Chapter 4: Feelings Accelerate (Not Necessarily in the Right Direction)

───● The Junior High Basketball Player Pounces ●○●

Today is Friday.

Lately, it’s the day I look forward to most all week.

It’s been two months since I started junior high, but there’s something I look forward to even more than school itself.

(I hope I can play lots of basketball with Onii-san today♪)

That’s right. My basketball time with Onii-san at the park.

Last week, some things came up, and we couldn’t play that much… so today, I’m determined to play a lot.

Right now, it’s lunchtime. I’m wiping down the basketballs we use in the club with the other members.

Practice is off today, but our senpais told us first-years to clean the balls.

I don’t mind it at all, but a lot of the other girls in my grade are complaining.

But for me, all I have to do is get through fifth period, and then I can go to the park!

So it’s no big deal!

“Hey, Yuka.”

“Hmm?”

Rika-chan, who was cleaning a ball next to me, spoke up, looking bored.

“Where have you been going on Fridays lately?”

“…Ah, um…”

People have been asking me that a lot recently. Someone asked me just yesterday, too.

I wonder why? Have they noticed how excited I get…?

“Hey, just be straight with me… it’s a guy, isn’t it?”

“N-N-No, it’s not!?”

“Aha, you’re flustered! It totally is a guy!”

“Wait, what? Yuka, you got a boyfriend?!”

“Everyone, it looks like Yuka got a boyfriend!”

“I told you, you’re wrong!”

C’mooon—I wish they’d just drop it!

My face is getting hot. It’s not like that with Onii-san… We just have a healthy, yeah, a healthy relationship where he teaches me basketball.

“I knew something was up with you lately! You always bolt out of here on Fridays.”

“Well, if Yuka got a boyfriend, that makes sense. She’s the quiet type, after all.”

“Hey, stop it! It’s not like that!”

A boyfriend, huh… a boyfriend.

If, if I could actually go out with Onii-san… I wonder how happy and wonderful that would be. Just thinking about it makes my heart pound.

“Ahhh, she’s smirking! It’s definitely a guy! I can’t forgive this! Everyone, let’s follow Yuka today!”

“Yeah, yeah! I wanna see what kind of guy he is!”

“N-No, stop! Anything but that! Absolutely not!”

Onii-san is handsome. No, he’s too handsome.

If everyone came along, they’d all think he was handsome, too, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all if some of them started showing up from now on. And Onii-san is so nice, he’d probably agree to teach them, too…

“What’s this? Sounds like you’re having fun. Mind if we join in?”

The air froze.

I timidly looked behind me to see two second-year senpais standing in the entrance of the gym storage room. Looking closer, I could see a good-looking guy from the second-year boy’s basketball team standing behind them.

“““G-Good afternoon, senpais.”””

“Yeah, yeah, hey. So? What’s this? Yuka got a boyfriend?”

“…! …No, it’s a misunderstand… ing.”

These two are the senpais in charge of guiding the first-years, and honestly, I don’t really like them.

They’re scary and intimidating.

“Hmph… well, I figured. He’s probably ugly anyway.”

“…!”

Onii-san is NOT ugly—! I can’t forgive anyone who makes fun of Onii-san.

I was about to retort, but… behind me, Rika-chan was tugging on my uniform sleeve where no one could see.

She must be telling me to calm down.

“Are you done wiping the balls?”

“We’re almost… finished.”

“Oh, really? I’ll be checking them when practice starts tomorrow. If I find any dirt, I won’t forgive you, got it? Oh, and Yuka.”

She called me out by name, and our eyes met. The senpai strode over and looked down on me intimidatingly.

She leaned in close to my ear and said quietly,

“—Don’t get too cocky just because you made the starting lineup for some practice game.”

“…”

“Well, we’re leaving. —Sorry for keeping you, Kenji. C’mon, let’s go?”

The two senpais left, taking the boy with them.

I somehow managed to swallow my anger… and exhaled.

“Yuka, you okay?”

“She’s seriously the worst. Meru-senpai.”

“What was that? Bringing her boyfriend along just to show him off. So freaking gross…”

Ever since I made the starting lineup… ever since I started getting to play in games, Meru-senpai started picking on me for some reason.

I’m sure she’s just upset because she isn’t a starter, and I, a first-year, am.

Even so.

(She… made fun of Onii-san…!)

I don’t care what they say about me.

But I could not forgive them for making fun of Onii-san.

School ended.

Lunchtime was a bit unpleasant, but that wasn’t enough to dampen my excitement for my time with Onii-san.

