บท 196: Nanao's Choice
With the last bell of the afternoon, the teacher of Class 2-E looked at the gradually "waking" class, adjusted his glasses, and sighed.
He said nothing, picked up his lesson plan, and left the classroom with his thermos.
The teacher's departure signaled the end of the school day.
Stretching and letting out a groggy, satisfied sigh, groups of male students left the classroom, arms around each other's shoulders.
They either headed to club activities, went straight home to play games, or went to part-time jobs for pocket money.
These were the typical choices for most students.
Nanao Akane was one of them.
"Akane, aren't you rushing to the club today?"
A girl behind her, packing her bag for club activities, noticed Nanao wasn't in her usual hurry to leave for the club and asked curiously.
Hearing her words, the girl, place her phone on the desk, turned and smiled, explaining:
"I have some family matters today, so I'm not going to the club. I'm asking the coach for leave."
"Taking a break is good. Even though you're the baseball club's manager and don't train with them, picking up balls and carrying water is tiring. I don't know why you joined such a physical club..."
Knowing there were no notable handsome boys in the baseball club, the girl couldn't understand her decision.
But she didn't dwell on it for long.
Akane Nanao had been in the baseball club for a month; if she couldn't handle it, she would have quit already.
The girl was more interested in the handsome guy who caught her eye at noon.
She wanted to discuss which class he was in, his LINE contact, and if he had a girlfriend with Nanao.
But time was short.
"Akane, I need to buy water before heading to the club. See you later!"
"Bye!"
After her classmate left, Nanami checked her phone, which had a notification from Tougou Toshizuo.
The message was a leave request from her, but that gorilla's reply wasn't a simple acknowledgment. Instead, he wrote:
[Is the family matter urgent? Training intensity will increase in the coming days.
Your absence might affect the team's practice. If they can't make it to Koshien, the players will be very disappointed...] 15:05 "Read"
'What does it matter to me if they don't make it to Koshien?'
Knowing his had ulterior motives, Nanami wanted to retort.
She didn't join the all-male baseball club out of a love for baseball but to spend more time with someone she liked.
She endured the physical labor in the club for her boyfriend's dream.
If it weren't for her boyfriend, she would have no reason to stay in the baseball club.
So the dreams of those club members honestly have nothing to do with her.
Do they really think she enjoys being ogled by those lewd eyes every day?
She was angry, but her boyfriend's fate was still in Tougou Toshizuo hands, so Nanao couldn't confront him just yet.
[I'm really sorry... My family matter is urgent, and I really can't participate in club activities.
I've already asked the teacher for leave. Please apologize to the team on my behalf.] 15:06 "Read"
Tougou Toshizuo's control over the players' "life and death" was only because he could decide who would go to Koshien.
But for someone like her, who was an "external member," if she was determined to take leave, there was nothing he could do.
His only leverage over her was her feelings for Katase Shouya.
But without evidence, even if Tougo knew about their relationship, he couldn't act on it.
Since directly threatening her would leave traces in phone conversations.
Meeting in person without evidence would lack a reason to expel Katase Shouya for "violating club rules."
Because there was still a glimmer of hope, Nanao's nature would lead her to report it to the school, causing a big stir.
The school would certainly replace him as the coach to protect its reputation.
Whether Katase could enter Koshien would be uncertain, but Tougo would surely be investigated.
For him, this would be self-damaging.
So, despite his reluctance, he couldn't forcefully make her stay.
[Is that so? Then there's nothing we can do. I hope Nanao can come tomorrow. This period is really crucial.] 15:06 "Read"
'Scumbag!'
Gripping her phone, the girl cursed inwardly and didn't reply.
If she had any doubts about Sasaki's words before, her brief exchange with Tougou Toshizuo had completely convinced her.
This scumbag was threatening her with the team in his every word, making her taking a day's leave seem like a grave sin.
She was just a support member who picked up balls and carried water, not someone who played on the field.
Even if they entered Koshien and won, the glory wouldn't be hers.
Tougou Toshizuo's unusual behavior fully aroused Nanao's vigilance.
In her eyes, he was now a beast eyeing her hungrily, waiting to devour her at any careless moment.
So, for her boyfriend's dream and her own safety, she decided it was necessary to maintain a distance from him temporarily.
Though they had always done so, their actions were inevitably more intimate than others, which might have led Tougo to discern their relationship.
As she made this decision, Katase Shouya, knowing he wouldn't get a chance to speak with her in the club, sent a message.
Ding~
[Nanao~ Can you come to the warehouse behind the training ground after club practice?] 15:10 "Read"
Looking at the message, the girl, being called by her boyfriend so affectionately, would have been delighted if it were any other time
But his latter words and Sasaki's warnings echoed in her mind...
[Sorry, Shouya-kun, I have a family matter today and can't go to the club. I've already asked the teacher for leave.] 15:10 "Read"
[Do you have something to tell me? Can't it be said on the phone?] 15:10 "Read"
Her slender and beautiful fingers tapped on the screen.
After sending the message, Nanao sat in the now-empty classroom, quietly waiting for a reply.
[Uh, well, mainly because I miss you.] 15:11 "Read"
Her boyfriend's shy tone made the girl smile, but remembering it was due to the drug's effect, she couldn't help but curse.
[Shouya-kun has also learned to be glib~ (angry.jpg)] 15:11 "Read"
[No, no, I really miss you, Nanao-san~] 15:11 "Read"
After sending this, the skill all boys have, "changing the topic," was activated.
