The first major event of our second year, the class tournament, ended without a hitch.
…Well, at least that's what I'd like to think. Others might not see it that way, considering I made Umi, Nina-chi, Sanae-chan, Manaka-chan, and even Maki-kun worry so much.
I think it all worked out in the end, but I still can't help but feel I could've handled things better. That's something I need to reflect on.
I have a feeling I wasn't my usual self this time around.
I also made a new friend… or maybe not quite, but I did meet someone new I can talk to. Her name is Nagisa-chan. She's a bit cynical on the surface, but deep down, she's a sensitive, delicate, and hardworking girl.
Her grades are way better than mine, too.
If I called her my friend, she'd probably shoot back with a quick, "No way." But since we managed to make up, I'll just have to keep at it until we can become friends for real.
It's okay. I'm sure I can do it.
…Though my best friend seems a little exasperated with me.
But this is who I am—Amami Yuu.
"──Well then, Amami-chan. Our trains go in opposite directions, so we'll part ways here."
"Oh, yeah! Thanks for coming today, everyone, even though it was so last-minute! It was super fun! Let's hang out again soon!"
"Yeah, next time it'll be in our territory. We'll be ready to welcome you."
"Mhm, I'm really looking forward to it!"
I exchanged goodbyes with the members of Class 11's team who had joined our after-party. I thought they might have a different vibe since they're in the advanced class, but they were all really nice, and today's karaoke session was even more fun than usual.
There was Nakamura-san, who was surprisingly good with the tambourine; Shichino-san from the light music club, who has an amazing voice but never sings for her club; Kaga-san, who loves anime songs; and Hayakawa-san from the kendo club, who looks super serious but showed a completely different side of herself when she sang and danced with me.
With these four around, I'm sure Umi is having a great time every day.
I mean, who would've thought that Umi would become the beloved favorite of their group?
Ever since leaving the all-girls' school I attended through elementary and middle school, everything has been so fresh and new.
Umi was incredibly cute when she got all embarrassed after being teased by those four about Maki-kun. Well, I saw it first, so I get to feel a little smug about that.
"Yuu, should we get going soon?"
"Yeah. By the way, where's Nina-chi?"
"Nina's in the restroom. She said to go on ahead."
"Oh, okay. Got it."
Umi and Maki-kun, who had already said their goodbyes to Nakamura-san and the others, joined me, and the three of us headed for the station platform.
I actually wanted to go home with Nagisa-chan too, but just as she'd declared, she paid her share and left right after the toast.
I'll just have to ask her to hang out again another day, just the two of us. We can sing together, chat over a meal at a family restaurant, and then maybe hit the arcade or just wander around town.
She'll probably get annoyed with me again. And yet, I know she'll stick with me until the end, complaining all the way.
Nagisa-chan's tsundere side is surprisingly cute.
"Yawn… Mmm, I'm suddenly so sleepy… It was fun, so I don't mind, but I guess I got a little too carried away… I'm confident I'll pass out five seconds after I get home."
"S-Same here…"
"Ahaha… Sorry, you two. I really made you put up with my selfishness today."
"Mmm, it's fine, don't worry about it. You worked harder than anyone today, Yuu, and we had fun one way or another. Right?"
"Yeah. I'm tired, but it helped clear my head, too."
They both replied, their eyes drooping. From the class tournament to everything that happened afterward, I was clearly the one dragging them around, yet neither Umi nor Maki-kun complained once, accepting me with gentle smiles.
Those two are such a lovey-dovey couple it's embarrassing—they must have wanted to spend some quiet time alone, yet they gave up their weekend for me.
The reason I can still smile like this is undoubtedly thanks to the two of them… no, thanks to everyone, including Nina-chi, Sanae-chan, and Manaka-chan.
I really want to thank them all more, but… well, if I said that, they'd probably just say, "Don't worry about it." So, I'll show my gratitude by continuing to be my cheerful, energetic self for them.
Come to think of it, my basketball showdown with Umi was left unresolved. The shoot-out ended inconclusively, and our game ended in a draw.
I wonder when we'll get our next chance.
I hope we can settle the score for good then.
"Ugh… Mmm…"
"? Umi, what's wrong? You seem a bit restless…"
"Ah, yeah. I was fine until a moment ago, but…"
As we walked down the stairs and waited for our train on a platform bench, I noticed Umi fidgeting uncomfortably.
I quietly asked what was wrong, and it seems the urge had suddenly hit her.
Come to think of it, she was glued to a sleepy-looking Maki-kun for the whole three hours of karaoke and didn't seem to go to the restroom once.
