Chapter Five: “The Princess Wants to Seize the Chance” — Part Eleven
“Senpai! Good work today.”
Whenever I waited for Senpai in front of the gymnasium, she always came out last without fail.
Knowing she’d been pushing herself right up until the building closed, I fell a little more in love with her every single day.
“Himena-chan, I’m sorry. You had to wait again today.”
“Not at all. I like waiting for you, Senpai.”
We didn’t hold hands until we were off school grounds. We hadn’t discussed it; it was just something that had settled naturally between us, since there were always basketball club members around.
I walked slowly on purpose, and once no one was nearby, I took her hand. Somehow it felt like sharing a secret, and that alone set my heart racing a little.
“Um, Senpai.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I want to give you. Could I have a few minutes before we get on the train? Even just a bench near the station would be fine.”
“Sure.”
On the way home together, we’d sometimes stop at a convenience store or sit for a little while on a bench by the station. About fifteen minutes, so neither of us got home too late.
It was probably short by the standards of a normal couple, but just knowing Senpai was making time for me out of a busy day was enough to make me happy.
We walked to the station and settled onto a bench. It was already evening, but the breeze was warm — almost muggy — and just slightly too hot.
“These are cookies I made to celebrate five days together.”
I took the wrapped cookies out of my bag. Senpai didn’t say anything like five whole days?, just smiled and accepted them.
“Thank you, Himena-chan. Can I eat one now?”
“Please, go ahead!”
She opened the bag carefully and took out a cookie. These are good, she said, and finished them all in no time.
“They were really delicious. Thank you for making them for me.”
“Don’t mention it. I do these things because I want to!”
“Still, thank you. And I’m sorry for all the club activities.”
“Please don’t say that! I genuinely support your club, Senpai!”
It would be a lie to say I’d never once thought if she didn’t have club we could see each other more. But the support was real too.
I loved the Senpai who threw herself into basketball with her whole heart.
“I know how hard you always work, Senpai, so I always hope it pays off for you.”
I didn’t know much about how demanding sport could be. But I knew that working hard didn’t automatically mean being rewarded.
Senpai worked incredibly hard, but there were probably plenty of other people working just as hard.
Even so, I wanted Senpai to be rewarded most of all. Because she was the one I loved.
“Hey, Iori-senpai. Since today is our five-day anniversary, I’d like something from you too.”
“…From me?”
“Yes. It doesn’t have to be more than my cheek, but could you kiss me? From your side this time?”
I looked up at her steadily, and closed my eyes before she could even answer.
What was I thinking. Maybe that was a little too bold.
But we were girlfriends now, so this much had to be allowed, right?
Maybe I closed my eyes because I didn’t want to see Senpai looking flustered.
“…Himena-chan.”
A hand, placed gently against my cheek. Even with my eyes closed, I could tell her face was coming closer.
And then.
Senpai’s lips touched mine.