Chapter 5: “Resolve and Dreams”

Natsuhama Central High School, where I study, isn’t one of those fancy private institutions swimming in wealth. It’s always been a powerhouse in academics, but its facilities? Outdated and crumbling. That is, until Kuroki Rui enrolled. Overnight, the school’s ancient equipment was swapped out, the rundown gym got a full renovation, and the field was upgraded with pristine turf.

Why? Because Kuroki Rui, the prefecture’s unrivaled beauty and celebrity, brought a tidal wave of donations just by gracing our halls.

Even this school-wide cheer squad for the track team’s Inter-High is a perk of her presence. Before Rui, the club’s group cheering meant squeezing into a rickety, air-conditioner-less bus borrowed from a local company on the brink of collapse. Now, thanks to her, we ride in a sleek, air-conditioned luxury bus.

Honestly, we owe Kuroki Rui way too much.

This world runs on star power and money—and the only two people who make us regular folks feel that truth so keenly are Ohtani-san and Kuroki Rui.

“Ryouta-kun? Hurry up and get on the bus!”

“Oh, uh, yeah.”

Lost in thought, marveling (and quietly panicking) over Rui’s insane influence, I snap back to reality at Tanaka’s call as she boards the bus.

Inside, the cool air greets us, and the bus is lined with two-person seats. The four of us split up toward the back: Yuria and Airi take the front row, while Tanaka and I settle in behind them.

“Airi brought snacks for the ride! Yuria, wanna share?”

“Nah, I just ate breakfast, so I’m not in the mood for snacks… Hey, Ryouta, got any gum?” Yuria twists around in her seat, peering back at me.

“Gum? Uh, sorry, I don’t have any.”

“Oh? Guess I’ll grab some of Airi’s snacks then.”

I don’t have gum, but I’ve got a condom… If I said that, Yuria would lose it, so I bite my tongue. After Rui’s cryptic “punishment” comment, I thought July 30th was going to be my grand “graduation from virginity” day, so I came prepared. But instead, it’s just another normal school event.

“Haa… Man, what a letdown.”

“Yohtahyun, whash a lehdowhn? (Ryouta-kun, what’s a letdown?)” Tanaka mumbles through a mouthful of dried squid, sitting next to me in the aisle seat.

If things had gone as planned, I’d be alone with Rui in a classroom, caught up in some wild SM play… Instead, I’m stuck next to my nerdy, loli-faced otaku best friend, who’s chomping on stinky squid.

“Dammit! You squid-stinking girl…”

“Whoa, why’re you so grumpy? It’s been forever since we sat together like this—middle school, remember? You could at least act a little happy.” Tanaka’s voice softens shyly as she pops another piece of squid into her mouth.

“Listen, Tanaka,” I groan. “Like I said, I came here expecting some steamy action. I thought this was my once-in-a-lifetime shot to graduate from being a forever virgin! And now I’m stuck at a school event like this. Of course I’m in a bad mood!”

“Ugh, you’re the same as ever, Ryouta-kun. But let me ask—do you even know why Kuroki-san tricked you like that?”

“Huh? Why… what do you mean?”

“Simple. You’re the type who’d hate events like this. She probably figured she had to pull a stunt to get a pervy guy like you to show up.”

Had to pull a stunt? What kind of twisted jerk does Rui think I am? She didn’t need to go this far—I’d have come if she just asked me straight-up.

“Though, this is just a guess,” Tanaka continues, “but with Kuroki-san’s personality, she might’ve been too embarrassed to just say, ‘I want you to cheer at my competition.’”

“Huh? Why’s that?”

“Ugh, seriously, you don’t get it? This is why you’re such a clueless virgin otaku.”

“Haa!? Calling me a virgin right now!? Fine, maybe I’ll just graduate with you then!”

“W-What? Me…? N-No way, absolutely not!” Tanaka stammers, flustered. “W-Well… if you got on your knees and begged me to help you graduate, I might consider it.”

“Who the hell’s gonna beg you on their knees!?”

“Hey, you two, quiet down. The bus is about to leave,” Yuria scolds.

“Sorry, sorry!” Tanaka and I shrink in our seats, chastised.

“Haa… Anyway, Tanaka, switch seats with me. Airi says she’ll share her snacks with you too.”

“For real!? Awesome!” Tanaka, in the aisle seat, eagerly swaps with Yuria, who slides in next to me.

Y-Yuria… huh.

“Alright, Ryouta…” Yuria’s brow furrows as she leans closer. “Wanna tell me more about that ‘steamy SM play with Rui’ thing you mentioned this morning?”

W-Wait, is Yuria super pissed right now!?

“Uh, Yuria-san? Are you, uh, maybe a little mad?”

“Huh? I’m not mad.”

No way—she’s totally mad!

“Anyway! I’m just curious how you and Rui ended up talking about something like SM play.”

Oh, I get it. That makes sense. Rui always plays the wholesome card around Airi and Yuria, doesn’t she? The real Rui sends me navel selfies daily and teases me with suggestive pics—she’s got some serious quirks.

