Bang!
"15:5!"
"Whoa!!!"
That afternoon, the first-year volleyball class matches were in full swing.
Thanks to the excitement from two days earlier, many upperclassmen also came to the gym to watch.
Unlike the earlier 2v2 beach volleyball rules, this match used 6v6 indoor volleyball rules.
Rinji and Ishigami, along with four other boys, were on one team. Rinji played as the libero, while Ishigami was the main attacker.
With Rinji's strength, normally the other side shouldn't have scored at all. But with the change to indoor rules, and after watching Rinji's match with Kaguya, the students had devised tactics to counter him.
For example, using time-difference plays (feinting a quick spike, letting blockers jump, then hitting after they landed) or a front-slide (feinting a short ball, then suddenly spiking near the setter).
Basically, they used fakes to take away Rinji's opportunities.
But Rinji's teammates were strong enough, and with his own overwhelming ability, their opponents still had no chance of winning.
"Ishigami, your spikes are pretty good."
"Got special training from Shinomiya-senpai these past two days, so no problem."
Wiping sweat from his forehead, Ishigami answered.
With regular gym workouts and the hellish volleyball drills from the last two days, Ishigami, normally a sedentary otaku, had completely transformed.
Rinji knew well this was all effort Ishigami put in for the sake of dating Tsubame.
He also knew this effort might never reach that goal.
The more effort Ishigami made, the less it seemed worth it.
Though the changes made him an excellent person, they wouldn't make him Tsubame's boyfriend.
On the court, Rinji looked at Ishigami beside him. "Ishigami."
"Hm?"
"If you can't get Koyasu-senpai, have you thought about changing your target?"
"Huh?"
"I'm just saying if. You know how hard it is to pursue her. You should at least consider the worst-case scenario."
"I know all that, but love isn't like ordering food. If the dish you want isn't available, you can't just pick a substitute." Ishigami laughed. "I only like Tsubame-senpai."
"I see. So you don't like any other girls?"
"Ah, well, if you were willing to become a girl…"
"Gross."
"Hahaha…"
Now Ishigami was so optimistic that even Rinji's hints that he might fail couldn't shake him.
Though it was good to see Ishigami become confident, it also meant the final blow would be that much harsher.
Bang!
Rinji spiked the ball, bringing the score to 16:5.
Their opponents needed to substitute, so the referee blew the whistle for a brief timeout.
"In a bit, I'll set the ball your way. Hit it toward the setter's right side, they'll never reach it."
"Got it."
"Yuu~"
A voice called, and Ishigami turned immediately.
He saw Tsubame smiling as she waved and walked toward him. Behind her in the stands sat the other student council members.
They had also come to watch.
"Senpai."
"Do your best, Yuu."
"Yes."
Ishigami nodded.
After a brief silence, he suddenly gathered his courage and said—
"Senpai, um…"
"What is it?"
"If I win the championship, will you go on a date with me?"
"…"
Rinji stood with his back to Ishigami and Tsubame, but he was listening closely to their conversation.
He could already imagine how Tsubame would refuse Ishigami, probably saying something like "let's talk after you win" or "I'll think about it," just to avoid affecting the match. Looked like he'd have to spend some time after school comforting Ishigami again…
"Sure."
Without the slightest hesitation, Tsubame agreed.
Rinji: "…"
"I see. I understand."
Hearing her answer, Ishigami's lips curved slightly and his eyes grew determined.
He walked back to Rinji's side.
"Rinji, looks like we really have to win this match… huh? What's wrong? You suddenly look terrible."
Ishigami turned and noticed Rinji's ashen expression.
He was muttering to himself over and over: "Cross-dress for a week… I'm screwed. Maybe I should just back out…"
"Not feeling well?"
"No, it's nothing."
"Just now Tsubame-senpai agreed. If we win the championship, she'll go on a date with me." Ishigami was overjoyed.
"Ah… congratulations."
Rinji said the words, but his brain was racing.
Why did Tsubame agree? Based on everything so far, she should have refused. Did she eat something weird? Is the author trying to rush this arc? Still, Ishigami succeeding should be a good thing… but I don't want to cross-dress!
Now he regretted it, deeply regretted it.
His head must have been broken when he made that bet with Kaguya.
But suddenly, a flash of inspiration.
Right, as long as we don't win the championship, the date won't happen, and I'll be safe.
He turned his head.
What he saw was Ishigami's face brimming with joy, completely immersed in the happiness of going on a date with Tsubame.
"…"
---
"We won!!!"
The match ended. In the end, the first-year class volleyball championship went to Rinji and Ishigami's team, meaning victory for Class 1-B.
Everyone was cheering for the champions.
Ishigami and his teammates were all immersed in joy. He had finally won the chance to go on a date with Tsubame.
The only one not happy was Rinji.
Though he was the biggest contributor to the victory, his expression looked no different than if he had lost.
"Maybe… I should just deny it. After all, no one knows about my bet with Shinomiya…"
"Rinji!"
An excited Ishigami grabbed Rinji's shoulder.
"We won!"
"Mm… yeah."
Looking at Ishigami's smiling face, Rinji showed a helpless smile.
No matter what happened, if Ishigami really gained happiness, that was still a good thing.
Thinking this, Rinji also grabbed Ishigami's shoulder.
"Ah, ow."
"Ishigami…"
"Hm?"
Ishigami felt pain in his shoulder and looked at Rinji in confusion.
Rinji's smile was stiff, his eyes hollow, his teeth biting his lip as if holding back an outburst.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing… Just… work hard on that date. Don't let my sacrifice be in vain."
"Huh?"