Chapter 35

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He we are at the start of the new mini arc. The chapter title is a play on the first arcs title. This chapter takes place before chapter 34 and explains how Yamaguchi came to the decision to help Satou with basketball as mentioned last chapter. Enjoy!

Title: Yamaguchi-kun, sitting next to me.

‘Wow’, said someone’s voice.

The gymnasium had a high ceiling, so it was easy for any sound to resonate. The sound of someone’s voice, the squeak of my boots on the floor, and the thumping of the ball as the basketball net shook and fell from its high perch. I could hear it from across the gymnasium to me. The air shivered and whistles sounded.

“Yamaguchi-kun, you’re good.”(Random Female Student)

Someone next to me said that, and so I finally looked across the gym. The boys were using half the gymnasium to play basketball. Yamaguchi-kun had just made a shot it seemed, and was smiling and giving high fives to the boys on his team. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Yamaguchi-kun’s big smile, which usually doesn’t change with his expression much. Even from a distance, I could see the happy smile on his face. Yamaguchi-kun looks very lively and happy during gym class. I wonder if he likes to play basketball. Since he is good at many things, then maybe basketball is not so difficult for him.

We are in the other half of the gym and the girls are in the middle of their mat workouts. Naturally, I’m not very good at it.

“As expected of an ex-basketball team member. He really knows how to shoot.”(Yukawa)

As I waited my turn with a depressed feeling, my classmate Yukawa-san spoke to me.

“Yamaguchi-kun is really cool, isn’t he?”(Yukawa)

I certainly think it’s nice, but more importantly, I didn’t know that Yamaguchi-kun was involved in club activities. I thought he was in the going home club all along.

“He was on the basketball team, Yamaguchi-kun?”(S)

When I asked her back about the topic, Yukawa-san seemed rather surprised to hear that.

“Yes, back in middle school. Didn’t you know that?”(Yukawa)

I didn’t know that.

“Because I didn’t go to the same junior high school as Yamaguchi-kun.”(S)

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about.”(Yukawa)

Yukawa-san smiled with dimples on her cheeks.

“Sato-san, you and Yamaguchi-kun are good friends, so of course I thought you knew.”(Yukawa)

No, I didn’t know that.

We sat next to each other, and we talked about many things, and he helped me a lot, but – come to think of it, I still don’t know Yamaguchi-kun very well. I didn’t know him well enough to know he was on the basketball team. Maybe he hasn’t played since he entered high school. If he was on the basketball team, I wonder if he still has a good shot, even if he’s not on the team anymore. The girls are cheering, so maybe that’s true. Now, I regret missing Yamaguchi-kun’s shot. I would have liked to have seen it. What a great shot it must have been. If I had seen it properly, I might have cheered like everyone else. I watched the boys for a while, hoping that he would take another shot, but before I could, it was my turn for mat exercise.

“Satou-san isn’t very good at mat exercise either?”(Y)

At lunchtime, I was approached by Yamaguchi-kun. I was shocked. Yamaguchi-kun, seated to my left, was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, you’ve been watching me?”(S)

I hurriedly asked him back.

“I saw you. It was a coincidence. Because it was in the gym, anyone would have been able to see it.”(Y)

Yamaguchi-kun said at the speed of a quick word and then covered his head with arms on his desk.

“Satou-san’s side roll wasn’t a side roll. Your legs weren’t up at all.”(Y)

“Uh…..”(S)

I was embarrassed to think that he had seen that disgusting part of me.

Because I couldn’t turn at all. I didn’t just roll over on my side, I just did a bobble on the mat, and the kids in my class and the gym teacher laughed at me. It was fine until I got my hands on the mat, but then I didn’t know how to turn, and the next thing I knew I was rolling over on my head. But Yamaguchi-kun, when I was doing the mat exercise, I thought he was holding the ball and playing basketball, right? I wondered how he was watching me. I wondered if he was able to see what was going on in the distance during a game, since he used to be on the basketball team.

“I’m not really good on the mat. I’m too stiff.”(S)

I was embarrassed, but I would answer honestly. Then,

“Oh, but I’m relieved to hear that mat exercise is over for today. I’ve got basketball next week.”(S)

Yamaguchi-kun’s eyes widened when I told him that I was going to have to play basketball.

“Oh, so girls play basketball, too?”(Y)

“Yeah. I’m glad I’m done with my mat exercise.”(S)

“Are you good at basketball, Sato-san?”(Y)

It was so hard to answer that question. Because I’m not good at any sport.

“No, no. It’s not as bad as mat exercise, I guess.”(S)

When I replied, Yamaguchi looked down and muttered to himself, ‘I see’. I’m not that good at ball games either. When it comes to basketball, it’s difficult because you can’t run with the ball. I can’t dribble for that long a distance. The ball just flies away. I have no idea how to shoot like Yamaguchi, and I have no idea how to pass.

“Yeah.”(S)

A thought occurred to me and I started to tell him the story that Yukawa-san had told me earlier.

“Yamaguchi-kun, you were on the basketball team in junior high school, weren’t you?”(S)

“What? Did I tell you that?”(Y)

Yamaguchi-kun gave me a curious look, so I explained.

