Chapter Five | The Scenery I Want to See with You

♡♡♡

The hellish feeding fiasco finally ended, and Azaki and I split the bill before leaving the family restaurant.

On the way back to the stadium, Azaki, undeterred, kept chatting up Aihara, while Sasaki and I trailed behind.

Even someone as gentle and kind as Aihara rejecting him like that… that’s gotta sting.

“Fuzzball doesn’t give up, huh? Aihara-san seems really annoyed.”

“Azaki probably knows she’s not into it but can’t let go. He’s been into Aihara forever.”

“…I kinda get that feeling.”

“Huh, seriously?”

“Yeah… I mean, once you fall for someone, it’s not easy to give up. I’m… like that too.”

Right, Sasaki’s been hung up on her first love since her idol days.

So she feels some sympathy for Azaki chasing Aihara, his true crush? …No, wait, comparing her first love to Azaki feels kinda disrespectful.

Azaki claims Aihara’s his “true love,” but he’s been with tons of other girls.

Sasaki, on the other hand, was so devoted to her first love she went as far as studying abroad—

My feet stopped.

Wait, Sasaki said she went to Paris, not England.

We got interrupted by Azaki and the others when she was talking about studying abroad, but… does that mean her first love might not be Kanagawa Ryushin?

“Makijima? Why’d you stop all of a sudden?”

“…Sasaki, what’s your first love like?”

“Like?”

“Y’know, height, age, stuff like that.”

“Ugh…”

When I pressed her with specifics, Sasaki furrowed her brow, went quiet for a bit, then finally spoke.

“W-Well, he’s tall-ish. And… around my age.”

Kanagawa’s, like, 190 cm. And a year older than Sasaki.

So, as expected, it’s probably Kanagawa Ryushin…?

“He’s got a kind face but can be kinda lonely. That kinda guy.”

“Huh, really?”

Sasaki looked at me, blinking rapidly as she spoke.

I don’t know Kanagawa’s personality.

From what I saw on TV, he seemed intense and kinda standoffish…

“So, got it?”

“Got it? Uh, yeah, I get the vibe. Gotta be a good guy if you’re into him, right? I was worried it might be someone like Azaki, haha.”

“…Hmph.”

“What?”

“Idiot.”

For a split second, Sasaki pulled down her black mask, stuck out her tongue cutely with a “bleh,” and ran off toward Aihara up ahead.

♢♢♢

“What the hell, man?!”

Sasaki shoves Azaki back, and he stumbles toward me.

“You look down, partner,” Azaki says.

“Share some of that freakish mental toughness,” I reply.

“No way. If I lose to you in face and mentality, I’ve got nothing left.”

Azaki kicks my butt as he speaks. “Anyway, Sasaki-san’s pretty cute, huh?”

“Huh?”

“Petite but stylish, slim arms and legs. Take off that mask and glasses, and she’d be a total catch. I’d swoop in—”

I grab Azaki’s shoulder reflexively. “No way. Sasaki’s… off-limits.”

“Pfft, look at you, all desperate!” he laughs.

“It’s just—you—”

“I’m all about Aihara-san, remember? Plus, I’m only into G-cups or bigger.”

“You’re such a sleaze…”

“If you’re serious about Sasaki-san, it’ll work out. I guarantee it.” He brushes my hand off his shoulder.

“Hope it works out for you too, Azaki.”

“Sarcasm, huh?”

He doesn’t seem confident about Aihara, but I’ll root for him. “More importantly, we need to talk.”

“Talk?”

“Before the afternoon match, I’ve got something to discuss.”

“Can’t we do it now?”

“Nah…” Azaki’s face is dead serious, a rare sight.

☆☆

I roll my eyes at Makijima’s obliviousness while shoving Azaki away to protect Aihara.

“Thanks, Sasaki-chan,” Aihara says.

“If you don’t like him, just say so,” I urge.

“Well… it’s not that simple,” she replies, her brows furrowing with a forced smile.

Like at the diner, she’s too indirect. If she’d just say no, things would be clearer.

“You don’t like Azaki, right? Just tell him straight,” I say.

“He’s just… a bit much. I don’t want to hurt his feelings,” she explains.

“You don’t need to spare that player’s feelings.”

