NOVEL NEXT chapter 12
12. Chance Time
The first period math and second period English went according to my plans.
Today, just like yesterday, the teachers who were trying to bully me into being absent from school were at it again. I answered their questions without difficulty, continuing to behave in a manner that was exemplary for a student, which was hardly fitting for a delinquent character.
Even on the second day after my reincarnation, the reactions from those around me remained unchanged, but this accumulation would surely have a positive effect.
And just before the third period physical education class began, I was changing into my gym clothes while glancing at Kizaki Reo from a distance.
His silver hair shone brightly, and he was chatting with classmates, wearing a refreshing smile that made quite a picture. And the protagonist, Fusegawa Raito, was unusually acting alone.
There were no heroines nearby. The girls were scheduled to do track and field outside, so they were not in the gym, meaning there was no possibility for a rom-com development at this moment.
I also thought the likelihood of an event occurring with my best friend, Kizaki Reo, was low. By the time I spoke to him before class, the conversation event with my best friend had already concluded, and there was no need for further depiction between the two.
And the physical education class was basketball. It was the sport that Kizaki Reo excelled in the most, and the chance for the ordinary athlete Fusegawa Raito to shine was almost zero. Moreover, since the heroines weren’t present, there was no reason for the protagonist to excel from a rom-com perspective either.
It really seemed like the development was going according to the original. This third period physical education class was a scene that was completely unnecessary for the story, treated as a time that would skip over the description with gaps in the lines. Until the next event, the swimsuit episode, there was absolutely no chance for any developments in the story.
In fact, right now, Fusegawa Raito was virtually a background character.
Even as the protagonist who stands at the center of the world and shines in a rom-com, during this time when no events are occurring, he was not much different from other mob characters. The spotlight reserved for the protagonist had also been turned off.
That prediction turned out to be correct.
After moving to the gymnasium, I was able to approach Reo Kizaki without anyone interrupting me.
The development from here is not in the original work. This part was never depicted in the story, and whether I can become friends with Reo Kizaki entirely depends on my communication skills. This is the moment to give it my all.
I steeled myself and spoke to Reo Kizaki.
“Uh, hey. You’re Kizaki, right?”
“You’re, um, Shindo, right? Do you need something from me?”
As I nervously called out to him, Reo Kizaki showed a hint of surprise before correctly guessing my name.
To think he remembers the name of someone who has been skipping school and hasn’t been in class… He really is the sharp-witted best friend character. Though, to be fair, it’s also possible that I skipped so much that he remembered my name—let’s put that aside for now.
“I feel a bit bad for suddenly talking to you after just coming back to school yesterday, but I actually have a little favor to ask.”
“I was surprised too when you suddenly showed up at school. But you’ve been taking the classes very seriously, and you answer any questions the teachers throw at you easily. I’ve actually been quite curious about you. I’m happy that you’re the one initiating the conversation.”
Reo Kizaki replied with a refreshing smile.
His response was surprisingly positive. Perhaps the fact that I had attended classes properly yesterday and today paid off. I don’t feel any narrative pressure; this might actually go well.
Seizing the opportunity, I continued the conversation relying on the information I had learned about Reo Kizaki from the original work.
“Actually, while I’ve been skipping school, I’ve been keeping up with my studies. Well… more importantly, about my request. I was hoping to be on the same basketball team as you today.”
“With me? Sure, I don’t mind. But I’m curious, why me?”
“Well, you’re a regular on the basketball team since your first year, right? I heard you were the ace who performed well in the prefectural tournament back in middle school. I thought that practicing with you would be a good way to improve my basketball skills. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d appreciate it.”
“I see. You want to get better at basketball. If you want to practice with me, I’d be more than happy to help. By the way, what position do you hope to play?”
“Hmm… For now, I think I’ll decide after watching your movements. I don’t know anything yet.”
“I see. Then let’s think about it while we practice together. Let’s do our best, Shindo.”
Wow, I’m impressed by his communication skills. Even during our first conversation, where I come off as tough and delinquent, he responds with a smile without any sign of fear. He has a great demeanor and a gentle manner.
And above all, he doesn’t pry too deeply into why I approached him. He truly excels at communicating with others; this is precisely the behavior befitting a protagonist’s best friend character.
Thinking about what to do after shedding my villain role, I must also learn from him to improve my communication skills.
While I was pondering this, the gym teacher appeared, and we quickly lined up to start the physical education class.
First, we did a light jog around the gym, followed by some stretching exercises. After that, we practiced passing and shooting, and then it seemed we would decide teams and start a game.
Reo Kizaki stayed close and taught me during the passing and shooting practice. He carefully instructed me on everything from how to dribble to how to hold the ball.
I couldn’t help but seriously think about how nice it would have been if someone like him had been in my class in my previous life.
As I continued practicing with Reo Kizaki, the gym teacher blew the whistle. It seemed it was time to progress to a game format for the lesson.
The team selection wasn’t done randomly; the gym teacher chose a leader for each group, and that leader selected members from among the classmates. Of course, Reo Kizaki, a regular on the basketball team, was among the students chosen as leaders.
While they aimed to make the team selection as fair as possible, Reo Kizaki immediately chose me, keeping the promise he made before class started.
“Alright, Shindo-kun, you’re on my team. Let’s do our best together.”
“Yeah, I look forward to working with you, Kizaki.”
—
After the selection of members was complete, Rei Kizaki handed me a bib of the same color, flashing a refreshing smile as he gave my shoulder a light pat and headed towards the court.
As the protagonist, Yorito Fusegawa found himself assigned to a team filled with background characters, especially since he wasn’t in the spotlight at the moment. This was my chance.
I would use this time to get closer to Rei Kizaki—my heart raced with nervous excitement as I stepped onto the court where he was waiting.