Masafumi flew around the track. Morning air + headwind felt incredible.
Even better: that "Ayumu-senpai" was already dying. One sharp glance back—at the start Ayumu could barely match him, now he was wheezing, left far behind. No rhythm at all. At this rate, forget ten laps—three would break him. Heh. Fragile. Only monsters like me deserve Senpai's personal coaching, Masafumi thought, whistling proudly. Only I get to chase Senpai's back!
Lap one. Two. Three. …Wait. Something's wrong. He was chasing Senpai's back, yet… he kept seeing him way too often? …How many times had he lapped Senpai already?!
"T… Tomato…" Satoru was running too, but nowhere near Masafumi's effortless pace—muttering broken English curses between jogs. Two laps? That's all it took to wreck him? The original owner's body was this pathetic… Can't. Keep. Going.
Satoru stopped, hands on hips, breathing hard. Sweat plastered his bangs to his forehead; his vision started whitening. Push any further and he'd collapse—low blood sugar?
Captain Sakura was overseeing PT from the side; her own routine didn't require laps. She scanned the field with precision and nodded, satisfied. The rookies were fired up—especially Kase, who was already nearing his quota.
Next… No need to worry about Kobayashi-kun, but a quick peek wouldn't hurt. Maybe he'd inspire the others.
One glance.
"K-Kobayashi-kun!?"
Satoru was staring at the dawn sky, face pale, body swaying. W-What the—!?
Sakura sprinted over. Ayaka, long legs lazy but fast when she wanted, reached him at the same time.
"Hey, you okay?" Ayaka frowned. "Stamina this trash? You came here to clown?"
Ugh, why does he give off sick-beauty vibes—he's hot even when half-dead. Ayaka grumbled internally.
"I'm fine, just need a short break," Satoru said, hands still on hips, lashes fluttering like curtains against the rising sun. "Ayaka-senpai doesn't have to worry."
"As if I want to," Ayaka snorted. "Collapse here and the whole kendo club loses face."
If he weren't this pretty I wouldn't even glance—meanwhile that Ayumu nobody is resting over there, who cares? she thought.
"Rest on the side," Satoru said with a wry smile.
"Need a shoulder?" Ayaka offered. "If you can't walk, I'll reluctantly help—don't block the serious runners."
She reached out—then froze. Her fingers hovered an inch from his pale, stiff arm.
"Kobayashi-kun." Sakura's voice stopped her cold.
Ayaka pouted, instantly defeated. "Sakura, your new recruit's stamina is garbage."
"Kobayashi-kun, are you still not fully recovered?" Sakura ignored her best friend completely, purple eyes swimming with worry. "Feeling bad? Infirmary? Want a piggyback? I can carry you—"
Satoru briefly pictured a princess carry. …Kinda hot, actually. No, twisted.
"No, just a short rest," he said, nodding toward the field's edge.
"Mm, lean on me." Sakura slipped an arm around him naturally, patting his back gently. "Tell me if anything feels off…"
"Sakura spoils him way too much," Ayaka muttered coldly.
Grass!! If I'd been even a second faster I would've gotten the hug! Sakura beats me again! Again!! Ayaka nearly stomped the ground.
They guided him to the bench: vice-captain on the left, captain on the right, Satoru sandwiched in the middle. The most luxurious lineup in kendo club history.
"Low blood sugar," Satoru said, rubbing his temple.
"Want something to drink? I'll buy—something sweet?" Sakura asked instantly.
"Cola…"
"Got it." Sakura started to stand—Ayaka shot Satoru a death glare.
"Your body's already like this and you want carbonated? Sakura, milk is fine."
"…Eh? Then…" Sakura looked at Satoru.
He stayed silent. Ayaka doubled down: "Milk."
"But I want cola," Satoru grumbled, resentful.
"I decide what's good for you," Ayaka scoffed.
D-Don't look at me like that—I almost caved and bought the cola! No, the whole damn vending machine!! Damn it! Ayaka screamed inside. "…B-Buy milk!" she repeated firmly.
"…Fine." Sakura nodded before Satoru could protest.
Sakura jogged off to buy it. Satoru lazily turned to Ayaka.
"Ayaka-senpai."
"…What?"
"Are you my mom or something?"
"Yes." Ayaka flashed a saccharine smile, then instantly soured. "You ungrateful bastard son!"
…Handsome son, though. Not bad, she thought.
The words barely left her mouth when a black swarm of a dozen boys descended.
"You Kobayashi Satoru?" the leader asked, voice dripping condescension as he looked him up and down.
White caps. A few guys behind him gripped baseball bats.
Hm? Baseball club?
…