It was already past a week since the school festival, and the excitement had already worn out.
Sakura stood in the court, flexing her wrists while Mayu bounced off the floor continuously.
"Woohoo! Go Mayu, go Sakura!" Mei shouted, waving a fan.
Sakura glanced at Mei and then back at the racket in her palms, *Really, how'd it come to this?*
Earlier that week, during the weekday, Sakura and Mayu walked to the schooltennis court, each holding a carton of milk and chocolate drink.
Mayu was still bothered about the match they had before the school festival and still didn't want to admit defeat.
When they finally reached their destination, Mayu sat on the bench, staring at Sakura.
Sakura glanced at her before inserting a straw in the milk carton, "What now?"
"Girls! Practice starts soon!" the coach called.
"Yes, Coach," they replied.
Mayu kept staring at Sakura, who shifted in her seat.
*What's with her now?*
"Sakura-san." Mayu called.
"Hm?"
"Let's have a match."
"Don't wanna."
"You've got no choice."
"Uh— I'm pretty sure I do."
"He-he, I knew you'd try to act tough."
"…"
"Hmph, I'm gonna upload that video from the school festival if you refuse."
"… hmph, go ahead."
"You think I don't dare? Kekeke, some girls were asking for your address earlier, and I can take them to your place. It's a win-win situation, they give me some cash and I, kekeke."
"Mayu, why would you do that?"
"Just one game, that won't hurt, right?"
"Ha… it's not like I've got anything to lose." Sakura sighed.
"He-he, let's make it more fun."
"How?"
"A bet, if you win, you can ask me for one thing and if I do…"
"… Okay."
"Gotcha."
"Hm?"
———
"Come on!" Mei shouted.
"Do your best, Sakura-san." Reina smiled, waving at Sakura.
"…"
Sakura glanced at Reina before turning to face Mayu.
She exhaled deeply, stepping back and tossing the ball upwards.
She then bounced off the floor for the serve.
Mayu rushed forward, and with a back hand, she sent the ball back to Sakura.
Sakura immediately lunged to her right, playing a volley to Mayu's right before shuffling backwards.
*The right?!*
Mayu rushed to her right, immediately returning the ball.
Reina sat beside Mei, staring at Sakura as they continued with their rally.
*It's the first time I've ever watched her play… It is, but… why does it feel like I've seen her play before?*
"Come on! You can do it, Mayu!"
*I don't know… but she looks kind of different when she plays. Even though she keeps her cold look, there's an expression on her face… what's that expression? I have no idea.*
"Fight on!"
*I want to look deeper, I want to understand how she feels every time. I'm curious about her.*
Sakura lunged to her left, smashing the ball into Mayu's half.
The ball hit the court, one before bouncing off the court.
Mayu panted, trying to stand from the floor.
"Whoa, you're really good, Sakura-san."
"Hmph, of course." Sakura said, raising the hem of her shirt to her jaws, wiping off the sweat dripping from it.
*I was kinda off. It almost went out.* She sighed.
Reina took out her phone, *She won't mind if I take a picture, right?*
Mei smiled, still raising her fan, "Love 15 points for Sakura!"
Mayu grabbed her racket, ready to go again, "Let's go! I won't lose to you!"
"Come at me."
The rally continued for the next points, Mayu ready to land a point, and Sakura not backing down.
———
"G-game! Set! Sakura wins the 5th game."
Mayu sighed, laying on the floor. Her breath uneven.
Her chest rose and fell continuously.
Sakura walked towards her, grabbing the ball, "Why are you lying on the floor? Let's get going."
"Ugh… I thought I'd win this set."
"… what did you want from me?"
"I lost… so forget it."
Sakura sat beside her, bouncing the tennis ball on her racket, "If it's something I can do, I'll consider it anyway,"
Mayu sat up immediately, "Nah, I'll win next time. And I'll make you listen to me."
Sakura stared at her for a moment before looking away, "If you say so."
"Come on, Mayu, it's getting late."
"I'm so sweaty."
Mei took out a towel from Mayu's bag before walking towards her, "Here, a towel."
"Thanks Mei~ you're so reliable."
"He-he,"
Sakura walked towards the bench, where her bag and Reina were seated.
"It wasn't necessary to come, was it?" Sakura asked.
"Why? You don't want me here?"
"That's not what I meant. I bet it wasn't exciting to you."
"You can't decide that for me. It was a nice game. Good job winning it."
"… Thanks."
Reina stared at Sakura, who took a towel out of her bag before zipping the bag back up.
She took out a carton of milk from her bag before handing it to Sakura.
Sakura glanced at the milk and then up to Reina, "What's that for?"
"Hm? I thought you'd like a drink after the game."
"… Thanks, but I don't take that after a game."
"Why though?"
"I haven't had my bath."
"Huh?! That's your reason? Just say you don't want anything from me." Reina pouted, throwing the milk to her.
*I went out of my way to get this for her, too.*
Sakura blinked, bending to pick up the milk, *I never said that, did I?*
"Thanks. I'll make sure to take it when I get back."
"Hmph!"
Sakura glanced at Reina before grabbing her bag and sitting beside her.
She looked into her bag, taking out a carton, "Here, a strawberry drink."
*Wha-? She got me something?*
Sakura looked away, "Thanks for the milk. Sorry this has gotten a lot warmer."
*Wha-?! That's so cute!*
"He-he, why'd you give me this all of a sudden? Thanks, though." Reina smiled.
"…"
"How'd you know I liked this? Did Mayu tell you?"
She rubbed the nape of her neck, looking away. "Uh… mn."
"Thanks a lot. I should thank her, too." Reina beamed.
*I bought it earlier just to try it… but I kinda had a feeling she'd like it. Ugh, that sounds weird.*
"Hey, can I get your number?" Reina asked suddenly.
"Uh… my number? Why though?"
"Come on, we're friends, aren't we?" Reina winked.
"Friends… huh?"
Sakura paused. After a moment, she pulled out her phone and handed it over.
*Hehe, I don't understand why this went well, but I've finally got her number!*
Mayu and Mei walked towards Sakura and Reina, "Sakura, Reina, let's get going."
"Come on, Sakura."
"Y-yeah."
The four left the tennis court together, Mayu telling a story of what happened to her the previous day.
Sakura stared at her phone screen, griping it tightly.
She looked up at Mayu, who was now teasing Mei before looking back at her phone.
*I never expected things to go this well. But that's how it always does. It goes well and 'bam'! Everything just destroys. At least… let me believe in this one. If it fails… then…*
Sakura looked up immediately, her expression turning soft.
*Well, even if something were to happen, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt that much. Nothing else will…*