"I feel tired too," Imaizumi Keita replied, breathing heavily. "And I didn't expect Yakishio to be able to run for so long. Aren't you a sprinter, Yakishio?"
"Hmm..."
Shioyaki Lemon's face was flushed as she explained to Imaizumi Keita, "Actually, I'm better at long-distance running."
Imaizumi Keita waited for a moment and, seeing that Shioyaki Lemon didn't elaborate, didn't press further.
Perhaps Yakishio had something in mind, which was why she didn't say why she chose sprinting instead of long-distance running.
When the time was right, Yakishio would surely tell him.
Thinking this, Imaizumi Keita proactively suggested, "Let's take a break first."
Shioyaki Lemon slowly stopped in response, hands on her knees, gasping for breath.
Looking at Imaizumi Keita, who was also panting beside her, her heart was filled more with admiration than with a sense of defeat.
What is this guy made of?
He always seemed so lazy, but his physical fitness was incredibly terrifying.
After a short rest, Shioyaki Lemon, who had finally recovered, straightened up and stood in front of Imaizumi Keita.
She scrutinized him from head to toe, her gaze like she was looking at some rare species.
"Imai-chan, you're a monster," she exclaimed sincerely.
After speaking, she extended her fist and lightly punched Imaizumi Keita's chest.
The firm sensation from her fist further confirmed her judgment.
"I didn't expect you to be so solid despite looking lazy. How about it? Want to consider joining our Track and Field Club? With your talent, you could definitely become an ace!"
"No thanks," Imaizumi Keita shook his head and refused without hesitation.
"Eh? Why? What a pity!"
Shioyaki Lemon wanted to persuade him further, but the words caught in her throat and she suddenly swallowed them back.
She suddenly realized a problem.
If Imaizumi Keita really joined the Track and Field Club...
It would seem... a bit strange to interact with him in such a relaxed and casual manner in front of other club members.
After all, other club members already thought Imai-chan was her boyfriend...
Thinking of this, she gave up the idea of persuading him.
"Well, never mind. If you don't want to, then don't."
She waved her hand, then her eyes lit up again. "But, since Imai-chan has such good stamina, how about we go running together often this summer? Just to clear our heads."
"Clear your heads?" Imaizumi Keita caught the key phrase in her words. "Do you usually clear your head by running?"
"Yes!" Shioyaki Lemon nodded as if it were the most natural thing.
"When I run, I feel like I don't have to think about anything; I just keep running forward. After running, I break a sweat, and all my troubles disappear. It's very effective, Imai-chan, want to come along?"
Looking at the smile on her face, Imaizumi Keita pondered for a moment and then nodded.
"I can."
"Really?!"
"However," he changed the subject, "you have to agree to one condition."
"Condition?" Shioyaki Lemon blinked curiously. "What condition?"
Imaizumi Keita's gaze subtly swept over her.
Due to the warm-up and running, a thin layer of sweat had seeped onto the girl's skin, gleaming with a healthy glow in the setting sun.
The clear and graceful shoulder line beneath her sports bra rose and fell slightly with her breathing.
A few strands of sweat-soaked hair clung to her slightly flushed cheek, making Imaizumi Keita feel as if Yakishio had just stepped out of a manga.
He cleared his throat, suppressing that inexplicable restlessness, and then spoke in a half-joking tone:
"As a reward for me accompanying you on your run, could I... hug you?"
The smile on Shioyaki Lemon's face froze instantly.
A hug...?
She looked at Imaizumi Keita's face, so close to her own, and her heart began to pound uncontrollably.
The dizzying sensation she felt when Imai-chan said "I like you" to her in the Underground Science Museum clearly resurfaced in her mind.
Although she later learned it was just a "demonstration" to convince herself, the genuine flutter in her heart at that moment couldn't be faked.
Perhaps... she really did feel something for Imai-chan...
A vague thought formed in her heart, then grew clearer and clearer.
She wanted to confirm it.
To confirm whether her uncontrollable heartbeat at this moment was due to a friendly joke, or... something else.
Shioyaki Lemon took a deep breath before responding with a casual demeanor.
"...Okay."
"Then... let's hug."
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