{Satou-san and Yamaguchi-kun}

It was as if Yamaguchi-kun was a fish that had found water.

When Yamaguchi-kun played basketball, he was pretty impressive. From cutting off passes and dribbling to weaving through the defense and aiming straight for the goal, it all looked cool from where I was sitting.

He slammed the ball down for a shot. The smoothness of his form drew cheers from one of the girls. After the sound of the ball dropping, the whistle blew.

The boys’ PE class was basketball, while the girls were doing lackluster mat exercises. Naturally, everyone’s attention was drawn to the boys’ side.

Yamaguchi-kun, being the center of attention, clearly stood out.

His smile while celebrating goals with the other boys was, from my perspective, quite nice.

I thought to myself that Satou-san was probably watching too, and—just as I suspected.

Satou-san was indeed watching Yamaguchi-kun.

She gazed at him, apparently spellbound.

I couldn’t help but smile to myself, and then I walked over to Satou-san.

As soon as I stood next to her, I decided to say something.

“Yamaguchi-kun is amazing, isn’t he? His shooting posture is perfect.”

I wondered what kind of reaction I’d get. I peeked at Satou-san’s face.

“Isn’t Yamaguchi-kun cool?”

When I asked for her agreement, Satou-san looked surprised and, with wide eyes, asked back.

“Yamaguchi-kun was in the basketball club?”

I was taken aback. Now it was my turn to be surprised. Satou-san, who was so close to Yamaguchi-kun, didn’t know that?

“Yeah, he was in middle school. Didn’t you know?”

I’m from the same middle school as Yamaguchi-kun. It’s not like we’re particularly close, but he’s easy to talk to, so I know a bit about him. But I didn’t expect Satou-san to not know about Yamaguchi-kun’s basketball background.

“That’s because I wasn’t in the same middle school as Yamaguchi-kun.”

Satou-san said with a puzzled expression.

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

I laughed a little and teased her.

“I thought you would know since you’re close with Yamaguchi-kun.”

“…I didn’t know.”

Satou-san replied vaguely, her gaze returning to the boys’ side of the gym.

When she looked back at Yamaguchi-kun, her eyes immediately fell in disappointment, leaving me with a lingering sense of doubt.

So, what’s the deal with these two?

During lunch break, I saw them talking side by side again.

“Satou-san, you’re not very good at mat exercises either, huh?”

“Eh, did you, did you see?”

“I saw it. It was just by chance. Since we were in the gym, it was hard not to notice.”

Yamaguchi-kun seemed to be making excuses. If he saw it, he should just admit it.

I suppressed a laugh and casually glanced towards the corner of the classroom where their seats were.

Satou-san and Yamaguchi-kun had been seated next to each other twice in a row.

Even when they changed seats, they ended up next to each other again—it’s almost like fate. Their pinkies must be tied with a red thread. From the outside, they seem quite close.

But there’s still some ambiguity.

What does Satou-san really think of Yamaguchi-kun?

They talk a lot and seem to get along well, making me wonder if she likes him. Yet, she doesn’t seem to know much about him, and her usual indifferent attitude doesn’t suggest strong feelings. Being someone who’s always daydreaming, if she did have feelings, it might be hard to notice. Well, it’s probably none of my business, but I can’t help but be curious.

I once tried to ask Satou-san about it. A while ago, I asked her if Yamaguchi-kun had someone he liked.

Her response was blunt:

“I haven’t heard of anyone…”

So that’s how it is. Yamaguchi-kun is pretty obvious, though. It’s clear from his attitude. The whole class knows about it. —Ah, maybe only Satou-san and Yamaguchi-kun don’t realize how obvious it is.

Satou-san and Yamaguchi-kun continued their conversation without noticing I was eavesdropping.

“So, Yamaguchi-kun was in the basketball club in middle school, right?”

“Eh? Did I mention that?”

“No, I heard it from Yukawa-san. She said Yamaguchi-kun played basketball in middle school.”

“Oh, I see. Yeah, that’s right.”

So, Satou-san didn’t know after all. I think such things should be mentioned first. It’s the best way to appeal to girls.

