"────Keep your eyes on the players' performances! That wraps up this week's 'Deep Dive B-League!' See you all next week! This was Kawana Ayaka~"
"...Yes, that's a wrap!! Great work everyone—!"
"Great work—, thank you everyone—"
I'm Kawana Ayaka. A former female announcer for Kuji TV. Currently, I'm working as an assistant coach for a university basketball team while training to obtain my Class B basketball coaching license. When I left Kuji TV, I thought I'd never work in front of the camera again, but a senpai I owe a lot to begged me, and since last month I've also been the caster for the basketball program 'Deep Dive B-League!' on a CS sports channel.
"Ayaka-chaaan~, great work~. So, wanna grab a drink after this~?"
The one calling out to me is the program's producer. An older guy who always sports a tan from the tanning salon, sunglasses, and a tacky gold necklace.
"Sorryyy~. I've got plans after this, so I'll be going now—"
Working on a basketball-related program where I can utilize my announcing skills is fulfilling, but honestly, I'm at my wit's end with the producer hitting on me every recording.
"...So that's how it is~. Senpai, could you maybe say something to him~?"
"Hmm, sorry about that~. I went out of my way to get you on our show, and now that old guy keeps hitting on you every time."
After the recording, I rushed to the programming department where the senpai who recruited me for the show was and brought up my concerns.
"That guy's married, right? So why does he keep hitting on me?"
"He's just an old-school TV guy~. My husband's the same type—can't let go of past glories. Pretty sure he got transferred here after some workplace affair scandal at Kuji. But guys like that never learn their lesson..."
"Isn't there anything we can do?"
"Well~, I'll talk to the programming director and give him a good scare. These days, just a dating rumor about a weather caster can make a company's stock plummet. And an affair with Kawana Ayaka? If that ever got out, a tiny channel like ours would be done for."
"Please, senpai!"
"Don't worry, leave it to me. The legendary Kawana Ayaka finally joined us, so I'll protect you with everything I've got. Thanks to you, our subscriber numbers are skyrocketing."
"Legendary...? That's too much..."
"No, no, it's the truth. Your contract's only for six months, but the higher-ups are already pushing to switch it to a multi-year deal."
It's flattering, but once I have kids, juggling basketball coaching and casting might be tough...
"Thank you. Contract aside, I'm just happy to be of help to you, senpai."
"You are, you are, you're helping tons. The company's even giving me a president's award for bringing you in. So, how about it? Wanna grab a drink to celebrate?"
"Sorry, senpai, I've got plans today. Let's celebrate another time."
"Ohhh? Plans with a guy~?"
"No, a high school girl. She said she really needed to ask me for a favor."
"Wow~, didn't know you hung out with high school girls~."
"Well, she's like a little sister to me."
I wait for her at the okonomiyaki restaurant "Raikichi" in Tsukishima. This is the shop where Kishihara Nozomi-san, one of the recipients, works. She asked me to come by once, so I made it today's meeting spot. Even though it's usually closed today, Nozomi-san opened the shop just for us.
"Whoa~, I can't believe you actually came! Thanks a ton!"
"This is amazing~. The whole place is packed with Ligers merch!"
"Right? Even among Ligers fan shops in Tokyo, you won't find a lineup like this. So, Ayaka-san, you're obviously a Ligers fan too, right?"
"Ah~, I don't know the first thing about baseball rules, but Liger-kun is cool, right? He came to the studio once when I was on 'Mezamere TV.'"
"I like you! Ayaka-san, you're seriously awesome~. Falling for Liger-kun? That's what I call taste! Alright, let's take a commemorative photo. Then I'll post it on Insta. Here, take this megaphone and headband. And if you put on this happi coat, it'll be perfect."
"Ah—, haha..."
Nozomi-san, you're so intense. It's impressive how you can twist things to suit yourself like this! When I heard you were having kids nonstop for the Ligers, I thought we were the same, but we're totally different.
"Alright, posted! Whoa, whoa, holy crap!"
"Wh-what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing! The likes on that post are pouring in like crazy. Never seen anything like it!"
"Haha, that's great."
As Nozomi-san hops around excitedly, the shop's sliding door rattles open, and a girl walks in.
