Chapter 19: The Legend of MVP

“Hey, Asahi. Hina wants to go to your house, that’s fine with you, right?”

“Absolutely not.”

When I rejected his suggestion without hesitation, a frustrated voice leaked out from Chiaki.

Next to him was Hinami, who was pouting as a sign of protest.

Recently, during lunch break, I had been surrounded by Chiaki and Hinami more often than not.

It was not an unusual sight considering Asahi’s lack of friends, but even so, it was the first time that they had seen him with them for almost the whole day.

Every time they do, I get a really bad feeling about something, and today it seems something troublesome was going to happen.

“You don’t have to deny it that fast! I just want to go to your house, okay?”

“That’s right. Since I’m good, you don’t mind if Hina tags along, right?”

“…I’d hate that. Because when you guys are together you’re just gonna start flirting.”

“Eh, we can’t?”

“Of course not.”

“What’s up with that?” Chiaki asked, but even if I explained it to him, he wouldn’t be able to understand it anyway.

As they say love was blind, and even though I had gotten used to them flirting around, it was a different story if it happened at my home.

It would be h**l if I recall a scene where these two were making out on a corner of where I live, which should be a place of rest and relaxation.

“So then, it’s fine if it’s just me?”

“No.”

“It’s fine, right? Why is it not allowed?”

I can assure you that I have absolutely no disreputable feelings, but I’m not too keen on the act of inviting my friend’s girlfriend to my house.

In any case, when I refused, Chiaki started to join in from behind the complaining Hinami.

In contrast to Hinami, who had a natural side to her, and was not aware of anything, Chiaki was definitely aware of a lot of things and just taking advantage of the situation.

He must be enjoying the fact that Asahi was having trouble dealing with Hinami. If you look at Chiaki’s expression, you could see a hateful grin on his face.

“My house has nothing but games, you know? There’s nothing that will interest you, Hinami. Or what, are you also after for food like Chiaki?”

“Jackpot! I also want to try your home cooking, Asahi.”

“You already ate some the other day, right?”

“That was just a bento! I want something freshly made, a beef stew for starters!”

If she asked me like that, I would start to feel bad about refusing her outright.

I don’t mind inviting people over to my house, and I even enjoy cooking for them, especially when seeing them happily eating.

Still hesitating at Hinami’s request, because he just didn’t want to see them making out at his home.

On the other hand, as long as they don’t flirt, I don’t see any reason to refuse.

“…I’ll kick you out immediately as soon as you start making out with each other.”

“That means we can go, right? Chi-kun, I did it! I got permission!”

“That’s good. You said that you’ve always wanted to eat Asahi’s homemade food.”

When I reluctantly agreed to the sudden request, Hinami exaggeratedly raised her hands in joy and smiled as dazzling as the sun.

I’m not sure if she understands about no flirting, but I don’t feel bad if she’s that happy.

“As a thanks, I’ll give you the prize if I got MVP, Asahi!”

“You have at least heard that it’s just a legend, right?”

“Of course I know. It’s the one where if you give it to the person you love, it comes true.”

A special prize was given to the MVP of each event at the ball game that was coming up tomorrow.

Hinami said it quite simply, but the whole school had been talking about it lately, especially the girls.

To the extent that rumors about the “Ice Lady” would disappear.

“It’s alright. I’m going out with Chi-kun, so the legend won’t activate! It’ll only work if Asahi gives it to someone else.”

“So there was such a secret technique. Well, I don’t really care about the legend itself, since it’s a load of bunk.”

“Wow, you’re so blunt… If a girl hears that, she’ll cry or get angry, you know?”

“That’s right, Asahi, you’ll never be popular with girls if you keep talking like that.”

“Shut up. It’s none of your business.”

Although he received a relentless scolding, Asahi was not interested in legends, nor did he believe in them.

According to what I heard, the prize given to the MVP was a brooch with three roses on it, and it seems in flower language it meant confession, it was sublimated as a legend for love success.

“So, Hinami, are you confident you can get MVP? Basketball is a pretty fierce competition.”

“Mhm, I think I can get it. I was a bit afraid of Himuro-san, but it looks like she got injured.”

“I didn’t know Himuro was that great.”

“I also don’t know much about it, but I hear she’s as good as a player from the basketball team.”

“Hmm… Even a player from nationals says that much, huh?”

“Former to be exact, but I’ll do my best for you, Asahi!”

“Well, maybe I’ll do my best to win MVP for you too, Asahi.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t need two.”

Both Chiaki and Hinami were well known and famous in their respective sports in junior high school, so it didn’t sound like a joke when they said that they would take the MVP.

Having two would be more than just a waste of treasure.

However, Asahi thought about Hinami’s words.

‘Do they think that Himuro still can’t participate?’

The confrontation between Hinami and Fuyuka, which no one expected to happen at this point.　

Ignoring the couple who asked if he had decided who to give the brooch to, Asahi, who knew how Fuyuka’s injury was progressing, was secretly looking forward to the realization of a good card.