Chapter 15: Physical Education Class (2)

The whistle blew, and volleyball practice began. I stood on the court, my hands clammy with nerves.

‘Volleyball… can a klutz like me even play? I’m just going to be a burden to them, aren’t I?’

Aya stood near the net. Tall and long-limbed, she looked like she could block any incoming attack.

Mizuki, with her usual cheerful grin, took her position at the back center of the court. Her energetic and playful nature made it seem like she belonged in that commanding position, overseeing the entire game.

“Rina, you’re cute no matter what, so just standing there is enough~”

“…That’s not how it works!”

I brushed off Mizuki’s teasing and focused on the game. Honestly, in my past life, I was a repeat student who was terrible at sports. I’d briefly joined a gym for health reasons, but that only lasted three days.

‘But… maybe it’s different now…?’

My body felt surprisingly light and energetic. I even felt stronger. The other two members of our team were high-fiving each other, their excitement building.

“Alright, is everyone ready?” the P.E. teacher asked, holding a volleyball.

Everyone shouted, “Yes!” I responded softly, positioning myself on the court.

‘I hope the ball doesn’t come to me…’

The teacher blew the whistle, signaling the opposing team to serve. The server tossed the ball high and spiked it with a powerful swing.

BAM—!

‘Is that sound even possible from a high school girl?!’

“Rina! Get it!” Mizuki yelled.

The volleyball, which had sounded like a cannonball just moments ago, was hurtling towards me at an unbelievable speed. My body reacted instinctively, my hand shooting out.

‘W-Wait…?’

Thwack—

The ball hit my arm perfectly and bounced upwards, a perfect pass towards Aya.

“Good pass,” Mizuki said.

Before I could even process what had happened, Aya jumped, her wrist snapping as she sent the ball—no, the cannonball—hurtling towards the opposing team’s court.

KABOOM—!

‘Wait, did I just… receive that?’

I stared at my arm in disbelief. That would have been impossible for my past self.

“Point!” the teacher yelled. Our team had scored the first point.

I finally snapped back to reality, staring at my hand. ‘Did I… really do that?!’

Mizuki ran over, beaming, and high-fived me. “See? You did great! Rina, you’re good at sports!”

“Huh… me? No, it was just… luck! Pure luck!”

“Good job, Rina,” Aya said with a gentle smile.

I waved my hands dismissively, but Mizuki playfully patted my shoulder. “Aw~ no need to be modest. You have good reflexes, Rina.”

Aya nodded in agreement. “You’re doing great, Rina. Don’t be afraid. Fighting!”

‘Ugh… Aya, that’s not fair…!’ My face burned, and I lowered my head.

But the practice game continued. While I’d initially been surprised by my own abilities, I gradually gained confidence, even managing to spike the ball and receive a few serves.

BAM—! The ball landed squarely in the opposing team’s court, and the gym fell silent.

“…Point!”

The teacher kept going over to the other team, offering guidance and assistance, so the score remained relatively even. But considering it was essentially a five-on-six (including the teacher) game, our performance was impressive.

‘Maybe… I’m not so bad after all?’

Aya looked at me, a gentle smile on her face. For the first time, I felt a surge of confidence.

****

“Hey, see Kurosawa over there? She’s pretty good, isn’t she?”

“I heard she ranked third in the entrance exams.”

“Once the third-year Angel graduates, do you think Kurosawa will become one of the Four Beauties?”

“Really? Wow… then the three first-year girls would be a trinity.”

A group of second-year girls, taking advantage of a short break, whispered amongst themselves from the bleachers, their gazes fixed on the first-year Class 3 girls practicing volleyball. Even in Takamari, a modern-day aristocratic academy, those girls were considered untouchable.

Yukikawa Aya, known simply as “The Goddess,” for lack of any worthy comparison.

Asakura Mizuki, “The Cherry Blossom Incarnate,” with her cheerful yet elegant aura.

And Kurosawa Rina, the transfer student who was already the subject of numerous rumors.

The rumors about Rina, it turned out, were true. Not only was she academically gifted, but she was also surprisingly athletic despite her small stature. She moved gracefully across the court, receiving Mizuki’s perfectly tossed ball and sending a precise pass to Aya, who then spiked it effortlessly into the opposing team’s court.

“Rina~ nice receive!” Mizuki cheered, raising her hand for a high five.

