My Childhood Friend, Sometimes a Schoolgirl—She Only Wears That Ribbon Around Me - Episode 25

“Alright… I’m up soon, so I’ll see you later.”

“Wait a sec. I’ll give you my personal tip for running faster.”

“…What kind of tip?”

“Hehe, well, you see…”

“Don’t tease me—just say it already.”

Yua stood up after me and leaned in close, bringing her lips to my ear.

“…I kept thinking about how Sora-kun was watching me the whole time.”

“Wha—?!”

She pulled back with a giggle after whispering that.

“Don’t mess around like that. There are people nearby…”

“I’m not messing around. I just wanted to see how you’d react.”

“That is messing around!”

“Sorry, sorry. Then maybe I should give you a little apology present?”

“I mean, it’s not like you need to apologize or anything…”

“Alright then, if you beat my time in the 50-meter dash, I’ll give you a reward.”

“A r-reward?”

“Yup. If you win… hmm, I’ll grant you one wish—anything you want.”

Yua gently placed her hand on my waist and peeked at my face from the side.

“There’s no benefit for you in that.”

“Getting to see cool and confident Sora is benefit enough for me.”

“Don’t say embarrassing stuff like that with such a straight face.”

Honestly, I kind of wish she’d said something like that when she was dressed as a girl.

I glanced at her in her gym clothes, scanning her from head to toe, and gave it a bit of thought.

“…So if I win, you’ll do whatever I ask?”

“Of course. Not that I think you’ll beat me, though.”

“Say what!?”

Even knowing she’s a girl, it’s seriously irritating to hear that from someone with such a handsome face.

“Anyway, forget that—it’s your turn. I’ll be watching to see how cool you look.”

With a teasing smile, Yua waved me off. I turned my back to her, grumbling, “Don’t mock me.”

When my turn came, I pushed through the crowd—some of whom had clearly been eavesdropping—and stepped up to the starting line.

I placed both hands and my right knee on the ground, focusing all my attention on the moment the whistle would blow.

At the P.E. teacher’s “On your marks,” I lifted my hips. At “Get set,” I locked eyes on the goal 50 meters ahead. Then—at the sound of the whistle—I took off, along with two others.

“Haah, haah, haah…”

Huh? This pace… is actually pretty good?

I didn’t see anyone in front of me or even in my peripheral vision. The two running with me were in sports clubs and had decent results from last year’s fitness tests. Maybe—just maybe—I could even beat Yua’s record.

Feeling more confident, I turned my head and proudly looked over at Yua in the waiting line.

See that? You watching? I’m not losing yet!

She noticed my glance and waved back at me with a smile.

“Ah…”

—I kept thinking about how Sora-kun was watching me the whole time.

—If I get to see cool and confident Sora, that’s enough of a reward for me.

—I’ll be watching to see how cool you look.

Her words came flooding back to me all at once.

I’d been too caught up in running to think about it at first, but the second I became aware that Yua was watching me, nervousness hit me like a wave.

The more I wanted to avoid looking lame in front of her, the harder it got to stay focused.

“Wait—crap—ahhh!”

And just like that, I ended up showing not only Yua but practically every student from all three classes the lamest sight possible.

I tangled up my own feet and crashed hard onto the track.

I tried to get back up right away, but the others passed me, and I knew I had no chance of winning now. Lying there, I stared up at the sky, completely deflated.

“Hey, Tsuzuki! You alright?!”

After the other two runners finished, the P.E. teacher came running over to me.

“Your right knee’s bleeding pretty bad. Can you stand?”

“Yeah, I think so… Ow.”

“No choice, then. We’re going to the nurse’s office. Lean on me—give me your hand—”

“Wait, Sensei.”

Just as he reached out to help, someone cut him off.

“Y-Yua…?”

Right in front of me stood Yua, who should’ve still been waiting in line.

I stared at her, wide-eyed, not even sure what was happening.

“Is something wrong, Yushiro?”

“I’ll take Tsuzuki-kun to the nurse’s office.”

“No, but… still—”

“The girls are done with testing, and if you leave, the whole class has to stop.”

“Then it’d be better to ask one of the boys who’ve already finished. You should get back to the waiting line—hey, wait! Yushiro, what are you—?!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on! I really mean it—wait!”

Right after the teacher, I shouted too, panicking. Meanwhile, high-pitched squeals erupted from the direction of the waiting line.

“It’s fine, Sensei. I’ll take full responsibility for looking after Tsuzuki-kun.”

Ignoring the teacher entirely, Yua pushed forward—by suddenly princess carrying me right off the track.

The teacher, looking stunned, eventually gave in with a sigh. “Fine, he’s your problem now.”

“Let me go! I can walk—put me down!”

“You couldn’t even stand up a second ago. Just relax and lean on me for now.”

“Everyone’s staring!”

But if I moved too much, I’d just fall again and make it worse.

So, surrounded by a wave of jealous glares from the girls, I was carried off to the nurse’s office in Yua’s arms.

I’m a second-year high school student… and I just got princess carried. Couldn’t be more embarrassing.