The campus in the evening was always much quieter than during the day.
The afterglow of the sunset dyed the sky a warm orange-red, making one feel relaxed.
When Shioyaki Lemon walked to the school gate with Imaizumi Keita, her face couldn't help but show happiness and anticipation.
Perhaps for Shioyaki Lemon, sports were an indispensable part of her life; just the thought and anticipation made her happy.
"Let's go, Imai-chan! To the Sports Field!"
She waved her arm enthusiastically and took the first step.
After just two steps, she suddenly remembered something and stopped abruptly.
"Ah..."
A short, frustrated cry escaped her lips.
Imaizumi Keita followed slowly behind her with his hands in his pockets, asking as he saw her troubled look.
"What's wrong?"
Shioyaki Lemon turned around slowly, her face full of embarrassment.
Her gaze first swept quickly over her white T-shirt and denim shorts, then landed on the delicate sandals on her feet, and finally, she looked up at Imaizumi Keita like an elementary student who had made a mistake.
"U-um... I just remembered," she scratched her cheek awkwardly, her voice weakening, "I'm wearing casual clothes for hanging out today... and the shoes are wrong too..."
As she spoke, she looked at Imaizumi Keita's casual shirt and cropped pants, her apology deepening.
"And... Imai-chan, you didn't bring a change of athletic clothes either, right? I can go to the Track and Field Club clubroom to change, but you..."
Seeing her at a loss and desperately apologizing for her oversight, Imaizumi Keita found it a bit funny.
This clumsy cuteness was a completely different feeling from Yanami Anna's tsundere nature, which constantly oscillated between calculation and counter-calculation.
If Yanami was like a hedgehog that occasionally poked you, then Shioyaki Lemon was probably like a golden retriever that panicked because it accidentally stepped on its own tail.
"It's fine."
He spoke to comfort her, his tone casual, not caring much about it.
"I wasn't planning on doing any high-intensity training anyway. It's okay to move around a bit and sweat in these clothes."
"R-really?" Shioyaki Lemon looked at him uncertainly. "But..."
"No buts," Imaizumi Keita interrupted her. "You were the one who invited me, Yakishio. We can't give up halfway over something so small."
Hearing this, the hesitation on Shioyaki Lemon's face was immediately replaced by a sense of responsibility.
A smile reappeared on her face as she nodded, looked at her sandals, and instructed.
"Mm! You're right! Then Imai-chan, wait for me here for a bit. I'll go to the clubroom to change and be right back!"
She finished speaking and jogged off toward the Track and Field Club clubroom.
The wait wasn't long.
In less than five minutes, Shioyaki Lemon's figure reappeared.
She had changed into professional track and field gear.
The tight-fitting sports tank top outlined her energetic lines, and under the black sports shorts were two long, straight legs with well-defined muscle lines.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Imai-chan!"
Shioyaki Lemon ran up to him, her face flushed with the excitement typical before exercise.
"Let's go, we'll warm up first."
Under her lead, the two began warming up on the synthetic track of the Sports Field.
From ankles to wrists, from leg stretches to high knees, Shioyaki Lemon acted like a professional coach, correcting Imaizumi Keita's movements.
"Imai-chan, that movement isn't right! Keep your back straight, or you'll get hurt."
"And here, the swing of your arms should be wider so it can drive your body."
She demonstrated while tirelessly correcting Imaizumi Keita's less-than-standard warm-up movements.
Imaizumi Keita was happy to cooperate, letting her poke, touch, and pull to correct his limbs.
Although it was professional and necessary for Shioyaki Lemon, Imaizumi Keita thought it was nice to treat it as a small detail of contact with her.
After a thorough warm-up, the two stood side by side at the starting line.
"Ready? We'll start with a slow jog."
"Ready anytime."
As soon as the words were spoken, Shioyaki Lemon took the lead, running forward at a steady and light pace.
Imaizumi Keita followed unhurriedly by her side, adjusting his breathing and trying to keep up with her rhythm.
The first lap was a breeze for Shioyaki Lemon.
She even had the energy to keep correcting Imaizumi Keita's running form while they ran.
"Breathe, Imai-chan! Pay attention to your breathing rhythm—three steps in, three steps out."
"Yes, just like that! Open up your stride a bit more, don't be so stiff."
Under her guidance, Imaizumi Keita's movements quickly went from awkward to smooth.
He found that running was indeed an exercise that could clear the mind; when his attention was completely focused on the alternation of breath and stride, his usual complicated thoughts were dispersed.
As the number of laps increased, the situation began to change subtly.
Shioyaki Lemon, who had initially led with ease, began to breathe a little heavily.
Drops of crystal-clear sweat slid from her forehead, ran down her flushed cheeks, and disappeared into the collar of her sports bra.
In contrast, Imaizumi Keita, beside her, was only breathing a little heavier, with a slight look of fatigue on his face.
After two more laps, this contrast became even more apparent.
"Hoo... ha... Imai-chan, you..." Shioyaki Lemon panted, speaking intermittently, "You... your stamina is too good..."
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