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"Hey! What are you two doing?!"
As soon as Yumiko saw Rei Ao and Iroha getting all cozy, she couldn't hold back anymore and stormed over.
"Iroha, seriously? That was way too obvious!"
"Yumiko-senpai, what are you talking about?"
Iroha blinked innocently.
"I'm just a little tired, that's all."
"Oh please! You're clearly just—"
Yumiko's rant was cut short by the sound of fast-approaching footsteps.
"Wah—! Watch out!"
A silver-haired girl came running toward them at full speed. It looked like her shoe had malfunctioned, and she couldn't stop in time—she crashed straight into Iroha.
"Ah!"
Both girls nearly toppled over, but Rei Ao caught them by the waist, keeping them from falling.
When the girl looked up and saw Rei Ao, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Rei Ao-senpai?"
He recognized her too.
"Kei? Are you okay?"
It was Kei Shirogane. She blushed and stood up quickly, shaking her head.
"I'm fine!"
Then she turned to Iroha, looking worried.
"Um, did I hurt you? I wasn't watching where I was going—I'm really sorry!"
But before she could finish, Iroha hurried to respond.
"I'm okay…"
She wasn't injured, but she couldn't help staring at this gentle-looking silver-haired girl. She also noticed the concern on Rei Ao's face, and a flicker of suspicion passed through her eyes.
"You know Rei Ao-senpai?"
"Yeah, we sit next to each other in cram school."
Kei scratched her head a little awkwardly.
Her eyes then drifted to the white cloth tied around Rei Ao and Iroha's ankles. Her expression lit up.
"A three-legged race? Are you doing the school sports festival too, senpai?"
"Yup, this is Iroha Isshiki. She asked me to be her partner."
"And this is…?"
Yumiko asked, sizing Kei up. She didn't recognize this sweet-looking underclassman.
Unnoticed, Yukino, Yumiko, and Yui had all gathered around, creating an oddly tense circle.
"She's Kei Shirogane, or just 'Kei'—a cute junior."
Rei Ao explained casually.
"Kei, these are my friends: Miura Yumiko, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Yuigahama Yui."
"H-hi, senpai!"
Kei bowed shyly, a bit embarrassed to be called cute in front of others.
"Kei, if you're going to run at the festival, those shoes won't cut it," Rei Ao said, glancing down at her worn-out, clearly damaged sneakers.
"I…"
Kei lowered her head, instinctively trying to hide her shoes. They were obviously old—too old for a school like this. She felt embarrassed.
The other girls quickly picked up on the shift in atmosphere. It was clear Kei was self-conscious.
They shot Rei Ao warning glances. Now wasn't the time to hurt her pride.
But Rei Ao had no intention of doing that.
He gently patted her shoulder and said softly,
"Kei, don't rush off after school today. Take a break first, okay?"
"Okay…"
She didn't really understand what he was up to, but she nodded obediently and left.
As she walked off, Yumiko couldn't help but ask,
"Rei Ao, does that Shirogane girl have some kind of family issue?"
Anyone with eyes could tell those shoes weren't normal.
"Yeah, kind of. But she's still really capable."
"Mhm, she's super pretty and sweet too,"
Yui added quietly.
Yukino said nothing, but she silently watched Kei walk away, her expression unreadable.
"Capable, huh…"
Yumiko narrowed her eyes, suspicious. Something about the way Rei Ao treated Kei felt off. Too considerate.
Suddenly, Iroha clung to Rei Ao's arm with a bright smile.
"Alright, alright~ Let's get back to training!"
She re-tied the cloth between them.
"This time, let's try running faster!"
"Ready… go!"
Even though Rei Ao hadn't started moving yet, Iroha suddenly burst forward—another clearly "accidental" move.
Rei Ao had no choice but to match her pace, and the two of them staggered for several steps before finally losing balance and tumbling onto the grass.
Rei Ao made sure to shield Iroha from the fall, ending up on his back with her sprawled on top of him in a very compromising position.
"Ugh… that hurt…"
Iroha groaned softly—but made no effort to get up.
Rei Ao could clearly feel the soft weight on his chest, and her sweet scent was right under his nose. Her face was so close he could count her lashes. Her pink lips parted slightly, warm breath brushing his cheek.
"Iroha… you okay?"
Rei Ao asked gently.
"Mm… I think I twisted my ankle a little…"
she murmured, eyes gleaming mischievously.
"Can we… just stay like this a bit longer?"
"You two!"
Yumiko's voice exploded across the field.
"Get off each other!!"
She'd had enough. This girl was way too much of a flirt—and Rei Ao was clearly playing along! They were straight-up putting on a show for everyone!
"Iroha, if you're hurt, you should be at the nurse's office. Not laying on top of someone," Yukino said coldly, her voice like ice.
Yui also rushed over, her face filled with concern.
"Rei Ao-kun… are you okay?"
With no choice, Iroha finally climbed off him—albeit reluctantly.
"Tch… and the mood was just getting good…"
she mumbled under her breath.
"That's enough for today."
Yukino suddenly declared.
"Any more and someone's going to actually get hurt."
"Ehh? But we haven't practiced enough…"
Iroha protested.
"Calling it now is fine. It's almost time for dismissal anyway."
Rei Ao stood up and brushed the grass from his clothes.
"Let's continue tomorrow."
Iroha looked at Rei Ao, then at the three girls who were all glaring daggers.
She took a breath.
"…Fine."
She knew she'd pushed things a little too far.
Even though she'd gotten Rei Ao's close friends involved under the pretense of "training," she had definitely crossed a few lines—especially right in front of them.
I should probably back off a little, she thought.
Even I would be jealous if I were them…
Sticking out her tongue playfully, she added,
"But tomorrow we have to train double, okay?"
~~~
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