(T/N: Before reading this chapter you can read the conversation illustration part that has been in previous part but didn’t got updated yesterday due to network issue on my side. Apologies for this)

Chapter 2: The Gears of Fate Begin to Spin Madly

───● The Basketball JC Explores ●○●

Ever since we learned that the court where I played basketball with Yuka was going to be demolished.

Yuka and I have been out exploring to find a new practice spot.

That said, we can’t just find one by searching aimlessly, so it’s more like looking up places on the internet beforehand and then going to check them out.

“Hmm, this place seems quite popular…”

“Yeah… even though it’s a holiday, it looks like there are several groups waiting…”

Still, it’s not easy to find one. Popular spots that pop up first on the internet aren’t guaranteed to be available for basketball anytime.

I thought compromising with a court that has a few people would be fine, but Yuka strongly opposed it, so we decided to try elsewhere. Apparently, “It’s dangerous when you come alone, Masato-san!” Dangerous how?

So, it would be best if there was a nice hidden gem… but we didn’t find one that conveniently.

“It looks like there’s one more place near here, so shall we walk there?”

“Yes!”

Taking Yuka along, I start walking again.

The summer sun burns my skin. The heat is a bit tough, but since we’re here, I want to find a good place before going home.

After wiping the sweat from my neck with a handkerchief, I took out my smartphone to check the route to the next location.

“Let’s see… go straight here…”

I walk along the sidewalk of the main street with Yuka.

Then, “Hah…!”

“…?”

Noticing something, Yuka quickly moved from my side to circle around to the opposite side.

“…What’s wrong?”

“No! It’s nothing!”

I thought it was strange, but since Yuka is smiling and looks happy, I decided not to say anything.

“Left here.”

“Heeh~ I haven’t been to this area much.”

“I haven’t really either.”

Going to a place I haven’t been yet causes some anxiety but is also exciting. Yuka might be feeling the same way.

We cross the signal and walk down the sidewalk.

Then, again—”Hah!”

Yuka noticed something again, circled around, and stuck closely to my opposite side.

…Umm?

“Like a screen-out…?”

“N-No!”

I thought maybe she was practicing basketball moves, but apparently not.

Then what for…?

“I saw it on TV. A good woman doesn’t let a man stand on the roadside! S-Standing on the roadside is dangerous for you, Onii-san!”

…Her way of speaking is a bit awkward.

But her concern for me comes through more than enough.

Fearfully, Yuka peered into my face.

“H-How is it…?”

“Fufufu… Thank you.”

When I said that, Yuka smiled brightly as if a flower had bloomed.

I really can’t win against this girl’s smile.

“Ah, come to think of it, there’s something I have to tell you, Masato-san…”

“What is it?”

It happened while we were stopped at a traffic light again.

“Next week, there’s a summer training camp for my club, so unfortunately I won’t be able to play basketball on Friday…”

“I see, that can’t be helped. Do your best at the camp.”

Yuka’s school isn’t exactly a powerhouse, but it’s strong enough to make it to the metropolitan tournament. Surely they’d have a camp or two.

“Bringing smartphones is also prohibited… so it might be difficult to contact you.”

“Oh, that’s pretty strict.”

In an era where it’s normal even for middle schoolers to have smartphones. Being banned from a device that serves as both a communication tool and entertainment must be tough for a girl her age.

“Ah, but I’m going on an overnight trip next week too, so I might not have been able to reply anyway. Might have worked out perfectly.”

“Are you going somewhere too, Masato-san?”

“Yeah, to the beach with friends.”

Twitch, Yuka freezes. The light turned green so I started walking, and Yuka followed in a fluster, lagging behind.

“T-The beach? It’s perfect for summer, that’s nice. B-By the way, who are you going with…?”

“Friends from university.”

“F-Friends, is that so? Um, by the way, how many people…?”

“Planned for three people.”

“Th-Three… I see.”

After crossing the signal, I check my smartphone again. Yep, not the wrong way.

“U-Um.”

“What’s wrong?”

When I took my eyes off the smartphone and looked at Yuka, I could see an emotion like panic in her expression.

“Just by the way, but… a-are there any women…”

“Ah…”

With that question, I finally realized what Yuka was fearing.

Since she conveyed her feelings to me, I have to be clear about this.

“There are. Or rather, I’m the only guy…”

“T-Two on one?!”

“Well, it turns out that way…”

Peeking at her expression, Yuka looks like it’s the end of the world.

“M-Masato-san is going to be eaten… d-double teamed…”

“No, don’t say it like it’s basketball.”

A double team refers to two people defending against one player. It’s mainly used to suppress an ace player. Wait, why am I doing commentary?

Yuka, who had been pale for a while, suddenly regained her composure.

“Masato-san, I will absolutely contact you at night.”

“Eh, no, you just said phones are prohibited…”

“Everyone says they don’t follow it, it’s just a formal rule so it’s fine. I will contact you at night so please absolutely reply, okay?”

“I-I get it, but the rooms are properly separate, so I think it’ll be fine…?”

“It’s fine! Please reply properly! It’s a promise, okay?!”

Yuka desperately shakes my hand up and down.

Certainly, from Yuka’s perspective, it’s natural to be worried. She seems quite shaken, but if it’s just this much, it’s cute.

“A-Also, when you come back next time, please introduce me to those friends… I must have a talk with them…”

“What do you intend to talk about???”

Yuka, speaking with a face of complete resolve, I take back what I said; she was actually a little scary.