Recovery and Relapse

Afterward, Shinichi briefly explained Yotsuba's current physical condition to Maruo, but his expression remained unchanged, as if indifferent. He simply asked him to monitor her recovery, paying little attention to Yotsuba's continuous pleas to participate in the competition.

However, others wouldn't let her do as she pleased.

"A patient who just needed my help to walk now says she wants to run again?"

Nino looked at her with a half-smile. "Yoshiba, this joke isn't funny."

Yotsuba met her gaze without hesitation.

"Nino, I'm not joking! This is the final competition, everyone is waiting for me to play!"

Rolling her eyes, Nino was too lazy to indulge her.

"Miku."

Following the command, Miku reached out and attacked Yotsuba's exposed abdomen, just as she did recently.

Yotsuba widened her eyes, involuntarily trembling, her whole body tensed, but in the next moment, she showed a proud expression.

"Hehe~ The same move doesn't work on Saint Seiya!"

"Mhm…"

Miku was slightly dissatisfied with her arrogant appearance and poked her a few times in succession.

However, Yotsuba only turned her upper body. The smile on her face remained unchanged, and the shivering reaction of pain and whitening of her lips disappeared.

Itsuki said in surprise, "Yotsuba, are you okay?"

Wrapping Miku's fingers around her palm, Yotsuba wiped her nose and said with a smile, "Don't underestimate me. As long as I rest for ten minutes, I can give you Yotsuba's full energy!"

"Not only your physical strength but your resilience is like a monster... She really is my sister."

Ichika sighed. Despite being proud of it, it seemed the quintuplets couldn't bridge the gap between individuals.

Fumino, thinking for a moment, suddenly suggested, "What if we ask Yotsuba to take a few steps down?"

Ichika, Nino, Itsuki, and Shinichi immediately looked at her in confusion, while Miku and Rizu weren't too surprised on their faces.

Fumino spoke awkwardly, "That's what I was thinking... If Yotsuba's body has really recovered well, there shouldn't be a problem playing another competition?

"Besides, next year is the third year, and we may not be able to participate in many competitions. If we want to avoid regret, we can only seize the opportunity now..."

"Uh, don't be too serious, everyone! I'm just giving my opinion. Of course, the specific decision depends on Yotsuba's physical condition."

After her words were spoken, Nino, who was the most tenacious opponent and wanted to drag Yotsuba to the hospital now if possible, hesitated unwillingly.

As if capitalizing on the victory, Rizu echoed, "If Yotsuba is willing to pay the price, I think we shouldn't stop her personal desire, as long as her health allows it, more important than anything else."

The usually expressionless small face showed a serious and empathetic expression.

While Nino was away competing and Yotsuba woke up, they talked a lot and were touched by Yotsuba's desperate perseverance.

At that moment, Fumino and Rizu realized Shinichi's feelings when he let her compete. After all, they weren't her family, and they didn't have the power to stop her determination to finish regardless of her body and pain.

Even for the two of them who also insisted on swimming against the current for their dreams, they were more inclined to support Yotsuba's urge.

Of course, all they could offer was support; the final decision was up to Yotsuba and her family.

"Miku, what do you think?" Itsuki aimed the camera at Miku, and Ichika asked with a slight pout.

Under Yotsuba's anxious gaze, Miku nodded slightly.

"The premise is that there's nothing wrong with her body."

With three people already supporting her, hope grew larger. Yotsuba patted her chest without hesitation, wanting to declare that she was healthy.

"I don't know about later, but for now, it's fine! Trust me!"

Nino fell silent.

"...Anyway, let's get down and move."

She sighed and finally relaxed a bit.

People around the bed slightly moved away. Under the supervision of several people, Yotsuba opened the blanket and put on her sneakers with white socks on her feet, standing up straight.

She swayed at first, but soon, like a successfully recovered patient, she stood upright on the ground, her face slightly reddened.

"See, I just said it's okay!"

She jumped in place, quickly put on her shoes, and took very fast small steps. Her slow and rusty movements soon became smooth.

"Hmmm…" Nino didn't speak as she watched this. Maybe, as she said, her body would recover after resting for ten minutes?

If so, there was no need to stop her anymore. After all, it was just a competition, and their father was also there...

Nino glanced at Shinichi's phone screen and finally left the decision to her father, who was a doctor.

"Dad, what do you think? Can Yotsuba still run in this condition?"

Maruo frowned and contemplated.

"...I don't know much about gynecology, so I can't make a judgment over the phone. But if she thinks it's okay, she can do whatever she wants."

"But you still have to come to the hospital for an examination later to avoid leaving hidden dangers."

Before others could speak, Yotsuba approached Shinichi and spoke first:

"I know, thank you, Dad! I'll definitely run well!"

Like a child allowed to play, the gloom disappeared from her face, and she smiled happily.

To vent this joy, Yotsuba began doing warm-up exercises beside the bed. She jumped, swung her arms, lifted her legs, etc., as flexible as usual. It was almost impossible to think that the weak person lying there about half an hour ago.

Shinichi carefully observed each of her movements. Although he didn't find any clues, he still felt an uncomfortable feeling in his heart.

Was he worrying too much about her?

Shinichi thought, looked at the time, and said, "I have to go to the field to prepare in five minutes. Yotsuba, is that okay?"

"Really, you all worry too much!" Yotsuba waved her hand, still smiling.

Shinichi glared at her angrily. "You told me the same thing this morning, what's next?"

He lifted his chin, indicating the situation he was experiencing now.

The red blush on her cheeks deepened; Yotsuba smiled awkwardly and guiltily chose to change the subject.

"Then, I'll go now. Asada-san, do you want to represent the Student Council in the competition? Let's go together!"

"Okay, I won't let you go just because you're in the recovery phase from a serious illness."

Shinichi handed the phone to Nino and said gently, "Take care of your father."

Nino: "…"

Maruo: "…"

"...I made a mistake. Please help me bring my phone."

Ignoring Nino's gaze, who wanted to laugh but didn't dare to, and the very cold look projected from the screen, Shinichi walked towards the medical service station's door. Yotsuba had already hurriedly approached impatiently and returned. She turned around and waved enthusiastically.

"Asada-san, come quickly! If you wait any longer, I won't wait for you!"

"You should take your time and save all your energy for the competition. Don't let the air suddenly leak, and don't fail."

"No, that won't happen!" Yotsuba clearly froze, looking as if she herself lacked confidence.

Only to be stopped and pulled into a blanket by everyone, Yotsuba still stretched her chest and confidently patted it.

"My physical strength is endless; I'll prove it to you right now!"

After saying that, she made an initial move toward the field, and Shinichi walked towards her, ready to watch her performance.

Shinichi rubbed his arms, feeling a chill, and watched Yotsuba running forward.

Before Shinichi could react, Yotsuba's knees suddenly weakened, stumbled a few steps, and fell to the ground while holding her stomach.

Then, the girls who also saw the scene exclaimed at the same time.

"Yotsuba!"