“Maybe…” Aihara gives a weak laugh, brushing it off. “You’re so straightforward, Sasaki-chan.”

“Am I?”

“Yeah, you’re so confident. I’m bad at saying no.”

True, Aihara’s too kind, always letting people misunderstand her. Kinda like a certain Makijima—ugh, annoying.

“Earlier, Azaki-kun gave me this…” She pulls a ticket from her pocket.

…That’s…

“An aquarium ticket. He asked me to go with him tomorrow.”

“Huh, really?” I stammer.

“You okay, Sasaki-chan?”

“N-Nothing!”

What’s going on? Azaki said he had an extra ticket, but… I glare at him talking to Makijima behind us. What’s he plotting?

☆☆

After lunch, we return to the stadium field.

“I’ve got water bottles to prep,” Aihara says.

“Thanks, Aihara,” I reply.

“No prob!” She heads off to her manager duties.

“Sasakuma-san, watching from the stands again? I could ask Coach to let you sit on the bench,” Azaki teases.

“No thanks! I’m here to watch…” Sasaki stares at me intently.

What’s up?

“…I’m heading to the stands! Later, Makijima!” she blurts, rushing off.

“Uh, yeah. I’ll lime you after the match,” I call.

Azaki and I wave her off. “So pure, Sasakuma-san,” he says.

“Sasaki,” I correct.

“You’re so clueless about her feelings…”

“What’s that mean? And it’s Sasaki.”

“Sure, sure, Sasaki-san.”

“You’re doing it on purpose.”

“Maybe.”

Jerk.

We head into the field for our post-lunch meeting. “No pretty girls around, just us now, huh, Makijima?” Azaki grins.

“Don’t say it like that!”

“Aw, don’t blush. We’re tight, right?”

“Shut up!” He pokes my chest, aiming for precision, and I swat him away.

“Hey, Azaki, about that talk before the match?”

“Yeah, we’ve got time.” He checks his phone. “It’s hot. Let’s talk in the shade.”

He points to a bench outside the field. “Uh, sure,” I agree, wondering what’s up.

☆☆

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Azaki says, arriving with two cans of cola.

“Cola before a big match? We’re not in Bleach,” I joke.

“They drank flat cola. We’re fueling up with bubbly cola.”

“Don’t compete with manga…”

I pop the can, fizz spilling over. I quickly sip to catch it.

“Nice reflexes,” Azaki says.

“Not worth praising. So, what’s the talk?”

He sits beside me, sipping his cola. “First, I’ve got a question.”

“Shoot.”

“When you were with Sasaki-san in the stands earlier, you talked to Coach Kishihara, right?”

I flinch at Kishihara’s name. Why’s he bringing up Coach?

Kishihara’s the former coach of my alma mater, Seijin Academy High School. We never made nationals during my three years, but he led a golden generation with Balon d’Or winner Mishiro Takato and Tokyo Frontier’s ace, Kita Makoto, to a national championship. He’s like a second father to me, the person I respect most.

“How do you know about Coach Kishihara?” I ask.

“Who in high school soccer doesn’t know him?”

“Fair, but you’re a pro youth product, not high school soccer.”

“True, I’m an elite,” he brags, annoyingly accurate.

“So why do you know about him?”

Azaki stands, facing me. “What did you and Kishihara talk about? Spill it.”

His tone is dead serious, a stark contrast to his usual playfulness.

“It’s none of your business,” I snap.

“Just tell me.”

“Fine…” His intense gaze breaks me. “I told him I want to play soccer with him again.”

“With him?”

“He’s with Tokyo Frontier’s scouting now. I failed as their ace, couldn’t even get us to nationals, so he took responsibility and…”

“Oh, I see,” Azaki says, sitting back down, looking like he’s pieced it together.

“See what?”

“You don’t know yet, do you?”

“Know what?”

He gulps his cola. “Why Seijin Academy didn’t make nationals during your three years. You know why, right?”

“Because I didn’t score enough.”

“Don’t just blame yourself.”

“What?”

“You act like you’re reflecting, but you’re dodging the real issue.”

“What’d you say?!” I grab his collar, my emotions surging.

Talking about my high school failures is my sore spot. I’m losing it.

