The White Room Dropout - A CotE Fanfic

Part 25: A Kiss Goodbye

I sat with Shiori at a shaded spot, enjoying the cool respite it provided from the scorching sun. We sipped on our drinks in silence, the serene atmosphere of the beach lending a sense of tranquility to our surroundings.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ichinose and several other girls from our group approaching us. Ichinose wore an eager expression, her eyes shining with excitement. She leaned in and broke the silence, her voice filled with anticipation.

"Shiori-chan, Karuizawa-san," Ichinose began, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "The boys in our group are planning to play a volleyball match. Would you be interested in watching?"

Shiori's curiosity piqued, and she couldn't help but ask, "That sounds like a blast! Who's going to be in the match?"

Ichinose's eyes widened slightly, her lips curling into an excited smile. "Actually, I'm not sure yet. Nakamura-kun is in charge of organizing everything, and he's been busy rounding up people. But knowing him, I'm sure he'll gather a lively and spirited group!"

As Ichinose finished speaking, a glimmer of excitement danced in Shiori's eyes. She turned to me with a mischievous smile, unable to resist her playful nature. "Kei, we should definitely watch the game. Who knows, maybe Kiyotaka will be playing?" Her teasing tone hinted at our shared admiration for him.

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Ayanokouji's name, but I tried to maintain my composure. "Well, Shiori, it's just a volleyball match..."

My heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I knew it was just simply a match, but the thought of watching Ayanokouji in action stirred something within me.

Lost in my reverie, I snapped back to reality as Shiori nudged me playfully. "Kei-chan, are you blushing? Could it be that you're looking forward to seeing Kiyotaka shirtless?"

I felt a flush creep up my cheeks, and I laughed, trying to brush off her teasing. "N-no, it's nothing like that! I'm just curious to see how the game unfolds. That's all."

But deep down, I couldn't deny the underlying anticipation bubbling within me, longing to catch a glimpse of Ayanokouji's presence on the volleyball court.

...

As we arrived at the volleyball court, I couldn't help but notice the sizable crowd that had gathered. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air. It seemed like everyone was eager to witness the match.

Shiori's eyes gleamed with anticipation as she pointed towards the court. "Look, Kei! Look at that guy!" Her voice carried a hint of mischief.

Following her gaze, I spotted a figure on the volleyball court. He was tall and athletic, his physique well-defined. Shiori wasn't wrong; the guy seemed quite buff. I couldn't help but appreciate his physical prowess, even if I didn't know him personally.

I chuckled at Shiori's observation. "He does seem fit, doesn't he?" I replied, trying to maintain a casual tone.

Shiori playfully nudged me, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "But Kei-chan, I have a feeling you'd be more interested in watching a certain someone in action." She tilted her head, teasingly emphasizing her point.

A rush of anticipation surged through me, and I couldn't help but feel my heart quicken at the mere mention of his name. My gaze fixated on Ayanokouji, observing his confident presence and the way he effortlessly blended in with the other players.

Shiori's voice cut through my reverie, her playful tone lingering in the air, "Kiyotaka's actually quite buff, isn't he? Maybe he should consider taking off that t-shirt." She winked mischievously, knowing well the effect her words would have on me.

Shiori's mischievous remark sent my face ablaze, and I could feel the intensity of my blush spreading across my cheeks. I fumbled for a response, attempting to regain my composure. "Sh-Shiori, come on! That's not... I mean, it's not like I... um..." My words stumbled out incoherently, my embarrassment only deepening.

Seeing my flustered state, Shiori couldn't help but laugh, her playful tone ringing in the air. "Oh, Kei, you're so cute when you're flustered! Don't worry, I'm just teasing. But you have to admit, he does look good out there."

I sighed, trying to regain my composure as I glanced back at the court, where Ayanokouji was preparing for the match to begin. Shiori's playful banter aside, there was a tinge of envy in her voice when she continued, "You know, Kei, I'm a little jealous. I'm not in the same class as Kiyotaka, so I don't get to watch him during PE lessons like you do. You're really lucky."

Her words lingered in the air, stirring a mix of emotions within me. I couldn't deny the truth in her statement. Ayanokouji's athletic abilities were impressive, and coupled with his well-toned physique and attractive face, it was impossible not to steal glances during our PE classes.

As if sensing my distraction, Shiori interrupted my thoughts, her voice pulling me back to the present. "Kei, the match is about to start," she said, her excitement evident in her tone. Then, her curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "Do you think Kiyotaka is any good at volleyball?"

I paused for a moment, reflecting on my limited interactions with Ayanokouji during sports activities. "To be honest, Shiori, I've never seen him play volleyball before," I confessed, my voice tinged with genuine curiosity. "But knowing him, I have a feeling he must be at least decent."

"I guess we're about to find out," she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.

The players took their positions, and the atmosphere in the crowd grew tense. A burly, athletic-looking player from the opposing team stepped forward to serve, his gaze fixed on Ayanokouji. With a swift motion, he launched the ball across the net, aiming directly at him.

Ayanokouji positioned himself gracefully, his body poised to receive the incoming serve. I couldn't help but hold my breath, expecting him to effortlessly return the ball. But to my surprise, the ball bounced off his hand and landed onto his foot, causing it to ricochet in an unexpected direction. The crowd erupted into laughter, and even Shiori wore a perplexed expression.

I turned to her, my eyes wide with disbelief. "Well... how do I say it? I wasn't expecting that to happen," Shiori admitted, her voice filled with surprise. We exchanged a moment of shared bewilderment, realizing that Ayanokouji's volleyball skills were not what we had imagined.

As the laughter subsided, I shifted my attention to the girls standing beside me. Their mocking remarks about Ayanokouji stung, their words dripping with disdain.

"Did you see that? What a joke! He can't even handle a simple serve!" one of them snickered, her voice filled with derision.

Another girl chimed in, "Yeah, he's so lame!"

Feeling a surge of indignation, I turned towards the girls and mustered the courage to speak up. "Excuse me," I interjected, my voice filled with conviction. "Everyone can have an off moment. It doesn't make him lame."

The girls directed their mocking gaze towards me, their eyes scanning me up and down. One of them snickered and asked, "Oh, are you his girlfriend or something?"

My face flushed with embarrassment, and I stumbled for words, unable to respond. I hadn't expected such a question, and it caught me off guard. But before I could gather my thoughts, Shiori came to my rescue, stepping in with a mischievous smile on her face.

With a playful tone, Shiori quipped, "No, she's not his girlfriend, but she's his number one fan." Her words lightened the tension, prompting the girls to chuckle and divert their attention elsewhere.