“No, I talked to Yukawa-san about it. Yamaguchi-kun used to play basketball when he was in junior high school, she said.”(S)

“Oh, I see. That’s right.”(Y)

Looking convinced, Yamaguchi-kun pulls his chin off the desk.

It’s amazing, I thought. He can study, play basketball well, type text messages very quickly, has a lot of friends, and is a very kind person. Yamaguchi-kun really can do anything. I used to think he was from a different world. I try not to think about it now, but my admiration for him doesn’t change. I can’t be like Yamaguchi-kun, but I want to be able to do my best at everything I do.

“Didn’t you take a shot in gym class earlier?”(S)

“Well, you know, I could do that stuff like that all the time.”(Y)

Then Yamaguchi-kun smiled a little and said

“What is this? Satuo-san was probably looking at us too.”(Y)

“No, no. I didn’t see it. I just missed the part where Yamaguchi-kun took the shot.”(S)

When I answered honestly, Yamaguchi-kun suddenly stopped laughing. He blinks and asks back.

“You didn’t see it?”(Y)

He asked, and I answered again, honestly.

“Yes.”(S)

“And just mine?”(Y)

“Oh, yeah, that’s right. But then I was watching, but, you know, before Yamaguchi-kun could hold the ball next, it was my turn to do the mat exercise, so…”(S)

This time I was the one who sped up like a fast talker. It might have sounded like an excuse. But I can’t lie to you, because it’s true that I didn’t see it. I wish I could have seen Yamaguchi’s shot, but I was too busy with mat exercise to look at the boys. I don’t know what you think of my explanation.

“Oh yeah.”(Y)

Yamaguchi turned away with his face disappointed. I knew he was in a bad mood. That’s right, it’s not good that I didn’t pay attention to what you were good at.

“I’m sorry…”(S)

I immediately called out to him.

“Um, next time I’ll make sure I’m watching you properly, Yamaguchi-kun’s shot,”(S)

“I don’t mind.”(Y)

“No, I’ll see you next time. Boys gym, next up is basketball, right?”(S)

“Yeah, but…”(Y)

A voice mixed with a sigh comes from the seat to my left.

“But even girls are doing basketball, right? Do you have time to look at the other side, Satou-san?”(Y)

I see. If you ask me, I might not be able to do that after all. Since I’m not able to dribble, I may not have the time to pay attention to the boys’ game. So I’m getting more and more flustered.

“Oh, okay, I’ll tell you what.”(S)

I suggested Yamaguchi-kun.

“I was wondering if you could teach me how to play basketball.”(S)

“Me?”(Y)

Yamaguchi-kun looks at me and tilts his head back. I was relieved that our eyes finally met and I continued.

“I’m sure you can. See, I want to be able to do as much as I can before the next class.”(S)

I want to get a little better at it. I want to be able to do it without dragging everyone else down. In order to do that, I thought it would be good to learn from someone who is good at basketball. Yamaguchi-kun would be a good fit.

“Though, that’s fine.”(Y)

Then Yamaguchi-kun nodded at me pleasantly and then asked me back.

“You say I’m going to teach you, but in Satou-san’s case, how much do you need to be taught?”(Y)

“I’m gonna need you to teach me how to dribble first.”(S)

When I confided in him honestly, Yamaguchi-kun muttered a bit, and then laughed lightly.

“All right, all right. I tell you it’s fine for me to teach you.”(Y)

“Thank you.”(S)

I took a breath, then laughed as well.

“And hey, I’d like to see Yamaguchi-kun shoot then, too.”(S)

“That’s fine.”(Y)

This time Yamaguchi-kun chuckled and shook his head.

“Yeah, but I’d like to see it.”(S)

“When I asked you to look at me, it sounded like I was giving you a hard time.”(Y)

“I don’t see it that way.”(S)

I shouldn’t have been the one who was in a daze, if I’m not mistaken. I’d rather have another chance. I won’t miss Yamaguchi’s shot this time.

“After dribbling, why don’t you teach me how to shoot, too?”(S)

I asked softly. It’s in the right order. If I can learn to dribble. Then Yamaguchi will show me how to shoot first, won’t he? Yamaguchi-kun pondered for a moment, and then eventually answered.

“Okay, fine. ……….it’s not that big of a deal to say yes.”(Y)

“Really? Thank you!”(S)

I’m so glad I asked for it! I clap my hands involuntarily and Yamaguchi-kun, still smiling bitterly, blurts out.

“I’m not a match for you, Satou-san.”(Y)

I don’t think so. I’m the one who’s really no match for him. Yamaguchi-kun can do everything, he’s solid, he’s kind, and he’s a very nice guy. I thought I knew a lot of good things about you, but there’s a lot I don’t know about you. I want to know everything about him. And even if I’m not as good as you, I want to be as close to you as I can be.

Because I want to be able to accept the feelings that were told to me on the train the other day. I’m going to start with PE class, I’m going to do my best.

Notes:

It’s nice to finally see Satou-san’s perspective on things. She is very very dense. This chapter also answers Yamaguchi’s question in the last chapter if Satou understood what he meant what he said on the train.

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