The Empty Alps Stands

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　Tour buses lined up across the schoolyard—eight in total. They belonged to a company with ribbon-patterned designs in navy, red, and blue.

　There were about ninety students, and with teachers and staff included, the group exceeded one hundred. On top of that, alumni who had donated, PTA members, and extra brass band performers had requested to join the trip, prompting the school to arrange eight buses.

　Seeing this scene, Principal Arita felt a heavy weight settle in his chest—money.

　During summer break, with students away, the school had begun repairs on the building’s walls. The payment for that would be due next month. Expenses for the Koshien trip—transportation and lodging for the twenty players, the coach, and the supervising teacher—were partially covered by the High School Baseball Federation. But the cost of transporting the cheering squad had to come from the school’s own budget.

　If they were a regular at Koshien, they might have planned for this. But no one had expected to qualify, and now the school faced an enormous expense. Utility bills and equipment purchases were also looming. The principal was racking his brain, trying to stretch the school’s meager funds.

　Lunch boxes and tea arrived from the catering company. Staff delivered them to each bus, and teachers and students loaded them inside. Watching this, Principal Arita thought bitterly, Even these lunch boxes cost money.

　Once preparations were complete, the buses began departing one by one.

　As the buses rolled out of the schoolyard, Tabuchi muttered sarcastically, “Trying to win with the size of the cheering squad?”

　The convoy passed through the streets of Gujo City and entered the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.

　As if waiting for the highway, the homeroom teacher picked up the bus microphone.

“Good morning, everyone.”

“Gooood morniiiing!” Tamae replied dramatically.

“You’re always full of energy, Tamae.”

“Yes, yes, I’m super energetic!”

“Keep that energy up when we get to Koshien.”

“Okaaay!”

“We’re now heading to Koshien. It should take about three and a half hours, so we’ll arrive early afternoon. The game is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m., but we’ll arrive ahead of time. Until the game begins, you’re free to spend time as you like—but don’t wander away from the bus. Once we’re there, cheer with everything you’ve got.”

　After the teacher’s announcement, Tamae pulled out a bag of snacks from her backpack.

“Misuzu, want some snacks?”

“Of course! Thanks.”

　Misuzu felt like she was on a field trip. Tamae, even more so, was in full festival mode.

　Misuzu didn’t really understand baseball. She always just followed the crowd when cheering. She knew the team with more points won, but the rules were mostly a mystery to her. Still, she was enjoying the bus ride itself.

　Tamae knew more about baseball—she was a fan of the Chunichi Dragons and even went to cheer at Nagoya Dome.

“Give me some snacks too,” Tabuchi said, reaching over.

“Nope, not sharing!”

“Come on, just a little.”

“Fine, just a bit.”

“Thanks!”

　Misuzu had sensed that Tamae liked Tabuchi. She’d asked her about it once, but Tamae had replied, “Ehh? That guy? No way.” Still, Misuzu thought it was just a front.

“This is fun! Thanks to the baseball team, we get a bus trip to Osaka!”

　Misuzu said cheerfully.

“Osaka? We’re not going to Osaka,” the teacher corrected.

“But we’re going to Koshien, right?”

“Koshien is in Hyogo Prefecture. Nishinomiya City.”

“What? Really? I thought Koshien was in Osaka.”

“Hyogo? Where’s Nishinomiya?”

　Tamae, not great with geography, asked.

“Hyogo’s the prefecture next to America,” Tabuchi teased.

“It’s the city next to the city next to Osaka,” the teacher said, half sulking.

“So basically Osaka.”

“It’s Hyogo. You should review your geography.”

“Let’s just call it the United Federation of Osaka Aunties.”

“What is that? Don’t go inventing countries.”

　Misuzu stepped in between them.

“Now, now, Sensei—have some snacks. Let’s just say Koshien is the United Federation of Osaka Aunties.”

　The teacher reached into the bag of potato chips Misuzu offered and began munching quietly.