Chapter 17: I Want to Get Back at Them
Yukari Tomonaga, burning with anger after her encounter with Satsuki.
Use that frustration as fuel and do your best!
Now, we arrive at the gymnasium where the basketball club practices.
Honestly, I came here without much of a plan, but I have my own practice too, right?
Since Tomonaga-san is a girl, I was thinking maybe we could ask Airi-senpai, the basketball club manager, or Nagase-san from the girls' basketball club...?
(It's probably better if not too many people know about this, right? Then Nagase-san is out, since she has her own girls' basketball club practice!)
Both Airi-senpai and Nagase-san, who's on the other court, look surprised to see me show up with Tomonaga-san.
Why?
Airi-senpai!
Airi-senpai, a little irritated, says—
Airi: "...Bringing a girl to club activities is pretty irresponsible, isn't it?"
That's rare!
In the basketball club, Airi is known for being tolerant, but Sahori is a no-go!
That's how much people say Airi-senpai has a gentle and open heart, while Sahori always shoots things down and says no to everything.
"...Actually..."
I explained how, after her failed confession, she decided to change, and that we're shooting a documentary for the film club.
We don't want to cause trouble for practice, but since she doesn't usually exercise and her willpower is weak, she needs a watcher. To keep her from slacking off and for her safety.
Club activities are mostly split into three parts: the first half is group training—physical and basic drills—the second half is individual practice, and finally, scrimmages.
I was hoping Airi-senpai could watch Tomonaga-san during the first half. Walking around the gym, light jogging, then I'd do strength training with her during individual practice, and for the final scrimmage I'd think about it during break time.
Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, the sympathetic Airi-senpai said she'd walk and jog with Tomonaga-san!
Airi: "I'm dieting too! It's easier with two people, and we can cheer each other on, right?"
Tomonaga: "Sorry, thank you so much."
And so, Airi-senpai watched over Tomonaga-san in the early part.
Airi-senpai is average at sports.
Tomonaga-san's hopeless.
Watching during group practice, Tomonaga-san looked like she was having a pretty hard time running.
Airi-senpai gently encouraged her along.
Such a kind scene...
Now, we move into individual practice.
While other members were shooting or dribbling, I roped in my friend Koji, who was working on strength, and outside the gym we all did push-ups, squats, sit-ups, and used the club's dumbbells for a well-rounded workout.
Tomonaga-san used light weights, Koji and I used heavy dumbbells.
Airi-senpai checked her form and steadily increased the load on Tomonaga-san's body.
By the time we were doing the final scrimmage, Tomonaga-san was completely wiped out.
Tomonaga: "...My body won't move..."
Airi: "It's okay! Humans can actually move more than they think! Hang in there, Tomonaga-san!"
Tomonaga-san had a vacant look on her face.
After basketball practice ended, we walked a bit to cool down and chatted about all sorts of things.
Then we went to the cafeteria.
Tomonaga-san's eyes sparkled, but...
The film club members had already claimed a spot...
Club member: "Here you go, Tomonaga-san! Special menu for you!"
Chicken breast, broccoli, boiled eggs, a little brown rice. And protein.
That's rough—she looked so pitiful I decided to eat the same menu myself.
Tomonaga: "...You don't have to go along with me, you know...?"
"...It's fine... Maybe I should diet too and try to get some abs?"
Tomonaga: "Hehe! Kousuke-kun, you do joke sometimes."
(...But I'm not joking...?)
I wonder what she thinks of me?
We stuck to the bland, low-fat, low-sugar, high-protein menu.
Then, after a post-meal break—
Film clubroom.
With a trendy old diet DVD a member brought, we all exercised together!
We pushed our bodies as hard as the super-motivated Black leader on the screen told us!
Tomonaga: "Hiiiii——!!!"
Voice from the screen: "One more set!!"
"Two more sets!!!"
"Count it!!"
Give me a smile!!
No pain, no gain!!
Boot camp is brutal...! Tomonaga-san looks like she's about to die.
Are you okay?
Tomonaga-san's face... is starting to look like a clay haniwa!
Somehow we finished, and when I told her the night routine and precautions, she just nodded mechanically.
Then, take a photo of your dinner and post it on LINE, okay?
When I said, "No sweets allowed, okay?" a spark lit up in her eyes!
The film club members all chimed in, "Sweets are forbidden! Absolutely not!"
And they explained the scientific reasons behind it.
...She didn't really agree, but Tomonaga-san looked so sad she could cry blood as she reluctantly accepted.
Her expression had me worried since earlier,
"...Are you okay, Tomonaga-san?"
Even so, Tomonaga-san said it clearly—
Tomonaga: "...I'm fine. Up until now, even when people called me fat, I just laughed it off... but I'm done! I want to get back at them!"
I thought she was the type to be timid and just go along with things?
Days like this are going to keep coming.
I promised I'd support her as much as I could.
And so, the grueling days began for Tomonaga-san.