＜Reina's Room＞

Even after Chihiro-kun left, I remained in bed, lost in the afterglow of our interaction.

'Y, you're always working really hard, Reina-senpai. You're amazing. You might even be working too hard.'

'You should rely on others more, Senpai. It's okay if you're not perfect. Don't push yourself.'

'Senpai is my role model. You're always so cool and kind to everyone.'

"…………Fufu."

It's okay to rely on others... I can rely on someone. I don't have to be perfect. I replay those warm, charming words from Chihiro-kun in my head again and again.

I've never felt such warmth in my heart before. My parents, teachers, friends, club members...

No one has ever said such things to me.

While Chihiro-kun was stroking my hair, my whole body was filled with happiness. It was so gentle, and every part he touched felt good...

And when he whispered those words in my ear, it felt like an electric current ran through me. I think I would have melted if Chihiro-kun hadn't been holding me.

"………*sniff*."

Just remembering it makes me feel overwhelmed... The time I was being spoiled by Chihiro-kun was truly blissful.

I want to rely on him again. I want him to stroke my hair again. I want him to praise me in my ear again. I want to experience that happiness again. To do that...

"…………I'll definitely win."

It doesn't matter that I'm injured, or that my opponent is strong. I will win no matter what. I clenched the handkerchief that Chihiro-kun gave me as a charm to my chest.

__________________________

A few days had passed since I went to Reina-senpai's house. Since that day, she had noticeably become more energetic. She was smiling more, and I felt like she had become more lively.

Reina-senpai's recovery had also made her classmates and club members very happy.

＜Classroom＞

"Chihiro, do you have any plans the day after tomorrow?"

Sakura-san asked me during break time.

"Uh... yeah, I have something going on that day."

"Really? I wanted to go see a movie together. You know, the sequel to that movie we watched together before, the one you like?"

"I, I'm sorry."

"Aw, man. Keep yourself free for the next time off, okay? We'll go see a movie together."

"O, okay, I'll keep myself free."

"But you have a date that's important enough to refuse a date with your cute childhood friend? ...Oh, are you going to see Reina-senpai's competition?"

"...Yeah. She really wants me to come."

After I went home from Reina-senpai's house, I received dozens of messages from her asking me to come cheer her on at the competition.

'I want Chihiro-kun to see my final performance.'

'I want Chihiro-kun to see it, more than anyone else.'

'If Chihiro-kun cheers me on, I'll win.'

'I'm worried if you're not there to watch me.'

'I'll do my best for you, so please come.'

... and messages like that. When I replied 'I'll go cheer you on,' I received dozens of messages of thanks.

I didn't want to be rude and ignore her, so I replied to all of them... but is Reina-senpai usually this much of a texter?

"I see... ...But Reina-senpai is so lucky. She can compete, right?"

"Yeah, it seems like her injury is healed enough... amazing, isn't it?"

"No, it's super amazing. Reina-senpai is just not a normal human, after all."

Apparently, her injury healed at an amazing rate, even the doctors were shocked, and she's able to compete.

"Reina-senpai, she's become more energetic now that she's healed, but... she seems even prettier, don't you think?"

"R, really?"

"Yeah. I'm sure it's because she has someone she likes. Did something happen with Miyacho-senpai?"

"I, I wonder..."