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Chapter 113 – Hayato’s “Friend”
*Slaaaap!*
“Game set! Match won bye
”  (TN: Bye refers to the automatic advancement of a seeded singles player or doubles team from one round to the next without having to compete against an opponent)
The referee’s call echoed, announcing Hayato’s victory.
“Kyaaaah!!”
“Hayato~kun!!!”
“HA-YA-TO! HA-YA-TO!”
Yeah
 as popular as ever, isn’t he?
Well, it’s no surprise since he looks like that and can do well in sports. Which reminds me, I think he also works as an amateur magazine model?
After leaving the court and grabbing his luggage, he walked to the waiting room, raising his racket to show off his victory to those in the stands.
“”Kyaaaah!””
“Just now, he made eye contact with me!”
“What are you talking about? That was obviously for me!”
“Talking in your dreams!”
That’s frankly true
 that was an appeal for me (Fufu).
During summer vacations, athletic clubs are busy with games and tournaments.
The tennis club was no exception, and today was another important match, so Sara-senpai and I were there to cheer them on.
And this time, too,  we will talk about the fireworks display with Natsumi-senpai.
I will be cheering for Hayato while Sara-senpai will cheer for Natsumi-senpai.
Hayato has his fan club (and I’m sure Natsumi-senpai has hers, too), but maybe it’s because of the summer vacation; there seems to be more people here than before?
“Eh! No way!”
“W-why is Hayato coming over here?”
“Oh my, oh my
”
“Kyaaah, he’s so cool
”
I heard some noises and noticed that Hayato was coming this way.
He was heading straight this way.
“Hayato~kun, you were great in that match!”
“Thanks, I was in my best form today.”
“Hayato, come with us next time.”
“Sorry, I’m too focused on playing tennis right now.”
“Hey, wait a minute. What are you talking about?”
“If you’re not here to cheer him on as a tennis player, go home
”
“Ah, it’s fine. Thanks for all the support.”
Hayato responds with a smile, but behind that, it’s the face of someone who thinks it’s troublesome.
He weaved through the crowd of girls and came up to me.
“Yo, Mr. Popular. You’re still as famous as ever.”
When I called him out, Hayato raised his hand with a big smile.
This was probably a request for me to give him a high-five. I know it’s embarrassing, and maybe out of my character, but

Well~, I will feel sorry for Hayato, who raised his hand, if I don’t do it.
*Slap*!
The sound of a high-five echoed.
It’s a little embarrassing
 These are the kind of things famous can do without being embarrassed.
“Thanks, Kazunari!”
Hayato thanked me, looking happy.
He’s still prioritizing his male friends
 and still true to his character.
“I’ve finally learned a few of the rules recently. That’s why I’m starting to enjoy watching tennis.”
“I’m glad to hear that! If you’re interested, you can join the club anytime. Let’s have fun together.”
Perhaps happy with my words, Hayato looked a little excited.
No, even if you looked like that, it’s impossible.
“No, I’ll pass on that. For me, being in a sports club is impossible.”
“I’m sure it would be a lot of fun. Besides, if Kazunari started playing tennis, Natsumi-senpai would be very happy, and Satsukawa-senpai might even apply as your exclusive manager, you know?”

 Certainly. That is something Sara-senpai would be willing to do.
No, no, no. It would only increase Sara-senpai’s workload; even before that, it is impossible for me.
“Even so, I still wouldn’t do it. Besides, it’s more fun to watch Hayato.”
“I’m honestly glad to hear you say that. Then I’ll do my best to make the next match enjoyable for Kazunari.”
He must be a genuinely nice person if he can honestly say these things.
But rather than appealing to me, I think you should first prioritize appealing to Natsumi-senpai.
There was also that incident before. I hope I can support Hayato with something at the fireworks show.
“Well then, I’ll return to the waiting room.”
“Alright! I’ll be looking forward to the next match.”
“Leave it to me!”
With that, he puts his fist in front and bumps his chest.
A good-looking guy will always look good whatever actions he does. The fans around him are frantically taking pictures of Hayato.
I watched Hayato’s back moving to the waiting room until I couldn’t see him anymore. Once I packed my bags and was ready to join Sara-senpai, I was suddenly accosted by a voice.
“
Um, are you a friend of Yokogawa-kun?”
“You seemed to be getting along really well with him!”
I can’t say I’m not since they must have seen that exchange

“Ah, well, we are friends
”
“As I thought! Let’s have fun talking!”
“Eh? Right now? I’m about to
”
Their intentions were so visible that the feeling of disgust inside me welled up. I really hate people like these.
“Ah, your right hand is injured? I’ll carry your luggage for you then!”
Saying that, she reached out for my bag on the seat.
“Wait, don’t decide on things
”
I was just about to reach out with my right hand when a hand from another direction quickly took my luggage.
“Ah
”
As I looked at the person who grabbed my luggage
 I saw a smiling Sara-senpai. I wonder when she arrived?
“Mou~
 I always told you not to use your right hand anymore, didn’t I?”
While saying that in a slightly cautionary tone, she held the luggage firmly in both hands.
“I will take care of your luggage. Come on, Kazunari-san, let’s go have lunch.”
She approached me with a smile and snuggled up to my arm.
“Eh, wait a minute. That person is with us.”
“You’re still here? Leave, you’re bothersome.”
Sara-senpai’s tone suddenly changed.
Her expression and the cutesy smile disappeared, replaced by a sharp, expressionless look.
“You want to get close to a boy by selling such lowly seducing? If so, go play with some playboys. That would suit you better.”
I haven’t seen Sara-senpai with such a sharp venomous tone for a while.
She doesn’t like girls who aim at boys by seducing them.
“If you have something you want, tell it directly to the person in question. And don’t come near us again.”
Hearing Sara-senpai’s words, those two seem to be completely defeated. Not a single word was spoken.
“Let’s go, Kazunari-san.”
Sara-senpai returned to her typical mannerism, suddenly grabbed my arm, and pulled me away.
“S-Sara-senpai, you don’t have to pull me. I will go with you.”
It was the first time Sara-senpai had ever pulled me like this.
I looked at Sara’s face, which I thought was unusual
 and saw that she was pouting.
“U-Um
 Sara-senpai?”
“Those people are bothering you. If you don’t say it clearly to them, I feel like you will be swept away. Getting close with them
”
Hmm
 Is she angry or just pouting?
“Um
 Sara-senpai, by any chance, are you
”
“I don’t know
 Kazunari-san’s an idiot.”
Apparently, she was pouting because I couldn’t clearly say no.
Cute
 But she would be angry if I said it aloud. Yet I can’t help but think that she is really adorable.