In my head, an imaginary Kuroki Rui (ultra naughty) starts mercilessly whipping me. Ugh… Since it didn’t happen in reality, I’m stuck replaying it in my mind. Is this the curse of being a virgin?

“Hey, Ryouta. You’re thinking something weird again, aren’t you?”

“Huh? N-No way! That’s unfair!”

“No, whenever you’re thinking pervy stuff, you get this creepy grin.”

Crap… Was it showing on my face?

Yuria’s expression grows sterner by the second.

A-Anyway, I need to protect Rui’s honor here. “L-Listen, about that SM play thing—it’s just that Rui told me to come to school on Wednesday morning without explaining why, so I misunderstood, okay?”

“No way you’d jump to SM play with Rui just from that. Not normally.”

Her blunt response leaves me speechless. W-Well, yeah, that’s true, but…

“Hey, Ryouta, are you hiding something about you and Rui from us?”

“Guh…”

I’ve kept secrets like this under wraps so far, but this might be my toughest pinch yet. If this keeps up, they’ll figure out Rui’s a slightly twisted superhuman driven by a desire to flaunt her navel and seduce me!

W-What do I do…?

“—Heh, Ichinose-san, you’ve still got a long way to go.”

T-Tanaka!?

“As someone super close to Ryouta-kun, I can see right through everything he’s thinking.”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? Spill it, Tanaka.”

Wait, does Tanaka know Rui’s a slightly twisted superhuman who’s obsessed with showing off her navel and seducing me?

“Hehe… Let me explain it simply.”

If that’s true, this is bad!

“Stop! Tana—!”

I try to cut off Tanaka’s long-winded “Tanapedia” explanation, but—

“Ryouta-kun’s such a virgin otaku that whenever a pretty girl invites him somewhere, he assumes it’s a chance to hook up!”

“Huh!?”

…Ugh, she’s just an idiot.

“So, you shouldn’t expect too much normalcy from Ryouta-kun, okay?”

Tanaka smirks smugly, Yuria eyes me with a creeped-out look, and Airi’s lost in her pile of Choco Bats.

“W-Well… yeah, something like that. Don’t underestimate a virgin’s hormonal brain, Yuria.”

For Rui’s sake, I play the sad virgin role. I don’t actually think every invitation means I’ll score! …Probably. Definitely.

Thanks to Tanaka’s weird misunderstanding, I’m saved… but I’m absolutely not forgiving her.

“S-So… Ryouta, when I invited you to that movie before…” Yuria’s voice softens, her lips trembling slightly, cheeks flushed as she tries to hide them with her hands.

“Huh?”

“D-Did you… think you had a shot with me or something?”

“Uh? W-Well, uh… I-I mean…”

“…Hmph.”

“……”

“……”

Yeah, nope. I’m definitely not forgiving Tanaka.

The bus rolls on toward the Inter-High venue, but the awkward tension lingers like a stubborn fog. Dammit, Tanaka… stirring up trouble like that! Sure, my usual behavior isn’t exactly saintly, but her massive bias against me is just as bad, if you ask me.

Whatever. I need to shift the vibe.

“Oh! By the way, where’s Rui right now?” We’re here to cheer for her competition, so talking about her should be safe, right?

“Rui? She’s already at the venue, moving separately with the track team. You seriously didn’t hear anything from her?” Yuria raises an eyebrow.

“Dead serious.”

“God, Rui’s hopeless…” Yuria sighs, exasperated, but a faint smile creeps onto her face.

“Maybe Rui’s like that too, huh?”

“Like what?”

“…Nothing. Anyway, Ryouta, you better not be secretly filming the track team girls.”

“Even I wouldn’t do something like that!”

“Heh, I know. Just teasing.” Yuria’s tone lightens, easing the earlier awkwardness as she slips back into her usual self.

“Hey, Yuriaaa, Airi wants to hang with Ryouta too, so switch with me!” Airi calls from the front.

“Yeah, yeah. We’ll switch at the service area,” Yuria replies, striking a deal.

Originally, Tanaka was next to me… but, well, she’s quiet when she’s munching on snacks, so it’s fine. Still, this bus—brand-new as it is—feels cramped. Yuria’s thick thighs are brushing against my leg, and if Airi sits here later… gulp. There’s a chance for a boob touch, right?

“So, Ryouta.” Yuria’s voice snaps me out of my impure thoughts.

“…! W-What?” I flinch, heart racing. Crap, did she notice me trying to subtly brush against her thigh?

“You’re, like, super tight with Rui, Airi’s super attached to you, and… you and I are pretty close too, right?”

“Uh? Y-Yeah.” Where’s she going with this?

“So… you’ve gotta be into someone out of us, right?”

“Huh?” My brain stalls. Me… into Rui, Yuria, or Airi?

“Be honest… who do you like, Ryouta?”

“W-Well…” Her sudden, ultimate question hits like a truck.