“You know why things didn’t work out,” Azaki says calmly. “Seijin’s biggest weakness wasn’t you, Makijima Yusaku. It was the midfield’s lack of depth.”

He’s… right. It stings. When I joined, Seijin’s midfield was notoriously thin. The year before had a strong midfield, but my years lacked players who could control the game, and we got exposed, failing to clear even the prefectural rounds.

“How do you know that?”

“Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered if you’d scored like crazy, but…”

“I thought I could fix it by scoring! That’s why I—”

“Enough self-blame. If you’re gonna hate yourself, I’ll hate myself too.”

“What? This has nothing to do with you—”

“It does.” He grabs my hand on his collar, staring into my eyes. “I was scouted by Seijin Academy.”

“What?!”

Azaki, scouted by Seijin? I’ve never heard this. He’s a pro youth product!

“Maybe that’s why I know Kishihara and Seijin’s weaknesses. He scouted me.”

“Seriously?”

“Kishihara came to my hometown, practically stalking me. Never been chased by a guy like that before or since.”

That sounds like Coach. When I got cut from Tokyo Frontier’s youth team, he showed up at my house nearly every day, recruiting me for Seijin.

“He said there was this ‘interesting striker’ my age, a Number 10 who could control the midfield, and he wanted me.”

“An interesting striker… me?”

“Yeah, the freshman entrusted with Seijin’s Number 9. Definitely you.”

Kishihara believed in me that much? Using me to recruit others?

“I had a childhood sweetheart back then, so leaving for Toyama’s Seijin was tough. Plus, the youth team was my fastest track to pro, so I turned him down.”

“That’s an annoying reason.”

“Love’s everything, man.”

“Knowing your love life now, I can guess why you broke up.”

“Yeah, cheating. But forget my epic romance for a sec.”

Infidelity, you mean.

“Kishihara’s talk about this ‘interesting striker’ stuck with me. Even after declining, I followed Seijin’s games, watched your plays.”

“Really? News to me.”

“Remember how chummy I was during pre-enrollment practice?”

“You were annoyingly close from day one.”

“I’d studied your game footage. Playing with you felt natural.”

True. Despite only two months together, our timing—breakaways, passes—clicks perfectly. He’s been watching me since high school?

“I told you I got a pro offer after high school but turned it down.”

“For Koto University, to chase ‘high-educated babes.’”

“That was a big reason.”

“There’s more?”

“Kishihara recommended it.”

“What? He’s not even Koto staff!”

“I reached out to him. Used the business card he gave me. Asked where that ‘interesting striker’ was going.”

“So… you ditched pro for Koto because…”

“I was more into you, Makijima Yusaku, than any babe.”

I can’t process this. Ditching pro to play with me? Insane.

“Watching Seijin’s games, I wanted to play with you. Plus, in the N League, high school grads rarely get playtime. College grads get instant action, sometimes going overseas in six months. Koto was the perfect path—pro career, babes, and you.”

“Don’t lump me in with that.”

But Azaki valuing me this much? I thought he was using me at the mixer, so this feels… good.

“Also, I felt guilty about you.”

“Guilty? You’ve helped me score. I owe you.”

“Not now. Back then.”

“High school?”

“If I’d chosen Seijin over the youth team, our midfield would’ve been solid. You and I could’ve racked up goals, maybe won nationals.”

“Azaki…”

“I’ve been looking for a chance to apologize. Seeing you with Kishihara today, I thought he might’ve mentioned me, so I wanted to clear the air.”

“That’s why you grilled me about him.”

“Yeah… sorry, man.”

He bows, uncharacteristically sincere. It’s just hindsight. Seijin’s midfield and our failures weren’t his fault.

“You’re not yourself, Azaki. No use dwelling on ‘what ifs.’”

“I know, but…”

He bites his lip, regretful. Today’s Azaki is showing sides I’ve never seen.

“If you’re hung up on the past, we aim for the top now.”

“Makijima…”

I extend my hand. “First, we make the A-team. Let’s crush this match and climb.”

“Yeah…” We shake hands firmly, standing from the bench.

“Get ready for my brutal passes,” he says.

“Fine, but if I’m offside, it’s on you.”

“Your fault!”

