Chapter Two | The Fierce Match

♢♢♢

“—Emperor’s Cup first round, a clash between Tokyo’s prestigious Koutou University and Kanagawa’s N3 Odawara United. Today’s commentator is Mitsuhiro Matsubayashi, a Koutou University soccer alum who also played for Odawara United as a pro. I’m Shimonode, your announcer. Matsubayashi-san, thanks for joining us.”

“Thank you.”

“So, Matsubayashi-san, Koutou University is known for its spectacular soccer, with a nationwide fanbase despite being a college team. With high expectations for this Emperor’s Cup, how do you see today’s match?”

“Well, I’m keeping an eye on the third-year forward, Victor de Makeni, and the first-year starter, Seiichi Azaki. Victor used his massive frame and overwhelming speed to score a hat-trick in last month’s Tokyo representative playoff. Azaki, a first-year, reportedly turned down a pro offer straight out of high school. His solid, earnest play makes him one to watch for future growth.”

“I see. And what about Odawara United?”

“Obviously, it’s Ryushin Kanagawa! He had the talent to join a Big 6 English Premier League club right out of high school. Sure, he struggled after being loaned to other teams, and he’s still grappling with expectations and media noise, but with arms and legs like a bodybuilder and the ability to score with his head or either foot, he’s a striker to watch.”

Makes sense… Kanagawa Ryushin’s reputation is as big as expected.

But seriously, who’s calling Azaki earnest? Where’d they get that from?

Starting on the bench, I listened to the Emperor’s Cup live stream through earphones while wearing my tracksuit.

The starting lineup was announced in the locker room earlier, with Chan-senpai as goalkeeper and Azaki as a defensive midfielder. I wasn’t called up, so I’m stuck on the bench.

I helped the managers and trainees with pre-game prep, then headed out to the field.

It’s warm enough today to sweat just standing around.

Odawara United’s home stadium holds about 15,000, and the stands are packed with Koutou’s massive cheering squad duking it out with Odawara’s supporters.

Seeing that, it hit me—we’re about to face pros.

Shifting my gaze from the stands to the pitch, my eyes locked onto that guy.

Arms and legs like tree trunks, rippling with chiseled muscle. He’s built like a bodybuilder.

That’s the real Ryushin Kanagawa… a beast who plays relentless soccer with that heavy frame.

It’s not just his muscles. The aura radiating from Kanagawa fired me up.

You can tell Ryushin Kanagawa’s got charisma for days. That’s why I assumed a former idol like Sasaki was into him, but… no, I’m almost certain—Sasaki likes me. Probably. Definitely.

“Makijima? Your face is all goofy. You okay?”

Thinking about Sasaki must’ve loosened my expression, because Azaki, suddenly standing in front of me, called me out. I snapped my face back to normal.

“I-I’m fine! …Anyway, Azaki, save some stamina until I get in.”

“Obviously. Why d’you think I shaved my head?”

Azaki, in his uniform, rubbed his buzzcut head as he spoke.

It’s such a pain to recognize him without his natural perm.

“We’re building the attack around Victor-senpai in the first half. Then the second half’s your big debut, Yutarou Makijima. So, make sure you put on your makeup on the bench.”

With a fancy turn of phrase, Azaki gave my butt a kick.

Basically, he’s telling me to warm up properly and get sweating.

“Don’t you dare smudge your makeup before I get out there.”

I kicked his butt back, sending him onto the pitch.

Here we go—the match we’ve been waiting for.

The showdown between the college powerhouse Koutou University and N3’s Odawara United begins now.

              ☆☆

If Makijima scores… I’ll go to his place…

“My place… you know it’s gotta happen.”

Ugh, no matter how many times I replay it, it’s just too cool!!!

Every time I think about it, my face burns up, and I can’t stop squirming.

It’s fine… I’m fine.

Stay calm, Sasaki Ayane.

