Chapter 4 – Basketball, Brawls, & Blood

Monday came along and I was about to experience what Gym is like in the city. Back home, "Gym" was basically us tending the school garden, feeding the animals, and stuff like that. It was okay, and we often kept whatever fruit or veggies we grew. But I've been anxious to find out what an actual Gym class is like. Especially if they have that one thing.

"So I heard that we're playing Basketball today." Chinastu said.

Basketball?! Aw, yeah!

"Geez. I hope that I actually get picked for a team this time." Akari said. "Even though I'm not really good at it, I still want to play."

"Yeah, me too."

"Basketball, huh?"

"You've played it before, Sachiko?" Akari asked me.

"Yeah. I used to play a lot back home with my friends. We even made our own team."

"Wow. You think you can teach us how to play?" Chinastu asked.

"H-Huh? Teach you? Uh…"

"Will you let go of me?!"

"As if! I can't stand how perfect you look! Always flaunting around like you're pretty and stuff! You're such a show-off!

The three of us looked over to see two other girls having an argument over…well…I actually can't tell. There's this dark blonde girl clinging to this blue-haired girl…trying to grab her chest?

I wasn't sure if I should be worried, creeped out, or just straight up confused.

"Hey! Cut it out, you two!" Chinastu yelled at the two.

"But she started it!" The blonde yelled.

"All I wanted was to borrow a shirt cause I left mine at home. And then here she is throwing a fit over my chest again." The blue-haired girl said.

"Wait, this is normal?" I asked Akari.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"It wouldn't be normal if Boob-chan here didn't show-off her jugs all the time!" The blonde yelled. "You guys agree with me, right?"

"No." Chinastu said.

"It's none of my business." Akari said.

"I have no idea what's going on." I said.

"*whine*"

"Anyway…sorry you had to see that, Sachiko. These two fight all the time." Chinastu said.

"Really? All the time?"

"Even though they tend to hang out with each other." Akari added.

…

"I don't get it."

"It's kinda complicated." The blue-haired girl said. "By the way, my name is Himawari Furutani."

"And I'm Sakurako Ohmuro! The most likable girl in the whole school! Nice to meet ya, Sachiko!" The blonde cheered.

"Look who's showing off now…" Himawari said under her breath.

"I see. Well, nice to meet you both, Himawari and Sakurako." I said.

"Hey. Are you girls done, yet? The others are waiting for you." Our teacher scolded us.

"Y-Yes, Sensei." We all said as we watched her leave the room.

"We should hurry up, then." Akari said.

"Right." We all agreed.

*ONE CHANGING SESSION LATER…*

"Woah…so this is a gym?" I asked as the five of us walked inside the school's gymnasium.

"Uh…yeah." Chinastu said. "You're saying you've never been to one?"

"No, not really. My school didn't have one. In fact, we didn't exactly have a Gym class."

"No Gym class?!" Sakurako yelled. "Geez, I get that you're from the country! But I didn't think you spent all day messing around with vegetables!"

"It wasn't all day, Sakurako. Maybe like…2-3 hours."

"What?! That's WAY too long!"

"Maybe. But it was worth it. Got to keep all the stuff I grew. Flowers, fruits, veggies…"

"A-And you actually EAT that stuff?"

"Well, they are food."

"Not to me! Those things are gross!"

"And yet, you keep complaining about your size." Himawari said.

"Like you're one to talk, Boob-chan!"

Boob-chan?

"I keep telling you to stop calling me that!"

"Why? It suits you really well!"

"Why you little…"

"Hey! Furutani-san! Ohmuro-san! Stop yelling and pay attention!" The coach yelled.

"Y-Yes, Sensei!" They both said. I heard Akari and Chinastu laugh at little next to me. I kept silent, fearing that it'll only make it worse.

"Now then. As you all know, this week is basketball. First off, let's practice 1-on-1. Who wants to volunteer?"

"Ooh, ooh, ooh! Over here! Pick me, teach! Pick me, pick me, pick ME!"

"*sigh* Yes! I see you, Ohmura-san! Just get over here!"

"Yay!"

"Unbelievable." Himawari said as we watch Sakurako head up to center court.

"Alright. Who else wants to volunteer?"

"Hey, Sachiko. Didn't you say that you played basketball back home?" Akari whispered to me.

"Yeah."

"Oh, yeah. Right." Chinastu said. "Go on up there, Sachiko. We could learn from how you play."

