Mmm... mmm...
“But your outfit is so pretty today! I don’t think I’ve seen you wear a dress like that at school. Did you buy it new for today?”
“Huh? No. It’s just something I always wore. You’re the one who came looking really pretty.”
“Really? Actually, I rushed out from home, so I just threw on whatever. Thanks for saying that, though.”
...This is uncomfortable.
It couldn’t be more uncomfortable.
Jiu on the right.
Jiu’s friend on the left.
Sitting sandwiched between them and listening to their conversation—how could it be more uncomfortable than this?
If they’re going to talk just between themselves, they should sit together.
I don’t know why they’re sitting on either side with me in the middle, having a conversation.
...Am I some kind of invisible man?
I feel like a borrowed sack of barley.
“Oh my, your makeup turned out really well too. You’re even wearing blush; you must have taken great care. It must have taken you ages to get ready.”
“Does it look like it? I did it in a hurry on my way here. I’m glad it doesn’t look weird. Your makeup is the one that looks great, hey. I’m really jealous. I can’t do makeup, so...”
“...Hahaha.”
“Hahaha.”
...By the way, when did Jiu get so good at Italian?
Since earlier, the two of them have been tirelessly exchanging compliments without a moment’s rest.
The moment they met, it was “you’re pretty,” “no, you’re prettier,” and so on.
They’re absolutely showering each other with praise to the point that I feel itchy all over.
Are girls normally like this?
If I went up to Senior Saponara and said, “Senior, you look handsome today,” he’d look at me like I was weird.
I had no intention of saying something like that in the first place.
Anyway, whatever.
She said they weren’t close earlier, but sure look close now.
Seeing them shut me out and talk between themselves like this.
Feeling awkward for no reason, I scratch my cheek and look toward the ground when—
“Ah, by the way. I really enjoyed watching that match last time. I watched it together with my friends!”
“Ah, really.”
Jiu’s friend—did she say Kiena?
I nod awkwardly at Kiena’s words.
“It was really, really cool. How are you so good at soccer? I totally fell for you.”
“Uh... thanks.”
Hmm.
I guess this is just her personality.
I thought she was only like that with Jiu, but she’s started pouring compliments out at me too...
“Like, I couldn’t see anyone but you? I wasn’t really interested in soccer before. But after seeing you that day, I became a total fan and looked up everything about you.”
“Uh... thanks.”
I don’t know how to react to that praise, so I just keep staring ahead and repeating my thanks.
These kinds of compliments are burdensome to begin with.
And a stranger approaching me so familiarly is uncomfortable given my personality.
I end up reacting bluntly, as if I’ve become a robot.
...By the way, I don’t know why she’s hitting my arm like this.
Jiu doesn’t even hit me like this.
“What, cute. Do you happen to use Insta? I looked it up, but I couldn’t seem to find your account.”
“...No.”
“Why? Why don’t you?”
“I don’t have time to do anything besides soccer.”
“Ah... really? That’s kind of cool. I think people who work hard at what they do, like you, are amazing.”
...Well, I’m grateful for the compliments, but.
Since they’re excessive, I end up feeling guarded instead, though I don’t know why.
Her talking so close is quite burdensome, too.
“...”
Thanks to that, I unconsciously lean my body to the right.
And I sneak a glance at Jiu... hmm.
Jiu’s expression doesn’t look too great either.
I don’t know why, but I felt like I should watch my step today.
*
“Ah, really? You’ve never dated anyone? Really?”
“...Yeah.”
“Wow. That’s really unexpected. I totally thought you’d have a girlfriend all the time. Why didn’t you date? Because you’re focused on soccer?”
“Well... I’m not sure...”
If I had a more straightforward personality, one that says what needs to be said.
I might have straight up told her to be quiet and watch the match by now.
It feels like blood is going to pour from my ears.
Of course, I’m thankful that she says she’s a fan of our team, but.
This friend called Kiena didn’t stop chattering even after the match started.
Didn’t she come to watch the match?
It seems like she hasn’t been looking toward the ground at all since earlier.
“...”
The funny thing is, Jiu isn’t someone who’d lose to anyone when it comes to talking.
Even Jiu hasn’t been able to get a word in, with no gap to interrupt.
I was always the one getting drained.
Watching Jiu look drained, I somehow feel like laughing.
