Mei let out a loud yawn as she stretched, she didn't sleep well last night, and to make things worse today was the day of the sports festival.
She wasn't particularly bad at sports but today was just not her day.
She made it to school a bit earlier so she could find the track and field they'd be using to compete. As she looked around she noticed some students wearing gym clothes taking a turn behind one of the school buildings. After following them for some time she found herself standing on a hill overlooking a large track and dozens of other students standing around.
Everyone had their school's standard gym uniform, for boys, it was a white t-shirt and navy track pants and girls had the same white shirt but with navy shorts that stopped above the knee.
As she looked around at the crowd she noticed Fugaku's reddish-brown hair standing out but before she could walk down the hill towards him someone tapped her shoulder.
"Good morning, Mei." Aito's low voice called to her.
Mei smirked and turned to face him, putting her hands on her hips. "What a surprise. Aito Shinji greeting me in the morning. Are you ready to profess your love of me to the entire class?"
Aito's face turned sour and he walked past her with his hands in his pockets "Don't get your hopes up short stuff."
'Short stuff!?' Mei huffed and turned to follow the boy, glaring up at his back silently.
Once they made it to where Fugaku was standing they both gasped as they noticed Setsuya leaning on the boy with her face nuzzled into his shoulder, Fugaku had his arm wrapped around her shoulder.
"Oh hey, guys." Fugaku said as they approached. Setsuya looked over at them and smiled warmly. "Heya!"
Mei gave Aito a look and he shrugged his shoulders, he wasn't about to get involved in whatever they had going on.
Before Mei could question them they heard their teacher speaking up. "Good morning everyone! I hope you're all excited to compete today!" A few students cheered and clapped. "I know some of you haven't fully woken up yet so we're going to warm up with a few laps around the track until the other classes are ready."
Mei groaned, she just wanted to get this whole day over with. She couldn't help but peek at the way Aito's t-shirt clung to his chest and arms, making his muscles more prominent. He took notice and winked at her, causing her to blush and turn away from him.
As the students all lined up in rows, the teacher blew a whistle for them to begin running. Mei decided to take it easy and started with a jog, Aito doing the same but he was a few paces behind her. Setsuya and Fugaku were competitively speed walking side by side trying to race each other.
'What a pair of idiots.' Aito thought with a smirk. He saw Mei in front of him and he couldn't help but notice her small curvy figure, her long dark brown hair swaying in a ponytail and as he got closer to her he caught sight of her chest bouncing and she turned her head to look at him. After seeing what he was looking at she frowned and covered her chest with her arms "Pervert!" She yelled at him as she tried to speed up.
Aito internally facepalmed and he decided to get these laps over with. He suddenly took off in a sprint, his long legs carrying him quickly around the track. Fugaku saw him and took off, leaving Setsuya behind as he raced with Aito. Just as they finished their 4th lap the teacher blew her whistle again and called everyone to the start of the track where a few other classes had gathered. Aito and Fugaku sat off to the side, both of them huffing and panting trying to catch their breath.
"You idiot, why did you start running too?" Aito asked breathlessly.
"Because you started running!" Fugaku crossed his arms, "I can't lose to you!"
Aito ignored him as he stood up, as he wiped the sweat from his brow, Mei watched him. 'He's so hot!' She squealed internally.
She watched from a distance as Aito went over to a bag he had with him, he took out another shirt and began to pull his sweaty shirt off. Her eyes widened as she saw his exposed skin and she felt like she was dreaming. The skin on his chest and abs looked soft and smooth and suddenly her fingers were itching to touch him.
Aito pulled the shirt over his head and went to quickly put his spare shirt on. He felt someone looking at him and as he tugged the shirt over his head, his eyes locked onto Mei's. 'Since she wants to stare so bad I guess I should give her a show.' He thought with a mischievous grin creeping onto his lips.
He slowly brought the shirt down over his abs without breaking eye contact with Mei. She felt like he was burning her with his icy lilac gaze and she didn't notice that he was approaching her.
"Like what you see? I could show you more." His voice was low in her ear.
Mei jumped back, she didn't realize he had gotten so close to her. "W-What do you want?" She fumbled with her words, pretending to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Do you really wanna know what I want?"
She felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach. 'Rah! Stop teasing me! You're going to give me a heart attack.' She tried keeping a poker face but her nervousness was apparent as he reached out to gently stroke her cheek.
"Why don't you just confess that you like me, Mei. You're being way too obvious again."
Mei pushed his hand off of her as she backed away from him, crossing her arms. "You're the one who likes me! You should confess first."
Aito shook his head and chuckled before walking away. "You'll confess sooner or later."
Mei stood there, her face beet red and she clenched her fists. 'I'm going to get you back Aito Shinji.'
This would be a battle to see who would confess first.
******
All of the classes competed with each other in many different events, it was almost time for the partnered events but first, some of the boys in each of the classes wanted to have a push-up competition. There were 5 boys from different classes, Aito being the one to represent class A.
As they lined up and took their positions Mei quietly watched from the sidelines.