"I wouldn't mind seeing that. Maybe give Sakurako a taste of her own medicine." Himawari said.

"Well…I guess I could give it a shot."

"Yes! Thanks a bunch, Sachiko!" Chinastu said.

I smiled a little as I faced the front of the court and raised my hand.

"I'll do it, Sensei."

"Ah. You're the transfer student. Ichiko-san, right? Alright. Let's see what you got."

I got up from the bleachers and joined Sakurako on center court. She smiled and gave me a thumbs up and I returned the same to her.

"Alright, girls. Listen up." The coach told us. "First to 3 wins. Standard rules apply. Ohmura-san, you start off." She handed the ball over to Sakurako and blew the whistle.

"*giggle* Don't worry, Sachiko. Since we're friends, I'll go easy on ya…"

*swipe*

"H-Huh?"

While she was talking, I took the ball from her and ran towards the end of the court. Shooting the ball into the basket, sensually making a 3-pointer.

"Whoa…" I heard the other girls in our class say in amazement.

"H-Hey!" Sakurako whined.

"Sorry, Sakurako. I just saw an opening and I took it."

"Nice play, Ichiko-san." The coach said. "Alright. You start next round." I was handed the ball and started dribbling it as I stood in front of Sakurako, who was blocking my path.

"Tch. You're good." Sakurako said to me. "Forget what I said about going easy. Show me your moves, Sachiko!"

Did she really just say that?

"Alright." I said. I started to plan out my path to the basket. Then, when the time was right, dodged Sakurako's attempts to steal the ball and headed for the end of the court. Making another 3-pointer in the process.

"Woah!" The class shouted.

"Alright, that's enough." The coach said.

"B-But teach! I still got another shot!" Sakurako complained.

"Yeah, but I've seen enough. You were still holding back were you, Ichiko-san?"

"Yeah. I was."

"Just as to be expected from a legend like you."

"Legend?" The class asked.

*INSERT CLASSIC JAPANESE SCHOOL BELL CHIME HERE*

"Alright. Gym's over. You girls go on and change."

As the coach walked away from us and the other girls went to go change, Akari, Chinastu, and Himawari met up with us on the court.

"S-Sachiko…what did Sensei mean by "a legend like you"?" Chinastu asked.

"Hehhehheh…yeah, about that. When I said that I used to play basketball back home, I kinda left out the part where our team went to nationals."

"What?!" The four girls shouted.

"T-To nationals?!" Himawari asked.

"Yeah. Although we didn't win. We managed to get to 3rd place."

"Y-Yeah, but 3rd place in the nation! Why didn't you bring that up?!" Akari asked.

"Sorry. I just wanted to start fresh, you know? A girl from a small town in the country moving to the big city. No one was going to treat me normally if I just bragged about going to the Basketball National Championships. So I left that part out. I didn't mean to lie to you guys."

"No. We understand."

"I would've done the same thing." Chinastu said.

"So I guess you're secret's out now, huh?" Himawari asked.

"Yeah, pretty much. Pretty sure everyone's going to want to know as well."

"Well, let them know!" Sakurako cheered as she wrapped her arm around my neck. "Cause now they get to know about my brand-new rival!"

"R-Rival?!" I asked in shock. "B-But I thought we were friends, Sakurako!"

"Oh, we are. It's just that I can't let you have this win. Let's see if you can keep up with me, Sachiko Ichiko."

After thinking about what she said, I grew a smirk on my face and wrapped my arm around Sakurako's neck.

"Alright. You're on, Sakurako Ohmura."

"Maybe now you'll get a break, Himawari." Akari said to her.

"Thank the everlasting Gods." She mumbled to herself.

After school came by and both Akari and Chinastu had somehow convinced me to go with them to the Amusement Club again. I did say that I would think about joining. But in all honesty…I forgot. I didn't tell them that, though. They seem really passionate about me joining this club.

Right now, we were telling Yui and Kyouko what I told Akari, Chinastu, Himawari, and Sakurako during Gym today. And like them, they were shocked as well.

"Really? To nationals?" Yui asked.

"Yeah. Even though we got eliminated during the semi-finals, we still felt like we won. I know that sounds cheesy, but we were 12 at the time."

"I see."

"Woah! So we have an all-star basketball player in our club!" Kyouko cheered. "With this, the Amusement Club will be well-known across the school!"

"Hey. Pipe down." Yui said to her.

