162 - Straightforward Feelings

RAW

After finishing the discussion about the mixed relay for the sports festival, Haruto headed straight to the Dōjima Dōjō from school.

"Thank you for your guidance!"

Bowing as he greeted them, Haruto quickly changed into his training uniform.

Because the discussion had taken place after school, he arrived at the dōjō later than usual, barely making it in time for the start of practice.

As Haruto hurriedly changed, Ishikura, who was already dressed in his uniform, came over to him.

"Hey, you're later than usual today."

"I stayed after school to talk about the sports festival."

"Ah, your school's festival must be coming up soon."

At Haruto’s words, Ishikura muttered, "Now that you mention it, Shizuku was also talking about the relay earlier."

Since he attended a different high school from Haruto, their school events and schedules didn't match up.

"Shizuku said she’s participating in the relay too?"

"Yeah, something like that, I think."

While waiting for practice to start, Haruto and Ishikura casually chatted.

Soon after, practice began, and the two of them focused seriously on their karate training. As always, they finished with sparring.

After bowing to Ishikura, his sparring partner, Haruto relaxed his focus, feeling a pleasant fatigue spread through his body.

"Your kicks have gotten heavier lately, Kazu-senpai."

"Oh? You think so? Actually, I've been shifting my center of gravity slightly backward. I felt like I was leaning too far forward before."

"I see. I think that's a good adjustment."

"Thanks. You know, I think you've gotten faster at reacting, too."

After praising Haruto, Ishikura smiled happily and added, "It's getting harder to land a clean hit on you."

The two of them, both assistant instructors at the Dōjima Dōjō, had been pushing each other to improve for a long time.

Today as well, they exchanged impressions and advice after sparring.

Suddenly, Shizuku appeared.

"Kazu-senpai."

"Hmm? What's up, Shizuku?"

"Is your love for me real?"

At her sudden question, Ishikura instantly tightened the relaxed expression he'd had while talking with Haruto and made a serious face.

"Yeah, it's real."

Without even a moment's hesitation, he answered, and although Shizuku kept her usual blank expression, her shoulders twitched slightly.

"I-I see. Then, we're going on a date this Sunday! No objections allowed!"

Pointing her finger straight at him, Shizuku declared loudly.

"Even if you have other plans, prioritize me! Even if you had an important remedial class that could determine your future, I'm your priority!"

Despite Shizuku unilaterally forcing the date on him, Ishikura answered immediately once again.

"A date on Sunday, got it. No problem. And besides, my grades aren't bad enough to need remedial classes."

Then he added with a laugh, "Even if they were, I'd still prioritize you."

Hearing his response, Shizuku froze.

Her index finger, still pointed at Ishikura, quivered slightly, reflecting her flustered state.

"T-That’s only natural! Just because you say something obvious doesn’t mean it affects me at all!"

"I wasn’t trying to mess with you or anything."

"Zero damage!"

"Yeah, yeah. Zero damage."

As Shizuku stubbornly fired back, Ishikura smiled wryly.

Feeling his gentle response, Shizuku let out a soft "Muu..." before sharply turning her gaze toward Haruto.

"Haru-senpai, you're also required to join the date on Sunday! Bring Aya-senpai with you! No arguments!"

"Got it."

Having already heard about Sunday's plans from Saki, Haruto simply nodded without much surprise.

"Ayaka should be fine too, so we'll join the date."

"...As expected of the HaruAya idiot couple senpai. Idiot couples must be passionate about dating."

Shizuku, unusually agitated, continued to speak sharply.

Sensing her unusual behavior, Haruto, rather than getting angry, looked at her with concern.

Noticing his gaze, Shizuku quickly turned her face back toward Ishikura.

"Too bad, Kazu-senpai! This date won't be just the two of us! It's going to be a triple date! Don’t think you can have a one-on-one date with me so easily!"

"Even if it's a triple date, I'm just happy I get to go on a date with you. Thanks for inviting me."

"W-What a cheeky thing for you to say, Kazu-senpai! You're ruining everything by casually saying thank you with that scary face!"

"What do you mean, ruining everything? And I'm not scary-looking."

As Ishikura gave his standard reply, Shizuku snorted.

"Well then, I'm heading home. Tonight's dinner is curry, and I don’t have time to waste chatting. Bye!"

With that, Shizuku quickly disappeared from in front of them.

Left behind, Ishikura turned to Haruto with a slightly apologetic expression.

"Sorry for dragging you into this. Are you okay for Sunday?"

"It's fine. Actually, Aizawa-san already told me about the date after school today."

"I see. Shizuku said it would be a triple date, but do you know who the other couple is?"

"It's Aizawa-san and Tomoya."

"Ah, Tomoya and Saki-chan, huh. Are those two like that now?"

Looking as if he understood something, Ishikura asked Haruto.

Haruto answered with a wry smile.

"Not exactly. It’s more like Aizawa-san is helping out Shizuku."

Internally, Haruto thought the two of them made a good pair.

"I get it. I’ll have to thank Tomoya and Saki-chan sometime."

"If you bake a cake, Aizawa-san will definitely be happy."

"Guess I'll make a shortcake next time."

"Sounds good."

Imagining baking sweets with everyone again, Haruto answered with a smile.

Ishikura, too, smiled softly — a surprising expression on his usually stern face — as he pictured Ryota smiling while eating the shortcake he'd make.