After the afternoon training, the team rushed toward the cafeteria like starving dogs.
Jin, however, lingered behind. He dawdled for a while, making sure the others were gone before he jogged toward the accommodations.
'Kiyoko said she had something for me… That doesn't sound like just a "meal." This has to be some kind of reward. No way I'm missing this.'
Kiyoko and Hitoka shared a room. Hitoka would definitely be at the cafeteria, which meant Kiyoko should be alone right now.
Jin smoothed out his shirt, put on a half-serious face, and knocked on the door.
"The door's open," came Kiyoko's voice from inside.
He slid it open to find her kneeling by her bag, still in casual clothes now instead of training gear, sorting through something.
For a moment, Jin just stood there, grinning to himself. 'Man… even like this, she looks graceful. And I'm supposed to keep a straight face?'
Kiyoko glanced back. "Well? Don't just stand there. Come here, I have something for you."
Jin stepped forward, trying not to let his anticipation show. She bent over deeper into her bag, looking frustrated as she searched. Her hair shifted with each motion, her shoulders rising and falling with her breath.
In the wall mirror, Jin caught their reflection, he himself standing right behind her as she leaned forward. His grin widened. '…This looks straight out of one of those shady manga, doesn't it?'
He leaned in slightly, closing the distance, just as Kiyoko suddenly stood.
*Bonk!* Their foreheads collided, not accidental this time, so much as Jin failing to stop himself in time.
Kiyoko froze, her cheeks instantly flushed. She stepped back, glaring at him in flustered silence.
Jin scratched the back of his neck. "…Oops?"
"Idiot," she muttered, shoving something into his hands. "Here. This is what I wanted to give you."
Jin blinked at the small packet. "Huh? A muscle patch?"
"You were holding your back yesterday, weren't you? It's probably sore from the fall. Put that on later. It'll help."
'My back?! Please, my body's fine! I'm built like a steel cannon!'
But Kiyoko's expression was sincere. After two days of intense training, it wasn't unreasonable to be sore.
"I don't need it," Jin protested weakly. "I'm not that fragile. You should keep it."
"I have extras." She pulled out a couple more. "I use them when my shoulders get stiff. Don't worry about it and just take it."
Jin exhaled in defeat. "…Fine. But stiff shoulders, huh?"
An idea sparked in his mind. He clapped his hands together, eyes shining. "Then I'll take care of 'your' shoulders later."
Kiyoko gave him a skeptical look. "What are you even talking about? You don't look like someone who knows proper treatment."
Jin straightened his back, feigning absolute seriousness. "Have a little faith. There are methods passed down for generations, massage technique, stretches… I've got the skills. You'll see."
"…Do you really?"
"Of course," Jin said confidently. "After golden week training camp over, come by my place. I'll show you."
Kiyoko hesitated. 'Going to a boy's place…? That's-' She bit her lip, then nodded softly. "…Fine. After training camp."
Behind his back, Jin clenched his fists in triumph. Jin smirked to himself. This training camp was turning out better than he ever dreamed.