As soon as the post-match meeting ended, I packed up my things faster than anyone else, threw on my red Koutou jersey, and dashed out of the stadium.
At some point, the sun had begun to set, and beneath the crimson sky, I sprinted with the same full force I use during a match.
I want to see Sasaki—now.
Driven by that single thought, I arrived at our meeting spot: the statue of the torchbearer uncle near the stadium.
Sasaki isn’t here yet… I guess.
While catching my breath, I repeatedly practiced how I’d tell her how I feel.
It’s okay. If I tell her my feelings properly, Sasaki will give me an answer.
“—Makishima?”
I hear Sasaki’s voice from behind me.
When I turn around, she’s standing there—no glasses, no mask.
“Huh, is it okay to not be disguised?”
“It’s fine. There aren’t many people around anymore…”
Looking around the statue, just like she said, only the occasional jogger passed by.
Facing Sasaki without any disguise like this… it’s been since the day of that kiss.
“Congratulations on your first goal with the A team.”
“Ah… thanks.”
“It was an amazing goal! The ball went pop-pop, and then bam! A shot the goalkeeper couldn’t even react to! I was so moved.”
“I-I see… I’m just glad I managed to score properly.”
Feeling the happiness of sharing this joy with Sasaki, I move on to the main point.
“There’s something I want to tell you, Sasaki.”
“Yeah. You said you’d talk once you scored.”
I-I’m saying it… now.
I firmly press a hand against my trembling body and look straight into Sasaki’s eyes.
“Looking back, this past month… you were my driving force, Sasaki. Because you were there, I made it this far. Thank you for pushing me forward.”
“…I should be the one apologizing. I kept asking too much of you. It was pressure, wasn’t it?”
“Not at all! I…”
I close my eyes once, recalling everything up to now.
Every moment I spent with Sasaki has led to who I am today. So—
“From now on, I want you to stay by my side. I want to be with you forever.”
“…That means—”
“I like you, Sasaki. Please go out with me.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, a sweet, aching feeling overflows, and my face feels like it’s about to burst into flames.
Too embarrassed to handle it, I look down—but I want to hear her answer, so I lift my head again.
“Close your eyes… Makishima.”
Sasaki’s cool hands gently cup my burning cheeks, and as she stretches up, she brings her face closer to mine—
“…Mm.”
A… kiss…
Our lips meet and don’t separate.
No— I don’t want them to.
I want to feel Sasaki’s lips even more.
I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close.
We share a kiss so long it feels like we might run out of air, and when we finally pull apart, we look straight into each other’s eyes.
“…I… I liked you too, Makishima. For a really, really long time.”
Sasaki says this through tears.
“A really long time… you mean, even before the group date?”
“Of course! How dense can you be already?!”
“Then… Sasaki’s first love was—”
“My first love was Makishima Yuutaro! Former Hoshigami Academy High School’s number nine!”
Sasaki snaps at me tearfully, just like she always does.
She tells me everything about the past three years.
Knowing I was her first love makes me happier than surprised, though I still don’t quite understand why it was me.
But hey, all’s well that ends well. I’m just glad I managed to confess.
Feeling relieved, I walk through the park hand-in-hand with Sasaki, who’s put her glasses and black mask back on—our fingers laced like lovers.
“Hey, Makishima. There’s something I want to confirm before we start dating.”
“Confirm?”
“I’m a former idol, a former celebrity. Even after retiring, I still have to hide my face… Are you really okay with someone like me?”
“Why ask now? The one I like is the Sasaki who acts all mature but is actually super childish, who loves pancakes more than anything, who’s great at cooking but always makes too much and empties the fridge in one meal. I like Sasaki Ayane. Being a former idol doesn’t matter.”
“…!”
Sasaki looks stunned, then gradually breaks into a grin.
“You really like me that much?”
“I’ve been saying that this whole time.”
“Not Kiraboshi Ayane… but Sasaki Ayane, right?”
“Of course. The one who’s always been with me is Sasaki Ayane.”
“…Hehe.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“I love that about you, Makishima.”
Every time Sasaki tells me she loves me, my heart skips a beat.
I’m not used to hearing it yet…
“By the way, I told you on the phone, ‘If you score, we’ll go home together,’ right? So I brought a change of clothes. It’s in a locker at the station.”
You’re really prepared. I could’ve lent you clothes, you know.”
“I-I wanted to show you my pajamas, Yuutaro.”
“…I see. Then tonight, I’ll take my time enjoying the sight of you in them, Ayane.”
“Yeah!”
Ayane nods happily and rubs her head against my shoulder.
（Before Dating Arc【Main Story】Complete）
——
This work was written with the theme of combining soccer and romantic comedy, inspired by a certain world soccer tournament starting in December.
To receive first place in Kakuyomu’s daily and weekly romcom rankings just weeks after serialization—and even have it greenlit for publication—was something I never imagined.
To all the readers, I am truly, truly grateful.
First, to everyone who leaves comments every time: I read each and every one carefully, thinking things like “Oh, this person supports this character,” or laughing hard at how brutally Azaki gets roasted.
And to those who send gifts every month.
I’d love to thank each of you by name, but for privacy reasons, I’ll refrain and instead express my gratitude here.
Thank you always. You give me the motivation to keep writing!
Now then, sorry for writing such a “this-is-the-end” kind of afterword, but this story isn’t over yet.
Please continue to support the two of them as their relationship begins.
And I’d be happy if you’d follow the author as well.
Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year.
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