The next day.
Shinichi packed his school bag at home, no different from usual. It was the same morning and the same time to leave.
Whoever scheduled it. The sports festival wasn't held on Saturday. Students had to return to school to resume classes after less than a day off.
Returning to the topic, the night after the sports festival ended, Shinichi received many messages.
Hayasaka teased and asked for credit, and while chatting, they also made plans for their next date.
After all, from the moment she woke up at 5 AM until she slept at 12 AM, almost every moment except for sleep was filled with her work as a butler in the Shinomiya family.
It would be a blessing if she could find time for a date. Even with Kaguya's help, it would be challenging for her to find a balance between affairs... Love and work.
As personal time was very limited, the time they could exchange messages was indeed precious.
But whether it was luck or misfortune, days like these might only last until the coming spring, that is, when she leaves her job as Kaguya Shinomiya's Exclusive Officer.
Although Fujiwara didn't participate much in the sports festival, she almost always took many photos and sent them to Shinichi when she was there, including the scene of him carrying Yotsuba to the field.
Not only photos but also recorded videos.
Fujiwara Chika: [Eh? Did I not record it? By the way, why do you reflexively doubt me?]
Asada Shinichi: [Uh, sorry...]
Fujiwara Chika: [I recorded it but haven't released it. It's a rare video that can be sold at a high price. How can you show it so easily to others? Don't underestimate me!]
Asada Shinichi: [😐]
Why does this person always say such things with confidence?
Shinichi felt embarrassed.
But besides joking, Chika still conveyed important information to him during their chat.
Fujiwara Chika: [Even though it's been less than a day, this video has been uploaded everywhere on the school's SNS. Some people think Asada-kun is a scoundrel who attacks others even without hugging Princess Furuhashi... Others consider you handsome and caring. Ah, it seems the athletic club has decided that you two are dating, and they have even announced that they will kick your ball if you dare disappoint Yotsuba-chan. Puff puff puff, get ready to be kicked, Asada-kun, it's your destiny!]
Asada Shinichi: [Please die playing tricks (this message has been withdrawn)]
Asada Shinichi: [Okay, I'll order iron underwear now.]
Fujiwara Chika: [This calm response is so annoying! (╬?д?)▄︻┻┳═一]
Fujiwara Chika: [Forget it, Asada-kun, do you know?]
Asada Shinichi: [What?]
Fujiwara Chika: [Carrying a princess is a girl's dream.]
Asada Shinichi: [Whenever you have free time, pretend to turn your ankle, and I'll take you to the health room.]
Fujiwara Chika: [Such a skilled response is really annoying! (╬▼д?)]
After replying to Chika, Shinichi looked for another contact: Mafuyu sent a clarification message.
Kei also saw the video of himself carrying Yotsuba to the field on SNS and sent a message to ask out of curiosity. After getting an explanation, she changed the topic of conversation; it seems she didn't care much.
Did she hear the news from Moeha? Rui also sent a rare message to welcome him and teased him in a strange way.
Finally, Shinichi received a message from Yotsuba.
Nakano Yotsuba: [Asada-san, the doctor said there's nothing wrong with my body. I just need more rest! Thank you for the encouragement and help today. Yotsuba has fully recovered her energy! Although intense sports are not allowed for now, and morning exercises may be postponed, can you wait for me on the field tomorrow as usual? There's something I want to tell you.]
"Is she planning to confess her love directly? How could..." Shinichi shook his head, retrieved his phone, and continued walking towards school.
Moreover, at the beginning of the election, Yotsuba already confessed to him through a message, and he had already replied. Though not officially dating, the two of them understood each other's thoughts and feelings, and there was no need to add anything more.
Although Yotsuba was foolish, she wasn't stupid, especially emotionally; she was sensitive and shy like a rabbit. She already knew that even if she confessed her love, their relationship wouldn't change.
In this case, it would be difficult to have the courage to say it again directly. Not everyone could be as bold as Nino, who daringly grabbed the collar of her shirt and said, "I like you."
Maybe she wanted to discuss future aspirations? After calculating the time, he should decide the direction to move forward.
Thinking like this, Shuchi'in Academy appeared before him.
After greeting the security guard, Shinichi went to his classroom to leave his school bag. No classmates had arrived yet, so he changed into his sports clothes and sneakers and went down to the field.
Thanks to his daily training, even though he spent a lot of energy at the sports festival yesterday, when he woke up, his muscles didn't feel sore, and he felt he could run even better than yesterday.
Moreover, he became the first-place winner in the boys' 100-meter race at school yesterday, and his gold medal was still kept at home, to be used as a topic of conversation by his mother when competing with the neighbors.
If Shinichi, who was weak half a year ago, knew about this, he might be so embarrassed that he would choke himself.
Thinking about this, Shinichi couldn't help but laugh.
Besides his reasonably good learning ability, having a good teacher to guide him was also one of the reasons why he could achieve such results now.
After leaving the teaching building, the wind felt a bit cold on his face, a suitable temperature for exercising.
Shinichi observed his surroundings, and soon he found the girl under the tree that he knew.
Shinichi walked out and went to her side.
"Good morning."
Yotsuba turned with a vacant stare.
Soon, a bright smile appeared.
"Good morning, Asada-san!"
Shinichi didn't sit next to her but stood under the shade of the tree, starting to warm up and asking questions directly.
"As long as your body is okay. So, is there something you want to say to me?"
"Okay, don't talk about this now!" Yotsuba stood up with her hands on the ground.
Shinichi saw that she moved more cautiously than usual, without any forced discomfort, so he continued to rotate his wrists and ankles.
"Asada-san, allow me to guide you during your morning practice today!"
She spoke cheerfully, but Shinichi just looked at her strangely.
"Isn't it the same as before?"
"...Ah! It seems so." For a moment, Yotsuba felt embarrassed, and a drop of cold sweat appeared on her smile. She quickly thought about it and spoke again.
"No, there's something different! Listen, I won't run with you now. I'll just watch Asada-san's movements from the side and provide guidance anytime!"
Shinichi seemed to realize something.
"Like a coach?"
Yotsuba nodded enthusiastically.
"Um, exactly like a coach!"