NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: <31> That Uncle
Chapter 31: That Uncle
"Bang!"
"Hmm? Did I fall asleep? That hurts."
Sitting at the desk, Sendo suddenly slammed the table and jolted awake, realizing that he had fallen asleep at his desk last night, and he felt his hand aching.
"I remember that last night, Fumino must have fallen asleep at the table. And what did I do? I..." At this thought, Sendo suddenly broke into a sweat.
"Did I really fall asleep just looking at Fumino's face?" Then he blushed slightly.
"In other words... No way! No way! No way! I'm not a perverted lolicon, it's just that she's a little cute..."
"So did I fall asleep feeling happy? Isn't that perverted?" Sendo suddenly exclaimed emotionally while talking to himself.
"Is it? Or is it not?..."
"It should, probably, definitely not be, right? Loving cute and beautiful things is human nature. That's right... human nature!!!"
"Phew! It's great that I'm not a pervert!" It's hard to imagine the usually calm and composed Sendo having such a moment.
Should we call it cute or say he's just concerned about this?
"What's this? My blanket? That Fumino, huh? Hmph!" It was at this moment that Sendo noticed the blanket on him and finally smiled contentedly as he relaxed...
"Wait! Why does my blanket smell like this? This scent... it's undoubtedly Fumino's scent."
"You're still a child! A young girl! You're only 13 years old! Why are boys and girls in Japan maturing so early? Just kidding! But..." The last sentence was completely a joke.
"Fumino Furuhashi!!! What did you do while I was asleep?" This shout was loud enough for Fumino downstairs to hear clearly!
"What did he say you did? What did you do, huh? Did you pull any pranks on him?" Wakana asked humorously.
Fumino merely stuck out her tongue playfully without replying.
"Didn't expect this side of him."
"That's just how he is!"
"So the calmness he shows in front of us is an act?" Wakana teased Fumino.
"Not exactly. How do I put it? When he's serious, he's dependable, calm, steady, reliable, decisive! But when he's alone, he's this cute type!"
"I see." Although Wakana didn't fully understand, she could vaguely sense some personality traits, though she couldn't quite describe them.
"So, what exactly did you do?"
"I'm not telling you!"
"Okay then!"
"Phew!" Fumino blushed and sighed a breath of relief.
Both Sendo and Fumino are somewhat not straightforward personalities.
Fumino, besides being incredibly naive, is at times very sensitive, being a literature genius with delicate emotions, though she can't see things clearly up close.
"Alright, I have to go join Eijun and the others for training." Wakana said to Fumino after tidying the kitchen.
"Oh, sorry, I was too clumsy to be of much help!"
"Don't say that. Everyone has things they're good or not good at. Also, you work hard at your studies too. I'm heading out now!"
"Thank you, Wakana!" Fumino thought to herself as she continued reading.
....
"How long have you been watching?" Sendo, having just gotten dressed and come downstairs, asked casually, not quite sure what to say.
"If you include before dinner, about three hours!"
"I see, you're really working hard!"
"Without talent, I can only rely on hard work!"
"That's true! Sometimes, I really admire you, Fumino! My willpower is nowhere near yours! Keep it up!"
"Mm!" Fumino brushed her hair lightly and responded, clearly pleased by Sendo's compliment.
"So, why does my blanket smell like you?" The topic shifted so quickly it was unexpected.
"Uh..." Fumino was at a loss for words.
"What? What? How did it suddenly get to this? Did I, thinking he was cute while sleeping, sneak a hug from his back?"
"Absolutely not ヽ(≧Д≦)ノ! What should I do?" She panicked inwardly!
"Could it be..."
"Anyway, I'm sorry!" Fumino instantly dropped to her knees, trembling.
"Huh? I didn't expect you really sprayed your perfume on my blanket as a prank?"
"Don't say it out loud...!" Fumino's body shook on the ground, thinking.
"Ah?" Fumino suddenly looked up at Sendo.
"Eh? Wasn't it?" Sendo was a bit confused too!
"No, that's it! Anyway, sorry!" Fumino immediately prostrated herself on the floor again.
"Alright! I'm hungry, where's breakfast?"
"In the kitchen!"
"So, keep it up!" With that, Sendo headed towards the kitchen to heat up breakfast.
"That scared me, it's good he misunderstood."
What Fumino didn't see was the smile on Sendo's face as he turned away. He really didn't know what happened, and he was just giving them both a way out and defining the situation for the moment.
As for what actually happened, although curious, if Fumino didn't want to say, Sendo wouldn't force it. The matter was temporarily put on hold.
"She's really cute!" Sendo thought to himself in the kitchen.
Fumino, despite being a literature genius, is actually skilled at reading people and a bit mischievous, easily embarrassed.
However, it seems like Sendo is her weakness. He's better at observing and never shows his true feelings on the surface.
Training went on as usual, but Sendo didn't appear in the small training area in the afternoon as he planned to meet Coach Nakani.
At two in the afternoon, Sendo showed up at the Wildcats' baseball field but did not go in. He watched the players train while reminiscing about the time spent there.
"No matter how many years have passed, the Wildcats are still the Wildcats, not much has changed! But already there's some white hair? that uncle" Sendo thought, watching the players and Coach Nakani on the side.
Indeed, the Wildcats are still the absolute rulers of Kanto, with an impregnable defense and adaptability, each player having a style and technique that suits them.
This is the level of a major league coach.
Those who understand the Wildcats know that Coach Nakani tailors different advice and guidance to each player's characteristics, allowing them to grow rapidly in just a few years and even directing their future paths for improvement upon retirement.
For instance, suggesting types of breaking balls for junior high pitchers, or advising on pitches and methods after a sudden growth spurt.
Because of this dedication, except in cases where potential suddenly runs out or various other situations occur, the Wildcats' main players who mature normally are highly sought after by Tokyo's top high schools.
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