Shuchiin Academy.
Under the glow of the setting sun, the track field was dyed a warm orange. Iroha Isshiki stood by the starting line, fiddling with the cloth strap that bound her leg to Rei Ao's. A smile she couldn't hide tugged at the corners of her lips.
They were practicing a three-legged race. Rei Ao had only just gotten back to this world when he was roped into this activity.
"Isn't this too tight?"
Rei Ao asked, looking down. From this close, he could smell the sweet strawberry scent of Iroha's shampoo.
"Nope, tighter is better—less chance of us tripping!"
Iroha tilted her head up, eyes curving like crescent moons.
"The school sports festival is next week, so we really have to practice."
Rei Ao nodded compliantly, though his gaze drifted off to the edge of the field.
Yukinoshita Yukino, Miura Yumiko, and Yuigahama Yui were sitting on a bench, each watching them with a different expression. They'd come to "supervise" their training.
Iroha followed his line of sight and a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.
"Oh, I invited the Service Club to help. You know, for a three-legged race, it's important to have people who can guide us to work together. Professional input, right?"
"Professional input…?"
Rei Ao let out a short laugh.
"I can maybe see that with Yukinoshita, but since when did Miura and Yuigahama become 'professionals'?"
"Rei Ao-kun, talking about people behind their backs is rude."
A cool voice cut in—it was Yukino.
"We took on a request, so of course we'll treat it seriously."
Yumiko walked over with her arms crossed, her long blonde hair shining in the evening sun.
"Seriously. You think we've got all day for this? We only did it because Iroha begged us, practically crying—"
"Yu—Yumiko-senpai!"
Iroha hurriedly cut her off, her cheeks turning a little pink.
"I wasn't crying!"
Yui stood beside them, covering her mouth as she laughed quietly, her gaze flitting between Rei Ao and Iroha.
"You two look like you're doing great already. You're walking in sync."
"But of course!"
Iroha raised her chin proudly.
"Rei Ao-senpai and I will definitely be the best partners! Right?"
As she said that, she casually slipped her arm through Rei Ao's.
The moment she did, Rei Ao felt three sets of eyes turn razor-sharp. Yukino's gaze went colder, Yumiko frowned, and Yui's smile froze on her face.
"Ahem, why don't we actually start practicing now?"
Rei Ao changed the topic.
"How about starting with a slow jog?"
"Sounds good!"
Iroha responded brightly, making no move to let go of his arm.
"One, two… one, two…"
They began to move in tandem, but soon, their differing paces nearly caused them to stumble.
Rei Ao quickly caught Iroha around the waist, keeping her steady. He felt the soft warmth of her body pressed against him, and for a moment, he could practically hear her heartbeat.
"Rei Ao-senpai, s-sorry!"
"It's fine. That's just part of the fun of a three-legged race. Let's try again."
He gently set her upright.
"Mm!"
Iroha's face was slightly flushed. The two of them resumed training.
…
On the bench, Yumiko bit her straw so hard the cup made a squeaking sound.
"Are they actually training or flirting…?"
"Yumiko…"
Yui whispered, stealing a glance at Yukino beside her.
Yukino sat up perfectly straight, her face expressionless. But her knuckles had gone white where she gripped her notepad—a sign that maybe agreeing to this in the first place had been a bad idea. Watching another girl openly flirt with your boyfriend in front of you—torture, pure and simple.
"I think they need a more systematic training approach."
Suddenly, Yukino stood and walked toward the center of the field.
"Practicing like that, without a plan, will just waste time."
On the field, Rei Ao and Iroha were starting to find their rhythm, stepping more smoothly in sync.
"We're getting better, aren't we?"
Iroha said excitedly, leaning closer to Rei Ao with each step. Her hair brushed against his cheek.
"Yeah, seems that way."
He nodded, wearing a slightly amused expression as he felt the softness of her body through his arm.
"But it looks like Yukinoshita has something to say."
Sure enough, Yukino arrived just in time to hear that.
She spoke in a cool tone. "You two still have a problem with timing. Iroha's steps are too small and Rei Ao-kun's are too big. If you keep practicing like that, you'll both get muscle fatigue."
"What would you suggest, Yukino-senpai?"
Iroha blinked curiously, surreptitiously tightening her grip on Rei Ao's sleeve.
Yukino's gaze landed on Iroha's hand for a second before her face went blank once more.
"You should measure each person's natural stride, find a compromise distance, and practice that standard."
"That sounds so complicated…"
Iroha pouted.
"I think we're fine as we are."
"I also think direct practice is more efficient."
Rei Ao added with a smile. He could tell Yukino was jealous—and he liked seeing her reaction, finding her jealousy strangely charming.
"…"
Hearing that, Yukino fixed her eyes on Rei Ao. After a moment's pause, she turned stiffly and left with a simple:
"Do whatever you want," her back looking tense as she walked away.
Iroha watched Yukino depart, a flicker of victory in her eyes. She snuggled even closer to Rei Ao.
"Forget that. Let's keep practicing!"
They started jogging again. Their coordination was visibly better this time. But just when they seemed stable, "something" happened at the turn.
"Ow~!"
Iroha squealed, stumbling forward into Rei Ao's arms. Her hands landed on his chest, cheeks flushed.
"Sorry, I think I stepped on a rock…"
Rei Ao steadied her.
"…"
He raised an eyebrow—her acting skills weren't bad. It was clearly a "deliberate accident," yet she pulled it off so naturally.
He didn't call her out on it. Going along with her little performance, he asked, "You okay? Need a break?"
"No, no!"
Iroha shook her head hurriedly. Yet despite her words, she used the chance to rest her head on Rei Ao's shoulder.
"B-but… can we stay like this for a bit? I feel a little dizzy…"
As soon as she did this, Rei Ao could practically feel the searing stares from the edge of the field—especially Yumiko's, which was enough to kill a person on the spot.
~~~
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