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!?
“Mitchy, come on, hurry up—it’s your turn!”
“U, um…”
For some reason, the four of us are playing Uno right now.
I had already resigned myself to being totally crushed, but then Hayase pulled a deck of Uno out of her bag and said, “Since we’re here, let’s play this.”
I couldn’t understand why she carried Uno around with her or why she suddenly decided to play it, but I figured I had no choice but to go along with Hayase’s airheaded behavior for now, so I picked it up and immediately dealt the cards to everyone.
From there, it was the usual routine.
Once the game started, Shiratori was totally into it, and Yukimura showed her competitive spirit, staring intently at her cards.
Seriously, nice one, Hayase.
“Alright, so I’ve got Uno.”
“Huh? Four cards? Hey, Masa, don’t play weird cards.”
“I wonder what colors Sen-chan has left.”
I’m holding blue.
And the card Hayase played was blue.
If Shiratori doesn’t change colors here, I win.
Alright, I’m going for it.
“Hey, everyone, if I win, you can all go home today.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I just remembered—I have to submit my activity report for the Inter-High to the school by tomorrow.”
“Hmm, I see. Being a manager is tough, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is. So if I win…”
“So whoever beats Mitsuru gets to stay here, right?”
When Yukimura said that, Shiratori agreed, “That’s true.”
“…If I win, that is.”
There’s a reason I agreed to this bet.
You can call me a coward all you want, but I just happened to catch a glimpse of Shiratori’s hand.
She’s holding the blue seven and eight.
She can’t change colors.
So no matter how hard she struggles, my victory is unshakable.
“Then I’ll play this!”
“Hah, you’re naive. My win… Huh?”
The card she played was blue, but it was a “Reverse” card.
The turn didn’t go to me; it went counterclockwise to Hayase.
“Nice one, Moe-chan. I’m out too.”
Hayase was down to a single card.
This is bad. If this keeps up, I’ll lose.
I have to avoid at all costs a scenario where all three of us end up stuck at home.
“Hehe, you’re naive, Masa. I’m out.”
Yukimura stacked the two cards she was holding and played them.
“Ah!”
“Hehe, well then, I’m definitely staying here.”
“N-no, that’s—”
“I have to wait here until Mom gets home anyway.”
“W-well, I guess you’re right.”
It’s true that Yukimura does have a reason to wait here.
Besides, now that I’ve lost, I can’t exactly brush her off and send her home, and even if I told her to go, she wouldn’t leave anyway.
So, let’s just assume I’ve given up on Yukimura.
The problem is what happens next.
Right now, the card Yukimura placed on top is blue.
I can play a card from my hand.
In other words, I can win.
But is it really okay to just win like this?
If I beat Shiratori and Hayase, they’ll both have to go home.
If that happens, I’ll be left alone with Yukimura.
Isn’t being alone with her a bit risky?
“Come on, it’s Mitsuru’s turn.”
“Oh, right.”
“What are you hesitating for? Oh, you’ve got a blue card. Come on, Mitsuru, you’re winning too!”
“Oh!”
Yukimura had just played a card from my hand without asking.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“It’s a win either way, so what’s the big deal? Anyway, since you both lost to Mitsuru, you should go home today.”
Yukimura said this boldly, and Shirotori, looking unconvinced, retorted.
“Hey, Mai, cutting in line is cheating.”
“It’s the result of a fair fight. Or are you the type to make excuses after losing, Moe?”
“W-well…”
“You know Mitsuru hates that kind of person the most, right?”
It’s true—I hate people who make lame excuses after losing a game.
Besides, I’ve even given that kind of lecture a few times in meetings to motivate everyone.
“…Fine. I’m going home because I don’t want Mitchi to hate me.”
Shiratori stood up, still biting her lip.
“Mitchi, see you tomorrow.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“I’m going home.”
“Huh? Moe-chan, you’re leaving already?”
“We lost today. But I’m definitely going to be the one who wins in the end. Mai, you better remember that.”
“I’ll take you on anytime. Bye, you two.”
Shiratori took Hayase by the hand and walked out.
In contrast to Hayase, who was secretly waving at me, I felt a little sorry for Shiratori as she left with tears in her eyes, looking so frustrated. But I knew that trying to stop her would only make things more complicated, so I watched them leave without saying a word.
“Well, everyone’s gone now.”
Yukimura let out a sigh of relief.
“…So, when is Yukimura’s mom coming back?”
“I don’t know. But she might not be back for a while.”
“Oh, I see.”
“So, what should we do? It’s just the two of us this time.”
Yukimura slipped off the jacket she’d put on without me noticing and leaned her face a little closer to mine.
“W-what do you mean… Play Uno again or something?”
“Masa took the Uno set home. Anyway…”
She rested her bare shoulder against mine.
Yukimura spoke in a voice that sounded more vulnerable than usual.
“Will you make a mess of me?”