V1 - Chapter 11

Volume 1 - The Abandoned Kitten, Her, and Me.

Chapter 11

On the Saturday following the day I overheard their conversation after school, Minamino sent me a message in the early afternoon and came into the living room as if she were familiar with the place. This was actually the first time she had come over on a day off.

The kitten temporarily named Shiro was sleeping. Or rather, it seemed to spend most of its time sleeping. I wondered if kittens were really supposed to sleep this much. Occasionally, I'd lean in with concern, and it would open its eyes as if sensing my presence, making a slight purring sound. It was a discovery for me that it made more purring sounds than meowing.

Whether I was studying, eating, or playing games, Shiro was mostly sleeping. In other words, the time Minamino was around was mostly time spent with just her and me. However, strangely enough, I didn't find it uncomfortable or strange.

"I thought about it a bit, but…," she said while still keeping her eyes on the screen. She was playing an action RPG that's been going on for over thirty years, where a red-haired protagonist, beloved by all kinds of disasters, was wielding a sword. I had already beaten the game once, but now I was watching Minamino, who had taken an interest in it. And watching her play the eighth installment of the series, my personal favorite, turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable.

"The two of us are friends, right?"

"...I guess we are?"

"Mm, that's good. Still, it feels like I'm the only one sharing secrets and true feelings."

"I don't think it's like that, though."

I sort of understood why she suddenly brought up that topic. I scratched my head, feeling a bit awkward.

"Stareee."

"Stop using onomatopoeia like 'stare' while keeping your eyes on the game, it's funny."

Perhaps, even if jokingly, it took some courage for Minamino to express herself this way.

"I even shared embarrassing stuff that happened while I was still in middle school, yet it feels like Satou hasn't opened up to me at all."

"Ah, so you mean wanting to know more about me is a sign of affection, huh? I guess it's finally my turn to be popular."

"Hey, don't get ahead of yourself. But… well, you're not wrong about me wanting to know a bit more about you, I guess."

"..."

"Hey, don't just stay quiet."

"I get a little thrown off when you suddenly show me your honest dere side." 

In a somewhat lighthearted tone, she gently tested the waters to see how far she could go. In response, I put on a casual tone and assured her that it was fine.

After such a jab-like exchange, she gradually started opening up more honestly, revealing her true feelings. This had been the trend with Minamino, the girl I had spent these past few days with.

"That's not fair, you know?"

"Not fair?"

"You know a lot about me, but there's not much I know about you."

"My name is Satou Hajime. Somehow, there's a super good-looking guy with the same name as me in a different class at the same high school. I live alone and work part-time at an izakaya. Lately, a popular girl from my class has been coming over to my place."

"Just hearing the last part sounds like you're already a winner. Wait, no, I mean, there's no new info similar to what I shared with you in all that!"

After saying that, she paused the game, turned to where I was, and locked gazes with me.

"Hey."

"What?"

Since she was looking at me, I put down my smartphone that I had been idly looking at and answered.

"I heard this from a certain source, but did you use to play basketball?"

From the fact that she referred to it as from a certain source, and since I knew what had happened in the classroom, including her reaction, I was in a bit of a dilemma. Nonetheless, I nodded. Perhaps due to my visible look of dilemma at her sudden question, Minamino hurriedly added.

"No, I mean, I'm not saying you can't have your own secrets, I was just curious about why you stopped, if you have any intention to continue, and stuff like that. I mean, you've never really talked to me about those aspects."

Which is it?

Minamino, who had looked so cool in the classroom, seemed a bit flustered, and she looked quite cute.

"Since you didn't ask me, I wouldn't just suddenly tell you, 'Oh, by the way, I used to play basketball in middle school.'"

"So, you would have told me if I asked?"

"Yeah, I would have."

"...Then, hey, why did you quit?"

"Ah, no, I didn't quit. I'm still playing."

"Eh?"

I explained to the bewildered Minamino. She probably assumed there were circumstances that led me to quit.

"I'm still playing basketball. True, I couldn't do it every day as a part of club activities because my part-time job takes priority. This is why I'm in the go-home club. Still, that doesn't mean I can only play basketball if I join the school's club. —— Actually, I was introduced by my senior at work to some people, and sometimes, about twice a week, I play street basketball with working adults and college students."

Minamino's expression changed from a dazed one to a smile as bright as when she discovered something interesting, before saying, "I want to see."

"Huh?"

This time, it was my turn to be bewildered.

"I'm saying I want to see where you play basketball. I can't really imagine it, and I've never seen street basketball before."

Minamino's straightforward gaze made her words feel pure.

"Ah, err. I was planning to tell them I couldn't make it today... but okay, then. Want to come and watch? It's at 5 p.m. today. Just, if it turns out boring, don't complain, okay?"

"I'll go."

With those words, I found myself agreeing, and unexpectedly, I was taking Minamino outside of our school community. Though I tried not to think too much about it, I couldn't help but think that inviting a girl to the place I play basketball seemed to suggest some kind of special relationship.