I’m older than Makijima, after all. I’ve gotta go in with enough confidence to take the lead.

I put extra effort into my appearance today, wearing my favorite chic-casual A-line dress. And… just in case something happens at Makijima’s place, I read up on those how-to books to prep myself.

Now, I just need to mentally rehearse.

While waiting for Yuzu-chan, who I promised to watch the match with, in front of Takashimaya at Yokohama Station’s west exit, I run through mental simulations.

“Ayane-chaaan!”

I heard Yuzu-chan’s voice calling me from the station.

She came running, slightly out of breath, decked out in a Koutou T-shirt—probably for the cheering squad—and a shoulder bag, fully geared up.

Yuzu-chan’s a manager for the B team, so she’s cheering from the stands today instead of the bench. Yesterday at a café, she invited me to join her.

“Sorry for making you wait!”

“No, I wasn’t waiting long. I was just… simulating.”

“Simulating? Oh, you mean for today’s match?!”

“No, that’s not…”

“I think Koutou’s got the edge, actually. With Chan-senpai’s footwork as a goalkeeper joining the buildup, the defensive mids don’t have to drop back too much. Azaki-kun’s there to link the midfield to the forwards, and up top, Victor-senpai can handle post-play and carry defenders on his back—”

“Y-Yuzu-chan! We’re short on time, let’s catch the bus to the stadium!”

“Oh… sorry! I got carried away again.”

Yuzu-chan gave a shy smile.

                           ♡♡♡

Entering the stadium, I was hit with cheers way louder than anything at the B-team matches I’d seen.

It’s a pro versus A-team game, so the atmosphere’s on a whole different level.

It feels like that time I went to a pro match with Makijima.

“Ayane-chan, look, look! It’s Ryushin Kanagawa!”

“Kanagawa… Ryushin?”

Following Yuzu-chan’s pointing finger, I saw a jacked player who looked like a bodybuilder.

His arms and legs were so ripped, veins popping out, exuding raw strength.

His muscles were so intense, his uniform looked like it might burst at the seams… W-What is that? Insane!

“Who’s that guy?”

“What?! Ayane-chan, you interviewed him! You know, during your High School Soccer Championship manager days!”

“Interviewed? Me?”

“You don’t remember?!”

“…Uh, nope.”

During the championship, I was so bummed Makijima (from Seijin Gakuen) didn’t make it that I barely remember anything else.

I vaguely recall asking questions to some huge guy at the interview desk, but… hmm.

“Aren’t you a high school soccer fan, Ayane-chan?”

“S-Sorry… That was actually a lie.”

“Huh?”

“I only knew about Makijima’s Seijin Gakuen… or rather, just Makijima himself.”

“Just Makijima-kun…? Wait, so since your idol days, you’ve been…?”

I nodded honestly.

As expected, Yuzu-chan picked up on it right away.

Ugh, so embarrassing.

“I-I’m too intense, right?! S-Sorry, forget I—”

“No way, that’s not true.”

As she spoke, Yuzu-chan gently patted my head.

“Thinking only of Makijima-kun so devotedly… that’s why he responded to your feelings, right?”

“Yuzu-chan…”

“You’re amazing, Ayane-chan.”

Yuzu-chan… she’s acting more mature than me! And I’m the older one!

“Oh, I want big-sister vibes like Yuzu-chan!”

“What’s that, Ayane-chan?! W-What’s big-sister vibes?”

“Teach me your ways!”

“E-Even if you say that!”

“Sounds like you girls are having fun.”

A gruff voice from right beside us drew my attention. There stood a familiar guy in a tattered brown coat—and…

“Ayane-chan!”

A cute girl with a red headband popped out from behind him and plopped onto my lap.

“Eek! Sh-Shizuku-chan?”

The only girl who ever saw through my disguise as Kiraboshi Ayane, back on a train.

That headband was a gift from Sakaki-san to me, which I later passed on to her.