Liking one of these three gorgeous girls? Impossible to choose. I want to see Rui’s navel every day—maybe even poke it. Airi’s massive chest feels like something I’m duty-bound to witness grow over time. And getting suffocated between Yuria’s thighs? That’s a dream I can’t let go of. Picking just one? No way.

Besides, even though I’m close with them, I’m not convinced any of them want that kind of relationship with me. Sure, Yuria’s my biggest supporter—maybe if I begged hard enough, she’d suffocate me with those thighs…

“Hey, Ryouta, don’t just go quiet.”

“Uh, w-well, I-I…” I stammer, grasping for words.

“Haa… Knowing you, you’re probably thinking about who you’d hook up with, right?”

“Gah! I’m not thinking about that!” I wasn’t that far gone, but I was definitely imagining some fetishy stuff, so I can’t fully deny it.

“What I’m asking is who you’d date. Not some pervy fling, got it?”

“Y-Yeah… right, of course.”

“What? So you were thinking pervy stuff about us?”

“Well… I mean, if I could get suffocated between your thighs, Yuria, I’d probably pick you.”

“…!” Yuria freezes, her eyes wide.

Even Yuria, who gets me, probably thinks that’s pretty gross…

“If I… suffocated you with my thighs, you’d pick me?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t ‘huh’ me! I mean, if I suffocated you right here, would you choose me…?” She points to her lap, her long nails pressing into her plump, juicy thighs. Her fingers sink slightly into the soft flesh.

That’s just way too hot (no explanation needed).

“Y-You’d… suffocate me?”

“…Yeah. But in return, if I do… you’d choose me.” Yuria grabs my right hand and pulls it toward her thighs.

My dream of touching Yuria’s thighs is within reach. If, in just one week, I’ve touched her bare chest and her thighs… I’m done for!

“Ryouta…!”

“Y-Yuria…!”

The moment my hand grazes her hot, thick thighs—

“Alright, everyone! We’re taking a 10-minute break at the service area! Be back on the bus by 11!” The driver’s voice blares through the speakers.

The bus has stopped. Talk about a cliffhanger…

“Ryouta! Let’s go buy some souvenirs at the service area!” Airi spins around from the front seat, oblivious to the tension.

Yuria and I jerk away from each other, faces burning.

“Huh? What’s up with you two? Your faces are all red.”

“Oh! Uh, th-that’s—!” I stammer.

“R-Ryouta was just super excited to buy souvenirs! So hurry up already,” Yuria cuts in, shoving me toward the aisle.

“Y-Yeah, let’s go, Ryouta,” Airi chimes in, tugging at me.

As I stand to get off the bus, Yuria leans close, her breath warm against my ear. “Hey, we’ll… continue this later. So… you get it, right?”

“Huh? Y-Yeah…” I don’t fully grasp what she means by “you get it,” but… continuing later, huh. That’s way too hot.

I just made a super naughty promise with Yuria.

“Wow! The service area parking lot is so huge!” Airi bounces excitedly at the exit, her massive chest jiggling with every step.

Ohh… that’s also way too hot.

“Ryouta-kun… your face is turning into a total perv,” Tanaka mutters, eyeing me.

“Tanaka… I’m in bliss right now.”

“H-Huh?” She blinks, utterly clueless.

☆☆

Yuria’s thighs… I could get suffocated by them as much as I want.

And she said we’d continue later… so maybe she’ll let me suffocate something even naughtier.

“Hey, Ryouta, are you listening?”

“Oh, uh, s-sorry.” Airi’s voice yanks me out of my heated daydreams about Yuria’s thighs.

We’re browsing the service area’s souvenir shop, the bustle of travelers around us. Airi’s rifling through snacks, her expression serious.

“Ugh, Tanaka-chan ate all my snacks, so I need to restock. Ryouta, take this seriously!”

“S-Seriously? They’re just snacks.”

“They’re not just snacks!” Airi huffs, then her eyes light up. “Oh, look at this!” She dives for a display. “Check it out! Boob-shaped pudding!”

Laughing, Airi grabs the pudding, jiggling her own ample chest playfully. “Whoa, it’s kinda bold, right? Think Tanaka-chan would laugh if I gave her this?”

Imagining Airi, the busty beauty, handing Tanaka a boob-shaped pudding… it’s so cruel I could cry. Airi’s shade is as plump as her figure, and she doesn’t even realize it.

“Alright, I’m buying it. It’ll make Tanaka-chan happy.”

“W-Wait,” I interject, feeling a pang for flat-chested Tanaka. “Even she’d be weirded out getting boob-shaped pudding at her age.”

“God, getting all excited over boob-shaped pudding,” Airi teases. “You’re the one not taking this seriously. Bet you’re just hyped about it too, right? Always so pervy!”

This busty little brat! But I’m not falling for her bait. I’m no longer just some virgin (whatever that means). I’ve dived into Airi’s chest, felt Yuria’s bare boobs against my back at the pool, and get daily sweaty, suggestive selfies from Rui… I’m an elite virgin. Invincible.

“Heh… You think I’d get excited over fake boobs?”

“R-Really? I thought you’d lose it over any boobs.”

