Episode 318: Courage

Yuji POV

Even though I’m the one who declared it, having this much attention gathered on me makes my nerves spin out of control.

If I let my guard down, I feel like my body would start shaking right now.

Having the focus of so many people and being exposed to their curious stares. Just how intense is it… I feel like I’m finally starting to understand, even if it’s only a little.

But Kazunari has overcome this countless times before.

And today, there’s a moment waiting for him that could be called the biggest of all, and he’s about to dive into it of his own accord.

I, and everyone else, feel the same about wanting to support that Kazunari.

Especially Hayato and me, since we’re guys, we have even more thoughts about it.

Hayato fought that hard to give Kazunari’s momentum a boost. It looked like he overdid it because of other reasons too, but he still grabbed a solid victory.

In that case, even if I can’t do something directly, I at least want to show some courage.

By showing my own courage, I hope I can provide even a tiny bit of support for the courage Kazunari needs to face something even bigger.

And at the same time, I want to follow Kazunari’s lead and head toward Natsumi-san… with the courage to walk through this tension without shaking.

I have to find the courage to take Natsumi-san away!

To reward Natsumi-san for desperately grabbing victory even while enduring an injury… now it’s my turn!

「Wait, Yuji, why are you coming here!?」

When I get close, Natsumi-san starts making a fuss in a panic.

But she’s only using words and isn’t making any move to act… no, should I say she can’t?

There’s a possibility the state of her leg is worse than I imagined.

「What do you mean why? I made a promise earlier, didn’t I?」

「That was talk during the match!! It’s over now, so that talk is void, void!!」

It’s true that was said during the match and not after, but either way, if she needs support, it’s my job and no one else’s.

I have no intention of handing it over to anyone else.

「Um… a friend of Natsumi’s?」

「Yuzuki-senpai, who is this person…」

「You, it’s a problem if you just barge in here.」

Since I’m an outsider who intruded, a bit of a commotion breaks out.

But since I’m already talking to Natsumi-san, at least it doesn’t look like I’m a suspicious person.

「Ah… um, this guy is Takanashi-kun’s best friend and…」

「Oh, so that’s the connection!」

「I see, the Vice President’s… I haven’t seen his face before, but that’s why he’s acting so friendly.」

「But why so suddenly?」

With Kazunari’s name mentioned, the other side looks a bit relieved. Between the fan club and the club members, it makes me proud and even a little jealous that Kazunari is so well-recognized. But the explanation of the situation is too halfway and lacks persuasive power.

That’s because the club members aren’t the only ones here.

「For now, I get that you’re a friend, but no matter if the match is over, an outsider…」

Right, this person… what to do about the advisor.

Even so, it’s not like I’d be able to persuade them even if I tried to talk properly. If that’s the case, is my only option to just forcefully take her to the infirmary and make them accept it after the fact?

Phew… I’m aware I’m thinking of something pretty bold, and I’m feeling dizzy from the unprecedented tension… but this is about courage, so get it together!!

「…I’m sorry, but I’m taking Natsumi-san to the infirmary now. Depending on the situation, I plan to head straight to the hospital from there.」

「Wait, Yuji!!」

「You aren’t wrong, but that’s something we’ll handle here…」

「No, I’m well aware I’m an outsider, but I have no intention of letting anyone else take this role. I’m taking Natsumi-san.」

Maybe because I’m not backing down from my assertive attitude, both the advisor and the club members freeze with their eyes wide in shock.

But to get through this, I just have to push through with momentum… I’m going all at once now.

「Wait, wa-wa-wa, Yuji!? Wait a second!!」

When I reach my arms under her legs, Natsumi-san starts moving in a panic. She puts her hands on my shoulders, showing her resistance by trying to stop my movement.

Her face is bright red… I honestly feel bad, but now that I’ve come this far, I don’t plan to back down.

「Yu, Yuji… it’s embarrassing…」

「Ugh…」

Seeing Natsumi-san looking down with a bright red face, truly embarrassed just like her words said… I instinctively stop moving.

Being this cute is too much of a foul… but.

「Natsumi-san, answer me honestly. Can you stand? Can you walk?」

「Uu… well, that’s… I might not be able to… just yet.」

「Right? It might be a worse injury than you think, and it might be better if you don’t put weight on your foot recklessly. If that’s the case, your only two choices are being carried or a piggyback.」

I’m not exaggerating. For example, if there’s an abnormality in the bone, it’s obviously better not to touch her foot to the ground.

So in that sense too, I have no intention of letting Natsumi-san walk.