I rushed home and got ready to go to the park. The towel I borrowed from Onii-san… I have to return it. I pack the towel in my bag.

Since I already washed it at my house, it probably doesn’t have his nice smell anymore… or so I thought, but a faint scent still lingered.

Onii-san, you’re incredible.

Just for a little bit. I press the towel to my face for just a second…

(Fwaaah…)

N-No way. This is making me melt.

If it’s like this even after washing, then no one can blame me for doing… you know, this and that with it before I washed it. Yep. It’s a fact.

“What are you doing?”

“Aah!? Mom, don’t just come in like that!!”

“Well, you’re the one who asked me to make you a water bottle…”

I was so wrapped up in Onii-san’s scent that I didn’t even notice my mom coming into the room. Whoa, that was close. It would be way too embarrassing if she saw me completely spaced out like that.

“Well, I’m heading out!!”

“Ah, hey Yuka—!”

Ignoring my mom’s voice, I bolted out of the house.

Onii-san is waiting! I’m so—so excited!

“I wonder if that girl even checked the weather forecast…”

“O-Onii-san, today’s the day I take this spot from you!!”

“Oh, there you are, Yuka-chan.”

It was just after 3 P.M.

As expected, Onii-san was already there, doing his warm-ups. His outfit today is amazing, too. A white t-shirt with a navy denim shirt over it.

It’s a bit cooler today, so the fresh look is really nice to see.

The loose-fitting pants that allow for easy movement also match his height perfectly and look so cool. …Come to think of it, Yuka-chan, huh? I’d be happier if he just called me Yuka, it feels more intimate…

Is that being selfish, I wonder.

I decided to be a little brave.

“U-Um! We are enemies, so, th-there is no need for mercy. Please, c-call me Yuka, without honorifics.”

H-How was that? I kind of sounded like a samurai, but that was pretty natural, right?

I timidly peeked at Onii-san’s expression.

“Hehehe… Ahahahaha! You’re right, you’re totally right! Alright, Yuka. I’m making this spot mine again today, got it?”

—Hh! Yes! I’m so happy! And his smile is so dazzling! So cool!! I love him!

I almost started dancing on the spot.

“Th-Then let’s get started…”

“Hey now, not so fast.”

“Huh?”

As I took my ball out of my backpack to start playing, Onii-san stood in my way.

“Have you already forgotten about last week? Warm-ups! If you don’t do them properly today, we’re not playing.”

“…! Y-Yes, you’re right!”

Even Onii-san making an ‘X’ with his hands is so wonderful… so cute… No, that’s not it. I definitely need to warm up properly.

Stretching my legs, full-body stretches. I begin my warm-up routine meticulously. All the while, Onii-san is taking shots at the hoop. His ball-handling is so, so smooth.

His beautiful shooting form… I can’t help but be captivated.

Looking at his handsome profile… I remembered what that senpai said at lunch and got irritated all over again.

But it’s fine. That senpai would never even dream that I’m playing basketball with someone so amazing.

I allowed myself to feel a surge of superiority.

“—Hmph!”

“Whoa…! Seriously?”

I managed to drive all the way under the basket, used a shot fake, and then pivoted for a turn. I got past Onii-san’s block, and the shot I let fly sank into the net.

“…Yes!”

“No way… I was seriously trying to block that…”

Playing basketball with Onii-san is so much fun. Of course, there are times when his coolness makes my heart pound, but I also genuinely just love playing the game.

Onii-san is taller than me, and I’m sure he’s holding back, but he always plays at a level where I can just barely manage to score.

“You’re really getting better and better, Yuka… You might actually take this spot back from me for real soon.”

“I will! I’ll definitely take it back!”

To be honest, I have no intention of ever taking it back.

I wish this time could last forever.

“Alright, my offense next.”

“Okay. Bring it on!”

I passed him the ball and got into a defensive stance.

—And it was at that moment.

Plip. Plip.

Something cold hit my head. Huh?

“Huh?”

Onii-san looked up, too.

I was so focused on basketball that I hadn’t noticed at all.

The sky around us had rapidly darkened.

And what had been just a few drops became, in the next instant, a downpour like someone had overturned a bucket of water.

“Whoa!?”

“Kyaah—!?”

Onii-san and I immediately ran for cover.

First, I stuffed my ball into my backpack and held it over my head as a temporary umbrella.

Seriously! If it was going to rain, I would have brought my folding umbrella!

“Yuka! Let’s go over there!”

“Okay!”

Onii-san pointed towards… a covered rest area.

We both ran for shelter.

“Phew—! I can’t believe it started pouring like this.”

“Pant… pant… Yeah, I know.”