Azaki looks relieved, like he’s unloaded everything.

☆☆

Azaki and I play the full afternoon match against high schoolers, winning easily. Day two, we’re undefeated except against the A-team. No injuries, all good. One day left. My A-team chances are iffy, but I’ve done all I can.

Back at the hotel, Azaki’s off somewhere, and Chan-senpai’s not back. I flop onto my bed, thinking.

Sasaki’s first love: tall, close in age, met three years ago at work, no direct contact, tied to studying abroad? Sounds like Kinugawa, but the abroad part doesn’t fit.

“Maybe the abroad rumor’s wrong. It’s just something Mizuki heard.”

If it’s not Kinugawa… three years ago, Kiraboshi Ayane visited Seijin Academy. If she saw me there and delayed a year to join Koto for me… wishful thinking.

Too delusional. A washed-up high school soccer nobody like me as Sasaki’s first love? Less likely than meeting a former idol at a mixer.

But… meeting two ex-Genesistars members, the group’s top two, feels too perfect. Is it really coincidence?

As I overthink, my phone rings. Sasaki. “You free?” she asks.

“Yeah.”

“Got plans tomorrow afternoon?”

“Camp ends in the morning, so I’m free.”

“Wanna… go to the aquarium?”

“Aquarium?! You’re all about pancakes. What’s up?”

“Don’t call me a sweet-toothed glutton!”

She’s not wrong. “Fine, an aquarium sounds good. Got a fish in mind?”

“Not really… it’s Golden Week, so I wanted to go somewhere. Plus, aquariums are dim, so no one’ll recognize me. Crowds should be fine.”

“True, people watch fish, not faces. How about noon-ish?”

“Deal!”

We chat about today’s match, then hang up. I stare at the ceiling. “Aquarium date, huh.”

☆☆

Final camp day. We face Chiba university students in the morning, and Azaki’s hat-trick seals a blowout. I don’t score but nab a rare assist.

Post-match, we remove shin guards and gather around Coach in the field’s center for the debrief. He mentions A-team promotions, to be announced later, joining for the Emperor’s Cup first round on May 16. Azaki’s a lock, but me? If I don’t make A-team, my plan to beat Kinugawa and confess to Sasaki’s done.

Nothing I can do but hope.

“Alright, let’s close with a clap. Azaki, lead,” Coach says.

“Seriously?” Azaki stands beside him. “Here we go—hands together! Yo!”

His clap ends the long Golden Week camp.

☆☆

I take a bus to meet Sasaki. Azaki said he’s going somewhere with Aihara—worried for her.

At the bus stop near the meeting spot, Sasaki calls. “You here?”

“Yeah, where are you?”

Someone pokes my back. I turn to see Sasaki in a black camisole dress, looking mildly annoyed.

“You’re late!”

“Sorry, Coach’s speech dragged.”

“Two pancakes, and you’re forgiven.”

“Pancakes? Don’t tell me after the aquarium—”

“Of course! We’re hitting Chiba’s pancake spots with the extra time!”

Gotta stall at the aquarium.

“Here,” she says, handing me a ticket. “Golden Week’s busy, so I got these in advance.”

“Always prepared, huh. How much?”

“No charge! It’s a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Let’s go!” She grabs my hand, pulling me forward. She’s that excited?

At the entrance, we show our tickets and step into a dim space surrounded by massive tanks.

“Wow…” Sasaki stares at a giant tank.

I read online this place is known for orcas, but there’s tons more. Passing a ray tank, Sasaki stops at a jellyfish display.

“Look, Makijima, so many jellyfish…”

“Yeah, they’re pretty with the lights.”

“Kinda slimy and gross, though.”

“Hey!” My poetic moment’s ruined.

“Oh! There’s a clownfish tank!”

“You like clownfish?”

“Yup!”

She said she had no fish in mind, but she’s hyped. She’s even forgotten we’re still holding hands… I’ll keep quiet.

“So many fish here, huh?” she says.

“It’s an aquarium.”

Yes! Hand-holding plan success! Makijima’s acting normal, but he’s gotta be freaking out inside.

“Sasaki,” he says.

“W-What?”

“You seem happier than usual.”

“Huh?!”

“Not having fun?”

