"Kotomi, let's go to the changing room together." After receiving her gym clothes and number tag, Seiko Kirigiri didn't head straight to the changing room but instead waited outside the classroom for Kotomi Izumi.
"Sure."
Girls often like being with their companions at times like these—just like in elementary school when they'd always go to the restroom together during breaks.
"I'm honestly surprised. I didn't expect you to sign up for the sports festival, especially for the 800-meter run! I ran it once back in junior high, and especially in the second half, it felt like my whole body was on fire, like my throat was about to explode. Looking at the finish line still far ahead while your legs grow heavier and heavier... Ever since then, I swore I'd never run the 800 again, even if I joined a sports festival."
Seiko Kirigiri spoke with lingering fear. The more she knew how brutal the 800 meters was, the more admiration she felt for Kotomi.
"But you're really amazing, Kotomi. You actually volunteered for the 800 meters. When the girls were signing up, not a single person wrote their name in that column."
"Haha... W-well, it's not that bad. As long as you learn a few tricks, it's actually pretty manageable." Kotomi smiled wryly.
Feeling Seiko's admiring gaze, Kotomi would normally be acting all smug. But not today—not because she suddenly didn't feel like showing off. On the contrary, just last night before bed, she had read ten chapters of a power-fantasy novel and only then fell asleep satisfied.
It was just that, right now, the reason her classmates were clapping thunderously for her and looking at her with admiration was entirely because of Shizuka Hiratsuka's nonsense!
When did I ever volunteer for this?!
It was clearly Ms. Hiratsuka who threatened and coaxed me into joining!
If there were no one around, Kotomi would definitely be yelling those words from the bottom of her heart.
Unfortunately, she couldn't.
The die was cast, the applause had happened, and the admiring gazes were there. Even if she had to grit her teeth, she had no choice but to admit that yes, she had volunteered for the 800-meter run.
Kotomi didn't want to continue talking about how she "volunteered" for the 800. It was too embarrassing! She could only seize the moment and skillfully change the subject:
"By the way, Seiko, will Senior Naegi be joining the sports festival?"
Kotomi was genuinely curious. As the president of the art club, did Hibiki Naegi have a hidden side where she excelled at sports too?
Just like how Seiko had seemed unathletic until she showed off her long jump skills in PE class.
For some reason, when Kotomi brought up Hibiki Naegi, Seiko's expression shifted—a mix of sadness and loss flashed across her face before quickly returning to normal. She then smiled teasingly as usual:
"My sister? Hahaha, no joke, no joke—she definitely won't be joining the sports festival. Ever since kindergarten, she's always been the one sitting in the stands, rain or shine, watching from the audience. In junior high, someone even invited her to join the cheer squad, and she politely declined."
At this point, Seiko Kirigiri revealed a smile with an ambiguous meaning:
"Maybe in my sister's eyes, nothing can compare to her drawing."
There was one more sentence Seiko didn't say aloud, only murmuring it to herself deep inside.
"Senior Naegi really does get completely absorbed when she draws," Kotomi agreed with a sigh.
Back when they were doing club activities in the art room, Kotomi had once looked around after putting down her brush and saw Hibiki Naegi sitting in front of her easel with a serious expression, brows slightly furrowed—as if every stroke was a fresh challenge to her.
People in the art club often said: when Senior Naegi is drawing, she looks downright scary.
"Super focused," Seiko emphasized for some unknown reason. "If you accidentally interrupt her while she's drawing, the consequences are pretty serious."
As she said this, Seiko chuckled again, her smile still full of hidden meaning.
Seeing that, Kotomi didn't press the topic. Though a bit curious, she wasn't the type to pry into others' private matters—especially between Seiko and Hibiki. It wasn't her place.
While chatting about what new snacks and drinks the school shop had stocked recently, they arrived at the girls' changing room.
Opening the door, Kotomi subtly drew in a breath. What a feast for the eyes—beautiful sights in every direction.
