第101話 志乃原と礼奈③ - I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me

As I glanced over at the court, the game was still in the first half. Even if I had a chance to play, it wouldn't be until much later, leaving me feeling a bit restless during this downtime. "Well, maybe until the next match," I said. "Were you always this into basketball, Senpai?" Reina asked, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Well, I've always been a part of the basketball club," I replied. Having played basketball throughout my middle and high school years, there are still moments now when the environment has changed where I find myself wanting to touch the ball again. I initially joined the basketball club because it allowed me to participate whenever I felt like it. Although my interactions with Shinohara were limited when we first met, I've been joining in quite frequently lately. "I played basketball in middle school too, but I don't feel any itch at all... Ah, I digressed again," Shinohara shook her head and began speaking without waiting for our response. "Once upon a time, I dreamed of being a princess," she admitted. "All girls do at some point, right?" Reina said with a fond smile. Shinohara seemed somewhat troubled by this, but she simply replied, "You're right." If it had been me making such an obvious remark, she would surely have snapped back with, "It's not enough to just state the obvious!" Perhaps trying to reset her mood, Shinohara slapped her cheeks lightly. I decided to listen more attentively this time. "I think my views on love are a bit off compared to others. Honestly, I've known this for quite some time." "Oh... yeah, you've mentioned that before." I think it was back in January. When I returned home, I found Shinohara there, watching a dating show. She mentioned having a suspicion that her views on love didn't align with societal norms. "It wasn't the first time you thought that, huh?" "I'd been thinking it for a while and finally came out with it, carefully. I didn't want you to be put off, but I hope it's okay now. Both you, Senpai, and Reina." Reina and I exchanged glances and nodded. Understanding Shinohara's deviation in views on love wouldn't change our relationship with her. The possibility of being put off entirely isn’t zero, but it wouldn't alter the bond we share. Although Reina has only recently met Shinohara, I knew Reina wasn't someone who distanced herself from others due to differing perspectives on love. Perhaps sensing this, or maybe because she trusts me, Shinohara seemed to hold a similar trust in Reina. "You might be taken aback at first, but I would never distance myself because of it." "Usually, wouldn't you tell a little white lie and say it won't put you off? But that is so like you, Senpai!" Despite her theatrically strong tone, she couldn't hide her delighted expression. After all, Shinohara likely didn't want things to become too serious. She continued in her usual cheerful voice. "I have a rough idea of why my perspective is different. I was out of sync with those around me from quite a young age, which caused a bit of trouble at times." Shinohara gazed up at the ceiling of the gymnasium. The towering ceiling, a warm orange, imparted a bright atmosphere to the gym. After staring at the ceiling for a while, the light constricted my vision, and just as I couldn't see her expression, Shinohara began to speak again. "I rushed to change, failed, and while most people grow from there, I didn't change and just trudged along. That's why I see this university life as my final opportunity. The last chance to change myself." University life, which afforded relatively more free time, especially compared to the busier school years with club activities, was indeed a period of plenty. It makes sense that Shinohara is drawing a line and setting this period as her deadline. Although there might be chances to change even after becoming a working adult, if putting things off continued to lead to no change, perhaps pushing oneself is necessary. I’ve seen glimpses of Shinohara’s desire to change her values before. I want to support her in that endeavor. As a Senpai and as a fellow human. "I'll support you. Change can be tough." To some, getting serious about changing one's views on love might seem laughable. You might wonder why anyone would take such a thing seriously. But Shinohara is serious about it. As a Senpai, it's my duty to sincerely listen to a Kouhai's concerns. While I don’t entirely agree with the notion that being a Senpai means you must do something, I wish to do something for Shinohara. Building a relationship to this point has naturally led to such feelings. "Then, please pretend to date me," she urged. "No way." "That was definitely a moment where you should have agreed!" Shinohara stomped her foot in frustration. Had our conversation not been overshadowed by the ongoing match, the spectators might have found themselves puzzled over what the three of us were discussing. "Assuming we pretend to date, shouldn't we get Reina's approval first?" Shinohara suggested, turning to Reina. Reina seemed slightly surprised by this but eventually shook her head. "I don't have the right to stop you." ...Since we're not in a relationship, she can't object. It's a perfectly logical reason, yet I found myself averting my gaze. Reina might not wish for it, but I would likely feel guilty about it for some time. Still, Shinohara appeared unaffected, maintaining her tone as she asked Reina. "Okay, how long should our pretend relationship last? Prolonged durations aren't ideal, right?" "...Maybe two days?" Reina offered. "So short!?" Shinohara was startled, and I was surprised for a different reason. "Wait, why are you discussing this in front of me without asking my opinion? I clearly said no earlier, didn’t I?" "No, you didn't." "I definitely did!" I retorted in disbelief at my Kouhai's conveniently selective memory. Who would have such a convenient mind? "Well, if we have unlimited physical contact for two days, it could be worthwhile." "Listen to me!" "It's fine, Yuta-kun," Reina interjected calmly. Both Shinohara and I stopped to stare at Reina. "W-Why are you both looking at me?" "Thank you, Reina! Now Senpai will take action!" Shinohara extravagantly spread her arms and hugged Reina once more. "Wait a minute, why?" I protested. "Yuta-kun," Reina said again softly, and I swallowed back the words I was about to say. In this moment, the person with the most influence is Reina. Both Shinohara and I awaited her words. "The trial period I mentioned to Yuta-kun earlier... it might have sounded like a joke, but I was actually quite serious about it." "Why are you so serious about something like that? Reina, is that really—" I stopped myself before finishing the question I was about to ask. Mixing my concern for Reina with that question wasn't right. It wasn't something I should ask, not now. Whatever answer I might receive, I likely wouldn't be able to resolve it. "Yeah," Reina chuckled softly and nodded, as if she already knew what I was thinking. As Shinohara parted from Reina, she firmly grasped my arm. "Come on, Senpai, let's go." "Wait, seriously. I have to play in the next match. We talk about it after that." "Okay, I'll go change into my usual jersey then!" With that, Shinohara let go of my arm without hesitation. Her bag, larger than usual, hung over her slender shoulders, clearly packed and prepared in advance. Though I hadn't informed her about participating in today's club activities, she might have checked the schedule on the calendar in my room. Shinohara greeted Toudou and other club members nearby as she made her way toward the changing room. Watching her retreating figure, Reina softly muttered under her breath. "...I briefly thought that my words might bring trouble." "Then I'll go tell her now that it's off." "No." "Why not?" "I’ve been wondering what it would take to become part of your choices again... and this is where that thinking has led me," she confessed. My feet, which were ready to chase after Shinohara, came to a sudden halt. —Reconciliation. Most couples part ways, but some reconcile over time. I had known that Reina hoped for reconciliation. Yet hearing it stated so plainly left me at a loss for words. No matter how much I turned it over in my mind, no satisfactory response seemed forthcoming. "Sorry, I'm putting you in a tough spot, aren't I?" Reina said, shrugging her shoulders. Once, Reina and I had drifted apart by not expressing the feelings smoldering inside us. But laying everything out in words might not be the best approach either. "Choosing the right words is difficult, isn't it?" "Yeah, it is..." When I replied, Reina shrugged again, saying, "It can't be helped." It would be easier if the right timing could be visualized — a thought that, of course, could never become reality, flitted through my mind and faded away. The whistle signaling the end of the match sounded unusually loud.