‘Looks like the warning bell’s about to ring. Better hurry.’

When I left the boys’ restroom, my eyes met a student coming out of the girls’ restroom across from it.

The moment I saw her face, my heartbeat sped up and my ability to think was stolen away.

It was Iwabuchi Ayami-san.

Her semi-long hair had a light brown tone.

Her eyes were brown too and maybe because she’s usually energetic and smiling, her bright personality shows through even when she’s silent.

Her navy blazer was tied around her waist over a checkered skirt, leaving her white shirt exposed and pushing her chest prominently upward. Because she’d rolled up her sleeves, the wrist clearly visible had a red wristband on it.

Iwabuchi-san belongs to the girls’ basketball club and is an energetic mood-maker at all times.

“Hey, Hayama-kun. Morning, you doing well?”

“N-no, I mean yes!”

As expected, I get nervous when I’m in front of Iwabuchi-san.

“Oh right. I heard you were handing stuff out in the classroom?”

“Ah cookies… I prepared some for you too. I’ll give them to you when we get back.”

“Really? Thanks.”

Iwabuchi-san shows a smile that’s one hundred percent brightness, as if expression and emotion perfectly match.

Since she has morning practice as a girls’ basketball member, she doesn’t come to the classroom until right before homeroom starts, so I didn’t get the chance to hand them to her earlier.

Well… even if she had been there, there’s a good chance I would’ve been too nervous to give them to her anyway…

“Practice made me a bit hungry, so I was looking forward to it.”

“I-it’s nothing that special though?”

“It is special. Your sweets have a good reputation, Hayama-kun.”

Being praised by Iwabuchi-san first thing in the morning made me feel so light my feet almost floated off the ground.

We walk side by side toward the classroom.

Iwabuchi-san is on the taller side among girls and walking together like this she looks just a bit taller than me.

Maybe it’s confidence from being the ace of the girls’ basketball team, but her posture is good and her prominent chest stands out enough that the old-man voice in my head makes the tactless remark of wondering if it doesn’t get in the way while running. Since she often wraps her blazer around her waist, even more so.

It’s only a few minutes to the classroom.

Even though it’s just that, I end up thanking the heavens for the happiness of walking beside her.

The bland hallway turns into a space faintly wrapped in a refreshing scent.

Our school gym has simple showers. Even after morning practice you can wash off sweat and attend classes refreshed.

Which means Iwabuchi-san just got out of the bath.

Looking closely, her hair seems slightly damp… Amazing. Unless it’s a school trip, I wouldn’t normally get to witness this…

This is bad, what am I even thinking?

“Hey. Did you think about what I asked before?”

While walking, Iwabuchi-san bends slightly to peek into my face.

The tips of her bright hair spill forward and sway near her shoulders.

“Huh? W-what!?”

“Geez, spacing out. Come on, I talked to you about it yesterday, remember?”

I don’t want her to think I’m someone who forgets important requests from her.

I forcibly compose myself and recall yesterday.

“Ah right, helping with the girls’ basketball training camp?”

“Yeah. With your housekeeping skills, you’d be a huge help for us.”

Our school invests properly in club facilities and there’s a training lodge for athletic clubs that the girls’ basketball team will use soon.

But apparently, the girls’ basketball members aren’t good at housework, so they want me to help as meal duty.

I’ve helped sports clubs before and this time it’s a long-awaited request from Iwabuchi-san.

“But you said you take care of your two sisters, right? If it’s impossible you can turn it down.”

“It’s fine. That day works for me.”

“Great! Then I’m counting on you! I’ll help as much as I can too!”

Iwabuchi-san enters the classroom with springy steps, greets friendly girls brightly and sits at her desk. Her seat is diagonally across from mine. My small dream is that the next seat change puts us next to each other.

I thought she was cheerful when we were in the same class last year.

But back then, it was just a favorable impression.

Then I happened to see the girls’ basketball team playing a practice match in the gym.

Watching her run freely across the court, encouraging teammates and boldly challenging opponents, left a strong impression of a brave and tough figure different from her cheerful classroom persona.

The bright figure who entertains everyone and the fighter engaged in serious competition.

Iwabuchi-san is so cool…

After seeing that contrast, I was completely captivated and even after going home, I couldn’t forget her. Before I knew it, I’d become someone who couldn’t help but be conscious of her.

Since then, I’ve had the troublesome trait of getting nervous around her.

“…At this rate, dating her is a dream beyond a dream.”

While the homeroom teacher arrives and gives announcements, that mutter slips out in a voice nobody can hear.

Maybe I need more masculinity after all?

Kindness alone can’t move the heart of the person you love… can it?