Time passed, and it was now time for PE.
PE was being held jointly.
Classes 1 and 2 were combined, and we were gathered in the gymnasium along with students I wasn't used to seeing.
Also, although it was called a joint class for both boys and girls, the center of the gym was partitioned off by a net.
So strictly speaking, we weren't together.
However, the boys were eager to show off their good side as if this was their big chance.
It seems that having a Fated Person and the male desire to look cool in front of girls are two separate things.
Honestly, it's a psychology I don't understand.
Leaning my back against the wall, I watched two teams play a match on the half-court.
“Wooooo! Layup shooooot!”
“Don’t get so hyped over a layup.”
“That’s so lame.”
“Shut up!”
The normie group is noisy.
“Hey, hey, hey. Akito, don't look so gloomy.”
“When it’s this humid and we’re gathered in the gym like this, of course I’d make this face.”
“More importantly, look at that.”
“That?”
I looked where Ryuya was pointing.
Just as a match was about to begin, Kuonji, Neika, and Ryuguuin were wearing the same color pinnies.
Tsuchimikado was also wearing a pinnie on the opposing team.
Neika looked as listless as usual.
Kuonji... her face was pale. Wait, what’s with that complexion? Is she okay?
Ryuguuin was desperately trying to comfort her.
“I wonder if Kuonji is good at basketball?”
“I don't know.”
“She’s your wifey, isn't she? You should at least know that much about her.”
“She’s not my wife.”
Come to think of it, even though we’ve been together since middle school, I’ve never heard rumors of Kuonji being good at sports.
I wonder how she’ll do.
The guys who were watching the boys' matches also shifted their attention to the girls' game.
Kuonji, Ryuguuin, and Tsuchimikado are all top-tier beauties in the class.
Even Neika, though she hasn't grown much in various ways, is a considerable beauty.
It's enough to attract everyone's attention.
Neika was standing there blankly. Tsuchimikado called out to her.
“Kufufufu. Nei-tan, the day to settle the score has finally come!”
“Boring, pass.”
“Don't say that!”
A showdown?
“Ryuya. Did those two have a bad relationship?”
“You really don't know anything... Tsuchimikado has athletic reflexes just as good as Nei's.”
“Seriously?”
Everyone who went to the same middle school knows how good Nei's athletic ability is.
To think she can compete with her—it’s unimaginable from her gyaru-like appearance.
“Haa... even if you compete with me like that, you’ll only gain fatigue, you know?”
“No, there’s something else.”
“What?”
“I can show Sana-tan my super cool side! Yay, Sana-taaan!”
“Ack!?”
Tsuchimikado waved her hand while calling my name.
With just that, I became the center of attention.
Wait, I rejected her, didn't I? Why is she so high-spirited?
“Hmm...”
Then, this time, Neika turned her eyes toward Ryuya.
Ryuya gave a thumbs-up with a big smile.
She shrugged her shoulders lightly and nodded.
“Fine. I want to show off a little bit too, I guess.”
“Ohhh! I love you, Nei-tan!”
“Don't hug me...”
Heh... it’s really rare. For that Neika to show some motivation.
However, more than that...
“Awa, awawawa...! E-Everyone, let’s have fun and be friendly...!”
Kuonji was incredibly teary-eyed.
I’m more worried about Kuonji than those two.
Among them, the tall Tsuchimikado and Ryuguuin stood in the center, and the teacher held the ball.
“Fuffuffu. Rio-tan, I’m taking this.”
“Sorry, but I hate losing.”
Oh... those two are also sparking with rivalry.
They faced each other.
The teacher blew the whistle along with the jump ball.
“Sei!”
“—!”
Both jumped at the same time.
Ryuguuin, who was slightly taller, touched the ball, and it flew toward Kuonji.
“Ah, Riran-chan...!”
“Awa, wa, wa, wa!?”
The ball came toward Kuonji.
She just needed to catch it and then pass or dribble.
“E-Ei!”
Kuonji squeezed her eyes shut and reached out her hands to catch the ball.
Whoosh—.
She missed it completely.
...Wait, she missed?
The ball that wasn't caught heartlessly passed by Kuonji and rolled behind her.
“............Eh?”
The gym fell silent.
Even the guys playing their match looked on with eyes that couldn't believe what had just happened.
Well, naturally.
Nobody would think she'd be unable to catch a ball flying right at her.
Realizing the ball wasn't in her hands, Kuonji opened her eyes and tilted her head.
“...? Huh? T-The ball disappeared!?”
No, it didn't vanish!?
“Riran-chan, behind you!”
“Eh? Ah, there it is! There it was!”
She turned around and tried to grab the ball.
Trip, thud!
She tripped over her own feet and fell spectacularly.
Is she skillfully clumsy or what?
“Uugh, it hurts...”
“T-Timeout, timeout! Riran-chan, are you okay!?”
“I’m not okay...”
Holding her forehead, she wobbled over to the wall.
Seriously, is she okay?
But, perhaps thanks to Kuonji, the atmosphere of the girls' basketball game somehow became peaceful.
Maybe she’s always like that.
“Lira-tan, your athletic ability is as wonderful as ever. In a bad way.”
“That is so like Lira.”
“I guess the showdown will be another time.”
“If I feel like it~”
Tsuchimikado and Neika, who had a serious competitive atmosphere until a moment ago, now looked completely drained of their intensity.
Yes, yes, peace is the best.
“Your wifey is bad at sports, huh.”
“Seems so. I told you, she’s not my wife.”
You're getting persistent.
“Sorry, sorry. Oh, our match is next. Let’s go.”
“...Yeah.”
Well, is it our turn?
I'll just finish this up quickly.