[Uh, Coach Tougo seems to know about us.] 15:11 "Read"
[But he values me a lot and didn't tell me to quit. He just said to keep some distance from you before the big match.] 15:12 "Read"
Reading this, Nanao's back, which had been bent over the desk due to her two large milk teas, straightened abruptly.
Holding her phone with both hands, she typed rapidly.
[Was asking me to the warehouse also the coach's suggestion?] 15:12 "Read"
[Uh... well, yes, considering the club rules, it's easier to talk in a secluded place.] 15:12 "Read"
[I also just found out that although Coach looks a bit fierce, he's actually nice. Those rumors about him might just be fabrications.] 15:12 "Read"
The last sentence sent by Katase Shouya made Nanao Akane, who was about to type and explain the situation to him, stop in her tracks.
She did not doubt her boyfriend; between him and the coach, she would choose to trust the former.
But she couldn't ignore the consequences of telling him.
There were only two possible outcomes.
The first was a complete disaster, where Shouya-kun would confront that coach, making the issue known to everyone.
In such a scenario, both Shoya-kun, who stirred up the scandal, and Togou wouldn't end well.
Even if the school didn't get involved, Shouya-kun's actions would cause future coaches to reject him, cutting off his chances to compete at Koshien.
Everyone dreams of a great upset, but no one wants to be the person who is defeated.
As for the second scenario, it would be Shouya-kun choosing to swallow his pride.
This choice, from a rational perspective, is completely fine—why should a man stoop to petty vengeance, after all?
It's better to wait until Koshien is over before taking any revenge.
But from an emotional perspective, this choice seems somewhat cold and incapable.
Your girlfriend is being coveted by another man, yet you still train under that man, allowing him to try to seduce your girlfriend—isn't that a bit too much like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?
Everyone has their own opinion.
That's normal.
But it can't be denied that most girls are emotional and want their boyfriends to care more about them.
Nanao Akane is no exception.
Although she isn't so extreme in her thoughts about her lover.
Yet, she feared making Katase Shoya choose.
She didn't want to know his choice, nor did she want him to make one.
Thus, she ultimately didn't reveal that the coach wasn't the good person he imagined.
[Maybe…] 15:12 "Read"
[But we still need to maintain some distance, even if the coach doesn't say anything, it would not be good if the other team members notice.] 15:13 "Read"
Seemingly reluctant, she waited a bit after seeing the message read, then sent another message.
[I understand.] 15:15 "Read"
Because she learned from Sasaki that Shouya-kun might have been drugged, Nanao Akane understood his reluctance and started to inquire about his health.
[By the way, I heard from the coach that you guys have extra training these days, Shouya-kun… are you feeling unwell anywhere?] 15:15 "Read"
[Unwell? Right now? I'm feeling...um...a bit warm inside, and I really miss you, Akane~] 15:15 "Read"
'Just as I thought!'
Seeing the message he sent, Nanao Akane's eyes narrowed slightly.
'One should know that during the time they secretly dated as abackup couple.'
Shouya-kun, rarely, or rather, never said such affectionate words before.
Normally, he was too shy and awkward to even express concern, so his sudden direct expression of missing her seemed quite unusual.'
Confirming he had been drugged, the girl cautioned him:
[I miss you too, Shouya-kun… um, if you're feeling unwell, make sure to tell me, I'll be angry if you don't take care of yourself! (Angry puffed face.jpg)] 15:15 "Read"
[Mm-hmm, I will!] 15:16 "Read"
Knowing they were supposed to be changing clothes, Nanao Akane didn't chat for too long.
[Let's leave it at that, I have some things to take care of at home, let's not talk now.] 15:16 "Read"
[Okay, goodbye~] 15:16 "Read"
[Mm-hmm, goodbye~ (Waving hand.jpg)] 15:16 "Read"
The chat ended there.
The girl sat at her desk, looking through the window at a small corner of the baseball field, sighing softly.
Previously in junior high and the first half of her first year in high school, she had joined the swimming club and never felt bored after school.
But as her body developed rapidly, it affected her swimming performance.
Her desire to compete in swimming competitions with friends also diminished as her chest grew larger.
After quitting the swimming club.
She lazily spent her days until she met Katase Shouya, who was working hard towards his dreams, and she found her own purpose.
But now, returning to her lazy habits, she momentarily didn't know where to go or what to do.
However, this thought only lingered in her mind for a moment before it vanished.
When unsure what to do, eating something delicious was definitely the right choice.
Previously in the swimming club, to desperately maintain a flat figure, she only ate a few leaves of vegetables and slices of fruit each day.
But for her, who seemed to gain weight just from drinking water, this not only left her dazed from hunger, her figure didn't maintain either.
She straightened up, even if just resting on the table, it was still soft and firm.
Nanao Akane looked around and, finding no one else nearby, leaned on it, opened her collar, and waved a hand inside to fan herself.
Summer was approaching.
Honestly, she didn't... no, she didn't like summer.
While for some girls, summer is an opportunity to wear thin and pretty clothes to attract the hot gaze of the opposite sex.
For her, it was torture.
She had a boyfriend; she didn't need others' glances.
Also, in summer, someone like her would easily sweat.
Especially in the thicker areas.
The sweat she produced in a day could fill a basin.
Not to mention, she had joined the baseball club, a team with a tremendous amount of physical activity.
'I really hope the big competition ends soon…'
After fanning herself for a while, letting the sweltering heat subside, Nanao Akane picked up her backpack and ambled out of the classroom.
.
.
.
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