Chapter 21
Manager
After school, I take part in track-and-field practice, which I belong to.
But honestly, I don’t really get it.
There’s no doubt Tsukiyo likes me. But… I can’t tell if it’s friendship or romance.
At lunch I’d worked myself up and said some harsh things to push her away. But since nothing changed after that, I figured it had to be some kind of affection…
“Starting today, I’ll also be working as the track team’s manager. I’m Kamunagi Tsukiyo. Please treat me well.”
“UOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”
The boys of the track club erupted.
Our weak little boys’ track team didn’t have a manager. And now, the girl rumored to be the school’s own Princess Kaguya had joined as manager. Of course the guys’ excitement was through the roof.
I beckoned Tsukiyo over.
“Um… what’s going on?”
“I wanted to help Taiyō-san with his rehab after he was hospitalized, so I asked the advisor and got an instant OK.”
“Rehab!? I’m not even a talented athlete or anything. I don’t need that!”
“I’ve already turned in the application, and it’s just double club membership, so I’ll take it easy.”
Does someone usually join a club just out of affection? Or is it pity because I was hospitalized…? Ugh, whatever. I don’t get it.
Tsukiyo belongs to the all-girls-only Literature Club. Since that club is basically free-participation, it won’t be affected at all.
“Ah, little sis!”
“Muu.”
“Don’t make that face. My life kinda depends on this.”
Tsukiyo looked annoyed at being called “little sis,” but I couldn’t help it.
The only reason I’m allowed to hang out with her at all is because I’m best friends with Seiya, her brother, and I call her “little sis.” If anyone found out I was calling Tsukiyo by her first name with no honorific, the unofficial fan club would have me drawn and quartered. That’s why I stick with that nickname outside our group.
What’s a real headache now are the guys who want to get close to Tsukiyo. Since they can’t talk to her directly, they come to me.
“Man, Kamunagi-san really is super cute, huh.”
“She’s so slim but her chest is big… she’s perfect!”
“I wanna have some kind of connection with her. Yamada, do something!”
“You’re way too close to Kamunagi-san. Are you dating her?”
Yeah, I saw this coming.
“Like I’ve said before, there’s no way I’m a match for little sis. It’s only because my bro is her brother that she finds me easy to talk to.”
Me, standing next to Tsukiyo—the girl they call Princess Kaguya? Unthinkable. Everyone at school knows that.
The only people “worthy” of Tsukiyo are the likes of her brother Seiya or the school’s elite good-looking crowd. Not that they haven’t mostly been crushed already.
So I delivered the final blow:
“If you want a connection with her so bad, why don’t you just befriend Seiya?”
“…Yeah, but…”
“…That’s kinda…”
“Then you’ll never be friends with little sis.”
Kamunagi Seiya is feared by all the male students at school. Early in our first year, some guys jealous of his excellence tried bullying him.
Seiya retaliated—legally but way over the top. The ringleader got expelled. The rest were suspended or became shut-ins. His actions were so extreme that the saying spread: “Never pick a fight with Seiya.”
His motto is “pay back double.” Scary.
I was scared of him too at first, but something happened that completely changed my view and we became friends. Because of that, I’m the only guy who can talk to Seiya normally.
With girls, though, he has this quietly kind nature underneath, and his reserved yet considerate demeanor draws them in. And of course he’s good-looking.
Being handsome really is cheating!
“You guys, get running already!”
At the captain’s shout, we scattered… but Tsukiyo went up to the captain.
“Captain, I brought the lime powder. I’ve never drawn the white lines before, so I’m kind of excited.”
“O-Oh! I-I see. G-Good for you.”
Even the captain—usually stubbornly opposed to having any girls around—was completely disarmed by Tsukiyo’s charm. This is going to be rough.
I’m a short-distance and long-jump athlete. Honestly, my performance isn’t good. I’m not on the lineup for interschool meets, and I’ve never been in the relay.
Special-track students put academics first, so it can’t be helped.
So…
“Being stared at like that’s embarrassing, you know.”
“Eeh, don’t mind me. I’m just curious.”
Her chestnut hair sparkled as Tsukiyo tilted her head. Even through her white gym clothes you could see the swell of her chest, and her bare legs under her spats were always stunning.
The delicate beauty and figure of Kamunagi Tsukiyo were impossible to miss.
Today the sandpit was open, so it was long-jump practice. I hadn’t practiced in almost a month, so I carefully checked each step before jumping.
…I’ve really deteriorated. I need to get back in shape before next month’s meet.
It’s hot out at 3 p.m. When you focus you sweat a lot. As I stood up from the sandpit and walked back, Tsukiyo came up to me.
“Taiyō-san, water.”
“Thanks.”
I drained the cup of water she’d poured for me. Hydrating after sweating feels great.
Drink water, sweat more. I should wipe myself off with a towel…
“Taiyō-san, towel.”
“Sorry, tha—wahp!”
A towel pressed against my face. Tsukiyo gently, carefully wiped my forehead, cheeks, and neck with it.
This is embarrassing. Embarrassing on a whole new level. My face was heating up for the first time in ages.
“Ah… no… I, um…”
“There’s one thing I want to say.”
Holding the towel she’d used to wipe me, Tsukiyo turned her body away.
When she slowly looked back, her expression was slightly shy, her big double-lidded eyes shimmering.
“I only do things like this for you, Taiyō-san, so don’t get the wrong idea, okay?”
Still holding the towel, Tsukiyo walked off.
I really don’t understand girls. The heat in my face wouldn’t go away for a long time.