“...What? Why are you laughing?”
“Huh? Ah, it’s nothing.”
“What is it. I asked why you’re laughing.”
I laughed at Jiu without realizing it, and Jiu snapped back in a sulky voice.
When I brush it off as nothing, Jiu pouts and clicks her tongue.
Seeing that expression, somehow Jiu seems a bit angry.
Maybe because her role was stolen.
Just as it’s tiring to constantly make a quiet person talk, wouldn’t it be tiring to stop a talkative person from talking?
Regardless, Kiena doesn’t give a moment’s rest and leans in again, starting to talk.
“Then, what about your ideal type? Even if you’ve never dated, you must have an ideal type, right?”
“...Ideal type?”
“Yeah. Really honestly. Like appearance, or personality.”
If it were questions related to soccer or matches, I’d answer them sincerely, but.
Since she’s only been asking useless things since earlier, I feel twice as tired.
“...I haven’t really thought about it.”
“Then think about it now! It’s fun. I like someone who works hard at their own thing and isn’t a player. Jiu! What about you? What do you think?”
“...Me?”
“Yeah. What’s your ideal type?”
Jiu, who was sitting next to me, got caught by Kiena for no reason.
Buying time to think, and acting curious myself, I look at Jiu and add pressure.
Then Jiu bites her lips as if troubled, fiddles with her fingers, and speaks.
“Well, me too... something similar. If there’s one more thing...”
...I don’t know why, but I perk up my ears for no reason.
“...Someone comfortable?”
“Someone comfortable?”
“Yeah.”
“Like a friend?”
“...Well, yeah. Th-that, and. Rather than someone too lively or like that... I think a calm and quiet person is better?”
As if she doesn’t really have any particular thoughts, Jiu turns her head the other way and speaks.
Hmm.
Come to think of it, we’ve really talked about all sorts of useless things, but this is the first time we’ve talked about something like this.
It’s also the first time I’ve learned that Jiu has such tastes.
Someone comfortable...
“What about you, Jian? You haven’t answered yet.”
“...Huh? Ah, me...”
Come to think of it, it’s the same for me.
Saying I haven’t thought about it wasn’t because I didn’t want to answer.
I really haven’t thought about those things normally.
Why haven’t I thought about it?
I don’t know.
I suppose it’s because I didn’t feel the need to set something like that in stone.
“Hmm...”
Still, she’s sitting next to me with an attitude that suggests she’ll ask until the end if I don’t answer.
If I had to think about it...
“...First, I’d like it if they knew soccer well.”
“Soccer?”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to talk about soccer together? Since, well... I play soccer.”
“Ah... really?”
I thought I’d already passed puberty.
Could I still be on its edge?
I haven’t even done anything special, but just talking about this makes my face feel hot.
Without realizing it, I lift my hips from the seat.
“I’ll go to the restroom for a bit.”
...For now, the toilet seat seemed more comfortable than this one.
*
Definitely, I’m someone who needs some alone time.
Honestly, I don’t really need to go.
I sit on the toilet for a moment without even pulling down my pants, and only then do all sorts of thoughts start coming to mind.
Like how during an argument you fumble, and only after returning home do you think, “I should have said that then.”
Anyway, I sat like that and thought a bit about what an ideal type is.
A few things came to mind.
But... when I put them all together, it ended up sounding like I was targeting someone.
It really happened by accident.
“...”
By the way, one sentence keeps circling in my head since earlier, interfering with my thoughts.
Is it because it’s the first time I’ve heard it, leaving a deep impression?
‘Someone like a friend. A calm and quiet person.’
Hmmm.
So that’s what it was.
I mean, Jiu—I thought she’d naturally like the handsome, smooth-talking, lots-of-friends type.
Because Jiu is that type of person.
If I had to say, an extrovert.
I thought she’d like an outgoing person who likes hanging out outside rather than being cooped up at home.
But rather, it’s the opposite, which is unexpected.
“...”
Come to think of it, I’m not so different either.
Just because I’m quiet... doesn’t mean I like quiet people.
I’d rather prefer someone lively.
That way, I don’t have to talk.
Hmmm.
I suppose that’s just how people are made.
Drawn to what they don’t have, drawn to what’s opposite of them...
“...Whew.”
Enough useless thoughts; let’s go back to watching the match.
