After all, it was not as bad as imagined.

“Go for it, Jinguuji!”
“If you miss, I’ll definitely make fun of you, Yue!”
The voices of two girls rang out from behind the green mesh netting, cheering him on—or so they claimed; the boy didn’t bother to analyze whether it truly counted as encouragement.
He weighed the bat in his hands, feeling utterly unmotivated. On the distant electronic pitcher screen, the pitching motion was nearly complete. Jinguuji Yue tightened his grip, choking up on the bat.
A faint sound echoed as the ball was bunted, breaking its trajectory. The white baseball dropped to the ground and rolled away.
He nodded, inwardly praising his own skillful bunt.
“Batter out! Hey, hey, who told you to bunt in the batting center?” Sakurakouji Sasa called out behind him, her voice loud and animated.
“Is that what you call being a sporty boy?”
“I’d rather think of myself as a literary type.”
“Why do you sound like one of those taciturn supporting characters from a shoujo manga? Yue, you’re not nearly as charming as them!”
Hmm? Did my childhood friend just casually diss me? Or is it my imagination?
Anyway, the next ball was coming.
Ignoring Sakurakouji Sasa, Jinguuji Yue gripped the bat and effortlessly sent the ball into the wire net across the way.
“Hmph, always trying to look cool.”
Sakurakouji Sasa grabbed her coconut latte, not to drink it, but simply biting the straw as she watched his swinging form. It reminded her of those days, hiding inside the park’s slide, watching him play soccer.
“Jinguuji, are you actually good at sports?” Hoshino Mori Hoshino asked from the side.
“Well... I’m not really sure. He rarely joined group sports after starting junior high.”
“Oh? So he did in elementary school? So he wasn’t always this aloof?”
“That’s a very rude way to put it, senpai. Yue wasn’t always like this. He used to be really popular—so much so that you can’t even imagine.”
Hoshino Mori Hoshino nodded, half understanding, her face full of curiosity.
Meanwhile, Sakurakouji Sasa took on a boastful air, preaching to her about the past Jinguuji Yue and what an outstanding boy he used to be.
When she came to her senses, she realized she had relayed quite a bit of information about her crush to her self-identified rival.
Damn it! Hoshino Mori Hoshino, you terrifying woman!
Sakurakouji Sasa was inwardly regretful.
At that moment, Jinguuji Yue pushed aside the net and walked out, addressing Sakurakouji Sasa, “So, what about those consecutive home runs? Nothing to say now, huh?”
“Hah? I wasn’t even watching.”
“I saw it. Jinguuji is really amazing.”
Sakurakouji Sasa wrinkled her nose cutely and gave a little huff, declaring she’d surpass him.
Once she picked up the bat, Jinguuji Yue sat down in her former spot.
“Here, please.”
He glanced at the bottled green tea Hoshino Mori Hoshino handed him, thanked her, and just as he mentioned paying, she waved him off.

“I’m your senpai, and I invited you both today, so there’s no need to be polite.”
With that, the boy said nothing further.
“Hey, Jinguuji!”
Sakurakouji Sasa swung and missed twice, not even touching the ball, and was too embarrassed to turn around, determined to hit the next pitch.
“Do you know what kind of boys stand out most to girls like us?”
“Us?”
“Obviously, I mean Sakurakouji and myself.”
Jinguuji Yue thought for a moment, but said nothing, opening the cap of his green tea. The cool, slightly bitter taste slid down his throat.
A loud smack rang out as the white baseball soared in a graceful arc, striking the red bullseye on the distant target.
Sakurakouji Sasa was stunned for a moment, then shouted in triumph, immediately turning to look at the others outside.
“Hey! Did you see that?! A home run! Hahaha—how’s that!”
Hoshino Mori Hoshino clapped, offering genuine praise. “That’s amazing, Sakurakouji!”
“Hehe~”
Sakurakouji Sasa looked at Jinguuji Yue. “Why aren’t you complimenting me?”
“Yes, yes, very impressive.”
“Hmph—”
She refocused on the pitching machine, determined to hit another home run and force him to praise her thoroughly.
“You’re both stuck in the past—her, and you.”
She said.
…
…
“Ahhh—that felt great! Baseball’s surprisingly fun.”
The trio walked toward the exit, Sakurakouji Sasa, the athletic girl, still showing signs of wanting more.
Jinguuji Yue felt that occasional exercise wasn’t so bad, but coming alone would be better.
As for Hoshino Mori Hoshino, she clearly wasn’t the athletic type. Her pale, delicate hands seemed suited only for piano keys, making it hard for the boy to imagine her playing baseball.
According to her, she had piano lessons that evening and was clumsy—if she injured her hands, it would be a problem.
Jinguuji Yue thought her “clumsy” comment was just modesty, but Sakurakouji Sasa seemed to believe it.
“Hey, there’s a photo booth here! Senpai, let’s take a picture together. Ah, Yue doesn’t need to join.” Sakurakouji Sasa pointed to the large machine in the corner.
“I never intended to go in anyway.” The boy stepped back bluntly.
“Really? How do you even use that thing?”
“Huh? Senpai’s never tried it?”

“Well... My family’s always been strict, so I rarely get to go out with friends, so... yeah.”
“Wow, really?” Sakurakouji Sasa exclaimed.
Hoshino Mori Hoshino smiled faintly, offering no further explanation, but instinctively glanced at Jinguuji Yue.
He stood by, expressionless, lost in thought.
“If senpai doesn’t mind, we can take one together—my treat.”
“Really?”
“After all, I borrowed manga from you. If I don’t give something back, I feel uneasy.”
“Four hundred yen—more expensive than I thought.”
“Is it? It’s pretty standard in Harajuku. My friend’s obsessed with a booth called Cinderella Time, always dragging me along.”
“What’s that supposed to be?” the boy commented offhandedly.
“Apparently, her favorite voice actor plays a character called Tsui Tsui. I don’t really get it.”
“Senpai, watch carefully. First, insert the coins, then you enter your email on the screen, and afterwards, the photos are sent directly to your phone.”
“Such a convenient era. Sakurakouji, you really know your way around this stuff.”
“Not really, I just go with friends after school. Ah, boys stay back.”
“I haven’t moved an inch.”
“Jinguuji, join us too—it’s too sad to leave you out.”
“Ugh…”
Apparently, the word “excluded” touched a sore spot for Sakurakouji Sasa. She glanced at the boy, and though reluctant, quietly said, “Since senpai insists, you might as well join us.”
“I already said I don’t want to. It’s embarrassing.”
“Ahh—you’re so stubborn! Just get in here!” Impatient, Sakurakouji Sasa ignored his protests and dragged him inside.
“I’m standing in the middle. Yue, move closer—you’re barely in the frame!”
“I think this is fine.”
“Jinguuji’s probably just shy, hehe~”
“Hah? There’s nothing to be shy about with a childhood friend. Are you stupid?”
“Being called stupid by you is a novelty.”
“Haha, you two really are amusing.”
“All right! It’s starting! Yue, stop moving around already!”
“One—two—”