Cherry blossom season ended, and the trees began to bud vibrantly. My high school debut was going swimmingly so far.
“Hey, Natsuki.”
“Morning, Nagiura!”
I mainly hung out with Nagiura in class since we were both on the basketball team. I often chatted with Shiratori-kun and Okajima-kun, who were both on the soccer team. And Hino-kun. But if I had to say, I wanted to expand my circle of friends a little more.
“Did you do the homework?” Nagiura asked.
“Huh? Did we have homework?” I replied.
“I didn’t do it either! I knew we were buds!” He smacked my back.
Hey, that hurts! And seriously, what homework is he talking about? I haven’t been focusing on my studies. Then again, it’s not like hitting the books would help me be popular, so who cares.
Just as the thought finished, Hoshimiya-san came running into the classroom. “Morning everyone!”
“Hey, Hikari-chan. Morning.”
“You barely made it on time. I was worried you’d be late!”
She’s cute even when she’s in a fluster. The mood livens up just from her stepping into the room.
“What’re you staring at? Do you have a crush on Hoshimiya?” Tatsuya teased me.
“I-I don’t! It’s not a crush or anything,” I frantically lied.
Sure, I’m interested in her, but that doesn’t mean I like like her that way. My eyes just can’t help but be drawn to her, that’s all. Why do I always look away whenever our eyes suddenly meet?
For the record, I barely ever spoke to Hoshimiya-san. Nanase-san stuck to her side like a mother hen, so she was never alone.
“Tatsu, mornin’! And morning to you too, Haibara-kun!”
On the other hand, Sakura-san from the same middle school as Nagiura sometimes talked to me. She was super cute and always the energetic mood maker of the class.
I flashed her my pearly whites and responded how a popular kid might. “Hey, Sakura-san. Morning! You’re in a chipper mood as usual!!!”
“Y-Yeah! But I don’t hold a candle to you!”
I had greeted her too loudly, and she seemed a little startled. I wasn’t used to speaking up, so I struggled to control my volume. Still, I was an extrovert now; being loud was surely better than being quiet.
“Ha ha! Life’s meant to be enjoyed, after all!” I gave her a thumbs-up.
“Yeah, ha ha...” She smiled.
“Why’s he so weirdly worked up? It’s so funny.”
The girls in our class were watching me as they clapped their hands and laughed.
“I know, right? I can’t—it’s hilarious. And I mean that in a good and bad way.”
I feel like they’re bad-mouthing me...or, wait, are they complimenting me? If they think I’m funny, then my extrovert mimicry must be working. Probably.
Nagiura and Sakura-san had begun chatting while such thoughts were going through my mind. I wanted to join in, but it sounded like they were talking about a friend from their middle school days. It was a topic I knew nothing about.
“Say, Haibara-kun.”
I had nothing better to do but twiddle my thumbs, when Shiratori-kun kindly struck up a conversation.
“Hey, need something?” I replied.
It’s pretty rare for Shiratori-kun to hit me up. I often see him talking to Nagiura, though. Maybe he’s unexpectedly shy?
He studied me closely, his expression enigmatic. “Haibara-kun, were you always like this?”
“What do you mean? If you’re talking about my personality, I don’t think it’s changed,” I replied. Has he realized I’m a high school debutante? For now, I’ve gotta trick him.
“Hmm... Never mind, then. We should get ready for our next class.”
What did he want to ask me in the end?
Shiratori-kun promptly returned to his seat, leaving me confused.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Hey, Haibara! Don’t drag your feet!”
“Y-Yessiiir...!”
My most pressing issue was that I couldn’t keep up with basketball practice. I had joined the team because of the simple reasoning that tall plus extrovert equals basketball player, but it was genuinely harsh.
“Natsuki, you okay?” Nagiura called out to me as I wobbled around.
“Y-Yeah... Sorry for the trouble.”
“Don’t sweat it. You’re a beginner, so you gotta stick it out through this part.”
Most of the first-years had played basketball in middle school. It would’ve been better if I had just been lacking technique, but a former member of the go home club like me fell behind physically too.
“Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“I won’t, thanks.”
To be honest, it takes everything I have to barely scrape by during practice. I want to quit. But if I do, then I might not be able to hang out with Nagiura in class. Besides, it feels good when I make a shot, and if I get a little bit better, I might start enjoying basketball. Also, not gonna lie, I don’t have the guts to quit, so let’s try to hold out and give it my all.