He's flying.
Kaito's steps pound the ground with such rhythm that it's like a drumbeat echoing in my chest. His hair bounces with each stride, wild and wind-swept. The baton glints in the sun—one flash, then another—as he weaves past the other team.
The white team's cheering erupts like a wave crashing over the field. For a second, it drowns everything out.
And then—
Our anchor surges forward too. Red team isn't giving up.
I watch, holding my breath, fists clenched at my sides.
Thirty meters.
Twenty.
They're neck-and-neck.
Kaito doesn't even look sideways—just pushes harder, his body leaning forward, eyes locked on the finish line like it's the only thing that matters.
Come on... come on...
My heart's sprinting faster than any of them.
And then—
A blur of motion. Dust kicked up.
Kaito leans in, a final push—
The whistle blows.
The white ribbon snaps against his chest.
Cheers explode across the field.
White team wins.
I'm not sure how long I stand there, stunned, before someone pats my back. Nanami-san is beside me again, puffing out her cheeks. "Ughhh! I really thought we had that!"
I can't say anything. I'm too busy watching Kaito—laughing with his team, breathless, his eyes darting over the field until—
They meet mine.
He gives me a crooked smile. Not smug. Not teasing. Just… warm.
He raises a hand, makes a little motion like a salute.
And somehow that's worse.
I look away quickly, cheeks burning.
Nanami-san smirks. "Ayu-chan," she whispers, bumping my shoulder, "that face... Don't tell me you actually like him."
"I don't," I say instantly.
But it comes out way too fast.
Nanami-san gasps. "Ohhhh no. It's happening."
I groan. "It's not happening."
"Then why are you still looking?"
I freeze.
Because I am.
Kaito's still standing there. Still smiling.
He knows.