I’ve Been Working My Hardest as Manager of the Girls’ Track and Field Team, but Ever Since I Retired, the Team Members Have Been Coming at Me Like Crazy!?
♤
About five minutes had passed since the taxi carrying us had started moving.
During that time, I’d been worried about what the Shiratoris might do to us, but surprisingly, all three of them were quiet, each seeming to be lost in their own thoughts.
Well, Shiratori had been running until just a moment ago, so she must be tired.
Yukimura isn’t really the chatty type, either.
Hayase is quite talkative on LINE or the phone, but when talking face-to-face, she’s surprisingly reserved.
The sudden change in the three of them earlier might just have been because they were high on the excitement of the Inter-High being over.
No, that must be it.
I want to believe that’s the case.
“Hey, Mitsuru.”
As if to shatter my wish, Yukimura broke the silence.
“Wh-what?”
“It’s okay if you move closer to me.”
“N-no, it’s fine. You guys must be more tired.”
“I didn’t have a match today. Or are you worried about Moe?”
Yukimura was right.
Ever since we got in the taxi, Shiratori has been staring right at me.
She’s been glaring at me in the back seat the whole time—so much so that I’m worried her neck might start to hurt.
“…Well, if she’s glaring at me that much…”
“Fufu, I wonder why she’s glaring at you? Could it be that something happened between you and Moe, Mitsuru?”
Yukimura’s voice grew a little somber.
At that very moment, I felt something cold brush against my side.
“Wh-what are you talking about?”
“Ah, that blank look on your face means something’s up. Hey, don’t tell me…”
“No, no, no! There’s no way anything’s going on!”
I felt whatever had been touching my side press against me harder, so I hurriedly denied it, and it gently moved away from my body.
“Oh, that’s a relief.”
“…Hey, that thing you were pressing against me just now…”
“What are you talking about?”
“…Never mind.”
I was curious, but I held back because I felt Yukimura would really get angry if I asked any more.
I feel like it was something sharp… but no, that must’ve been my imagination.
“But then, why has Moe been staring at Mitsuru the whole time?”
“…She’s serious, so she’s probably keeping an eye on me to make sure I don’t make a move on you or Hayase.”
“Huh. You’re not going to make a move?”
“W-what, would I? Besides, our club has a no-dating policy, right?”
“But that was supposed to be until the Inter-High was over, wasn’t it?”
“…It’s not over yet, is it?”
It’s a technicality, but the Nationals certainly aren’t over yet.
According to the schedule, tomorrow is the final day.
It’s just that none of our three players are competing.
Of course, when I first set the no-dating rule, I meant it would last until each person’s final match was over.
“…I see. Mitsuru has a point there. So, does that mean no dating until tomorrow?”
“Well, I guess so. So you guys better make sure to follow the rules properly.”
For some reason, it was Shirotori in the passenger seat—not Yukimura—who seemed flustered by that.
Her sharp gaze from earlier was nowhere to be seen; her eyes were darting around, and she was opening and closing her mouth.
…I see. It worked.
I guess I can rest easy for today, at least.
“Hey, hey, Sen-chan.”
Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief, this time from behind.
Hayase called out to me, tugging on my tracksuit.
“Wh-what is it?”
“Locked up doesn’t count as romance, right?”
What’s she suddenly talking about?
…No, wait, she’s probably talking about me.
“…It depends on what you want to lock up.”
“Really?”
“Think about it. For example, if you wanted to lock up someone you liked, wouldn’t that be because you like them?”
“Like… yeah, that makes sense.”
“That’s basically romance. So it’s a no-go.”
To be honest, Hayase just gave a half-hearted “Yeah.”
But for some reason, Shirotori in the passenger seat looked shocked, her mouth hanging open.
…Did you plan to lock him up?
“……Anyway, since we’re staying here today on the school’s dime, make sure you behave yourselves at the hotel.”
I forced the conversation to a close, and all three of them gave a half-hearted “Okay.”
I’d like to think we’re safe for now.
As for the rest… once we get to the hotel and finish dinner, I’ll lock the door and avoid going out until morning.
Ah, how did it come to this?
I was looking forward to relaxing in the communal bath and chatting with the four of us until lights out.
“Mitchii”
“Mitsu”
“Sen-chan”
“……”
The three of them called out to me while shooting me heavy glances, so I lowered my head, making sure not to meet their eyes.