Another Perspective

-----Yui's POV

Emi: "Hahh! I'm stuffed."

Maria: "Hehe, I think I can honestly go for another."

Emi: "Another parfait?! What monster are you! I didn't know you were so gluttonous."

Maria: "Well~"

We left the café after some drinks to wash down our sweets before walking along the street in the direction to my place. But I still can't figure out exactly what's going on. First, Kaede kissed me out of the blue, which was my first kiss as well, but she seemed to played it off like it was nothing? But now she goes out of her way to pay for my food? And even choose something with lemon in it... It's like she knew my tastes or something... I'm not too sure what our relationship has become, but I can't help but wonder if this was actually meant to be a date, but maybe I'm just overthinking things. Emi and Maria are still with us anyways, so-

Kaede: "Have fun?"

Yui: "Mm."

Kaede: "I'm glad."

But then again, the conversation that happened before we arrived at the café... I'd be a fool to not notice that she is interested in someone. Ken would be the obvious choice, so I agree with Emi there, but why was Kaede glancing over at me those couple of times? Is it because I'm close with him? I wouldn't really call him a good friend though, but... No wait. Could she actually be interested in me? I still find it weird about her "visions" and "dreams," but after seeing her collapse out of nowhere and her personality changing in a blink of an eye, even causing her to- k-kiss me like it was nothing. Right now she seems to be normal, but a part of me thinks that she actually might-

Emi: "Oi, Kaede."

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Emi: "Want to come over to my place till 6?"

Kaede: "Hmmm."

It was then that Kaede looked my way as our eyes met once more. What is she implying? Is she asking for my opinion? I already feel like a fourth wheel with these three, yet why is Kaede being so considerate towards me?

Kaede: "What do you wanna do, Yui?"

There it is! I knew that question was coming, but how am I meant to answer? I'm honestly not too interested in going to another person's place, but that'd be considered rude, right? I know Kaede probably wanted to leave her house before, thinking that it's too lonely there, but to be honest, I'd honestly prefer something more quiet like that.

Yui: "...Haha, I kind of want to go for a run."

Kaede: "Eh?"

Ahh! Here I go again, just run away from my problems. But I guess it's somewhat true since I would like to burn off some of the calories from that cheesecake... It sure was delicious though.

Emi: "Where to? We'll run with you."

Yui: "What?"

Maria: "Mhmm! We'll be joining the sports club, so this'll be perfect practice, right?"

Emi: "Yeah! What do you think Kaede?"

What just happened? Wait, are we all going to run now? I end up looking to my side as Kaede and I both lock eyes with one another.

Kaede: "Sure! Let's do it."

Are you serious?

...

I ended up leading the way as we walk past my house, continuing towards the dirt path not too far away. Seems like the cherry blossoms are still blooming even now, creating quite a pleasant atmosphere with the river flowing to our left.

Kaede: "Pretty."

Yui: "..."

Seeing Kaede take in this sight is arguably even more pretty in my opinion. I'm almost tempted to take a photo of it, but that might be too much. For now I'll just carve this sight into my memories.

Emi: "Alright, so is this where we start?"

Yui: "Oh! Ah- yes! I usually run down this dirt road and back every morning."

But Emi forces me to pay attention to what we came here to do.

Maria: "Every morning?"

Yui: "Mm."

But now a part of me wishes that it could just be Kaede and I here... What exactly is our relationship? Is that a weird thing to ask?

Emi: "Then how 'bout we do teams of two?"

Yui: "Like a relay?"

Emi: "Yeah. Maybe like, one person from each team runs to the end and back, then tag their partner in to do the same."

Yui: "Sounds good!"

To be honest, I'm quite excited about this. I've never thought of running this dirt track like this.

Maria: "Okay, then I'm with Yui!~"

Emi: "Huh? Nuh, uh! I'm with Yui!"

Kaede: "Pfft."

I would be surprised about this, but I'm quite used to this sort of thing. Even back in middle school, people would fight to be my partner in sports. Back then, it put a lot of pressure on me, carrying everyone's expectations on my shoulders. I still feel that, but it's a bit more manageable now.

Yui: "How about we do rock paper scissors?"

Emi: "How would that work though? There's four of us."

Kaede: "Maybe we all go at the same time, and whoever draws with someone, they pair up?

Maria: "Then what about if three people throw paper?"

Emi: "Ah, who cares! Let's just roll with it!"

Yui: "Pfft, haha."

And so, our match began, but thankfully we didn't run into any mishaps. I was honestly hoping that Kaede and I would throw the same, but in the end, both Emi and I threw scissors, while Kaede threw rock. Maria ended up throwing paper.

Emi: "Hell yeah!"

Kaede: "You sound like you've already won."

Maria: "I mean, she has, right?"