「Uuu… is that really the only way?」

「It is. So, I’m going to carry out my promise, okay?」

If I dawdle here, the advisor might say something again. So I’d better act while they’re all frozen in shock.

「Please stay still, okay?」

「Wait, wait, Yuji!! Seriously, that’s…」

I ignore Natsumi-san as she continues to resist and forcefully slide my arm behind her knees. I hook both her legs at the joints and wrap my other arm around her back for support.

「Yu, Yujiii…」

She sounds embarrassed, scared, and anxious…

Hearing Natsumi-san’s voice like that, a sound I’ve never heard before, all sorts of things well up inside me too… but for now, focus on the carry!!

「Here we go!」

I shout「One, two!!」in my heart and put all my strength into both arms.

And then, all at once… lift!!

「Hyauuu!?」

Natsumi-san’s body, now safely lifted, is lighter than I expected… still, I’m lifting a person, so I’m definitely not relaxed.

Since I can’t see myself I don’t know for sure, but I think this is a princess carry… no, I’m sure it is!!

Now, hurry to the infirmary.

This is already more than I imagined… no, it’s way beyond what I thought, and「all sorts of things」are bad!

Bad doesn’t even cover it!!

The tennis club members have expressions of pure shock, with their eyes and mouths as wide as they can go. Everyone else is probably watching the same way, and there’s no doubt I’m getting the maximum amount of attention.

And… Natsumi-san’s expression is so red it can’t possibly get any redder, her eyes squeezed shut in embarrassment… her arms are curled up small like a child’s, and her clenched hands are just too cute.

Staying like this in this situation is too much for me.

「S-Sorry for the commotion, I’m taking her to the infirmary now!!」

I declare it to the advisor with momentum, and they just nod while still looking shocked.

With this, I guess I’ve succeeded in making them accept it after the fact, just like I planned.

「Uuuu, Yujiii… I-It’s embarrassing…」

「Na, Natsumi-san, we’re moving.」

But setting that aside, Natsumi-san’s destructive power right now is too high. No matter how hard I try to act calm, when I’m shown such a cute side and hear that voice… I…

「Na, Natsumi…」

「Wait, Natsumi-senpai…」

「What on earth…」

「Hey, Natsumi, don’t tell me that person is…」

Natsumi-san turns her gaze toward the club members as they mutter in a daze.

「Um…」

「It’s exactly what you’re thinking.」

「Wait, Yujiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!」

I feel bad for Natsumi-san, but I can’t afford to spend any more extra time.

I’ll let her handle the detailed explanation herself like she wanted, but right now the priority is settling this scene and withdrawing.

So… please forgive me for this little bit of a head start, Natsumi-san.

「Eh…」

「Wh-Whaaa…」

「「「 WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!? 」」」

As I start walking while carrying Natsumi-san, the club members’ voices of shock chase after my back.

It feels just like the scenes Kazunari and his girl showed us all day yesterday, and to think the day has come where I’m experiencing the same thing…

But in his case, it’s surely… not on this level.

Once again, I’ve realized just how incredible(?) that guy is.

While we watch the events unfold, Yuji, who was crouching down, slowly stands up.

But Natsumi-senpai is right there in his arms!?

「Whoa… Yuji…」

「Tachibana-san really went for it.」

「Wait, did Takanashi-kun possess him!?」

「Ahaha… it’s definitely bold for Yuji, though.」

To be honest, I didn’t think Yuji would actually do a princess carry either…

I mean, Tachikawa-san, what do you mean by me possessing him!?

「Wha, what, what, what is that!?」

「Wha, whaa-aa, WHAAAT!?」

「Wait, what’s going on!?」

「Ta, ta, Takanashi-kun!! What is that!?」

「Um… please ask them yourselves…」

「WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?」

「So that means!?」

「Basically!?」

The club members are making some kind of noise on the court, but the fan club over here is in absolute chaos.

And as for me… why is everyone focusing their inquiries on me specifically!?

What am I supposed to do!?

If I say anything on my own, Natsumi-senpai will be angry, won’t she!?

「…It looks like they’re coming this way.」

「Now then, I wonder how long Tachibana-kun can keep it up.」

「Wait, Hanako-san?」

It might be a point of concern, but mentioning it is a bit uncool… you know.

「Carrying a small child is one thing, but for someone who doesn’t normally train, carrying someone like that is difficult. Natsumi-senpai isn’t in a position to accept it either, so if he doesn’t hurry, it’s only a matter of time for Tachibana-kun.」

「Um… well…」

I’m sure Hanako-san is right, but with things like romance boosts and status buffs… Yuji must have his pride too.

