, gently placing a hand over her chest.

“That’s a rare outfit for you…” (Kento)

To be honest, it was at a level where I didn’t know where to look.

I felt an urge to keep her like this all to myself and not show her to any other guys.

“I thought it might be better to wear something easy to move in… and since it’s my first time, I picked the one that I thought would make you happiest…” (Sophia)

I caught the first part, but in the latter half, she mumbled softly while looking down, so I couldn’t catch what she said.

“Sorry, what did you say after ‘something easy to move in’?” (Kento)

“I said that since it looks like it’s going to be hot today, I thought something cooler would be better.” (Sophia)

When I asked, she shyly tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled as she answered.

This was too much—she was seriously too cute…

Wait, am I dreaming right now…?

If this turns out to be a dream, I’d seriously cry.

“Uh… well, let’s head out then.” (Kento)

Trying not to let my admiration show, I left the room first.

I had to be careful… one wrong move and she’d probably go back to her usual distant attitude.

That was something I definitely didn’t want to happen.

◆

“So this is an amusement park…” (Sophia)

After taking the train and bus to an amusement park near the sea, Sophia blinked in awe as she gazed at the entrance.

“You’ve never been to an amusement park before?” (Kento)

“I was never taken to one because I’d draw too much attention.” (Sophia)

I figured being too good-looking could be troublesome.

Even now, she was attracting a lot of attention.

With how cute she is, it couldn’t be helped.

“If you don’t like being stared at, we could get you a hat to cover your hair. They probably sell some at the shop.” (Kento)

“I’m already used to people staring, so it’s fine.” (Sophia)

I asked out of concern, but it seemed it was unnecessary.

To be accustomed to this level of attention on a daily basis… that’s pretty incredible.

If it were me, I don’t think I could handle it.

“If it’s too much, just let me know.” (Kento)

“Yes, thank you.” (Sophia)

I was struck again by her smile, my heart racing as if I were facing a completely different person.

It felt like I was interacting with someone else entirely, and my heart might not be able to handle it during this date — or the amusement park trip. By the time the day ends, I might just die from the excitement.

“What do you want to ride first?” (Sophia)

“You can decide, Sophia.” (Kento)

I wanted her to have a great time today, so I thought it would be best to let her choose what she wanted to do.

But then—

“I don’t know…” (Sophia)

She returned a troubled smile.

If she’d never been here before, I guess she wouldn’t be familiar with the attractions.

It seemed like it would be better if I took the lead.

“Well then, how about we start with that one?” (Kento)

I pointed to the roller coaster, a signature attraction of the amusement park, full of thrilling excitement. The screams of the people currently riding it could be heard, and it sounded like they were having a lot of fun.

“……” (Sophia)

Sophia stared at the roller coaster, frozen in place, not moving at all.

I wondered what was going on.

“Are you… scared of it?” (Kento)

I chose it thinking she’d enjoy a thrilling ride like that, but if it turns out she doesn’t like such things, it might be better to skip it. I didn’t want to force her into something she wasn’t comfortable with.

“F-Fufufu…” (Sophia)

As I waited for her response, she suddenly started laughing.

Her laugh sounded strange, and I instinctively took a step back.

“Sophia…?” (Kento)

“Don’t underestimate me. A ride like that is nothing to me…” (Sophia)

Sophia smiled with a faint trace of sweat on her face.

This… definitely feels forced.

Even as I thought that, she headed off alone toward the roller coaster ride.

“If you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to push yourself, you know?” (Kento)

I caught up to her and tried to stop her.

“I’m not scared or anything. Shirokawa-kun wants to ride this, right?” (Sophia)

She was definitely putting up a brave front. It seemed like she was trying to respect my choice since it was the first attraction I suggested.

But having her push herself for my sake doesn’t sit right with me.

“You’ll regret it, so let’s not do this.” (Kento)

“I’ll be fine.” (Sophia)

Maybe because I was very persistent, she pouted and crossed her arms.

Now she’s definitely sulking.

With things as they were, her stubbornness meant she wouldn’t listen to reason, and in the end, we ended up riding the roller coaster.

And then—

“Kyaaaaaa!” (Sophia)

While riding a roller coaster for the first time in her life, she let out a tearful scream.

◆

“Ugh…” (Sophia)

After getting off the roller coaster, Sophia slumped onto a bench, completely drained.

It must have been terrifying for her.

“Are you okay…?” (Kento)

Since this was entirely my fault, I felt genuinely sorry for what had happened.

“I’m fine…” (Sophia)

But despite her words, she didn’t look fine at all.

I should probably go buy a drink, but leaving her alone makes me uneasy. She’d likely get hit on by someone, and in her current state, she wouldn’t have the energy to fend them off.

“Let’s go get a drink. Can you stand?” (Kento)

“…” (Sophia)

When I spoke, she turned her pale face toward me.

As I thought, it might be too much for her…

“Can I borrow your arm…? I think I can walk with that.” (Sophia)

Even so, she seemed determined to go. Since she didn’t have the strength to walk on her own, she was planning to lean on my shoulder for support.

“Yeah, of course. Go ahead.” (Kento)

I turned my right side toward her.

And then—she clung tightly to my right arm.

“!?” (Kento)

“It’s just easier to balance this way…! There’s no deeper meaning behind it…!” (Sophia)

Her face, however, was clearly flushed red.

Just as she said, leaning her full weight on my arm instead of simply resting her hand on my shoulder might actually make it easier for her to move.

But still, this was something couples would normally do…

This is bad—my heart’s racing so much it feels like it might explode…

“If it helps you keep your balance, then I guess there’s no choice…!” (Kento)

Overwhelmed by embarrassment and nerves, I found myself going along with her reasoning.

“Exactly, it can’t be helped…!” (Sophia)

Sophia nodded earnestly, trying to justify her actions.

From the outside, people were probably thinking, “What’s up with those two…?”

After buying some drinks and sitting down on a bench—

“I’m sorry…” (Sophia)

She apologized, covering her face with her hands as if embarrassed.

She looked like she was regretting it a lot.

“Uh, well…” (Kento)

I really didn’t want her to snap back to reality so suddenly…

I mean, I even went along with it too, so…

“I’m not bothered by what happened earlier, you know?” (Kento)

“It’s not just that… I insisted on riding the roller coaster, and now look at me…” (Sophia)

Ah, so that’s what she meant…

“It’s fine. I get how you feel. We’ve got plenty of time, so let’s just take it easy for a while.” (Kento)

“――!” (Sophia)

I said it with a smile, hoping she wouldn’t dwell too much on it, but she abruptly turned her face away.

Wait, does she think I’m being creepy!?

“…………” (Sophia)

I stared at her, worried, and to my surprise, she slowly began to scoot closer to me, keeping her back turned.

Then―

*Thunk*

Our bodies lightly bumped into each other.

“Eh!?” (Kento)

I hadn’t expected her to get so close, and my surprise escaped as a shout.

Meanwhile, she still had her face turned away from me, but now her left arm was pressed lightly against my right arm.

Her cool skin gently touched mine, and my heartbeat picked up as if I’d just started sprinting.

What led up to this…?

“Sophia…?” (Kento)

“I-I just wanted something to lean on, that’s all…” (Sophia)

When I called her, she explained it as such.

But since we were sitting on a bench with a proper backrest, she could easily lean against that instead. Moreover, she wasn’t even putting her weight on me—just lightly pressing against my arm.

Her excuse of needing something to lean on was clearly a lie, but… I didn’t feel like pointing it out.

“Well, if that’s the case, I guess it can’t be helped…” (Kento)

“Yes, it’s… something that can’t be helped…” (Sophia)

What exactly “can’t be helped,” though? Neither of us seemed to know, and the atmosphere grew strangely awkward and a little ticklish.

Could it be that she has a surprisingly clingy side? 

When she had a fever before, she was pretty clingy too…

Considering how she usually acts, I couldn’t imagine her being clingy at all.

“Um… Sophia, why do you work so hard at studying?” (Kento)

The awkwardness of the silence was starting to get to me, so I threw out a random question to keep the conversation going.

“Because… it’s important.” (Sophia)

She answered honestly, without any sign of irritation or annoyance.

It’s true; we’re always told that studying is a student’s primary responsibility. It has a huge impact on our future paths, so there’s no denying its importance.

But is that the only reason?

“Everyone knows it’s important, but there aren’t many people who work as hard as you do, Sophia. I honestly think that’s amazing.” (Kento)

Plenty of people ignore what their parents and teachers have told them since they were kids and avoid studying.

Honestly, I’m one of those people who didn’t put much effort into studying either. If I could skip class, I would.

That’s why I think Sophia is genuinely incredible for always putting in so much effort to study.

“If you put it that way… Shirakawa-kun, you’re working hard at baseball too.” (Sophia)

“In my case, it’s because I like baseball… Isn’t it normal to work hard at something you love?” (Kento)

“Even so, I think that depends on the person…” (Sophia)

Well, that’s true to a certain extent. How much effort someone puts in can vary based on their goals and reasons.

For people who just enjoy doing what they love, there’s no need to focus on winning, so they don’t have to put in so much effort. On the other hand, those who strive to be the best at something have to put in much more effort.

My goals are to win the Koshien and become a pro, so working hard is only natural for me.

“Do you like studying, Sophia?” (Kento)

Given how much effort she puts into her studies—like some kind of study fanatic—I considered the possibility.

But—

“I guess… I don’t really like it that much.” (Sophia)

Apparently, that’s not the case.

All the more reason her dedication is truly remarkable.

“And yet you work so hard…” (Kento)

“Well, I have to… I don’t know if you’re aware, but… I’m a scholarship student. So, I can’t let my grades drop.” (Sophia)

I had a vague suspicion.

Being in a Special Preparatory Course and entering as the top student likely meant she fell under the school’s scholarship program.

“I see. You want to avoid putting too much burden on our parents, right?” (Kento)

Unlike public schools, private schools inevitably cost more. However, scholarship programs often cover tuition fees, entrance fees, and sometimes even textbook and uniform costs.

Of course, there are different tiers of scholarships, but anything that eases the parents’ burden is a good thing.

“Yes… In my case, though, I chose this school out of my own selfishness…” (Sophia)

That was news to me.

She’d never talked about this before.

I’d always found it curious that someone as brilliant as her, who could have easily gotten into the top school in the prefecture, chose to attend this school. But it seems she had her reasons.

“Selfish?” (Kento)

“That is… I’m sorry, I can’t tell you right now…” (Sophia)

I thought for sure she would open up given the conversation, but it seems it’s not something she can easily talk about.

If it was about getting into her dream university or something, she would probably share it casually… So maybe there’s an issue she’s dealing with?

“I see. Well, whenever you’re ready to talk about it, I’d be happy to listen.” (Kento)

If she doesn’t want to talk, I can’t force her.

I’ll just have to wait until she’s ready to share on her own.

“I’m sorry…” (Sophia)

“There’s no need to apologize. Everyone has things they don’t want to talk about.” (Kento)

I’m not in a position to criticize someone for keeping secrets. After all, I still don’t let her into my room.

“—Anyway, how about we head to the next attraction?” (Kento)

After some casual chatting, it seemed like Sophia had recovered quite a bit, so I stood up and invited her to move on.

“Yeah… I want something more laid-back this time.” (Sophia)

Sophia stood up with a slightly troubled smile and walked next to me.

It seemed like she was done with the intense rides.

As she requested, I decided to bring her to the Ferris wheel.

Then…

“………” (Sophia)

When it was our turn, I had her go in first, but when I sat across from her, she deliberately moved to sit next to me.

I was happy, but at the same time, it felt really embarrassing.

“We’re so high up… It’s beautiful…” (Sophia)

Looking out the window at the view, Sophia let out a soft, thoughtful voice.

She seemed to be admiring the sea, lost in the beauty of it.

“Do you like the view?” (Kento)

“I don’t think anyone would not like it.” (Sophia)

That might be true.

A beautiful view can be calming and sometimes even awe-inspiring.

If she likes to look at scenic places, next time, I could bring her to a suitable place.

…Next time, huh?

When will that be?

Both of us are usually so busy. It’s rare for our days off to line up like this.

There might not be another opportunity like this until the end of the year.

“I want to go to the sea…” (Sophia)

While we were looking at the view together, Sophia mumbled quietly.

“You want to go there now?” (Kento)

The sea is right there, just as we can see from here.

We’d have to leave the amusement park, but if she wants to go, I want to respect that feeling.

But then…

“I’m sorry, I meant it in the sense of wanting to swim…” (Sophia)

“Oh… but now, well…” (Kento)

It’s mid-September, so the beach season is over. Though the hot weather is still around, it’s probably not the best time to swim—especially with jellyfish likely being an issue.

“Yeah… so maybe next year, or something…?” (Sophia)

Sophia glanced up at me for a moment. She seemed like she wanted to say something, but perhaps…

“Want to go together next year, if we can?” (Kento)

I decided to invite her, thinking about how she might feel. The idea of going to the beach meant we’d both be in swimsuits… and just making such a bold invitation made my heart race.

But if I could go with her, I would be genuinely happy.

“Ah…” (Sophia)

Sophia’s cheeks flushed faintly. It seemed like she was aware of what I was thinking too.

But…

“I-If you want to go together, I guess I could go with you…?” (Sophia)

Her reply was a bit hesitant though.

Strange—she had seemed so eager to go earlier, so why did her response feel like this?

Maybe I had misunderstood something…

“Well, it’s not impossible but…” (Sophia)

“You could just say that you wanted to go alone.” (Kento)

When I created an escape route in my response, I was met with a sulking look.