"I see. We still have time before the train comes, and even if we miss it, we can just take the next one. Don't hold it in, just go. I'll watch your stuff and Maki-kun for you."
"Ugh… O-Okay, just for a little bit, then."
Maki-kun, sitting next to Umi, had already leaned his head against her shoulder and was fast asleep. He's probably not used to being in large groups, so he must be more tired than usual.
I gave him a little shake, but he showed no signs of waking up. After shifting his head to my other shoulder, I saw Umi off. It's a bit of a handful, looking after three people's worth of bags plus a sleeping Maki-kun, but Nina-chi should be here soon, so it'll be fine.
"…"
I let out a soft sigh, vaguely listening to the announcements in the distance.
So much happened today, from morning until this very moment. I barely slept last night, and just when I thought everyone's encouragement had lifted my spirits, I immediately got into a fight with Nagisa-chan at school.
I managed to turn the game around and somehow make up with her afterward, but I know I never could have done it all by myself.
"…Thanks, Maki-kun. You really worked hard today."
I whispered, praising my friend who was breathing quietly beside me.
The catalyst for all of this was Maki-kun's cheer that echoed through the gym just before the first half of my match with Umi ended.
That's when I realized how stupid I was being.
The cheer from a shy boy who rarely raises his voice felt like a hammer that brought me back to my senses.
──"Come on… Come on, Class 10," huh…
Even after the match was over, Maki-kun's voice still echoed in my ears.
I understand that cheer wasn't meant for me. 'Don't disappoint my girlfriend with such a lame game'—that's probably what he meant by it.
"…Still, I'm grateful."
Quietly, so as not to disturb his peaceful sleep, I reached out and gently touched Maki-kun's head.
His hair was a little messy but soft and pleasant to the touch. Come to think of it, Umi was just gushing the other day, saying, "I cut it for him." Mixed with the faint smell of sweat was a scent that reminded me of Umi. Maybe they use the same shampoo.
I usually only see him from a distance, so it's hard to tell, but observing him up close like this, I notice all sorts of things.
"…Ngh… Zzz…"
"Hehe… Just as Umi said. He sleeps like a child."
Wanting to get a better look at his face, I secretly brushed his bangs aside to reveal his forehead.
His eyebrows were thin and not very well-groomed, and his eyelashes were surprisingly long.
Looking at him like this, maybe he has a slightly girlish side to him──
The moment I thought that.
Thump.
"? Huh──"
And with that sudden flutter in my chest, my heartbeat began to race.
Thump, thump, thump.
"Wh-What is this…"
Is something wrong with me? I quickly pulled my hand away from Maki-kun's head and placed it on my own chest.
Thump, thump.
…It seems to have settled now. Maybe I'm starting to feel sick, but my heart is regaining its regular rhythm, as if the earlier pounding was just a dream.
"──Ah, there you are. Heyyy."
"! Oh… um."
Just then, I heard footsteps approaching.
I don't know if the timing was good or bad, but it was Nina-chi.
"Sorry, Yuu-chin. The restroom was super crowded… Hey, what are you two doing alone, Yuu-chin and the class prez?"
"Ah, w-well… Maki-kun fell asleep from exhaustion… and Umi said she had to go to the restroom, so I'm just watching him and their stuff."
"Eh? What, the prez is asleep? …Oh, for real. Hilarious. I'm gonna take a picture. Then I'll edit it and send it to his phone later."
"Hey, you can't, Nina-chi. We have to let him sleep peacefully until the train comes."
I peeked at Maki-kun's face to see if we'd woken him, but he must be really tired, because he showed no signs of waking up despite the noise. I'd love to give him a piggyback ride, but I can't do it alone, so I'll have Umi wake him up when she gets back.
"H-Hey, Nina-chi. Can I ask you a favor? Could you watch Maki-kun for a second? I kind of need to go to the restroom too."
"Mhm, sure. So, I just need to sit there, right? Heyyy, class prez, wake up~ You'll die if you sleep here~"
"Ngh, mmm…? N-No, this isn't a snowy mountain…"
"Oh, Nina-chi… W-Well, I'll be right back then."
I entrusted the bags to Nina-chi, who was gleefully shaking Maki-kun's body without a care in the world, and pretended to head towards the restroom to follow Umi.
"…Hey, Yuu-chin."
"? Wh-What is it?"
"The restroom's not that way. It's over there."
"! Oh, sorry… Hehe, well, I'm off again then."
…Ugh, seriously. This is no good. I feel like this mysterious pounding in my chest won't go away unless I get some time alone to calm down.
This is probably the first time I felt this.
What in the world is this?