「Um, Hanako-san. What do you mean by a position to accept it?」

「…The posture is one thing, but if you don’t wrap your arms around the neck or shoulders to help, it becomes harder for the man. Natsumi-senpai’s current state is just increasing the burden on Tachibana-kun.」

「I, I see… that’s helpful. By the way, you seem strangely knowledgeable… but you don’t have experience, do you?」

Does Sara-san’s voice have a bit of a hidden meaning?

Is it because if Hanako-san had experience, the partner would likely be me?

But I don’t do this for anyone other than Sara-san, so please rest assured.

「Even without experience, I have the Holy Scriptures. They are a treasury of knowledge.」

「Holy Scriptures… you say?」

Sara-san tilts her head, not understanding at all what Hanako-san is referring to with that smug look.

For the record, the Holy Scriptures (of various kinds) enshrined on the altar (bookshelf) in Hanako-san’s room, and especially the many Sealed Forbidden Books(?), are top secret… and I recommend ignoring them.

「An-Anyway, that was helpful.」

「A princess carry is something a man and woman cooperate on.」

「…Cooperation, I see.」

Sara-san nodding with a strangely serious expression despite the topic is a bit heartwarming.

But that means Sara-san is also interested in princess carries.

In that case, if I ever have the chance, I’ll definitely carry Sara-san.

「Wait, Yuji!! If we’re going, we should just head straight to the infirmary, shouldn’t we!?」

「No, I have to talk to Kazunari and the others…」

「Then at least put me down first!! This isn’t a joke, being put on display like this!!」

The two causes of the commotion approach the stand, which is currently in absolute chaos, while having a married couple’s spat… I mean, while making a huge scene.

Setting aside Natsumi-senpai’s reaction as just covering her embarrassment, Yuji doesn’t look like he has much composure either.

I mean, they’re the ones who caused all this noise… there’s no way they wouldn’t be flustered.

「Na, na, Natsumi-senpai!!」

「Natsumi-chan, what’s going on!?」

「He’s, he’s a friend, right!?」

「Natsumi-san!?」

As soon as they arrive, the fan club members surge forward faster than we can. The crowd is so intense that Hanako-san, being small, instinctively takes refuge in the gap between me and Sara-san… well, I don’t mind.

「Um… well…」

「Natsumi-senpai!!」

「Natsumi-chan!!」

「Uwaaa, well…」

If it weren’t for the barrier of the stands, they’d probably be completely surrounded by now. Pressed by the crowd and under the piercing stares from all directions, Natsumi-senpai’s expression changes rapidly.

But in the end, she must have given in… she slumps her head as if she’s given up.

It’s so obvious you can practically hear the「ding」sound effect.

「Natsumi-san.」

「Haa… fine, I get it. Yujiii… you better remember this later…」

At Yuji’s prompting, Natsumi-senpai lets out a big sigh and a grudge.

And the face she slowly lifts… is already bright red.

「Um, well. It’s a bit dramatic to call it a report, but…」

「Not at all!!」

「Anything about Natsumi-senpai is one of the top priorities!!」

「U-Um, yeah. So… well… um」

「「「 Natsumi-san!? 」」」

「「「 Natsumi-senpai!? 」」」

「「「 Natsumi-chan!? 」」」

「I get it!! I get it, so…」

She was still acting indecisive, but maybe the intense pressure from the fan club finally made her reach a decision…

Finally, Natsumi-senpai, in front of everyone watching with bated breath, looks embarrassed and gives a small, tiny nod.

「Well… you see. This guy is my… b-boyfriend………..」

She sounds so weak and looks so fragile, unlike her usual self. Her voice is so faint you could actually say it was「fading away.」

She can’t look us in the eye, and as her gaze wanders… she meets Yuji’s eyes and shuts hers, as if she’s hit her limit.

I knew it, but she really is a complete maiden…

「…W, wh… wha…」

「Ah, aaaah… aaaah」

「「「……………」」」

「「「 WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!?? 」」」

I’m sure most people had figured it out by now based on the flow.

Even so, the fan club members let out a cry of shock that far exceeds their cheers.

But that just shows how big of a shock this truth was.

「「「…………」」」

When the noise settles, the fan club members just stare at the two in silence. Natsumi-senpai, on the other hand, seems concerned by the complete lack of any voices… she slowly opens her eyes to check.