"Okay everyone," said one of the teachers "In this competition, each of these gentlemen will be doing as many push-ups as they can in 5 minutes... the catch is that they will each have one of our ladies sit on their backs, to add a bit of challenge."
Some of the students giggled. Everyone knew that this was just a way for the boys to show off. Mei overheard some of the girls whispering about Aito.
"Who's that? He's so hot!"
"I know right, that's Aito Shinji, his dad is hot too." The girls giggled.
Mei rolled her eyes and when she looked back at Aito he was looking at her, a smirk on his face. The girl's face heated up as the teacher told the boys to pick the girl they'd like to have as their partner.
Aito walked up to Mei and took her hand with a smile. The girls who were just talking about Aito gasping.
"Would you like to be my partner?" He asked in a calm voice.
Mei blushed and turned her head away from him "As if."
Aito smirked and walked away over to one of the other girls to ask them. 'Mei what are you doing! That was your chance.' The girl internally facepalmed as she watched a girl blushing happily with her arms wrapped around Aito's arm.
As the competition started Mei couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy shoot through her, she saw the girl on Aito's back cheering him on and smiling happily.
Before she turned her head away she looked down at Aito, his eyes burning into her, causing her to shiver.
Mei walked away from her spot and walked further on top of the hill, laying back to look at the clouds go by. After a while she heard footsteps approach, it was Aito. He stood over her with a frown.
"What's your problem?" She asked, closing her eyes.
"You." He stated bluntly. "You're my problem."
Mei grumbled and sat up, looking up at him.
"Why didn't you stay to watch me?" He said, then a smirk crossed his face as he squatted down to her level. "Was it because you were jealous?"
"Ugh get over yourself." She said as she got up and stormed away. 'Of course, I was you idiot!' She walked over to Setsuya and Fugaku, not noticing Aito had followed her.
"Alright everyone, it's time for the 3 legged race! Everyone pick your partners and head to the track."
Mei and Setsuya had decided they would partner up together for this race but since Mei was the shortest of the friend group it would be a bit difficult for them.
As the girls lined up, Fugaku shouted to them "You got this!" Setsuya smiled and nudged Mei.
"I'm sure you all know how this works but in case you don't let me explain." A teacher held up a few pieces of ribbon in their hand. "Each team will get a ribbon to tie one of their legs to their partner's legs, you will then race around the track until you make it back to the finish line. When everyone is ready, raise your hand."
After each team had finished tying their legs together, the girls lined up at the start. There was a short moment of silence before the teacher blew their whistle and once they did, everyone took off as fast as they could. Mei and Setsuya leaned against each other as they ran so neither one would trip and fall.
A few teams fell over and struggled to get back up and as they were nearing the finish line there was one team in front of them. Mei and Setsuya attempted to pass them but one of the team members sneakily tripped Mei up, causing her to fall and scrape her knee. The team got to the finish line and Setsuya wrapped Mei's arm around her waist so she could help her cross the finish line and sat her down in the grass.
Fugaku and Aito rushed over to see them, a teacher appeared next to them as well.
"Are you alright Mei?" The teacher asked.
"Just a scratch," Mei said, she looked down at her knee and it was pretty bloody. The teacher sighed and looked at the others.
"Would one of you mind taking her to the nurses' office?"
Aito nodded his head "I can." As he spoke he picked her up and held her tightly to his chest as he quickly made his way up the hill and back towards the school buildings.
Mei quietly pouted "You didn't have to carry me, I can walk on my own."
Aito chuckled "Set your pride aside Mei. Let someone do something for you."
Mei blushed softly at his words and as they entered the nurse's office, Aito sat her down on a bed. Event a nurse came and bandaged her up. "Would you like to go home early?" She asked once she was finished.
Mei shook her head "No... I want to stay and see the last event."
Aito frowned "You should go back home, what will your dad say if you come home hours later all bruised up?"
"I'm not a little kid anymore, he'll be fine."
"Mei what if you get hurt even more?"
"Why are you so worried about it?"
The nurse giggled softly at the two "Well I can inform your father that you scraped your knee and that Mr. Shinji here will look after you until it's time to go home."
Mei blushed and crossed her arms with a pout "Fine."
"I'll leave her in your care." The nurse said to Aito before going back to her desk.
Aito sighed and looked over at Mei "You're so clumsy." He said as he went to scoop her up in his arms again.
"And you're so bossy."
Aito chuckled and carried her back down to the track. He placed her down on the grass near the front of the track and went to meet up with Setsuya and Fugaku as their team relay race was about to begin. It was supposed to have 4 people but since Mei was injured she couldn't participate, luckily the teacher allowed one of them to run an extra lap in Mei's place, and of course, it was Aito who decided to run the extra lap.
Each team member was stationed around the track and the starter person for Mei's group was Fugaku, then Setsuya, and lastly Aito.
Once each team had their batons they lined up and readied themselves as they waited for the whistle to be blown.
"Ready set Go!" The teacher yelled before blowing the whistle.
The teams took off around the track, Fugaku easily taking the lead and handing off the baton to Setsuya who had a bit of trouble keeping up with the other students. She handed the baton off to Aito but she had caused them to drop to 3rd place. Aito took off in a sprint, darting past the other teams as they handed their batons to the anchors.
