Isn't This Going Too Far?

"Hey, umm…Isn't this going too far?"

In the school basketball court, a third-year senior was speaking out in a team huddle during an opposition team time-out call. The senior's name was Sawamura Maki who is the vice-captain of the basketball team. A basketball practice game was happening and they were in a huddle during a timeout called by the visiting team. This was usually the time when strategies were discussed.

"It is not in our place to decide whether we have gone too far, Maki-san. Our duty is to play with everything we have. Besides, excluding the two of us, we are playing with our reserves from the club. This means we are not even at 50% of our team's abilities." Kei said to him with a serious and stern expression.

At this period in time, the first team players representing had not been finalised yet as the other 3 vacant spots on the team other than Maki and Kei were held by departing seniors. This game was also being used to see the potential of the club members.

"Yeah but…" Maki was giving Kei a wry smile that said, 'I really think we should ease on the pedal' as he looked at the electronic scoreboard.

'Tachibana 112 – 37 Seirai'

Their opponents were Seirai High School. They were considered as one of the top basketball teams in the district and had only won the Inter-High School Championships two years ago. Tachibana High School on the other hand had never won the championship before even if they had tried to attract talents from other schools. This was also part of the reason the school tried so hard to attract Kei to attend their school.

"We will continue our full-court press. Squeeze every last drop of breath out of them."

Maki wanted to refute this order and wanted to ask Kei to calm down. But when he looked into Kei's eyes, he instantly backed down. What he saw was not the usual expressionless Kei, but an expression that was nothing short of sadistic, and angry, as if he had a score to settle with the other school.

'Tachibana 152 – 50 Seirai'

The match ended with a severe thumping of the opposing school. The players on the opposing team were completely deflated as if they had just lost the championship itself. The expressions on the players' faces were nothing that resembled a school that had recently clinched the championship title.

Up in the empty stands where audiences would sit to watch the game sat a slim figure there who looked at Kei with worry in her eyes. Chihaya had long known that Kei was in the basketball team and that he was actually the captain of the basketball team. When she saw how the game was played, she couldn't help but worry about her friend's condition.

When the other players had left along with Yanagi-sensei, only one person was left on the court. Kei had just finished packing and sat there on his team's bench just looking at the court with a lifeless expression. Behind him, Chihaya approached him with a sports drink in hand.

"Here…" Chihaya handed him the drink as she sat on the bench beside him.

"Mmm… thanks…"

"Look, Kei—"

"It's not in your place to worry."

Before Chihaya could voice her concerns, Kei cut her off. He already knew what she was going to say. When he said that, Chihaya started to pout before looking at him again.

"Kei, look at me."

"Hmm? What is—"

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on he left cheek as Chihaya gave him a hard slap.

"Ouch! What the hell was that for?"

"I already told you I would slap you, didn't I?"

Chihaya was talking about the video she sent to him the day before. She told him that if he didn't say anything when she could lend a hand, she would give him a slap to which she kept her promise.

"Hah… seriously, do you know how much of a handful you are?"

"Hmm… I guess I deserved that huh…"

"Well, I don't care whether you tell me it's not my place to worry or whatnot. As your only friend, I will still butt in whenever I see you're in trouble."

Chihaya could tell whenever something was troubling Kei just by looking at him and his behaviour. She had known him for so long after all. Whenever she could see that he was down or was quietly depressed, she would always be there to cheer him up.

"To be fair… it's not like I said I wanted to be friends… you just kept badgering me till I gave in."

"Fufu… I know you're cold to everyone, but I've known you so long that I know that you'll always have a soft spot for me." Chihaya said as she gave him a teasing grin.

"Don't push your luck."

The conversation between the two eventually fell silent. The two had chatted on about useless things, mostly initiated by Chihaya who was trying to loosen his mood up. This went on for about 10 more minutes before Chihaya stood up.

"Well, it's time for me to go now. Mom's making roast chicken tonight and I don't want to miss that. See you tomorrow Kei-chin."

"Mmm… Thanks for the talk."

"Like I said, next time if I find out that I could've helped you with something but you didn't tell me, I will slap you again. Also, you might want to leave through the back door, a lot of our classmates tried to get into the court earlier during the game."

"I understand… thanks for the warning."

When Chihaya left the basketball court, Kei stayed behind for a few more minutes before leaving as well. When he exited the court, it was already 5 p.m. When he made his way to the school's front gate, he noticed that there was a familiar figure standing beside the gate.

It had seemed that Mai had waited for him until now. But unlike how she usually waits for him alone, there was a figure of a male student in front of her. From the exchange they were having, it was clear that he was hitting on her and that she was feeling uncomfortable.

"Please leave me alone. I have no intention of going anywhere with you."

"Come on. A little fun after school wouldn't hurt."

"I-I am waiting for someone, please leave me alone." Mai said as she was clearly having trouble getting rid of him.

"A pretty girl like you shouldn't have to wait for somebody in the first place. I can be a better sweetheart than whoever it is you're waiting for, you know?"

When Kei walked closer to them, he recognized the male student as one of the players from the Seirai basketball team that his team had thoroughly beaten earlier. If he could recall correctly, he was the vice-captain of the team and a third-year student called Seki. It seemed he had finally recovered from the harsh reality that hit his team earlier after he saw Mai. As things started to get out of hand, Kei had no choice but to intervene.

"Shouldn't you be going home with your other teammates?"

"Huh? You're that cocky first-year from the other team earlier today. Get lost, this girl is mine. Benchwarmers like you should know your place. Let's go." He said as he grabbed Mai's wrist.

"Hmm? Right, I should be taking orders from players who played the whole game and scored less than ten points."

"Oy oy, are you trying to pick a fight?"

The position that Seki was playing in was known as the small forward position, this position in basketball focused on scoring points and defending. Better players in the same role would have no trouble being able to score more points for the team. What Kei had just said would hurt Seki's pride deeply.

Seki's height was slightly shorter than Kei's and his build was visibly less muscular even though Kei usually covered himself up. As the student let go of Mai's wrist and walked up to Kei wanting to pick a fight, Kei let out a deep sigh before taking out his phone to make a call.

"Oy, what are you doing with that phone?"

"Hello Tasuke-senpai, it's Amane from earlier… yes… it was a nice game… your vice-captain is causing some trouble for my friend and I… ah thanks…"

Seki froze when he heard the name Tasuke. This was because the person on the other end of the line was none other than his basketball team's captain and was widely known among other high school clubs as a strict and fierce leader.

"Here, this is for you." Kei said as he handed him the phone.

"Yes Tasuke, yes… I understand… please forgive me…" His face was completely different from earlier when he was talking to Tasuke on the phone.

When he was done, he handed the phone back to Kei. The look of fear and worry on Seki's face said it all, he's going to be in trouble when he gets back. It seemed Tasuke was still on the line.

"Ah yes, thank you Tasuke-senpai. It was nice seeing you again." Kei finally hung up the phone.

Kei turned back to Seki who was still standing there before saying…

"Anything else?"

"No… please forgive me…"