She walked up to the locker with her name on it. Since she hadn't brought extra shoes, she had just worn her white sneakers when leaving home today.
Unzipping the side of her skirt revealed her beautiful legs. The soft, smooth, and delicately textured black tights hugged Kotomi's alluring legs and feet. The skin underneath, as fair as milk, was breathtaking.
Of course, you couldn't run in tights. First, it wasn't practical. Second... Kotomi's tights were expensive—which is exactly why every time Megumi tore them in a fit of passion, Kotomi would feel the pain in her wallet.
Megumi might have enjoyed herself, but those rips cost real money!
Especially that one time, when Megumi ruined a pair of pink tights—Kotomi never even told her the real price. She just gave Megumi a resentful glare and scolded, "You're so wasteful! For the next ten days, don't touch me!"
Though less than five days later, she let Megumi touch her again...
Kotomi's black-stockinged feet stepped into her white sneakers. She neatly folded her skirt and placed it in the locker, then began taking off her blouse and tights piece by piece and changed into her gym clothes.
Sobu High School's gym uniform was simple: a plain short-sleeved shirt and mid-thigh shorts.
One nice thing about short hair—no need to tie it up into a ponytail. Still, Kotomi gave it a try, lifting her hair up high and exposing her fair, delicate nape.
Kotomi didn't realize that while she was changing, every small movement she made was captivating the hearts of the girls around her. Especially when she lifted her hair—in that moment, some of the girls had already decided how to begin their love letters to her.
"Seiko, could you pin my number tag on for me?" Kotomi asked. She didn't know the two girls nearby and felt too shy to ask them, so she called out to Seiko instead.
"Sure, give me a sec!"
Seiko, who had just finished tying her hair up, quickly came over and used a safety pin to attach the number tag to the back of Kotomi's gym shirt.
It took a bit of effort. The gym uniform didn't fit perfectly—some found it loose, others tight. With Kotomi's enviable figure, the shirt was visibly snug.
Seiko was extra careful not to accidentally prick Kotomi's soft, delicate skin. Even if Kotomi said it was fine, Seiko would have felt guilty for a long time.
Once she finally finished pinning the tag, Seiko was sweating from the tension.
"All done, Kotomi. Can I ask you to help with mine too?"
She handed her own number tag to Kotomi and turned around.
"No problem."
After helping Seiko pin on her number tag and locking her locker, Kotomi grabbed her school jacket and followed Seiko Kirigiri out of the changing room.
The sports festival wasn't being held in the summer, and with winter approaching, temperatures were gradually dropping. Sure, she'd warm up once she started running, but until then, it would be cold. So bringing a jacket was a must.
"It was already obvious before, but now that you're in your gym clothes, your figure stands out even more, Kotomi. Even though we're both girls, I couldn't take my eyes off you," Seiko Kirigiri said, glancing at Kotomi in her gym uniform, then at herself, instantly feeling self-conscious.
We're both girls, so why is the difference between us so huge?
"Huh? It's... not that special..." Kotomi replied with a shy smile. In reality, every time someone complimented her figure, it made her very happy.
The three simplest ways to cheer up Kotomi were: compliment her looks, her figure, or her personality.
Even if no one complimented her, she'd still shower herself with praise daily.
While they were changing, other classes had already started heading to the track. With no classes today, everyone was excited about the sports festival.
"Hello, little Kotomi~"
Just as they descended a flight of stairs, a familiar voice rang out behind them. Kotomi quickly turned around and, sure enough, met eyes with Utaha Kasumigaoka.
"Utaha-senpai?! And why have you started calling me so intimately all of a sudden?"
"Eh? Aren't we already close?" Utaha feigned shock, then began ticking off on her fingers, "We've shared so many wonderful moments together, watched our favorite movies together, and..."
"Favorite movie... You mean that The Ring that almost made me cry in fear?"