I don’t understand.

I really don’t understand her feelings.

Is it that she just wants to go to the beach and wants me to tag along as a companion, or does she actually want to go with me? Which is it?

I don’t even know how she sees me…

The reason we became closer could simply be that she’s changed her view of me from a stranger to more of a brother figure…

“Well then, let’s go together one day.” (Kento)

For now, it seemed like the right thing to do was to invite her, so I gave it a try.

And then…

“Since you’re the one who said it, you’d better not break your promise, okay…?” (Sophia)

It seemed like I got a roundabout “okay”.

There were still some things I didn’t quite get, but… well, since we can go together, I guess it’s fine.

The problem is that I have to wait almost a whole year… well, I got something to look forward to at least.

After that, we went on some classic rides like the merry-go-round and the teacups.

Then, something caught my eye—

“There’s a haunted house? Want to go in?” (Kento)

“Absolutely not…!” (Sophia)

When I invited her to the haunted house, Sophia shook her head vigorously and refused.

It turns out, she’s surprisingly scared.

Now that I think about it, she was also afraid when we walked down a dark street.

“I was just joking.” (Kento)

“You’re so mean…” (Sophia)

When I said it with a smile, she shot me a sulking look in return.

Her cheeks were puffed out a little, making her look just like a child.

Even this childlike side of her made me think she was incredibly cute.

Somehow, almost everything she did seemed cute to me.

…I might be in serious trouble.

“What should we do next?” (Kento)

“Anything except the haunted house and the roller coaster…” (Sophia)

“I know that.” (Kento)

I gave her a troubled smile as she sulked.

That’s right, I had forgotten because the mood had changed, but she was the type to hold grudges.

It would probably be better not to tease her too much.

“There’s also a swing ride, you know? It’s not scary at all, and it’s actually really refreshing.” (Kento)

Of all the rides I used to go on as a kid, that one might have been my favorite.

“……” (Sophia)

For some reason, Sophia was staring at me with narrowed eyes, suspiciously.

Is she doubting me…?

“You don’t need to give me that look. It’s not a lie, you know?” (Kento)

“……Shirakawa-kun, you can be a bit mean sometimes…” (Sophia)

She was still pouting, her lips pushed out in a sulky expression.

Maybe she still thinks that I’m lying and trying to scare her again.

Maybe she even thought I mentioned the roller coaster out of meanness, to trick her into riding it.

This probably started with me trying to get her into the haunted house earlier.

After that, she probably assumed I was deliberately being mean to her.

Looking back, I shouldn’t have said it was a joke.

“Just try riding it first. It’s really fine, so don’t worry.” (Kento)

“It’ll be too late by then?!” (Sophia)

Well, that’s true. If we ride it and she finds out I was lying, she’ll experience the fear for herself, and by then, it’ll be too late.

But this time, it really was safe, so I just dragged her into the line without letting her worry.

“……” (Sophia)

“You don’t need to make a face like it’s the end of the world…” (Kento)

When we sat on the swing, she tightly gripped the chain above her with a pale face.

She probably wasn’t afraid of heights, just scared in general.

“You’ll regret this later…” (Sophia)

It seemed like she was really terrified, her eyes losing their usual light.

It really is fine, though…

What happened afterward was—

“Shirakawa-kun, let’s ride it again…!” (Sophia)

She ended up really liking it, so I was spared from any grudge she might have.

After riding it about three times, she suddenly suggested we ride the ferris wheel again, so we headed over there.

“You really liked the ferris wheel, huh?” (Kento)

“Yeah, this might be my favorite… Can we ride it at night too?” (Sophia)

As we gazed at the view from the Ferris wheel, she asked with anticipation.

“Of course. I’m sure the night view is just as beautiful.” (Kento)

“…I wish I could see it.” (Sophia)

Since tomorrow she’d have school, cram school, and club activities, we planned to head back before sunset for an early rest.

If she really wanted to see it, I considered pushing back our return time… but…

“Wanna stay here until night?” (Kento)

“Mm, it’s fine for today.” (Sophia)

I asked just in case, but she shook her head.

It seems she really can’t neglect her studies after all.

If there was one thing I understood about her, it was that she was serious, and studying was important to her, so it couldn’t be helped.

I hope we can come back to the amusement park together again sometime… but I wonder when that will be.

It looks like she enjoyed everything that happened today, so I think she’d probably want to come again.

Well, the person she might want to come with might not necessarily be me…

◆

“That was fun…” (Sophia)

On the way back from the amusement park, when we got on the bus, Sophia smiled as she sat next to me.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. It wasn’t so bad for your first time right?” (Kento)

“Yeah, I think I really had fun for the first time in a while.” (Sophia)

Aside from the roller coaster ride, she had been laughing and enjoying herself the whole time.

She wasn’t the type to smile much normally, so that must have been her way of letting loose.

Honestly, it was really cute to see her like that.

“I think it’s good to do a little bit of fun stuff like this, not just study all the time, you know?” (Kento)

“That’s a separate matter.” (Sophia)

“Ah…” (Kento)

Damn, I thought I could get her to agree with that logic.

Well, she was working hard on her studies, so I probably shouldn’t get in the way of that too much.

From an outsider’s perspective, it’s almost worrying how much she crams in her studying…

“But Shirakawa-kun, if someone told you to quit baseball and just go play, you’d refuse, right?” (Sophia)

“Yeah, I would.” (Kento)

That’s exactly what happened back in middle school when I couldn’t get along with some classmates.

“It’s the same thing. Don’t worry, I’m doing it within my limits.” (Sophia)

What about the fact that you collapsed just recently, though?

—But I can’t exactly say that.

It was because those girls splashed water on her so that definitely played a part.

“Still… I’ve realized that taking breaks is necessary sometimes…” (Sophia)

It seems like coming to the amusement park today was the right call after all.

Even if it’s rare, if she can take breaks like this on her own, I won’t have to worry as much.

As I was thinking about such things…

“That’s why… if I ever need a break, can you help me…?” (Sophia)

Somehow, I got dragged into this.

“Help…?” (Kento)

“Well, you see… I don’t know how to take breaks, so you have to show me, Shirakawa-kun…” (Sophia)

I see, so basically, she wants me to take her out like I did today.

Since she’d never been to an amusement park before, it’s likely she really doesn’t know many places to have fun.

For a moment, I thought it was an invitation for a date… damn it.

“Yeah, sure. Next time when we’re free, let’s go out again.” (Kento)

Since it’s rare for our days off to match up, that frequency should be just right.

When I have some time, I’ll need to find places to take her… for a date, I mean—somewhere to have fun.

“It’s a promise, so if you break it, I’ll be mad.” (Sophia)

“Alright, alright.” (Kento)

She said it with a hint of embarrassment, her cheeks flushed as she said something surprising, and I couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly in response.

I thought she’d become a bit more honest with herself, but it seems like she couldn’t completely change that fast.

But I find this part of her cute, so I’ll take things slow and go along with it.

“…Hey, can I ask for one last selfish thing…?” (Sophia)

I thought the conversation was over, but it seemed like she still had something to say.

“It’s not like it has to be the last thing, but what is it?” (Kento)

“Well…” (Sophia)

She hesitated, her gaze wandering as if she was unsure about how to ask.

What could she be about to say?

I waited for her to speak, and then she said it:

“I want to play catch…” (Kento)

Once again, she said something I never expected.

Catch ball?

Why?

That thought crossed my mind, but… if I asked, she might misunderstand and think that I didn’t want to do it.

So, I swallowed those words.

“By the time we get home, it will probably be sunset, so we won’t be able to play for too long… but of course, it’s fine.” (Kento)

I decided to play catch with her.

When we got home, I pulled out two gloves that I used to use.

“Here, take these. Sorry if they smell a bit.” (Kento)

I had kept them in good condition, but with age, they had picked up a smell. Since I didn’t have any new ones, she’d just have to deal with it.

“You had gloves too… not just a mitt?” (Sophia)

Sophia looked at the gloves with surprise.

A mitt is something used by catchers and first basemen, separate from a regular glove.

Honestly, if someone wasn’t interested in baseball, it wouldn’t be surprising if they confused a mitt and a glove for the same thing… but surprisingly, she seems to have some knowledge of the game.

“This glove… well, it’s the one I used when I played catch with my dad.” (Kento)

My dad liked baseball too, and we used to play catch a lot back in the day.

But after I kind of gave up during middle school, we stopped playing.

“Do you know how to catch and throw properly?” (Kento)

“Yeah, no problem.” (Sophia)

Sophia said this with a proud expression.

She looked confident, but… I couldn’t imagine her playing baseball.

“Well then, let’s head to the park.” (Kento)

We walked to a nearby park.

After some light stretching, we began playing catch.

“Haa…!” (Sophia)

Paan! 

The ball that came flying towards me was so fast and precise, that it was hard to believe it came from a girl.

It had a beautiful backspin that made it look almost mesmerizing, and it was clearly not a throw from an amateur.

“You’ve played baseball before…?” (Kento)

I had been watching her form when she threw the ball. Her upper and lower body worked together seamlessly, and she focused all her strength on her fingertips with a beautifully executed throw.

“I’ve never played before.” (Sophia)

But she insisted she had no experience.

“No way. That throw doesn’t come from someone with no training. You clearly learned from someone.” (Kento)

If that wasn’t the case, then she must be a natural talent.

If that were true, I’d suggest she start playing women’s baseball right away.

“Well, my dad taught me.” (Sophia)

“Wait, your dad?” (Kento)

When did he ever teach her that? He didn’t even teach me how to throw properly.

I thought that, but then she continued…

“I mean my other dad, who already passed away, he was really good at baseball. We used to play catch together all the time.” (Sophia)

I see, it’s her late father…

That answer made it clear why she had wanted to play catch. Playing catch must have been an important memory of her time with him.

“He must have been an amazing person.” (Kento)

“You can tell?” (Sophia)

“Not many people can teach such a perfect form.” (Kento)

To teach someone, you need the knowledge yourself; you can’t pass on what you don’t understand. Throwing with such a clean backspin isn’t as simple as just explaining it. The way her straight pitch rotated, almost perfectly vertical, was something I had only ever seen Shouta pull off before her.

If I could, I’d love to have met her father before he passed away.

…Though, if he were still alive, she and I might never have met in the first place. It’s a wish that could never be fulfilled.

“Fufufu…” (Sophia)

She smiled softly, clearly happy that I praised her father. Just seeing that smile warmed my chest.

“Hey, I have something I want to ask. Would it be alright?” (Sophia)

“Of course, go ahead, no need to hold back.” (Kento)

As we continued tossing the ball back and forth, our conversation mirrored the rhythm of our throws.

“Why did you start playing baseball?” (Sophia)

I’d been asked about my thoughts on baseball before, but no one had ever asked me why I started. It seemed she was curious about that too.

“When my dad took me to watch a professional baseball game, I saw the players on the field excelling. I just thought they were really cool, and that’s what got me into it.” (Kento)

I kept the explanation short and simple. There are probably countless players out there who started baseball for the same reason as me.

“Do you have a player you look up to?” (Sophia)

“Yeah, though he’s no longer with us. He’s been my idol since I was a kid.” (Kento)

“……” (Sophia)

When I said that and tossed the ball back, she caught it and froze in place. Then, she stared at me intently.

“What’s wrong?” (Kento)

“What’s that person’s… name?” (Sophia)

Sophia looked at me with a serious expression. I don’t understand why she was looking at me like that…

Even though he’s no longer here, and mentioning his name wouldn’t change anything…

“You’re not going to tell me…?” (Sophia)

“…” (Kento)

A faint voice reached me, and I instinctively held my breath.

I couldn’t understand why she seemed so hung up about this subject, but with her pleading tone, there was no way I could dismiss her question.

“Riley Clark. He’s a former professional who I respect the most and always thought was the coolest.” (Kento)

When I answered honestly, her eyes widened in surprise.

And then—

“Just as I thought… Maybe it really was fate that brought us together…“ (Sophia)

—with an expression of pure happiness, she smiled.

I couldn’t fathom the reason behind her reaction.

But—her smile, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, was so captivating that I couldn’t help but be captivated.

---

Thanks for reading!

MC pls, you should have already caught on by now that she’s a tsundere. Although, I didn’t expect that there would be a connection between MC and Sophia. Maybe it is fate after all.

Here, just take the entire chapter as a Happy New Year gift. There are even 3 illustrations to along with it. All that’s left is the epilogue and it’s like only a couple of lines so hopefully I can get it out by tmr.

---

1. None

<Sophia’s PoV>

“――Mnn?” (Sophia)

The soft chirping of little birds slowly woke me up.

I didn’t remember going to sleep last night… but somehow, I had drifted off.

When did I—

“――You’re awake?” (Kento)

“…Eh?” (Sophia)

My mind froze for a moment as his face appeared in front of me.

Why… why is he here? Why is Shirakawa-kun in my room…?

“~~~!? W-what are you doing!? Why are you in my room!?” (Sophia)

“Calm down, your fever will go up again if you get worked up.” (Kento)

“That’s impossible…! You’re in my room, you must have done something weird—!” (Sophia)

I stopped myself there, realizing something.

After living with him for a while, I’d come to learn something about him—he’s not the kind to do anything reckless.

There was no way he would do something like taking advantage of me while I was in bed.

So, there must have been another reason for him being here—and then I recalled his words: “Your fever will go up again if you get worked up.”

