Cheeky Brat

I, Yuki, became the basketball team manager for one reason—I had a crush on the captain and wanted to be with him, always. But when Kido-senpai suddenly announced he got a girlfriend, where did that leave me? In the clubroom, crying my eyes out…until this cheeky brat of an underclassman showed up. And now that stupid, pretty playboy, Naruse, seems determined to wiggle his way into every corner of my life…

I, Yuki, became the basketball team manager for one reason—I had a crush on the captain and wanted to be with him, always. But when Kido-senpai suddenly announced he got a girlfriend, where did that leave me? In the clubroom, crying my eyes out…until this cheeky brat of an underclassman showed up. And now that stupid, pretty playboy, Naruse, seems determined to wiggle his way into every corner of my life…

I, Yuki, have no intention of admitting it. Never. The last thing I will ever do is plead guilty to the crime of maybe possibly having a soft spot for my cheeky playboy of an underclassman-who’s an absolute brat-Naruse. Speaking of which, instead of focusing on his strange grade school rivalry with this Shizuka guy, he needs to get his head in the game and focus on our qualifiers…!! Maybe I was expecting too much from him, after all…

I, Yuki, have no intention of admitting it. Never. The last thing I will ever do is plead guilty to the crime of maybe possibly having a soft spot for my cheeky playboy of an underclassman-who’s an absolute brat-Naruse. Speaking of which, instead of focusing on his strange grade school rivalry with this Shizuka guy, he needs to get his head in the game and focus on our qualifiers…!! Maybe I was expecting too much from him, after all…

Well, one of my problems has been solved, at least. The Naruse-leaving- the-team-to-practice-alone- because-he-didn’t-want-to-look-lame one. But that was so much easier to deal with than the Naruse-wants-me-to-say-Ilike-him or the Naruse-wants-me-to-be-his-girlfriend problem. And now we’re adding the Naruse-jealousy drama and the Hakamada-kun-not minding-his-own-business mess into the mix too?! Gimme a break already...

Well, one of my problems has been solved, at least. The Naruse-leaving- the-team-to-practice-alone- because-he-didn’t-want-to-look-lame one. But that was so much easier to deal with than the Naruse-wants-me-to-say-Ilike-him or the Naruse-wants-me-to-be-his-girlfriend problem. And now we’re adding the Naruse-jealousy drama and the Hakamada-kun-not minding-his-own-business mess into the mix too?! Gimme a break already...

Huh?! Who’s dating whom now? I said I’d think about it. And how exactly does he go from “I’ll come watch your games” to “I’ll be your girlfriend”? Stupid jerk even told the entire basketball team that he’s going out with a third-year. Between those rumors and running into Hakamada-kun—and therefore having to deal with pouty Naruse— everything’s driving me up the wall! Why am I even considering this whole thing...?

Huh?! Who’s dating whom now? I said I’d think about it. And how exactly does he go from “I’ll come watch your games” to “I’ll be your girlfriend”? Stupid jerk even told the entire basketball team that he’s going out with a third-year. Between those rumors and running into Hakamada-kun—and therefore having to deal with pouty Naruse— everything’s driving me up the wall! Why am I even considering this whole thing...?

We already made it through two days without any Naruse-related incidents (or at least any public ones), so if he could just hang on for one more day ! But of course that rug rat is starting to get all antsy—being super-touchyfeely, saying whatever he wants... Doesn’t he realize that being around the team will become ultra-awkward if we start dating? I do have to admit, though, I might kind of sort of be thinking about it—after I leave the team, obviously...

We already made it through two days without any Naruse-related incidents (or at least any public ones), so if he could just hang on for one more day ! But of course that rug rat is starting to get all antsy—being super-touchyfeely, saying whatever he wants... Doesn’t he realize that being around the team will become ultra-awkward if we start dating? I do have to admit, though, I might kind of sort of be thinking about it—after I leave the team, obviously...

Huh?! What does he even mean?! Stupid brat!! First he doesn’t push that girl away—after she kissed him—and now he’s saying THAT?? While eating squid? I mean, I know I’m the one who’s been avoiding talking to him head-on, and I did tell him to wait three months, but I was getting there, okay? Ugh, and as if that wasn’t enough to deal with, what was going on with Hakamada-kun at the festival...?

Huh?! What does he even mean?! Stupid brat!! First he doesn’t push that girl away—after she kissed him—and now he’s saying THAT?? While eating squid? I mean, I know I’m the one who’s been avoiding talking to him head-on, and I did tell him to wait three months, but I was getting there, okay? Ugh, and as if that wasn’t enough to deal with, what was going on with Hakamada-kun at the festival...?

The Winter Cup qualifiers are right around the corner. There’s still so much to do, though—gotta make sure the team’s ready, then there’s the school festival, and studying for entrance exams...How the heck do I keep my vow to balance school, the club, and my love life?!

