1 a.m.
I’d been lying on the bed staring up at the ceiling since midnight, but I just couldn’t fall asleep.
Meanwhile, Makishima, who was sleeping on the futon below, seemed to have fallen asleep already.
Come on, there’s a girl sleeping right next to you—at least be a little aware of it!
I place a hand over my own chest.
A woman Makishima finds attractive… huh.
I may pass the “older than him” requirement, but the woman on the DVD cover he hid had big breasts.
Mine are… pretty average. I’m not very motherly, and he treats me like a kid…
Maybe Makishima really prefers girls like Aihara-san—someone with a big chest and a gentle vibe…?
That scene from the hospital flashes through my mind.
Aihara-san comforting Makishima while he cried.
I’m supposed to be the older one, yet I couldn’t comfort him like she did.
If things stay like this, Makishima will—
…No. Stop being weak.
Today, I got really close to Makishima! More importantly, *he* was the one who asked *me* out on a date!
It’s fine. Makishima is looking properly at “me.”
Don’t get weak, Sasaki Ayane.
It’s the same as when I took center position in Genesistars. If you want the top, not even once are you allowed to lose confidence.
“…nn—Sasaki…”
A voice calls for me from the futon.
I turn toward Makishima, but it seems to be sleep-talking.
Is he… dreaming about me?
“…ah—hey… stop… not there… h-hey—”
Makishima seems to be having a nightmare.
Wh-what is that? What is dream-me doing to him…?
No way… something *dirty*?!
I listen carefully for more, but the dream doesn’t continue. Eventually, I get sleepy too, and before I realize it, I’m out.
✳︎✳︎
The sunlight slipping through the curtains wakes me up, and I check the time on my phone.
Seven… a.m.?
I yawn and stare blankly at the ceiling.
The bed feels weirdly hard today… the ceiling’s far too…
Ah, right. I slept on the futon.
“…suu, suu…”
I suddenly hear a soft, adorable breathing sound right by my ear.
I glance to my right, and lying there beside me is a beautiful girl— …Huh? A beautiful girl?!
Using my right arm as a pillow, Sasaki Ayane is sleeping right next to me.
Her medium-length brown hair looks brighter in the morning sun, messy from sleep.
“S-sa…Sasaki…!”
Even her sleeping face is cute—no, that’s cheating. Seeing her this close, her long lashes and smooth skin look so delicate she might melt if touched.
As I watch her sleep, Sasaki’s eyes suddenly flutter open.
Three seconds of silence pass, and then her cheeks slowly turn red.
“Eh? Eh?”
“Morning, Sasaki.”
“Wha—?! Why is Makishima sleeping next to me?!”
“That’s what *I* want to know. This is my futon.”
“Futon…?”
She looks around, finally realizing where she’s lying.
“Wait—why am I using your arm as a pillow?!”
“How should I know?!”
She squints at me suspiciously.
“Do you seriously think I’d do something weird?”
“W-well…”
“We’ve got that thing today—if I did anything, it’d make it awkward, right?”
“…that thing?”
“Ah.”
Oh crap, why’d I say that…
This makes me sound like I’m excited about it!
“No—wrong! I meant ‘our outing,’ okay? *Outing*!”
Sasaki switches from suspicious eyes to a teasing grin.
“A date? So Makishima thinks it’s a date?”
“L-listen here—!”
“Hmmmm?”
“F-fine! Whatever! Date or outing or whatever—you get it! I didn’t do anything weird!”
“Yeah yeah, I know. Makishima-kun who’s soooo excited for his ‘date’ wouldn’t do anything bad.”
With a smug grin, she keeps teasing me.
I want to flee out of embarrassment, but I force myself to breathe and stay calm.
“A-anyway! It’s already seven. Breakfast.”
“Okay!”
She teased me endlessly about the “date” thing, but at least she was in a good mood.
“But seriously, why were you in my futon—”
“I’ve always had bad sleeping posture. Maybe I rolled off. At least I didn’t land on your head~”
“Yeah—wait, no! So it *was* your fault! You played dumb on purpose, didn’t you?!”
“Well~ Makishima’s so fun to tease. It’s rare I get a good chance.”
“You little—!”
After our usual bickering, Sasaki finished breakfast and went home to get ready.
A chaotic morning, but finally I’m alone.
“Still time before noon… guess I’ll do laundry.”
I toss yesterday’s gear into the washing machine and pick up the clothes Sasaki had worn just earlier.
They’re still warm… which is dangerous for a guy’s sanity.
“Nope. Bad. Stop.”
I shove everything in the washer.
I can’t let myself lose to temptation here. Keep it together, Makishima Yuutaro.
I press the start button and sigh deeply.
It’s not like I regret anything. At all.
After hanging the laundry and tidying up (returning “certain items” to their spots), I put on my uniform and head for Kōtō University Station.
✳︎✳︎
The moment I arrive, I see supporters wearing Tokyo Frontier uniforms walking into the station.
I’m thirty minutes early. Maybe too early.
“Can’t wait for the halftime show!”
“Same!”
“I’m totally taking burst shots!”
I pass by three overly-hyped female supporters.
Halftime show? Someone performing?
“Maaakishimaaa~ Sorry to keep you waiting.”
I turn around and see Sasaki approaching from the opposite direction.
“Oh, hey. Long time no see—like two hours.”
“You were looking at those girls just now.”
“Was not!”
“Hmmm.”
Even through her glasses, that sharp stare is obvious.
I told you I wasn’t looking!
“Anyway, I wore the uniform you lent me. How do I look?”
Tokyo Frontier’s green kit with a single red line down the left side.
A black skirt down to her knees, plus her usual glasses and black mask.
“Yeah, it suits you.”
We’re both wearing the same player’s uniform—No. 9, MAKOTO across the back.
“There’ll be a lot of people today, so stay close.”
Sasaki nods and walks beside me.
We get on the train and head for the stadium.
✳︎✳︎
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