…Ugh… My head is starting to hurt…

“Hey, you’re holding your head. Does it hurt?” (Kento)

He asked gently, clearly concerned about my actions.

“It’s not that… It hurts, but it’s not that kind of pain…” (Sophia)

“…?” (Kento)

He tilted his head in confusion, not understanding what I meant.

But I didn’t want to explain it.

My head really does hurt… How could I complain to him, the one who took care of me?

“Are you really okay?” (Kento)

“Yeah, I’m fine…” (Sophia)

It’s just my heart that hurts; my body has fully recovered.

I owe that to him for taking care of me.

“I’m glad to hear that.” (Kento)

He must have really been worried about me.

He gave me a genuinely kind smile.

“—-!” (Sophia)

That smile made me hide my face in the blankets.

“Hey, are you really okay…?” (Kento)

“I told you, I’m fine…” (Sophia)

It’s just that right now, I can’t show my face…

“But your ears are red. Did your fever come back…?” (Kento)

I lifted the blanket up to cover my face, but it seemed I wasn’t fully hidden.

“Baka…“ (Sophia)

This fever wasn’t caused by a simple cold, but something else entirely.

He’s usually sharp, but when it comes to things like this, he’s so dense…

“…Well, just don’t overdo it. If you’re still tired, you can sleep some more.” (Kento)

It seemed like he misunderstood why I hid under the blanket.

But right now, it was more convenient for me that he thought that way.

Since he didn’t seem like he was planning on leaving the room, he was likely going to continue taking care of me.

“You’re not sleeping, are you…? You should sleep in your own room…” (Sophia)

“I’ll sleep properly later.” (Kento)

“I see…” (Sophia)

He was so stubborn that no matter how much I tried to persuade him, he wouldn’t rest until I did.

So, I decided to take advantage of his words and allowed myself to fall asleep again.

Of course, I made sure to turn my back to him and close my eyes so he wouldn’t see my sleeping face.

And when I finally woke up, it was already noon.

◆

“Ah, you made porridge again…” (Sophia)

When Shirakawa-kun brought the freshly made porridge to me, I couldn’t help but smile a little.

But I didn’t want him to see me in such a sloppy state, so I quickly looked down.

“Your fever’s gone, but your cold’s not fully healed yet. It might not taste great, but please eat it.” (Kento)

“You don’t have to be so modest…” (Sophia)

I already knew it tasted good enough.

“Do you have the strength to eat?” (Kento)

“If I said no, would you feed me…?” (Sophia)

I glanced at him, hoping for an answer.

He shifted his gaze nervously, scratching his cheek in embarrassment.

“Well, if you can’t muster the strength, you might burn yourself trying to eat. Sophia, if you don’t mind, I can feed you.” (Kento)

His face had a faint blush, and it was clear that he was embarrassed.

Even for someone like me, he still recognized me as a girl.

Strangely enough, I felt happy about that now.

In the past, I would have hated being treated this way.

“Well… I don’t want to burn myself, so—wait a minute.” (Sophia)

I suddenly paused, feeling that something was off.

“What’s wrong…?” (Kento)

He asked, but he wouldn’t look me in the eye.

It felt like he knew what I was going to say.

“What did you just call me?” (Sophia)

“……S-Sophia.” (Kento)

Shirakawa-kun turned his face away and, looking flustered, called my name.

So I wasn’t mistaken after all!

“Why are you suddenly calling me by my first name…!?” (Sophia)

“No, it’s just that Sophia told me to call her that…!” (Kento)

“I did!? There’s no way I—!” (Sophia)

I was about to argue, but then a bad memory crossed my mind.

…No, wait. I didn’t want to think about it.

It was faint, but I could clearly remember saying something like that in my dream, acting all cute and clingy toward him.

Except, that wasn’t just a dream…!

“~~~~!!” (Sophia)

Embarrassed, I buried myself deep into the blanket.

I can’t take this anymore!

Why do I have to keep going through such embarrassing situations…!?

What in the world did I even do…!?

“U-Um, are you okay…?” (Kento)

Just like before bed, Shirakawa-kun spoke with a worried tone.

“If there’s a hole, I’d want to crawl into it…” (Sophia)

No, actually, I just want to disappear…

This is enough shame for a lifetime…

“Well… if you don’t like it, I can go back to calling you Frost-san…?” (Kento)

Seeing me writhing in embarrassment, he must’ve misunderstood and thought I didn’t like it.

Shirakawa-kun made that suggestion.

“……It’s fine… I don’t care anymore…” (Sophia)

“No, but…” (Kento)

“I said it’s fine!” (Sophia)

If I let him switch back to calling me by Frost, it would just make it seem like I’m actually conscious of it…!

Even though I’m going through all this embarrassment, I need to make sure he doesn’t think I’m aware of him…!

That’s right, I just need to stay calm, stay calm…

“Well, if Sophia is fine with it, then I guess it’s fine…” (Kento)

When he called me by my name, an uncomfortable yet pleasant feeling washed over me.

It was like a mix of embarrassment and happiness… that kind of feeling.

“Won’t you eat your porridge? It’ll get cold…” (Kento)

As Shirakawa-kun said, if I don’t eat it now, the porridge will get cold.

He had made it for me, so it would be rude to let it cool down.

“Y-Yeah, you’re right… I, I mean, I might accidentally burn myself, so… um…” (Sophia)

I said that as I poked my face out from under the blanket, trying to steer the conversation back to the earlier exchange.

Having never really relied on anyone before, I didn’t know how to act when I needed to depend on someone.

Especially after I’d treated him so badly, I couldn’t suddenly become honest and clingy… so I ended up coming up with an excuse.

“Got it…” (Kento)

He said, his voice tense, as he awkwardly took the porridge from my hand.

Then, after blowing on it with his breath, he scooped it up with the spoon and offered it to me.

“Here, ah~n.” (Kento)

“…Ah~n.” (Sophia)

When it came time for him to feed me, the embarrassment surged within me, but I obediently opened my mouth.

As the spoon entered my mouth, I used my lips to pull out just the porridge inside.

When the spoon left my mouth, I slowly began to chew.

“It’s delicious…” (Sophia)

“I’m glad to hear that.” (Kento)

When I honestly shared my thoughts, he smiled happily.

Just seeing that smile made my heart race.

“Take your time to eat, okay?” (Sophia)

He said that and once again offered me the spoon with more porridge.

Not wanting this moment to end, I took him up on his offer and slowly continued eating the porridge.

And then, when that warm and comforting moment came to an end…

“Thank you for the meal.” (Sophia)

Having finished the porridge, I put my hands together and bowed my head.

It was really delicious.

My mom’s cooking is also very good, but this porridge has a different kind of deliciousness.

It was, how should I say, something that warmed my heart…

Though I could never say that to him.

“It was a simple meal. Since you just ate, don’t overdo it, okay?” (Kento)

“Yeah, I know.” (Sophia)

“I’ll go wash the dishes, so if you need anything, just call me.” (Sophia)

He said that and got up from his chair.

He’s really considerate…

“I’m sorry, not only did I make you take the day off from club activities, but I’ve also made you take care of me…” (Sophia)

I was about to continue, but suddenly, an unsettling feeling crossed my mind.

He usually went to club practice at this time.

Normally, today wouldn’t have been any different.

But today…

“Wait, isn’t there a tournament today!?” (Sophia)

Today is Saturday, right!?

It’s not like it’s actually Friday, or some kind of mix-up… is it!?

“…You knew?” (Kento)

He turned back toward me with a troubled smile as he was about to leave the room.

That expression and those words made the blood drain from my face.

“Hurry up and go…! You still have time to make it, right…?!” (Sophia)

The match at our school was the final match of today.

If he left now, he should still make it before the match started.

“There’s no need to panic. I’ve already informed the coach that I’m taking the day off.” (Kento)

“No, that’s not good! You’re a regular, right!? If the starting catcher isn’t there, the team will be thrown off balance…! And besides, if you skip the match, there’s a penalty…!” (Sophia)

The catcher is the cornerstone of the team.

If such a person isn’t present on the day of the match, it’s inevitable that the teammates will feel uneasy.

And someone who skips the game might even get demoted to a substitute.

“Our team isn’t that fragile. Luckily, it’s just a district qualifier, and since it’s a league match, even if I’m not there, we won’t lose to today’s opponent. More than that, it’s hard for them to replace me…” (Kento)

“But still, the position that you worked so hard to get…!” (Sophia)

“Even if I get dropped from being a regular because of the penalty, I’ll just win it back again. More importantly, if you get that worked up, your fever’s going to rise again. Calm down.” (Kento)

He spoke about the game as if it were someone else’s problem, not at all concerned.

Even though I wasn’t the one actually playing baseball, I could imagine just how difficult it must be to secure a regular spot on a prestigious team.

And yet, because of someone like me…

“Please… go to the game… please…” (Sophia)

I stood up from the bed and, almost desperately, grabbed onto his clothes.

“Sophia…” (Kento)

“I can’t bear to keep troubling you like this…” (Sophia)

I managed to squeeze the words out, trying to convey my feelings to him.

“You’re sick, so it can’t be helped. It was because of those General Course kids that your health worsened, and with our parents not here… My coach understands, so don’t worry.” (Kento)

Perhaps because I was holding onto him so tightly, he gently stroked my head, trying to comfort me.

It lightened my mood just a little, but I couldn’t continue relying on him like this.

“I’m already fine now… And if this continues, I’ll just become the kind of woman Kurogane-kun described—someone who gets in the way…” (Sophia)

I knew he was kind, so he wouldn’t mind missing the game because of me.

He’d probably explain things well to everyone around us.

But the fact that I was holding him back wouldn’t change.

I had done so many awful things to him already, and now I was hindering him at such an important moment… I couldn’t bear it.

“…I understand. I’m sorry.” (Kento)

Once again, he gently patted my head.

It seemed like my feelings had reached him.

“Don’t apologize… Shirakawa-kun, you didn’t do anything wrong…” (Sophia)

He had just been kind to me.

He was sacrificing himself for me.

So, there was nothing for him to apologize for.

“I was pushing my own feelings onto you, so I felt that I had to apologize for that.” (Kento)

“What’s with that… you’re being too serious…” (Sophia)

He must have been referring to the fact that he was trying to take care of me even at the cost of missing the game, but there was no one who would criticize him for that.

I, too, felt happy about his feelings and how much he was doing for me.

It was just that I didn’t want to be the one to hold him back.

“I’m sorry… you probably didn’t get enough rest to prepare for the game…” (Sophia)

Now that Shirakawa-kun was determined to go to the game, I apologized for something else that was on my mind.

Normally, he should have rested properly before the game, but because of me, he ended up staying late to take care of me.

If he ends up playing poorly because of insufficient rest, it would all be my fault.

I couldn’t complain if I got blamed for it.

“If… if anything happens… if something goes wrong… you can blame me without hesitation… I mean, it really is my fault…” (Sophia)

I was afraid that if I said it too clearly, it might actually happen, so I carefully chose my words to express my feelings to him.

“This is a choice I made on my own. You didn’t force me into it, so I can’t blame you for anything.” (Kento)

Shirakawa-kun gave me that gentle smile again.

He was such a kind person…

“But—if you’re really worried that then, I absolutely can’t lose today’s match.” (Kento)

“Shirakawa-kun…” (Sophia)

“I promise, I’ll definitely win.” (Kento)

He said that with a smile and immediately left the room.

He must have been in a hurry to get to the venue before the match started.

Honestly, I wanted to go watch, too… but I couldn’t be that selfish.

So, today, I decided to stay quietly at home and wait for his return.

“…My body feels so hot…” (Sophia)

◆

After he left the house, I lay down on my bed and started thinking to myself.

There was something I had realized up until now.

Shirakawa-kun was, without a doubt, a good person.

And not in a way that was some kind of act or a way to try and win my favor.

He was a genuinely kind-hearted and good person.

Even after I had been so cold toward him, he would always help me if something happened. And if I made a mistake, instead of blaming me, he would cover for me.

Normally, if someone who’s been rude to you made a mistake, you’d be justified in scolding them… but he never did that.

The person I had once thought was frivolous—where had he gone?

Even though he still looked the same, he seemed like a completely different person now.

Above all, I’ve come to realize something.

He’s not only serious about baseball, but he’s also putting in the effort behind the scenes.

A person like that… there’s no way I could hate him…

In fact, when I think about all the things he’s done for me up until now…

“No, I can’t… I can’t think like that anymore… It’s just too selfish, isn’t it?” (Sophia)

When I recall everything I’ve done to him, I can’t imagine what could possibly come next.

---

Thanks for reading!

This really is just Sophia’s PoV all the way. Nice to see that they’re finally getting along. Perhaps she can finally cure herself of her tsundere… Well, I highly doubt so.

---

1. None

<Kento’s PoV>

“Kujouin-san.” (Kento)

After club activities ended, I called out to Kujouin-san, who was washing the water jug.

Because of that, not only Kujouin-san but also the other managers turned their gazes toward me all at once, making me feel a bit awkward.

“Oh, Kento-kun, good work. What’s up?” (Nadeshiko)

“Thank you for what happened during lunch. Um… when you were alone with her, she didn’t do anything rude, did she…?” (Kento)

I thought she’d be okay, but I wanted to make sure, just in case.

With the way she usually acts around me, she might have casually said something hurtful, even to people who had done something kind for her out of goodwill.

“Hehe, I don’t know what you’re worried about, but she was a very sweet girl. Rumors are just rumors, after all.” (Nadeshiko)

She clearly understood exactly what I was concerned about.

