41 A Clash of Wills
The gymnasium.
Half the court was being used by the girls’ basketball club, and the other half was empty.
And there I was, completely out of place.
“Alright, Amatsuki-san. Let’s begin.”
Kanaori-san called out to me clearly.
“Hey, wait a minute. Why are you giving instructions?”
Riri-chan’s tone was critical.
While a large group was practicing on the other side of the court, we were just three people.
We were wearing our gym clothes, but I still felt bad for taking up space when we weren’t even in a sports club.
“Um… I was thinking… even if half the court is free, shouldn’t other clubs be using it?”
Even if not, wouldn’t the basketball club want to use the full court?
“Don’t worry. I’ve already spoken to the teacher in charge.”
As expected of the student council president. She’s so efficient.
“Y-You got permission?”
“Yes. I explained that there was a student eager to improve her volleyball skills, and they readily agreed.”
There’s no need to phrase it like that…
Now I feel like the basketball club’s teacher is glancing at us.
They’re probably thinking, “That klutz is practicing?”
I-I’m starting to have second thoughts…
“Isn’t that… abuse of power…?”
“The student council doesn’t have that kind of power. And I told you I spoke to the teacher. Please listen carefully.”
The atmosphere between Riri-chan and Kanaori-san was still hostile.
Can we really practice volleyball together when they’re being so prickly?
“First, Amatsuki-san, let’s start with receiving practice. Please get into the position I showed you this morning.”
“O-Okay!”
I got into the position she taught me.
Kanaori-san stood opposite me, holding a volleyball.
The net was also set up, and everything was ready for a game.
“I’ll serve, so please adjust to the falling ball, Amatsuki-san. You don’t need to swing your arm.”
“O-Okay!”
Kanaori-san served.
—Toss
The ball arced slowly towards me.
The ball, aimed at my position, seemed like it would fall right into my hands even if I didn’t move.
Kanaori-san was being very considerate.
“…Huh?”
Suddenly, a figure appeared before me, blocking my view.
Her back arched as she jumped high, her ponytail swaying.
“That’s too easy!”
With a beautiful form, she swung her arm fluidly.
—Whoosh
The ball flew straight over the net.
A perfect spike landed right at Kanaori-san’s feet.
“Hmph… I thought the ball had stopped, it was so slow.”
Riri-chan landed gracefully on the court, a confident smile on her face.
Of course, I didn’t do anything.
“Hey, what are you doing?! Don’t interrupt Amatsuki-san’s practice!”
“That’s why I said, stop ignoring me! I’ll practice with her instead!”
Riri-chan strode boldly onto Kanaori-san’s side of the court and picked up the ball.
“Here, Suzuna. You don’t have to return her serves. I’ll serve to you.”
“Ah, o-okay…”
Well, it doesn’t matter if Riri-chan serves.
Or rather, I couldn’t refuse in this atmosphere, so I just nodded.
“Here, Suzuna. Here I go.”
—Toss
A very gentle serve came towards me.
It was completely catered to my skill level, probably.
Grateful for Riri-chan’s kindness, I braced myself, determined to do it right this time.
“…Eh, w-what?”
But again, a figure appeared before me, blocking my view.
Her back arched as she jumped high, her long golden hair swaying.
“That’s too easy!”
With a beautiful form, she swung her arm fluidly.
—Whoosh
The ball flew straight over the net.
A perfect spike landed right at Riri-chan’s feet.
“Hmph… That serve was so weak, I thought it had stopped.”
Kanaori-san landed gracefully on the court, a confident smile on her face.
Of course, I didn’t do anything.
…W-Wait a minute.
This is the exact same scenario as before, just with Riri-chan and Kanaori-san switched!
“Hey, what are you doing?! Don’t interrupt my practice with Suzuna!”
“This was originally practice between Amatsuki-san and me. You, an outsider, should just watch quietly.”
“O-Outsider…? Who are you talking to?”
“I’m talking to you, Hinase Riri. Is that not clear?”
Their gazes clashed.
They were both ready to fight…
“I’m obviously the better choice. Suzuna and I are friends, so it’s definitely easier for me to teach her.”
“That’s not a valid reason. If that’s the case, why didn’t Amatsuki-san invite you to practice this morning?”
Kanaori-san said something that made even me flinch.
“W-Well…”
“The answer is simple. Amatsuki-san decided she didn’t need to learn from you.”
“Huh…? What’s that? That’s just your imagination!”
“At the very least, Amatsuki-san agreed to practice with me. So it’s an undeniable fact that she chose me over you.”
Riri-chan gritted her teeth.
“Suzuna! Are you really choosing Kanaori over me?!”
The spear of her anger turned towards me.
“N-No, I’m happy with anyone who’s willing to teach me…”
I’m not in a position to choose, and I haven’t even considered who’s more suitable.
“See? It’s all your imagination!”
“But being ‘friends’ isn’t a valid reason to prioritize you.”
“Fine, fine, I get it. Then it’s obviously better for someone who’s good at volleyball to teach her.”
