My Friend Doesn't Hesitate 12

 Act 12     What is the Reason to Want to Win the Match?


「Fuhahahahaha, I won't let anyone break through my defense!」


In today's PE, the girls' class had basketball in the gymnasium, so after light instruction in basic skills, they were divided into four teams to play practice games, but.

Mashiro and Akami were participating in the first match, and since the opposing team included Kiriko Kizaki, an active member of the women's basketball club, that put them in an outrageously difficult game.


「We haven't scored even a single point. Holy cow.」

「Just having Kiri-yan under the goal causes a staggering amount of pressure.」


As a special rule, they had established the handicap that Kiriko would not participate in the offense, but even just on defense, her ability was tremendous.


「Nn!」

「Not good enough, Shiro-chi!」


If Mashiro did a layup shot true to the fundamentals, thanks to Kiriko's height and her long arms, she would knock it away as if she was swatting a fly.


「Then if I do this!」

「Oops, this road's closed, Aka-chi!」


If Akami took advantage of her short stature to dribble, Kiriko would side step with her long stride and stoop down defensively to block her path.

Even if they tried to make use of passing techniques, Kiriko's pressure would disrupt them and Kiriko's teammates would steal the ball, so even with all members combined, they couldn't demolish that stronghold.


「It, it's like a fortress.」

「Well, considering the remaining time, I guess a turnaround is impossible.」


With 30 seconds remaining, the score was 0 to 14.

Both physically and in terms of ability, that was an impossible number for a turnaround.

When a mood of giving up dominated the team,


「Alright, if Aka-chi and the others score in the next offense, I'll give you 15 points! Also, I'll treat you to lunch at the school cafeteria tomorrow!」


While Kiriko, who was on defense under the goal, said that with a smile, Mashiro and Akami twitched in response.

Tomorrow's lunch menu at the school cafeteria had the popular hashed meat omurice (650 yen) made by an older lady who was said to have previously run a western restaurant.

Both of them were looking forward to that menu item so much that they had respectively told their mothers they wouldn't be taking bentos tomorrow.


「Let's win, Akami.」

「Of course!」


A switch had been flipped.


「Oh, the hues of your eyes have changed. Bring it on!」


Kiriko looked happy as well.

In any case, it was their turn on offense.

Akami brought the ball to the enemy territory as Mashiro took position a little away from where Kiriko lay in wait under the goal.

Even though Kiriko had made a declaration about treating them to a meal, the morale of the other members remained low, likely because they felt the difference in ability.

So the choice of attackers was between Akami and Mashiro, and Kiriko likely knew that as well.

For that reason,


「Shiro-chan!」


She had no choice but to break through Kiriko's defense. 　

Mashiro received the ball and looked fixedly at Kiriko, who was standing ready a little ahead of her.

... There are no openings.

Although she was only a little far away, she was too far from the goal to shoot, and she didn't think she could get past Kiriko with amateur dribbling, so she felt like the ball was going to be taken no matter what she did.


「Fufufufu―, Shiro-chi, I won't hold back even against a kindergartener!」

「How immature... But that's just fine, Kiri-yan. I wouldn't be happy if you went easy on me.」

「Oh, what a fiery thing to say. Now, come!」

「You don't have to tell me twice.」


She stopped thinking about the details and went with confidence.

Taking the ball.

She headed for Kiriko's left. Her non-dominant side――


「Slow!」


Kiriko responded immediately. Her speed was unchanged. Her balance between left and right was terrifyingly proportional.

Mashiro hurriedly tried to turn her course back, but she didn't have the skill to do so. She started to fumble the ball.


「It's mine!」


Kiriko reacted to that. She was already reaching for the ball that was about to fall.

It's useless; it's going to be taken.

The moment she thought that,



「Do your best, Shiro-chan!」



She heard Akami's voice.

She didn't know the direction.

However, she understood.


――I'm not alone.


The encouragement of that presence opened some kind of door inside Mashiro.


「――――」

「Ooh!?」


With one hand, she regained the ball she had started to fumble.