“I-I am, but…” Why am I the flustered one? Calm down, Ayane. Show some mature composure.

“You’re the one blushing, Makijima. Embarrassed to hold my hand?”

Then, behind him, I spot two familiar figures in a tank’s blue glow. Azaki and Aihara?! Azaki smirks at me for a split second.

That jerk…

“I’m not embarrassed! Holding your hand’s no big deal—” Makijima stops. “You okay, Sasaki?”

Since learning Azaki gave Aihara a ticket, I’ve been suspicious. Is he using me and Makijima to show off to Aihara? She seemed into Makijima at the mixer, so maybe she likes him. Is Azaki trying to make her jealous to win her over?

“Sasaki?”

I let go of his hand. “Sorry, you don’t want to hold hands with me, right?”

I don’t want to let go, but if Azaki’s using us, it feels like we’re playing into his trap.

“I don’t mind,” Makijima says, grabbing my left hand with his big right one. “I said it’s fine. Plus, it’s dark here. We could get separated.”

His face is red, even in the dim light, and he holds on tight. “C’mon, next area!”

He pulls me along, not letting go. Is he worried because I acted weird? I love that about him.

Azaki’s schemes don’t matter anymore. If Aihara sees us, I’ll flaunt it. I want to stay like this with Makijima forever. I quietly intertwine our fingers.

☆☆

Am I doing the right thing?

“Wow, Aihara-san, you’re sneakier than you look,” Azaki says.

“I-I mean, anyone would be curious after hearing that…”

Yesterday, Azaki gave me an aquarium ticket. I planned to return it before morning practice, but…

“Guess who’s got a date at that aquarium today? Sasaki-san and Makijima,” he said.

My heart tugged. A date? Makijima and Sasaki-chan… are they…?

“Sorry for pushing you, Aihara-san. Maybe another time.”

“I’ll… go.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll go to the aquarium.”

I know I’m dancing in Azaki’s palm, but if I can understand their relationship…

Following Azaki’s gaze, I see them by a distant tank. They’re talking, but it’s hard to see from my angle.

“You get bold when it’s about Makijima, huh? You jumped at the manager role, and now this,” Azaki says.

“T-That’s…”

“Because you like him?”

“N-No, it’s not like that. I just want to support him. Being a manager isn’t about him specifically, but as a player—”

“Hold up,” Azaki interrupts, his sleazy grin turning serious, like on the field. “Isn’t that what liking someone is?”

“What…”

“Crap, Sasaki-san spotted us. Makijima’s stepping up too. Let’s not get closer.”

He puts his hands behind his head, looking bored. “Guess it worked out? Let’s explore, Aihara-san.”

“Did you plan this from the start?”

“Relax, we won’t run into them. My spatial awareness is top-notch—I know exactly where they are.”

“Using your soccer skills for this…” I sigh. But why does Azaki care so much about Makijima? Maybe he used him to lure me, but it’s… odd.

☆☆

Since re-holding Sasaki’s hand, we’ve barely talked. Did I scare her off by grabbing it? But she’s intertwining her fingers, so… what’s the signal?

My smartwatch shows my heart rate’s through the roof.

“Let’s see the orcas,” she says.

“Uh, yeah.”

We head to an outdoor stage for the orca show, sitting in the semicircle stands. The orcas perform to violin music. Not wanting to get splashed, we sit higher up, but… can Sasaki see?

I glance at her, and our eyes meet.

“What?” I ask.

“N-Nothing!” she says, looking away.

She’s acting weird, all dreamy. I’m trying not to grin like an idiot myself. Our clasped hands feel warm. Hope she doesn’t think my sweat’s gross.

Wait… she’s been staring at me, not the orcas, hasn’t she? Her intense gaze makes me flush.

“The orcas are jumping high,” she says.

You’re not even looking! Stop with the shallow comments while staring at me!

What’s up with her today?

☆☆

After the orca show, we tour the aquarium again and leave. At the bus stop, I check the time. “Next bus is in ten minutes.”

“Let’s walk to the station,” Sasaki suggests.

“Walk? That’s like thirty minutes.”

“C’mon!”

“Alright.”

She pulls my hand, practically skipping. Is she planning pancakes after to burn calories?

