The Inter-High track meet rotated between regions every year—Hokkaido one time, Okinawa the next—but this year, it happened to be in Kanto.
(Well, even if it'd been Hokkaido or Okinawa, if Rui had messaged me, "Come to the airport—I've got a punishment waiting," I would've hopped on a plane without hesitation.)
Of course, that was because I'd gotten the wrong idea and thought it meant super perverted SM play with Rui.
Putting aside my deluded otaku brain for a moment, Kanto was close enough that a quick highway bus ride from our prefectural Natsuhama Central High School got us there. Naturally, tons of students had come out to cheer.
We pulled into the stadium parking lot, piled off the bus, and trailed our teacher chaperones in two neat lines, shuffling toward the stands.
"You're here for Rui-senpai, aren'tcha?"
"Sh-shut it. You're hot for Kuroki-san yourself."
"Yeah, pretty much~"
The first-year guys up ahead in their red ties were chatting like something out of a teen drama.
A duo of handsome freshmen spritzed in cologne, hair waxed to perfection—textbook extroverts. Too bad, junior studs.
Rui and I were already way past that. We'd done all sorts (of punishments) together.
Extrovert or not, you guys are playing in the minors. I'm on a whole different stage.
"Heh... score one for me."
"Ryouta-kun. What's with the smug boyfriend act from the back?"
Tanaka shot me a deadpan look from beside me as she craned her neck up.
"Well, y'know? Everyone else is here chasing Rui, but I'm the one who's already done this and that with her~"
"This and that? What exactly? Jeez, same old deluded otaku nonsense. You're gonna pay for it one day... oh wait, you already are. Like, right this second."
"Shut up. I really thought it was SM play."
Tanaka never missed a beat digging into my screw-up.
What a sarcastic pain...
"H-Hey! Ryouta-kun!"
"Huh? What, Tanaka? Spot a hot BL ship?"
"Don't fujoshi-zone me that fast! Look—"
Tanaka jabbed a finger toward the front of the line, trying to get my attention.
What? What is it?
I followed her point.
There, in our school uniform: a girl with long, reddish hair.
Whoa... she's gorgeous.
"Isn't that Nozomi Himesaki-chan? She's here for Kuroki-san too, huh~"
"H-Himesaki? Fancy name."
"Don't be rude! She's incredible!"
The girl Tanaka meant really did stand out—features so refined, she was in a league of her own.
Slender build, high nose bridge that screamed mixed heritage, huge eyes.
Her reddish hair in a cute half-up... and yeah, the name fit: total princess vibe.
"She's cute... but who's she?"
"Himesaki-chan! Never heard of her?"
"Uh, sorry. 2D's my only jam."
"Liar. Anyway—"
Tanaka tsked but pressed on.
"She's a first-year. Lived overseas till last year for her parents' job—total returnee. Transferred here to our school. Tops her grade already, and word is she's a visual monster on Rui's level. Super top-tier beauty!"
Monster beauty? Weird flex... probably Tanaka's off-the-cuff label.
Still, killer figure, subtle style—but those perfect features? Total Rui overlap.
Idol or model material, no question. Just like Rui.
"Huh. Didn't know we had a first-year like that. You know your stuff, Tanaka-chan."
Airi chimed in from behind, giving her props.
Don't encourage her—she'll never shut up.
"Aw! I live for cute girl intel! Airi-tan, you're top-tier too, obvs~"
"Th-thanks... haha."
Airi recoiled hard.
Tanaka... dude. Creep level: rethinking "best friend" status.
"Yuria know her?"
"Heard about her from Rui once... first time seeing her, though."
"From Rui-chan? Why?"
"Said she might be a rival in the fall Student Council election..."
"Student Council rival? A first-year? How?"
"Usually it's second-years only, but rules say first-years can run if no club. Can join Student Council too, y'know?"
Student Council election... Rui's rival...
Rui's Vice President offer popped back into my head.
Still no answer from me.
A popular cutie like that gunning for President? No way I'd cut it as her VP.
"What's up, Ryouta-kun? You look depressed."
"Huh?"
Tanaka peered in while I brooded.
"N-Nah! Just fantasizing about super perverted stuff with R-Rui~"
"""Ryouta(-kun)!"""
Death glares from all sides.
(Kuh... Blaming it on Rui backfired! All her fault!)
Super perversion aside, gotta mull the VP gig...
"...!"
"Nn? What, Yuria? Staring hard."
"...Nothing."
Yuria looked like she had words, but dodged.
No clue... probably pissed I was ogling the redhead.
Wait...
VP qualms aside—if she joins Student Council, I'd get close as her VP...
"...Not a bad deal. Unrealistic, sure."
"Ryouta-kun, you arguing with your reflection? Gloomy one sec, pervy the next—face is a rollercoaster."
Tanaka stayed floored the whole time.