Chapter 131 – Pairing

Guys, this week we didn't manage to hit our target of 500 Power Stones. I know you all are looking forward to an extra chapter, so I've set a new goal of 400. Remember, your Power Stones help expose the novel to a broader audience! Also, I think the story has developed enough for you to form a solid opinion. I'd really appreciate it if you could leave your reviews as well. Thank you so much.

***

In the afternoon, the sunlight of late summer still carried a hint of warmth, but Yukio's class, likely having fewer academic stars and more physically adept students, didn't mind much and were actively training.

Ibuki had just finished a warm-up lap. Changing into sportswear, she radiated the vibrant energy of a youthful, sporty girl, her attire designed for high performance.

Just a white short-sleeved T-shirt paired with red cotton pants, nothing like the shorts Yukio remembered from Japan, which were so short they barely covered anything.

Yet, even so, as Ibuki walked over with a neck glistening with sweat, Yukio couldn't help but be moved, especially by the sight of sweat gliding over her neck, gracefully dropping into her delicate collarbones, evoking an indescribable stir within him.

"What, what are you looking at?" Ibuki, perhaps feeling self-conscious under Yukio's gaze, glared at him and blushed, whether from embarrassment or the warmth of her warm-up.

After her retort, Ibuki turned slightly away, seemingly more embarrassed, deliberately avoiding Yukio's gaze and instead looking at the training class members.

She then pulled out a tying band: "So, Yukio, I remember you're quite good at sports too. How about, how about we pair up for the three-legged race?"

"Don't get the wrong idea!" Ibuki's voice rose after making the invitation: "I just think, teaming up with you, we could definitely secure a good position. Don't overthink it!"

Yukio nodded subconsciously, Ibuki's openly stated reason seemed perfectly reasonable, but why did her face grow even redder?

Ibuki's request made sense, after all. Among all the individual events, the three-legged race was a unique one.

Other events, like running and long jump, were divided into male and female categories, each with five sub-events, totaling ten events.

But the three-legged race only had five sub-events, among which one required a mixed-gender team, two were for male teams, and the last two were for female teams.

Looking around, among the girls in Yukio's class, Ibuki was the best in terms of physical ability, and Yukio was the best among the boys. It made sense for Ibuki to seek him out as a partner.

For Yukio, winning first place in the sports festival was inconsequential; his goal was merely to ensure that Nagumo's class ended up at the bottom. He hadn't planned on participating in any events.

However, since Ibuki had extended an invitation, he decided to give it a try: "Alright, let's give it a shot." He moved his foot over, signaling for Ibuki to tie the band.

Ibuki immediately brightened up, her excitement evident as she squatted down and focused on tying their ankles together with the band.

"Done! Let's go!" While Yukio was lost in his thoughts, Ibuki stood up excitedly, pointing forward with a heroic flair.

"?!" Yukio's cheek twitched slightly: "Just like this, we're starting?"

"Ah?" Ibuki was also puzzled: "How else should we start? Isn't it just running forward once it's tied?"

"Hands, we need to hold hands." Yukio picked up his hand to show her: "In a three-legged race, it's more stable to run with our shoulders together."

"Do we need to be this close?!" Ibuki exclaimed in surprise, her face unclearly blushing, already flushed like thick rouge spread by someone's hand, making one want to pinch her face.

"Nonsense." Yukio couldn't be bothered to explain further, directly wrapping his left arm around Ibuki's shoulder and pulling her closer.

Ibuki immediately stiffened, as if petrified by Medusa, her body tensing inexplicably, even catching the clean scent of Yukio in the afternoon sunlight.

'This, isn't this too close?! Even couples on the movies don't get this close during a three-legged race!'

In the movies Ibuki had seen, couples at most held hands while walking together, but this level of closeness in a three-legged race, with arms around each other, was excessively close!

Her heart was pounding, thumping non-stop! Why was her heart beating so fast? She'd never experienced such rapid heartbeats even after running several warm-up laps! Ibuki was almost frantic, unable to comprehend her own thoughts.

But Yukio, Ibuki sneakily glanced at him before quickly diverting her gaze, smelled surprisingly clean and pleasant...

'Wait, wait! The smell?' Ibuki became even more flustered and anxious. She had just run a lap and was a bit sweaty. 'Could it be smelly? Could it be unpleasant? Oh no! Being this close, Yukio would definitely smell the sweat, wouldn't he?!'

Before Ibuki had time to think further, she began to struggle urgently, wanting to break free and keep her distance, absolutely determined not to let her sweat smell be detected. That was the one thing she couldn't stand! It would be extremely embarrassing!

When Yukio was holding Ibuki's shoulder, he hadn't been using much force, merely gesturing. As a result, when Ibuki pulled away, he naturally couldn't keep his hold.

But pulling away was one thing; Ibuki, in her haste to create distance, forgot their ankles were still tied! To prevent the band from coming loose during the race, she had tied it especially tight!

Ultimately, she faced the consequences of her actions. Trying to step back to create distance, she inadvertently moved Yukio's foot as well, leading to a loss of balance. Ibuki fell backward in a heap, tumbling down.

This is it... Feeling herself about to fall, Ibuki's mind cleared of all but one thought.

Fortunately, Yukio was quick to react. With a swift move, he caught Ibuki mid-air, preventing both of them from falling over together.

To outsiders, their pose resembled the final dramatic dip of a waltz. Ibuki was bending over backwards, and Yukio, leaning forward, caught her by the waist, their pose as beautiful as a grand painting of a young couple concluding a dance at a ball.

Ibuki couldn't appreciate the visual beauty of the moment, as she was caught by Yukio, their faces inevitably close, looking directly into Yukio's deep eyes.

In his eyes, she could see her own reflection blushing. Why did she look so red in the reflection of his eyes?!

And! The hand Yukio used to support her lower back, why was it so warm?! Ibuki could clearly feel the warmth of Yukio's palm against her lower back.

An inexplicable heat spread from her waist, up her spine, warming her heart and flushing her cheeks.

Yukio, unaware of Ibuki's turmoil, steadied her: "Our feet are still tied together, don't be so reckless.

"I, oh... Thank you," Ibuki, still somewhat dazed, managed to thank him, sounding very confused.

Once she was steady, unbeknownst to Yukio, she touched her back – no, her waist, with the back of her hand. 'Hmm, not so warm anymore…'

***

Enjoyed the chapters? Read 20 chapters ahead on Patreon

PATREON.COM/METARLN

400 power stones = 1 extra chapter