I Just Can't Win!

Volume 1: Chapter 7 - Back on the Court

April 28th, Monday.

"Kazu-chan, I heard your name a lot in our class today."

"Some guys in my class were talking about you too..." Keisuke fixed his glasses in place. "You're close with Shirase-san again, huh? What happened?"

"Long story short, my hunch turned out to be right. She was ignoring me in class because she feared that Kaibara would stir up trouble— courtesy of Ishikawa's advice. And I haven't told you guys, but Shirase-san and I actually interact normally in the literature club, so it was easy for us to transition back to a friendly relationship in class."

The two of them continued staring at me with irritating smirks. 

"What...?"

"Well, the thing with Kaibara and Ishikawa aside, we didn't know Shirase-san was in the literature club with you. You're quite the sneaky rat," said Keisuke.

"Hey, it's not like I was trying to hide it."

"Really?" Hiro nudged me.

"Really."

"If you say so," Keisuke shrugged. "But I'm surprised you're not getting hounded by guys like on the first day. Katsuhira Kazuomi has returned to steal away Kougyoku's idol, after all."

"For the guys outside our class, that's how it might seem, but Satou and his group are starting to get annoying."

"Ehh, Satou still hates you?" asked Hiro.

"It's whatever. I find him cringeworthy, so maybe the hate goes both ways."

I'm honestly too tired to even deal with him. As long as none of them take things too far, they can hate me all they want.

"Eh, screw Satou. I'm more curious if this will be Omiya-san all over again?" Keisuke teased.

"Hah, what a joke. We're just friends, and she's not even remotely interested in me as a romantic partner."

"Which means I'm right."

Hiro burst out laughing hearing that.

"Fuck, you got me!"

I walked into that one, but I think Keisuke wasn't completely right either.

The two of them continued teasing me until we separated.

Tomorrow was the start of Golden Week. If I finish all my homework tonight, I'll be free for the rest of it.

I can't wait!

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April 29th, Tuesday.

"Okay, I'm tired..." I muttered, turning my computer off. "I'm so bored!"

Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. 

"Come in," I said.

"Ara, you're done playing?" My mother came inside with a plate of cookies and a glass of water.

"Oh, thanks, Mom. I just got bored."

The games felt dull and I was done watching the latest clips from my new favorite vtuber. I'm also finished with my gacha dailies, so I had nothing else to do. Should I draw or write something? I haven't done both in a long time.

"And so? What do you feel like doing now?" she asked, staring at me.

I know that smile. She and Dad probably noticed that I had stopped playing basketball for a while now.

"Ugh, fine. I'll check if they're free."

"Fufu, I'm sure they'll make time."

They sure will.