Mei POV:
*ding* *dong* *ding* *dong*
The bell rang, signalling that the school day had come to an end. Everyone in class got up from their seats and bowed to the teacher.
"Thank you for your hard work, teacher!"
This was the standard end-of-class greeting. Even though everyone spoke in unison, I could always pick out the individual voices. And just like always, there was one missing.
As I crouched down to grab my bag, I glanced toward Hoshino's desk. Empty, just as it always was. And just like him—I simply brushed it off and moved on.
These days, my schedule after school was busier than ever. So even if I wanted to, I couldn't dwell on it.
After saying my goodbyes to a few classmates, I headed toward the field where my homeroom was gathered. I quickly changed into my gym clothes before joining them.
"Ah! Hello Mei! Are you ready for another hard day of practice?" one of my classmates called out.
"Yes! I can't wait to get started!"
"Excuse me, Mei, but we need help setting up here."
"Yes! I'll be on my way!"
"No! You can do that after! Mei needs to help us with the cheer choreography first!"
"She can do all that later! She already said that she'd help us with the tug-of-war!"
The voices overlapped, pulling at me from every direction. For the last few days, this is what I've had to deal with. Without fail, I'd spend hours helping with events—whether it be setting up or assisting—before I could even practice my own.
I was fine with that, though.
This is just another part of the sports festival!
Before things could become out of control, I cleared my throat. "Ahem!"
The noise stopped instantly, and everyone turned to me.
With a cheery smile, I let out a soft giggle to lighten the mood. "Okay, guys, I'm flattered that you want me everywhere, but I can't do that. So—for today at least—I'll help with the long jump setup first, then cheer, then tug of war."
I noticed a few students' mouths begin to open, so I clapped my hands loudly, ending any rebuttals before they could even emerge. "We've wasted enough time already. We won't have fun if we just stand around like this. Let's get moving!"
That seemed to encourage everyone as they dispersed across the field, huddling in their own groups and doing their work.
Now that I was alone, I took in a deep breath.
...Let's get this over with quickly today.
***
By the time I finished helping everyone, the sun was beginning to dip. I only had one hour left to spend practicing for my events.
As much as I wanted to, I didn't start practice right away. Instead, I was hidden in a small corner on the bleachers—far away from any potential eyes—taking a brief moment for myself.
It was the first time since lunch that I had been able to catch my breath and just take a break.
So, I intended to make full use of the minute I gave myself. That was—until something cold suddenly pressed against my cheek.
"That's a boring reaction."
I turned to see Hoshino, who was holding a water bottle. He had the same unserious grin. I smiled back.
"Hihi. What did you want me to do? Squeal in horror or something?"
He scoffed and sat beside me. "Uh, no. Do I look like a creep to you? I just thought you'd be shocked or something. That'd be a nice change."
He loosened the bottle cap before handing it to me. Not enough to fully open it, but enough to break the seal.
I accepted his gesture gratefully. "Well, sorry for disappointing you."
He chuckled. "It's fine. I think you're alright the way you are anyway."
Maybe in another world, that would've been enough to make my heart race. But not here—and not with him. It wasn't a compliment. It was something he had to say.
I took a sip of the water. The sensation of the cool stream travelling through my body helped take my mind off the fatigue I had been carrying—though only for a moment.
"I'm surprised you came today," I said. "I thought you'd skip since we aren't practicing relay or the three-legged race."
Hoshino leaned forward, resting his head in his hands. "I was going to. But Luna wanted me to stay. So here I am."
I scanned the field, but Luna was nowhere to be seen. At first glance, he just seemed like he was lying. But no one would make a lie as obvious as this, so I highly doubted it.
Just in case, I asked, "Where is she?"
He let out a deep, almost frustrated sigh. "That's the problem—I dunno. She said she was going to go to the washroom with Remi… but it's been thirty minutes."
He looked at me, skepticism written all over his face. "There's no way it takes that long… right?"
