I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!

Chapter 52: The Struggle of the Athletic Dullard (1)

TL:Helena

ED: Animu

What!?

How do you know about it?

Did Kazamihara or Ginji tell you!?

I know youre shocked, but I found you two together at the festival, and you forgot that I was there. I was too busy with the takoyaki cafe at the time.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking!

Damn, I was in such a hurry at the time, I thought you didnt care that me and Shijoin-san were together!

Well, that wasnt the only thing that convinced me, but I was convinced when I saw both of you like that afterwards. I dont know about the natural Shijoin-san, but Im sure Nihama-kun is serious about her.

Gu Well, if its Fumihashi-san, I dont mind saying it Im embarrassed, but Ill admit it. I like Shijoin-san.

Im not going to be able to fake it, so I decided to say how I feel.

There seems to be a lot of leaks regarding this lately

Then the Fumihashi-san said, Huh! Oh, I knew it! Wow! And her cheeks became even more flushed like a cherry.

Why is it that you are more embarrassed than I am when I was the one that confessed?

Oh, I see. Hmm. Im really excited to hear that two people who are close to each other are in that situation. Hey, hey, you already kissed her or something, right?

No, I havent. Or rather, Im not in a relationship yet

What? What are you doing when youre that close to her then?

Dont blame me for having a dead face all of a sudden!

Dont give me your usual Fumihashi-san gaze!

Its like youre calling me feeble!

Well, thats enough about that To purposely come to softball practice on a holiday, perhaps you just dont want to show your lame side to Shijoin-san. Or rather, there isnt any other reason huh.

Yes, thats totally true. Its not for class or anything, I just want to be cool for a girl that I like.

After all, a womans power of deduction increases when it comes to romance, or so it seems, and she completely hits the nail on the head.

I had no choice but to come clean since my background had been completely discovered.

Okay! Then imagine it! Imagine Shijouin-san cheering for you, Shinhama-kun! Fill your head with the thought of wanting to show the person you love how cool you are!

Yeah?

I saw you at the festival, and youre like a runaway locomotive once you get going, arent you? Thats why, with that kind of momentum, youre so fired up to show the person you love whats good about yourself! Im sure youll be happy to hear that.Its not uncommon in sports to make up for one more push with energy!

In order to overcome the feeling of uncomfortability, Fumihashi said to let the most passionate emotion, love, burn brightly. At first glance, this may seem like a comforting psychology, but if you recall Its something Ive always done.

Whether it was the cultural festival or the final exam, it was always my feelings for Shijo-in-san that were the driving force that drove me.

Ill try it! Throw me the ball, Fumihashi-san!

Okay! Its going to work this time!

Just like before, I moved away from the scene.

By the way, youre a really good girl to be so accommodating to me, Fumihashi-san.

I would have been absolutely stuck on my own, and all I can say is thank you.

Youre in position! Lets go then!

From afar, Fumihashi shouted, and the ball was thrown up into the sky of the park.

And I, from my hunched position, dashed after it.

As I watched the ball, I anticipated where it would fall.

(Oh balls are scary to me, if you ask me.)

For a few moments, I think about it.

It is instinctive to be afraid of flying objects, but not only that, I have an aversion to balls in general.

Its probably because of my dislike for exercise as a whole, as Fumihashi-san said, its got some pretty old roots in me.

However

My regrets about my youth and my feelings for Shijoin-san are even deeper than that.

(Picture it the event-loving Shijo-in-san excitedly cheering me on! Maybe she will cheer me on by name! And if I do well, she might praise me later like she did during the test!)

Its not a matter of I dont want to show my uncool side, but a matter of I want to show my cool side.

Its not about evading, its about attacking.

It was at this point that I realized that I was a much simpler and more romantic guy than I had imagined.

The edge of my mouth naturally relaxed.

My aversion to the ball fades, and my awareness of the carrot dangled in front of me is inspired by the fact that what is falling is not a threat, but an opportunity.

The cheers of the imaginary Shijoin-san gave me the extra push that I needed.

I held up my glove and stared at the white ball as it fell.

I stared at it, determined to get it, and kept my eyes on it until the end.

I saw the trajectory of the ball and opened my glove wide, but without rushing or letting go of my body.

And then

Plop! With a light sound, I felt a strong impact on my glove.

The white ball had indeed been caught in my hand.

Oh? Oh oh oh oh oh OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Yeah, yeaahhhhhh!

As soon as I found the ball in my glove, I, of course, shouted a cheer while Fumihashi rushed towards me.

Amazing! Thats amazing, Nihama! Im going to cry! This is the kind of joy a mother feels when her baby starts walking on its own feet!

Thank you! I feel like Im being rude to the max, but its all thanks to Fumihashi-san ! I really appreciate it!

Objectively speaking, it was just a mediocre fly catch, nothing great, but both me and Fumihashi dominated by a mysterious emotion that welled up in us.

You could say that our brains had become stupid.

Oh, I see. So this is the sports guts inspiration weve seen so much of in manga and anime! The joy of being able to do what you cant do with effort!

Well then lets move on!

And then, after sharing the excitement for a moment, as if to regain her energy, she continued.

To the next?

Yeah! Youre far from finished if you can only catch one pitch! You need to practice catching flies, liners, and ground balls so that you can catch them all perfectly!

Yes, thats absolutely true, but .

No, but it would take a lot of time to do that, and I cant let Fumihashi-san help that much

What are you talking about? Nihama-kun has just taken his first step, and I cant leave you here! Gather your energy!

She declared with fire in her eyes and a strong tone of voice.

Theres something different about the atmosphere!

(This is a mysterious emotion that has lit a fire in me as a gymnast! Im totally in the mode of a senior member of a club mentoring a junior member!) [TLN: This is from Fumihashi pov]

Come on, lets go! Youll have to train until you can catch any course perfectly! And the only response I should hear is a Yes! Thats it! Im going to go hard, so be prepared!

Yes?

No! Keep your voice up!

Yes, yes, yes!

I raise my voice instantly.

It was like I was in an athletic club.

Yes! Ill do it, Nihama-kun! Ill make you a full-fledged softball player, just like you asked! Lets go for it!

I felt sweat run down my cheek as I heard the sound of Fumihashis voice with maximum enthusiasm.

I really appreciate it, I dont know if I can hold on or can I?

TLN:

Discord plug https://discord.gg/DNjnc7TUJC