“I see yours all the time, Airi. No way I’d get worked up over fakes.”

“…Huh?” Airi’s eyes widen, her face freezing in shock.

“My boobs… I did say you could look, but… you’re that into them?”

Crap. I got cocky after nearly crossing a line with Yuria earlier and let slip a pervy comment I usually keep locked in my head.

“Oh, sorry, Airi. That’s not what I meant.”

“M-My boobs too…” she mumbles, blushing pink, her voice shy.

“Huh?”

“My boobs… will you… eat them someday, Ryouta?”

The words hit like a spark, igniting a flood of naughty scenarios in my brain. It’s too much, I can’t stop! My mental library pulls up a mountain of doujinshi under “Airi boobs eat.”

“…Ryouta, you dummy! Not… not yet!” Airi stammers, her face redder.

“Huh?”

“You can look… but eating them, not yet.”

“O-Oh…” Airi’s usually clueless about dirty terms, but her grasp of “eating” makes this feel even hotter.

Ordered to “wait” on her massive boobs, I end up buying the boob-shaped pudding and sharing it with Tanaka. Back on the bus, I shove half the pudding and a spoon at her as she lounges in her seat, openly reading a BL manga.

“Here, Tanaka. Your favorite boob-shaped pudding.”

“W-What, shade!?” She snatches it, then lewdly strokes the “nipple” tip with her finger before digging in, looking satisfied. What a pervert, as always.

I glance at her and head to my seat. By now, Tanaka and Yuria are sitting together up front, so Airi and I take the seats behind them. Yuria must’ve switched with Airi at the service area as promised. I kinda wanted to finish things with Yuria… Oh well. Next time, I’ll pamper those thick thighs… (creepy grin).

“Guhehe… Reading BL while eating boob-shaped pudding is pure bliss, Ryouta-kun,” Tanaka’s creepy voice drifts from the front.

“Don’t read BL on the bus. If it’s R18, you’re done for.”

“It’s not! It’s wholesome R15 BL! Ugh, I’m hyped over a scene where someone’s shoving ●●● into ●●●, so don’t interrupt!”

What’s with R15 stuff these days…? Even shoujo manga gets spicy now, so maybe it’s fine.

“Hey, Ryouta, what’s ●●●?” Airi asks.

“Don’t ask me about ●●●! Ask Yuria or something.”

“Why me? You’re a guy, Ryouta, just answer her,” Yuria shoots back.

“Ugh, fine, I’ll just look it up!”

““Seriously, stop!!”” Yuria and I yell in unison, desperate to halt Airi.

Searching that would wreck her mind.

“Haha, isn’t it fun when we all ride the bus together like this?” Airi giggles.

It’s pure chaos, if you ask me.

“I wish Rui-chan were here too,” she adds, a touch of loneliness in her voice.

“…I hope Rui wins her competition today.”

“She totally will! If Rui-chan wins both her individual short-distance events at this Inter-High, it’ll be her fifth consecutive championship in both, counting from middle school!” Yuria says.

“What? Five in a row? Seriously?” I knew Rui was perfect, but that amazing? I’d heard she was featured on Mirai Mo●star as a future Olympian, but this is next-level.

“You went to the same middle school as her and didn’t know? Don’t they give awards for that stuff?” Yuria asks.

“I knew Rui was impressive, but…”

“Pfft, no way Ryouta-kun would’ve paid attention,” Tanaka cuts in from the front. “His attendance number was near the front, so during assemblies, he was too busy wearing out his nerves trying to peek up girls’ skirts on stage. I know because my number was after his.”

“Hey! Tanaka, quit making stuff up!”

“Whoa, Ryouta, that’s gross… That’s, like, old-man behavior.”

“Ryouta… that’s creepy.”

No, I swear I didn’t do that!

“Tanaka’s just making it up! I was always sleeping during morning assemblies because they were so early!”

Time for a counterattack. “Besides, Tanaka, you’re one to talk! You were always bragging about sniffing girls’ hair during gym or figuring out their perfume brands!”

“Ugh, Tanaka… that’s seriously creepy,” Yuria says.

“Tanaka-chan… that’s scary,” Airi echoes.

The creeped-out looks shift to Tanaka.

“And also, Tanaka was always going on about my underwear—!”

“Stop! Quit turning this into an exposé on me! Fine, I admit I made that up earlier!” Tanaka, red-faced and half-crying, caves.

Finally shutting down the corrupt Tanapedia feels so satisfying.

“Well, as Ryouta’s biggest supporter, I knew he wouldn’t do something lame like peeking up skirts,” Yuria says.

“Yeah, and Airi too! I spent a whole night with Ryouta, so I knew it was a lie!” Airi adds.

Why are they so desperate to defend me? I don’t get it… I’ll just keep playing the sad virgin for now.

“By the way, Ryouta? What was that about Tanaka and your underwear?” Yuria asks.

“Oh? That’s not a big deal or anything.”

“You can’t talk about that!” Tanaka tries to cover my mouth, mumbling protests, but I’m still annoyed, so I spill.

