The gymnasium, with its high ceilings and wooden floor, was not Cid's favourite place to be. He was more of a bookworm than an athlete, his coordination more akin to a clumsy giraffe than a graceful gazelle. Today, however, his usual self was focused.
Kiyomi, clad in athletic gear that seemed to accentuate her grace, was warming up across the court, her movements fluid and effortless. He tried to focus on the instructor's instructions, but his gaze kept drifting towards Kiyomi. She was laughing with her friends, her smile a radiant beacon that seemed to illuminate the entire gym. He yearned to join them, to impress her with his… well, something. Maybe he could demonstrate his impressive knowledge of obscure sports trivia? No, that probably wouldn't go over well.
Across the court, Kiyomi felt Cid's gaze and a small smile played on her lips. Gym class. My personal hell. She thought. I hate how sweaty and flushed I get, and the competitive atmosphere makes me cringe. I'm only good at a few things, and team sports definitely aren't one of them. I caught Cid staring at me again. He looks so awkward, like a fish out of water. It's kind of endearing. I wonder if he's noticed how much he fidgets with his glasses when he's nervous. I should probably stop teasing him so much, but it's hard to resist. He's so easy to fluster.
The instructor announced the activity for the day: partner relays. Cid's heart sank. He envisioned himself tripping over his own feet, dropping the baton, and becoming the laughingstock of the class. He could already hear the snickers, see the pointing fingers.
To his dismay, the instructor paired him with… Kiyomi.
"Kiyomi," the instructor announced, "you'll be partnering with Cid."
Cid felt a blush creeping up his neck. Kiyomi, to his surprise, smiled at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Ready to lose?" she teased playfully.
Cid, determined to prove her wrong (and perhaps impress her in the process), straightened his shoulders. "Challenge accepted," he declared, trying to sound confident.
*Kiyomi watched Cid puff out his chest and couldn't help but giggle internally. He was trying so hard. Partner relays? Seriously? She thought. Of all the people I could have been paired with… I got the human equivalent of a newborn giraffe on roller skates. Just kidding!…mostly. He's sweet, though. And kind of cute when he's trying to act tough. I wonder if he's ever actually won a race in his life. I'll have to go easy on him.
The race began. Cid, surprisingly, managed to keep up with Kiyomi. He passed the baton with a surprising amount of grace, his heart pounding with a mixture of adrenaline and exhilaration. He even managed to avoid tripping over his own feet, a small victory in itself.
As they raced towards the finish line, Kiyomi, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, suddenly veered off course, pulling Cid along with her. They tumbled into a pile of soft gym mats, a burst of laughter erupting from both of them.
Lying there, breathless and tangled in each other's arms, Cid couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness. For the first time in a long time, he felt truly alive, truly present in the moment. He wasn't thinking about his clumsiness, or his shyness, or what other people thought. He was just… there, with Kiyomi, laughing.
Kiyomi looked up at Cid, his face flushed and his glasses slightly askew. She couldn't help but laugh. He looked so surprised, and yet… happy. Maybe gym class wouldn't be so bad after all.
Kiyomi, her eyes sparkling with amusement, looked up at him. "I think we might have lost," she said, her voice breathless.
Cid grinned. "I think you might be right. But it was definitely worth it."
As they helped each other to their feet, Cid noticed Kiyomi's hair had fallen loose from its ponytail, framing her face. He couldn't help but admire the way the sunlight caught the strands, making them shimmer like spun gold. He realized, with a sudden jolt, that he had never really looked at her properly
before. He'd been so caught up in his own nervousness that he'd missed the details, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she laughed, the small freckle on her chin.
They walked back to their places, still breathless from their impromptu tumble. Kai gave Cid a thumbs up and a knowing smirk. "Smooth move, Hayashi," he whispered. "Though I think Mrs. Sato's glare could melt steel." Cid just shrugged, still grinning.
Cid, feeling a surge of confidence he didn't know he possessed, decided to try something new. He turned to Kiyomi, a playful glint in his own eyes.
"So," he said, "how about a rematch? This time, I'll be ready for your unexpected detours."
Kiyomi laughed, a melodious sound that filled the gym. "Oh, you think you can outsmart me?" she challenged, a playful spark in her eyes.
Cid grinned. "We'll see about that."
As the next race began, Cid felt a lightness in his step he hadn't experienced before. The gym, once a source of dread, now felt filled with a newfound energy, a sense of excitement sparked by Kiyomi's laughter and the unexpected joy of their shared mishap. He still wasn't a graceful athlete, but he was having fun. And that, he realized, was what mattered most.