Chapter 197: Time for Another Act

The sounds of the dribbling ball along with the occasional whistles from the referee filled the Gymnasium.

5 minutes was already shaved off from the 20 minutes of the first half with the Fourth High School Girls Basketball Team currently leading the game by 4 points. An early lead that was welcomed by every audience supporting them.

Well, of course, it's still too early to be that happy but who can blame them if they wanted to cheer every time someone scores? That's how it is always anyway.

On my side, Nami was also enjoying the game as she shouted along with the others whenever our team got their hands on the ball. Sakuma on the other hand was just silently watching the game, who knows what's on his mind.

"I never knew it would be fun to watch a live sports game."

Nami commented when she turned her head to me while showing a cheerful smile which really showed how much she enjoyed watching the game.

"Well, it is fun if the team you're rooting on to win is leading but if they're losing, you'll be frustrated."

As soon as I said that, the opposing team of South High School scored a 3-point which cut the lead ton1 point.

Good timing, eh?

"Ugh. Don't jinx it, Ruu. Look. If they lose, I will blame it on you."

Eh? I'm just stating my opinion. This girl...

I squeezed her hand that was still clasped on mine to show my protest since her eyes went back to watching the game.

"They will win, they have Satsuki. She's their secret weapon."

After hearing my words, Nami giggled and returned the squeeze on my hand. I guess it's fine to be blamed. Watching her enjoying the game was already enough reason to bring her here.

And on my free hand, my phone was held in it to stream the game for Aya. She was currently watching from her room. Since it's a video call, my screen showed half of her body that was sitting comfortably on her bed, she was eagerly watching what the camera saw.

When Aya heard our exchange, she wrote something on our chatbox. She could actually talk through it, however, she chose to write instead. Maybe the crowd was too loud or she's probably too shy to talk.

"If they lose, I will also blame you, Ruki."

Nami read her message and that turned her giggles into a laugh.

Ugh… Now, there's two of them who will blame me if they lose. Win it for me, Satsuki.

"You're both being unfair."

"It's your fault to comment like that, Ruu. Ayase, if you saw his face right now, he looks like we did him wrong."

Eh? Was that my expression right now?

A few seconds later, Aya sent another message as a response to Nami.

"Let me see!"

And upon reading that, Nami reached her free hand to the screen of my phone and touched the icon to switch the camera from back to the front.

Upon seeing my face on the camera, Aya immediately blushed before showing her smile to me. The way she did it was so natural that it made my heart skip a beat.

Err… was that the right description? That girl could deliver hits like this even when she's away from me.

"I'm satisfied now, I saw Ruki's face."

"Ah. Ayase just wanted to see you, Ruu. Turn it back now."

Nami who watched that occurrence with me pouted. Did she just become jealous because of Aya's smile?

During all this, Sakuma was silently watching the game while glancing at us occasionally. Whatever was in his mind, he's probably bottling it up. Maybe he also already noticed that our hands were clasped together. Who knows? Right now, I was focused both on the game and the two girls. One beside me and one on the screen.

Soon enough, Satsuki's turn to play arrived. With her game face on, she was sent in as the substitute Center for the 3rd year senior. The one she lost to in that practice match they had before.

When Nami saw Satsuki entering the court, she hurriedly shouted and cheered for her. Even Aya who was silent since earlier shouted from her room to show her support to Satsuki even if Satsuki won't be able to hear her cheers.

Hearing those cheers from below, Satsuki looked at our direction and nodded. She's too focused on the game now and maybe a bit nervous as well.

Looking at her from above, she looks confident enough that her teammates had a smile on their face to encourage her.

After another 5 minutes of game time, our team was still leading by 2 points. With Satsuki guarding below the basket, she showed the fruits of all the training she endured.

From rebounds, screens, blocks. She did everything.

And when she's free, the ball would occasionally be passed to her which would earn her a chance to earn points for the team. Every time she would succeed at something, Nami at my side would shout her name. That's why the other audiences have also started talking about Satsuki. Maybe after this game, she'll be famous to the upperclassmen.