“It was summer break in our second year of middle school. Tanaka and I were watching a romance movie at my place.”

““You two watched a romance movie together!?”” Airi and Yuria shout, their faces intense.

“Uh, did I say something weird?”

“…It’s nothing. Go on,” Yuria says, her tone tight.

“Y-Yeah.” Something’s off with both of them…

“So, while we were watching, she leaned in close. I got startled and spilled juice on her clothes. I had to grab some from my sister’s room for her to borrow. But then Tanaka was like, ‘I’ll get in trouble for borrowing your sister’s panties without permission, so I’ll just wear yours, Ryouta-kun!’ And she actually wore my underwear! Like, normally, you’d rather get yelled at by my sister than wear my stuff, right?”

I tell it like a funny story, but Yuria and Airi both have dead-serious faces.

“Wait, what’s with those reactions?”

“Oh, hilarious, hilarious,” Yuria says flatly. “Hey, Tanaka… we need to talk later.”

“Airi too, okay?” Airi adds.

“Uh, um…”

I don’t know what’s going on, but Tanaka’s face is so pale she looks like she’s got bus sickness or something.

☆☆

The track Inter-High shifts regions each year—Hokkaido, Okinawa, you name it. This time, it’s in Kanto, just a short highway ride from our Prefectural Natsuhama Central High School. Even if it were in Hokkaido or Okinawa, though, if Rui had said, “Come to the airport for your punishment,” I’d have bolted there without a second thought, my delusional otaku brain fully expecting some steamy SM play with her.

But since it’s in Kanto, the trip’s easy, and a ton of students have shown up to cheer. As we pull into the stadium parking lot, we file off the bus, following the teacher in charge in two neat lines toward the stands.

“You’re here for Rui-senpai, aren’t you?”

“Shut it. Like you’re not into Kuroki-san yourself.”

“Well, yeah.”

Two first-year guys with red ties ahead of us trade banter, their youthful energy palpable. They’re all decked out with cologne and hair wax, looking like total chads. Sorry, handsome underclassmen—Rui and I already have a thing going (punishment-wise). No matter how cool you are, you’re on a different stage from me.

“Heh… I’ve already won,” I mutter smugly.

“Ryouta-kun, why’re you acting like her boyfriend from the sidelines?”

“Well, with all these guys here for Rui, I’m the only one who’s done this and that with her.”

“This and that, huh? Man, you’re such a delusional otaku. You’re gonna get burned one day… Oh wait, you already are. Right now.”

“Shut up. I really thought we were gonna do SM play.” Tanaka always digs up my misunderstandings. What a snarky jerk…

“H-Hey! Ryouta-kun!” Tanaka suddenly perks up.

“What, Tanaka? Spot a good BL pairing or something?”

“Stop treating me like a fujoshi! Look over there!” She points excitedly toward the front of the line.

I follow her gaze and spot a girl with reddish hair in our school uniform. Whoa, she’s super cute…

“That’s Himesaki Nozomi-chan! She’s here to cheer for Kuroki-san too, huh!” Tanaka exclaims.

“H-Himesaki? That’s a fancy last name.”

“Don’t be rude! She’s an amazing girl!”

The girl Tanaka’s talking about, Himesaki, definitely stands out with her strikingly refined looks.

She’s slender but has a high nose bridge and large eyes that scream non-Japanese features.

Her reddish hair is adorably styled in a half-up, making her look like a literal princess, just like her name suggests.

“She’s cute… but who is she?” I ask.

“Himesaki-chan! You’ve never heard of her?”

“Uh, sorry. I’m only interested in 2D girls.”

“That’s a lie, and you know it,” Tanaka jabs, continuing. “Himesaki-chan’s a first-year. She lived abroad because of her parents’ work but moved back to Japan and joined our school. She’s a returnee with top grades among first-years and is rumored to be a mega-beauty on par with Kuroki-san!”

Monster or beauty? That’s a weird nickname… Probably something Tanaka made up. Still, her refined features and great style—subtle yet striking—remind me of Rui. She’s got that idol-or-model vibe, just like Rui.

“Wow, we had a first-year like that? You sure know a lot, Tanaka-chan,” Airi says from behind, impressed.

Don’t hype her up, or she’ll get cocky.

“Hehe! I’ve got a nose for cute girls’ info! Of course, Airi-tan, you’re super cute too!” Tanaka beams.

“T-Thanks… haha,” Airi replies, clearly unnerved.

Tanaka, you’re so gross I’m questioning calling you my best friend.

“Do you know about her, Yuria?” I ask.

“I heard about her from Rui before, but… this might be my first time seeing her,” Yuria says.

“From Rui-chan? Why?” Airi asks.

“Apparently, she might be a rival in the student council election this fall…”

“A rival in the student council election? A first-year? What’s that about?” I press.

“Well, our school usually picks the student council president from second-years, but the rules say first-years can run as long as they’re not in a club. They can join the council too.”

A rival… for Rui in the student council election. I remember Rui offered me the vice president position. I still haven’t given her an answer… With a cute, popular underclassman like that running for president, could I even handle being vice president?