“You made a shot during PE earlier, right?”

“Yeah, well, that’s something I can do easily.”

Yamaguchi-kun answered calmly and then smiled a little. His shy smile was something he would never show to us other classmates. It seemed like a smile meant just for Satou-san.

“Well? You were watching too, Satou-san?”

“No, I wasn’t. I missed seeing Yamaguchi-kun’s shot.”

“Oh… you missed it?”

Satou-san admitted, and Yamaguchi-kun seemed taken aback.

“Did you really not see it?”

“No.”

“And just my shot?”

Of course, Yamaguchi-kun would ask. Basketball is his moment to shine. He’d want to show off and expect people to watch.

“Well, yes, but I watched after that. But before you got the ball again, it was my turn for mat exercises.”

Satou-san began to make excuses. She seemed to feel bad about it.

But,

“Oh, I see…”

Yamaguchi-kun sighed. He was clearly sulking. Such an obvious reaction.

“I’m sorry.”

Satou-san hurriedly tried to make amends. It was unclear if she really understood why Yamaguchi-kun was upset.

“I’ll make sure to watch next time. I mean Yamaguchi-kun’s shot.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, I will definitely watch next time. The boys’ PE class will be basketball again, right?”

“Yeah.”

Yamaguchi-kun sighed again. He was still sulking.

“But the girls will be playing basketball too. Satou-san, will you have time to watch?”

No! That’s not the point! The proper response should be something like, “Well, then make sure to watch next time!”

Ah, why can’t Yamaguchi-kun just be straightforward? He’s always like this.

While I was grinding my teeth in frustration, Satou-san’s desperate voice reached me.

“Oh, then let’s do this. Could you teach me how to play basketball?”

Oh, nice recovery, Satou-san. Yamaguchi-kun should answer honestly now.

“Me?”

Don’t ask! Who else would it be!

“Yeah. I want to improve a bit before the next class.”

“Sure.”

There he goes with the “sure” that’s too nonchalant!

“But what level do you need me to teach you?”

“…I’d like you to start with how to dribble.”

“I thought so.”

Yamaguchi-kun’s responses were as critical as ever.

The fact that he’s only straightforward with Satou-san makes it even more obvious to us…

Whether he knows it or not, Yamaguchi-kun eventually resigned himself to this and said:

“Alright, I’ll teach you if you want.”

“Thank you.”

Satou-san smiled softly. Then, as if coming up with something, she continued:

“And I’d also like to see your shot.”

“That’s fine.”

What? Are you saying that as if you don’t mean it?

Is he still sulking about earlier? Come on, Yamaguchi-kun, just be honest already.

“But I really want to see it.”

“If you ask to see it like that, it makes it seem like I’m just whining.”

You are whining, aren’t you?

“I don’t think of it that way.”

Satou-san is so kind.

If it were me, I’d be blunt. Actually, I’ve been itching to comment on this. I’d love to tell him directly, “Just be straightforward!”

“Could you also teach me how to shoot after dribbling?”

Satou-san’s earnest request made Yamaguchi-kun think for a moment before he said:

“Alright, I’ll teach you. It’s not a big deal.”

“Really? Thank you!”

Satou-san clapped her hands in joy.

Seeing that, Yamaguchi-kun made a wry smile.

“I really can’t win against you, Satou-san.”

That sounds like a confession of love, doesn’t it?

Well, it’s obvious from the outside. Yamaguchi-kun likes Satou-san. It’s clearly love. Ah, he should just admit it already.

From what I heard, Satou-san doesn’t seem to mind either…

She’s making good follow-ups and knows how to soothe Yamaguchi-kun. It’s no wonder there are rumors about them in class. Maybe it’s just a matter of time before they make it official?

So, when will they declare they’re dating? It’s pointless to hide it. I’m sure I’m not the only one itching to comment.

“…Yukawa-san? You’ve been glancing over here. Do you need something from us?”

“You’re smiling so much. Did something good happen?”

“Eh, not really.”

I won’t tell them that just watching the “official couple” makes me smile.

Let them keep talking about their love in their obvious way.