Chapter 2

(Well then, I have arrived at the running grounds.)

(Shall I begin with sword practice and then go jogging, or shall I go jogging first…?)

(Mm, sword practice will be sure to increase my concentration. Then I shall do that first, and jogging later.)

One—! Two—! Three—! Fourrrr…!

Dash, dash, daaash… ☆

Fiiive, six—gwah?!

Huh—? Wawah?!

Marry—! Art thou unharm’d, Tenma? I avoided thee by but a hair’s breadth, but I worry that my blade may have nicked thy flesh.

Yeah, I’m fine! Sorry for running into you, Sou-chan-senpai!

I wasn’t watching where I was going, so I didn’t even see you there…

Ado-chan-senpai’s always warning me to watch my surroundings during club practice, but I forget all about that once I take off.

I’m an idiot, but I do try to remember what people tell me! But yanno how when you’re dashing you get super focused and don’t even see what’s going on around you.

Ahh… I understand thee well. At times I do forget myself whilst I hone my swordsmanship.

Right, right? Ehehe, I think we’re gonna get along pretty good, Sou-chan-senpai~ ♪

Mitsuru-chiiin!

Ahhhh, thank god! Seriously, you had us worried sick thinking you were gonna have a full-on collision!

Seriously! We were really worried! Seeing you two about to run into each other nearly made me faint!

Ohh, Hajime-chan’s super cute when he’s angry… Urghh, sorry, guys! I’ll be more careful next time!

I sure hope so… Seriously, you’re always making us worry.

Sorry, Souma-chin. From the looks of it, you were busy training. We didn’t mean to interrupt you.

Nay, worry not. More importantly, might I ask wherefore ye were gathered here?

I presume from Tenma was just running about that the answer is jogging?

Yep. We’re running around to try and boost up our stamina.

Hohoh, what chance! In truth, I had planned to do the same upon completing my sword training.

Huh, that’s kinda unexpected. Since y’know, you’re part of the number two unit in Yumenkosaki, Akatsuki.

It’s pretty surprising that someone from a champion unit like that would be doing stamina training.

Fufu. Alas, I am but a novice. Mine own strength pales in comparison to that of my fellow members of Akatsuki.

I believe it important to build up my stamina so that I may refrain from becoming a burden upon them.

Huh, good for you, Souma-chin. Keito-chin and Kuro-chin must be happy to have a kouhai like you ♪

Prithee that be true.

…Good now, too long have we made merry in idle chatter. Forgive me.

It’s fine, it’s fine. …Nn, hey, just a suggestion, but would you want to come running with us?

Ah—May I? I belong to Akatsuki… Surely ye of Ra*bits would not wish to involve yourselves with one such as I, yes?

No no, it’s not like that at all! Well, I guess I do get a little nervous in front of you, Kanzaki-senpai…

Ah, I know what you mean! I feel the same way…

I know Kanzaki-senpai is a good person. We realized during Tanabata Festival that everyone in Akatsuki is like that.

But even so…

Hm? Wherefore do ye gaze upon my sword? Have ye by chance taken interest in it? I can lend it to you, but ‘tis a sharp sword. Take caution when handling it.

Should ye be careless and drop it, it will cut straight through your ar—

Eeeeeek?!

Stop, stop—! Don’t say such horrifying things!

O–oh. I cannot say I understand what I have done to frighten you so. Uhm… Prithee, cry not.

Nnghh... I know not what to do in this situation…

For starters, you could put that sword away… If you do that, they might calm down.

…I–I’m sorry, Nii~chan. I lost my composure there.

Nah, anyone would freak out if someone pointed a sword at them.

But it seems like you’ve calmed down, so let’s get back on track. Are you guys okay running with Souma-chin?

I’m good. What about you, Hajime?

Gy–yeah, I’m fine~!

You don’t seem fine… But well, I’m pretty sure you’re more scared of the sword than of Souma-chin. Just don’t get too close and there’ll be no problems.

I wanna go running with Sou-chan-senpai~! I heard from Ado-chan-senpai that you’re real speedy, so I’ve been wanting to race you!

Sou-chan-senpai, let’s race to see who can get around the track first!

Fufu. I cannot back down from a challenge. Come, Tenma, ‘twill be a fair battle… ☆