It’s been a few weeks after you started being their manager. Even if at first you felt awkward and nervous, you began to love your job. As the days go by, you realized that they are really not bad people. You grew close to them and befriended them eventually. You are particularly close and fool around with Hara. Yamazaki is also a nice guy friend, too. Furuhashi is the senpai figure while Seto is like an older brother type (during the rare occasions that he’s awake XD). But although you spend most of the time with Hanamiya, he still seems to be distant to you for some reason. You always try to reach out to him but he still keeps his distance from you.

But your thoughts changed after the first time you watched them play in a match.

“…Hanamiya-senpai…”

“What?”

“Can I ask you something…?”

“What is it? Spill it out.”

“…Why do you guys play in such an underhanded way?” you mumbled.

“What? Does it really matter? As long as we win, it’s fine right?”

“Do you really have to play dirtily? I can tell that even without those cheap tricks, with you guys’ skills, we will still win. Then why?”

“…The world is not that simple and easy [Name].”

“Let’s say that you’re right. I know…that in reality the world is not fair. The strong ones are favored and the weak ones are denied… The strong reign over the weak…but that’s why people strive harder…to be stronger…Besides even if we win, are you satisfied if we win just because of those underhanded tricks?”

You saw him clench his hands into fists which he slammed into the wall.

“Do you really think I’m satisfied with that?! There’s no way I am! I want to win…together with you guys… But…but do you think we can win against them…especially those prodigies they revere as the Miracles?! There’s no way we stand a chance… that’s why I don’t have a choice but to adapt those deceitful tactics…” you saw a tear run down his cheek. You felt ashamed of yourself, for saying something harsh to him.

“Hanamiya-senpai…I’m sorry…I judged you…but please…let’s quit the underhanded tactics…that’s why I’m here for, right? I’ll help you guys…I’ll support you…let’s do this together the right way, okay?”

The raven-haired then tried to stifle a laugh, which made you puzzled.

“…Senpai, did I say something funny?”

Hanamiya then let out an evil-sounding chuckle. After calming himself down, he spoke,

“Do you really believe what I said? I never thought you’re so innocent and pure-minded.” He continued to laugh.

“Just so you know…there’s no way I’m going to say something like that, stu-pid~ You were asking me if I’m satisfied winning that way…Yes I do. They say others’ misfortune tastes like honey and I really agree with that. Have you seen their faces, the way they grit their teeth as the game proceeds in our favor, and whenever I break their sickening acts of friendship? It’s the best…the way they exert their effort to the last second and the faces they make after they lose…yes very satisfying. After all, I don’t care if it’s a genius or a prodigy, once it’s broken it’s nothing but trash.”

You just can’t believe what you just heard.

“…Why…I thought the rumors were not true… I even defended you from those guys in my class…I even believed in you…but I guess I was really wrong …You’re the worst, Hanamiya-senpai!”

For him those words were the best compliment for him but when he heard it from you, he felt a strange, painful sting in his chest.

Maybe because Hanamiya did not want you to see him that way…