“I agree. Then I have no objections.”
Kanaori-san walked onto the opposite court.
She reached for the ball that was at Riri-chan’s feet… and their hands overlapped.
“Hey, Kanaori, what are you doing?”
“Hinase-san, please move your hand.”
“Didn’t you hear me? I said the better player should teach Suzuna.”
“Yes, of course. And haven’t we just established that I’m the better player?”
…These two… they don’t know how to compromise.
“Huh? I’m obviously better. Didn’t you see my spike earlier? I should be the one teaching her.”
“You seem to have missed my spike. I see, with such poor dynamic vision, your skills are obvious. I should be the one teaching her.”
They both grabbed the volleyball and refused to let go.
“You stubborn idiot, you clearly don’t understand unless I show you directly.”
“I agree. Let’s settle this.”
They both went to opposite sides of the court and faced each other.
I watched from the corner of the gymnasium.
“Let’s see if you can return this serve!”
—Whoosh
Riri-chan served with a full-powered spike.
“You call that a serve? You’re quite the comedian.”
But Kanaori-san received it effortlessly.
She tossed the ball to herself and—
—Whoosh
“How about this? Will you surrender now?!”
She returned a lightning-fast spike.
“I can see that coming from a mile away…!”
But Riri-chan received it too.
She tossed the ball to herself and—
—Whoosh
Returned another spike.
“Impressive…! But I can handle this!”
“Are you… receiving it again?!”
Wait… what about my practice?
◇◇◇
The two of them continued their battle.
I watched for a while, and the ball still hadn’t touched the floor.
The sounds of spikes, receives, and tosses echoed continuously through the gymnasium.
“Hey… wasn’t the volleyball club off today?”
“No, those two aren’t in the volleyball club.”
“No way? They’re way better than the volleyball club…”
“Neither of them are in any club… One is the student council president, and the other is in the going-home club.”
“…Talent is cruel. I’m thinking of quitting club activities.”
Their skill was so impressive that it was discouraging to those who were actually trying to improve in their clubs.
And am I supposed to play after this?
Am I supposed to show my pathetic volleyball skills after witnessing such a high-level battle?
…H-Help me.
42 Wanting to Know More
“…You’re… too persistent.”
“…You’re the one who’s being stubborn.”
In the end, neither of them yielded an inch, and the match remained undecided.
Before me were two girls, knees trembling like newborn fawns, their pride refusing to let them fall.
I picked up the ball that had rolled over to me.
“Hey, shouldn’t you have just asked Suzuna which of us she preferred from the beginning?”
Riri-chan, looking at me, said something strange.
“You’re right. It would have been best to respect her wishes.”
Kanaori-san agreed and looked at me as well.
“Eh…”
After such an intense match, it’s up to me in the end?
I wanted to ask what the point of their battle was, but I couldn’t say anything insensitive since they had worked so hard for my sake.
“…How about you two take turns?”
“Seriously?”
“Is that so?”
It was a suggestion that seemed to render their battle meaningless, but I couldn’t possibly judge which of them was better.
It was mortifying to show my pathetic volleyball skills after Riri-chan and Kanaori-san’s match.
But I endured.
After I managed to return the ball somewhat consistently, the practice ended.
Thanks to their cooperation.
“Ah, I’m tired.”
Riri-chan sat down on the court and sighed.
“Amatsuki-san has improved, and we’ve achieved our goal, so I’m relieved. I’ll excuse myself now.”
Kanaori-san turned to leave the gymnasium.
“Are you going home?”
“No, I still have work to do, so I’ll return to the student council room.”
She still has work to do after all that exercise…?
I’m in awe of her energy.
“D-Do your best.”
Kanaori-san looked momentarily surprised, then—
“Yes, thank you.”
—She smiled shyly and left.
“Hey, Suzuuu-na, whaaat was that?”
“Eh, ah, Riri-chan…?”
Riri-chan suddenly put her arm around my shoulders from behind.
I was surprised by her closeness.
“I’ve never been told ‘do your best’ by Suzuna.”
“Eh? I-Is that so…?”
“Nope. You told Kanaori to ‘do her best,’ but not me? I can’t believe it.”
Riri-chan pouted.
She seemed quite dissatisfied.
“I-It was just a coincidence! I cheer for you too, Riri-chan.”
“Really? But Kanaori looked happy, and I’m not really feeling good about it.”
Riri-chan was acting like a spoiled child.
She’s been busy today, getting angry and throwing tantrums.
“It’s true. More importantly, practice is over, so let’s change and go home.”
I couldn’t bear the stares of so many people anymore.
I wanted to escape the gymnasium quickly.
“Well, I guess it can’t be helped. Suzuna…”
For some reason, Riri-chan’s face lit up at those words.
I don’t understand, but I’m glad she’s no longer upset.
◇◇◇
“It’s already dark outside.”
Since we’re both in the going-home club, we don’t usually stay at school this late.
So it felt new to walk home together as the sun set.
“It really is. It’s usually cold, but it feels just right after exercising.”
