Even if I say we'll finish quickly, their team is packed with sports club members. And two of them are active basketball club members.
In contrast, it's just me and Ryuya. Plus, three of Ryuya's otaku friends.
The difference in strength is clear to anyone.
And these three...
"K-Kurashiki-kun, what should we do...?"
"We'll just be dead weight..."
"............"
They're already broken-hearted before the game even started.
But Ryuya had already accounted for such a thing. He grinned, just like a villain.
"Now, now, rest assured, everyone. Akito and I have a strategy here."
"Hey, are we doing that again?"
It was the same in middle school, but I really wish he'd stop doing that already.
"Then, shall we 'lose'?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"That's my Akito! Alright, I'm going to tell everyone the strategy!"
"""Strategy...!"""
As expected of Ryuya's otaku friends. Their motivation skyrocketed at the sound of the word 'strategy'.
After Ryuya explained it simply and clearly, the otaku friends' faces changed.
"I-I see!"
"Indeed, with that, even we can..."
"U-Understood, Kurashiki-kun!"
"Yeah. And one more thing, I have to tell everyone. This is the greatest essence of this strategy."
Forming a huddle and whispering the strategy, we scattered across the court.
Of course, Ryuya was going to do the jump ball.
As expected of the tallest in the grade, he even looked down on the opposing basketball club members.
The male PE teacher stood in the middle, and the jump ball began.
Naturally, Ryuya tapped the ball, and the ball started on our side.
At the same time, I dashed.
Otaku Friend A-kun took the ball and immediately passed it to Ryuya.
The ball was thrown high so that no one else could touch it, only Ryuya could.
"Ryuya!"
"Akito!"
Furthermore, Ryuya headed for the goal and shot—no, passed.
I judged the timing and somewhat forcefully jumped.
Catching the ball in mid-air, I forcefully made a dunk.
Silence...
Silence descended upon the gym.
Along with the swaying goal and the sound of the ball hitting the floor.
WHOOSH! The gym erupted as if it would split apart.
"A dunk...!"
"I've never seen a dunk before!"
"Sanada-kun is so cool!"
"Amazing! Sanada is amazing!"
"Oh man. They're doing it."
"They haven't changed since middle school, that muscle-brained duo."
Yes, this was a strategy that utilized my muscles + forceful jumping power and Ryuya's height.
It's called: The [Might is Power] Grand Strategy.
"What was that, I didn't hear about this...!"
"C-Calm down. Even if they can dunk, they're amateurs!"
"For now, let's gather around the basketball club members. And thoroughly mark those two."
Such voices could be heard from the opposing team.
The opponent made a throw-in.
A basketball club member took the ball, and with inhuman movements, dribbled past two, then three people and made a layup shot.
Hmm, as expected of the basketball club. Their movements are fast.
One of the otaku friends took the ball.
Then, two people were on me, two on Ryuya. And another person was on the one making the throw-in.
In other words, two people were completely open.
Ryuya took the ball, and holding it high so no one could touch it...
"Here!"
He passed it to one of the otaku friends who had positioned himself in front of the goal.
There was no one in front of the goal.
He was completely free.
"E-Ehh!"
It was awkward, but he shot towards the goal.
It hit the rim slightly and bounced off, but fortunately, it was sucked into the goal.
"I-I did it... I did it, it went in! My first goal in life!"
"S-So amazing, so amazing!"
"It really worked out!"
The three otaku friends rejoiced as if it were their own.
Yes, this was the essence of this strategy.
Ryuya and I would make flashy plays to gather attention and people, allowing the other three, who were thinly marked, to somehow score goals.
Just because there are two basketball club members on the opposing team, the rest are still amateurs, even if they are sports club members.
It's impossible to cover the entire court.
This is the other strategy.
Whether we win or lose doesn't matter.
The [Everyone Who Enjoys Wins] Grand Strategy.
"Hey hey heyyy! Nice shot!"
"Ah, Kurashiki-kun! Hehe, thank you!"
Ryuya and the otaku friend high-fived.
I also silently high-fived everyone.
The atmosphere had been gloomy until recently, but now everyone seemed to be having fun.
That's right, that's right. After all, you have to enjoy sports.
"Alright everyone, let's have some fun! Hey hey heyyy!"
◆
To put it bluntly, we lost by a 10-point difference.
Perhaps pulled along by mine and Ryuya's enthusiasm, the three otaku friends tried their absolute best, but they still couldn't beat the stamina of the sports club members.
Nevertheless, everyone finished the game happily.
"It was my first time scoring a goal!"
"I scored twice too!"
"I never thought PE could be this fun, it's thanks to Sanada-kun and Kurashiki-kun! Thank you!"
"That's the best! After all, you have to enjoy high school life!"
Ryuya was surrounded by the otaku friends.
As for me...
"Sanada, join the basketball club!"
"No, please join!"
"If you join, we'll definitely get stronger! So please!"
I was surrounded by the basketball club members.
Stop it, you're grimy, stifling.
"I don't intend to join a club."
"Don't say that!"
"My bad."
""""Noooo...!""""
Damn it, it's hot. I want to wash my face.
"Oh? Akito, where are you going?"
"I'm going to wash my face. Tell the teacher for me."
"Roger."
Seen off by Ryuya, I quietly headed to the water tap installed next to the gym.
It's been a long time since I moved this much in PE... Should I just pour water over my head?
I bowed my head and poured water over myself.
Ahhh, that feels good... Crap, I forgot my towel.
...What should I do?
Well, Ryuya will probably come in a while.
Running my fingers through my wet hair, I looked up at the drizzling sky.
Damn rain. Just stop already.
Just as I was unreasonably resenting the season, a feeling even I could recognize...
"What kind of weird face are you making?"
"Eh... Kuonji?"
Kuonji, who was beside me before I knew it, called out to me.
...Eh, why is she here?