“Ehehe, I got to see Ayane-chan again!”

“Shizuku-chan, it’s been a while. And… Coach Kishihara…”

“We keep running into each other, huh, missy? Oh, is the girl next to you a first-timer?”

Coach Kishihara took off his sunglasses and glanced at Yuzu-chan.

“Oh, Ayane-chan, this is—!”

“Yup. Former coach of Seijin Gakuen.”

“C-Coach Kishihara!”

Yuzu-chan shook his hand, gushing, “It’s an honor to meet you!”

“What, you know me, miss?”

“Of course! Coach Kishihara’s a legend in high school soccer. I watched on TV when Seijin Gakuen, with Mitaka Shirahama, won nationals as Toyama’s reps!”

“Well, I’ll be. It’s nice to know a young lady like you’s heard of me. Though the brown-haired missy here didn’t seem to notice me until I was chatting with Makijima.”

Hey, I totally noticed you from the start.

Coach Kishihara sat to my right, pulled a flask from his coat, and took a swig.

“Here to watch Makijima’s match again?”

“Nah, today’s not for scouting—just personal time. My nagging wife said I gotta do some family stuff, so I dragged my daughter along.”

“Ayane-chan, let’s play!”

“Uh, sure.”

If it’s family time, take her to an amusement park or something… Why soccer?

“Ayane-chan, where’s that bodyguard big brother from last time?”

Shizuku-chan looked around as she asked.

“Um… Big brother’s…”

I pointed to the pitch.

“He’s out there, fighting.”

♣♣♣

At 7 p.m., the whistle blew for kickoff, and the match began.

“Bench players, start warming up!”

“Yes, sir!”

At the coach’s command, we moved behind the bench, watching the game while loosening up.

A pro-versus-amateur clash meant the pros’ pride and the amateurs’ ambition collided, heating the pitch from the start.

Odawara United, despite being pros in N3, doesn’t have a glamorous setup.

Many N3 teams face tight budgets, with players handling everything from field maintenance to facility management.

Some even juggle side jobs outside soccer.

Based in Kanagawa, a hotspot for pro soccer teams, Odawara United struggles to attract fans, and their financial woes often make online news.

Their players are mostly underdogs, fueled by a scrappy spirit to climb to N2.

Even so, signing Ryushin Kanagawa on loan reportedly boosted their attendance overnight.

Some call him a publicity stunt, but that’s how much charisma Kanagawa has.

Today’s match was expected to revolve around Kanagawa… but one player, Seiichi Azaki, started stealing the show with his slick dribbling.

Within minutes, it was clear Azaki’s passes caught opponents off guard, and his deft ball control held up against pros.

Koutou University leaned on Azaki’s playmaking and Victor-senpai’s post-play to create multiple scoring chances.

…But the tide turned in first-half stoppage time.

With one minute left, Kanagawa, who’d been quiet, sprang into action.

He intercepted a clearance from Odawara’s defender near the center circle, turned toward Koutou’s goal, and unleashed a menacing aura.

Trouble—Kanagawa’s coming…!

Using powerful strides from his sturdy legs, he surged forward, challenging Koutou’s defenders head-on.

Even Koutou’s vaunted defensive line, called the best in school history, couldn’t keep up with his blistering vertical dribble.

Breaking through, Kanagawa faced Koutou’s goalkeeper, Chan-senpai, one-on-one.

Everyone expected a thunderous shot riding his momentum.

Instead, Kanagawa slammed on the brakes with his pivot foot, killing his speed, and delicately lifted the ball with his other toe.

The looping shot arced over Chan-senpai’s head and sailed into Koutou’s goal.

“Holy… wow.”

The stadium went silent for a moment, stunned.

Just one more minute, and we could’ve ended the half 0-0. But that goal…

Seizing a split-second gap—that’s the world-class skill of Ryushin Kanagawa…

[Odawara 1-0 Koutou]

The first half ended, and the team retreated to the locker room.

