Bluff

If I was to choose what season is the really the best, I would say it is the SPRING season.

Flowers blooming, not so hot or humid, and I feel so pleasantly warm inside and out!

Right now, we are about to do a track and field in our Physical Education class. I have no complaints even though the sun is up since I truly love spring!

"Hey, Tanaka. Are you ready for the activities?" asked Suzuki.

Here goes the God of teasing. Tsk!

"Well, I am always ready for things like this. And you, Suzuki? Aren't you scared that I am faster than you?"

Kekeke, I feel confident since marathons are my forte!

That's it! I'm going to use this as a way to win against her. Judging from her build, I don't think her stamina is spiking high.

But if I challenged someone who is not the inclined to what I am good at, that would make me a loser myself! My win will not be satisfying!

"Tanaka, wanna have a contest?" asked Suzuki.

Wait, she's the one who asked for it so that means..... I SHOULDN'T BE GUILTY!

"My pleasure. So what are we going to compete with?"

"Hmm, the one who has the fastest final time duration in the 200 meter dash wins. Got it?" suggested Suzuki.

Fufufu, the only thing she knows is that I am only good at free throw shooting. Not unveiling my hidden talent will grant me my win!

"Oh, looking confident, aren't we?" asked Suzuki.

"I am just wondering what face are you going to make when I finally get my legitimate win."

How's that? I'm sure you'll be thinking, "Crap, Tanaka sure is optimistic about this. I'm getting nervous! Grr!", like that. HAHAHA!

"Let's go, Tanaka. Midori-sensei is calling us." insisted Suzuki.

"Okay, then. Heave-ho."

"Saying "Heave-ho" if you're just going to stand makes you sound like an old man with a sore back. Hahahaha!" teased Suzuki.

S..She starts another teasing flag!

B...But, I have to endure all of the incoming mockeries since today, I will claim my Holy Grail!

.......

"Okay, guys. Get a partner who will record your time using the stopwatch I distributed, then record it on the data sheet." instructed Midori-sensei.

Oh, like as usual, huh? Perfect.

"Tanaka, can you record mine?" requested Suzuki.

"No problem."

Now, I have the privilege to see her lackluster performance!

"Stay on your respective lanes, the six of you." ordered Midori-sensei.

"Yes, ma'am!" replied Suzuki and the other five.

"Okay, set we.....GO!" initiated Midori-sensei.

Oh, her speed isn't quite that bad. However, her flexibility and stamina will be put in the test if she encounters the obstacles!

Hmm.... Hmm... Huh?

S...She effortlessly leaped over the barrier?!

I...Is she really this good in athletics?! H...Her move and form.... I judged her too quickly because of her semi-thin arms and legs but.... SHE'S GOOD AT THIS!

C...Calm down, why I am even nervous? I can win this!

E....Even the tire obstacles, s..she just happily jumps over those!

"A....And, Suzuki gets back first! What's her elapsed time, Kusakabe?" asked Midori-sensei.

"Ah... Oh! I..It is... 25.50 seconds."

"Oh, that one's a record in my class! Great job, Suzuki!" praised Midori-sensei.

"Your turn now, Tanaka." said Suzuki.

S....She's grinning! She must be thinking that I will lose!

"Y...You'll see!"

You'll regret underestimating me!

"On your marks, ready..... GO!" initiated Midori-sensei.

Run! Run! Run!

Focus what's ahead of you, Kusakabe Tanaka!

Focus on being Suzuki!

Yes, this is it. I am at my peak form. I am in the Zone!

I feel so light and quick. The wind blowing due to my acceleration is so soothing!

I can win this!

"Go, my love!" shouted Suzuki from afar.

W...What?!

H....Her love?! F...From the six of us here?!

I...It makes sense though, we're all boys here!

I...I wonder who is she referring to?!

N...No! I shouldn't care about it! I need to win!

B...But, w....who is it?! I...I am so curious!

I just leaped in the barrier and I slightly kicked it, causing me to almost fall.

"T....That was close...!"

Crap, gotta keep running! I need to beat her time!

M...My stamina is.... slowly depleting!

T...There's the finish line, I can see it! It's close, I can do it!

"Hyaaaah!!!"

Warrior roar, unleash!!

"First place, Kusakabe!" declared Midori-sensei.

D....Did I....?

"What's his elapsed time?" asked Midori-sensei.

"It's 22.34 seconds, Ma'am." replied Suzuki.

"Whoa, now that is the new record. Congratulations, Kusakabe!" praised Midori-sensei.

D....Did I win?! Against Suzuki?!

