Six months had passed since I entered high school. The material in class was shifting toward more complex applications of what we’d learned in the first semester, making it increasingly difficult. Simply transcribing the board into my notebook wasn't enough to actually understand the content anymore. I was going to need more focus than ever before.
And yet—I couldn’t help but be distracted by the person sitting in the seat directly in front of me.
Sajou Wataru was supposed to be maintaining total rest after suffering a major injury to his left hand. Since it had been impaled by a tool, the thick, heavy layers of bandages weren't an exaggeration at all.
Despite that, the one responsible for the injury was constantly propping his chin with that left hand—resulting in agonizing screams—and even had the audacity to try and participate in PE despite the risk of making things worse. It made me wonder if he even had any intention of letting it heal. Thanks to him, I, sitting right behind him, was constantly on edge, worrying he’d knock his hand against something every time he moved.
"O-Ouch..."
"!"
Wataru let out a small groan as he scratched his cheek with his left hand. Drawn by the sound, my attention was immediately captured by his hand. It didn't seem like the pain was severe, though. From his profile, I saw him knit his brows and stare at his own hand in discomfort.
Wataru noticed my gaze. Apparently, I had been scowling just as much as he was. He gave me a hurried, submissive little bow with a strained smile. Seeing how pathetic he looked only made me more irritated. Wataru quickly turned back around, cutting me out of his field of vision. I glared at the back of his head.
It had been a few days since Wataru’s scream—now famously known in class as the "Chin-propping Incident." While I’d initially rushed to his side in worry, he hadn’t learned his lesson at all. He continued to handle his injured hand with reckless abandon, only to end up moaning in pain. He’d done it over ten times already. Apparently, as long as he kept it still, the painkillers worked well enough that it only felt slightly itchy, so why couldn't he just do that?
Even now, he was using his left hand to rub the back of his head. He must have felt a sharp twinge, because he jerked the hand away in a hurry. It shouldn't have been that hard to stay conscious of it and avoid using his left arm.
I’d expressed these feelings to Wataru many times. I couldn't deny that I’d taken on a lecturing tone. I suppose the frustration in my heart was leaking out. I wondered if I was being overbearing... I hadn't intended to spend all my time being angry like this...
Maybe it was my instincts as an older sister, but the idea that "discipline isn't just about being kind" was stuck in my head. It was useless to direct the same emotions I felt for my five-year-old sister toward a classmate. No, perhaps that was exactly why I felt so frustrated. Part of me thought I should just leave him be... but then...
"......Sigh......"
Sensing my heavy sigh, Wataru’s shoulders gave a slight jump.
◇
"For the Red and White Battle at the Sports Festival, it's been decided that the boys will do soccer and the girls will do volleyball. This allows for the most balanced team distribution based on the number of club members across all grades."
"Which means the Class C girls' representative is yours truly—none other than Kei Ashida!"
"You don't need to introduce yourself; everyone knows who you are."
A small cheer of "Ohhh" went up, accompanied by scattered applause. I clapped quietly along with the rest of the class, looking at Sasaki-kun and Kei as they stood in front of the chalkboard.
This was technically a self-study period, but for the time being, it seemed we’d be using it for Sports Festival meetings. As the event got closer, this time would apparently be used for match practice. The girls' event was volleyball. And since Kei was the volleyball expert of Class C, she was the natural choice for our leader.
"By the way, since I was an Executive Committee Member for the Cultural Festival, I’m just going to be the coordinator for the soccer team. The actual committee member this time is Matsuda."
"You could have handled both, Sasaki."
"No way, that’s too much work."
"And I’m strictly the leader for volleyball! The Executive Committee Member is Koga-shi!"
"Don't call me by a name that sounds like a map location. Anyway, nice to meet ya."
If you were an Executive Committee Member, you were part of the management side—just like during the Cultural Festival—which meant your time was tied up and you couldn't focus on coordinating the class. That was likely why they’d split the roles. Even so, I felt like Sasaki-kun was taking on a bit too much, especially right after the Cultural Festival. It might be unavoidable since he was the only active member of the soccer club in our class, but since he’d finally started dating Saito-san, I really wanted him to prioritize their time together.