“Last minute—did you guys let your guard down?”

As expected, the coach’s lecture began.

“I told you not to lose focus! The Emperor’s Cup isn’t a throwaway game for you!”

The coach’s yells echoed as Azaki signaled me to listen.

“…Yo, live Ryushin Kanagawa is insane. Feels like we’ll never catch up.”

“Don’t chit-chat during the coach’s rant.”

I can’t wrap my head around Azaki’s ability to enjoy this situation.

Here I am, heart pounding, wondering when I’ll get my chance.

“We’re changing the system for the second half. Seiichi Azaki, move up one line.”

“Got it!”

Azaki replied in his usual carefree tone, adjusting his shin guards inside his socks.

He’d been dominating with his technique, but today he was sweating more than usual.

He’s acting tough in front of me, but it looks like his legs are feeling it too.

                       ♢♢♢

Soon after, the second half kicked off.

Down 1-0, Koutou University ramped up their pressure, moving forward with even more energy than the first half.

Seeing Azaki’s fatigue, I realized I wouldn’t have lasted the full 45 minutes if I’d started.

Just watching the game made it clear how much I still lack.

But in the second half, I’m confident I can make a difference.

After 20 minutes, the coach approached the bench with the tactics board.

“Makijima, you’re up.”

It’s finally here…!

I shed my green bib, revealing the crimson number 16 uniform.

—You watching, Sasaki?

Wearing this uniform on the Emperor’s Cup stage—it’s all because of your support.

Before college, I lacked confidence and couldn’t deliver results.

But… your bright encouragement helped me rebuild my mentality, and thanks to you, I’ve produced results in games and made it to the A team.

“Thanks, Sasaki.”

“—Koutou University, player substitution. Replacing number 13, number 16…”

I tightened my cleat laces and stood up.

Locking eyes with Azaki, I stepped inside the white line.

At the 24th minute of the second half, I was sent onto the pitch.

“Yutarou Makijima enters the game.”

              ☆☆

“Makijima-kun’s coming on, right?”

“Y-Yeah!”

As Makijima shed his bib on the bench, high-pitched cheers from girls in the front of the stands echoed.

W-Why are there so many girls…?

“Wow, Makijima-kun’s super popular!”

“Eh, Makijima has fans?”

“Hmm, I don’t think they’re exactly fans… Look, this is probably why.”

Yuzu-chan pulled something like a newspaper from her bag and showed it to me.

“What’s this? The university newspaper…? Oh!”

The front page of the Koutou University newspaper featured a big photo of Makijima taking a shot, headlined “Soccer Team’s Rising Stars: Yutarou Makijima & Seiichi Azaki.”

“The university’s newspaper club ran this story. With Makijima-kun’s photo front and center, a lot of girls probably saw it and came here.”

I see…

I’ve been so caught up lately that I didn’t even know this was circulating.

Hehe… but all these girls are just bandwagoners.

I’m his original fan, after all.

“They’re too late to the party.”

“Wow, Ayane-chan, that’s some serious smug face!”

By the way, Azaki’s photo was a tiny, ID-like shot next to Makijima’s dynamic pose (and with his buzzcut, he looked kinda like a criminal).

“Maki sure is cool, huh. Hey, missy, if Maki doesn’t make it as a pro soccer player, use your ex-idol connections to get him a modeling gig or something.”

“Eh? Wait, Kishihara-san, you knew I was an ex-idol?”

“Yup, Shizuku spilled everything.”

Shizuku grinned sheepishly, “Ehehe.”

W-Wait, no, no, no!

“Shizuku-chan, you said it was a secret!”

“But Daddy asked, ‘Who gave you that headband?’ and when I said it was a secret, he looked like he was gonna call the cops, so I had to…”

W-Well, sure, a parent who knows nothing might get worried…

“Thanks for looking out for Shizuku back then.”