The seat is so uncomfortable that I want to sit on the toilet a bit longer.
But I can’t hole up here while my teammates are playing a match.
I leave the restroom and head back to my seat.
And as I walk down the stairs, searching for my seat with my eyes, hmm.
The seat I assumed would be noisy is quiet.
I thought the two of them would be chattering away, having another compliment battle and stealing my seat while I was gone.
“...”
“...”
The two of them were looking only at the ground, not even looking at each other.
...What the hell.
They could have focused on the match like that when I was there, too.
“Ah, you’re back?”
“...Yeah.”
Reluctantly sitting in the middle of those two again, in that uncomfortable seat...
“By the way. When is your day off?”
...Here we go again.
Was she resting her mouth until now for this?
The moment I sit, Kiena starts her barrage of questions again; now even I can’t just sit and listen quietly.
“Um, sorry, but.”
“Huh?”
“Can I watch the match? It’s an important match for me.”
“Ah, yeah! Watch! Did I bother you?”
“No... it’s not really that, but.”
I can’t bring myself to say yes, but she should get the hint at this point.
She’s not a bad kid, so she says she understands and finally closes her mouth a bit.
Truthfully, it wasn’t the time to be spouting such useless talk.
Well, the coach had spoken with an attitude that suggested he’d more or less given up.
But this was still the Coppa Italia quarterfinals, wasn’t it?
And since I was in the stands rather than on the bench, it was a time when I needed to cheer for my teammates even more.
Especially since teammates who don’t often get to play in matches were out there running.
“...Ah, if only they’d looked the other way.”
With great difficulty, I reclaim an environment where I can concentrate and start watching the match.
As I immerse myself in watching, I start muttering to myself, and when my teammates get the ball, I flinch as if I were the one touching it.
Then.
“...Hey.”
Jiu, who had been sitting quietly beside me, spoke.
“It’s 4-4-2, right?”
Is she talking about our team?
I nod and answer.
“Yeah.”
“Why 4-4-2 and not 4-3-3?”
“Hmm... well, it’s the coach’s decision, but...”
“You’re going to play a bit more defensively, right?”
“...How did you know?”
Surprised, I look at Jiu with wide eyes.
Then Jiu snorts and shrugs.
“Hey, I’ve been watching soccer for quite a while too? You think I wouldn’t know this much?”
“Then, do you also know why we’re playing defensively?”
“Huh? Uh... well, the opponents, you know, their defenders. Isn’t it because they’re a team with a high line?”
“What’s that got to do with it?”
“They push up high, so after defending, you strike behind them on the counter. Like when you played against Man City.”
...Since when does she know soccer this well?
Surprised anew, I nod.
Then Jiu shrugs as if this much is a piece of cake and smirks.
Well.
Jiu has been watching soccer because of me for almost two years now.
While I was at it, I opened up to Jiu about thoughts I’d been keeping to myself.
I’d been itching to talk about soccer, and having a friend who can understand what I’m saying, I couldn’t stay still.
“Look, over there. Only one person is isolated, and the rest are all on the left.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s a tactic called isolation.”
“Isolation?”
“Yeah. You drive the ball to one side like that... and now! Switch!”
“Ooh, great pass!”
Thinking Jiu would understand at least this much, I was explaining some of the advanced stuff.
I clench my fist as my teammates beautifully execute the tactic.
A pretty nice switch pass goes forward, and the attack continues through isolation with that pass.
“Ahh, what a shame!”
“It was still good.”
Although the attack didn’t lead to a goal.
It was a good attempt that followed the tactic we’d prepared well.
I explain with hand gestures, and Jiu nods as well.
“You get the intention, right? That’s how you set it up.”
“Yeah. You draw the players to one side, then bam! send it to the opposite side all at once to create space.”
“...You’re pretty smart, you.”
“Tch, you only just figured that out?”
Looking at Jiu in surprise again, Jiu tosses her hair back as if to say, “This is who I am.”
As expected, she’s simple-minded too.
Just earlier she seemed slightly uncomfortable, but after a bit of praise, she looks happy again right away.
So I was glad, too.
Well, if we’re talking about who’s more simple-minded... I’m even simpler.
“...”
By the way.
While we were talking about soccer, Kiena had fallen silent at some point.
I should keep talking about soccer.
< Uncomfortable -2 > End