Mei clenched her fists as she watched 'Please win, please win!'
As the finish line came into view Aito put the rest of his energy into the last lap. He crossed the finish line first and everyone from his class cheered for him.
He laid down on the track, completely winded as Setsuya and Fugaku came to congratulate him.
"You did it!" Fugaku smiled as he leaned over the boy.
"Yea yea." Was all Aito could say.
******
The sports festival lasted nearly the whole school day and as it came to its closing some students went to their classrooms and some sat out in the field in the center of the school buildings. Everyone from class A had returned to the classroom to discuss what kind of party they would have since their class won in most of the events.
As the students chatted Mei groaned. She was more than ready to go home and take off her sweaty clothes.
She looked over at Aito, who had his head down on his desk. She smirked and poked his head. "Did you fall asleep?"
Aito caught her finger in his hands and held it "No" He mumbled with his head still down.
"What am I gonna do with you." Mei sighed. Just then she saw Setsuya and Fugaku entering the classroom with each other. A blush was over Fugaku's face as he quietly made his way to his seat.
"What's with you two?" Just then Mei remembered how they were so close earlier in the day and she perked up, snatching her hand from Aito to point at them. "What was that about earlier! You wanna explain yourselves huh?!" She yelled at them.
Setsuya covered her mouth "Sh! Don't let everyone hear you!"
Mei glared daggers at them both and once Setsuya let her go she sighed and started again. "So are you guys dating or what?"
"Well... No" Setsuya said coyly.
"So what's with all the affection?"
Fugaku scratched his head "I might've confessed to her."
Mei gasped and Aito lifted his head slightly. "Really?" They both said.
"But alas, she's too perfect for me!" Fugaku said dramatically.
Setsuya laughed and shook her head. "He told me he likes me but also said that he thinks we're better as friends."
Aito raised his brow and looked over at Fugaku "Is that so?"
"Enough about me! What was with you two?"
Mei and Aito looked at each other with a frown. "I've got nothing to with her." Aito said calmly.
Mei held her mouth open for a moment before scoffing "You were the one teasing me the whole time!"
"And you were the one staring at me like you wanted to eat me."
Mei blushed and turned away from him. "Shut up idiot. You probably taste bad."
Aito lifted his head fully off the desk and rested it on his hand, smirking at the girl "I beg you'd love to find out."
Fugaku and Setsuya laughed and Mei tried to get up from her seat only to wince in pain from her bandaged knee.
"Careful, you'll hurt yourself." Aito scolded her
"Shut up I don't need your help." She said as she stiffly walked out of the room.
Fugaku shook his head and patted the boy's back "What are we going to do with you two?"
Aito sighed and got up to follow her. "See you guys later I guess."
******
Mei eventually reached the pickup line and sat down on one of the benches with a pout on her face. 'I'm so sick of him.' She thought to herself.
She took out her phone and texted her parents to let them know she was ready to be picked up. As she did this Aito slowly made his way over to her, he had his shoulder-length black hair loose and falling over his shoulders with one side tucked behind his ear.
"There you are." He said as he approached her.
"Why don't you go bother someone else." She snapped at him, turning her body away from him.
Aito sighed and sat next to her on the bench.
That sat in silence for a while before Aito spoke "I'm sorry."
Mei scoffed and looked at him "No you're not."
"You're right I'm not." Aito chuckled, running his fingers through his hair.
Mei pouted more and turned away from him again.
After a moment she spoke again. "Why do you think Fugaku said that they would be better as friends? Why not try dating first?"
Aito shrugged and let out a sigh "Maybe he doesn't want to ruin their friendship. I've known them for a few years and they've always kind of hung off each other like that. It's pretty obvious they like each other and I think they try to avoid getting together by either dating other people or coming up with excuses."
"I think if people like each other they should just be together."
"If only it was that easy." Aito chuckled softly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well..." Aito started as he felt himself getting lost in thought "For some people, those kinds of relationships are too complicated. They might be too scared to be that vulnerable because they were hurt in the past, or they hold too much resentment in their hearts."
"What about you?" Mei asked, looking up at him.
"Me... I hold too much resentment." His voice sounded sad. Before she could ask anything else her driver arrived. She offered Aito a ride home but he declined. He decided to ride the train back home, it was easier for him to think that way.
*****
That night Mei went over and picked up the colorful rock from her desk. "Too much resentment huh?"
She thought about what he said and shook her head. She couldn't fully understand it because she couldn't relate. She was able to live a carefree life, she didn't have any type of resentment or any kind of heartbreaks.
She then started to wonder what he went through in his life. Where did he get the scar on his screen from? Who hurt him in the past?
She sighed before putting the rock back down, she knew she would have to bide her time before she could ask him those things. He didn't seem like an open book and he didn't seem eager to talk about his past either so pressing the issue wouldn't do her any good.
But then she started to wonder, why does he like to tease her so much? Does he like her? She shook her head and climbed into her bed slowly as to not irritate her knee again.
She didn't want to spend the whole night too deep in her thoughts so she pushed them out as she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.