But yeah, no matter how good of a performance was showing, there were still times when she would fail at those and let the enemy score from her.

When the 1st half ended, her performance could be said as impressive. Their team's lead went up to 7 from 1.

Even Sakuma who was silent earlier was clapping and smiling upon seeing that result.

"Looks like your care for her became also a factor why she's doing great, Ruu. That time when she was too exhausted, you immediately went up to buy something for her and the following days, you kept on checking on her if she's fine. That surely motivated her to do her best."

Nami commented as we also tried to sit down to wait for the start of the 2nd half. Well, I wouldn't really take credit for it. Everything was the result of her hard work.

Even if there were those times where she indulges herself in our relationship, she diligently attended the training for this game. Maybe my words to her of wanting to see her play motivated her but everything was still because of her dedication.

"That's not all because of me. Did you see her? She enjoys playing this sport."

"There you go again. For me, I'm not really interested in sport nor anything else. However, what we're doing at the club is something I really like. For now, it's all just an errand from Shizu-nee but the sense of accomplishment whenever we're done is satisfying."

"I see. Maybe that's also your passion. To help someone. Are your observer skills being used during your activities?"

"Yes… Shizu-nee's last errand was to check some clubs suspicious activities. We found two who were just using the Club name as the front while doing something else."

Err… That sounds like the Poem Appreciation Club. Are they okay there? They looked like a legit club though except for that hidden room that was not really hidden.

"How about your Literature Club? There are more girls there. Is there a…?"

Before she could finish her question, I already understood what she wanted to ask so I answered her with a nod.

Upon seeing that, Nami's fair expression turned from being curious to a pouty one before she whispered in my ears.

"… I'm seriously right now jealous, Ruu."

"Don't be. You know how I feel about all of you."

We're whispering to each other while Sakuma was there. I know we invited him on a whim but from how close we're acting, if he failed to notice our closeness then he's probably playing stupid or he's truly blind.

"I know. But…"

"Then let's sneak out at lunch tomorrow. Let's find a new place where we can be alone again."

I'll just inform Satsuki and Aya about it tomorrow. This girl sure noticed the change in Aya, though she couldn't connect it to us having sex yet, she's close to it. She knew I took Aya home last Friday after all. That's why she's acting like this.

"Promise?"

"You know, I love seeing you this jealous, Nami. You're cuter than usual."

"Bad guy."

Nami hesitantly hit my shoulder to show her protest at my teasing words but the smile on her face couldn't hide the joy she felt from hearing it from me. Just looking at her actions right now, she's surely looking forward to tomorrow.

"Ah. There they are! Nanami!"

Suddenly, someone shouted from the door and mentioned Nami's name. When we turned our heads towards it, Mori was there, waving her hands at us and behind her was Ogawa.

Upon seeing them, Nami's hand that was clasped to mine started trembling. She didn't expect for Ogawa to show up here and upon seeing him, she was shaken.

We still haven't resolved the thing with Ogawa. Nami accepted his confession back then and a few days later, she admitted to loving me. Of course, there's no way she wouldn't feel guilty about it.

Even from where we were sitting, I could see Ogawa's eyes scanning us. The way we were seated and huddled closely together and our hands that were hidden between us.

Why are they here anyway? Did Mori take him with her?

No. If it was her, she would surely try to stop him and ask him to spend time with her instead.

I guess this is Ogawa's idea and Mori only accompanied him. He probably went over to spend time with his girlfriend and found out that she went to school to watch a basketball game.

Maybe he already had a hunch who she was with and decided to come here to confirm.

In any case, with Nami like this, it's probably not time yet to confront him.

"Nami, don't worry. I'm here with you. Just act normally."

I whispered to her before Mori and Ogawa went over. Nami looked up at me and nodded before whispering again.

"I love you."

For her to say it even with Ogawa coming over to us, it goes to show that her affection was already mine.

After saying those words, we let go of each other's hand and went on to start our act. This time, we're acting not as lovers but just friends who went together to watch another friend. Completely different from our first act.