"Haaaahh. I can already feel that summer is coming."
A girl with long brown hair tied up in a bun commented, fanning her face while hiding in the shade of a tree. She was wearing a shirt with the characters for manager written on the back.
"Yuko, won't we get in trouble for sitting around and doing nothing like this?"
Next to her was a budding woman with long and sleek black hair tied neatly in a ponytail. Her blue eyes seemed worried as she voiced her anxiety.
"Ai, you should know by now that Yuko doesn't care since she's in her final year of high school. I'm sure she never even wanted to be a manager to begin with"
To her left, another teen appeared and handed them both a drink from the vending machine. She had a warm smile on her face with cute dimples that accentuated her cuteness.
"But Kaori, why would she even join if she didn't want to be a manager?"
Both Kaori and Yuko turned their attention to the newest manager, a knowing smile forming on their faces.
"Oh you know, the same reason as you." Yuko replied, sending a wink her way.
Ai's face reddened, however she tried to play it cool. "W-What do you mean? I'm here so I can support the team on the way to nationals."
Despite saying so, her large blue eyes betrayed her lie.
"Hey don't go and insult our intelligence girl." Kaori moved closer and nudged her gently with her elbow.
"We all know that you're here too look at a certain boy." She said with hint of playfulness and teasing in her tone.
Was she that obvious?
Thinking back to all the times she'd been looking at Ken throughout training made her embarrassment even worse. She quickly held her hands in her face, feeling it heat up.
Seeing this, both Kaori and Yuko giggled. Their favorite past time was to tease their cute little junior.
However there was no malice, no bad intentions.
Yuko let out a deep sigh. "Two full years I've watched Yuta from the sidelines, yet nothing has happened. He is so friendly and approachable, yet he always seems to keep me at arms length."
Ai tilted her head, not expecting the sudden confession from her Senpai. She took another look at Yuko and evaluated her.
She was cute with deep green eyes hidden behind glasses, and shapely with a large bosom. Even Ai who had gone through significant growth in the past couple of years could not compare, making her feel a little envious.
'If Yuko had no success with someone she's been pursuing for two years, then what chance do I have?' She thought inwardly.
Kaori let out a sigh also, however it wasn't full of resignation, it was more like admiration. Her eyes were on the two second year twins who were dashing around the agility drills.
"Jun… He's just so cool." She murmured.
Yuko looked at the cute girl and couldn't help but bonk her on the head.
"Ah! What was that for Yuko!?" Small tears formed on the corner of her eyes, making her look like a cute puppy.
Yuko huffed, "Why are you even entertaining those Aoyama twins. Don't you know they're players?"
Hearing such blasphemy, Kaori puffed out her cheeks and instantly came to her crush's defense. "Jun is not like that! His brother is the one who dates everyone in school, Jun is a little shy despite being an identical twin."
"Ah… Sorry." Yuko recognized her mistake and quickly apologized.
Their antics seemed to amuse Ai who let out a chuckle, covering her mouth to not make it obvious.
However, this did not work. The laugh got the attention of the two other managers.
"Oho. You can afford to laugh young lady?"
Ai felt an aura surrounding both the women, making her regret her actions.
She panicked, quickly bowing her head to apologize. However, the two laughed shortly after at her cute reactions. Ai was pulled into a hug, feeling the warmth and camaraderie that she wasn't used to.
"By the way, why do you even need to chase after guys? I heard you've already been confessed to 3 times in the first month of high school." Kaori asked Ai.
"What!? 3 times already?" Yuko was shocked, feeling her own inadequacy hit her hard. It was a devastating blow.
Unaware of the crisis Yuko was currently experiencing, Ai's face turned a little sour.
"I didn't know any of those people who confessed… What could they possibly know about me that would drive them to confess? My looks?" Ai scoffed, feeling a little vulnerable.
She turned towards Ken who was in the middle of pitching in the bullpen. His sharp jawline and serious expression spoke of how dedicated he was to improving his craft.
Ai didn't know why, but a big part of her wished to support him in any way she could. But she was afraid of distracting him, which was why she kept her distance, cheering him on from afar.
Both Kaori and Yuko looked at each other, seemingly understanding each other without words. They couldn't help but want to root for Ai.
"Hang in there Ai!" Kaori said, puffing air out of her nose.
"Yeah, keep working hard until he's forced to notice you." Yuko added, clenching her fist and holding it out.
Ai turned her head after hearing such words of encouragement, not expecting such a thing.
"You guys…"
"Mmm I'll do my best." She said, a beautiful smile creeping onto her face.
Ken who was on the mound in the bullpen suddenly felt as if he had eyes drilling into the side of his face. He quickly turned only to see the three managers jump up in shock and quickly act as if they were busy.
A look of confusion crept onto his face, however he shook his head a moment later. Now was not the time to get distracted, he still needed around another 50 pitches before he completed todays mission.