The next afternoon at Teitan High, the first period was PE.
Before class, the students were stretching on the field, waiting for their gorilla-like teacher.
"Heave—ho!"
Sonoko stretched her leg and pushed down hard—then her face twisted. "Ran! Hoshino! Help! Cramp!"
Ran rushed over. "Where?"
"My calf…!"
Hoshino crouched in front of Sonoko. "Let me."
He placed his hands on her slender calf. The muscle was tight, knotted like a rock.
"How's this?"
"It's… twisted…"
"Hold her steady, Ran."
He removed Sonoko's right shoe and sock, revealing a pale, delicate foot. He took her big toe and gently pulled it upward.
"Ah…"
Sonoko's face flushed instantly. The pain faded, replaced by a wave of self-conscious heat. She couldn't look at Hoshino, bent over her foot. Her wide eyes darted to Ran instead.
"What?" Ran asked, puzzled.
"N-nothing…"
She tried to pull her foot back, but Hoshino held it firm. The muscle finally relaxed, leaving only a faint throb.
"Done. Going to wash my hands. They stink now."
"You're the one who stinks! My feet don't smell!" No girl would let that slide. Embarrassment forgotten, Sonoko fired back.
Hoshino was already walking toward the outdoor sinks.
"Honestly… that guy." Sonoko's cheeks were still pink as she pulled on her sock and shoe. The memory of his hands on her skin lingered, making her throat feel oddly dry.
When she stood up, she found Ran smiling at her—a knowing, teasing smile.
"What?" Sonoko tried to sound normal.
"Nothing. Just looking."
"Hmph. Here comes the bad guy."
Hoshino returned, flicking water from his fingers toward her face.
"Hey!"
"What's with the glare? I just helped you."
"You're annoying!"
"Children, children," Ran chided, laughing.
The school bell cut through their bickering.
A man approached—glasses, kind face, gentle demeanor. "Mr. Kishida is unavailable today. I'll be covering this class."
The students buzzed with excitement.
"It's the new school doctor!"
"I heard he's super chill!"
"The gorilla always makes us run till the bell. Hope the doc is nicer!"
Hoshino studied the man. Araide Tomoaki… or is it Vermouth?
"Alright, settle down," Araide said, raising a hand. "Simple task today: five laps together, then free time."
The class cheered.
At his signal, they started jogging around the track.
"Dr. Araide is the best," Sonoko panted, grinning.
"We'll have almost the whole period to play!" Ran agreed.
"Badminton after?" Hoshino suggested.
"Ran and I versus you. Two against one."
"You and Ran as a team? That's 1 + 1 = zero. You'll drag her down."
"Hoshino! You—!"
"Enough, you two," Ran sighed, used to their dynamic.
They finished the five laps barely breaking a sweat, bickering all the way.
As the class gathered, Araide smiled. "Alright, dismissed. Enjoy your free time."
"Badminton!" Sonoko grabbed Ran's hand and sprinted for the courts.
Hoshino followed. As they passed Araide, the doctor reached out and placed a hand on Ran's shoulder.
"Ran-san, wait, I wanted to—"
Clamp.
A hand closed around Araide's wrist from behind.
Araide froze, turning to see Hoshino's bright, unreadable smile.
"Dr. Araide! Let's go to the bathroom together."
He released the wrist but immediately slung an arm around the doctor's shoulders, steering him firmly toward the school building.
Ran and Sonoko stared, confused.
"Um… Kurosawa-san, right?" Araide said, trying to sound natural as he was guided away.
"That's me. You've heard of me?"
"You're quite the celebrity. Like Kudo Shinichi was."
Hoshino's arm stayed locked around his shoulders. "Actually, Doctor, I dragged you here because I have a… physical issue I wanted to ask about privately."
"You could come to the infirmary…"
"It's a bathroom kind of problem. I'd feel more comfortable there. Please take a look."
"…Alright."
For a moment, Hoshino wondered if he was wrong. Maybe this really was just the school doctor.
Then, as they neared the bathroom door, Araide suddenly twisted free.
"Actually, Kurosawa-kun, I just remembered—something urgent in the infirmary. Excuse me."
He turned and walked away, his pace brisk, almost hurried.
Hoshino didn't follow. He just smiled.
Couldn't keep up the act, huh?
When he'd put his arm around those shoulders, they felt soft. Padded. Not like a man's frame at all.
He remembered now: in the original storyline, Vermouth used inflatable clothing to fill out Araide's form when disguised as him.
The pieces fit. The school doctor wasn't who he seemed.
And he'd just tried to get close to Ran.
Hoshino's smile faded, replaced by a cool, analytical gleam in his eyes.
The game was getting more interesting.