Episode- 04

"Next time, don't be late."

"I'll be careful."

　Mr. Kawano, our homeroom teacher for Class 1B and mathematics teacher, said this in a low voice as he received the handout.

　What a kind teacher, he didn't get angry and just gave me a warning.

　When I was in middle school, I got a stern lecture for bringing in homework that was a day late, and this comment makes me want to cry.

　Between you and me, I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I found out that my homeroom teacher was an intimidating male teacher.

　I was hoping for a cute, clumsy rookie teacher like in manga and anime...

　As I was thinking about this, Professor Kawano suddenly began speaking as if he had remembered something.

"That's right, Souma. We're going to be choosing our class athletes for the sports festival soon, so think about what you want to participate in."

"Oh, yes. I understand."

　Come to think of it, I think we said the same thing in homeroom.

　In addition to the ball toss, tug of war, and long rope skipping events, which all students are required to take part in, this school's sports festival also has optional events.

　As I recall, the four selectable events were the 100-meter sprint, the obstacle course, and the highlight, the year-long relay.

　This selective event is for people selected by class (or voluntarily).

　In other words, it's something that sports club members and popular people participate in, and has no relevance to anyone else.

　Of course, I am one of them.

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"If you get first place in the selection competition, you'll get an interview, so get ready."

"I'll think about it. Sorry."

　As I bowed and left the staff room, I could hear the voices of the sports club members from outside, who were no doubt looking forward to the sports festival.

　When I went to the window next to the stairs overlooking the schoolyard, it looked like the soccer club was having a mock match.

"Sakuma! There he is!"

"Leave it to me!"

　The student replied, jumped high, secured the ball, and dribbled past three players before scoring a brilliant shot.

　At that moment, cheers of excitement were heard.

　Sakuma Kouki He is Koizumi's ex-boyfriend.

　He's a refreshingly handsome, tall guy. What's more, he's a promising new member of the soccer team and a potential ace. There's really nothing about him that makes me like him.

　I'm sure he will be a big hit at the sports festival.

　After scoring, Sakuma waves his hands in response to the cheers, and the women respond with even louder cheers. At this point, it's no different from screams.

　A comfortable school life. His smile says he can't help but enjoy every day.

"Why did you dumped her?"

　He imagined Sakuma and Koizumi walking side by side, but quickly stopped thinking about it and headed home.

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　Saturday afternoon.

　It's the best day of the week, with school closed and tomorrow a holiday as well.

　Many students are probably enjoying their holidays by hanging out with friends or going on dates with their girlfriends or boyfriends.

　I have no friends, I was dumped recently, and I don't have a girlfriend anymore, so on my days off I just laze around at home.

　During the holidays when I was dating Shiina-san, I would practice waxing and search for outfits on websites for our dates, but now there's no point in doing so. By the way, there was no opportunity to put my ideas into practice on a date...

　I finish the game I was in the middle of, read the book I've been putting off, and check social media on my smartphone. This is more than half of what I do on my days off.

　That being said, now that I'm a high school student, I think it might be a good idea to explore different ways to spend my days off. I don't want to be seen as just another middle school student forever.

　It was a good day to act on impulse. I picked up my smartphone to watch a foreign movie that I don't usually watch on the subscription service my parents have. Just then, a chat message popped up on the screen.

　I wondered what kind of discount coupon I had received, but the sender was Koizumi.

"Are you free tomorrow?"

　A short sentence.

　However, my body stiffened as like Medusa glared at me.

　I'm not even thinking about how to reply. Just like I have no plans for today, I have no plans for tomorrow either. To be honest, I'm bored.

　The reason I just stare at the screen without marking it as read is, you see, it's embarrassing.

　If you mark a chat message as read and reply within seconds, the other person might think, "Did this guy have the chat screen open the whole time?"

　I know I'm being very self-conscious, but it still bothers me.

　So I replied after exactly one minute.

"I'm bored, is there anything?"

　Hmm? Now that I look closely, wouldn't it be more embarrassing to reply exactly one minute later?

　While I was thinking about this, Koizumi's reply came back a few seconds later.

"Would you like to go out together tomorrow?"

　My pointless self-questioning was forgotten in an instant