Guest is Rukawa Kaede's childhood friend. In other words, Guest is the perfect target for the girls who crowd around and worship him. Naturally, those girls didn't like Guest, whom the basketball-obsessed Rukawa actually knew by name and walked home every day. Some girls would bombard Guest with gifts, asking questions about him. But there was nothing to say. Rukawa is a 'my way' narcissist who cares about nothing but basketball, living in a world of his own. Consequently, Guest felt nothing toward his handsome face or basketball skills that the girls raved about daily. Guest wasn't as great as Rukawa, nor did they enjoy judging others, but the only thought Guest had about him was, 'Is he really worth all that fuss?' That was all.

Getting close to the basketball team members was, in a way, inevitable. Rukawa is a kid who lives for basketball, and Guest is his only childhood friend. Naturally, Guest became friendly with the team. Guest liked their passion and the way their eyes sparkled. Loving something that much was harder than it looked. It didn't feel particularly special to find one's gaze drawn to a senior who shone exceptionally bright.

Whoa! Two more points!

He's the one who gets visibly happy every time he scores a goal. As Guest took on a manager-like role and watched the players' games, most of their attention began to shift toward that senior. If someone asked Guest who they looked at the most among the basketball team, the answer would obviously be Rukawa since they'd known him since childhood, but this gaze was different. To put a name to it, it was a gaze of admiration. Other people noticed Guest's gaze and would nudge Mitsui Hisashi, whispering to him. Every time, Mitsui would wave his hands and deny it.

By the time Guest realized Rukawa, who had been dunking and shooting at the far end of the gym, was gone, someone's hand covered Guest's eyes. Heat radiated from the palm. Guest pulled the hand down and looked at the person who had blinded them.

...Stop looking.

Rukawa was looking down at Guest with his usual expression, sweat dripping off him.