Relieved that there hadn’t been any issues, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

However—

“Wait, could it be… are you talking about Frost-san!?” (Student)

The other managers looked at me with expressions of extreme surprise.

Even though I hadn’t mentioned her name, they seemed to figure it out.

“That’s right?” (Nadeshiko)

Kujoin-san tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

“A really good girl…? I’ve spoken to her before, and she just gave me a cold response…” (Student)

“Yeah, it was like she didn’t even want to be talked to! She was super scary…” (Student)

“Totally, she felt like an actual ice queen…” (Student)

It seemed that not only Shouta but also a few others had tried their luck and failed miserably.

Everyone here is so socially adept…

“Is that so? Well, in my case, I think it had a lot to do with the circumstances—” (Nadeshiko)

For some reason, Kujouin-san glanced at me briefly.

“Maybe some prince on a white horse managed to melt her icy heart.” (Nadeshiko)

Then, with a meaningful remark, she smiled at me.

“Wait, what are you even saying!?” (Kento)

She said something outrageous, and my face immediately grew hot.

This has to be a complete misunderstanding because of the lunch exchange at noon…!

“Ah~~” (Students) 

The other managers, for some reason, nodded in apparent agreement, all while staring at my face.

The girls are all in the General Course, but I wonder if rumors with exaggerated details about Frost-san and me being lovey-dovey are spreading.

“Kujouin-san, please don’t say things that might cause weird misunderstandings…!” (Kento)

“Is it really a misunderstanding?” (Nadeshiko)

She stared intently at my face with innocent eyes.

“Ugh… I have errands to run after this, so I’m just going to change and head home…!” (Kento)

I didn’t feel like I could win an argument with her, just like with Frost-san, but in a different way.

No matter how much I try to explain myself, I always end up losing before I even notice.

“He ran away.” (Student) 

“Definitely ran.” (Student) 

“That’s rare.” (Student)

The managers behind me were saying whatever they wanted, but I chose to ignore them.

By tomorrow, they’ll probably forget all about what happened today.

…Probably.

“Haa… it might have been unconscious, but it hit the mark, didn’t it…?” (Nadeshiko)

“Senpai…?” (Student)

“Mm, it’s nothing. Let’s hurry up and finish cleaning so we can head home.” (Nadeshiko)

“Okay~!” (Student)

Hearing the energetic voices from behind, I reflexively turned around to see the managers briskly resuming their cleanup.

It seemed our conversation was over.

“I hope they don’t get the wrong idea…” (Kento)

With that thought, I entered the clubroom and quickly changed my clothes.

Some time later—I went to pick up Frost-san from her cram school.

……

“Oh, there she is.” (Kento)

Having already drawn attention before, I decided not to worry about the eyes around me and waited near the cram school. Soon, I spotted Frost-san.

But something felt off.

Wasn’t she wobbling a bit…?

Her steps looked unsteady.

Now that I think about it, it was unusual for her to have overslept this morning… I wonder if she’s okay?

“Frost-san, are you okay?” (Kento)

I quickly called out to her.

“Ah, Shirakawa-kun… You came to pick me up. Thank you…” (Sophia)

When Frost-san noticed me, she smiled brightly.

…She definitely has a fever, doesn’t she?

She’s been acting strange all day.

I mean, normally, she wouldn’t smile at me like this just because I came to pick her up… right?

“You look unwell. Could it be that you’ve got a fever?” (Kento)

What came to mind was the incident during lunch when water was poured on her.

Even though it’s summer, if she was already feeling unwell and then got soaked, it wouldn’t be surprising if her condition worsened and she developed a fever.

“I’m fine… It’s just that today’s lessons were difficult, and I overworked my brain a little too much…” (Sophia)

No… she doesn’t look fine at all.

Still, even if I pressed her about it, I doubted she’d be honest with me.

If anything, she might get upset and insist on going home alone.

In her current state, I’d be in trouble if she made such a selfish demand, so I decided to just keep an eye on her for now.

“What about dinner? Do you want to eat out on the way home?” (Kento)

If she’s feeling this bad, cooking would probably be impossible.

That’s why I asked, but…

“Sorry, would it be alright if we just got a convenience store bento today…?” (Sophia)

Seems like even eating out seemed too much for her.

As I thought, her condition seemed pretty bad.

We should get back home quickly so that she can rest.

“Got it. Let’s grab a bento and get you home to rest.” (Kento)

“Yes, thank you…” (Sophia)

We bought bentos from the convenience store at the station, took the train, and returned home.

After changing into casual clothes, we began eating—but…

“……..” (Sophia)

Frost-san’s chopsticks barely moved.

“Are you really okay…?” (Kento)

“Sorry, I don’t seem to have much of an appetite right now. I’ll eat it later…” (Sophia)

Saying this, she closed the lid of her bento.

“If you’re feeling unwell, let’s go to visit the doctor.” (Kento)

I thought it would be better to have her checked before her condition worsened further.

The night clinic should be able to see her.

However—

“I’m fine… It’s just that I’m tired from everything. I’ll go rest first.” (Sophia)

With that, Frost-san left the living room.

She seemed to be in pretty bad shape… but if she said she’d rest, then maybe it was fine.

For now, I decided to prepare the bath and wash my practice clothes.

After washing my practice uniform and getting the bath ready—

“Frost-san, the bath is ready. Can you take it?” (Kento)

I went to call out to her.

She always takes the bath first, and warming up her body might help.

But there was no response from inside.

Had she already fallen asleep?

“If you’re not going to bathe, it’d help if you could at least bring out your wet uniform for washing…” (Sophia)

Still, there was no response from inside.

“So, no answer after all…” (Kento)

If she’s asleep, there’s no need to wake her up.

With that in mind, I was about to leave the room, but—

“Is she really just asleep…?” (Kento)

A bad feeling crept over me.

If she’s only sleeping, that’s fine.

I’ll deal with the scolding later.

But if she wasn’t sleeping and had fainted instead—thinking that, I hesitantly opened the door to her room.

And there she was—Frost-san, slumped over her desk.

“Hah… hah…” (Sophia)

“Hey, are you okay…!?” (Kento)

Her breathing was clearly irregular, so I quickly placed my hand on her forehead.

“It’s burning up…! You’ve definitely got a fever…!” (Kento)

Frost-san’s temperature was far from normal. It could easily be close to 40°C.

“I’m… fine… it’s just… a cold…” (Sophia)

Her consciousness seemed hazy.

In her right hand was a mechanical pencil, and on the desk were a reference book and a partially filled notebook.

Even in this condition… She said she’d rest, but she was still studying…

“Idiot, why are you studying!? Just rest already!” (Kento)

I was so angry that I couldn’t help but shout at her.

“Be… because…” (Sophia)

“No excuses! Wait here, I’m calling an ambulance right now!” (Kento)

If it were just a fever, I would’ve considered taking a taxi, but with her barely conscious, she needed medical attention immediately.

I called for an ambulance and waited for it to arrive.

After accompanying her to the hospital—

“It’s just a cold. She was already worn out from accumulated fatigue, and staying in wet clothes made her condition worse.” (Doctor)

—It wasn’t a severe infection or anything serious.

I let out a sigh of relief.

I had been asked if there was anything that could have worsened her condition so I mentioned her wet clothes.

“She just needs to rest, right?” (Kento)

“Yes, give her the prescribed medicine and ensure she stays quiet. The fever should go down by tomorrow morning.” (Doctor)

Thank goodness…

She really made me worry…

I gently stroked Frost-san’s head as she slept.

I can’t stand losing someone close to me again.

I was relieved that it was just a cold that would get better with rest.

Afterward, I thanked the doctor, paid the medical fees, and collected her medicine.

Then, I carried her on my back, took a taxi, and brought her home.

“Make sure you rest properly, alright?” (Kento)

I laid Frost-san on her bed, placed an ice pillow under her head, and softly stroked her hair once more.

“Mm…” (Sophia)

Right after I stroked her head, Frost-san’s eyes slowly opened.

Ah… I messed up…

It seemed my stroking had woken her up.

“Shirakawa… kun…” (Sophia)

“Sorry, I woke you up…” (Kento)

Her mind must still be in a haze.

Her eyes were glazed over and feverish.

I really felt bad for waking her up…

“………” (Sophia)

Right after that, she grabbed my hand, which I had pulled away from her head.

“Huh—?!” (Kento)

W-Wait, is she mad that I accidentally woke her up, or is she mad because I touched her without permission…?

I thought that might be it, but then…

“I… want you to keep doing this…” (Sophia)

I wasn’t scolded, but for some reason, she grabbed my hand.

“Frost-san…?” (Kento)

“Sophia…” (Sophia)

“Huh…?” (Kento)

“I’m not Frost anymore… So, please call me Sophia…?” (Sophia)

In a voice that was unusually sweet, like a cat’s purr, she made a request that almost sounded like a plea.

What on earth happened to her?

Was she feeling affectionate because of the fever…?

“Don’t you mind?” (Kento)

I had thought for sure that she’d dislike being called Sophia, so I always called her Frost-san.

That’s why, now, when she asks me to call her Sophia, I feel a little lost.

“Mm… I want you to call me Sophia…” (Sophia)

It seemed that, contrary to what I thought, she actually wanted to be called Sophia.

Now that I thought about it, it made sense. If her last name had changed, it would probably feel strange to still be called by her old family name…

She hadn’t said it sooner likely because of her personality.

“Well then…” (Kento)

It was rare for me to call a girl by her first name, so I felt nervous.

My throat had somehow dried up without me noticing.

But then…

“Sophia…?” (Kento)

I managed to force the words out, calling her name.

“Ah… ehehe…” (Sophia)

She was definitely still out of it from the fever.

She gave me a cute smile, almost like a young child.

“Is this okay?” (Kento)

“Mm…” (Sophia)

She nodded happily, and perhaps satisfied, she closed her eyes.

However, she was still holding my hand tightly, not letting go.

“I guess it can’t be helped, right…?” (Kento)

If this was the usual Frost—no Sophia, she would probably be noisy. But now, she had grabbed my hand, so I couldn’t just leave.

I didn’t want to wake her up by trying to pull my hand away, so I decided to wait until her grip loosened.

More importantly, even though the doctor said her fever would go down by morning, she still had a fever for now.

It seemed like just a cold, but it might be better to take care of her just in case.

“Zzz… Zzz…” (Sophia)

Thanks to the medicine, her breathing became more even, and I could hear the steady sound of her sleep.

She really might recover by the next day.

“Still…” (Kento)

I couldn’t help but stare at her sleeping face.

When she was awake, she seemed cold and even emitted an intimidating aura, but seeing her like this, she looked like a typical girl her age.

She was so cute, to the point where people would compare her to idols. Watching her sleep made me understand why everyone would want to fuss over her.

She was really cute.

Above all, her earlier childlike smile kept replaying in my mind.

“Her room is surprisingly girly… I thought it’d be more bare.” (Kento)

With nothing else to do, I absentmindedly looked around her room.

She must like pink.

The curtains, mats, bed, and furniture were all in shades of white and pink.

There were also lots of stuffed animals—cats, dogs, rabbits—making the room feel girly.

I thought that if I were to give her a stuffed animal for her birthday, she’d probably be really happy.

“—What am I thinking?” (Kento)

There was no way she would accept a gift from me.

It would probably just end with her thinking I was creepy.

…But, as I looked at her today, I couldn’t help but feel a little hopeful that maybe, just maybe…

“Well, chances are that she’s acting like this because of the fever.” (Kento)

If that were the case, it’d be pretty sad if she would reject a gift from me.

I might even start doubting people altogether.

“She sure likes to push me around…” (Kento)

Maybe it’s partly because I never really had close female friends, but even then, there’s no girl who messes with me this much.

Ever since I started living with her, my daily life felt like it had been turned upside down, like I was living in a completely different world.

And from here on, she’d probably continue to push me around.

“But, you know… maybe this kind of life isn’t so bad after all.” (Kento)

Especially over the last couple of days, I couldn’t deny that, deep down, I had enjoyed it.

At first, when we started living together, I felt nothing but dread, but now, being with her doesn’t bother me at all.

Little by little, it seems like we’re getting more comfortable with each other.

“I hope you get better soon.” (Kento)

I said that while staring at her sleeping face.

I waited until her grip loosened, and then when her hand was no longer holding mine, I quietly left the room to take care of my own things.

I soaked in the lukewarm bath, washed both her wet uniform and my own clothes, and hung them up to dry. After that, I threw the laundry—underwear and towels—into the washing machine.

Once everything was done, I returned to her side, took her hand again, and sat by her, staying close to her.

—Of course, when she woke up in the morning, I’d let go of her hand.

---

Thanks for reading!

This girl is really determined to not let him find out that she’s sick. Well, I also sometimes tend to hide the fact that I’m feeling unwell, not that that’s a good practice.

---

1. None

<Sophia’s PoV>

“――What do you want to talk about?” (Sophia)

The day I handed Shirakawa-kun the homemade lunch, for some reason, I had been called behind the school building by a group of girls from the General Course, via a letter.

My body felt heavy since the morning, and I was already feeling worse after the situation at the field, so being called here was the worst.

If it were a guy, the chances of it being a confession were high, but with girls…

“Oh~ you actually came without running away.” (Girl A)

“Haha, you’re such a serious one!” (Girl B)

“Ugh, this is so annoying. Let’s just get it over with.” (Girl C)

“Don’t say that, we need to properly get back at her. A-chan, you hold a grudge, right?” (Girl D)

Waiting for me were a group of four gals.

