CH 21

“Oops.”

“Whoa!?”

With a thud, I collided with someone at the end of the hallway. Although my plump body didn’t even flinch, the other person stumbled and fell on their butt.

Colliding with someone at the end of the hallway may be the start of a love story, but this was just an accident. The person I collided with was Yosuke.

“Are you okay?”

“…”

It wasn’t anyone’s fault, really. But I extended my hand to help Yosuke up, and he just glared at me before getting up and walking away.

“…”

As I mentioned before, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. 

But I couldn’t help but feel like I should have apologized or something. Oh well, it didn’t matter to me anyway, since I’ve realized a lot about myself. 

On my way back to the classroom, I collided with someone again.

“You! Watch where you’re going!”

“Are you okay?”

Unlike Yosuke, this guy – Saito – didn’t fall over. He had two friends with him who still looked down on me, but Saito’s clear look of hostility was unmistakable.

“I’m obviously fine.”

“That’s good to hear. I knocked someone else over earlier, and he fell on his butt.”

“That guy was just weak. Don’t compare me to him, fatso.”

“Sure, sure. If you’re fine, then that’s good enough.”

Saito still had a foul mouth, but he didn’t randomly pick fights like he used to. 

As long as I stood tall without being too sensitive, it seemed like he wouldn’t bother me anymore. 

After glancing at Saito as he headed to the bathroom, I went back to the classroom.

“…yawn”

Why is it that schools make you so sleepy after lunch? 

Despite my perfect sleep schedule from exercising and going to bed early, I was still incredibly sleepy.

“…yawn… Ahh~”

As I yawned repeatedly and became annoyed with myself, I felt someone’s gaze on me. 

When I looked over, Shirayuki was looking at me, probably amused by my exaggerated yawning. 

As she continued to stare at me, I yawned again and she covered her mouth with her hand, smiling.

(… I must look pretty stupid, huh?)

I chuckled to myself, thinking it wouldn’t be surprising if someone laughed at me. 

I endured my drowsiness and managed to pass the time until after school when I finally felt a sense of liberation.

“It’s over… Alright, I need to change and head back home right away.”

Today is Friday, and I am supposed to go to the gym tomorrow. 

However, I have been maintaining my weekday exercise routine, so I plan to do some light running today… and what do you know, Shirayuki seems to be joining me.

“Fuhehe…”

… I wish I could stop this creepy laughter that comes out when I think of happy things. 

Just after exchanging a brief glance with Shirayuki as we left the classroom, Yosuke came in and went straight to Shirayuki. Of course, I was curious.

“Shirayuki, would you like to go out with me?”

“I’m sorry, I have plans today.”

“… Aren’t you always busy lately?”

“I have things to do, so it can’t be helped. Is there anything else?”

I’m sorry, protagonist, but it was because of me. 

Feeling a bit superior, I left the classroom. 

Soon after, I returned to my apartment, changed into my workout clothes, and went to the park to meet her… and there she was.

“Ah…”

Shirayuki arrived in workout clothes like me. 

It felt different from the gym uniform we wore at school, and her long hair tied back, she was looking very good.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No worries, I just got here too.”

“… Fufu, it’s like a date, isn’t it?”

“…”

I realized that only after I said it. 

I looked away to hide my embarrassment, but it seems Shirayuki didn’t notice, so I was relieved.

“Shall we get started?”

“Yes.”

Remember kids, don’t forget to stretch before exercising! 

Shirayuki and I did some light stretching together, but I couldn’t help but steal glances at her. 

She was wearing a hat on top of her workout clothes and hairstyle, and it surprised me how much of a difference it made.

“Are you that interested?”

“Oh no… it’s just that a hat can make a big difference.”

“I see. I’m actually a bit surprised myself.”

That’s the extent of the change. 

After finishing stretching, Shirayuki and I started running side by side…yeah, it was nice to have her next to me, but it was also good to have the habit of exercising regularly.

“Huff…huff…huff!”

My breathing seemed to have improved quite a bit, and unless I pushed myself too hard, I wouldn’t get out of breath right away. 

My body was still heavy, so I had to be careful not to strain myself and hurt my legs. But Shirayuki seemed to be more considerate than I was.

“Let’s take a break when we get there.”

“Okay.”

Just as I was thinking it was time to take a break, Shirayuki said it first. 

Unlike me, who was sweating profusely, Shirayuki still looked composed, with only a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead.

“…ah~”

“Good job. Let’s take a break for now.”

Shirayuki and I sat down on a nearby bench. 

We didn’t say much and just focused on catching our breath, taking deep breaths in and out.

“Okay, I’m feeling better now.”

“That’s the spirit. Let’s continue then…”

Just as we were getting up from the bench to start running again, I saw two people.

“…is that…”

It was someone who was etched in Arashi’s memory…yes, it was Arashi’s older brother, Yoshiya Gundo, a Second year college student. 

I don’t know much about him, but he’s so handsome and elite that people wonder if he’s really Arashi’s brother. 

His family has high expectations for him, and he doesn’t seem to consider Arashi part of the family.

(Is that the girlfriend Kana was talking about?)

I only caught a glimpse of her, but she was certainly beautiful and elegant…but from my perspective, Shirayuki and Hisui are much more wonderful, so I don’t understand what the fuss is about.

“Those two… is the man your brother?”

“Did you figure it out?”

“I could tell by looking at Arashi-kun’s behavior. It’s okay, Arashi-kun. To me, you’re more wonderful than that person whom I don’t really know. I’ve been watching your efforts up close all this time.”

“Huh…”

Why is she saying such a happy thing to me! 

But… yeah, it’s probably really simple for me to be motivated by just a few words like that, but right now, that simplicity is what’s driving me forward.

“Hey, Shirayuki…”

“What is it?”

“Say it more! I can do more because of it!”

“I’ll say it as many times as you need. Arashi-kun is more wonderful —let’s do our best, okay?”

“Yeeeah!!”

Humans, after all, aren’t so bad when they’re simple! It’s not a bad thing to feel my heart racing at just one word from her, but Arashi’s appearance is definitely better off being simple, no matter how you look at it.

“Oh, Shirayuki…”

“Hm?”

I pulled her arm to shield her from a bike that was passing nearby.

boof She clung to my body with a sound, but I felt a little embarrassed that I went that far.

“S-Sorry, a bike was coming.”

“I understand. Well, you showed your gentle side again, didn’t you?”

“…I’m just being normal.”

“Let’s just leave it at that.”

After that, we started running again. 

And then, when we passed by a certain shop, we passed by the two of them… my older brother and his girlfriend.

“…Huh? Arashi?”

It surprised me, but Shirayuki didn’t seem to think it was necessary for us to stop, as if saying that. 

I don’t have any particular attachment to Arashi’s family, but… yeah, I strongly felt that it was more important for me to follow her who was by my side pulling my arm than to think about that.