“Whoa, so polite all of a sudden… Did you actually believe Shizuku when she said I gave her the headband? Didn’t you think a kid might be lying?”

“You saying my Shizuku would lie?”

“Suddenly such a doting dad…”

“Ayane-chan, look! Makijima-kun’s going in!”

“Huh…?”

While we were talking, Makijima stepped onto the pitch, and the game resumed.

On the phone yesterday, he was grumbling about maybe not getting to play, so I was worried. But seeing him out there now, I’m relieved.

Now, it’s all about whether he can score that one goal to save the team…

I watched the match, praying with all my heart.

                       ♢♢♢

Coming off the bench, I was slotted in to play as a two-striker alongside Victor-senpai.

With my entry, only 20 minutes plus stoppage time remained.

As the match neared its climax, Odawara United, leading 1-0, began shifting to a defensive strategy, sitting back instead of pressing forward.

Even Azaki, sharp as he is, struggled against their compact defense, and since I came on, passes rarely reached us forwards.

To make matters worse, an Odawara player went down after minimal contact, stalling for time and refusing to get up.

Crap, at this rate, time’s gonna run out without a single chance.

As I wiped cold sweat, Azaki jogged over during the stoppage.

“These pros are playing dirty, just protecting their precious one-goal lead.”

I thought he had something useful to say, but it was just griping.

“They don’t wanna lose to college kids, you know.”

“Who cares! They’ve got the ball but won’t attack—that’s cowardly!”

“Would you say that if we were the ones up by a goal?”

“…”

“Couldn’t, right?”

Speechless, Azaki grabbed a water bottle from the sideline, doused his buzzcut head, and snapped back to a serious expression.

“Makijima… I’ll dribble as far as I can. You keep a steady distance and position yourself between their backline. I’ll send a lob pass at the right moment, so you make your usual run behind the defense.”

“…Got it.”

Here’s hoping it works…

The delay tactics ended, and the game resumed.

Odawara’s players, avoiding risky attacks, circulated the ball in their half, waiting for a counter.

Victor-senpai and I pressed from the front, but they calmly evaded, feeding the ball to Kanagawa, who’d come short.

Here we go again.

Kanagawa’s gonna break through with that signature dribble.

My seniors braced for his charge, but… receiving the ball just outside the penalty area, Kanagawa suddenly swung his right foot back and unleashed a ferocious long-range shot.

A middle from there!?

A bullet-like shot from 30 meters out.

The distance made the trajectory slightly off, letting Chan-senpai dive and parry it to a teammate.

Kanagawa’s long shot sent a roar through the stadium, turning into cheers.

What an atmosphere. Even Koutou’s fans are locked on Kanagawa… The match’s momentum is completely with Odawara United.

…The match’s momentum is completely with Odawara United.

Even in that atmosphere, Azaki stayed cool.

Taking a pass from Chan-senpai, Azaki locked eyes with me first. He directed our seniors to open passing lanes and surged forward.

The ball reached Victor-senpai up top, who used his physicality for a post-play, feeding Azaki again at the right of the center circle. With sharp, varied dribbling, Azaki shook off defenders one by one, then looked up toward me in the middle.

This timing’s perfect—if I can sprint into the space behind…

I prepared to break through at the offside line’s edge—but late in the game, Azaki finally hit his limit.

“Huh…?”

The long feed from Azaki’s right foot, meant for me, veered further and further right.

Azaki, you pushed too hard…

“—Makijima! Keep it in, no matter what!”

A roar unlike Azaki’s usual tone hit my ears, and my body reacted.

At full speed, I stretched my leg to save the ball from going out, using the inside of my cleat to barely keep it in play, recovering it five meters from the penalty area.

Now, dribble toward the center…

“Wait, number 16—!”

A shadow like a football player’s tackled me from behind.

K-Kanagawa…!?

Appearing from behind, Kanagawa flicked the ball away with the outside of his right foot.

