The morning field at White Hill High was alive with energy. Every sports club was mixed together for physical training.
Right now, as Ayaka stretched, the girl chatting beside her was the ace of the girls' basketball team—tall, standing perfectly straight, even taller than Satoru.
She teased with a grin, "Yo, Ayaka, who's the hottie? New boyfriend? No wonder you, the eternal morning-skipper, suddenly showed up today—for him, right?"
Close enough. In truth, Sakura had dragged Ayaka here because of Satoru, but the details? Let's just say donkey lips don't match horse mouth.
"Cut the nonsense," Ayaka said, rolling her eyes with her usual lazy gaze. "What are you doing here?"
"Morning training," Satoru answered, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"…Huh?" Kendo only forced rookies to do morning practice. Ayaka herself wouldn't be out here running at this hour if the captain hadn't personally named her… Oh, right. She'd forgotten—this guy was still a rookie.
He skipped club activities but showed up perfectly on time for PT? Was his brain just for decoration?
After nearly sabotaging himself against Higashi yesterday, Satoru had realized one harsh truth: god-tier swordsmanship, garbage-tier stamina. He had to train while he still had time.
"Want to stretch together?" Satoru offered.
Stretching together meant physical contact. Ayaka shot him a weird look. "…No need."
Phew. She'd almost said yes—impressive self-control! Ayaka congratulated herself inwardly. "Who's that next to you?"
It wasn't just Satoru—there was another boy.
Zero presence. Even the basketball girl had missed him at first, and Ayaka had completely overlooked him. Her first thought: flowers need green leaves. Was this kid just here to make Satoru look even hotter by comparison?
The boy had been half-asleep until the question jolted him awake.
"H-Hello! I'm Ayumu… Satoru's classmate."
Never heard of him.
Ayaka gave a bored nod—acquaintances made.
Ayumu instantly felt resentful. He was a commuter-club kid—he should still be sleeping right now. Last night, right before bed, Satoru had called his house landline and told him to catch the early train.
Ayumu had refused at first.
Then he'd thought: this is the perfect curveball to get closer to Suzuka—so he agreed, and immediately called Suzuka afterward… Knowing her personality, she'd definitely leave even earlier.
He quickly scanned the karate club area—no sign of the main general.
Suzuka, what are you doing?! Ayumu panicked inwardly. The Satoru in front of him right now was different—he was even chatting casually with Miyajima-senpai.
Don't waste this chance!
"Mm, I brought him along to train," Satoru explained. He'd been planning to drag Ayumu to PT for ages—today just happened to be perfect. "It won't be any trouble for the kendo club."
Ayaka looked at Ayumu again.
Easier prey than Satoru. She frowned. "Kendo doesn't allow outsiders—"
Her words were cut off.
"Kobayashi-kun!"
A delighted, almost flirty voice rang out. Sakura came jogging over, her generous chest bouncing with every step. "Eh… why are you here? Oh, are you guiding our training today?"
She clasped her hands together and gave a sweet little bow, beaming. "Thank you for the hard work!"
"I'm not guiding… just running laps. Oh, right—" Satoru pointed at Ayumu and repeated the introduction.
"H-Hello!" Ayumu snapped to attention.
Sakura—White Hill's top mature beauty. Without Satoru as the middleman, Ayumu would never have gotten a chance to speak to her.
Miyajima-senpai… just looked at me… Ayumu's heart raced with thrill—then her gaze slid right back to Satoru.
"Mm, that's fine, no problem at all," Sakura said cheerfully.
Hey, Sakura, since when did we bend that rule?! Kendo always kept outsiders out—strictly no riffraff allowed! Ayaka fumed silently. You're spoiling him way too much!
"Right, Ayaka?" Since the captain had spoken, she wanted the vice-captain's opinion too.
Satoru clasped his hands together and gave a tiny, hopeful shake.
Ayaka forced a cold smile. Trying to sneak in through the back door at this level? What a joke!
"No repeats," she said flatly.
"Yes! Thank you, Ayaka-senpai!" Satoru's bright laugh could melt glaciers.
"If he causes any trouble, I'll kick him out anytime," Ayaka added faintly.
Who could possibly refuse that!? Who could resist that smile!? Dear gods, it's a world-ending pretty boy! Ayaka screamed internally.
"Kase!" Satoru called.
"Here!" Masafumi bellowed back. "Orders from Kobayashi-senpai!?"
"Show Ayumu the ropes a bit," Satoru said.
Unlike the girls, Masafumi had noticed Ayumu from the very start and had been eyeing him suspiciously the whole time.
Who is this guy? Masafumi wondered. Why's he standing so close to senpai? Another sword genius? Senpai's coaching him more than me already?
"Got it!" Masafumi answered instantly.
"Hello…" Ayumu muttered, secretly hoping for a girl to guide him instead. No such luck—he trailed after Masafumi. A kouhai? "First-year?" Ayumu asked.
"Yes. You?"
"Same class as Satoru."
Masafumi nodded, inwardly shocked.
Same class as senpai!? How is that even fair!? You!
"Let's start simple," Masafumi said.
"Mm."
"Run ten laps first."
"Mm… WAIT, TEN!?" Ayumu's soul nearly left his body.
Masafumi's eyes sharpened, the corner of his mouth curling with faint disdain. "Senpai, you're not… going to flake out, right?"
That's all it takes? Just this much and senpai personally escorts you to training? Why him!?
Ayumu saw the mockery loud and clear.
This little brat! A mere kouhai… a mere kouhai!!
"Who said I can't!?" Ayumu snapped. "Ten laps? Piece of cake!"
…