Not Over Yet
Youta had assumed after talking things out with Chinemi, that his job had been completed. Indeed she did take the advice of the coach to try and improve her own game, while also being more encouraging to her fellow teammates to set a good example as team captain.
So as he sat in his classroom, the boy assumed himself to be free of club responsibilities for the time being. However he would come to meet a surprise when the students just outside the hall began chattering with increased volume about someone's presence. He was never one to come out and check on what all the commotion was about. In this case, he didn't have to.
When the door opened up, it was Chinemi standing as prideful as ever with his classmates all reacting to her sudden appearance. Though the moment he saw her, he already knew the reason for her arrival as she walked straight to him.
"What? Why is she going to Youta?" He could hear members of the class make not so-private statements on this turn of events.
"Yeah, he's nothing special." Said one of those voices.
"Oh, but he is the sports manager." Another one spoke out. "I guess she must need his services for something."
"That makes more sense. There'd be no way she'd be interested in someone like him otherwise."
"Can't you guys at least try to be quiet about it!?" He expressed his irritation from their not-so secret gossip surrounding him. It was one thing to talk behind his back, but having them basically say it in front of his face was honestly worse. "Ugh, what do you need, Chinemi?" He turned his attention to the girl now standing before him.
"Oh my gosh, can you believe how he just addressed her?" Again he could hear the others in the crowd commenting on this conversation.
"I know, so rude to someone like her. He should know who he's dealing with."
"Ahem, I said what do you need, Chinemi?" He spoke up a little loudly, trying to give the sign to the others that their commentary was unneeded.
"What happened to you being the sports manager?" She asked plainly. "I haven't seen you by the tennis courts in a while now." It had only been a couple days since their last meeting, but he didn't think it was that long.
"I was only sent to take care of one thing and I did." He answered plainly. "Coach is the one who knows better than me, so I've got to hand off that part to her as I already promised. Otherwise, my job is done with you."
"Is this really how you operate?" She had a grim glare at him, disapproving of his methods. "You just go in and leave without a care in the world?"
"That sounds about right." Fuwaka, who had been quietly sitting back and watching the events unfold before her, spoke up. "Don't take it personal, he did the same thing to me too."
"Yes, I do it to everyone." He said, giving his swimmer friend the side eye. "It's called having a job to do. If I bothered to hang with every single person I've worked with. I'd have no time to do anything else." It made complete sense to him, so why couldn't anyone else seem to figure this out on their own?
"At least if you ask nicely, he'll still take some time out for you." Fuwaka continued on talking, which only served to go against him. Somehow he called her a friend despite her lack of help. "That's what I did, so it wouldn't hurt you to try that."
"You could also just ask and I'm sure I'll find some time to hang out outside of school or something."
"Wow can you believe the nerve." His casual response once again drew the ire of his classmates. "Acting like he's doing her a favor."
"And I can't believe how casual he's speaking to her. He should be happy she's talking to him right now."
"Can you all please just shut up!" He yelled back in annoyance. It was times like this he wished the teacher would step in and say something, but it seemed Mikimasa was more entertained by the sight to want to break things up. "That's it, I'm not talking in public anymore."
Youta had been pushed to the brink. No longer wishing to have others butt into his own conversation. He hastily grabbed Chinemi's hand, stood up, and rushed out of the classroom, pulling the girl along with force.
"Hey! Where are you taking me?" She asked, but he didn't answer for even the boy himself had no clue on where their destination would be. It was the middle of school, so there were no empty classrooms.
He got out into the hallway, where a bit of a scene started when the other students walking about saw him pulling Chinemi along looking for something.
"This will just have to do." He muttered to himself, finding a supply closest where he pulled her in and shut the door behind them.
As expected of a supply closest for janitors, it was cramped with most of the space dedicated to carrying all the various cleaning supplies one would need to keep a school clean. "Finally, some peace and quiet."
"You certainly could've chosen a more suitable place." Chinemi complained about his decision as she ripped her hand from his, covering both under her arms from the embarrassment she had to endure thanks to him.
"It's the best I could do under short notice." He defended himself as the pair struggled to stand to keep some sort of distance from the other.
"It's also cramped here too." She continued her complaints. "You better watch where your hands are."
"I don't think there's anything for me to grab." He had murmured this to himself, as the boy was oft to do when in a conversation with someone. While normally others didn't hear his remarks, their close proximity meant she was able to clearly understand his words.
She also clearly understood his meaning as her mouth dropped agape from such rudeness and Chinemi gave him a good shove. "Ow."
"Make another comment about my figure and it'll be much worse than that." She warned him.
"Sorry, that was rude." He apologized. "But if you're going to bother me, maybe tell me what it is you want?"
"I can't believe my presence is bothersome to you." She responded, offended. Though if she were in his shoes, she'd understand why he was annoyed with this turn of events. "Does it pain you that much just to show up during my practice time? I only wish to have the support of the sports manager."
"It doesn't sound like there's an immediate need for me to be there." He continued to be difficult to her.
"But if you're not actively working for anyone else, then I'd like to make a formal request of your services." She changed things up, making them more official than anything else. "Is that a problem?"
"Can't argue with that." While there were better things he could think of spending his time during club activities. There were also plenty of more wasteful things he could be doing as well. So Youta agreed, if only to get her off his back. "I probably should've thought of a better place for us to talk, so hopefully no one sees us walking out of here."
"That's what I said before!" The pair carefully opened up the door, trying to shuffle about in their cramped space to avoid any awkward touching. It seemed the hallway was empty as they exited, but as Youta's poor luck would have it, they would be caught.
By Mitora, no less.
"Youta? What were you doing in there?" She asked as they finally got themselves some fresh air.
"M-Mitora!? Oh, um, I can explain." After seeing her freak out when he had been spending a bit too much time with Fuwaka. He already could sense another misunderstanding brewing from this encounter which honestly looked way worse.
"Hmm?" She took one good look at Chinemi, realizing where he had come from. However her response came from left field. "Oh, just doing some sports manager stuff I guess." She said upon taking in the situation. Her lack of a reaction was odd, but certainly a welcome change.
"And who are you, exactly?" Chinemi asked. "Are you supposed to be another sports manager?"
"No, I'm Mitora Fukaminato." She shook her hand without a care in the world. "I run track and I'm Youta's friend. Speaking of, I came to your class to see if you wanted to eat lunch together, but you were gone. Kind of weird you went off alone here, but I guess whatever you have to do as a sports manager, right?"
"Yeah… That's right." It bothered him more than it should've to see her so relaxed. Considering the circumstances, if she wanted to be upset, then it'd been fine. Yet seeing her not care in the slightest on seeing him walk out of this tiny supply closest with another girl made him feel a bit disappointed. Though it should be better than seeing her get upset. "And sure, we can eat lunch." He accepted her offer. "And I'll see you at practice later." Youta said, bidding farewell to Chinemi.