Even for someone as extraordinary as Reina-senpai, winning without proper practice seemed unlikely. As I struggled to find the right words to comfort her, she spoke first.
“Could you walk home with me today… please?”
“Yes, of course.”
As we walked home, she asked me to follow her somewhere. We ended up in front of her house.
“Come in.”
“Uh, but—”
“Please.”
Her face looked as though she might cry if I refused. Unable to turn her down, I entered.
Her parents were both away on business trips. She led me to her room, which was sparse, containing only a desk and a bed—no manga or other forms of entertainment, just reference books on her desk.
“Sorry, there’s nothing interesting here.”
“N-No, it’s fine!”
When I tried to sit on the floor, she gestured for me to sit on the bed. Feeling a little guilty, I took a seat on the bed while she sat on a chair and began to speak.
“Do you remember when I said I was tired of all the pressure?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“To be honest… when I got injured, I felt relieved to be free from the pressure of the competition. I was… happy.”
“I see…”
“When I got injured, as expected, my advisor looked at me with disappointment. The club members showed a little concern at first, but it quickly turned into encouragement like, ‘We’ll work hard for you, so focus on your studies.’ Jin said the same thing.”
Her teacher’s disappointment, the brief concern from her teammates, and their quick shift to new expectations only reinforced the unrelenting pressure on Reina-senpai.
“In the end, I couldn’t escape the pressure of being perfect… I’m so tired of it.”
She let out a hollow laugh, her expression utterly drained. If I walked away from her now, I felt like I would lose the Reina-senpai I admired forever.
Encouraging words wouldn’t reach her. I decided to convey exactly how I felt.
“Um, Reina-senpai… I think it’s okay for you to rely on others more!”
“Eh?”
She looked startled by my words.
“I don’t know what it’s like to have such high expectations from everyone, so I can’t fully understand your struggles, but I think it’s okay to say things like, ‘I’m tired,’ or ‘I don’t want to try anymore,’ or ‘I want to take a break.’ You can show your true self to someone—like Miyamachi-senpai or someone else who’ll listen.”
“To… rely on others? To show my true self?”
“I think everyone around you would accept you even if you weren’t perfect!”
I truly believed she was trying too hard. She didn’t need to be perfect all the time; it was okay to show her vulnerability to others. I spoke as honestly as I could.
After a long silence, Reina-senpai stood up, approached me, and suddenly hugged me tightly.
“Re-Reina-senpai!?”
“Sorry… just for a little while, let me stay like this.”
“Uh, um…”
“…Hic… Sniffle…”
I realized she was crying. Feeling awkward but unable to pull away, I let her cling to me for several minutes. When her sobbing finally subsided, she spoke in a trembling voice.
“Thank you… I feel a bit calmer now.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Um… as you said, maybe it’s okay to rely on someone. Could I ask you for something? Could you praise me and… pat my head?”
“W-Wouldn’t Miyamachi-senpai be better for that—?”
“No. I want you to do it.”
Her embrace tightened, leaving me no room to refuse. Taking a deep breath, I collected my thoughts and started to speak.
“Reina-senpai, you’re always working so hard. You’re amazing. Honestly, I think you’re trying too hard.”
“…Mm.”
Each time I patted her head, a soft, endearing sound escaped her lips, sending shivers down my spine. No, I mustn’t let impure thoughts creep in. She’s serious right now.
“It’s okay to rely on others. You don’t have to be perfect all the time. Please, don’t overdo it.”
“…Mhm…”
Enduring a mix of embarrassment and other emotions, I continued for about ten minutes.
“Um… are you okay now?”
“…Ah.”
As I gently moved away, she let out a wistful sigh.
“Yes… I’m fine now. Thank you. Sorry for hugging you all of a sudden and asking such a selfish request.”
“N-No, it’s fine! I’m glad I could help you.”
“…”
She stared silently at me, her gaze unwavering.
This is… awkward. Maybe I should leave.
“Well, I should get going—”
“W-Wait!”
As I headed for the door, she stopped me.
“Um… could I rely on you again sometime? Maybe… tomorrow?”
“Eh? B-But wouldn’t Miyamachi-senpai be a better choice than me?”
“That’s not true! Th-this kind of thing… I can only ask you!!”
I had agreed to step in for Miyamachi-senpai because he wasn’t around today, but I couldn’t help feeling guilty about it. Hugging her, praising her, and patting her head had already been incredibly embarrassing. The idea of doing it again tomorrow…
“Y-you’re the one who said I could rely on others!”
Reina-senpai looked at me with tearful eyes, her expression full of desperation.
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