NTR Kousuke

Chapter 128: Graduation Ceremony

And so, the graduation ceremony.

Today is the last day we go to school.

...For the White Day return gifts, I came early, slipped a note saying thank you and "don't worry about it" into each desk for the people who gave me chocolate.

...Maybe this is irresponsible, but I'm not great with girls, and talking face-to-face or having someone approach me because of this is just impossible... I'm sorry, but I hope they'll forgive me with this.

Nagase-san, Airi-senpai, and Nozomi—I'll see them during spring break, so I'll give their gifts by hand then....

Well, it's about time for the graduation ceremony to start.

The only third-years I know are the upperclassmen from the basketball club.

Nagase-san, the student council secretary, is busy running around.

There's nothing for us regular students to do, but since Nagase-san is in the student council, she's busy with preparations for Ichinose-kaichou's farewell address and other student council matters.

The graduation ceremony began. The event proceeded solemnly.

A touching song played, the opening, entrance of the graduates, singing of the national anthem, singing of the school anthem, speeches from the principal and guests, then the awarding of diplomas.

As the unique graduation atmosphere flowed, when you look around, your eyes naturally go to familiar faces... or rather, you just can't help it.

Among the third-years, over 95% are strangers, but the faces of the basketball club upperclassmen are surprisingly easy to spot.

...Some people are nervous, some look sad, some look happy, and the third-year female manager is already about to cry....

I was just thinking, "That senpai has always been the emotional type."

...You know him! Sahori-senpai....

Sahori-senpai is already crying or something....

I get it if a girl starts crying and that sets off a chain reaction, but... already? Here?

Well, everyone's different, and what moves or touches you is up to you.

...Wait, is he getting emotional over "Me, crying at graduation!"?

Sahori-senpai's drunken display went past ridiculous—he received his diploma with a face like a tragic hero, then exited the stage.

...Thank goodness he didn't start making a speech from the podium or try to create some kind of legend....

Then the farewell address, the response, the graduation song, the closing, and the graduates' exit—everything finished without a hitch.

Once the ceremony ended and we heard from our homeroom teacher in HR, the three of us finished this year's curriculum.

Early March—now it's spring break!

All that's left is the usual club send-off party.

At our school, there's a party to send off the graduates the day after the graduation ceremony.

...The other day, Sahori-senpai literally got kicked out at the send-off party... but he's definitely going to show up, right?

I checked with Nagase-san about our spring break trip, and that wrapped up the day.

☆ ☆ ☆

Basketball club send-off party.

The next day.

There's not a shred of yesterday's ceremony vibe—the gymnasium is just as usual.

Of course, we're all in our club uniforms.

And for the first time in a while, we see the third-years back in their club gear.

"...Is Sahori-senpai not here?"

Koji: "No way! Sahori-senpai...? He's really not here?"

murmur... murmur...

Former Captain: "...Sahori's not here, but... shall we start?"

Captain: "Right!"

We all start speculating.

"...Maybe it's awkward to say he's a ronin?"

"Did he just forget?"

"Did he make plans with a girl?"

"Maybe he got traumatized by the last send-off party?"

"Losing the designated school recommendation was a scandal, right?"

Koji: "Kousuke, what do you think?"

I think for a moment,

"Isn't it probably for an even dumber reason?"

Koji: "You're not wrong (lol)"

Anyway, for the first time in a while, we warmed up together with the third-years and moved straight into basic drills.

The third-years all say,

"Isn't it tougher than when it was our generation?"

"We got way too out of shape studying for exams!"

"Whoa! It's been so long, this is fun!"

We work up a sweat, and soon the chilly gym is heating up.

After basic drills, we do a quick offense practice, and from here on out it's games! Game after game!

The third-years are surprised at the difference in skill and lament their lack of stamina.

We first- and second-years watch and laugh our heads off.

We do three matches: third-years vs. second-years, first-years vs. second-years, and first-years vs. third-years. Afterward, anyone who wants can keep playing until they drop.

First up is second-years vs. third-years.

As expected, the current second-years have the edge, but the third-years are taller and good at fast breaks. Surprisingly, the scores are almost even, and the second-years barely won.

Next is first-years vs. second-years.

It's my and the captain's game-making clashing head-on.

Airi: "Just do as always, follow the basics, and attack in your own Kousuke-kun style."

Airi-senpai's over there, isn't she?

Airi: "Oh noooo."

Captain: "Airi-manager, you're on our team, right?"

Airi-senpai gets taken over to the second-year team (lol)

Maybe she forgot about the team assignments? It's kind of cute.

First-Year Manager: "...Um, so just like Sis said? Kousuke-kun makes the plays and we center our attacks on Koji-kun? But the second-years will know that, so Kousuke-kun, you've got to mix it up!"

"...Yeah."

"Sis" is becoming the go-to title for Airi-senpai.

The second-years, led by the captain, make their plays but also make the most of their shooting power.

For the first-years, I bring up the ball and attack with Koji, but I also take shots myself and spread out the offense.

The second-years, coming off a match, have a tougher lineup, but with senpai pride on the line, they're slightly ahead in points.

The turning point comes in the second half, when the subs' skill gap becomes obvious.

As soon as we switch out the tired players, the score difference grows fast.

Here's where I try something!

Using the dribbling and shooting skills I built up with Airi-senpai's training menu, I break through... or so it looks, but really I'm using myself as a decoy to make plays for the others.

I use feints, drives, my killer stop—all to make my dribble stand out, then unleash a no-look, lightning-fast pass!

Koji's practiced with me, so he can catch my passes!

That narrows the gap a bit, but... as expected of the second-years.

They adapt by the end, and if they start watching for the decoy, I go for points myself! If they mark me, I'll spread it out again! Still, we get thoroughly beaten by the second-years.

Interval after the match.

Airi: "Sorry, I told the captain and the others about your decoy strategy, Kousuke-kun."

I was like, "Why?" but it's the same team, and if it's Airi-senpai, I'm sure there's a reason.

Airi: "From now on, even opposing teams will stop falling for the decoy, so when that happens, if you score, you'll become the decoy again. If you can score, the others become the decoy, right? If you keep playing, the other side will adapt, so I thought it'd be good for you to think about that."

Airi-senpai says it apologetically, but she has a point!

We'll definitely get countered, so it's perfect for seeing what to do when that happens!

This is still a strategy we need to practice a lot more.

After the interval, it's our turn against the third-years!

It's back-to-back games for the first-years! Meanwhile, the third-years got a full match's rest, and with one under their belt, their sense for the game should be back! Should be a good match, right?

The game starts with the jump ball...!

*Bang!* The gym doors are flung open!

...Whoa, Sahori-senpai?

Sahori-senpai, wearing a long-sleeved jersey jacket, shrugs it off in a theatrical way, sweeps back his hair, and steps onto the court...!

Sahori: "Sorry to keep you waiting! The star always arrives late...!"

Tweet!

Coach: "Third-year team foul! First-year team, two free throws. Sixth player entered the court outside of a timeout! Sahori, raise your hand!"

"Ugh... that's a terrible foul..."

Sahori: "...I don't get it."

Airi-senpai is hugging her head.

...The final game of high school for the guy known as the Fairy of Dark History had begun...!