From the very start, the outcome was already clear.
This was a match they could never win. No matter how skilled Kaguya was, her opponent was Rinji.
With beach volleyball rules, the score was to 21.
The final score was 21:7, Rinji and Hayasaka victorious.
Of the seven points Kaguya and Shirogane scored, four came from Hayasaka's errors and three from Rinji's fouls.
Despite the freedom of beach volleyball, there were still details like "no finger tipping to complete an attacking hit."
In short, Kaguya and Shirogane suffered a crushing defeat.
Fortunately, the spectators didn't think they were weak. They were only astonished by Rinji's overwhelming skill.
"Rinji, you really showed no mercy with those spikes."
"It's a match. Why show mercy? Besides, I already held back as much as I could."
After the game, the students drifted out of the gym, while the players gathered.
"This proves I'm stronger."
"Yes, Rinji, you're stronger," Kaguya admitted bluntly. "But have you thought about why we played in the first place?"
"Wasn't it to decide who should coach Ishigami?"
"And why did we need to coach him?"
"To help him win the upcoming class volleyball match and attract Koyasu-senpai's attention… ah, damn."
Rinji suddenly realized the problem.
"Seems you figured it out too," Kaguya said helplessly.
"Because of this match, you stole all the spotlight. When the class match comes, everyone's eyes will be on you instead."
"…"
"You stole Ishigami's only chance to shine."
---
"Rinji, I have a serious problem."
"…Go ahead."
The next day at school, many students approached Rinji to chat about the volleyball match.
At lunch, Ishigami also came to him.
"I was planning to confess to Tsubame-senpai during the class match."
"Oh…"
"But thanks to your performance yesterday, now the whole school thinks that as long as you're in our class, victory is guaranteed… Under these circumstances, what am I supposed to say to Tsubame-senpai?"
A match that was guaranteed to win held no sense of excitement. Ishigami had wanted to say, "If our class wins, will you go out with me?" But with things as they were, those words were nearly impossible to voice.
After all, if their class won, it would definitely be because Rinji carried them. At best, he himself would only be a supporting role in the match.
"…My fault then. How about I find an excuse to withdraw from the match that day?"
"What are you thinking? It's a rare group activity, how can you not participate?" Ishigami rejected Rinji's suggestion. "Also, stop trying to solve things with self-sacrifice. You didn't do anything wrong."
Happiness obtained by sacrificing someone else's happiness was false. Ishigami didn't want Rinji to create an opportunity for him by quitting.
"The real reason I came to talk with you is to ask if there's another way."
"If sports aren't an option… then there's only academics."
"Ugh, that's the word that gives me a headache the moment I hear it." Ishigami held his head.
That said, during winter break he had indeed been studying hard, all in an effort to earn Tsubame's trust.
"…Alright then, I won't withdraw from the match. But when the time comes, I'll pass the ball to you as much as possible so you'll have the chance to score."
"Is that really okay? If you perform well, you'd definitely become popular."
"I don't need to be popular."
Rinji spread his hands and smiled.
"I'm not the type to enjoy showing off anyway, and besides, my strength needs no proof to others."
"…That's some confidence you have."
---
Tomorrow was the official volleyball match, so after school Ishigami naturally had to practice.
The one guiding him was Kaguya.
As for why it wasn't Rinji, who had beaten Kaguya, the main issue was that Rinji was the type to rely entirely on physical ability to play. It was impossible for Ishigami to reach that level in such a short time.
On top of that, Rinji didn't even bother reading the rules before jumping into a match, making him totally unfit to be a coach. So the job of training Ishigami fell to Kaguya.
With nothing else to do, Rinji went home, cooking while also thinking about what he should prepare for when he returned to his hometown.
"Rinji."
"Hm? Ah, Koyasu-senpai."
Hearing the voice, Rinji turned his head and saw Tsubame walking toward him.
Since the Hoshin Festival, Tsubame no longer called him "Takamine-kun," but instead used a more casual, closer nickname. Still, it didn't carry any deeper meaning—Tsubame called her friends that way in general.
"I… have something I want to consult with you about."
"Sure."
Rinji also noticed the faint trace of gloom on her face.
Not sorrow exactly, but the kind of look that came from being troubled about something. It was different from the usual senior who always carried a bright smile.
"Rinji, you're… a close friend of Yuu's, right?"
"Yeah, I'm on good terms with Ishigami," Rinji replied. "Even though that idiot sometimes drags me into trouble, we're basically like brothers with different parents."
"So you really are close."
Tsubame finally smiled.
"You're not still holding a grudge about wearing a girl's uniform at the sports festival, are you?"
"Don't even bring that up. At the festival I had to wear the girl's uniform thanks to the student council president, Ishigami, and Onodera. Each of them carries a third of the blame!"
"Hahaha, looks like you really dislike things like that."
After a few laughs, Tsubame lowered her head slightly.
"You must know about Yuu's situation, don't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… during the Hoshin Festival, Yuu confessed to me…"
"Confessed to you? Of course I know. Didn't you tell me yourself?" Rinji said. "Oh, and by the way, I also know what happened on Christmas."
"Eh!? Yuu told you about that too?"
"No, he didn't say a word. But when he left your house that day, he looked totally out of it. Iino got so worried that she called me to pick him up."
"I see…"