The String of Balls - Chapter 2: Aya Hayama

-Things have changed since that day.

He’s still with me in the mornings and after school, and at first glance, it seems like nothing has changed, but he seems distracted even when we talk.

Even now…

“Come on! Koto, are you listening to me?”

“Eh? Oh, sorry. I was spacing out.”

Even when we’re talking while walking to school side by side like usual, there are times like this when he doesn’t listen to what I’m saying.

This has never happened before, but now I’m being treated roughly.

His eyes are somehow different when he looks at me… Not only his attitude, but his eyes are especially different from Koto’s. Even if he had spoken bluntly before, he looked at me with kind eyes. I liked those kind, warm eyes… but now they feel a bit cold.

“The sports festival is coming up soon, right? Which event will Koto participate in?”

“I’m not good at sports, so I’ll join whatever’s left. Wen looks like fun.”

“Well, I like to move my body, and if I’m going to do it, I’m going to win!”

“Then you should have joined a club. You played tennis in middle school, right?”

Hmm… it’s fun, but…

I quit when I realized that what made me happiest was when Koto came to watch my matches and cheered me on. I don’t particularly like tennis, so I guess it didn’t matter what.

“We’ll have less time to spend together. I’d rather be with Koto.”

“…! …But…”

“Hmm? What?”

“…It’s nothing. Have you decided which sport you want to play, Fumie?”

What did he say…?

Well, we’re back on topic now, so it’s not good to worry about it too much.

“I’ll do the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and the scavenger hunt.”

“Hehe… You’re just running around. You can participate that much by yourself.”

“I was told that I had to participate in at least one and that it was fine if no one else wanted to participate.”

“That’s right. Be careful.”

Hmm? What do you mean, be careful?

…Ah, I guess he’s worried about me…I’m glad.

“Hahaha, it’s okay. It’s nothing serious, so you won’t fall over.”

“…I’m talking about br3asts.”

“Eh? … Your chest?”

“If you were to run around with those big b00bs swinging, you’d be in big trouble. You’d be approached by glaring men every day.”

“Koto?!”

What are you talking about? Look me in the eye when you talk to me!

” It doesn’t matter if you have a boyfriend. You’ll be watched as you lick yourself and become the wank material of the boys every night–”

“Stop it!”

Why do you say that?

Boyfriend… I explained it properly. Don’t say disgusting things like “wank material.”

“……sorry”

“Koto… have you started to hate me?”

“No! I’m just worried about you… I’m sorry for saying something weird… but… well… so…”

“…Hahaha, I know. I’ll secure it with a band or cloth, so there’s no need to worry. I don’t know how effective it will be, but… I can’t run in just a sports bra.”

I know that I have big br3asts and that Koto is worried about me.

Things were a little awkward between us, but… we’ll be fine. We’ve been together since we were little.

“I’m sorry, Fumie…”

…But the way you said it just now…it sounded like you were sulking.

I wonder if he still likes me…But you’re dating Kawasaki-san, right?

“So… did you want to touch… my… br3asts?”

“Huh!?”

“Don’t lie, okay? That’s a promise, right?”

When we were little, Koto made a promise to me. He would never lie to me.

So we said we’d stay together forever…it was so cute back then.

I remember you said it was okay without hesitation.

“…I wanted to touch you. Why are you asking me that?… It’s disgusting to even ask something like that…”

“No. It’s not disgusting. I don’t like it when strangers look at me with dirty looks, but it’s a crime. I told you that before, right? There’s no way I find it disgusting.”

“……yes”

Hehe…I’m embarrassed.

They were mean to me, so I think it’s okay to get a little revenge.

“So… what about now? Do you want to touch me?”

“Don’t make fun of me. I’m dating Kotone, so… stop doing that.”

Why are you being so sulky?

“It’s fine, I’m just listening, right?”

“Stop it… I’m… Ah! Kotone!”

When Koto spotted Kawasaki halfway up the hill, he ran off as fast as he could.

I was in the middle of a conversation…

“Good morning Kotonoha. Good morning to you too, Hayama-san.”

“Ehehe… Good morning.”

“…Good morning, Kawasaki-san.”

Koto was snuggled up next to Kawasaki, looking up at his face with a happy smile.

He never showed me that face. And when he said he liked me, it was only to that extent. The next thing he said was “Kotone, Kotone”…Even though he was talking to me, he only talked about Kawasaki-san. I’m sure he’s happy that he has a girlfriend, but…

…Huh? What are Koto’s eyes like? …It’s just my imagination, right?

“Aya and I were just talking about the sports festival. Which event will you be participating in, Kotone?”

“I’m not particularly keen on it, so I guess I’ll just use it wherever there is left over.”

“No way! Kawasaki-san, you’re a good athlete, so I’m sure you’ll participate properly, okay?”

Besides, I feel like I might slack off and go somewhere…

“Hayama-san’s fighting spirit is burning…”

“It’s more fun to win than to lose, right? Kawasaki-san is the main player of Group B!”

“When you say that… I feel weak… Well, I’m just not that keen on it, but it’s not like I dislike it enough to flatly refuse…”

“Really? I did it!”

That being said, his skills are certainly impressive!

I’m not sure if even I could win the 100-meter sprint.

…It’s also because I feel uneasy when you’re not within my sight.

“…Hmm… It wouldn’t be so bad to show Kotonoha my brave figure…”

“Do you know that Koto and I are on different teams?”

“I know. That’s why I wasn’t really in the mood…”

“I’ll support you, okay? I, she is… a girlfriend after all… hehe…”

“Hehe… I’m suddenly motivated now.”

“…What about me? Aren’t you going to support me?”

Is it just Kawasaki again?

Do you really like Kawasaki that much?

So the two of us started talking again…

“Eh? But… Fumie, what’s wrong?”

“… No. That’s fine then.”

Yeah…that’s right.

I thought it was natural for Koto to support me, so I didn’t bother to say anything. Unlike Kawasaki-san.

“It’s a shame that it’s not the same as Koto because the team is divided into straight vertical divisions.”

“Grouping grades 1 to 3 by alphabet is sloppy… I wonder if the school is just trying to make it easier for them.”

“It’s easy to understand, with groups A, B, and C. By dividing the groups vertically, those of us who aren’t used to school events won’t have to grope around in the dark. The older students will take the lead.”

As we walked and talked about the sports festival, we eventually arrived at the shoe locker.

Koto hurriedly changed into her red-toed indoor shoes in the first-year grade colors.

Again…I’m left alone.

“Well then, Fumie. See you later. Ehehe…”

“Hehe… there’s no need to be in such a hurry… see you later, Hayama-san.”

Kawasaki-san had a calm expression on his face, but I could tell he was in high spirits.

“Yeah… see you then.”

He muttered softly against their backs.

The two of them disappear into the empty classroom alone until homeroom starts.

He showed Kawasaki a look he had never shown to me before.

I should be happy for her, but why can’t I just be happy for her?

I don’t know what this throbbing pain in my chest is, but I feel like it’s better not to know.

Because… no way could happen.

So this is just me feeling a little lonely because I found out that the friend I thought was my closest friend has other friends. But… that’s all.