Hikigaya carefully observed the changes in Komiya and Kondo's expressions and movements. He could clearly see that they were interested. At the same time, he also noticed the hesitation and concern in their eyes.
"Oh right, you've probably heard some rumors about an alumni basketball game happening in mid-August, haven't you?"
Switching topics, Hikigaya suddenly brought up something else.
Kondo seemed unaware, but Komiya had obviously heard something about it.
"You mean the game where graduates come back to play?"
"The details will be officially announced by your coach soon, so it's fine for me to tell you in advance. This event is specifically inviting alumni who are currently playing in the B1 League to come back and join a friendly match."
Hikigaya glanced at the two, who were clearly shocked by the news, then said calmly, "In other words, you'll have the chance to either play alongside or compete against professional players on the court."
Komiya and Kondo's eyes widened. Their faces were filled with excitement, even a bit of nervousness. But in the next second, Hikigaya's words hit them like a bucket of cold water.
"But you should also know that getting a chance to play won't be easy. The competition is tough. Do you really think you can beat the upperclassmen for a spot?"
Hikigaya looked at them with a faint smile.
"Of course, I still believe younger players should get more chances. Don't you think that makes sense?"
This alumni event had been around for a while, but the invited graduates changed every year. This time, both the basketball and soccer clubs were involved. Supposedly, since Japan's basketball and soccer teams had been doing well internationally in recent years, the school decided to take this event more seriously.
Hikigaya and senior Handa had been busy with the IH summer tournament, but one of their biggest tasks was also this alumni game. The student council was responsible for coordinating between the school clubs and the returning graduates.
Komiya and Kondo swallowed hard, their eyes burning with anticipation.
"H-How do we know you're telling the truth? You're not just messing with us, are you?"
Komiya couldn't help but ask, voicing Kondo's thoughts as well. What Hikigaya said was tempting, but what if he was just tricking them?
Just then, Komiya's phone rang. He wasn't planning to answer it at first, but when he saw the caller's name, he quickly picked up.
"Coach Aida! Yes… Huh? Me? Really?! Oh—okay! Thank you so much, Coach! I-I'll do my best! Kondo? Yeah, he's right here with me! Okay, I'll let him know! Thanks again! Goodbye!"
Even after the call ended, Komiya remained frozen in place, still processing what he just heard.
It wasn't until Kondo gave him a shake that he finally snapped out of it. Then, with excitement all over his face, he grabbed Kondo's arm and shouted in disbelief.
"The coach just said that I have great potential, so he added my name to the roster for the away games! Oh, and Kondo—your name is on the list too!!!"
Kondo was stunned for a moment before his eyes widened in shock.
Then, as if realizing something, both of them turned their gaze toward the dead-fish-eyed guy who was casually eating his bread.
Komiya hesitated for a moment but couldn't hold back his curiosity.
"Did you ask Coach Aida to put our names on the list? Aren't you afraid we might just take advantage of it and not keep our word?!"
Hikigaya swallowed the last bite of his bread and took a slow sip of his MAX coffee, looking completely at ease. But Komiya and Kondo didn't dare show any impatience—they could only wait.
"I don't have the power or influence to make the basketball team's head coach do whatever I want. We just had a simple discussion about a few things. As for the spots, I believe Coach Aida made his decision after careful consideration."
His words left no room for argument. It sounded as if Komiya and Kondo had earned their spots through their own efforts, with nothing to do with him.
If this had been before, they might have believed that. But now, they had only one thought in their minds—Hikigaya was definitely involved!
They already knew that besides the seven official spots, the remaining four travel spots had always gone to second- and third-year students. First-years like them had never stood a chance.
And yet, the sudden change in Coach Aida's attitude and the revised list of players? There was no way Hikigaya wasn't behind this.
"As for you saying I went back on my word, we never discussed any conditions from the start. So where does 'going back on my word' even come from?"
Hikigaya spoke calmly.
"Really?"
Komiya and Kondo clearly didn't believe him. They tested him, "So we can just leave now?"
"Go ahead."
The two exchanged glances, seeing the excitement in each other's eyes. They were secretly thrilled—what an idiot! They were getting something for nothing.
But just as they turned to leave, a quiet chuckle came from behind them.
"You… what are you laughing at?"
They could have ignored him and walked away, but for some reason, Komiya turned back.
"I just think you two are kind of cute."
Hikigaya was smiling, but his face was unexpectedly cold. "If you got on the list today, that means you can just as easily be taken off tomorrow. Don't you think?"
Their bodies instantly went cold. Even if they were slow to catch on, they understood the threat in his words.
Of course, they could gamble that Hikigaya wasn't powerful enough to follow through. But… sometimes, people aren't afraid of losing something they never had. What's terrifying is getting something, only to watch it slip away right in front of them.
To have hope dangled in front of you, only to have it cruelly snatched away—no one wanted to experience that kind of despair.
This was a rare chance that so many students dreamed of. Komiya and Kondo couldn't just let it go. Especially now that they had it in their grasp—there was no way they could afford to lose it. Wasting an opportunity like this was practically a crime.
They looked at each other, then turned to Hikigaya and spoke at the same time.
"What do you want us to do?"
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