Emi: "Fufufu~"

Yui: "I could just go slow on purpose."

Emi: "Don't you dare!"

Yui: "Just kidding~"

Maria: "So, Kaede. Want me to run first, or second?"

Kaede: "Hmmm. Why don't we do rock paper scissors for that as well."

Maria: "Mhmm!"

And so, we had our own smaller game of rock paper scissors to determine the running order. In the end, the winners ran first, which ended up being Maria and Emi, leaving the losers, Kaede and I, to run second. I know I thought that I'd like to partner up with Kaede, but this is also pretty interesting.

Kaede: "So we're racing each other then."

Yui: "Mm, yeah."

Kaede: "Hehe, go easy on me~"

Emi: "Alright Mika! you ready?"

Maria: "Y-yeah!

Emi: "Kaede, count us down."

Kaede: "Got it!"

We got into our positions, as both Emi and Maria took their stances, ready to bolt at Kaede's call.

Kaede: "One! Two!.. Three!"

And just like that, they were off, leaving just Kaede and I to wait for them to tag us in. But just from the looks of it, they seem to be running at quite an equal pace, but it's quite hard tell now from this distance.

Kaede: "Wait, we didn't specify what happens when we win."

Yui: "Ah... Yeah, haha."

That might've been a good idea before we started, but oh well. We'll cross that hurdle if it comes.

...

After five or so minutes, both Emi and Maria are steadily approaching, with both of them looking to be neck and neck. that being said, they both look like they'll pass out the moment they get here.

Kaede: "Well, here we go."

Yui: "Mm. Good luck."

Kaede: "You too."

Emi: "Yui!"

Maria: "Kaede!~"

And the moment the two of them pass us, Kaede and I sprint off from the starting line and the sound of the panting Emi and Maria soon disappears. I take a quick glance to my left to see if Kaede was there, but it appears that I've already gained quite a lead as I can barely hear Kaede's footsteps behind me. I did think about slowing down just a little, but a part of me does want to win. I want to show Kaede just how fast I am, hoping to get her praise. I know it sounds silly, but that's all that's in my mind while I run towards the end up of the dirt track.

However, once I made it to the end and started to turn around, it was then that I noticed how close Kaede actually was. I thought she was like a good ten seconds behind me, so I'm surprised to see that she's right at my heels. How could I not hear her? Is she somehow gifted with silent feet or something?

In a panic, I increase my pace, hoping to extend the lead more as we both run back. I couldn't help but look behind to my right as Kaede was right there, keeping up with me.

Kaede: "Fufufu~"

Yui: "Eh?!"

But that wasn't it, all of a sudden, she propels forward with a massive burst of speed, overtaking me in seconds, forcing me to go all out as now I'm the one who's trying to catch up. Just what the hell was that?! I tense up my legs, throwing myself forward with all my strength in my arms, pushing off the ground in hopes to catch up. I did end up regaining some ground, but right as I was just about to pass Kaede, we reached the end of the track.

Yui: "Hahh! Hahhh! Hahhh~ What the..."

Both Kaede and I were out of breath as it seems like both Emi and Maria have recovered, but to me it looks like Kaede is a lot more composed than me, as she stabilizes her breathing well before me.

Emi: "What the heck?! Kaede! I didn't know you could run like that!"

Maria: "Mhmm! You guys were so cool!"

Kaede: "Th-thanks."

Yui: "Y-yeah... I didn't see that coming."

Kaede: "Hehehe... But I guess...It's a draw, huh?"

Yui: "Mm."

I've never ran that hard in all my life before. Not even when racing for those trophies back home. Only one of those races back in middle school was challenging, but I still didn't need to go all out like I did just then. Kaede... What in the world are you? I'm almost a little angry thinking that Kaede had no interest in joining the club now after seeing just how fast she is.

Emi: "Then it's settled. You're definitely joining Yui's club with us, right?"

Kaede: "I dunno. Maybe-"

Yui: "No. You're joining."

Kaede: "Eh?"

I impulsively grab Kaede by her hand as if saying that she can't run away anymore.

Yui: "Y-you're... Amazing."

Kaede: "But you were taking it easy on me, weren't you?"

Yui: "What?! N-not at all!"

Emi: "Yup! We're all joining then!"

Maria: "Mhmm!"

Kaede: "Okay, fine!~"

I know my heart's beating fast because of the running just now, but I also feel like it's not just that as I feel the corners of my mouth rise at the thought of Kaede joining my club... Ah~ Maybe Kaede's enchanted me. First she stays the night, only to kiss me the next morning, and then she shows off her speed? And on top of all of that, she's extremely pretty?! EVen her white hair makes her stand out from everyone else that it's hard not to pay attention to her. I feel like that's criminal... That said, I'm kind of curious to know more about her... I think I know what this feeling is, but I'm honestly afraid...