Rina, blushing, high-fived her back. Their hands met briefly, and Mizuki playfully nudged Rina’s waist.

“You’re really good! Do you play often?”

“Uh, um… yeah!” Rina replied, flustered, averting her gaze.

The girls in the bleachers were already cheering.

“Kyaa! They have such great chemistry! I’m so jealous…”

“I know, right? It’s so cool to see girls getting along so well.”

“I can’t even bring myself to talk to Aya-sama… Rina is amazing.”

“They truly deserve to be called a trinity.”

“Those two were already perfect, but now they’re even more perfect.”

Whispers of admiration for Rina began to spread throughout the gym. But Rina, oblivious to the attention, remained focused on the game.

But perhaps she was too focused. She’d forgotten that while her athleticism remained, her body wasn’t as strong as it had been when she was a boy.

“Ah!”

As she lunged for the ball, her feet tangled, and she tumbled forward. She instinctively put out her hands and knees to break her fall, scraping them against the floor.

“Rina!” Aya cried out, rushing to her side.

Rina, flustered, pushed herself up, but a sharp pain shot through her knee.

“Are you okay, Rina?” Aya knelt beside her, carefully examining her knee.

Rina bit her lip, trying to endure the pain, but it was no use.

“Can you move?” Mizuki asked, her voice laced with concern.

“I-It hurts a little,” Rina mumbled.

Without hesitation, Aya bent down and gently lifted Rina into a piggyback ride.

“Let’s go to the nurse’s office. I’ll carry you.”

“Huh?!” Rina’s eyes widened in surprise, but Aya, unfazed, lifted her onto her back.

The warmth of Aya’s body and the secure feeling of her arms around Rina made her freeze.

“It’s okay. You’re light,” Aya reassured her.

Rina buried her face in Aya’s shoulder, inwardly screaming, ‘Noooo! This isn’t how it’s supposed to go!!’

The gym erupted in chatter.

“Oh my… Yukikawa-sama is carrying Kurosawa-san!”

“Ah, she’s a true goddess…”

“That’s… so cool…”

“It’s so romantic…!”

A mixture of admiration and excitement filled the air. Aya, ignoring the attention, carefully carried Rina out of the gym.

“Sensei, I’m taking Rina to the nurse’s office!”

“Alright, you three can skip the rest of P.E. class. Be careful. I hope it’s not too serious.”

Mizuki, after getting the teacher’s permission, followed behind them, giggling.

****

‘This is bad… there are going to be rumors… ugh…’

I buried my face in Aya’s shoulder, desperately trying to deny reality. Being carried like this, down the hallway, was mortifying.

My knee throbbed, and a dull ache spread through my leg. Was it sprained? But the warmth of Aya’s body was so comforting, I couldn’t help but lean into her.

“Rina, does it hurt a lot?” Aya’s gentle voice, so close to my ear, made me flinch.

“N-No… it’s just a scrape, and my muscles are a bit sore… haha…” I forced a laugh, but my heart was pounding.

‘How did I end up in this luxurious situation…?’

The sound of Aya’s soft breathing, so close to my ear, was calming, yet the lingering scent of her sweat, sweet and intoxicating, made my heart race.

Mizuki, walking beside us, wore her usual playful smirk. “Rina~ how does it feel? Being carried by Aya-ring?”

“Huh?!” I blushed, flustered.

“I-It’s not like that…! I just…”

“Hee hee, Rina’s face is so red~” Mizuki teased, poking my cheek.

I covered my face, burying myself deeper into Aya’s shoulder. ‘If you keep teasing me, I’m going to cry…’

Thankfully, the hallway was empty. It was still a while before lunch break, and most students were in class. The lack of an audience was a small comfort.

But…

‘This is… so warm.’

The steady rhythm of Aya’s footsteps, the warmth of her body, it was all so soothing. The exhaustion from my sleepless night washed over me. I felt my body relax, my eyelids heavy. No, wait, my eyes were already closed.

“Rina, are you okay?”

Aya’s voice sounded like a lullaby. My consciousness fading, I mumbled, “Just… let me close my eyes for a bit.”

Mizuki chuckled, crossing her arms. “It’s not good to rely on Aya-ring so much~”

But I was too tired to respond. I just wanted to forget everything and bask in the warmth and comfort of this moment.