E-book Exclusive Short Story: Konohana Hinako’s Defeat

“You want to beat Narika?”

“Mm.”

A few days had passed since the athletic festival ended.

On a lazy afternoon during the weekend, I tilted my head at Hinako’s sudden murmur.

“Could it be, you’re still hung up on losing to her in tennis before?”

When I asked, Hinako nodded.

“Narika’s a tough opponent, you know.”

“I know that… but I still want to win.”

Hinako answered while sprawled out on my bed.

Seeing her like that, Shizune-san, who had been standing by at the edge of the room, looked impressed.

“It’s rare to see Ojou-sama so fired up with competitive spirit.”

“Really?”

When I asked back, Shizune-san nodded.

“Ojou-sama’s grades are generally excellent, but that’s merely because she follows the Konohana family’s expectations. It’s rare for her to show genuine ambition.”

True enough, Hinako’s true nature is, as anyone can see, pretty laid-back.

This might actually be an unusual sight.

“Did something happen to spark this change of heart?”

“…Well, I have my guesses.”

Shizune-san gave me a pointed, almost accusatory look.

Why is she staring at me? …I don’t have a clue.

Honestly, for Hinako to beat Narika, she’d need intense training, and even then, it’d be tough. But with Hinako often tied up with family obligations, she barely has time to practice.

If there’s any chance of winning, it’d have to be in a sport Narika’s bad at.

(Does Narika even have a sport she’s bad at?)

I’ll have to ask her next time we meet.

◆

The next day.

I wasted no time and approached Narika at the Academy.

“So, Narika, is there any sport you’re bad at?”

“I don’t quite follow why you’re asking, but… I suppose there’s one.”

Her answer made my eyes widen.

I know I asked, but I didn’t actually expect her to have one. I’d always assumed Narika was some kind of all-around sports prodigy.

“What’s it?”

“Dodgeball.”

“Dodgeball? That’s a pretty simple sport.”

I’ve never taken dodgeball seriously enough to call it a proper sport.

The last time I played was probably during a middle school gym class tournament. Back in elementary school, we used to play it a lot. It’s a game where two teams throw a ball—about the size of a volleyball—at each other.

Thinking about it now, dodgeball’s actually a well-designed game. If someone in the outer field takes out an inner-field player, they can return to the court. There’s even a version called American Dodgeball without the outer field… As a kid, I never thought about the rules and just played for fun, but it’s clear now that its simple enjoyment comes from a solid rule set.

“In dodgeball, you have to hit the other team with the ball, right? I… don’t like seeing people wince in pain when they get hit.”

“…I see.”

That makes sense.

Come to think of it, she’s right. Getting hit in dodgeball hurts when you lose. It’s literally a sport where you get pelted by a ball.

Plus, Narika’s got insane athletic skills, even from a guy’s perspective like mine. She probably hesitates to hurl a ball full-force at a delicate-looking girl, especially if they give her a pained look afterward. The bitter expression on Narika’s face said it all.

“Narika, the thing is, Hinako-san says she wants to challenge you again—”

I quickly filled Narika in on the situation.

Narika nodded, muttering, “Hmm, I see.”

“But dodgeball’s a team sport. It’d be tricky to play with just the three of us, like we did with tennis.”

“Oh… yeah, you’re right.”

A one-on-one dodgeball match would just be like aggressive catch. Plus, Hinako’s no slouch in the athletic department either. It’d probably drag on without a clear winner.

(Guess I’ll have to think of something else.)

Or so I thought—

◆

“Today’s class will be dodgeball.”

Fourth period, during gym class.

The teacher announced this while holding a ball in one hand.

Looks like even Kiou Academy includes dodgeball in its curriculum.

The students split into boys’ and girls’ teams and stepped onto the court. Hinako and Narika, as if by some unspoken agreement, joined opposing teams and faced off.

Hinako vs. Narika—the sparks flying between them must’ve caught everyone’s attention, because the other students started watching closely.

And then, the match began.

“Hah!”

“Mmgh, nice throw.”

Narika caught the ball Hinako threw.

“My turn now.”

Narika hurled the ball back, but Hinako dodged it with agile movements.

“I’ve got your moves figured out.”

“Hmph, I haven’t even shown my real skills yet.”

Hinako smirked confidently, while Narika flashed a bold grin.

Their fierce back-and-forth had the other students staring in awe.

(…This is starting to feel like a scene from a battle manga.)

Since when did this place turn into a shonen manga world?

“Wah!?”

At that moment, a small yelp came from another court.

I looked over and saw Asahi-san sitting on the court’s edge, rubbing her cheek in pain. It seemed a ball had hit her face.

Since I happened to be nearby, I rushed over to her.

“Asahi-san, you okay?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine, but…”

Asahi-san smiled as she said it, but a trickle of blood ran from her nose.

“Whoops… nosebleed.”

“Let’s get you to the infirmary.”

I glanced at the teacher nearby, who nodded in approval. My decision to take her to the infirmary seemed right, so I took Asahi-san’s hand and helped her up.

“Tomonari-kun, you’re so kind.”

“It’s just normal.”

“Being able to say that makes you genuinely kind. …Thanks.”

For someone as energetic as Asahi-san, her soft, almost shy gratitude felt rare.

It was oddly adorable, and I couldn’t help but look away.

“Huh? Wait, no way—Tomonari-kun, are you blushing?”

“I’m not blushing.”

“Liar! You totally looked away just now! Come on, admit it!”

Asahi-san poked at my side.

She’s friendly with everyone, but… I wish she’d be a bit more mindful of personal space in moments like this. When she gets this close, any healthy guy—me included—would get flustered.

I led Asahi-san toward the infirmary.

On the way, I felt a piercing gaze on my back. Curious, I glanced behind me—

“Eek!”

Hinako and Narika were staring at me with chillingly cold eyes.

Why…?

◆

Later, during lunch break.

“Huh? A tie?”

“Mm.”

By the time I got Asahi-san to the infirmary and returned to the gym, Hinako and Narika’s match had already ended. When I asked about the outcome, they said it was a draw.

“The real winner… is Asahi-san.”

I tilted my head at Hinako, who told me this with a displeased expression.