Waiting for her, of course, are the intense gazes of everyone watching them.

Seeing that, Natsumi-senpai’s eyes go wide…

「Aaaaaagh… THAT’S RIGHT!! He’s my boyfriend!! My boyfriend!! GOT A PROBLEM!?」

Maybe she couldn’t take the tension anymore, or she’d cleared her mind, or maybe she just got desperate, but she starts making a scene all by herself.

Even though no one has said anything yet…

「I mean, what else am I supposed to do!! It’s fun being with him, and I’m happy, and I like how he thinks of his friends…」

「Um, well…」

「Na, Natsumi-chan?」

「Natsumi-senpai!?」

「Excuse me…」

「I know he’s mean, but his eyes are kind so I can forgive him, and even though he’s usually blunt, he’s kind when it counts, and he’s unexpectedly proactive…」

「Natsumi-san!!」

「Huh!?」

Called by Yuji in a strong voice, Natsumi-senpai, who had been rampaging, freezes as she comes back to her senses.

Maybe she’s back to normal and remembered what she just said, because she turns bright red like an instant boiler… and hides her face with both hands in embarrassment.

But that gesture is just adding fuel to the fire for everyone…

「Uuuuuuuu, Yu, Yu, Yuji, it’s your fault, okay!?」

「N-No, Natsumi-san, you just self-destructed on your own, didn’t you!?」

「Shut up, shut up, shut up!! Wh-Why am I being embarrassed like thiiiiiiiiis」

「I think if you’d reported it sooner, you wouldn’t have ended up saying it in a situation like this?」

「To begin with, if you hadn’t done this, it wouldn’t have been such a scene!!」

「Then, did you hate being treated like this?」

「Ugh!?」

「「「……………」」」

Watching the fight… or rather, the simple flirting… the fan club members’ shock accelerates in various ways.

And Yuji, having regained his usual form through their normal exchange… asks with a mischievous look.

Of course, we all know very well that that expression is Natsumi-senpai’s weak point…

「Ugh…」

「Well? Do you actually hate it?」

Being stared at by Yuji from such close range, Natsumi-senpai even loses the momentum to cover her embarrassment.

With her face still bright red, she shyly lets her gaze wander…

「…not.」

「…Pardon?」

「I-I don’t hate it… I’m happy.」

「Guh!?」

「B-But… it’s embarrassing… Yuji, you… idiot.」

「U…!」

At Natsumi-senpai’s unexpected counter-attack(?), Yuji turns bright red this time. While still in the carry position, the two of them freeze in embarrassment, staring at each other with an unreadable vibe.

Those two have completely lost sight of their surroundings.

「…The-The idiot couples are multiplying.」

「Ahaha, but Yuzuki-senpai is cute.」

「I don’t mind them getting along, but I’d like those two to think about the situation a little more, wouldn’t you?」

「Wife… are you serious?」

「I have no reason to tell a joke, though?」

「「「……………」」」

The lukewarm stares from everyone toward Sara-san move slowly and directly toward me.

I know what you want to say, but Sara-san is a natural, so please forgive her.

Also, Nishikawa-san, your eyes have lost their highlights and it’s scary, so please just keep looking at those two.

Whatever you do, don’t look over here…

「Um… you two.」

As if reaching a decision, one brave member of the fan club steps into the sickly sweet space that had formed like a barrier.

Maybe the voice brought them back to reality, because the two of them hurriedly look away from each other.

Man… you really see yourself in others… do me and Sara-san look like that too?

「Wh, wh, what!?」

「We, well, we understand perfectly now.」

「Being shown this much, there’s no room for doubt.」

「Yeah. We were surprised, but Natsumi-chan really is a girl too.」

「Natsumi-senpai is cute when she’s embarrassed!!」

Just as I expected, it turned out like this…

If it was Natsumi-senpai’s fan club, I knew they’d accept Yuji properly, just like they accepted me.

Though I thought they might be a bit more suspicious if it was a boyfriend…

「Um…」

Natsumi-senpai seemed to feel it too, looking a bit taken aback by how easily they accepted it. She looked curious…

「No interfering in Natsumi-senpai’s romance! It’s the fan club oath!」

「That’s right. Though if he looked suspicious, that would be a different story.」

「We can trust a best friend of Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-san and the others! Well, more than that, he’s the person Natsumi-chan chose.」

「That’s…」

I fully expected this development, but Yuji and Natsumi-senpai must have been anxious too… they looked relieved and even a bit surprised.

The fan club members laughed at their behavior.

