Chapter 23: Yui Yuigahama

Upon returning, it was already afternoon. Rei Ao noticed that Kato Megumi and Sakurajima Mai were not in the living room, so he asked in the quiet chat group:

Rei Ao: "@Kato Megumi, @Sakurajima Mai, where are you two?"

Kato Megumi: "..."

Kato Megumi: "Ah, sorry, Rei Ao-kun. Since there wasn't much for me to help with, I went back home."

Rei Ao knew that Megumi had most likely left after watching the livestream. He didn't point it out.

Rei Ao: "Oh, see you tomorrow then."

Kato Megumi: "Mm."

As for Sakurajima Mai, there was no response. Her door was shut.

*Knock knock.*

Rei Ao walked up and knocked on her door.

"You're still home, right? I'm going to take a bath. Do you need the bathroom now?"

"No!"

A muffled voice came from inside.

Rei Ao had expected this. His recent actions had undoubtedly dropped a silent bomb into the chat group, but it was a necessary step toward a brighter future.

Rei Ao went to take a bath. Hearing the sound of running water, Sakurajima Mai, clutching her blanket, gritted her teeth.

"Go ahead and wash. Just scrub off all that filth!"

She regretted watching the entire livestream from start to finish. Now, her mind was filled with *those* images, and her body wasn't responding the way she wanted it to. She had already changed her new underwear once today.

She felt too embarrassed to face Rei Ao. Inwardly, she blamed herself for not being able to control her curiosity and also resented Rei Ao for being so frivolous. But when she thought about Kato Megumi, she fell silent.

"Does she really... like Rei Ao-kun too...?"

…

The next day, during the third period, it was gym class for Rei Ao's class. It was also time for the fitness tests. After warming up, Kato Megumi walked up to him and asked, "Rei Ao-kun, aren't you going to warm up?"

"You saw yesterday, right? I'm not exactly an ordinary person, so I don't need to," Rei Ao said, seemingly bringing up the matter casually.

"..."

Kato Megumi remained silent. In every sense, Rei Ao was indeed not ordinary. She nodded as if it were nothing. Rei Ao's gaze narrowed. Despite what had happened yesterday, Kato Megumi didn't avoid him. She didn't even mention the incident. Even he couldn't read her thoughts from her calm, expressionless face.

"It's time for the boys' tests."

"Oh."

The fitness tests included high jump, grip strength, sprinting, and other events. Rei Ao initially planned to go through the motions. However, his enhanced physique made it effortless for him to break records, even when taking it easy.

"Wow!"

The entire Class 3 gasped in amazement as Rei Ao shattered one school record after another. This naturally caught the attention of Class 4, who were also having gym class.

A pink-haired girl, Yui Yuigahama, looked on in confusion.

"What's going on with Class 3?"

Hina Ebina adjusted her glasses, eyes gleaming. "It's that super handsome, super cool, and super charismatic Rei Ao from next door. He's breaking several fitness records."

"Hehe, I'd love to see him and Hayama sweating it out together."

Hina Ebina seemed to be salivating at the thought, as if she had discovered a delicacy.

"Uh..."

Yuigahama backed away a little, visibly scared.

"Rei Ao?"

As the name rang in her ears, Yuigahama subconsciously glanced at Miura Yumiko, who stood nearby with her arms crossed, maintaining a haughty air.

"..."

Yumiko's expression remained unchanged, not even sparing a glance in the direction of the commotion.

*Sigh.*

Yuigahama still remembered that back in their second year, Yumiko had written a love letter to Rei Ao but never received a response. Ever since then, Yumiko hadn't shown any warmth toward boys.

"Wow!!!"

Another exclamation erupted from the crowd, making Yumiko itch with curiosity. How could she not care? After all, Rei Ao was her first crush. She had considered confronting him about why he hadn't replied to her letter. But, trying to maintain face in front of her friends, she'd put it off and had since only observed Rei Ao secretly. Recently, she noticed that his aura had become even more magnetic.

She really wanted to go check him out!

But Yui's pleading gaze kept her grounded. She huffed, "Enough gawking. It's time for our sprint test."

The track wasn't very large, so the sprint test for Classes 3 and 4 would be held together.

"..."

Yuigahama found herself staring at Rei Ao's profile, lost in thought.

Their signal came first, and the girls from Class 4 took off running. Though Yumiko had been distracted by Rei Ao, she quickly recovered and caught up with the front runners.

At the same time, the boys from Class 3 began their race.

*Whoosh!*

Rei Ao sped past, like a gust of wind.

"Whoa, so fast!"

Everyone was stunned by his incredible speed.

"Ugh!"

Suddenly, Yuigahama felt lightheaded. Rei Ao's figure blurred as he zipped by. A gust of wind swept over her, and she lost her balance, about to fall forward.

Thankfully, Rei Ao noticed in time. In a split second, he dashed back, catching Yuigahama just before she hit the ground.

"Yui!"

Miura Yumiko was the first to rush over.

Rei Ao quickly explained, "I didn't bump into her. She seems unwell."

"Dizzy..."

Yuigahama was weak all over.

"Can you help me take her to the nurse's office?" Yumiko asked, her usual haughty demeanor dropping in her concern for her friend.

"This way is faster."

Rei Ao easily scooped up Yuigahama and started walking toward the nurse's office. Yumiko told Hina Ebina something, then jogged after them.

"..."

Kato Megumi silently watched Rei Ao's back, lost in thought.

~~~

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