The cold night air seemed pleasant to Riri-chan’s flushed body.
She fanned the front of her shirt, which revealed more skin than usual, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
I quickly looked away.
“Y-Yeah. It’s hot, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. But I never thought I’d be exercising with you like this, Suzuna.”
“…That’s true.”
“So why did you suddenly decide to play volleyball?”
Riri-chan asked the same question she asked this morning.
“…I told you, I don’t really know myself.”
“No, you must be feeling something, Suzuna. Come on, tell me.”
“W-Well…”
I don’t want to say it.
And how does she know?
It’s embarrassing to tell Riri-chan that she’s the reason for this.
“Don’t think you can keep secrets from me! There’s no way I’d miss you doing something so unusual, Suzuna.”
Riri-chan put her arm around my shoulders again.
“N-No… it’s really nothing.”
“Hmm. You’re being very stubborn today. You really don’t want to tell me?”
Riri-chan’s arm tightened around me.
She moved closer, and I felt like we’d be touching if I moved even slightly.
“I’m not being stubborn…”
“And since when did you become so close with Kanaori? I wasn’t told anything about this.”
Riri-chan’s voice dropped a tone.
I sensed some dark emotion in her voice.
“No, she just talked to me.”
“Hmm. So you’re not denying that you became closer. Hmm, so you made a friend besides me?”
It was a question, but it also sounded like an accusation.
But wait a minute.
I wouldn’t call my relationship with Kanaori-san a friendship yet, but I should be allowed to become close with other people.
“Is that not allowed?”
“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but… it bothers me. I don’t like that your relationship progressed without me.”
It’s arrogant of her to try to know everything about me.
“…You have Tachibana-san and the others, Riri-chan.”
“Why are you suddenly bringing up Kaede?”
It’s strange that she’s so focused on me when she has friends like Tachibana Kaede, who’s also popular.
“You’re close with Tachibana-san, and you were having fun playing volleyball with her. So it’s unfair that you’re criticizing me for getting a little closer to Kanaori-san.”
“…”
…Ah, I messed up.
I spoke more emotionally than I intended.
My tone was too strong.
That’s probably why Riri-chan fell silent.
I ruined the mood.
Wh-What do I do?
“S-Sorry, Riri-chan, I didn’t mean—”
“Mufufu…”
“—Eh?”
Just as I resolved to apologize, Riri-chan giggled.
No, that’s a strange reaction.
“What, what, what? Suzuna, were you watching Kaede and me like that? Oh my, is someone jealous~?”
“Eh?! N-No, that’s not… it’s not like that…”
“So you started practicing volleyball because you didn’t like seeing Kaede and me having fun and standing out during P.E.? That’s why you couldn’t tell me.”
“I-I’m telling you it’s not like that…”
“Hmm? Really?”
“It’s true!”
“Suzuna, your face is bright red~”
N-No way…
That’s definitely not true.
My face is burning, but it’s not visible to Riri-chan.
“M-Move away. You’re too close, Riri-chan!”
“It’s too late to run away now. That’s like saying, ‘You got me.’”
“That’s not true! I don’t know what you’re talking about! It’s just your imagination!”
I struggled, but Riri-chan was stronger, and I couldn’t escape.
“But you apologized earlier, didn’t you, Suzuna?”
“…That’s because…”
Riri-chan only asked; she didn’t accuse me of anything.
So I think I was wrong to raise my voice.
“You suddenly raised your voice at me, Suzuna. That hurt my feelings.”
“…I think I got too emotional too.”
“What should I do? Do you want me to forgive you?”
She made it sound like she might not forgive me.
“…Are you not going to forgive me?”
“I’ll give you one punishment. If you accept it, I’ll forgive you.”
“What is it?”
“Close your eyes.”
Th-This is scary…
What is she going to do?
Not knowing, but wanting to be forgiven, I closed my eyes.
“You’re so obedient and cute, Suzuna.”
“Stop saying weird things and just do it already.”
“Fine, fine.”
My vision was filled with darkness, and there was no sound.
Then, I felt something wet on my neck.
Like a drop of water trickling down my skin.
A lukewarm sensation, completely different from a fingertip.
What is this?
I was confused, unable to comprehend the unfamiliar sensation.
Curious about what she was doing, I opened my eyes slightly.
Riri-chan’s face was right next to my neck.
But there was one unexpected movement.
Riri-chan’s soft, red tongue darted out.
“Riri-chan, what are you doing?!”
I recoiled instinctively.
“Ah, Suzuna! You weren’t supposed to open your eyes!”
Riri-chan pulled her tongue back, sounding disappointed.
“Riri-chan, answer me!”
The sensation on my neck, the wetness…
That was…
“I licked you, Suzuna.”
Riri-chan replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Th-That doesn’t make sense! And right after we exercised!”
I’m all sweaty.
Licking my neck now is crazy.
If she’s going to lick me, at least do it when I’m clean… no, that’s not the point!
“You’re clean, Suzuna.”
“That’s not the issue!”
She’s a pervert, there’s a pervert here!
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