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!?
“Hey, hey, how was the sandwich?”
“It… it was good.”
“Hey, hey, are you always late in the morning?”
“W-well, I was tired.”
“Hey, hey, your mom is really pretty, isn’t she?”
“I-I guess so.”
On the way to school.
I’m being bombarded with questions from Shiratori.
“Hey, hey.”
“What is it now?”
“Did Mai come to your house this morning?”
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
“Huh? W-why?”
“I saw her coming out of your house.”
“Oh, really? Did she forget something yesterday or something?”
“You haven’t seen her?”
“N-no, I haven’t.”
“Hmm. Well, guess I was overthinking it.”
Shiratori’s serious expression vanished, and she broke into a beaming smile.
“…So, why were you at my place, Shiratori?”
“Because I was feeling lonely yesterday. By the way, is it okay if I come pick you up every day from now on?”
“W-well, that might be a bit much…”
“It’s fine if it’s me, right? Or do you have plans with Mai or Masa?”
“N-no, I don’t, I don’t.”
“Then there’s no problem. Also, just to confirm…”
“Confirm?”
“Romance is allowed starting today, right?”
Shiratori looked up at me with a blush on her cheeks.
“…Well, I guess so.”
“Then it’s okay for me to ask Mitchi out on a date, right?”
“Me?”
“Don’t play dumb. I’ve only ever been to the convenience store with you, Mitchi. And on our days off, we were always at club practice. I’d really like to go to an amusement park or something.”
Now, how should I handle an invitation like this?
If I turn her down the wrong way, I might end up rubbing her the wrong way.
“Um, amusement parks are pretty expensive, aren’t they? I don’t have a part-time job, so I don’t have any money.”
“Oh, that’s fine. My parents gave me a gift as a reward for making it to the National High School Championships.”
“No, I can’t exactly let a girl treat me, can I?”
“That’s not really the case these days. Besides, my parents told me to use that money to give back to the people who’ve helped me.”
“W-well, then maybe some snacks for the teacher?”
“I already bought those.”
“T-then maybe for the club members?”
“I already gave Mai and Masa shoes and stuff.”
“W-well, then maybe some clothes for me?”
“Of course I have a present for you, too. But that alone isn’t enough, is it?”
I’m totally full, though.
“Shiratori, I don’t really need anything.”
“Mitchii, you’re the one who changed my life.”
“life? That’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
“No, really. Until junior high, I was terrible at everything I tried. I was terrible at sports and the piano I took lessons in—everything.”
“But you’re good at school, aren’t you?”
“That’s because I thought, ‘At least I should be average at studying,’ so I worked hard at that. But my parents were always disappointed when they saw me like that.”
“But you worked hard and got results, didn’t you, Shiratori?”
“I was only able to work that hard thanks to you, Mitchi. My parents were happy too, and I’m truly grateful. That’s why I want to repay you.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“No, I really want to.”
“……”
Overwhelmed by Shirotori’s passion, I asked tentatively.
“What exactly do you want to do?”
As soon as I asked that question, Shirotori replied.
“I want to give everything I have to you, Mitchi.”