“What’s wrong, Ryouta-kun? You look down,” Tanaka says, peering at me.

“Huh?” I snap out of my thoughts. “N-No! It’s nothing! I was just thinking about doing naughty stuff with Rui.”

“““Ryouta(-kun)!””” Three sets of angry glares pierce me from all directions.

Ugh… I made a dumb excuse about Rui, and now this! It’s all Rui’s fault! Putting naughty stuff aside, I need to think about the vice president thing too…

“…!”

“What’s up, Yuria? You’re staring.”

“…It’s nothing.” Yuria hesitates, as if she wants to say more, but brushes it off.

I don’t get it, but she’s probably mad because I was eyeing that red-haired beauty like a creep. Wait, hold on…? If that red-haired beauty joins the student council, being vice president could get me close to her…

“…That wouldn’t be bad. Unrealistic, but.”

“Ryouta-kun, are you playing a staring contest with yourself? Your face keeps flipping from gloomy to pervy,” Tanaka says, her exasperation palpable.

My impure thoughts swirl as we enter the stadium, settling into the corner seats on the main stand’s first level. Nice and shady—perfect for introverts like me (and Tanaka). We line up: Tanaka, me, Airi, Yuria, gazing at the athletes racing on the track below.

I haven’t been to many stadiums, but this Kanto one is massive… so open. “Today, Kuroki-san’s in the 100-meter and the 4×100-meter relay. The 200-meter is the day after tomorrow,” Yuria explains.

The school clearly picked Rui’s busiest day to cheer. It’s less about the track team and more about Kuroki Rui.

“But, like, isn’t a relay dependent on more than just Rui’s skills?” I ask.

“Well, our school’s public, but the track and baseball teams have special recruitment slots, so they’re pretty strong.”

“What!? Recruitment!? I wish I’d been recruited!”

“Nah, getting recruited is way harder. Studying’s easier,” Yuria says.

“Muu~” Airi pouts.

If there was a “big boobs recruitment exam,” Airi’s prefecture-topping chest would’ve earned her a scholarship in a heartbeat. We’d have the birth of a big-boobs scholar, Miyama Airi.

“Oh, the 100-meter final’s about to start,” Tanaka announces.

The women who’ve reached the finals finish warming up and line up at the start on the straight track in front of the main stand. “There’s Rui-chan!” Airi points.

Kuroki Rui stands in Natsuhama Central’s uniform, her long black hair tied back in a ponytail, her navel peeking out—just like in the sweaty post-practice selfies she sends me. It’s my first time seeing her bare navel in her uniform. It’s so perfect…

“I gotta take pics of the finish line too. Of course, ones with Rui-chan crossing first!” Airi says. Since we’re near the finish line, we should get a clear view of Rui’s victory.

“Look, Ryouta-kun,” Tanaka says, her voice unusually serious. “Those girls lined up—they’ve poured their entire into that 100-meter path and climbed to nationals!”

“Why’re you getting fired up, Tanaka? You’re just an introvert.”

“Go, Rui-chan!” Airi cheers.

The 100-meter race flashes by. Rui lured me here with hints of naughty SM play, but she wanted me to see this. Knowing her, she probably wants me to watch her breeze through the finish line, smiling for her championship interview. What a perfect beauty… haa.

“On Your Marks…” The athletes, including Rui, plant their feet on the starting blocks, crouching low. I’m no expert, but this must be the crouching start.

“Set…!” At the call, they twitch, and when the pistol fires, they explode forward in unison.

Rui surges with incredible speed, her slender frame defying logic. She slices through the air, her powerful strides and forceful steps electrifying the stadium. Her form is flawless, every muscle visibly working as her legs propel her forward, her expression pure determination—not the cool Rui, the gentle Rui, or the icy Rui when she’s mad.

Gritting her teeth, brows furrowed, eyes wide, she pushes forward, step by step, driven by an unrelenting need for victory, a challenge for perfection. This is what Rui wanted me to see—not just an easy win, but her giving everything, seizing her own perfection. The true, earnest Kuroki Rui.

The race is only 100 meters, but it feels infinite, the competition fierce. Like Tanaka said, the other national-level athletes aren’t backing down. The summer sun blazes, blindingly bright, yet I’m too captivated to notice.

In a tight battle, Rui and two others cross the finish line first. From our angled view, it’s hard to tell who won. But… it’s probably…

The scoreboard flashes ‘11.59 seconds,’ and almost instantly, ‘Natsuhama Central High School – Kuroki Rui’ appears.

“““““WOOOOO!!!””””” Thunderous cheers erupt across the stadium.

Rui regulates her breathing and waves to the stands, her silky black hair swaying in the tailwind as she unties her ponytail, celebrating her victory. Her fifth consecutive summer national championship in the 100 meters, starting from middle school. Tch, you’re too perfect, Rui…

She bows deeply to the stands, then flashes a refreshing smile—not the teasing Rui I know, but the strong, victorious Kuroki Rui who proved her perfection.

