"The Small Girl" is the twenty fifth chapter in Ahiru no Sora.
Chapter Summary[]
It's another day of practice for Kuzuryu High; Momoharu takes on being the temporary trainer for his team. Hanazono guides Yasuhara on how to improve his defense. At that time, Sora, while attempting to make a three, slips and misses the shot. Momoharu asks Sora if he has injured himself; Kurumatani informs that he heard a weird sound and sees his basketball shoe is torn. Afterward, Sora head to some of the local sneaker stores to get his shoes repaired. The shopkeeper advises him to buy a new shoe. Kurumatani then heads towards the sixth sports goods store, known as 'Sports Nanao.' While entering sees, there is no one at the store and asks is there anyone. A small clumsy girl makes her way down the stairs and falls onto Sora. Her name is Nao Nanao. Kurumatani then asks if she can repair his basketball shoes. Nao recognizes him and informs Sora that she also goes to Kuzuryu High, and she saw Kurumatani at the schools' entrance ceremony.
Nao informs Sora that she is not an expert when it comes to repairing shoes, and she will refer her father in regards to that. Nanao advises Kurumatani that he should look for new basketball shoes. Kurumatani selects one of the less expensive shoes, and Nao informs him not to worry, and she will take full responsibility for repairing his shoes. Nanao then informs Sora that she saw him at the practice game between Shinmaruko High and Kuzuryu High, and she is very impressed with his basketball skills and wishes him good luck. Kurumatani blushes a little and feels that she likes him. At his residence, Sora asks his grandmother what is love? Yone gets annoyed and tells Kurumatani to take a shower and then go to sleep.
The next day at practice, Sora arrives a bit late and sees an energetic Chiaki. Hanazono tells Kurumatani that he is late for practice. Sora questions Momoharu what is wrong with Chiaki all of sudden. Momoharu then tells him that their team has a new manager. Sora sees Nao, and he is shocked. Chiaki and his others are delighted to see her. Nao makes her introduction. Kenji then questions her as to why she is joining their team. Nanao sees Sora and informed Natsume because she likes basketball.
Kurumatani blushes, Chiaki standing behind Sora, believed that Nao blushed at him and started doing his unusual antics. An energized Kuzuryu High starts their practice routine, and Nao, upon watching, praises them. Madoka arrives at the gym, and Nao is delighted to see her and informs Sora and his teammates that she attended the same middle school with Madoka and was the basketball team manager. While talking to Madoka, Nao informs that the boys' team of Kuzuryu High is good, but they cannot win a match at their current level. An annoyed Kenji informs her that she shouldn't underestimate their team. A confident Madoka tells Natsume that Nao is an experienced manager and he should accept her advice. Yabuchi then challenges the boys' team to a friendly match with her girls' team.
Characters[]
- Sora Kurumatani
- Nao Nanao (debut)
- Yone Kurumatani
- Chiaki Hanazono
- Momoharu Hanazono
- Masahiro Saki
- Kenji Natsume
- Yasuhara Shinichi
- Ryuuhei Nabeshima
- Masayoshi Satsuki
- Madoka Yabuchi