He’s not just lethal in attack but in defense too—this guy’s too unfair…

The ball I fought to keep in rolled toward the touchline.

Strong, fast, born with soccer talent—jealousy hit me hard. Maybe I’ve always wanted to be a gifted player like Kanagawa.

I’ve got nothing, always chasing what I lack, training to exhaustion… and still coming up empty.

Against absolute talent like Kanagawa… am I just gonna lose—?

“Don’t get weak! In soccer or anything else, people without ambition just get left behind!”

Sasaki’s words flashed through my mind.

That night by the riverbank, when I was venting my doubts, she said…

“Hmph!”

In this hopeless situation, I can’t help but laugh.

Losing confidence in front of the real Ryushin Kanagawa… Sasaki would totally chew me out if she knew.

That’s right—I don’t need talent.

I don’t have to be the best in soccer.

I don’t need the power to prove others wrong or the skill to earn praise.

I just want to be a guy who can make Sasaki Ayane happy…

“So, I’ll keep my promise…!”

I lock eyes on the ball Kanagawa knocked away.

It hasn’t crossed the line yet.

“Number 16, you—”

The ball Kanagawa tried to send out—I stretch my leg as far as it goes, snagging it just shy of the touchline.

Leaving a stumbling Kanagawa behind, I cut in from the right toward the center.

“Stop him! Foul if you have to!”

Kanagawa’s orders ring out, and Odawara’s players close in to cover.

I’m terrible at dribbling—no way I can beat pros.

So I trust him, sending a no-look pass back to the center.

“Com“Perfect, Makijima!”

Teeth bared, Azaki sprints up at full speed, taking my pass and lofting it behind the backline with one touch.

It’s offside-tight—VAR might’ve called it. I cut from the right to the center, slipping behind the final line, and meet Azaki’s lob pass completely unmarked.

I enter my shooting motion with one touch and swing my left foot through.

“…”

When a goal goes in, my vision always slows.

The sound of the ball grazing the net, the crowd’s cheers—every detail burns into my memory.

[Odawara 1-1 Koutou]

♣♣♣

“You did it! Ayane-cha…”

I was crying at that goal.

Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I never closed my eyes, staring only at Yutarou Makijima.

“Happy” doesn’t begin to describe it.

The past month with Makijima—all of it was rewarded in this moment.

“…That’s not fair, Ayane-chan. I’m so thrilled I could cry too!”

Makijima, mobbed and roughly celebrated by teammates, clutched the ball and walked toward the stands.

Just as I saw only him, he saw only me.

Amid the cheers from the supporters in front, Makijima shyly made a shape with his hands and directed it at me.

That’s…

“Oh, Ayane-chan, it’s a heart!”

“Whew, Maki’s got some moves.”

…Makijima, that’s so not like you.

I was bursting with joy, but my tears wouldn’t stop.

Afterward… Koutou University, tied by Makijima’s goal, scraped through to victory after extra time and a penalty shootout.

Makijima, the first kicker, missed spectacularly, nearly becoming the scapegoat, but Koutou’s goalkeeper, Chan-senpai, saved three shots in a row to bail him out.

Post-match, while waiting for Makijima’s message, I calmed my nerves at a nearby café, eating just two pancakes. Then, a message from Makijima popped up on LINE.

…He’s got something important to tell me later, right?

Having cried my eyes red at the stadium, I paid the bill with a nervous heart and headed to our meeting spot.

                           ♡♡♡

Right after the post-match meeting, I packed up faster than anyone, threw on Koutou’s red tracksuit, and bolted from the stadium.

Night had fully settled in, and I sprinted as hard as I did in the game.

I just want to see Sasaki.

Driven by that thought, I reached our meeting spot: the statue of the torch runner near the stadium.

Sasaki’s not here yet…

Catching my breath, I rehearsed confessing my feelings to her.

It’ll be fine. If I express myself clearly, Sasaki will respond.

“—Makijima?”