“Kuroki-san! Please look here for a photo!”

“Over here too! Strike a pose!”

The press swarms her on the field. That sense of distance hits me again, like during the cultural festival. What is it… Can someone like me really support someone like Rui?

“Rui-chan won! She did it!” Airi squeals.

“Kuroki-san is amazing as expected!” Tanaka adds.

“She’s seriously incredible! That’s our Rui!” Yuria cheers.

Everyone’s thrilled, and I’m happy too. Normally, I’d play the “boyfriend in the background” and say, “My Rui’s so awesome, right?” earning a jab from Tanaka. But… what’s this feeling?

The more I see Rui’s greatness up close, the less I understand why she’s fixated on me. She said I saved her ‘perfection’ once during the cultural festival, that she wants me to keep supporting her. But deep down… I feel this distance. Doesn’t Rui achieve that perfection on her own? Even without me as vice president, she’d be fine.

Lost in thought, I glance at Rui again.

“…Huh?”

Rui’s sharp gaze cuts through the sea of hundreds in the stands, locking onto me instantly. How… did she find me? Then she winks and makes a gesture near her ear—a phone, maybe her smartphone? With that, she strides off the field.

I fumble for my smartphone and stare at the screen. A message pops up:

‘Rui: Ryouta-kun, I’m waiting outside Gate A.’

Rui’s… calling for me… That distance I felt watching her win fades as her fierce determination reignites something in me. I need to talk to her, to hear again why she needs me.

“Ryouta-kun? What’s up?”

“Gotta hit the bathroom!”

“Ugh, Ryouta! Don’t say ‘bathroom’ like some elementary school kid!”

“Yeah, seriously!”

I bolt from my seat, racing up the stairs and through the corridor toward Gate A. This stadium’s massive—Gate A’s this way, right? I slow to check the map on my phone, and—

“Eek!”

“Whoa!”

I collide with someone at an entrance corner while staring at my screen.

“S-Sorry, I…” I stammer, looking up.

“Jeez… walking while looking at your phone is really dangerous, you know?”

Reddish hair in a half-up style, refined features, and a graceful demeanor—model-like, yet her scolding comes with a cute smile and captivating large eyes. A refreshing citrus scent tickles my nose. It’s the underclassman beauty Tanaka raved about, Himesaki Nozomi.

Up close, she’s insanely cute…

“Um, Senpai?” Her voice snaps me back.

“Oh, s-sorry!”

“Please be more careful from now on, Ryouta-senpai.” She tilts her head slightly.

“Y-Yeah… wait, Ryouta?”

“Oh my, it’s already this late… My friend’s in the pole vault, so I have to go. See you later!” Himesaki offers a polite bow and glides off.

How does Himesaki know my name? Am I getting famous for hanging out with Rui, Yuria, and Airi? Well, whatever… Right now, I’ve got bigger things.

Gotta get to Rui…!

☆☆

I step out through Gate A, but Rui’s nowhere in sight. I thought she’d be right by the entrance… The summer sun blazes, so I linger in the shade near the gate, waiting.

“Hehe… Ryouta-kun?”

“O-Oh, Rui!” Her voice startles me from behind, but I relax seeing her familiar figure. Clad in her navel-baring track uniform, her long black hair tied back in a ponytail, she’s just as striking as she was on the field.

“C-Congrats, Rui! Fifth straight championship? That’s insane!”

“Hehe, thanks. It was a close race, though.”

“Is it okay time-wise? You’re mid-competition, and chatting with me might mess up your prep.”

“It’s fine. The relay’s not until after lunch, and… talking with you, Ryouta-kun, is part of my prep.”

“T-Talking with me…?” No way that’s part of Rui’s prep. That’s my honest thought.

“I didn’t tell you today was my competition, so you were surprised, right?”

“Obviously! You said it was about ‘punishment,’ so I showed up all excited, thinking it’d be something sexy and fun!” But instead, I’m hit with Rui’s greatness and reminded of my own insignificance. She’s on a different level, isn’t she?

“What’s wrong, Ryouta-kun? You look down… Oh, do I smell sweaty?”

“N-No way Rui smells bad! You smell like a girl, all nice and stuff! If anything, the sweatier you are, the more it’d excite me!”

“…Hehe, gosh, Ryouta-kun.” Even my crass remark draws only a smooth smile from her. Classic Rui.

“The Rui standing here right now… is the usual Rui, isn’t she…”

“What’s up all of a sudden, Ryouta-kun?”

“…I just realized I’m not the kind of person who should be around someone as amazing as you.”

“…Huh?”

“You’re so incredible, Rui—number one in sports and academics, a total beauty… too perfect. A loser like me standing next to you just feels… wrong.” I clench my fists, spilling my raw feelings. The more I talk, the more I feel like a pathetic otaku. Lately, I’ve been cocky—diving into Airi’s boobs, touching Yuria’s thighs, dreaming of naughty stuff with Rui—but I shouldn’t even be near them.

“Hey, Ryouta-kun. Don’t you think it’s irrelevant whether you’re ‘worthy’ of me?”

