Nyanta & Pomeko

Chapter 48: Volleyball

In the end, I was never able to practice baseball.

　...... Well, you know, I enjoyed spending time with Anri after school, and I might have turned my attention away from baseball.

　I've seen baseball cartoons, so I can handle it, I guess.

　Besides, I've been busy revising my manuscript. I have time to do it without rushing, but ......, it's in my nature. I want to get it done as soon as possible.

　Today is the day of the ball game. We left the house early and we are relaxing on a bench in the school courtyard.

　In the past, I wouldn't have thought it possible, but I'm so excited to spend the day with Anri that I wake up early.

　As I was exchanging messages with Anri in the morning, she woke up early and we decided to go to school early together.

　I thought we could spend some time together on a bench in the courtyard.

"Uhm, Makoto, what do you think of this artist?　I think it fits the image pretty well, don't you think?"

"It's very beautiful ......, yes, all the candidates are too great to choose, but this one picture is ......."

　Anri looked up the details of the painter on her phone.

　She showed me the page of the manga she was working on.

"Uwaa, this artist is amazing!　He's a newcomer, but his manga is selling like hotcakes. The quality of his drawings is extraordinary. ......, Eh?　But he's a student. ......"

"..... The painter's name is Kagurazaka Maple ... Fumufumu, it's true that this is, no, what's this level?　T-The story is also very interesting. It's frustrating......."

"Ahahaha, I'm going to have to look up the artist now. I'm not going to lie, I'm really jealous of this comic too. ......"

　There was something about the artist's drawings that struck a chord with me.

　I thought I'd buy the manga, without mentioning it ...... Is there also a novelized version? ...... Hayato Mizutobe......I engraved the name in my heart.

"As I recall, Saeko-san said, 'This painter is a bit unusual, so there's a good chance he won't accept you!'　But if I like it, I'll do my best to negotiate! ...... Anri"

"Hmm?"

"I think I'll go with this person. It's not because he's popular or anything. He's going to write out the darkness of Mikey Saburo in my work."

　Anri put her head on my shoulder with a big smile on her face.

　A gentle smell tickled my nose. It was a soothing smell.

　I squeezed Anri's hand. Anri reciprocated.

　This is how close we are as friends. My other friends don't know about it ....... We're the only ones who need to know.

"Then, I'll have to get in touch with you. ...... Fuwaa, ...... I feel so relieved, and I woke up so early, I feel like sleeping."

"I'm really sorry for the trouble. I didn't realize how hard it would be to find a painter. ......"

"Ummm, ......, I'm looking forward to the ball game today. ......"

"Let's go watch some volleyball."

"...... Hmmm"

　Anri fell asleep with my shoulder as her pillow.

　Since Haruka had taught her volleyball, she and I had been practicing together on a regular basis.