"...Excuse me."
"Welcome! Oh, you must be Sumire-chan? We've been waiting! I'm Kishihara Nozomi. Nice to meet ya~."
"Ah, hello. I'm Kurasue Sumire. Nice to meet you."
"This is our first time meeting in person, right? Hello, I'm Kawana Ayaka."
"Ah, yes, thank you for today. I appreciate you making time for me."
Wow~, Sumire-chan is so cute~. Her skin's so smooth, like a doll. I had no idea recipients included girls like this.
"Come on, no need to be so stiff. We're sisters, after all."
"Exactly! So, Sumire-chan, which team are you a fan of?"
"Huh!? Team? Baseball? I don't really have a favorite, but... Oh, my little brother in fifth grade is in a Little League team and is a huge Ligers fan. So I cheer for them when we watch games together."
"That's awesome!! You've got a great little bro. Bring him by sometime, and I'll treat you both to okonomiyaki. But seriously, Sumire-chan, no wonder you were chosen as a recipient~."
"Ah... th-thank you."
Yikes, Sumire-chan looks totally overwhelmed. Nozomi-san's really going all out. Did I pick the wrong place?
"W-well, standing around won't do. Let's talk while we eat some okonomiyaki."
As Nozomi-san cooks the okonomiyaki with a sizzling sound, we blow on it and eat in silence.
"So good~"
"Really delicious. This is authentic, huh?"
"Oho, Ayaka-san knows what's up! Our okonomiyaki is packed with Ligers love, so fans can taste the difference. You two, eat up—I'll keep cooking!"
"Haha... thank you."
Wait, when did I become a Ligers fan? ...Well, whatever. Honestly, I don't know much about sports besides basketball, so playing along here seems easier.
"So, what did you want to talk about, Sumire-chan?"
"Ah, yes, actually..."
────────────────────────────.
Sumire-chan's story shocked me. Why would the Seed Distribution Room do something so tricky?
"...I see. So you want me to step in, right?"
"Yes. I know I'm in no position to ask this, but I just want to help Kido-kun somehow..."
"What are you talking about? We're sisters. Our children are siblings, so helping each other is only natural."
"So, about my request earlier..."
"Of course I'll help."
"Ah, thank you so much!"
Sumire-chan bows her head, looking genuinely happy. She's so earnest.
"But still, why would Ohno-san do something like that? Making active classmates and their homeroom teacher recipients is bad enough, but adding two more people?"
"Chifumi-kun definitely doesn't know, right? What should we do? I kinda wanna see it go down, lol."
"Kido-kun won't know anything until they meet, so he'll be really shocked. And... I think they'll probably argue."
"And you want to prevent that, right? But shouldn't Ohno-san and the others be the ones worrying? Why are you getting involved, Sumire-chan?"
"That's... I just... want to help Kido-kun in my own way..."
"Oho~? Could it be~? Do you have a crush on Chifumi-kun~?"
"N-no! It's nothing like that... I just want to help as a friend!"
Her face is bright red—Sumire-chan's so adorable. It's obvious she's totally into Chifumi-kun. ...But if that's the case, this must be painful for her. Helping the guy she likes hook up with another girl...
"You're such a good kid, Sumire-chan. Don't worry. Leave everything to me."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Relieved, Sumire-chan happily digs into her okonomiyaki. Meanwhile, Nozomi-san is grinning at her phone. It's kinda scary.
"Nozomi-san, what's up?"
"Check this out! That post from earlier made the news!"
Nozomi-san shows me her phone screen—a portal site's news headlines read: "Kawana Ayaka, Diehard Ligers Fan!? Commemorative Photo at Fan-Favorite Shop! Two-Shot with Beautiful Staff!" It's already an article, right after she posted it... And it says I've been a Ligers fan for ten years? That's terrifying... Oh, Nozomi-san brought out a board and pen.
"Ayaka-san, seriously, thanks a ton. Mind signing this? I'll put it in the best spot in the shop."
Nozomi-san's unstoppable. No point refusing, so I sign it. But I sneak in a tiny "Check out CS Sports Channel's 'Deep Dive B-League!' ♡" at the corner.