Despite being called the "Toyogasaki Basketball Tournament," the whole school only had 12 classes across all grades combined.
If it weren't for only having one gym, it probably wouldn't have taken a whole week to run.
Yet, this simple tournament didn't just bring Class B the titles of "First-Year Champions" and "Overall Grade Champions."
It also brought about a few subtle changes.
"Ahh, finals are coming up! Help me."
"Shut up, Tooru. Can you not kill the mood while we're hanging out?"
"But..."
Walking behind them, schoolbag in hand and side-by-side with Miyahito, Utaha listened to Yuki and Tooru bickering ahead. She tilted her head, amused, and spoke softly to the boy scrolling on his phone.
"Yuki and Tooru-kun get along really well."
"Tell me about it." Raising an eyebrow, Miyahito glanced at Utaha, then looked ahead at the two goofballs starting to wrestle again. "Those two are a handful whenever they're together."
"Hey, hey, I can hear you, Miyahito."
"Exactly."
Watching them turn around in sync to roast him, Miyahito glanced at Utaha and shrugged.
"See? So annoying, right?"
"I'm telling Kyoko tomorrow! You called me annoying! Hmph."
"I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please forgive me, Lady Yoshikawa."
"I see. I'm going to snitch to Kyoko too, then."
"Tooru, just try it."
"Whoa, the favoritism is so obvious."
Watching Miyahito bicker with his friends like a kid, a soft smile graced Utaha's delicate features.
Ever since the basketball tournament, Utaha had quietly become part of the little circle that originally only consisted of Miyahito, Yuki, Kyoko, and Tooru.
Maybe it was because whenever Miyahito played, Kyoko and Yuki would proactively go to Class C to invite her to the games to cheer for him together.
Or maybe it was because every lunch break, Tooru would shamelessly drag Yuki and Kyoko up to the rooftop, crashing Utaha and Miyahito's private time despite Miyahito's glaring.
And so on.
But now, Utaha could no longer pinpoint the exact moment she'd fully integrated into the group.
She only realized it when she found herself naturally accustomed to standing beside Miyahito, walking with him and their friends.
They'd say "Good morning" when they met.
After school, she'd hear, "Utaha, let's walk home together."
What used to be solitary breaks between classes were now spent in the hallway, chatting with Miyahito and the others.
Group projects she used to tackle alone were now discussed and finished with Miyahito and the gang.
"Wait, Kyoko's busy again today? And I'm actually treating us to crepes."
"Give it a rest, Miyahito. If Kasumigaoka didn't say she wanted them, you'd never be this generous."
"Totally. Cheap Miyahito."
"Besides, that means no crepes for you two."
"It's fine. I'll treat then."
"Really? Long live Lady Kasumigaoka!"
"Miyahito, you can go home now."
"Utaha, don't sabotage me like that."
"..."
Walking along the shaded summer path with Miyahito, Tooru, and Yuki, Utaha smiled as she watched them bicker, occasionally tossing in a playful remark to stir the pot.
Unknowingly, the four laughing and chatting stepped out of the park's tree-lined trail.
As their eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness, Utaha tilted her head slightly up, the 4 PM clear sky reflecting in her wine-red eyes.
Really... so much has changed.
The first time she'd liked someone.
The first time she had friends she could talk to about anything.
The first time she genuinely felt going to school was great.
Utaha knew perfectly well that Miyahito was the one who brought all these changes to her life.
Quietly lowering her gaze from the sky above, Utaha secretly let her eyes rest on the profile of the tall boy beside her.
Her wine-red eyes, reflecting the silhouette of the boy she liked, seemed to be smiling.
Just then.
Sensing her gaze, Miyahito turned his head, his dark eyes meeting her wine-red ones.
Noticing the smile in Utaha's eyes, he couldn't help but ask with a grin, "What's got you so happy?"
"Hehe~~" Tilting her chin slightly, Utaha replied with a touch of tsundere pride. "I'm not telling you."
"Eh?" Playing along, Miyahito put on a comically disappointed face. "Why not?"
"I'm not telling."
"C'mon, don't be like that. Tell me, Utaha."
"Nope."
I'm definitely not telling you.
"I'm so glad the person I like is you."
....
After finishing their crepes, the four of them strolled through the shopping street a bit longer before deciding to head home.
As usual.
The two guys, Miyahito and Tooru, took it upon themselves to walk Utaha and Yuki home.
"Well, Yuki and I are heading to the station."
"Yeah, watch your step on the way."
"See you tomorrow, Utaha."
"Mhm, see you tomorrow."
Standing side-by-side at the subway entrance, Miyahito and Utaha exchanged goodbyes with Tooru and Yuki, watching them disappear into the station.
"Let's go."
Turning his head, Miyahito smiled at Utaha. "Time for us to head home too."
"Yeah."
Still slightly unused to the phrase "us heading home together," Utaha gave a small nod.
She couldn't help it. She didn't want to react this way either. It just sounded so much like they already lived together.
However, Miyahito didn't notice anything unusual about his phrasing. On the way, he noticed Utaha was walking on the outer side of the sidewalk, while he was on the inner side.
Without overthinking it, he slowed his pace slightly and naturally switched places with her. Now Utaha was on the inner side, and he was on the outer side. He then continued walking beside her as if nothing had happened.
But Utaha clearly caught every bit of his seemingly casual gesture.
Feeling a warm sense of being cared for, she secretly glanced at the boy beside her, her lips involuntarily curving into a happy smile.
Returning her gaze to the road ahead, Utaha and Miyahito simply walked quietly together down the street, which was gradually growing livelier.
For some reason, both of them found themselves naturally falling into silence.
It wasn't because they lacked things to talk about.
With shared interests in novels, studies, and more, they could easily find countless topics if they wanted to.
But in this moment, they simply preferred the quiet companionship, enjoying the same scenery together.
Unknowingly.
The exact same thought blossomed in both of their minds simultaneously.
If only we could keep walking like this together forever...
It would be so happy, wouldn't it?
Yeah.
It definitely would be.
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