Yukinoshita-san is definitely secretly in love with me.

It was another PE class.

At Sōbu High, boys and girls shared the same PE period, though they trained separately on adjacent fields. Because of this, the school's gym uniforms weren't the short and revealing kind like in some schools, but a more modest, loose-fitting academy-style: white T-shirts with navy trim and matching knee-length shorts.

Yet even in such ordinary attire, Yukinoshita somehow exuded an air of elegance and striking charm.

Especially during volleyball class in the indoor gym. With her hair tied back, she would leap high into the air, slamming the ball down with ferocity. The intensity in her eyes could almost be called intimidating, her ponytail slicing through the air, and the volleyball in her hands moving like an extension of her will precise, unyielding, unstoppable.

She was so cool.

Miura cheered inwardly, brimming with admiration.

And immediately got scolded by Kamizawa Junko.

"Yumiko! Stop zoning out! We're getting crushed out here!"

Onozawa Kana leaned in close to whisper with a smirk, "Weren't you saying just earlier you wanted to make new friends? Staring at someone's friend like that isn't exactly how it's done, you know."

Miura snapped back, face flushed. "I was just studying Yukinoshita's form! That's all, okay? Just that!"

"Sure, sure. Then come on and help us out already!"

But how was she supposed to focus?

The thought that someone as perfect as Yukinoshita like a crystal princess stepped out of a fairytale might actually like her made Miura feel like all her fighting spirit had evaporated. Her footwork slowed, her arms lagged behind, and her reactions dulled.

Meanwhile, Yukinoshita continued dominating the court.

Miura used to be hailed as the queen of Sōbu High. Whether it was academics or sports, she could hold her own. Badminton, tennis, volleyball, basketball even baseball, she wasn't half-bad. But she'd never heard anything about Yukinoshita being good at volleyball.

At this level, she could probably compete professionally.

Yukinoshita had never shown off, never even mentioned it. If Miura hadn't deliberately arranged for a volleyball match during class and casually pulled her in, she might've never known. Yukinoshita would've stayed just like before always on the fringes, never stepping fully into the group.

Smack-

Even though Miura was trying to refocus and put effort into the game again, Yukinoshita's powerful spikes continued cutting past her like arrows, ricocheting off the gym floor.

Miura started questioning everything. Was she really the so-called athletic ace of the school? Or had she just been fooling herself this whole time?

In one moment of despair, she looked up and thought she caught Yukinoshita's gaze those eyes, filled with a soft, wintry clarity, seemed to be watching her.

And then the pace of Yukinoshita's attacks noticeably slowed.

By the second half of the match, she even requested to sub out and rest.

Miura's team slowly began to catch up, but the initial gap had been too wide. When the game ended, they still lost by a narrow margin.

But since it was just a casual match between the girls in class, the result didn't really matter. Everyone was in high spirits, laughing and chatting as they cooled down. The boys, who had been watching from the sidelines, now came over, offering bottled water to their favorite girls.

Some were still excitedly talking about what they had just witnessed.

"Yukinoshita was incredible out there!"

"I thought we'd be crushed with Yumiko on the other team, but we actually won!"

"Honestly? I think Yukinoshita's kind of cool."

"Oooh, don't tell me you have a crush on her?"

"Don't be ridiculous, ha ha ha!"

Miura bit her lip, her eyes drifting toward the far side of the gym. Yukinoshita sat on the bleachers alone, a towel draped over her head, her face bowed as if she were resting.

She'd played solo even during the match, receiving and spiking on her own without paying much mind to teamwork. And now, after it was all over, she still kept everyone at arm's length.

So infuriating.

"Yumiko."

Hayama approached with two bottles of water.

Miura was about to ask why he brought two when he held one out to her and said, "Could you give this to Yukinoshita?"

Why don't you give it to her?

Perhaps guessing her thoughts, Hayama smiled sheepishly and scratched his head. "She wouldn't accept it if I gave it to her."

Ever since Yukinoshita had transferred into their class and turned over a new leaf, people had started warming up to her. And with the rumors about her and Hayama the school's beloved prince circulating again, most students weren't as hostile toward the idea as before.

The gossip was everywhere: Hayama-kun wants to get back together with Yukinoshita!

They were both beautiful, talented, and graceful. If they got back together, they'd be the perfect golden couple. So ideal. So enviable.

And yet, for some reason, a sharp little sting pierced Miura's heart. It wasn't just envy. It was something deeper. Something sour and quiet and unfamiliar. Something that made her feel… awful.

Even back when she first heard they were together, it hadn't hurt this much.

Still smiling brightly, Miura took both bottles. "Of course I can. You and I we're not strangers, right?"

But the moment she stepped closer to Yukinoshita, her carefully masked emotions collapsed.

"You were holding back just now, weren't you?"

The words came out in a burst of indignation.

"Am I that weak? Not even worth your full effort?"

She'd wanted to confront her, to say it with anger. But somehow the words came out soft, laced with disappointment, and though she hated to admit it a bit of a whine.

She'd hidden it so well in front of Hayama. Why couldn't she hold it in now?

Yukinoshita pulled down the towel and tilted her head, confused. After a brief pause, she said, "I don't have great stamina. I was already pushing myself in the first half, and I just couldn't keep up anymore later."

"Don't lie. You were totally in the zone when you were scoring!"

"I'm not lying."

"I don't believe you!"

Miura felt like her soul had split in two one side burning with shame and confusion, the other stubbornly clinging to her pride.

Yukinoshita looked at her for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.

It was so quiet, so faint, like the hush of snow falling from tree branches after a heavy storm. And just like that, it slipped into Miura's chest, brushing against her heart.

While Miura was still lost in this strange, tangled mess of emotions, Yukinoshita extended a slender hand and gently held hers.

Miura froze for a second, then flushed crimson.

"Wh-what are you doing…"

It was meant to be a demand, but her voice came out like a whisper.

"I've been resting for nearly ten minutes, but my body's still burning up. My heart's still racing. I'm not lying. I've always had poor stamina."

Yukinoshita looked her straight in the eyes. "Miura, you're incredibly talented. I couldn't afford to let my guard down against you."

And at that moment, Miura could only think:

She complimented me!!!!!!!!!