The Winter Cup qualifiers are right around the corner. There’s still so much to do, though—gotta make sure the team’s ready, then there’s the school festival, and studying for entrance exams...How the heck do I keep my vow to balance school, the club, and my love life?!

Urrrrgh! Hakamada-kun crushed our dream of winning the Winter Cup, so my tenure as the basketball team’s manager is over…But that just means it’s time for the next phase of my life—exam season. And now, because Naruse’s been busy with his new captaincy and I’ve been swamped with studying, I hardly ever see him anymore. I kind of mi—No, get a grip! Well, I guess if that cheeky brat insists, then maybe, just maaaybe, we can go on our first official date…

Urrrrgh! Hakamada-kun crushed our dream of winning the Winter Cup, so my tenure as the basketball team’s manager is over…But that just means it’s time for the next phase of my life—exam season. And now, because Naruse’s been busy with his new captaincy and I’ve been swamped with studying, I hardly ever see him anymore. I kind of mi—No, get a grip! Well, I guess if that cheeky brat insists, then maybe, just maaaybe, we can go on our first official date…

Um…when exactly is this next train coming? I really, really need to make it to my entrance exams on time. Hakamada-kun’s here too? And now, geez, he ended up saving my bacon. Note to self: thank him later. But for some reason, Naruse’s starting to whine about how I always ask Hakamada-kun for help instead of him. Doesn’t he know how much I need him?! Oh, wait……… Haaaah, I can’t believe I’ll be graduating in the next few months and I won’t be able to see Naruse every day anymore. You can do it, me! Pull yourself together and just tell him already!

Um…when exactly is this next train coming? I really, really need to make it to my entrance exams on time. Hakamada-kun’s here too? And now, geez, he ended up saving my bacon. Note to self: thank him later. But for some reason, Naruse’s starting to whine about how I always ask Hakamada-kun for help instead of him. Doesn’t he know how much I need him?! Oh, wait……… Haaaah, I can’t believe I’ll be graduating in the next few months and I won’t be able to see Naruse every day anymore. You can do it, me! Pull yourself together and just tell him already!

What does he MEAN “that wasn’t nearly enough”?! Well, it is true that between my part-time job and classes and getting dragged into stuff with the college basketball club, it’s been a lot harder to find time to just BE together, but…I’m really trying, okay?! Speaking of the basketball club, turns out that weird flirty guy at the park is also my coworker and a club member—seriously hope he and Naruse never meet because it’d be AWK-WAAARD…

What does he MEAN “that wasn’t nearly enough”?! Well, it is true that between my part-time job and classes and getting dragged into stuff with the college basketball club, it’s been a lot harder to find time to just BE together, but…I’m really trying, okay?! Speaking of the basketball club, turns out that weird flirty guy at the park is also my coworker and a club member—seriously hope he and Naruse never meet because it’d be AWK-WAAARD…

Well, I guess he sort of has a point, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready for…whatever! After all, it’s so embarrassing and, like, yes I want to be a good girlfriend, but what does that even MEAN?! I’m not the team manager anymore, so I can’t really support him the way I used to…And even though Naruse was weirdly right about Hakamada-kun, I have to make sure he knows I still like him more than anyone else in the universe…

Well, I guess he sort of has a point, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready for…whatever! After all, it’s so embarrassing and, like, yes I want to be a good girlfriend, but what does that even MEAN?! I’m not the team manager anymore, so I can’t really support him the way I used to…And even though Naruse was weirdly right about Hakamada-kun, I have to make sure he knows I still like him more than anyone else in the universe…

Okay, sooo…guess the cat’s out of the bag now. Everyone and their mother knows that I’m his girlfriend, thanks to his announcement to a TV reporter! Which means all the basketball guys have questions upon questions, and it’s very, very aaaawkwaaaard. Still, they don’t seem too upset, and we are going to Nationals, so that counts for something, right? Meanwhile, as time marches on and Naruse’s entrance exams come to a close, I’m starting to think that maybe—just maybe—we should celebrate it by, um…

Okay, sooo…guess the cat’s out of the bag now. Everyone and their mother knows that I’m his girlfriend, thanks to his announcement to a TV reporter! Which means all the basketball guys have questions upon questions, and it’s very, very aaaawkwaaaard. Still, they don’t seem too upset, and we are going to Nationals, so that counts for something, right? Meanwhile, as time marches on and Naruse’s entrance exams come to a close, I’m starting to think that maybe—just maybe—we should celebrate it by, um…

I just remembered how amazing it is...to go to school and know you’ll be there. That. Was. So nerve-racking! I mean, I’m glad it happened, and it’s not as though I didn’t like it, but...pull yourself together, Yuki! You can survive a hot springs trip with your boyfriend! Wait, why the heck is the rest of the team here?! Yeah, I’m not sure I’m ready for a second round, but, well—this was supposed to be OUR romantic getaway, not a graduation trip. Or...is this his way of saying he’s over me?