"W-Well, I wouldn't say "all-star"." I said while rubbing the back of my head. "Professional, maybe."

"Oh, come on. Stop doubting yourself, Sachiko. You're really good." Chinastu said.

"Yeah. You managed to get Sakurako off of Himawari's back for a while." Akari added.

"Wow. You did that? I'm impressed, Sachiko." Yui said.

"Aw, geez." I started to blush a little. "All of this praise is actually a little too…"

"TOSHINIO KYOUKO!"

…

…

What?

We all looked at the door to see a purple-haired girl standing at the entrance. The facial expression she had right now really gave off a serious and somewhat scary aura.

"Pardon the intrusion." Behind her was another girl with white hair and glasses. She also gave a scary aura. But for a different reason. I'm not sure what, though.

"Hiya, Ayano. How can I help ya?" Kyouko asked.

"D-Don't give me that! Y-You know exactly why I'm here! You didn't turn in the handout from earlier!"

"Oh, yeah. That. Can't you give me just a little more time? Please?"

"B-But I…I already gave you extra time last week and…"

"Please, Ayano. I'll give you a special edition of the next Mirakurun."

"*moan* O-Okay fine."

"Yay!"

"B-But don't get any ideas. I-It's not like I like reading your stories or anything."

"As you wish, Ayano-sama!"

…

…

"Uh…what just happened?" I asked. Completely lost from that entire conversation.

"Oh. Sorry, Sachiko." Kyouko said. "This right here is the student council president, the great and powerful Ayano-sama!"

"Ayano-sama?"

"U-Use my real name, Toshinio Kyouko!" The girl yelled at her. Then turned to face me. "My name is Ayano Sugiura. And yes, I am the student council president. You're…Sachiko Ichiko, right?"

"Yes. That's me."

"Nice to meet you, Ichiko-san." The white-haired girl said. "I'm Chitose Ikeda, a member of the student council."

"Nice to meet you both."

I guess…

"That being said, I took a look at your file. Are you really from Hakone?" Ayano asked.

"Yep. Born and raised."

"I've heard how peaceful that area is. I've always wanted to go there myself. Mainly for the hot springs."

"Oh, yes. They are relaxing. So much so, you can fall asleep in it. Although you really shouldn't."

"Ooh. Ayano wants to experience Hakone's hot springs. You don't mind me tagging along, do you?" Kyouko asked.

"Wh-Wh-Wh-What?! I-I-I-I-I…uh…" Ayano went silent as started to blush a lot.

"Hahahaha. Ayano and Kyouko at the hot spring together. What a nice view." Chitose said while she bled from her nose…

Wait…

"Sh-She's bleeding!" I started to panic.

"Yeah, that happens a lot." Akari said as she gave a tissue to Chitose.

"Thank you, Akari…" Chitose said while still in a woozy state.

"Uh…why does that happen a lot?"

"It's best not to know." Yui said. And I took her word for it.

"Well, I should be going. I gotta stop at the store to pick up dinner."

"Wait, Sachiko. Have you thought about it yet?" Chinastu asked me.

Right. That.

"Thought of what?" Ayano asked.

"Sachiko's our newest member of the Amusement Club." Kyouko said.

"She hasn't decided yet." Yui reminded her.

"Really? You plan on joining this club?" Ayano asked me. "It's not official."

"Yeah, I know." I then went silent while thinking about this really hard. "But…"

"But…" Everyone asked.

"…I gotta admit, talking with you guys is rather fun."

"So…"

"…Okay. I'll join."

"Yay!" Akari, Chinastu, and Kyouko cheered as they rushed over to hug me. All of them hugging me at the same time was rather uncomfortable. Especially Kyouko. Girl has some serious grip.

"G-Guys! I-I can't…breathe!"

"Oops. Sorry, Sachiko." Akari said.

"Alright, then." Ayano said. "You'll have to come by tomorrow to fill out a sheet. You don't mind, do you?"

"Sure. I got time."

"Great! See you tomorrow, new club member!" Kyouko cheered.

"See ya."

I left the (really spacious) clubroom and started heading home. Feeling really excited about the many days to come with these weird new friends of mine.

Life in the city is going to be crazier than I thought.

Final Thought: Geez. What a day. Not only did my class find out that I'm a pro basketball player, but I joined the oddly-named Amusement Club. Now I wonder what else can happen while I'm here. Anyway, thank you for reading along. I hope you come back soon. Bye now!