Chapter 42: Is Himekoji the Backup Option?

…

The final class on Saturday afternoon was free activity.

He didn’t go to the library to kill time this time. Instead, Himekoji Akito unusually chose the tennis court.

Because Totsuka would definitely be there, right?

An amazing 10-draw gacha and 2000 2D points? Anyone who says they don’t want them is absolutely lying.

Himekoji Akito kept hitting the tennis ball against the wall with his racket.

In the game, Totsuka Saika wasn’t particularly hard to romance. Plus, most of the flag events didn’t require Himekoji to make the first move. Totsuka Saika bounced over willingly, like a well-behaved little white rabbit.

There’s a saying about waiting by a tree stump for a rabbit, right?

It was like that again this time.

While Himekoji Akito swung his racket absentmindedly, someone playfully tapped his right shoulder.

Here it comes!

He felt a flicker of anticipation. Okay, just to be clear, he wasn’t anticipating Saika, only the generous reward.

He instinctively turned around, only for his right cheek to be poked.

“Ha! Tricked you~”

Totsuka Saika stood behind him, wearing an expression that was both adorable and mischievous.

The moment he saw that smile—

His heart skipped a beat like crazy…

Whoa, whoa. Wait! What’s this feeling? Lies, must be lies!

If he weren’t a boy, I would’ve dropped to one knee to propose right there and then. I would’ve failed, though.

Ah? Would I have been rejected?

Anyway, this version of Saika… based purely on appearance, it was impossible to tell his gender.

His wrists, waist, legs – all delicate. His skin was pale, almost like it was translucent.

Totsuka Saika didn’t have a chest, but neither did Yukinoshita, right?

Himekoji Akito calmed down and thought about it carefully, finally realizing the character’s appeal—

Definitely! This character before him, so dazzling… precisely because you couldn’t pin down their gender!

Having cleared that thought, Himekoji let out a relieved smile.

“What’s up?”

He asked Saika.

“Mmm. Today, the person I usually team up with is resting. So… um… if you aren’t busy, could you play with me?”

Hey, can you stop sneaking shy glances like that? It’s too adorable! That should be illegal! Hey! And stop blushing! My HP gauge was almost empty!

“Oh, uh, sure. I’m by myself anyway.”

And with that, Himekoji Akito smoothly betrayed his loyal tennis partner – the wall.

Hah! The wall? What was that? Youth and tennis have no need for pointless wall-facing!

…

“You really are good at this, Himekoji-kun!”

After playing back and forth for about half an hour, they moved to the sidelines to rest, wiping sweat.

“That’s just from years of practice against the wall.”

“Why, you’re practically playing racquetball! That’s not how we play tennis!”

Engaged in casual banter, they both sat down.

Huh? Wait, why was Saika sitting right beside him?

Wasn’t that weird? If they were both guys, shouldn’t they be talking facing each other, maybe even sitting at an angle?

It was a little too close?

Actually… waay too close!

“Well, um… Himekoji-kun? There’s… something I need to discuss with you.”

Totsuka Saika suddenly went serious as he said that.

Right-o! Obviously if it was secret conversation, then being close-up was unavoidable.

No other reason.

While romancing Totsuka Saika was Himekoji Akito’s goal, misjudging the current level of affection or the relationship’s progress could easily backfire.

Also… some games have really different settings, don’t they?

Like… protagonists actually getting reverse romanced…

“A discussion?”

“Yes. It’s about our tennis club.”

Totsuka Saika turned slightly more serious at the topic, his small face tightening determinedly.

Gosh… even when serious, it just amplified how cute he looked!

“Our tennis club… is really weak. Plus, we’re seriously short on members. After the next big tournament, when the third-years leave… we’ll be even weaker. Many first-years only picked up a racket after entering high school, and they’re still just beginners… Plus, because we’re weak, it’s tough to feel fired up. It feels unavoidable that we don’t have many members or players.”

“Right…”

That made sense. It was the common life of a struggling sports club.

Weak clubs don’t attract members. And with so few members, no one really needs to fight for a starting spot.

They even get satisfied just by making it to a competition! Winning and losing don’t worry them much. Himekoji knew these sorts are anything but scarce.

Such a group can never become strong.

Naturally, a weak club attracts even fewer members.

A vicious cycle.

“That’s why… if Himekoji-kun… would you consider joining the tennis club?”

“…Huh?”

Himekoji wasn’t surprised by the question, but made himself look slightly startled.

In a galgame, this scenario triggers a choice.

“Join” or “Don’t Join”. Each leads down a different branch path, though both could reach a good ending.

Option one – Join – was the easier route to boost affection (Difficulty: Easy). Going the other way would make clearing the route a lot harder.

Totsuka Saika sat cutely with his knees hugged to his chest, shrinking slightly, occasionally sneaking hopeful glances at Himekoji Akito.

“Your tennis is really good, Himekoji-kun. And I think you could be even better! Your joining could motivate everyone else… It would help the entire club! A-and… If I was with Himekoji-kun, I think I could work even harder too! Th-That’s not to say anything weird! I, I also want to become a better player.”

“You don’t need to work so hard… I’ll protect you!”

…Eh?”

“Ah! Sorry! Wrong words coming out!”

Saika Saika looked far too submissive, gentle, and downright cute. It caused Himekoji Akito’s words to slip out before he could stop himself.

Seriously, he was just that cute! Impossible to refuse! Himekoji was tempted to just throw caution to the wind and agree without thinking.

But ultimately, reason won out over impulse.

“…I’m sorry. That’s… difficult for me.”

Like in the game, Himekoji Akito chose to decline.

He knew his own personality too well.

He’d never mesh smoothly with a club full of people. Plus, stuck with mandatory training sessions at fixed hours? That went against his lazy nature.

If anything, arriving late or ditching early would become regular habits.

Someone like him… joining the tennis club would just disappoint Totsuka later.

He didn’t want to disappoint Totsuka.

“Oh… It played out just like Hachiman… both of you rejected me…”

Totsuka Saika responded with sadness and regret.

Hold up! Hachiman?!

Hey, hey, hey! Since when did the nickname get so cozy?

Also… you went to Hikigaya first? You were rejected? And then you found me?

What the heck? Am I the backup plan for Hikigaya?!

Oh no! Worst-case scenario confirmed!

He’d worried Hikigaya could become a romantic rival… Just as he thought!

What now?

Since he’s a rival… Should I kill Hikigaya?

Seems much safer to just kill him?