The letter only had one name written on it, but it seemed they had planned to come as a group of four from the start.

I didn’t recognize the name, but it was clear who they were—those girls who would always bother me every time we met.

It seemed like they disliked me, constantly harassing me.

Just the other day, they had accused me of something, and I had to report them to the teacher.

“It’s not really like I hold a grudge or anything…” (Girl A)

“Eh~? But you were so sad about Kento-kun being taken, right?” (Girl B)

“Don’t exaggerate… It’s not like that at all…” (Girl A)

The girl with a more downer personality sighed while fiddling with her smartphone.

She was always sighing and acting bored whenever I saw her, clearly different in vibe from the other three.

Yet, she always stuck with them, which was strange.

But right now, there was something more important to focus on than all of that.

Kento-kun…?

Could it be that she’s a fan of him…?

Surprisingly, Shirakawa-kun has fans at this school.

After his achievements in the summer and because he’s usually kind and considerate of those around him, there are students who are drawn to those aspects of him.

It seems like the number of his fans has been gradually increasing, and sometimes I receive letters expressing dissatisfaction about the fact that he and I live together.

She’s probably one of them.

“I don’t really get what’s so great about him, though~ Shuuto-sama is way more handsome. And also, he’s the ace of the team.” (Girl B)

“I know right.” (Girl C & D)

The words from the pink-haired, girly girl were met with nods from all the others, except for the downer girl.

Shuuto-sama… I’ve never seen anyone call someone from the same school “sama” in real life…

I understand they’re talking about Kurogane-kun, but to me, who faced him this morning, I don’t see his charm at all.

That person is just scary.

Shirakawa-kun is far better—well, never mind…

“Can you stop talking among yourselves after calling me out here? What exactly do you want?” (Sophia)

I actually had somewhere to be, but I came here specifically for this.

I just want this to end quickly.

“Don’t be so cold. We just want to make up with you, that’s all.” (Girl B)

The girl who seemed to be the leader said this with a smirk, saying things she didn’t mean.

It was clearly a lie.

More than anything, one of them had just said “get back at her.”

“Is it that you can’t do anything unless it’s four against one?” (Sophia)

I tried to act like my usual self, wearing a mocking smile.

If they laid a hand on me, expulsion could be a real possibility.

Even if they wanted to get back at me, there wasn’t much they could do.

“Tch, you’re as annoying as ever.” (Girl B)

“You’re acting all high and mighty, looking down on everyone except yourself, aren’t you?” (Girl C)

“You’re really the worst, you know?” (Girl D)

The three of them closed in, one step at a time.

In contrast, I slowly backed away.

“What, are you running away? Are we that scary to you?” (Girl B)

“It’s not that. It’s just that I don’t know what you might do, so it’s better to keep my distance. You guys seem like the stupid kind, after all.” (Sophia)

“Whenever you open your mouth, you’re such an annoying woman. Don’t worry, though, we don’t plan on using violence.” (Girl B)

“Yeah, exactly. We just want you to apologize. On your knees, in front of us.” (Girl C)

What on earth were they saying?

They clearly wanted to humiliate me, but I didn’t need to listen to them.

“By the way, you’re famous for being smart, but it’s honestly kind of stupid for you to come here all alone.” (Girl B)

“It’s not that, Ri-chan. She probably has no friends to bring with her. You know, a solitary flower and all~” (Girl D)

“Ah, I get it now. Well, with a personality that bad, I guess it makes sense~” (Girl B)

“…………” (Sophia)

They were saying whatever they wanted, not knowing a thing.

That’s why I couldn’t stand these shallow, thoughtless people.

“What’s with that defiant look? You really think you’re in a higher position than us, even now?” (Girl B)

The leader, who had been smirking with a disgusting smile, suddenly shifted to an expression that was borderline threatening.

So, this was her true nature.

“Hey, don’t lay your hands on her. Things will get complicated afterward.” (Girl A)

“We get it, don’t worry, A-chan. We’re not that stupid.” (Girl B)

After saying that, they glanced at the downer girl, and then reached for my clothes.

“No…!” (Sophia)

I instinctively slapped the hand that was coming toward me.

What were they planning to do…!?

“Ouch! Ugh, look at that. It’s all red.” (Girl B)

“Wow, it really is! Should I tell the teacher about this?” (Girl C)

“Hehe, then Frost-san—no, Shirakawa-san might get suspended for using violence.” (Girl D)

Crap, I walked right into their trap…!

Even though I thought that it was already too late.

Once I struck out, I was at a disadvantage.

“It’s because you reached for my clothes…!” (Sophia)

“Do you have any proof?” (Girl B)

The leader-like girl tilted her head with a clueless expression.

So fake…

“Proof…? Well, you don’t have any proof that I slapped you either!” (Sophia)

“No, no, DNE testing? Was it?” (Girl B)

“Haa… It’s called DNA testing.” (Girl A)

“Yeah, DNA testing! A-chan, you’re so smart~ If we have that done, we could prove that Frost-san did it, right? And—” (Girl B)

The leader looked at the downer girl.

“If we edit the video we took and only show the part where Shirakawa-san hit us, we can make it look like she was the one who did it.” (Girl B)

“——!” (Sophia)

I’ve been set up…

Since she had been fiddling with her phone from the moment I arrived, I hadn’t paid much attention, but it turns out she was recording the video…

“What are you going to do? You don’t want to be suspended, right? Then, apologize by getting on the ground. If you do that, we might forgive you—” (Girl B)

“Don’t joke with me! Who would do that?! Even if you edited the video, and I can’t deny that I was the one who slapped you, in the end, you were the one who reached for my clothes first! The teachers will believe me over you, given my usual behavior! Besides, forcing someone to bow down like that is a crime called coercion!” (Sophia)

I desperately rattled off my points.

If I gave in to people like this once, I’d be nothing more than a doormat for them from then on.

I couldn’t let that happen.

“…A-chan, it didn’t work.” (Girl B)

The leader girl shot a cold look at the downer girl.

“I told you, someone like her who thinks things through wouldn’t be easy to trick. And the one who insisted on doing this is—” (Girl A)

“Ah, whatever. I thought maybe it could work since she’s the type to rush in alone without consulting anyone. Anyway, you’re talking about crimes, but?” (Girl B)

“She didn’t record anything, so if we just play dumb, it’ll be fine.” (Girl C)

“Oh, right.” (Girl A)

I started to see it more clearly.

Just because they’re always together doesn’t mean they’re all on the same page.

It’s not just friendship—they probably have some shared interests or benefits that keep them together.

If I could just get away while they’re distracted…

“Ugh, this is getting so annoying.” (Girl B)

The leader-like girl walked over to a rusty faucet nearby.

What was she planning to do? I stayed alert, watching her closely, and then she grabbed the connected hose and twisted the handle hard.

“Eh—ah!” (Sophia)

The water shot out forcefully, hitting me directly.

“R-Rii-chan, that’s going too far!?” (Girl C)

“We just wanted her to bow down and that was supposed to be the end of it!” (Girl D)

It seemed this wasn’t part of the plan, as the other girls were shocked.

I had underestimated her.

“Ugh… seriously, that’s going too far… The teachers are going to find out…” (Girl C)

“If we say she accidentally got splashed while we were playing with water because it’s hot, it’ll just be a warning, right? Anyway, make sure you get a good shot. Her underwear is a rare sight~” (Girl B)

The leader-like girl smirked as she spoke, and I quickly covered my chest with my hands.

The water had made my clothes cling to my body, and my bra was visible through the wet fabric.

“Hey, hey, you guys better help cover this up too.” (Girl B)

“Wait, Rii-chan!?” (Girl C)

“No way, us too?!” (Girl D)

The leader-like girl splashed water not just on me, but also on the two girls, excluding the one with the phone. Then, she drenched herself from head to toe as well.

To go this far without any hesitation…

“She’s crazy…” (Girl A)

The downer-type girl muttered the words I had been thinking.

The other three were too busy splashing water around to notice.

That leader-like girl was a dangerous person.

If I stay here, I have no idea what they’ll do to me.

I need to escape…

“Whoa, where do you think you’re going? We’re not done talking yet.” (Girl B)

As I tried to run, my hand was grabbed from behind.

“Let go…!” (Sophia)

“There’s no point in getting you wet if we don’t get a proper shot, right? Let me take the picture.” (Girl B)

“No…! Somebody, help me…!” (Sophia)

Without thinking, I cried out for help.

“Heh, finally, that expression. After all the times you mocked me, now it’s time to make you suffer even more—” (Girl B)

“—Suffer more, huh?” (?)

“Of course, I’m going to make you—wait, huh…?” (Girl B)

She must have sensed something was off.

The voice didn’t belong to anyone here, and it made her turn toward where the sound had come from.

“Looks like you’re making quite a scene.” (?)

The person who appeared from the corner, looking confused and furrowing his brows, was Shirokawa-kun.

“Sh-Shirokawa-kun…!” (Sophia)

The moment I saw his face, I called out his name before I could even process the thought.

In a desperate situation, an unexpected light shone through.

“Why is Kento-kun here…?” (Girl A)

The downer-type gal, now pale, stared at Shirakawa-kun.

He approached her and spoke.

“Let me guess… you’re Rindou Arise, right? Could you delete that video?” (Kento)

“Y-Yes…” (Girl A)

Rindou-san, the downer-type gal, quickly started tapping away on her phone at his request.

The fact that he knew her name meant… they must have talked before.

“What do you think you’re doing!?” (Girl B)

Naturally, the leader-like gal was furious, as all the effort they had put into their plan was now in vain.

But by the time she was angry, Rindou-san had already finished.

“I deleted it…” (GIrl A)

At this point, no amount of anger would change anything.

“Ah… I remember that you used to come to support so often… such a shame.” (Kento)

Shirakawa-kun nodded but didn’t offer any words of thanks. Instead, he stared at Rindou-san with cold eyes.

Just that was enough to make her slump to the ground as if her legs had given out.

It seemed that being as sharp as she was, she understood what those cold eyes and words meant.

“Uh, w-we didn’t mean to take it this far…” (Girl C)

“Yeah… It was Rii-chan who did it on her own. We were just dragged into this…” (Girl D)

“What are you two saying!?” (Girl B)

Realizing they were at a disadvantage with Shirakawa-kun’s arrival, the two girls decided to distance themselves from the leader.

As they said, it was the leader-like girl who had gone overboard, acting on her own, but…

“I saw everything. Yes, it was Rii-chan over there who threw the water, but before that, didn’t you all harass Frost-san?” (Kento)

Whether he was bluffing or had really been watching from the start, I couldn’t tell.

But, just as he said, the others were equally guilty in my eyes.

“I didn’t do anything…” (Girl A)

Rindou-san, who had collapsed on the ground, muttered quietly.

Since she was a fan of Shirakawa-kun, it must have been painful for her to be disliked by him.

I could understand why she wanted to explain herself.

However…

“By staying with them and not stopping it, you’re just as guilty. Besides, you lent them your knowledge, recorded the video, and cooperated with their schemes. No matter the reason, it’s not something that can be forgiven.” (Kento)

“――Ugh…” (Girl A)

Rindou-san’s eyes welled up with tears at Shirakawa-kun’s calm words.

He likely understood that there was some reason why they were all together, from the way they interacted with each other.

It was probably because of power dynamics within the class or something similar.

But even so, being an accomplice wasn’t something that could be excused.

…For just a moment, I felt a little sorry for her…

“What do you think you’re doing, acting all high and mighty? Do you think you’re the hero here? What are you going to do, without any evidence of us doing anything? Maybe you shouldn’t have erased that video after all?” (Girl B)

The girl, who seemed to be the leader, hadn’t given up yet. She glared at Shirakawa-kun, her eyes narrowed with anger.

“Since you don’t seem very smart, let me teach you something. Eyewitness testimony counts as evidence, you know that, right?” (Kento)

Shirakawa-kun turned his gaze toward me.

So, I nodded and spoke up.

“Uh, yes, eyewitness testimony of an incident is usually accepted as evidence.” (Sophia)

“With that, don’t think you can talk your way out of this just because you’re drenched from head to toe in water. Did you think you could get away scot-free?” (Kento)

I had never seen him this angry before.

At the same time, his presence felt safe and reliable.

The fear I had earlier had completely disappeared.

“…Tch, you’re so disgusting. Acting all serious with this nonsense.” (Girl B)

She turned on her heel as if trying to escape.

The two other girls tried to follow her, but—

“Hold it.” (Kento)

Shirakawa-kun stopped them from running.

“What, is there something else? If you want to snitch to the teachers, go ahead.” (Girl B)

It seemed like she was trying to act defiant.

“You don’t seem to be regretting this at all, so let me make it clear. This girl is someone important to me, someone I consider family. If you lay a hand on her again, you won’t get off easy.” (Kento)

“…!? ” (Sophia)

I was shocked by his quiet but angry words.

Me… Important!?

What is he saying at a time like this?!

“Gross, seriously gross.” (Girl B)

“Ah, Rii-chan, wait for me…” (Girl C)

“Don’t leave me behind!” (Girl D)

“Shut up! You guys sold me out, so remember that!” (Girl B)

The girls argued as they walked away.

—Wait, there’s still one left, though…

Shirakawa-kun walked toward the remaining girl.

…He’s not even going to talk to me…

“Do you regret it?” (Kento)

“Of course…” (Girl A)

“Even if you regret it, what you did won’t go away.” (Kento)

He said something unusually cold.

I had always thought he was someone who couldn’t be cold to others.

“Well, isn’t it possible to start over?” (Kento)

It seemed my assumption wasn’t wrong after all.