“About pancakes… my stomach’s not up for sugar today,” I say.

“Stop muttering and let’s go!”

We leave the bus stop, walking a quiet country road toward the station.

“Which fish was your favorite? Clownfish?” I ask.

“…Your hand.”

“Huh? Hand?”

“No, I meant barnacles! So cute~”

Were there barnacles? Maybe I missed them. “Didn’t want to hit the gift shop? They had huge orca plushies. You’re into that, right?”

“Stop treating me like a kid!”

“I didn’t mean it like that. Want me to grab one?”

“No way! My hands are full, so I don’t need a big plushie.” She pouts, turning away.

Today’s Sasaki is tough to read. As I puzzle, she leans closer. “Wanna come back to the aquarium…”

Is she in a good mood or not?!

☆☆

After thirty minutes, we reach the station and take the train back to Tokyo. The sky shifts from crimson clouds to a starry night. I glance at our joined hands. We’re out of the aquarium, so we could let go, but when I loosen my grip, Sasaki squeezes back.

“Don’t let go,” she whispers, tightening her hold.

She’s so strange today. Usually, she’s the mature older sister type, but now she feels like a clingy little sister.

Back in Tokyo, we exit the station to switch trains. “Guess we part here,” I say.

“Yeah…” she replies.

“Wanna stop somewhere?”

“How about pa—”

“Pancakes another time.”

“Ugh… Then walk me to the subway station?”

“Sure.”

We walk the dark, empty streets, still holding hands. Good call escorting her. At the subway entrance’s elevator, we stop and finally let go. It feels… weird.

“Thanks for inviting me,” I say.

“Thanks for coming despite being tired from the match.”

“Honestly, seeing you makes the fatigue vanish.”

“Makijima…” Her expression turns serious.

“If I make the A-team and the Emperor’s Cup’s done, I’ll have time for pancakes—Sasaki?”

She scans around, then lowers her mask. “What’re you—”

“Makijima…” She tiptoes, bringing her small, cute face close to mine.

♡♡♡

Our bodies, pressed close together, made each other’s heartbeats feel all the more vivid.

“Sasa…ki?”

Sasaki closed her eyes and leaned her face toward my cheek.

I didn’t resist—I let it happen.

Sasaki’s lips touched my cheek.

Ten seconds—no, fourteen. My cheek felt her lips for fourteen seconds.

Those fourteen seconds… felt like an eternity to me.

As her soft lips slowly pulled away, her breath grazed my now-sensitive cheek, like a finishing blow.

“Sasaki…?”

“…S-Sorry, Makishima!”

Sasaki looked down, then darted into the elevator with a breezy air, heading toward the underground ticket gate.

Even after Sasaki was gone, I stood there alone, rooted to the spot.

“Uh… which way’s home again?”

Rattled by the sudden kiss, I’d completely lost my sense of direction, so much so that I didn’t even notice my phone vibrating.

☆☆

Sasaki… kissed my cheek.

My cheek…

“Hey, Mama! That guy’s mouth is open like a puppet!”

“Shh, don’t stare.”

Pointed at by a boy standing next to me on the subway platform, I finally snapped out of it.

Huh… when did I get to the subway?

With my shoulder bag slung over my shoulder, I stood on the platform, shaking my dazed head awake as I boarded the train.

A movie ad played in the carriage.

Watching a man and woman share a passionate kiss, I touched my cheek.

These days, do people kiss even if they’re not in love?

No—there’s no way Sasaki would do that.

She always acts like the older sister type around me, but she’s surprisingly pure, almost childlike. Even during her idol days, she only seemed interested in pancakes and sweets…

But if that’s the case, then the person Sasaki likes… is me.

Which means her first love is…

“Hey, Mama! That guy’s face is red like an octopus!”

“Don’t point at people! Do it again, and I’ll give you an octopus-style beating… get it, ‘octopus’?”

“Mama, that’s scary.”

At any rate, I don’t want this to create some weird rift between me and Sasaki.

I should send her a Lime message now.

As I pulled out my phone, I noticed a missed call from Azaki.

Come to think of it, my pocket had been buzzing like crazy earlier…

Getting off at the station nearest my apartment and passing through the gate, I immediately called Azaki back.