Ah. I see how it is now.
I thought for a moment, thinking about what would be the best way to go about this. I didn't want to betray a girl's secret, but I also couldn't just leave him ignorant, either.
"Well... there could be a lot of reasons," I explained carefully. "I think you should give it some time—and don't ask about it when she comes out."
A small frown tugged at the corners of his lips, clearly showing he still wasn't buying it. So, I gently rested my hand against his shoulder as assuredly as I could. "I'm sure she means no harm! Trust me, as a girl—I'd know."
This was the most I could do—for both him and for Luna. I don't know if it quelled his suspicions, but at the very least, he dropped the topic.
Hoshino stood up with a wide stretch. "Anyway," he said, moving the conversation along. "What are you supposed to be doing right now?"
"I'm kind of behind, believe it or not," I replied, tightening the cap on the bottle.
He waved a hand dismissively. "Oh no, I believe you. You're so busy running around helping others, you haven't even been practicing."
...
I paused.
...So he noticed.
Well, it didn't come as too big a shock. Anyone could have noticed as long as they thought about it for even a little bit.
But for it to be him, of all the people, was... surprising. I always took him as the unserious type that was good at academics but didn't care for everything else, but I guess there was more to him.
Noted.
I let out a small, bashful giggle. "How did you figure that out? Have you been staring?"
He snorted. "Yeahhhh—no. Even if I tried not to, I would still notice everything you've been doing. Anyone with a pair of eyes could."
"Huh, good point. Anyway, as I was saying, I was going to practice the sprint first."
It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the full truth either. I chose to do the sprint because it was the easiest thing for him to help with.
He never said he was going to, but judging from where the conversation was heading, it only made sense.
"Alright. I'll help you out then. It's not like I have anything else to do anyway," he said, exactly like I thought he would.
But I still let out a shocked gasp. "Is that okay? You don't have to force yourself if you don't want to."
"I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't willing. Let's go. We don't have much time left."
While his response may have come out a little rough, it led to the same result regardless.
We stepped off the bleachers and walked to the field in silence. Once we arrived there, I took my position. He stood in front of me, stopwatch in hand.
He began to count down. "One. Two. Thre–"
Before he could finish, I took off. The sprint was only 100 meters, so it wouldn't take long to finish. But as I ran, I noticed something. Hoshino was running alongside me, matching my every step.
When I crossed the finish line, I slid to a stop, my shoes sliding against the track. He stopped just a step ahead of me.
"Eleven seconds," he said, looking at the stopwatch. "That's basically Yu's time."
"Really? That's great!" I exclaimed, wiping a bead of sweat from my forehead. "By the way… you're pretty fast too. You kept up with me the whole time."
So much so that it makes you wonder... why he didn't volunteer to be the anchor? But I made sure to keep those thoughts to myself.
While I was curious, I didn't want to probe too much. If Hoshino decided to share, good for me. If not, there was nothing I could do.
Even though I complimented him, he didn't react. Instead, he reset the stopwatch and started walking back.
Okay. Enough said. I'll drop it. At least, that was what I was prepared to do, until he called out to me.
"Thank you. I'm flattered, but I was still a little slower than you. So if you're wondering why I didn't anchor—that's why."
I froze for a moment, watching his retreating figure.
Well, what do you know…
He ended up giving me an answer after all—despite the fact that I never asked. How awfully sharp of him.
But what was even more interesting…
Was the fact that it was such an obvious lie.
I shook my head, dropping the topic as I followed after him.
I'm sure he has his reasons, so I won't pry. It's none of my business, and it's not like I'm a close friend of his. But most of all…
My mind drifted back to the day when he asked why I kept my jacket on despite the heat. While I wasn't certain, I was fairly sure he knew I was lying—especially after what I learned about him today.
And yet... he said nothing. So, out of respect for him, just like the one he showed me…
Neither will I.