The trip to Hirari High took close to an hour because we had to transfer to a different line and walk from the station while following the general direction on the map.
Even though it was in the sa city, I had never wandered to this part before. The streets were livelier here, but the neighborhood was lined with older buildings and small shops that made it feel like we were back in the early 2000’s.
Ria walked beside , her small hand still tucked in mine, occasionally skipping a step to match my longer stride.
"You know what, Dumb-senpai? It’s weird how big this city feels sotis," She mused, glancing up at the sky where clouds drifted by. "Like, we’ve lived here our whole lives, but there are still corners we’ve never seen. Kind of like us, Dumb-senpai. I thought I knew everything about you back then, but... turns out there’s always more."
I squeezed her hand gently, pulling her a little closer as we turned a corner. "Mhm. And you’re still uncovering layers, huh? Careful, or you’ll find sothing you don’t like."
Ria giggled, shaking her head. "Impossible. Even your dumb parts are endearing. And with how honest you are, I know there will be a deep reason if you ever hide sothing from us."
“Well, what can I say? Most of you already know better than myself.” I shrugged as we continued walking. "But you’re right. This city’s got layers, just like people. And exploring them with you? It makes it all worthwhile."
Ria’s cheeks tinted pink as she pressed her closer to my side, leaning her head against my arm. "Geez. Flatterer. I bet you’ll say the sa thing if another girl is with you instead of . But... I like it. Today’s been perfect so far, Dumb-senpai. Even with all the chaos."
We rounded another corner, and Hirari High finally ca into view. The school building lood ahead. Despite the old buildings around it, it stood spotless as if all the school had been funneled to maintain the school’s beauty. There was a sign at the gate that read ‘Hirari High School’ in prominent gold letters.
Even from outside, we could already see the sports field and the gymnasium where most of the activity had been centered. After all, it’s the weekend. The only ones who’d be at school were the sports clubs doing their practice or the spectators for the practice match of the Girls’ Basketball Club.
Since they were the forr city-level champions and our school’s basketball club dethroned them just a few weeks ago in the interhigh tournant, many were looking forward to this ‘rematch’.
I tried looking to see if any of our schoolmates also ca to cheer for them but perhaps because of the upcoming cultural festival, I could hardly find them, let alone recognize any familiar faces from our school in the small crowd milling around the entrance.
From what I could tell, most of them seed to be locals or students from Hirari High itself, clustered in small groups near the gate, chatting excitedly about the upcoming rematch as they walked towards the gymnasium.
I’ve already spotted the bus that Orimura-sensei probably drove to bring the team here.
Thinking about it, Ryouko-san and Orimura-sensei spent the night in our house. And they both even stayed for quite a while earlier in the morning. The thought of both of them rushing to the school to prepare the club slipped from my head.
No wonder Satsuki sent a ssage earlier asking how well I slept last night. She figured out that those two won stayed under the sa roof as .
I should prepare to be scolded, I guess?
As we walked past the gate, Ria tugged at my sleeve. Her eyes scanned the scene before us with an analytical glint as though sothing piqued her curiosity.
"Dumb-senpai, this place looks... intense. Like they’re still salty about losing the championship. Do you think Sister Satsuki’s team is ready for whatever trash talk cos their way?"
I chuckled, squeezing her hand as we approached the gate. "They’re more than ready. And don’t worry. If they trash-talk. We’ll answer in kind.”
Ria giggled before saying, “Right. You’ll intimidate them to silence, huh? Really Dumb-senpai.”
We continued our walk, following the crowd. So curious eyes naturally focused on us but since no one was approaching, we just continued.
As we neared the gymnasium, the faint echo of squeaking sneakers and bouncing balls drifted out from inside, mixed with shouts and whistles that scread ’practice match in full swing’.
"Looks like we’re just in ti," I said, checking my phone for a quick ssage from Satsuki.
She’d sent a simple ’Hurry up, idiot’ twenty minutes ago, which probably ant they were about to start or already warming up.
Ria nodded, "Un. I can hear the energy from here. Sister Satsuki must be fired up. Do you think she’ll let sit courtside? I want a good view for my research."
"Research?" I raised an eyebrow, smirking down at her. "You an staring at the players and figuring out their stats like it’s a video ga?"
"Hehe. Exactly," She replied without missing a beat, that mature glint flashing in her eyes. "Basketball’s all math and physics. Trajectories, montum, probability. I bet I could predict the winner just by watching warm-ups."
“Yeah. Right. I guess it’s the right call to bring you here with . You can help in devising a strategy for them. Like how I did it back at the interhigh.”
“Oh! You’re right. I rembered. It’s because of you that they won the championship. Okay... your Ria will assist you, Dumb-senpai.” Ria confidently grinned before acting comically by nudging an imaginary pair of glasses in place like those certain ani characters who always act like they’re intellectuals.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, pulling her closer as we rounded the corner to the sight, avoiding the foot traffic.
Since we’re not going to be watching from the audience seats, we naturally have to move to join the Basketball Club or where they were staying.
Sure enough, as soon as we reached the sidedoor almost similar to the ones we had back in our school, Orimura-sensei’s figure appeared from the door.
“You’re finally here, shaless brat. I’ve been waiting here for half an hour. You surely took your sweet ti, huh? Is it because of her?” Orimura-sensei’s eyes focused on Ria, who simply put on an innocent smile while clinging tightly to my arm.
“Hello, Orimura-sensei! I’m Ria. Dumb-senpai’s junior. Nice to et you,” She said brightly, extending her free hand like this was a perfectly normal introduction and not happening outside a gymnasium where a practice match was about to kick off. She also didn’t care that she was an older woman who was supposed to be a teacher in our school. She already heard about her from , after all.
Orimura-sensei blinked, clearly caught off guard by Ria’s sunny deanor.
She glanced at with a raised eyebrow, then back to Ria, before finally shaking her hand. “Junior, huh? I knew it. Another one? Even those younger than you can’t escape your grasp, shaless brat.”
I shrugged, keeping my arm around Ria’s shoulders. “Well, what can I say? They find irresistible. But no, we weren’t late because of her. Bla the bus. Crowded weekends.”
“Irresistible, my ass.” Orimura-sensei snorted, crossing her arms under her chest in a way that accentuated her athletic build. Although she’s not the coach of the Basketball Club and she was only here as the designated bus driver, she seed to be in her coach mode today. Nevertheless, the faint flush on her cheeks told she hadn’t forgotten last night any more than I had. “And stop blaming the bus. You took the train. You probably stopped for ‘pampering’ sowhere.”
“Oh. You caught that, huh? Good job, sensei.” I replied with a smirk which earned a flick on my forehead before she pinched my ear and tugged inside.
Ria followed after us while giggling as if she were watching an amusing sight. It’s not every day for her to see getting scolded like this.
Anyway, Orimura-sensei filled in that the Basketball Club was already out on the court, warming up. But she was instructed by Ryouko-san to bring to the designated club and locker room lent to the basketball club by the Hirari High School faculty.
As for what’s waiting for there, I guess I’ll find out upon reaching it.
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