Chapter 3: June — The Game

“Tsumugi-san, I watched Saturday’s game. It was truly wonderful.”
Seeing Shingo speak with delight, Tsumugi’s expression clouded.

“I didn’t even play in the game, you know? Did you come just to mock me?”
She looked at Shingo with a slight glare.

“No, what I mean is—‘I like you, Tsumugi-san. Please go out with me.’
Also, the day before yesterday, I was watching only you.
Your desperate cheering moved me deeply. …I thought, so this is what love feels like.
No—I’ve been in love for quite some time already.”
He smiled in satisfaction, while Tsumugi frowned.

“Too long. Gross. What the hell are you saying so casually, idiot.

And watch the game.

What did you even go there for?”

“Hahaha, of course—to see you, Tsumugi-san.” 

He said it with a grin so shiny it could’ve made his teeth sparkle in an anime.

“Enough. Go back to your classroom.”
She waved her hand dismissively, shooing him away.

“I haven’t received your answer yet, but I’ll take it as an OK…”
“No way in hell. Just look at this reaction.”
Tsumugi’s finger tapped sharply against the desk.

“I see, so it was just shyness then. The heart of a maiden truly is difficult to read.
Well then, until next time. I won’t give up.”

“‘Next time’? He’s still planning to come again…?”
She muttered quietly, eyes fixed on the classroom doorway Shingo had just walked out through.