Since that incident, those fools had stopped pestering me.
They still sent hostile glares my way instead, but I didn't let it get to me.
"Good morning, Takanashi-kun."
"Mornin'~"
"Good morning."
The two girls from Natsumi-senpai's fan club treated me exactly as they always had.
When I’d tried to thank them the other day, they ended up thanking me instead for getting angry on her behalf.
To the fan club, it seemed I had stood up to protect Natsumi-senpai.
At the very least, I'd managed to avoid being completely ostracized.
Thwack!
A satisfying crack echoed across the court.
Before my eyes, Natsumi-senpai was deep in tennis practice.
I had come to the tennis courts after school at Sara-senpai's invitation.
Natsumi-senpai had a practice match against another school scheduled for this weekend, so she was currently running through match-style drills in preparation.
To be honest, I’d never actually watched tennis in person before, and I barely knew the rules.
I understood the basic concept—reach the target score first and you win.
"Kyaaa! Natsumi-senpai!"
"So cool! You're amazing!"
The cluster of girls in the corner was undoubtedly her fan club.
Curiously, they fell completely silent whenever Natsumi-senpai was in the middle of a rally.
Was it some sort of court etiquette?
I also noticed another group of girls gathered by the boys' court, squealing just as loudly.
Was there some popular guy over there as well?
"Natsumi-senpai is really good, isn't she?"
"Yes. Natsumi's skills are tournament-level. There likely isn't another student in this school who can hold a candle to her."
In fact, she seemed to have won her set without conceding a single point.
"Takanashi-san, if you're available, would you like to come cheer for Natsumi with me this Sunday? Of course, if you have other plans, please feel free to prioritize those."
As long as I got to be with Senpai, there was nothing else in my schedule that took precedence.
"I'd be happy to. I’ve never seen a real match before, so I'm looking forward to it. I’d like to see Natsumi-senpai in her element."
When I gave my consent, Senpai's face lit up with a happy smile.
"I'm glad. In that case, I'd like to surprise her, so let's not tell her we're coming. It'll be our little secret, so you mustn't say a word to Natsumi, all right?"
Senpai peered up at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Our little secret...
Regardless of the context, the phrase itself and Senpai’s expression were so cute I nearly let my embarrassment show.
Ugh... Ever since that conversation with Yuji, I knew I'd been overreacting to everything.
Seeing Sara-senpai smile or make rare faces like this made her look even more adorable than usual, which only made me more self-conscious.
"? Hehe... Is something the matter, Takanashi-san?"
Senpai was incredibly perceptive; she never missed a shift in my expression or mood.
My only saving grace was her total obliviousness toward romance.
Then again, that only meant she made me suffer unintentionally...
"Whew, I'm exhausted. But I'm in great shape, total top form!"
Natsumi-senpai walked toward us, towel in hand.
"Good work, Natsumi-senpai."
"Good work, Natsumi."
She gave us a broad, satisfied grin.
"Thanks, you two. But really, you're as close as ever. Hey, Takanashi-kun, what’d you think of my tennis? Not too shabby for your first time seeing me in action, right?"
Natsumi-senpai playfully nudged my arm with her elbow.
I wasn't used to girls being that casual with me, and it left me flustered.
I really wished she'd stop teasing me like that...
"Natsumi, Takanashi-san is troubled..."
Senpai noticed my discomfort and started to scold Natsumi-senpai, but a voice from the side cut her off.
"Yuzuki-senpai, you're in good form as usual."
...Who is this Refreshing Handsome Guy?
He didn't seem like one of those flashy guys, but he was strangely... refreshing. Or rather, he had this smug, breezy air about him that I immediately disliked.
A gaggle of girls trailed behind him.
So he was the guy the girls were shrieking over at the boys' courts earlier.
"You seem the same as ever. Think you'll hold up in the next match?"
"Yeah, I'm definitely going to win."
...What was this sudden sense of inferiority? I felt like I’d been defeated in ways I couldn't even name.
"Satsukawa-senpai, good work today. If you're free, maybe you could come to my match, too..."
"I am not so bored that I would go out of my way to cheer for someone I have zero interest in. Furthermore, I do not recall giving you permission to speak to me so familiarly."
Senpai shut him down so decisively it was almost a work of art. I felt a bit petty for being so happy about it... but I couldn't help it.
"Natsumi, since we've been interrupted, we'll be going now. Shall we head home, Takanashi-san?"
Senpai turned to me, her face softening into a smile.
"Sorry, Sara. Takanashi-kun, thanks for today! I'd be happy if you came to watch again!"
"Sure. Good luck, Natsumi-senpai."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow~"
Natsumi-senpai waved as she saw us off, so I waved back.
As I did, the Refreshing Handsome Guy caught my eye again.
Was he staring at me? What was his deal?