His expression remained cold, but he extended a hand to her with his words.

“How… do I do that?” (Girl A)

“Figure it out yourself. It’s not something I should show you.” (Kento)

As he said that, he glanced at me briefly.

Wasn’t that already giving her the answer?

“…Right.” (Girl A)

She seemed to understand, standing up and walking toward me.

“I’m sorry for what I did… I used you for my own sake…” (Girl A)

I don’t know what she’ll do from here, but first, she needs to apologize to me for the terrible things she did.

Or at least that’s why Shirakawa-kun looked at me.

“I get it, wanting to avoid things because you don’t want it happening to you, or needing to go along with others to fit in— I understand that feeling. I’ve often been on the receiving end of that. But I can’t forgive you.” (Sophia)

If she thinks that apologizing will make everything okay, she’s gravely mistaken.

The perpetrators think that an apology will fix things, but it doesn’t clear up the victim’s feelings at all.

“I understand… I don’t expect to be forgiven for something like this…” (Girl A)

It seems she truly gets it.

“Good, then. I don’t know what you’ll do, but I expect you to show your sincerity from here on.” (Sophia)

Whether I forgive her or not depends on her actions from now on.

This is how it should be…right?

When I looked at him with that in mind, he looked so surprised.

What’s with that face…!

Could it be that he thought I was going to yell at her and refuse to forgive her!?

That’s definitely the kind of face he’s making, right!?

Seeing that clearly disrespectful expression, I couldn’t help but think that, but since he had helped me, I forced myself to hold back.

And then—

“Thank you…” (Girl A)

I was suddenly thanked by Rindou-san.

I felt strangely conflicted.

After all, it wasn’t something I should be thanked for.

She then bowed her head apologetically before leaving.

I want to believe that wasn’t just an act.

“Are you okay?” (Kento)

Once we were alone, he finally spoke to me.

This guy isn’t doing this on purpose, right…?

“Yeah, I’m fine…” (Sophia)

I nodded quietly, still a bit bothered by being left alone, but I didn’t want to worry him any further. The physical exhaustion was growing, but I kept it to myself.

…Come to think of it, how exactly did he end up here?

“Um—” (Sophia)

“You’re going to catch a cold if you don’t change soon. But, of course, you can’t walk around the hallway like that… Wait a moment.” (Kento)

I was about to ask, but for some reason, he walked off toward a corner. Then, he picked up a phone that had been on the ground and started fiddling with it.

…Why was there a phone in that place?

“Hello, is this Kujouin-san? Actually—” (Kento)

He made a call and started speaking.

He was probably explaining the situation, but I had no idea who he was talking to…

“They’ll be here soon, so just wait a little longer. In the meantime, let me give you this.” (Kento)

“This…?” (Sophia)

Through a chat app, he sent me a video that had recorded everything from earlier.

It looked like he had been recording the entire thing too.

“It seemed suspicious, and I had seen those girls harassing Frost-san a few times, so I decided to record it just in case.” (Kento)

With solid proof in hand, and yet, he didn’t even hint at it to the girls earlier—this guy sure knew how to play his cards. A catcher, indeed, he was no easy opponent…

“If we use this, you’ll be able to explain why you’re wet to the teachers, and we can get those girls punished. Whatever punishment they end up getting, it’ll be their own fault.” (Kento)

Even if they were to face harsh consequences, there was no need to feel sympathy for them.

“—Sorry to keep you waiting… Wow, you’re really soaked…” (Nadeshiko)

After a short while, a beautiful woman with black hair came up to us.

I recognized her on TV; she was the manager of the baseball team. Her name was Kujouin-senpai, if I remember correctly.

In her hands were a few towels and a jacket from a tracksuit.

“Sorry to interrupt your lunch break.” (Kento)

“No, it’s fine. I just finished eating, actually. Plus, I’m happy you relied on me.” (Nadeshiko)

Kujouin-senpai smiled warmly, a genuinely kind expression on her face.

I had heard rumors about her before, but seeing her up close, I could tell she really was a kind-hearted person.

…They must be really close to each other…

“Thank you. If I went with her, it might cause some misunderstandings, so I was Kujouin-senpai could handle the rest since you’re more trusted with teachers.” (Kento)

“Yeah, it’s also easier to handle things between girls. I’ll talk to the teachers and make sure to get a spare uniform for her, so don’t worry.” (Nadeshiko)

After saying that to Shirakawa-kun, she turned to look at me.

“This is the first time we’re talking to each other, right? I’m Kujouin Nadeshiko, a second-year in the General Course. I’m sorry for what my kouhais did to you.” (Nadeshiko)

She bowed deeply.

“Why are you apologizing, senpai…?” (Sophia)

I couldn’t understand why she was apologizing, so I asked without thinking.

“Well, since they’re from the same course, as a senpai, I need to apologize. Also, I don’t want everyone in the General Course to be seen the same as those who harmed you.” (Nadeshiko)

I see… That makes sense.

People often tend to judge others by the groups they belong to.

If even one person does something wrong, everyone in their group is often judged the same way.

That’s why the school takes strict measures to control students’ behavior, to prevent any bad rumors from spreading.

“Let me help with your hair.” (Nadeshiko)

She draped a towel over my hair and began gently drying it.

“I can do it myself…” (Sophia)

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Everything here is fresh, so don’t worry. I’ll help wipe your body when you change.” (Nadeshiko)

She really seemed like a caring senpai.

Even though we have no real connection, and I’m known for being cold to others, she’s still helping me.

“This is my spare jersey, but you can wear it for now.” (Nadeshiko)

After drying my hair, she put the jacket of the jersey over my shoulders.

“Eh, but my clothes are all wet…” (Sophia)

“It’s fine. It’s actually better if you take them off first, but I’m sure you’re worried about being seen, right?” (Nadeshiko)

Since the only male here is Shirokawa-kun, as long as he doesn’t look—well, it’s not like I can tell him not to.

Since we were outside, who knew who might be watching, and the thought of being in my underwear without a shirt on top was both embarrassing and unpleasant.

“Your clothes are see-through, so I’ll make sure to cover you up like this so no one can see.” (Nadeshiko)

Kujouin-senpai’s attention to detail is remarkable.

I wonder if being a manager has helped her become this considerate.

“Well, I’ll take her with me now. What about you, Kento-kun?” (Nadeshiko)

After putting the jersey on me, she turned her gaze to Shirokawa-kun.

She calls him Kento-kun… by his first name.

“If I go with you, it would defeat the purpose of having you come, so I’ll return a little later. I’ve already handed over the video to Frost-san.” (Kento)

“I see, understood. I think the teachers will probably come to ask you about it later, so please be ready to talk to them.” (Nadeshiko)

“Got it, please take care of her.” (Kento)

We left Shirokawa-kun behind and headed back toward the school building.

On the way there…

“Frost-san… Hmm, maybe I should call you Shirokawa-san for now?” (Nadeshiko)

Kujouin-senpai spoke up as we started walking.

“Either way is fine…” (Sophia)

“I see, then I’ll call you Shirokawa-san. Are you close with Kento-kun?” (Nadeshiko)

It seemed like SKujouin-senpai was trying to make small talk to avoid an awkward silence between the two of us. Or maybe she was just curious about my relationship with him…

“No, in fact, I think we’re on bad terms…” (Sophia)

I answered honestly.

I figured there was no point in lying here.

“Well… rumors can be exaggerated, so I didn’t believe everything I heard… but I don’t think you two are actually on bad terms.” (Nadeshiko)

Although I wasn’t sure which rumors Kujouin-senpai was referring to, it seemed like she didn’t quite believe me when I said we weren’t close.

“Why do you think that…?” (Sophia)

“It’s just a woman’s intuition, I guess. I could tell just by watching the two of you.” (Nadeshiko)

She hesitated for a moment.

“Also, I’ve never heard him get angry before.” (Nadeshiko)

It was true that Shirokawa-kun had never raised his voice. Since Kujouin-senpai arrived, he seemed particularly calm. Still, to her, something had probably felt off.

“You see, he really dislikes conflict. He’s in a position where he has to keep his teammates together, so I think he just hates when relationships sour. He’d rather brush things off with a smile, or speak carefully to avoid making things worse… He doesn’t like leaving things unresolved. For him to get that angry… I think it means you’re really important to him.” (Nadeshiko)

I couldn’t help but gasp at her words.

Even though we often clashed and I would snap back at him, it was probably because I was the one pushing his buttons too much.

More importantly, he actually said that I was an important person to him.

If someone who’s been observing him also says the same thing then, it must be true.

What should I do? My heart is starting to race…

“Honestly, I was worried, but it looks like you don’t dislike Kento-kun anymore, which is a relief.” (Nadeshiko)

“Dislike him…? Well, he did help me earlier, so…” (Sophia)

I said that much, but then I suddenly realized.

I haven’t thanked him yet…

“U-Um, is it okay if I go back for a moment?!” (Sophia)

“Huh? Did you forget something?” (Nadeshiko)

“I… I didn’t thank him…” (Sophia)

“Ah…” (Nadeshiko)

When she heard my words, Kujouin-senpai looked surprised.

And then—she quickly broke into a kind smile.

“Yeah, that’s something you definitely need to tell him. It’s fine, let’s go back.” (Nadeshiko)

I’ve met a lot of people, but I’ve never been around someone I don’t mind spending time with as much as her.

I’ve heard she’s the most popular person at school, but it’s probably not just because of her cute looks.

I can understand why so many people are drawn to her.

Maybe even he…

“—Huh? He’s not here…” (Sophia)

When we returned to the back of the school building, he wasn’t there.

Where could he have gone…?

“He’s this way.” (Nadeshiko)

Kujouin-senpai, who seemed to know something, smiled and pointed towards a corner deeper inside.

Now that I think about it, he came out from that direction earlier…

I walked toward the corner.

—Whoosh! Whoosh!

What is that wind-cutting sound…?

Suddenly, I heard a sound like wind cutting through the air, and I became confused.

As I got closer to the corner, the sound grew louder.

Peering around the corner, I saw—

“Ha…!” (Kento)

There was Shirakawa-kun, in his school uniform, swinging a bat.

“He always practices here during lunch break. Normally, he eats in the cafeteria first, but since he has his bento today, it looks like he came straight here after class.” (Nadeshiko)

Kujouin-senpai, explaining, pointed out the bento I had given him, which was placed in the corner.

Has he not eaten yet…?

“Why is he practicing his swing in secret like this…?” (Sophia)

“Well, he’s actually hiding. He doesn’t want anyone to see him putting in the effort.” (Nadeshiko)

“Why…?” (Sophia)

I looked at Kujouin-senpai, not quite understanding.

“Apparently, things happened in the past. He doesn’t do it to be praised, but for his own growth, so he avoids creating unnecessary conflicts.” (Nadeshiko)

Did he have issues with teammates because of his effort? It’s hard for me to imagine.

“That said, wouldn’t it have been better to not bring me along if that’s the case…?” (Sophia)

Knowing that he was trying to hide, she hadn’t stopped me. In fact, she had even told me where he was.

“Kento-kun will probably be upset with me for bringing you here. But I think someone should know about his hard work. He tends to be misunderstood because of his appearance and attitude. People think he only gets results through talent without putting in any effort. Well, it’s partly because he acts that way, though.” (Nadeshiko)

My chest hurt.

Even though I knew she didn’t mean it that way, it felt like she was talking about me.

I am one of those people who had also judged him based on his appearance.

“Do you often see him like this, Senpai?” (Sophia)

I asked, sensing it from the way she spoke.

“Ahaha… I might be misunderstood if I say this, but I sneak a peek during lunch break unless I have something else to do. I mean, he’s kind of cool, right?” (Nadeshiko)

…What kind of misunderstanding is she talking about?

I was curious, but asking felt a bit scary.

“Aren’t you going to say anything to him?” (Nadeshiko)

“Just wait a moment, please…” (Sophia)

I watched him swing the bat.

His posture was wide, with his back hand held high, and the bat angled towards the pitcher as if preparing to throw.

His legs were firmly planted, and as he rotated his hips, his front leg stretched out sharply while his back leg briefly lifted off the ground during the swing.

Yet, his head barely moved at all during the swing.

I noticed this when I reviewed the footage repeatedly.

This batting form… it’s just like my dad’s.

“…Sorry, but if you stay here for too long in those wet clothes, you’ll catch a cold.”  (Nadeshiko)

“Eh—” (Sophia)

“Hey, Kento-kun, can I talk to you for a moment?” (Nadeshiko)

While I was still confused, Kujouin-senpai called out to Shirokawa-kun.

“…Seriously?” (Kento)

He must have been deeply focused, as he didn’t notice us until he was addressed. He quickly looked away, clearly embarrassed.

Just as Kujouin-senpai had said, he probably didn’t want anyone to see him practicing his swing.

“Is there something you forgot?” (Kento)

“If you’re talking about something being forgotten, I suppose it’s something like that. Look, Shirakawa-san.” (Nadeshiko)

A gentle push was given to my back.

I walked over to Shirakawa-kun’s side and looked into his eyes.

“Um… I forgot to thank you… Thank you for helping me…” (Sophia)

“Eh, that’s all? You didn’t have to come all the way here to say that.” (Kento)

Shirakawa-kun scratched his cheek with his finger, his face slightly reddened, as his gaze shifted away from mine.

He seemed embarrassed.

“It’s important to express your gratitude. Well then, Shirakawa-san, shall we head to the staff room?” (Nadeshiko)

It seemed like she was ready to move on since the task was finished.