The girls' Sports Festival Executive Committee Member was Koga-san. Between her dyed brown hair, tanned skin, and messy uniform, she didn't exactly look like a model student. It felt a little rude to think, but she was the kind of person I wouldn't really want Airi to see. In fact, I’d heard rumors that she was rather loose when it came to her relationships with men. They weren't just rumors, actually; she talked about it quite loudly herself.
Though I felt uneasy, Kei had told me, "Koga-shi gets her work done, at least. In all sorts of ways." It was a strange way to put it. Still, since Koga-san had gotten into this school, she must have at least the minimum level of diligence required to fulfill her duties. Regardless of her personal life, she definitely had a big-sister vibe during events like this. It was a curious contradiction.
As for Wataru, who had worked so hard during the Cultural Festival, he was currently sitting sideways in his chair, watching the two at the front with weary eyes. I wished he’d show a bit more of... that reliable side of him from the festival...
"—So, with that out of the way, I’d like to start assigning roles for the events."
"This is the most important part! Aichi, you're the setter!"
"Wh—Ehh!?"
"If it's that important, you should discuss it before deciding."
I was caught off guard by the sudden call. Looking at Kei, I saw she had a mischievous, "prank successful" grin. She just wanted to startle me. Wataru’s level-headed retort to Kei’s antics drew a few quiet chuckles from the class.
The class split roughly into boys and girls to start their respective discussions. For volleyball, we had to divide the girls into two teams first. Position assignments would come after that.
"It’s easier to coordinate if we stick with our friends, but we also have to consider the difference in athletic ability. I want to keep things balanced," Kei said, taking charge of the conversation.
Seeing her lead all the girls was impressive, but seeing the gap between her usual self and this focused version of her—even while she was just in her school uniform rather than gym clothes—was mesmerizing. I suppose this was how she looked during her club activities.
People who were close... For example, a group like Shirai-san, Okamoto-san, and Saito-san... Those three were also close with Ichinose-san, and they all got along with our Class Representative, Iiboshi-san. Certainly, if we kept them all together, that team would be nothing but culture-type girls. It would create too much of a gap with the other team. This was where Kei and Iiboshi-san’s knowledge of the class would be vital.
While the girls began their talk, a discussion was starting on the boys' side as well.
"Regarding boys' soccer, everyone will participate, with the extra members rotating out on a timer. So, I’d like to decide on positions here. First, is there anyone who doesn't know the basic rules?"
"..."
"Oh, no one? So everyone's pretty familiar with soccer?"
"Well, we played in middle school."
"I've played it in video games."
"I've played in the World Cup."
"Wait, is there a pro in here...?"
The boys' side had a completely different vibe. Being boys, they seemed well-versed in the sport. They were reaching an understanding much faster than the girls.
"As for positions... well, for now, Sajou will start as a sub."
"My apologies."
"Which position do you want? Honestly, I haven’t really planned on putting an injured person in a match, so I’d like to know your preference."
"Uh, let’s see... how about somewhere that doesn't get much action..."
As expected, Sasaki-kun was being very considerate of Wataru's injury. He was probably afraid of putting him in a risky spot.
Even so, I didn't want him to overdo it, no matter how much time we had before the Sports Festival. Even if the injury healed more by then, a sudden impact could still rip the wound open. He needed a position where he had plenty of space and a low risk of colliding with other players—
"—I'll go with goalkeeper."
"Why!?"
I shouted out before I could stop myself. A dozen surprised faces turned my way. He had to be doing this on purpose...
"N-Natsukawa...?"
"Why would you pick the one position that specifically requires you to use your hands!?"
"Well, I mean, other positions have throw-ins and stuff."
"That's not the point!"
"Y-Yessir."
It was true that a goalkeeper's involvement depended on the flow of the match, and I had the impression that the less athletic kids often ended up there, but it depended on the reason. It was definitely not a position for someone with a hand injury. I could already see it—the opposing team's shots flying toward the goal specifically because Wataru was there. And then Wataru, completely forgetting his injury, would lunge with his left arm to block the ball...
It was going to be a long road. I let out yet another sigh at Wataru's complete lack of a sense of self-preservation.