“Hey, Azaki here.”

“Sorry, man, I was kinda busy earlier.”

“I get it, I get it… Though I wouldn’t have minded if you were busy until morning.”

“Don’t talk like you know what’s up, you perv.”

“What’s with that tone to your partner? After all I’ve done for you—”

“You’re just using me, aren’t you? Like at that mixer.”

“…Let’s get back on track.”

“Changing the subject when you’re losing, as usual.”

Azaki cleared his throat over the phone, switching to a calmer tone.

“We finally did it, man.”

“Did what?”

“What? You didn’t check your email?!”

“I told you I was busy.”

“Choosing to fool around with a girl over an email this important? You’re the worst kind of perv!”

“I don’t wanna hear that from you. What’s the email about?”

“No choice if you haven’t seen it. Makishima, brace yourself…”

“Yeah?”

“Starting next week, we’re moving up to the A team. Naturally, we’re also added to the Emperor’s Cup roster.”

The moment I heard that, my vision seemed to expand.

Me, on the A team…!

Three days of running my ass off and delivering results had paid off.

“It was decided in today’s meeting. The coach emailed earlier, but… you better reply to an email this big, or he’ll chew you out.”

“Yeah! Thanks, Azaki. You’re a total scumbag, but I wouldn’t have made it to A without you.”

“No, the A team coach picked us both. If it was just me… I wouldn’t have made it yet. My behavior’s part of it.”

“One hundred percent your behavior.”

“Anyway! The only one who can keep up with my passes is you, now and always, Makishima Yūtarō.”

“That’s high praise. Save the flattery for when I score in the first team.”

“Good point!”

Azaki laughed, then switched back to a serious tone.

“Someday, you and I will wear Takatō’s 9 and 10. That’s my dream, partner—”

Takatō’s 9 and 10 are legendary numbers, practically a guarantee of going pro.

If I could claim one of those numbers, I might really…

“So first, the Emperor’s Cup. You and I are gonna pull off a giant-killing against the pros.”

“…Man, that’s unusually passionate for you. You got a punchline ready, right?”

“Hell yeah! By the way, I’m calling from a love hotel in Chiba. Tonight’s an all-night party with some girls I met during training camp. Right, ladies?”

“‘Woo!’”

I hung up and blocked Azaki’s number.

Making the A team—I wanted to tell Sasaki first.

But in this atmosphere, reporting it… nah.

I sent a cautious Lime message: Thanks for today’s date. No read receipt.

Sasaki’s usually super quick—she’d read it in four seconds flat. But…

☆☆

K-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-kiss, I kissed him.

Back at my apartment, I looked at my face in the mirror.

These lips… on Makishima’s ch-ch-cheek…

Walking hand-in-hand at the aquarium date had been so thrilling that when we let go at the elevator, I lost control of my emotions.

I was so overwhelmed I kissed him… Thinking back, that was a big deal.

“My heart’s never raced this much.”

Back in my idol days, I never got nervous on stage or during shoots.

But now… I can’t calm this pounding in my chest.

“If I was gonna do it, I should’ve gone for his lips, not his cheek…”

I said it to sound tough, but there’s no way I could’ve done that.

A cheek kiss feels so childish.

Still, it’s a step forward, right?

Calming down a bit, I started washing off my makeup while holding a mental debrief.

Makishima didn’t reject my kiss.

He held my hand the whole time, too—we definitely got closer.

“Ehehe, I did good, didn’t I?”

Now I just need to tell him everything.

About my first love, quitting being an idol, coming here to chase him.

I always meant to tell him… but I was scared of coming on too strong and freaking him out. I didn’t have the courage.

But… after this, I don’t want to run anymore.

“Next time we meet, I’ll tell him properly.”

After doing that, I need to be ready.

I grabbed my phone to make plans with Makishima. That’s when I noticed two Lime messages from him.

One was from a while ago… I was probably too caught up freaking out to notice.

I opened my phone to check the messages.

There’s an Emperor’s Cup first-round match on May 16. It’s a big game, so you have to come watch.

The Emperor’s Cup means he made the first team, right?

Makishima’s working hard… I need to step up too.

Seeing that message, my resolve solidified.