On my way to where my girls were supposed to be, I passed by the entrance and found that the opposing team from earlier was still stuck standing there, crowded by their mourning fans and schoolmates.

I could see how they were uncomfortable but at the same time, they wanted to console them and appear as though the loss wasnt going to make them break.

From the way I see it, theyre neither prideful nor arrogant. Even if they were the reigning champions in our city for a few years, they still couldnt get past the prefecture level. In terms of their achievements, they mustve thought that it was nothing to be boastful about.

Anyway, I didnt want to get entangled with them again. Hurrying in my steps, I aimed to slip away before any of them could spot me.

Not that I believe I am worthy of their attention, its just a precaution. I mean, Im experienced enough that after provoking someone like that, I should expect them to find a way to retaliate.

But try as I might, I am way too conspicuous. And its not just because of my appearance. Its because of how I looked like I was running away from something.

Halfway through my attempt to slip away from their gazes, it coincided with the point guard also slipping out of their fans encirclement.

Our gazes met and almost instantly, her porcelain white face looked like it was being torched.

You! She started, her fingers pointing directly at me. Where are you going?!

Huh? None of your business. I promptly replied reflexively, expressing not even an ounce of concern about her.

Of course, it didnt sit well with her. How meddlesome.

Perhaps feeling like I was dismissing her again, the girl repeated what she showcased earlier; her quickness. In the blink of an eye, she crossed the distance between us, crashing against me.

I couldve dodged her. No. I shouldve dodged her. However, knowing that there was a wall beside me, my body moved on its own, preventing her from being hurt for her own recklessness.

Her forehead squarely hit my chest and the force behind that sudden dash pushed me to the wall.

Hearing the dull thud created by my arm hitting the sturdy surface, the girl realized what she had done.

T-that. Are you okay? I I didnt mean it. As concern flooded her watery eyes, she approached me and reached for the arm that I supposedly hurt.

Little did she know, I managed to cushion myself appropriately. Knowing that her rush would result in me hitting that wall, I easily broke her momentum when I moved my body to that side at the same time as she crashed into me.

Oh, really? You didnt mean it? I slapped her hand away before she could reach my arm and acted like it hurt.

The girl ignored my words, or rather, it probably didnt register in her head as she stared at my arm in terror. Shes possibly terrified that she injured me.

Relax. Its not broken or anything.

But

What? Will you compensate me for being hurt?

I Of course, I will. Ill apologize too! Im sorry for being brash. The girl hurriedly bowed in apology. If I didnt stop her, shed bend her back to a 90-degree angle just to give a more sincere apology.

I guess thats enough lessons for her. At least, she could admit to her wrongdoing.

Tell me. Are you always this hot-headed? No. Wait. Youre calm in the court. Otherwise, you wont be able to bring your team to that favorable position.

Favorable? Dont joke with me. You broke it easily in less than five minutes! Uhh Wait, Im sorry for shouting, I didnt mean it.

Ah. I see. So this is her personality, huh? An explosive brat who will always get worked up when it comes to things shes confident about.

Thats probably the reason why shes so easily provoked.

I shook my head inwardly and stared at her like I was looking at a droopy fruit. Her name is Mikan, right? Yeah It suits her. The explosive sweetness and sourness of that fruit are quite a combination.

If you have nothing else to say, Im going.

Wait. You still wont tell me your name? And your arm

Dont worry about the arm. I can still carry you with this. As for my name sorry, you have to earn the right to know it.

I raised my arm and moved it normally. Of course, I made it look like I was being careful not to exert it but I guess thats not needed at all.

The girl was already flustered enough by my words. She became more like a ripe orange this way.

Its a chance to tease her again but I have no motivation to do it anymore. I already lost a lot of time engaging with her. I better hurry.

... How do I earn it? Tell me.

As I started walking away, I heard the girls voice behind me. Shes begging me to tell her.

This girl Is she that obsessed with her loss? Or is it because she wanted to know how my strategy defeated her?

Uh. Of course not, that girl shes showing early signs of infatuation, isnt she?

If Orimura-sensei was here, I could definitely hear her cursing my awful charm.

Maybe if we meet again someday?

Okay Im Sakuraba Mikan of Hirari High! Remember that!

As the girl shouted her name and school, I simply raised my hand and continued on my steps without looking back at her.

Hirari High.

Yeah. Thats the school that girl is attending.

Pushing that encounter to the back of my mind, I soon arrived where my girls were. Well, theyre not alone as some of our classmates remained with them. Some of them are probably planning to ride the same bus together.

The cucked group was also around but I couldnt care less about them.

I found Akane and the others taking a huge space for themselves. They already formed their own group and no one could break into it. Except me, of course.

As soon as they spotted me approaching them, the first one to jump out of their circle was none other than the goofball.

Babe! Like seeing a savior from her predicament, she immediately threw herself at me.

However, the girls who didnt want to be bested by her quickly followed suit.

Before Hanabi could reach me, Elizabeth and Saki kicked the ground as they raced towards me.

With my arms wide open, I prepared myself to receive all three of them. Akane and Nami were shaking their heads at this sight while the other girls were cheering for them as though this was an official match.

And because of that commotion, everyones attention focused on us.

... Onoda-kun sure is popular. Who are they? I only know Imada.

Youre not here last time. That girl with a tiara is also his close friend. As for that other girlI saw him with her earlier. Her uniform looks like it's from the 3rd High, no?

Ignoring those gossipers, I stood my ground and waited for the three to reach me.

First in the race thanks to her head start, Hanabi wrapped her arms around me, monopolizing my chest for herself. Perhaps realizing that she has competition, she didnt hesitate to choose the boldest option.

Then, a second later, Saki and Elizabeth also reached me, taking an arm each. They didnt even spare a moment to think about how they could be seen by others. My arms immediately lodged in the middle of their valleys.

Yep. This was more like a public display of my relationship with them. Theres no escaping the rumors that would be created from this.