Chapter 79: What I Can Do [side Tendou Airi]
The Aftermath of Suspension side Kousuke Saito
A few days after Yukari Tomonaga's Miss Hokusho title was revoked,
People crowded around a paper posted in front of the staff room, spreading rumors...
Tomonaga-san and Kuzu suspended for 10 days due to improper relations with the opposite sex.
"Eh, what a shock..."
"Yukari-chan did that?"
"But, haven't you heard the recent rumors?"
"Ah, the talk about the diet helper who appeared next to Yukari-san in the docuntary being soone else?"
Those who praised her so much suddenly turned their palms and thought it was strange, after all. It's too perfect, isn't it? And they spread such rumors.
A scandal involving soone with such high visibility.
Of course, it would beco a rumor. I even had photos of those two entering and leaving a hotel in my drawer...
I turned my back on the crowded bulletin board and returned to the classroom.
I thought the hardest part would be coming back to school after the suspension, but surprisingly, I felt nothing at all.
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Returning to the classroom, thinking about preparing for the next class, I overheard Hiroshi and Koji talking.
Both Hiroshi and Koji were discussing the news of the Tomonaga-Kuzu couple's suspension, but they stopped abruptly when I arrived.
No, no, it's okay, really w
Saying that, I returned to my seat,
Nagase "...Kousuke-kun, I don't think you should worry too much about it, okay?"
"Nah, I'm not worried."
Nagase "Ahaha! Then let's talk about sothing else, okay?... About the basketball representative..."
Nagase-san is really trying to be considerate and talk to .
I'm glad about that, but I also feel guilty...
Nagase-san is popular, treats everyone equally, is cheerful and outgoing, and is one of the most sought-after girls in our year.
I could go on forever about her charm... but I get nervous around her.
Sensing that, Nagase-san pushes just to the edge.
I'm both grateful and troubled by it.
More than a super popular girl in our year, I prefer the stance of a girl who sits next to and shares good conversations.
Next month is the final exams, and the club has a big tournant called the Winter Cup.
Right now, I'm pouring all my energy into those two things!
If I rank high in the finals this ti, I can enter the special advancent class when I move up next year.
It's a class where the top 30 students in the year are selected, and you get various privileges and priority access to lessons by the best teachers. Even though it's a new school, the high acceptance rate to famous private universities in Tokyo and national universities is thanks to this system.
I've been aiming to get into this class.
Both Nagase-san and I should be able to advance to the special class if things go as expected, so we can't let our guard down.
And in high school basketball, there's the largest-scale Winter Cup. I've been working hard with this as my goal, I absolutely want to participate and achieve results.
I was fired up.
Because I had these two goals, even if I felt down, I could switch my mindset quickly.
Studies and club activities, these two wheels kept pushing forward.
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What I Can Do. side Tendou Airi
The cultural festival... I was in charge of yakisoba...
Whether it was the club stall or the next class, I kept grilling and grilling yakisoba.
However, while I was covered in sauce, the paths of Kousuke-kun and Yukari-chan diverged greatly.
Honestly, I think Kousuke-kun is cute.
He's serious, dedicated, and though he doesn't say it out loud, he hides a burning passion...
But, Kousuke-kun said he would start dating Yukari-chan after the cultural festival...
That shy, expressionless girl told with blushing cheeks.
...So, being just the two of us is a bit...
I was shocked. Why? Why does it hurt this much?
I was starting to fall for him... I could hear a voice inside .
Ah, but that's fine, it's better this way.
Yukari-chan has been working hard together with him since sumr, spending ti together.
From now on, they'll be together at various events and school activities, right?
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!
I was able to congratulate them!
I felt relieved that I could genuinely congratulate them.
That's right, soone older like wouldn't be able to be with him anyway...
My ex-boyfriend never said things like Kousuke-kun does.
He never silently showed affection or faced seriously...
Of course, it was my choice, I gave in to the pressure, and that was my decision.
...But, I was envious of Yukari-chan.
You picked a good guy, didn't you? Be happy, okay?
As a mutual senior to both of them, I'll probably continue to be involved with them.
That's fine, as long as my cute juniors are happy...
That's why the recent story about Kousuke-kun was so shocking, I couldn't hide my agitation.
Yukari-chan... what are you doing?
Kousuke-kun was just recently betrayed by his ex-girlfriend Mishima-san... and didn't you get angry about it too?! And now this...
Kousuke-kun confessed that he has a fear of won, especially beautiful or cute girls...
I thought about it that night, staying up all night thinking.
What I can do...
From that day, I started being strict with Kousuke-kun.
Kousuke-kun isn't in a position to be in a relationship right now.
What he needs now is growth, building confidence, and successful experiences.
With these, his heart will heal, and he'll regain confidence in himself.
I carefully designed a training nu that pushes him to the limit.
Of course, I don't want to break him, so I observe closely from a distance.
I spare no effort in assisting with practice or providing support, and I pay attention to nutrition and hydration.
Even so, it's a tough nu that could be called Spartan, especially focusing on his weaknesses like stamina, jumping ability, and building the power of new offensive moves—train, train, train.
The one who actually suffers is Kousuke-kun, but he trusts and leaves it all to .
Honestly, I want to hug him and say, "That's enough, you've done well, okay?"
But, right now, that's not what he wants.
So, all I can do is support him from a distance with the utmost care to ensure he doesn't break down physically.
The captain and Koji-kun subtly said, isn't it too harsh? Isn't it overwork?
I explained while showing them the data and the concept.
The captain and Koji-kun said they wanted to join, but I encouraged them to focus on their own training since I can't watch over more people.
What I can do is create a training nu with trust and provide support for it.
After practice, while I was organizing equipnt alone, Nagase-san from the girls' basketball club spoke to .
That's rare? This girl is always surrounded by people, but I don't think we've ever really talked before. Nagase-san, looking a bit upset,
Nagase "...Senpai, why are you making Kousuke-kun do such grueling training?"
This girl...
"It's because Kousuke-kun wants to get stronger."
Nagase "Even so, adding a physical nu after such intense practice... isn't that too harsh?"
She looked at accusingly as she pressed her point.
"Kousuke-kun is suffering right now. It's sothing he has to overco on his own or co to terms with, or it won't be resolved."
Nagase "But, to that extent! You should be kinder to him!"
"Then, why don't you be kind to him? If I think about Kousuke-kun's future, even if he resents now, all I can do is push him until he cos to terms with it."
Nagase-san held her breath, bowed once, and left.
If a girl like her is still by his side, then Kousuke-kun will surely...
Feeling both acceptance and loneliness, I returned to the clubroom.
But, to be honest, I was prepared for the possibility that Kousuke-kun might start to hate ... though it still stings a bit in my chest.
When I returned to the clubroom,
Kousuke "...Ah, senpai, about the number of shuttle runs after practice..."
I explained calmly without forcing a smile,
Kousuke-kun nodded,
Kousuke "...Thanks for always putting together the training nu. ...I'll definitely live up to your expectations... see you."
My junior understood properly after all.
I can't help but find my junior adorable.
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