She continued dribbling. Even without looking, she could tell that after reaching for the ball, Kiriko had slightly lost her balance.

Taking the ball, she went behind Kiriko.


「Fast!? ...But, I won't let you!」


Immediately regaining her balance, Kiriko came to block her way.

But that was no problem. It seemed the distance to the goal had shrunk considerably.

Keeping her eyes on the goal, Mashiro took a shooting stance.


「From there, a stop and jump!? You think I'll let you!?」


Kiriko dealt with that as well.

In the blink of an eye, the shot's path was blocked. Her speed and even the height she jumped to were perfect to block.

That was fine.

　

「――――」


Mashiro had already seen.

The ball Mashiro shot passed by Kiriko's side and bounced once――


「――I've been waiting, Shiro-chan.」

「Wha... it wasn't a shot, but a pass!?」


And Akami, who had run all the way up to just below the goal without anyone noticing, caught it.

Kiriko had displayed fearsome reaction speed up until now, but after extending to jump, her knees were taking the slow road to recovery whether she liked it or not.

And with the quickness of Mashiro's pass, which even Kiriko could barely react to, reaction was impossible for the other members.

For that reason.


「Our win.」


At the same time as Mashiro's declaration, Akami made a layup shot while the whistle blew to signal the end of the practice game.

　


「Shiro-chan!」


After the end, Akami immediately ran towards Mashiro with all her might, who firmly caught her, and they hugged each other tightly.

That was how excited both Mashiro and Akami were.


「Well done clinching the victory for us, Akami. You're the best.」

「Only because Shiro-chan overcame Kiri-yan's defense. That was really amazing!」

「Only because Akami believed in me. Because of that, I was able to do my best.」

「But Shiro-chan spotted me. That made me really happy!」

「If you say that, then Akami―」

「Shiro-chan――」

「Oi, you two, flirting is fine, but take turns, take turns!」


So saying, Kiriko put the brakes on Mashiro and Akami's battle of mutual admiration.

Since the second match was going to start, Mashiro, Akami, and Kiriko moved together to the resting area and settled down.


「But really, that was amazing, Shiro-chi. Didn't you get in the zone midway?」

「I don't really know what the zone is, but... well, my thoughts became strangely clear.」


Even though she lost and would have to treat them to lunch at the school cafeteria, Kiriko seemed happy for some reason.

Was it really amazing enough to justify that?


「But, as I said earlier, Akami’s support definitely pushed me forward. Akami also fully clinched it for us, so I want to give this victory to her.」

「Sh-Shiro-chan, having that much said about me is embarrassing.」

「Nnー, so then, so then, why don't you two join the women's basketball club together? Come build a golden age together with me!」


Kiriko solicited them with a feverish gaze.

It was clear that it wasn't a half-joke or anything like that; she was serious. It seemed her expectations of their strength were that high.

Having her be that confident in them made Mashiro feel a little honored, but,


「I'll refrain.」

「Wehh, why?」

「Since there's no father in my household, Mom and I do the housework in turns, which keeps me busy... Besides...」

「? Besides?」

「... Eh, Shiro-chan?」


In response to Kiriko's parroted question.

Mashiro spontaneously hugged Akami beside her around the shoulder,



「Reducing the time I spend with Akami would be a bit unbearable for me.」

「――――!!!???」



After receiving those words.

Akami's face turned bright red and she stiffened. Kiriko was slightly surprised and let out a sigh of『... Ooh』,


「In that case, I guess it can't be helped?...... Thank you for the meal.」


Then smiled and readily backed down.

Mashiro didn't really understand the meaning behind the last phrase she said, but, well, if Kiriko was convinced, then it should be fine.

More importantly,


「Kiri-yan, school cafeteria tomorrow, don't forget.」

「Naturally!」


Mashiro was already anticipating tomorrow at the school cafeteria. 　


　　☆★★★☆★★


Shiro-chan, you should seriously stop the unconscious acts that make me fall for you more... or, actually, don't, this is fine.

I also want to cherish my time with Shiro-chan.