"Congratulations, Tanaka! I never knew you can run so fast!" greeted Okamoto.

"Hehe, it was nothing...."

"What a performance that was, Tanaka! Want a sweet reward?" offered Miyuki.

S...Sweet reward?! W...What is it?!

"Here, a lemon juice! Take it!" presented Miyuki.

"T...Thank you...."

A....Ah~ This is so refreshing~.

"Kudos to you, Tanaka. You have finally won against me. I commend you." applauded Suzuki.

I...Is she recognizing my win?! T...This feels so good!

"As your reward, meet me later at the rooftop after class. Make sure you'll come, okay?" requested Suzuki.

R...Rooftop?! With just the two of us?!

"S...Sure... I'll see you there."

S...She should be the one feeling embarrassed but it looks like the other way around!

......

I hurriedly go to the rooftop after the Mathematics period.

I...It's not that I am excited! I just want to check if someone is here, and there is.

It is Suzuki, waiting for me to arrive. How in the world she got here so quick?

Either way, that's not important. I need to know my reward!

I..Is she going to show me her bashful expression?! B...But why here at all the places?

Ah, I know! She should be shy showing it with others! Yes, yes!

Or is it....

Why would a girl invite a member of the opposite sex in the rooftop alone, in the first place?

I....Is this a...?!

"Tanaka, you came as I expected." said Suzuki.

"Y...Yeah, so what's the agenda?"

"It has been a year since we knew each other together, don't we?" asked Suzuki as she looks in the sky.

"Y..You're right. It's been a ruckus year, for me. Thanks to someone who always mocks me."

"Hahaha! I enjoyed every single day of our year together." revealed Suzuki.

"Well you are the offender, duh!"

"Hahaha! You look so pissed again." replied Suzuki.

"Who wouldn't be?! Hmp."

"You see, I really am happy being with you, ever since from the start." said Suzuki as she shifts her sight right at me now.

Hey, hey.... W...What's with this awkward ambiance?!

"Every time I see you, every time I tease you, my heart feels so happy. It feels like it is going to burst!" disclosed Suzuki.

I...Is she telling me that she l...lik....

"Y...You're probably doing this just to see my facial reaction. I know you, teaser queen!"

"But I never said any of it as a joke, right?" added Suzuki.

S....She's right. She never said any of those shenanigans as a joke.

"You said it was a lie when we're on the way home one time!"

"Hahaha! If you can only review what I said that time, you'll get what I mean!" answered Suzuki.

I...Ignoring everything in sight, when I look at Suzuki right now, she's s...sparkling. Is it because of the background of the sunset?

S...She looks so... beautiful.

"Tanaka, I'm going to tell you something. Can you listen to me?" requested Suzuki.

"Y...Yeah, anytime. What is it?"

"I want to tell you that.... I...." reveals Suzuki slowly.

"That you...?"

"I.... love you." revealed Suzuki.

S....Suzuki has feelings for me?! What?!

M...My mind can't process all of this! T...This is sudden!

Is this the reward she's talking about?!

"I want to know your answer, Tanaka. Do you love me like I do to you? or the opposite?" asked Suzuki as she wants me to respond.

D....Do I love.... Suzuki...?!

I...It's true that I am annoyed of her teasing antics but.....

W...Wait! I shouldn't conclude it like that!

B...But.....

That "Follow your heart." statement from the gardener back then appears again in my mind.

T...That's right, I should follow what my heart wants me to do.

"Suzuki, I....."

H...Huh?! W...Why is everything lighting up?!

I....It's so bright, I can't see! S....Suzuki! S....She vanished?!

Aaah! The light is so luminous!

Aaaah!!

........

"H...Huh? Am I in the classroom?"

"Yes you are, Kusakabe-san!" shouted Satsuki-sensei.

"Eek! Satsuki-sensei! Sorry!"

Was I sleeping?!

S...So, everything was a dream?! Even my supposed to be win?!

"Good morning, Tanaka. Pretty bold of you to sleep in Satsuki-sensei's class." teased Suzuki.

"S...Suzuki...."

"You look so red. Were you dreaming of something dirty?" mocked Suzuki.

"I didn't!"

T...This is so unfair! W...What could I have answered to her that moment?!

J...Just thinking of it makes me embarrassed. I...I should forget it.

"Oh, looking red again. Perhaps you dreamed about me....." teased Suzuki.

"It's not exactly like that...!"

"So it was?" added Suzuki.

Gosh, darn it! Give me a break....

----------------------END OF CHAPTER 20---------------