<Behind the School Building>

While walking behind the school building to return a book I borrowed from the library, I spotted Mahima-senpai. Why is she in such a secluded place during club time?

As I got closer, she seemed to be cooling her wrist with the water fountain. Her face was grim.

"Mahima-senpai?"

When I called out to her, Mahima-senpai's face, which had been so tense, turned into her usual smile.

"Oh, Chihiro-kun. It's rare to see you here."

"Y-yes…."

"Hm? Is something wrong?"

She's hiding her hands behind her back, so I can't see them… I get closer to Mahima-senpai.

"What were you doing, senpai?"

"Me? I was just taking a break and cooling off a little with the water."

" …Are you injured?"

"I'm not injured at all."

"Then, can I see your hand?"

"Sure."

Mahima-senpai shows me her hand. At first glance, it doesn't look swollen.

"S-sorry."

I lightly press on Mahima-senpai's wrist.

"…………"

When I press on her right wrist, Mahima-senpai's expression contorts.

"Does your wrist hurt?"

"…………A little. But I can't take a break with just this much pain. I'm the ace, after all."

Mahima-senpai smiles gently.

"Well, I'm still in practice, so I'll go now. Oh… don't tell anyone else about this, okay?"

I instinctively grab Mahima-senpai's sleeve as she tries to go to practice.

"…………Chihiro-kun?"

"Senpai, let's take a break?"

"E-eh… Thank you. You're worried about me, aren't you? But I'm fine."

It's dangerous if she gets injured… No matter what I say, she'll probably go to practice, and as a key player on the team, she'll surely endure the pain and give it her all.

I want to do something. I want to make the pain a little easier for her.

"Please wait a moment."

I take out the towel I was carrying, wet it with water, and apply it to Mahima-senpai's wrist.

"It's better than nothing, I think even just cooling it down until the last minute makes a difference."

"It's okay to wet the towel?"

"It's fine. You're more important."

"Chihiro-kun…"

While I was cooling her wrist, Mahima-senpai just watched silently.

"Thank you. It feels better."

"Senpai, it's good to practice, but don't overdo it. If it hurts, please take a break."

"Ah, right. You're right. I can't worry Chihiro-kun."

" …Ah, senpai, wait. One more thing."

I take a handkerchief out of my bag and tie it around Mahima-senpai's cooled wrist.

"This is…?"

"When I was little, Yui-nee… my sister used to do this to make the pain go away. She used to tie a handkerchief like this on the painful spot. Like it was protecting me even though it hurt."

It's meaningless to tie the handkerchief, but when I was little, I really felt like I was protected by Yui-nee who tied it for me, and I felt like the pain went away.

"May it protect you, senpai. Alright… Ah, sorry. It's not good to wear this kind of handkerchief to practice, is it?"

" …That's true. But I'm very happy with your feelings, Chihiro-kun. Thank you."

Mahima-senpai tightly grips the tied handkerchief.

"I'm sorry for delaying your practice for so long."

I bow my head to Mahima-senpai and leave. Come to think of it, I completely forgot that Yui-nee asked me to do something. I have to return the book and go home soon.

"Chihiro-kun, the handkerchief…"

"It's okay for another time. Senpai, do your best at practice!"

"Charm, huh? …Fufu."

---

<After Practice, Changing Room>

"Ah, I'm exhausted. Practice was tough today."

"You're right. It was definitely tough today."

"Right? Ah, speaking of which, Reina-senpai, where did you go during your break?"

"Ah, well…"

"You're never late back, so we were all worried something had happened. …Senpai, is that a handkerchief on your wrist?"

After changing, Himeno, a junior, looked curiously at the handkerchief that was re-tied around Reina's right wrist.

"Why are you wearing a handkerchief on your wrist?"

" …This is an important charm."

"A charm?"

"…………Yes."

"Senpai, you're looking super girly right now! Super cute!"

"E-eh… Is that so?"

She didn't mean to make such a face, but it must have come naturally.

"Yes! You're usually a cool beauty and gorgeous, but now you're a girl in love. Ha… Maybe it's from Miyachi-senpai?! Kyaa!!"

"N-no, it's not—"

"You don't have to say it, I know, I know! Even your bashful face is super cute!"

"Let's talk about something…"

"What, what? What's the talk?"

"It's big news! Our school's pride and joy, the perfect human being, Mahima-senpai—"

More and more club members gathered, and the atmosphere became too lively to speak.

The pain in her wrist is still there, but the handkerchief fills her chest. She had to take it off during practice because she couldn't wear it, but without it, it felt like Chihiro-kun had drifted away, and she was uneasy.

Until now, she had only seen Chihiro-kun as a close junior, but her impression of him had changed. When Chihiro-kun grabbed her sleeve, she couldn't help but feel a little flutter in her heart, and when he did this charm for her, her heart wouldn't stop pounding.

…Is this love, like Himeno said?