「Man, I was shocked to see such a cute side to Natsumi-chan!」

「Totally, Natsumi-senpai, you were adorable!」

「It was quite a feast!」

「Uuu… stop saying that…」

Turning bright red again, Natsumi-senpai looks down in embarrassment after meeting Yuji’s eyes. But since she’s still being princess carried, her embarrassed face is clearly visible from here…

「「「 KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! 」」」

「Wa-wa-wa, so cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute!」

「Natsumi-chan is actually acting dere-dere!?」

「Whoa, she’s a maiden, a total maiden!?」

「Natsumi-senpai as a girl is wonderful too!!」

「St-Stop it already!!!!!!」

The fan club members get hyped all at once, and Natsumi-senpai panics in a flurry. Seeing that, another round of laughter breaks out in a heartwarming scene.

And then…

After enjoying Natsumi-senpai’s reaction for a while…

The fan club’s gazes move… toward Yuji.

It’s a complete change from before. They look like they’re staring straight through Yuji, trying to see「something」… or so it seems.

Yuji must have felt「something」from the sight too, because he tightens his expression and faces them firmly as if to meet them head-on.

「Nice to meet you, Boyfriend-san. Could you tell us your name again?」

「…I’m Tachibana Yuji. I look forward to working with you.」

「Tachibana-kun, then. I think you heard us say it a bit ago, but we in the fan club have a strict rule.」

「As a fundamental principle, we don’t meddle in Natsumi-senpai’s private life.」

「You seem to be close with Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-san and the others, so we trust you in that regard.」

「Basically, we don’t make demands when it comes to Natsumi’s personal relationships.」

「Of course, if it was a weird person, that would be a different story?」

Natsumi-senpai’s fan club follows the rules.

That was clearly shown in their attitude toward me… toward us, and I think that’s where their coordination comes from. But if they don’t meddle in Natsumi-senpai’s private life, what on earth are they trying to say now?

「So this isn’t us interfering.」

「It’s a… request from us.」

The fan club members are all… staring intently at Yuji. Every single one of them, straight and sincere.

We watch the breath-taking scene in silence. This is a conversation between the fan club and Yuji, and it isn’t something anyone else should interrupt.

「Please make Natsumi-senpai happy.」

「Please take care of Natsumi-san.」

「「「 Please take care of her!! 」」」

Toward Yuji, the fan club members bow all at once. Even though they surely hadn’t planned it, they were perfectly synchronized.

Yuji and Natsumi-senpai look at the scene in shock and then bow back.

And then Yuji…

「I promise. I definitely will.」

「Yeah. And there’s one more strict rule we have to tell you about, you see?」

「Hah?」

One of the representatives(?) suddenly shifts the tone, turning the sincere atmosphere on its head.

Yuji lets out a dumb voice, and the fan club members who had lifted their heads let out a giggle. What happened all of a sudden?

「Natsumi-senpai’s enemies are our enemies. Anyone who makes Natsumi-senpai sad is also our enemy.」

「Basically… you know what we’re saying, right?」

「Um, well…」

The fan club projects a different kind of pressure, and Yuji is cornered with a strained expression.

Basically, if anything happens to Natsumi-senpai, he’ll have the entire fan club as enemies… and they won’t show mercy.

That’s terrifying… especially since he has no idea what they’ll do.

「I, I’ll keep that in mind…」

「Very good!!」

「Alright then, everyone!!」

「One, two!!」

「「「 Congratulations, Natsumi-san (chan) (senpai)!!!! 」」」

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!!

There’s a flood of applause and celebratory words, and it even spreads to the regular guests who had somehow caught on to the situation.

Eventually it reaches the club members on the court, and even the opponent who had been the other player.

The two at the center look at each other shyly…

And Natsumi-senpai… I saw her rub away a little something from the corner of her eye.

Good job, Yuji.

Congratulations, Natsumi-senpai.

Yuji and Natsumi-senpai.

The biggest problem for those two has been solved, and there shouldn’t be anything else getting in their way. From now on, they can just keep getting along in their relationship… they’ve taken a massive step forward.

And next… is finally my turn.

Just how much courage did it take for Yuji to cause such a scene?

Even so, he found the courage for Natsumi-senpai’s sake.

He showed me the courage to jump onto that stage.

And I can clearly feel that while Hayato working hard in his match was for Todo-san, there was also a lot of support for me mixed in.

So, I won’t lose to those two. To reward my best friends for their feelings.

No matter what happens, no matter what occurs.

For Sara-san’s sake… for our sake.