Sasaki’s voice came from behind.

Turning, I saw her standing there, no glasses or mask.

“Eh, is it okay to go without your disguise?”

“It’s fine. There’s hardly anyone around…”

Looking around the statue, as she said, only a few joggers passed by.

Seeing Sasaki without her disguise like this… it’s been since the day we kissed.

“Congrats on your first A-team goal.”

“Th-Thanks.”

“It was an amazing goal! The ball went ping-pong, and the shot was like, bam, the keeper couldn’t move! I was so moved.”

“Y-Yeah… I’m glad I could actually score.”

Savoring the joy of sharing this with Sasaki, I got to the point.

“There’s something I need to tell you…”

“Yeah, you said you’d talk if you scored.”

Here goes, I’m gonna say it…

Holding my trembling body steady, I locked eyes with her.

“Looking back, this past month, you’ve been my driving force. Because of you, I made it this far. You pushed me forward—thank you, really.”

“No, I’m sorry for always pushing you so hard. It must’ve been a lot of pressure, right?”

“No way. I…”

I closed my eyes, recalling everything.

Every moment with Sasaki led to who I am now. So—

“I want you by my side, always… I want to be with you forever.”

“…You mean—”

“I love you, Sasaki. Will you go out with me?”

The moment I said it, bittersweet emotions flooded me, my face burning red-hot.

Embarrassment overwhelmed me, and I looked down—but wanting to hear her answer, I looked up.

“Close your eyes… Makijima.”

Sasaki’s cool hands cupped my flushed cheeks, and she stood on her toes, bringing her face closer to mine…!?

♢♢♢

“…Mmm.”

A kiss…

Our lips meet, lingering, unwilling to part.

No—I don’t want to part.

I want to feel Sasaki’s lips more.

I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close, embracing her tightly.

We kiss so long we’re practically gasping for air. When we finally break apart, our eyes lock.

“…I-I’ve loved you for so, so long, Makijima,” Sasaki says, tears streaming down her face.

“For so long… you mean, even before the mixer?”

“Obviously! Come on, figure it out already!” she snaps.

“So, your first love really was—”

“My first love is Makijima Yutarou! Number 9 from Seijin Academy High School!”

Sasaki’s voice trembles with tears, her usual fiery edge shining through.

She spills everything about the past three years. Knowing I’m her first love is more than surprising—it’s overwhelming joy. I still don’t fully get why it’s me, but whatever. It worked out. We confessed properly.

Relief washes over me as I stroke my chest. Sasaki, back in her glasses and black mask, holds my hand in a lover’s grip as we stroll through the park.

“Hey, Makijima, I need to check something before we’re official.”

“Check what?”

“I’m a former idol, a retired celebrity. I have to hide my face even now… Are you really okay with someone like me, with all that baggage?”

“What’re you saying now? I love… the Sasaki Ayane who acts all mature but is super childish, who loves pancakes more than anything, who’s great at cooking but makes so much she empties the fridge in one meal. That’s the Sasaki Ayane I love. Former idol? Doesn’t matter.”

“…!”

Sasaki looks stunned, then slowly breaks into a grin.

“You love me that much?”

“I’ve been saying it.”

“Not Kiraboshi Ayane, but Sasaki Ayane, huh?”

“Of course. The one who’s been with me all this time is Sasaki Ayane, right?”

“…Hehe.”

“Why’re you laughing?”

“I love that side of you, Makijima.”

Every time she says “love,” my heart skips a beat. I’m not used to this…

“About tonight,” she says, “you said on the phone, ‘If I score, we go home together,’ so I brought a change of clothes. They’re in a station locker.”

“Prepared as always. I could’ve lent you something.”

“I-I wanted to show you my pajamas, Yutarou.”

“Oh? Then I’ll have to take a good look at Ayane’s pajamas tonight.”

“Yup!”

Ayane nods happily, rubbing her head against my shoulder.