Chapter 5: Rurii’s Match

Campus Confessions — Volume 1: The Secrets We Keep
Morning sunlight spilled through the gym’s open windows,catching the dust mid-air like glitter. Rurii adjusted her ponytail,bouncing on her heels. “Okay—today’s the day. I’m gonnademolish the other departments.”Kazuki leaned against the wall. “You said that last time.”“And I did! Just—minorly twisted an ankle in the process.”Haruka flipped through a clipboard nearby. “Try winningwithout the medical drama this time.”Rurii saluted. “Aye, captain!”She turned, flashing a grin. “You’ll be cheering, right,senpai?”“I’ll be there,” Kazuki said.“You better be.” She jogged off toward the track, leaving thescent of sports spray and citrus shampoo in her wake.---Late MorningThe stands filled quickly. Students waved banners; the noise hadthat electric festival energy. Haruka stood beside anotherfigure—short hair, precise posture, tablet in hand.“Vice-Chair Mika Arai,” she introduced. “She’scoordinating festival logistics for the council.”Mika bowed politely. “It’s a pleasure. You’re managingArata-san’s club, yes?”“Trying to,” Haruka said. “They respond to chaos better thanorder.”Mika smiled faintly. “Then it must be interesting to watch.”Down below, Rurii was stretching, headphones in, mouthinglyrics under her breath. Kazuki caught her eye and raised athumbs-up; she returned it like a battle signal.---Afternoon – The Final LapThe relay had gone well—until the last corner.Rurii cut too sharp, shoe skidding on the painted line. The crowdgasped as she stumbled, caught herself, and still lunged across thefinish.She won. But when she straightened, her knee was bleedingthrough the fabric.Haruka exhaled. “Of course she wouldn’t stop.”Kazuki was already moving down the bleachers.---Quiet AftermathHe found her sitting on the bench behind the gym, wiping her legwith a sports towel.“You could’ve stopped,” he said.Rurii smiled without looking up. “Stopping isn’t my thing.”“And getting hurt is?”“If it means we win? Maybe.”He crouched, reaching for the first-aid box. “You sound likeHaruka.”“That’s the worst insult I’ve gotten all week.”He laughed under his breath and started wrapping the bandage.She winced once, then rested her chin on her knee.“You’re really bad at pretending not to care,” she murmured.“And you’re really good at pretending it doesn’t hurt.”Her eyes flicked up, warm and bright. “Guess we’re even.”For a heartbeat, she leaned lightly against his shoulder—thenpulled back, cheeks pink. “Anyway! Festival prep tomorrow.Don’t oversleep, senpai.”He nodded. “You should rest.”She was already limping away. “Can’t. Victory dinner. I’mhosting.”---EveningThe gym was empty again. Haruka and Mika reviewedpaperwork under the last strip of sunlight.“Arata-san handled it well,” Mika said.Haruka smiled slightly. “He always does.”Mika glanced up. “You sound proud.”“Just relieved.”Outside, Rurii’s laughter echoed down the hallway—free,unrestrained, alive.Kazuki followed the sound with his eyes, smiling faintly.She never slows down, even when she should.

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