We managed to find cover, but we were both soaked to the bone in an instant. My socks are drenched, and the inside of my shoes feels gross.

“Towel, towel… Yuka, are you okay? You got a towel?”

“Yeah, I’ve go—”

My words caught in my throat.

I brought my own towel today, in addition to the one I borrowed from Onii-san.

That’s fine.

But more importantly—

(O-O-O-O-O-Onii-san, y-y-y-your shirt is s-s-see-through-through-th-th-through!)

Onii-san is just as drenched as I am… and under his white t-shirt… his skin is slightly visible.

I-It’s too hot… wait a second. His hair is also wet in this really nice way, and the sex appeal, the sex appeal is off the charts! W-Wait, could this be, you know, the moment right before it happens?

“Hah~ what should we do? We can’t play in this.”

“…”

“Yuka?”

My brain isn’t working.

Nothing’s getting through!

Wait, my breathing is getting heavy.

This is bad. If he finds out I’m looking at him in a sexual way like this…!

‘Ew… You’re gross. Never show your face in front of me again.’

(I-If he said that, I’d just die…!)

My life would be over. The day he said something like that to me.

Absolutely, I absolutely must not look.

The temptation is there. But this level of temptation…!

“…? What’s wrong, for real? Yuka. Are you not feeling well?”

“…Hh!!”

H-h-hand, his hand, his hand hand hand hand.

Onii-san’s soft, big hand is pressed against my forehead!

He’s so close!! The sexy, rain-soaked Onii-san is so close!

Stop it! My heart! My heart is going to explode!

“You don’t seem to have a fever… oh, right, you must have gotten really cold… Ah, I know.”

As if remembering something, Onii-san pulled something out of his bag.

“Here, wear this. It’s short-sleeved, so it might not do much. But it’s probably better than nothing.”

“Eh…”

Plop. It landed on my shoulders.

Onii-san’s short-sleeved denim shirt.

The shirt he was wearing when he got here. He definitely put it away when we started playing, but…

“Sorry. This is all I have… Let’s wait here a bit until the rain lets up.”

“…Kay…”

My heart won’t stop pounding. The see-through Onii-san is right next to me, and my body is wrapped in his clothes.

I feel like every part of me is being dyed in his essence.

“Ah~, sorry Yuka, can you look away for a sec?”

“Huh…?”

“Is this really that bad…? Well~ but if no one sees, it’s not a problem, right? Probably. Whatever.”

W-What is it?

Well, for now, I did as he said and turned to face away from him.

My heart is still racing, though.

Then.

I heard the rustle of clothes.

And a squeezing sound.

Followed by the sound of dripping water.

…Huh?

“Ugh, wow, this thing really soaked up a lot of water… Getting this much out with just one wring is insane… Hmm~ I think I had a spare t-shirt…”

Eh?

C-could it be that, O-Onii-san.

Did you just take off your shirt?

“Uhmm, I think it was around here…”

Thump-thump-thump.

My heart is pounding like fireworks in summer.

Wait a second. If I turn around now, will I see… a n-naked… Onii-san?

Eh, eh, eh.

Can I look? It’s okay if I look, right?

I mean, look. It’s force majeure! This is an act of god.

(T/N: Force majeure (French for “superior force”) is a legal clause in contracts that excuses both parties from fulfilling their obligations when an unpredictable event beyond anyone’s control makes performance impossible) 

There isn’t a single girl who wouldn’t look!

O-Onii-san’s skin. His raw, bare skin.

Timidly, I turn around.

He’s facing his bag, not looking this way.

His back comes into view.

A beautiful, tan, toned back…

Onii-san’s scent.

Onii-san’s skin.

“Hah… hah…!”

Onii-san’s scent.

myheadisspinning.

itsokayright.itsokayifiscorethefinalgoalnowright?

ifijumponhimfrombehindandrubmycheekonhimnooneisgonnacare,right?

ifistartlickinghimnooneisgonnacare,right?

itsokayifwegoallthewayright?

(T/N: for easier understanding, 

My head is spinning.

It’s okay, right? It’s okay if I score the final goal now, right?

If I jump on him from behind and rub my cheek on him, no one is gonna care, right?

If I start licking him, no one is gonna care, right?

It’s okay if we go all the way, right?) 

“Oh, found it, found it. Good thing I brought a spare… wait, Yuka!?”

Ah… consciousness… fading…

I’m sorry for being so weak. I really wanted to savor the sight of Onii-san’s skin one last time…

The last thing I saw was Onii-san, now wearing a new shirt, shaking my shoulders as my consciousness faded once again.