She probably wanted to leave quickly since having me stay in wet clothes would lead to a cold.

However…

“Ah, um…” (Sophia)

I hesitated at Kujoin-senpai’s words, still having something I wanted to say.

“Is there something else on your mind?” (Kento)

Noticing my hesitation, Shirokawa-kun seemed to realize something and asked me first.

“Did you not eat your lunch yet…?” (Sophia)

“Ah… sorry, I was planning to eat it later. Can you wait a bit before asking for my opinion on it?” (Kento)

It seemed like he thought I was concerned about his feedback on the lunch.

“That’s not it… I haven’t eaten yet either… After finding the teacher and changing out, would it be okay if I came back here?” (Sophia)

I had originally planned to visit him during lunch. I just wanted to make up for what had happened before, even if only a little.

“…” (Kento & Nadeshiko)

Both Shirokawa-kun and Kujouin-senpai froze, seemingly caught off guard by my question.

It must have been so unexpected for them.

“Ah, well, it’s not that I have any ulterior motive…! I just cooked after a long time, so I’m curious about your thoughts on it…!” (Sophia)

Flustered by the awkward atmosphere, I hastily made an excuse.

That wasn’t what I meant, but it just slipped out of my mouth.

“I see… But, do you have enough time…?” (Kento)

Shirokawa-kun, who seemed to have understood, looked at his phone with a troubled expression.

Since quite a bit of time had already passed during lunch, if I had to report to the teacher and change out, there might not be much time left to eat.

“…If the timing is too tight, I can contact him for you. How does that sound?” (Nadeshiko)

Kujouin-senpai, who had been listening to the conversation, kindly offered that suggestion.

I figured it would be my responsibility to contact him, but I realized she was probably thinking about the possibility of me getting stuck with the teachers for too long.

If that happened, I wouldn’t have time to contact him, so it would be much quicker if she did it for me.

“You’re right… I’m sorry, could you please do that?” (Sophia)

In response, Kujouin-senpai smiled faintly, her expression tinged with a hint of sadness.

“Yeah. I’d love to join you too… but unfortunately, I already ate, so I can’t eat with you guys.” (Nadeshiko)

It seemed she wanted to eat together after all.

“……” (Sophia)

“Come on, Shirokawa-san. If that’s the case, we need to hurry, or we’ll run out of time!” (Nadeshiko)

As I stared at Kujouin-senpai, deep in thought, she grabbed my arm.

“Well then, Kento-kun, I’ll contact you later.” (Nadeshiko)

“Yes, I’m sorry for the trouble.” (Kento)

“It’s fine. It’s for my cute kouhai, after all.” (Nadeshiko)

With that, she smiled and pulled me along.

After that, I explained everything to the teachers, and with Kujouin-senpai’s support, they immediately believed me. Thanks to her skillful explanation, they decided that we would discuss the details after school, and I was able to borrow a spare uniform.

After repeatedly thanking her, I went to the changing room to change. Once I finished changing, I went to find Shirakawa-kun, and we enjoyed eating lunch together.

By the way, this is a side note, but based on the video, the actions of the girls were judged to be malicious, and the one who seemed to be their leader was expelled, while the other three received a one-month suspension. The leader was expelled because her actions were deemed too dangerous, and they couldn’t let her stay at the school.

It was all their own fault, so I think it was for the best.

However, regarding Shirokawa-kun…

“There’s no guarantee that something like today won’t happen again, so if it does, don’t hesitate to call me. After all, I’m technically your brother… okay? Well, I hope things don’t end up like this again, and that you can get along better with those around you.” (Kento)

While we were eating lunch, he gave me a troubled smile and gently warned me in a roundabout way.

---

TL Notes:

Thanks for reading!

I hope these girls don’t make another reappearance, I’m not even gonna try to remember their names. It didn’t feel right to split this into parts, which is why this one is so long.

---

1. None

<Sophia’s PoV>

“――――――!” (Sophia)

Someone was banging on my door, loudly and relentlessly.

I could hear a voice too, but my consciousness was so hazy that I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

What on earth is going on…?

I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy, and I couldn’t move properly.

My body felt exhausted…

“Frost-san! Are you alright? Or are you just sleeping in there!?” (Kento)

Finally, the fog clouding my mind began to clear, and I started to recognize the voice.

It seemed the person calling out to me was Shirakawa-kun.

“Why are you so loud—” (Sophia)

As I murmured to myself, an unpleasant thought suddenly crossed my mind.

“Wait, what time is it right now――!?” (Sophia)

I quickly checked my phone screen, and I could feel blood draining from my face.

There’s less than ten minutes before Shirakawa-kun usually leaves the house.

“I-I’m sorry…!” (Sophia)

Panicking, I apologized through the door.

Since I had just woken up, I couldn’t open the door.

I didn’t want him to see me in such a disheveled state.

“Thank goodness, you were just asleep…” (Kento)

Even though I’d overslept and broken my promise to make breakfast, his voice sounded genuinely relieved rather than angry.

Maybe he had been anticipating the worst, thinking I hadn’t woken up at all.

No wonder he was noisy outside my room.

“I’m sorry, I overslept…” (Sophia)

“You’ve been studying so hard, so it’s no surprise you’re tired. Are you feeling okay?” (Kento)

Even though he had every right to be upset, he not only reassured me but also continued to worry about me.

His kindness made my chest ache just a little.

“I’m fine. Really, I just overslept.” (Sophia)

The truth was that my body still felt sluggish, but I didn’t want to make him worry any more than he already had, so I lied.

Besides, this fatigue was proof of my poor self-management.

It wasn’t something I could use as an excuse for oversleeping.

“I see. That’s good, then. You’ve still got plenty of time before you need to leave, so take your time to get ready.” (Kento)

He had morning practice, so he always left the house earlier than most students.

Thanks to that, I still had plenty of time before I needed to leave the house.

“More importantly, I’m sorry… I couldn’t make breakfast…” (Sophia)

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I just had rice with furikake¹. Actually, I’m the one who should be apologizing.” (Kento)

Did he need to apologize?

Why?

“Did you do something…?” (Sophia)

“Well, I thought maybe you weren’t feeling well, so I looked it up online and tried turning the leftover rice into porridge. I’m not used to cooking, so it might not taste great… I did taste it, though… Sorry for doing something unnecessary.” (Kento)

Hearing his apologetic tone, I felt a complicated mix of emotions.

On one hand, I was happy that he had taken the time to make porridge for me, considering how busy his mornings were, but on the other hand, guilt surged over me. I had inconvenienced him, failing to follow through on the things I’d promised and even things I’d said myself.

“Why are you apologizing? You did that for me, didn’t you? Thank you.” (Sophia)

Pretending to stay calm, I forced out words of gratitude, but that was all I could manage.

I was genuinely relieved to have the door between us right now.

If we were talking face-to-face, I might have been so overwhelmed with guilt that I couldn’t say anything.

After all, the reason he was feeling guilty, despite doing it out of kindness, might be because of the fact that I often complain about even the little things to him…

“Hearing that makes me feel better. Well, I’ll head out now. If anything happens, let me know. And don’t force yourself to eat the porridge if it doesn’t taste good.” (Kento)

With that, he left with heavy footsteps.

Talking with me must have eaten into the remaining time he had left.

Leaning against the door, I slowly slid down to the floor and covered my face with my hands.

“I’m such an idiot… Really, such an idiot…” (Sophia)

As memories of everything that had happened since I met him came rushing back, I sank deeper into self-loathing.

If I could, I would like to go back to the summer vacation days.

But it was impossible to return to the past now.

—I kept repeating this thought to myself

After about ten minutes had passed, I lifted my head.

“――I need to at least make up for this…” (Sophia)

Honestly, I wanted to disappear entirely, but I knew that regretting everything wouldn’t change anything.

That’s why I decided to take responsibility and fix my mistakes myself.

Fortunately, there was still time.

If I quickly cooked the rice now, I’d be able to make it on time without being late.

With that thought in mind, I hurried downstairs to wash the rice.

After setting the washed rice in the rice cooker, I was about to start getting ready for school—when my hand reached out toward the bowl of porridge left on the table.

It would be such a waste to let something he made for me go cold.

“――It’s delicious…” (Sophia)

He had said it might not taste good, but the rice was perfectly soft, and the saltiness was just right.

When I added the umeboshi² that had been left alongside it, the added sourness made it even tastier.

He must have thoroughly researched and carefully prepared it so that I could enjoy it.

“Now my chest hurts even more…”  (Sophia)

Imagining him tilting his head, staring intently at his phone, and earnestly making porridge, I felt a tight squeeze in my chest that I couldn’t shake.

◆

<Kento’s PoV>

“Haa… today was rough. The coach’s been really fired up lately.” (Shouta)

After finishing morning practice and leaving the clubroom, Shouta muttered tiredly.

“There’s the prefectural tournament in two weeks, so they’re probably expecting a lot from us.” (Kento)

This week marked the end of the league matches, and next week, the second-place teams from each league would compete for the remaining slots.

Once that was over, the prefectural tournament would begin immediately the following week.

Of course, the coach was going to be passionate about it.

“Still, we’ve got a game tomorrow, right? Does he really need to push us this hard…?” (Shouta)

“If you don’t like it, why don’t you just quit?” (Shuuto)

From behind Shouta and me, Shuuto chimed in, his tone calm and indifferent.

That remark made Shouta’s eyebrows shoot up.

“Again with that…! Are you okay with losing an important defender at a time like this!?” (Shouta)

Shouta was the regular shortstop in our team.

Of course, if he left, the position would open up.

“Someone else will just take the vacant spot. Our team isn’t short on talent.” (Shuuto)

That was one of the strengths of a powerhouse school.

Not only do they scout players, but talented athletes who want to make it to Koshien naturally gather, so there are several players for each position who could have been regulars at other schools.

Even if someone left, replacements were readily available.

“If you have a problem with the coach’s methods, then you should leave the team.” (Shuuto)

I see, so that’s what Hiiragi was upset about.

Despite his calm demeanor, he admired the coach.

That’s why he seemed angry at Shouta for complaining about the coach’s approach.

“Why do I have to listen to you…?!” (Shouta)

“Because you’re the one complaining—” (Shuuto)

“Alright, that’s enough, you two.” (Kento)

Before things could escalate further, I stepped between them.

This kind of thing is exactly why Kujouin-san says I’m always playing mediator.

“First off, Shouta was just venting because he’s tired. He doesn’t actually think the coach’s methods are wrong, right?” (Kento)

“O-Oh, of course not.” (Shouta)

When I looked at Shouta, he nodded quickly.

It had been clear from the way he was talking that he didn’t mean it seriously.

“Honestly, though, complaining about something like that just shows a lack of grit, doesn’t it?” (Shuuto)

Even though the misunderstanding about what Shouta meant was cleared up, Hiiragi still wasn’t letting it go and jabbed at him again.

“Everyone perceives things differently, don’t they? Besides, if we outright ban venting like that, people will just bottle up their stress, and even more might quit.” (Kento)

I understood what Hiiragi was trying to say, but his approach felt too forceful. It’s one thing to have expectations of others, but forcing them to comply is another.

“If they want to quit, they should just quit…” (Shuuto)

“That’s not right. The same goes for what you said to Shouta earlier—Hiiragi, you should learn to value your teammates more.” (Kento)

“What…?” (Shouta)

Hiiragi frowned, glaring at me, clearly not pleased with my words.

“For starters, I can confidently plan a pitching strategy that relies on forcing grounders because Shouta is holding down the shortstop position. If it were someone else, I might have to switch to a strikeout-focused strategy. And if that happens, your pitch count will increase, leaving you more fatigued in the late game. You’d also end up playing fewer matches as a result, wouldn’t you?” (Kento)

Hiiragi might be our ace, but ultimately, it’s my job as the catcher to decide the game’s pitch distribution.

Hiiragi usually doesn’t shake his head, so he probably doesn’t have any issues with how I lead.

That’s exactly why he might not have considered what it means to adapt the strategy, but for me, adjusting the pitch selection based on our team’s strengths is a given.

If, as Hiiragi suggests, teammates start leaving, the overall level of defense will naturally decline.

When that happens, relying solely on his pitching, how far does he think we could advance?

Honestly, I don’t believe we’d make it to Koshien.

The accumulated fatigue and increased risk of injury would only make things worse.

“Heh… It’s rare for Kento to give a lecture.” (Shuuto)

Hiiragi scoffed, staring intently at me.

He didn’t seem like he was listening, but the fact that he wasn’t arguing back meant he understood.

“If something is obviously wrong, of course I’ll speak up. In Shouta’s case, he’s not just a defender but also our leadoff batter. He’s the fastest on the team. There’s no way we can afford to lose such a valuable asset, right?” (Kento)

Even though we could replace someone if a vacancy arose, losing a player who had fought hard to secure their spot as a regular would inevitably weaken the team.

With the tough requirement of taking first place in the prefectural tournament, deliberately lowering our strength at the last minute seemed outright foolish.

“Haa… So even someone like this is indispensable, huh?” (Shuuto)

“Someone like this?!” (Shouta)

Shouta snapped in frustration at Hiiragi’s exasperated sigh.

These two…

“It’s the same with everyone else. Hiiragi, I respect your dedication and discipline, but pushing that onto others isn’t right. And telling someone to quit is absolutely out of the question. Some people rise to the challenge at their own pace and improve.” (Kento)

“…Yeah, I get it.” (Shuuto)

Hiiragi seemed to think for a moment, but he didn’t argue and nodded in agreement.