“Irrelevant…?”

“It’s a known fact you’re a loser. Your only talent is being kinda good at studying, you hate standing out, and your head’s full of nothing but pervy fantasies—more perverted than anyone.”

“T-that’s true, but you don’t have to say it so bluntly.”

“But even so… you make me smile.” Rui steps closer, her beautiful hands gently cupping my sweaty cheeks.

R-R-Rui…!?

My face, already warm from the heat, burns hotter.

“You always say dumb stuff, act reckless, and get on my nerves… but that’s all part of who you are, Izumiya Ryouta. I don’t care what others think. You’re the only boy in the world who can make me smile.”

“I’m… the only one?”

“Making me smile means guiding me to perfection. To the perfection of happiness.” Her gentle smile softens as she releases my cheeks.

So, without realizing it, I’ve been… supporting Rui’s perfection?

“So I won today because you came to watch, Ryouta-kun. Just having you there made me smile.”

Once again, I’ve helped Rui without even knowing… It’s always like this—unintentional, coincidental. I’m happy she needs me, but I don’t want to help her by chance. I want to make her smile on purpose.

“Got it, right, Ryouta-kun? Well, I should get back—”

“I want to keep having fun talks with you like this, Rui, and be someone who can always make the perfect Rui smile!”

“…!” My words halt her.

If someone as perfect as Rui genuinely needs a loser like me, I want to respond with my own will. If I’m the only one who can make her smile, I want to keep doing it. And… I still want her selfies and can’t give up on naughty stuff!

“I want to support the Rui who needs me, with my own will.”

“Ryouta-kun…!”

“So please let me be the student council vice president!” I bow deeply, my resolve pouring out. It’s my sincere desire to support Rui intentionally. Her needing someone like me fills me with joy. I’ve agonized over it, but if I can help her… I have to.

“Yeah. Ryouta-kun… thank you.”

“Huh? It’s okay?”

“Okay? I’m the one who asked you to be vice president, remember?”

“Oh, right, yeah.”

“Hehe, I… I like that weirdly serious side of you, Ryouta-kun.”

W-What!? She likes… me!? Is this a confession!?

“Rui, you like me!? Like, a confession!?”

“…! N-No! I just said I like your weirdly serious side!” Rui’s cheeks flush slightly, her voice insistent.

Tch, what… I got carried away and pulled a classic delusional otaku move, misreading her words.

“…Hehe.” Rui giggles softly.

“Why’re you laughing! It’s fine if I’m a delusional otaku! You’re the one who said you’re okay with me like this, Rui!”

“That’s true, isn’t it? I do like the Ryouta-kun who gets these silly misunderstandings.” Her smile brightens, softer than her usual stiff grins. This smile… it’s special, somehow.

“What’s with you staring at my face, Ryouta-kun? Did you fall for me or something?” she teases, her eyes glinting.

“Tch, no way! Don’t get the wrong idea!”

“Hehe… Ryouta-kun’s such a tsundere, huh?”

That’s not it. I was just caught off guard by her rare, natural smile.

“A-Anyway! If you win the student council president election, you’ll make me vice president, right?”

“Yup. You’ll be my right-hand man, Ryouta-kun.”

Rui’s right-hand man… huh. My gaze drifts to her slender arms, bare in her sleeveless uniform. “I’d prefer your arms a bit plumper, though.”

“Hehe… want me to ● you, Ryouta-kun?”

“Ah, sorry, got carried away.” Yikes, better not push it.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“Huh? One more?”

“If your real reason for becoming vice president isn’t to support me but to get close to Himesaki Nozomi… I might not forgive you ♡” Rui jabs her index finger into my chest, her smile sharp.

C-Crap… I did think something like that when I saw Himesaki. “N-No way! Why would I be after Himesaki Nozomi when I’m supporting a perfect beauty like you, Rui? Sure, Himesaki’s refined and cute with a nice citrus scent, but that’s definitely not my goal!”

“You sure know a lot about Himesaki-san, Ryouta-kun. Maybe she is your target?” Her eyes narrow, teasing but piercing.

Tch, it’s swelteringly hot, and the humidity’s spiking… “A-Anyway, it’s hot, so how about we grab a drink? My treat.”

“Hehe… you’re so bad at changing the subject, Ryouta-kun.”

“B-But, Rui, you—”

“Ah, there’s Ryouta! And Rui-chan too!” Airi’s voice cuts through from a distance.

Turning, I see Tanaka, Airi, and Yuria approaching, having spotted us. “Ryouta was taking so long, Tanaka was worried and went looking for you!” Airi says.

“I-I wasn’t worried about Ryouta-kun at all!” Tanaka protests, flustered.

Yuria and Tanaka draw closer, bickering. “Everyone! Ryouta-kun’s treating us to drinks!” Rui announces with a mischievous grin.

“Hey, wait! You—!”

And so, it was settled: if Rui wins the election, I’ll support her as vice president. But despite my wallet already crying during summer break, its coins vanished even further.