Kotomi shuddered, still haunted by memories of The Ring. Remembering how she burst into tears after being scared by Sadako, played by Mai Sakurajima, made her want to crawl into a hole.
"Let's go see a non-horror movie together next time~" Utaha said, walking up and casually slinging her arm around Kotomi's shoulders.
Come to think of it, Utaha found it odd herself. She never engaged in physical closeness with others—even with Hibiki Naegi, Kyouka Tendo, or Mai Sakurajima. She'd roughhouse a bit, but always kept a bit of distance.
Only when she was with Kotomi did she feel an irresistible urge to get closer, like now, naturally wrapping her arm around Kotomi and pulling this little cutie into her embrace.
And Kotomi, of course... tilted her head and leaned in to enjoy it.
Because Utaha's embrace really was that comfortable!
Utaha only just noticed the gym uniform peeking out from under Kotomi's jacket and asked in surprise:
"Kotomi, you signed up for the sports festival? What event?"
"Girls' 800-meter run..."
"Volunteered?"
"Volunteered," Kotomi replied with an awkward laugh.
Upon hearing that Kotomi had signed up for the girls' 800 meters, and that she had volunteered, Utaha's already wide eyes grew even wider. She touched Kotomi's forehead, confirmed she didn't have a fever, then said in a trembling, incredulous voice:
"You... you're still the same soft, fluffy, cute otaku kouhai (junior) I know? No! My Izumi kouhai isn't like this! She would never voluntarily join the sports festival, let alone sign up for something as brutal as the 800-meter run! No, you're not her. Tell me who you are! Why are you possessing my little Kotomi's body? Give her back right now!"
The moment Utaha Kasumigaoka heard "800-meter run," she was immediately overwhelmed with traumatic memories. Always frequently absent and barely scraping attendance minimums each semester, she naturally wasn't good at sports.
Fortunately, after entering her second year, PE classes were no longer strict. Even if you spent the entire period on your phone, the teacher wouldn't care.
After all, in the second and third years, PE teachers focused all their attention on the students aiming for special sports admissions.
"Sorry to disappoint, but I am your little otaku kouhai. As for why I volunteered for the 800-meter run... sigh... it's a long and painful story. I just have to grit my teeth and run it now," Kotomi sighed helplessly.
It was all because sweet, sneaky Shizuka had trapped her!
Utaha wasn't stupid—she picked up on the real meaning behind Kotomi's words immediately. Clearly, Kotomi hadn't really volunteered. Utaha gave her a comforting hug. If they weren't still in the school building, Utaha might have already lost control and kissed her.
In gym clothes, Kotomi was different from usual—even more temptingly irresistible!
"Do I look good?" Kotomi lifted her head from Utaha's embrace, her soft pink eyes gazing up as she asked.
"I can't look away. Please, be the heroine of my next novel," Utaha replied without hesitation.
Kotomi laughed. The nervousness she had felt about the upcoming 800-meter run faded considerably.
Once they left the school building, they had to part ways since each class had different spots assigned on the field.
"When you're running, I'll cheer you on loudly. If I had known you were in the sports festival, I would've brought a megaphone."
"Senpai, that's very sweet of you, but please don't shout through a megaphone for me."
Kotomi definitely didn't want to be the center of attention running in front of a crowd—especially not for the 800 meters.
After parting, Seiko Kirigiri, who had remained silent earlier, couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer and asked, "Kotomi, how do you know Kasumigaoka-senpai? You two seem really close. Did you really go see a movie together during break?!"
"Huh? Oh, it was nothing special. Senpai is easy to get along with. As for the movie, she invited me, and I just didn't have the heart to turn her down."
Kotomi smiled casually, like it was no big deal.
But Seiko Kirigiri, watching quietly, had already filled in the blanks with her imagination. The way Kotomi and Utaha had unconsciously acted so close moments ago didn't seem like an ordinary senpai-kouhai relationship. It was more like...
Two people clearly harboring mutual feelings, yet neither realizing it just yet.
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