I half-expected Hiiragi to say something like, “At their own pace? Are they really making an effort? Or are they just satisfying themselves with the illusion of effort?” But maybe he decided to hold back, knowing I’d have a rebuttal ready.

Since it seemed like he understood for now, I figured the conversation was done.

“Haa… I don’t think I could ever win an argument against Kento…” (Shouta)

Shouta muttered, having watched our exchange.

“No, I’m not really good at verbal fights, you know?” (Kento)

I mean, I always lose to Frost-san when it comes to that.

Besides, I don’t like fighting in the first place.

“Well, I can’t imagine you ever getting into a fight, Kento. You seem like you’d get along with anyone. I bet you’re all lovey-dovey with Frost-san at home too.” (Shouta)

Shouta added with a look of envy as he glanced at me.

Despite everything I’ve told him before, he still doesn’t get it.

“Ahaha… stop it. Seriously, I’ll get scolded at home for this.” (Kento)

Shouta’s teasing must be because of that rumor Frost-san mentioned before.

Just when it felt like the distance between us was starting to close, if rumors about us being lovey-dovey spread even more, it could undo all the progress we’ve made.

I really couldn’t let that happen.

“—Wait, speak of the devil… isn’t that Frost-san over there?” (Shouta)

“Huh?” (Kento)

I followed Shouta’s pointing finger and spotted a blonde-haired beauty peeking at us from behind the clubroom building.

It was definitely Frost-san.

“What’s she doing…?” (Kento)

She had no reason to be near the field.

And the way she was silently watching us… was a little unsettling.

I haven’t done anything to upset her this time… right?

As I thought that, Frost-san stepped out from behind the building and slowly started walking toward us.

She must have noticed that we had spotted her.

“H-Hey, she’s coming this way…!” (Shouta)

“Why are you so excited? Clearly, she has business with Kento, not you.” (Shuuto)

Hiiragi sighed in exasperation at Shouta, who was getting visibly excited. Shouta, in turn, pouted, and the two looked like they were about to start bickering again.

But before they could, Frost-san reached us, and they both fell silent.

“Is something wrong…?” (Kento)

Like Hiiragi said, out of the three of us, it was most likely that she needed me for something.

So I decided to ask.

“May I borrow him for a moment?” (Sophia)

Ignoring my question, Frost-san addressed Shouta and Hiiragi with her usual cool demeanor.

“Y-Yes, of course! Feel free to do whatever you want with him—boil him, roast him, anything!” (Shouta)

Clearly thrilled to be spoken to, Shouta cheerfully handed me over.

This guy, acting like it’s none of his business, says whatever he wants. What’s he going to do if I really do get boiled or roasted?

“Is it something you can’t talk about here?” (Shuuto)

Unlike Shouta, Hiiragi—completely uninterested in girls—fixed her with a cold gaze.

For a moment, Frost-san seemed to flinch under his sharp stare. Considering Hiiragi’s height of 182 cm, it was no surprise that a girl like her might feel intimidated.

But she quickly regained her composure and returned a similarly icy look.

“It’s a family matter. It has nothing to do with you, does it?” (Sophia)

As expected, she was strong-willed.

Hiiragi was quite the handsome guy, but his sharp gaze and rough way of speaking were enough to intimidate most girls. They’d be too scared to speak after just a glare… Yet here she was, directly responding to him.

“Is this something that needs to be discussed all the way out here on the field?” (Shuuto)

I understood what Hiiragi was trying to say.

If it was a family matter, she could talk about it at home, anytime. So why come all the way out here to discuss it?

Still…

“Don’t glare at her like that. She’s here because she has business with me, right?” (Kento)

I thought it was a bit much for Hiiragi to intimidate her, so I placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

No matter what reason she had for being here, it wasn’t right to treat her dismissively.

“So she’s your younger sister huh, the so-called ‘Solitary Flower’? She did say it was a family matter, after all.” (Shuuto)

Despite me stopping him, Hiiragi continued.

Frost-san, who understood the meaning behind that nickname, looked irritated by the mention of it.

“So, what’s the problem?” (Kento)

I moved to stand between Hiiragi and Frost-san, positioning myself in front of her as a shield, just in case.

“You’re protecting her?” (Shuuto)

Naturally, everyone here understood what I was doing, and Hiiragi took the chance to press me on it.

“She’s family, after all.” (Kento)

I gave a smile and shrugged my shoulders.

I thought I understood Hiiragi’s personality to some extent.

He wasn’t the type of person who would hurt others without reason.

However, if there was a clear intention behind it, he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt someone.

And I had an inkling that Hiiragi might direct that kind of harshness at Frost-san.

His straightforward words could hurt her, even if she doesn’t show it.

That’s why I needed to fully shift the focus onto me.

“…………” (Shuuto)

Hiiragi stared intently into my eyes.

He was probably trying to figure out what I was thinking.

Even though we’d only known each other for about a year, we’d spent a lot of time together. More importantly, we were the ones who had been most serious and honest with each other.

As much as I thought I understood Hiiragi, he probably understood me just as well.

“Heh, you’re not pushing her away, you’re protecting her… I see.” (Shuuto)

Hiiragi muttered to himself, seeming to come to some sort of realization.

It was hard to catch exactly what he said, since it was under his breath.

As I kept an eye on his movements, he leaned in closer to my ear.

“When did she become so important to you?” (Shuuto)

“—!” (Kento)

I froze at his unexpected words.

“What are you talking about…?” (Kento)

“Playing dumb, huh? Fine, whatever.” (Shuuto)

Hiiragi pulled away from me and shifted his gaze toward Frost-san.

“So, the rumors about a girl troubling Kento… I guess that’s not the case, huh?” (Shuuto)

It seemed like he was now addressing Frost-san directly.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about…” (Sophia)

Naturally, Frost-san, not understanding the context, tilted her head in confusion.

“Hiiragi, stop saying weird things.” (Kento)

I quickly stepped in to stop him.

“It’s not strange, is it? It’s an important question.” (Shuuto)

As I had suspected, Hiiragi seemed to be questioning what was really going on between me and Frost-san.

“Don’t worry, it’s not what Hiiragi thinks, and I’ll keep my promise.” 

What Hiiragi was probably worried about was the promise I made to not let Frost-san distract me from baseball. The fact that she came all the way to the field and that I protected her seemed to have gotten to him.

“Yeah, I expect you to keep that promise. Well, what I was worried about wasn’t that… Seems like it was unnecessary concern after all.” (Shuuto)

It seemed the conversation was over.

Or so I thought…

“…Just so you know, if you try to get in our way, I won’t forgive you.” (Shuuto)

He glanced back one last time, glaring at Frost-san.

In response, she instinctively pinched the sleeve of my shirt with her fingers.

Fortunately, it seemed like neither Hiiragi nor Shouta had noticed.

“That’s not how you should say it. Besides, she has nothing to do with our situation. Don’t just assume things about her.” (Kento)

As Hiiragi mentioned, if I were to actually lose focus because of Frost-san, the fault would lie entirely with me. She wouldn’t be to blame.

Of course, there was always the possibility that she might do something to make things difficult for me, but she was a earnest person by heart, so I didn’t think she would intentionally interfere.

As for my mental stress—honestly, I felt like it had decreased a lot these past few days.

“…I think this is the first time I’ve seen you so worked up.” (Shuuto)

Hiiragi, looking at my face, unusually shrugged his shoulders.

“No, I’m not angry or anything…” (Kento)

“Really?” (Shuuto)

Hiiragi tilted his head in confusion.

It seemed I had looked angrier than I thought.

“Anyways, it’s fine as long as she doesn’t interfere. Looks like the two of you are getting along well.” (Shuuto)

Hiiragi waved his hand dismissively as he headed back to the school building.

“What was that guy… I don’t get it.” 

Frost-san furrows her brows in anger after Hiiragi had said his piece and left.

Well, I couldn’t really blame her for being upset about how he acted…

“O-Okay, I’ll head to the classroom first! I’ll see you later!” 

Shouta, who was clearly trying to avoid the tense atmosphere, left, following Hiiragi.

It wasn’t like Shouta to act like this, but with Frost-san in such a bad mood, he probably figured it was better to leave than stick around with her.

Which left me alone with Frost-san—just the two of us—and my stomach began to hurt.

“U-Um… sorry about what Hiiragi said.” (Kento)

I apologized quickly, deciding to take the initiative.

In situations like this, it’s best to act first.

“You shouldn’t apologize for that… I mean, you were just protecting me… thank you…” (Sophia)

I hadn’t expected it to work, but this approach surprisingly got through to Frost-san. Instead of the irritated remarks I had braced myself for, I ended up receiving a genuine thank you.

Maybe this method wasn’t so bad after all.

“Hiiragi can be easily misunderstood by his words and actions, but he’s not a bad guy, really… Please don’t misunderstand him.” (Kento)

“Not a bad guy… with that attitude…?” (Sophia)

I had tried to cover for Hiiragi, but I could see the doubt on her face. It seemed like it wasn’t convincing at all.

Well, I couldn’t blame her. It probably sounded too hard to believe with how rude he was.

But really, he wasn’t a bad guy. He was just a baseball fanatic, and he couldn’t stand anyone interfering with that…

“He’s Kurogane-kun, right? I can’t believe you can be teamed up with someone so intimidating…” (Sophia)

Intimidating?

Her words were so unexpected that I couldn’t help but wonder.

“You think guys are scary, Frost-san?” (Kento)

I was also surprised that she knew Hiiragi’s last name.

“Of course… All guys are scary.” (Sophia)

She didn’t seem like someone who would think that, though…

Could it be that the reason she keeps people at a distance is because of that? But if that were the case, she should get along with the girls better… There was still so much I didn’t understand about her.

“Ah, anyway… about what I came here for… is it alright if I talk to you about something?” (Sophia)

The tense atmosphere Frost-san had earlier faded, and she began fidgeting restlessly.

I understood that she had to get to the point quickly, since school would start soon, but… why did she suddenly become so restless?

“Ah, what’s wrong?” (Kento)

“Well… it’s not really a big deal, but…” (Sophia)

She said that, almost as if setting up a defense, and for some reason, she looked down.

As I wondered about her behavior, I noticed that, in addition to her schoolbag, she was holding something in her hand.

It was probably a lunch bag.

And it looked more like a men’s lunch bag than a women’s one.

Wait…?

Doesn’t she usually eats in the cafeteria, just like me…?

I’d seen her a few times either heading to the cafeteria or eating there, so I assumed that was correct.

Or rather, I’d never even seen her prepare a bento at home.

As I was thinking that—

“T-This… it’s a thank you for this morning…!” (Sophia)

Suddenly, she thrust the lunch bag toward me.

She tightly shut her eyes, looking embarrassed, and her face was bright red.

She seemed to be struggling just to hand it over.

Did she make this just for me…?

“Thank you…” (Kento)

I glanced down at the bento box inside the bag that she handed me.

“This… you made this yourself, right…?” (Kento)

“Y-Yes, well… I couldn’t make breakfast, so… this is my apology…” (Sophia)

She really was an earnest person, after all.

Oversleeping is something that happens to everyone once in a while—it’s unavoidable. But the fact that she still took the time to make this for me despite already waking up so late…

“You didn’t have to go that far…” (Kento)

“It’s nothing, really. I can make something like this in no time.” (Sophia)

“I see, as expected of you… Thank you, I’m really happy.” (Kento)

“—!?” (Sophia)

When I expressed my thanks with a smile, her already red face turned even redder.

Then, she quickly turned her face away.

“That’s not fair…! To show such a smile here, that’s too much…!” (Sophia)

She was muttering something under her breath, but what was that about?

If I somehow made her angry with that, I don’t even know anymore…

As I watched her, she started taking deep breaths (*Suu… Haa…*)

Once her breathing calmed down, she turned back to face me.

Her face was still red, and she was lightly sweating, trying her best to put on a cool expression.

“Ahem…!” (Sophia)

For some reason, Frost-san deliberately cleared her throat.

“S-Since I went through the trouble of making lunch for both of us, we could, um, use this as a chance to strengthen our family bonds and—” (Sophia)

*Ding-dong-ding-dong!*

*Ding-dong-ding-dong!*

Just as Frost-san was speaking, the morning bell rang, almost as if to interrupt her.

“Ah, no way, it’s already this late…! We need to get to our classroom!” (Kento)

We were still on the field, so if we didn’t rush, we’d be late.

Being late would be no joke, and Shouta and the others would start having weird suspicions again.

“Come on, Frost-san, you need to hurry too! It’d be bad if we’re late!” (Kento)

She was holding her school bag, which meant she had come directly to the field instead of heading to the classroom.

Naturally, if we stayed like this, we’d definitely be late.

“Ugh… I was trying so hard to invite him to lunch to make up for things, and now it’s come to this…! It’s all Kurogane-kun’s fault…!” (Sophia)

Once we parted ways at the separate building, I heard Frost-san shouting something in English.

Was what she was about to say that important…?

Well, if it was really that important, she’d probably message me later on my phone.

Thinking that, I stopped worrying about it and hurried toward the classroom.

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Thanks for reading!

I wished the author picked another name instead of Shuuto. Shouta and Shuuto is just too confusing for my brain to handle.

I’ll apologize in advance if the baseball part didn’t make sense since I don’t play baseball and I don’t really know about the various roles and positions and whatnot.

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1. Furikake is a dry Japanese condiment sprinkled on top of cooked rice, vegetables, and fish, or used as an ingredient in onigiri.
2. Salted Japanese plums