なまいきざかり [Namaikizakari] Series by Mitsubachi Miyuki

I, Yuki, became the basketball team manager for one reason-I had a crush on the captain and wanted to be with him, always. But when Kido-senpai suddenly announced he got a girlfriend, where did that leave me? In the clubroom, crying my eyes out…until this cheeky brat of an underclassman showed up. And now that stupid, pretty playboy, Naruse, seems determined to wiggle his way into every corner of my life…

I, Yuki, have no intention of admitting it. Never. The last thing I will ever do is plead guilty to the crime of maybe possibly having a soft spot for my cheeky playboy of an underclassman-who's an absolute brat-Naruse. Speaking of which, instead of focusing on his strange grade school rivalry with this Shizuka guy, he needs to get his head in the game and focus on our qualifiers...!! Maybe I was expecting too much from him, after all...

Well, one of my problems has been solved, at least. The Naruse-leaving- the-team-to-practice-alone- because-he-didn’t-want-to-look-lame one. But that was so much easier to deal with than the Naruse-wants-me-to-say-Ilike-him or the Naruse-wants-me-to-be-his-girlfriend problem. And now we’re adding the Naruse-jealousy drama and the Hakamada-kun-not minding-his-own-business mess into the mix too?! Gimme a break already...

Is it bad for me to tell people we’re datingdating? Huh?! Who’s dating whom now? I said I’d think about it. And how exactly does he go from “I’ll come watch your games” to “I’ll be your girlfriend”? Stupid jerk even told the entire basketball team that he’s going out with a third-year. Between those rumors and running into Hakamada-kun—and therefore having to deal with pouty Naruse— everything’s driving me up the wall! Why am I even considering this whole thing...?

Training camp, or their “three day sleepover” as Naruse calls it, is one massive headache for Yuki. Whether it’s a secret meeting on the veranda, a surprise encounter in the bath, or a shocking announcement in front of their teammates—it's like Naruse’s trying to give her a heart attack! Can he just stop being such an annoying, overgrown brat already?!

Huh?! What does he even mean?! Stupid brat!! First he doesn’t push that girl away—after she kissed him—and now he’s saying THAT?? While eating squid? I mean, I know I’m the one who’s been avoiding talking to him head-on, and I did tell him to wait three months, but I was getting there, okay? Ugh, and as if that wasn’t enough to deal with, what was going on with Hakamada-kun at the festival...?

It's autumn, and the qualifier for the Winter Cup is just around the corner! But first, time for one of Yuki’s last school festivals. Between prepwork for that, studying, managing the basketball team, and dating Naruse, Yuki just might have bitten off more than she can chew...

When Hakamada crushes their dreams of the Winter Cup, Yuki’s tenure as basketball club manager is now over...However, her relationship with Naruse has only begun! But between Naruse’s captaincy and Yuki’s frantic studies, they hardly ever see each other. Despite that, Yuki’s cheeky brat is determined to take her out on her first ever date!

Today is the day her future will be decided. After all, it’s finally time...for entrance exams. However, one thing after another keeps going wrong! Meanwhile, as Yuki’s graduation gets closer and closer to becoming a reality, Naruse is painfully aware that soon, he’ll be separated from Yuki by more than just a couple of classroom doors...

What does he MEAN “that wasn’t nearly enough”?! Well, it is true that between my part-time job and classes and getting dragged into stuff with the college basketball club, it’s been a lot harder to find time to just BE together, but…I’m really trying, okay?! Speaking of the basketball club, turns out that weird flirty guy at the park is also my coworker and a club member—seriously hope he and Naruse never meet because it’d be AWK-WAAARD…

With Yuki living on her own, Naruse in his last year of high school, and more than a few months of dating history under their belt, one rainy after in Yuki’s apartment leads to...!? Meanwhile Hakamada’s come to a few realizations and makes a declaration to Yuki that leaves her in a state of utter confusion!!

So after the whole Hakamada debacle and then how the whole Finals League ended, it’s kinda awkward every time I see Hakamada-kun...Still, I’m incredibly happy that Naruse won! Although, now he’s literally telling EVERYONE he knows about us, so I’m not entirely sure how to react around everyone else anymore...