The week progressed, Fuyumi found herself increasingly drawn to Shiriku. Thoughts of their upcoming weekend run filled her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder if there was potential for something more than just a friendly outing.
Finally, Saturday arrived, and Fuyumi arrived at the designated meeting spot with a mix of nervousness and excitement bubbling inside her. When Shiriku greeted her with a warm smile, her heart fluttered with anticipation.
"Hey, Shiriku," Fuyumi began, trying to sound casual, "what kind of run are we doing today?"
Shiriku grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, it's just a regular jog for exercise," he replied with a playful smirk.
Fuyumi's excitement waned slightly at his response, but she couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation as she glanced at Shiriku. In a bold moment, she impulsively placed her hand on his face, feeling a rush of exhilaration at the intimate contact.
"My Kami..." she murmured to herself, her heart racing with excitement.
Shiriku's voice broke through her reverie, pulling her back to reality. "Um, Fuyumi, could you please remove your hand so we can start running?" he asked politely, unaware of the effect his presence was having on her.
"Oh, sorry about that, Shiriku," Fuyumi stammered, quickly retracting her hand and blushing furiously.
"It's alright," Shiriku reassured her with a friendly smile, oblivious to the thoughts racing through Fuyumi's mind.
As they began their run, Shiriku set a brisk pace, leaving Fuyumi momentarily startled as she scrambled to keep up. However, Shiriku soon noticed her struggling and slowed down, matching her pace with a supportive smile.
After a refreshing run, they arrived at a small park, both panting and sweating but exhilarated by the exercise.
"Hey, Fuyumi, check this out," Shiriku exclaimed, pointing to a flyer on a nearby bulletin board. "There's a couples' run happening next weekend."
Fuyumi's eyes widened in surprise as she read the details on the flyer. "A couples' run? What's that all about?" she asked, intrigued.
"It's a fun run where you participate with a partner," Shiriku explained. "And the prize is a rare manga called 'The Land of Shining Gems' and $10,000 in cash!"
Fuyumi's face lit up with excitement at the prospect. "Wow, that sounds incredible! Would you like to participate with me, Shiriku?" she asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
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They stood there considering the flyer for the couples' run, Shiriku's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. but at the same time, he felt hesitant about the implications of entering as a non-couple.
"Um, Fuyumi, isn't it a bit strange for us to join a couples' run when, you know, we're not actually a couple?" Shiriku finally voiced his uncertainty, his cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment.
Fuyumi's shoulders slumped in disappointment as she let out a resigned sigh. "Oh, yeah... you're right," she replied, her expression crestfallen.
Shiriku's heart twinged at the sight of her disappointment. "But," he hesitated, rubbing the back of his head nervously, "I mean, I did invite you to join me for a jog, and you seemed really excited about it... Maybe we could give it a shot?"
Fuyumi's eyes lit up with renewed energy and warmth at his suggestion. "Really? You mean it?" she asked, a hopeful smile spreading across her face.
Shiriku nodded, offering her a small, reassuring smile of his own. "Yeah, let's do it. But," he added with a playful glint in his eyes, "let's keep it between us, okay? I don't want to deal with teasing from Shiroe and the others about us joining a couples' run when we're not even a couple."
Fuyumi's disappointment melted away as she nodded eagerly. "Don't worry, I won't say a word. Our little secret, Shiriku," she replied, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Shiriku couldn't help but chuckle at her response, feeling a warmth spread through him at the thought of sharing this secret adventure with Fuyumi.
As they continued their conversation, their attention was diverted by a group of children playing nearby. Suddenly, one of the kids pointed at them and exclaimed, "Look, Mom! They're dating!"
Fuyumi's cheeks flushed bright red as she tried to stammer out a response. "Uh, no, we're not actually dating," she clarified, casting a quick glance at Shiriku for support.
Shiriku, caught off guard by the unexpected accusation, simply shrugged his shoulders and offered a small, reassuring smile. "It's okay, let them think what they want," he said, trying to ease the tension.
Fuyumi nodded, still feeling flustered by the encounter. "Yeah, you're right," she agreed, attempting to appear nonchalant despite the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
As they walked away, Fuyumi couldn't shake off the lingering embarrassment from the child's comment. Lost in her thoughts, she walked in silence for a few moments until Shiriku noticed her quiet demeanor.
"Hey, Fuyumi, everything okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
Fuyumi shook her head, trying to push aside her thoughts. "Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about what that kid said earlier," she confessed, her cheeks still tinged with embarrassment.
Shiriku offered her a comforting smile. "Don't let it bother you. What matters is what we know," he reassured her, his words soothing her nerves.
Grateful for his understanding, Fuyumi returned his smile. "You're right. Thanks, Shiriku," she said, feeling reassured by his supportive presence.
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They strolled along, Shiriku suddenly halted in his tracks, a question lingering on his mind. "Fuyumi, can I ask you something?" he inquired, turning to face her.
Fuyumi's curiosity piqued, she nodded in response. "Sure, what's up?" she replied, tilting her head slightly.
Shiriku hesitated for a moment before voicing his query. "Well, I couldn't help but notice... when we first crossed paths, you seemed pretty upset with me out of the blue. But lately, you've been nothing but kind. I'm just curious, what sparked the change?" he asked, his tone tinged with uncertainty.
Fuyumi took a moment to gather her thoughts, knowing she couldn't evade the topic any longer. "I'm sorry about that, Shiriku. Truth is, I was dealing with some personal issues back then, and I guess I unfairly directed my frustrations towards you. It wasn't right," she confessed, her voice laced with remorse.
Shiriku nodded understandingly, a sympathetic expression softening his features. "Hey, no need to apologize, Fuyumi. We all have our off days. I'm just glad we've moved past that and become friends," he reassured her, offering a comforting pat on the shoulder.
Fuyumi's lips curved into a grateful smile, relieved by Shiriku's understanding. "Yeah, me too," she agreed wholeheartedly, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders now that the air had been cleared between them.
As they resumed their leisurely stroll, Fuyumi couldn't shake the internal conflict gnawing at her. She had been harboring a secret from Shiriku, one she wasn't ready to divulge just yet. Despite knowing she would eventually have to come clean, the timing didn't feel right.
Meanwhile, Shiriku found himself lost in contemplation, pondering the underlying reason behind Fuyumi's sudden shift in behavior towards him. While a part of him was curious to unravel the mystery, he didn't want to press her for answers if she wasn't ready to share.