You're a Little Forward Today, Aren't You? (Revised)

"Okay, everyone in position. Ready... Go!"

At the command, Horikita and Kiyotaka took off at full speed. At first, Kiyotaka was still adjusting to Horikita's pace, so Horikita couldn't help lifting her chin proudly and shooting him a disdainful glance.

But then Kiyotaka accelerated with long strides, and the sudden burst nearly sent Horikita stumbling.

"Wai—"

In the scramble, Horikita let out a small gasp.

She did her best to keep up with Kiyotaka, but she was inferior to him in both stamina and strength, so she couldn't take the lead and was forced to trail behind.

"You said working with your partner wouldn't be hard. Pick up the pace!"

Kiyotaka said quietly.

"That's... I know! You don't have to tell me!"

Horikita gritted her teeth stubbornly and struggled to keep up with Kiyotaka.

Seeing this, Kiyotaka sped up again. To Horikita, the length of his strides was like a chasm she could never cross.

Before long, Horikita could no longer match Kiyotaka's pace. Her foot slipped, and she was about to fall.

Kiyotaka stopped in time and firmly caught Horikita by the shoulders, keeping her from falling.

Supported by Kiyotaka, Horikita panted heavily, unable to hide her exhaustion and disheveled state.

Kiyotaka crouched down, untied the rope binding them together, then silently watched Horikita.

Horikita felt Kiyotaka's gaze and understood what he was trying to tell her. She was frustrated, but the facts were right in front of her; there was no arguing with them. Horikita knew that much.

"I understand. I'll apologize to Onodera."

Horikita said, trying to sound calm.

"And?"

Kiyotaka pressed on, showing no intention of letting her off the hook.

"I... I'll go tonight."

With nowhere left to turn, Horikita stammered out the words, then hurried away toward Onodera as if fleeing.

Who knew what the two of them talked about? Before long, Onodera sat up, and she and Horikita resumed the test. This time, their performance had clearly improved.

Kiyotaka turned away and sank weakly to the ground.

"Ah, I'm exhausted."

"Thanks for all your hard work."

Suddenly, Kiyotaka felt something cool against the back of his neck. He looked up to see Kikyo smiling down at him, standing very close. She held a bottle of water against his neck.

Kiyotaka took the bottle, opened it, drank a couple of mouthfuls, and said,

"Aren't you pretty busy? How'd you slip away?"

Although Kikyo kept a low profile in Class D, both the boys and girls were eager to be close to her. In a way, she was like a hidden boss. With her support on call, she might have more backing than anyone else in the class.

"Everyone needs to slack off once in a while..."

Kikyo sat beside Kiyotaka, swinging her feet leisurely.

"By the way, Kiyotaka, do we really have to do this? Won't it seriously hurt the class's morale?"

After hesitating for a moment, Kikyo asked the question out of nowhere.

Kiyotaka glanced at Kikyo, then turned his gaze back to the sky.

"Sometimes, a setback is what it takes for them to recognize their situation. Only then will they unite and face their difficulties together."

Kiyotaka didn't answer her directly, speaking almost as if to himself.

Kikyo nodded and didn't ask anything else. With a cheerful "Heave-ho," she got to her feet and went back to practicing.

As the sky gradually darkened, Hirata gathered everyone together.

"Everyone, thanks for all your hard work today. We'll discuss the order of the events later, so for now, just keep yourselves in good shape."

Hirata smiled at everyone, warm as a spring breeze.

The attention directed at Class D had disappeared completely. They were slowly realizing that knowing how strong their opponents were made no difference. The event lineup was what mattered most. No matter how strong or weak your opponent was, if you didn't end up facing them, it was like throwing a powerful punch into cotton—your strength went nowhere.

After Hirata finished speaking, everyone began to leave in small groups.

Even Kiyotaka had been forced to exercise today. Sweat had left his clothes smelling a little, and all he wanted now was to hurry back, shower, and change.

Not long after Kiyotaka returned to his dorm, his door opened from the outside. He calmly watched Horikita walk in and smiled.

"Hey, you actually kept your word."

Horikita snorted.

"I'm not the sort to break a promise to you."

"I'm touched."

"Would you stop talking like some old dad?"

Horikita gave Kiyotaka an irritated kick.

"I'm drenched in sweat and feel awful. I'm going to take a shower. Want to join me?"

Kiyotaka invited Horikita, only intending to tease her, but to his surprise, she agreed.

"Sure. I'm drenched in sweat too."

With that, Horikita walked into the bathroom without hesitation and even beckoned to Kiyotaka from the doorway.

Kiyotaka glanced at Horikita in surprise. She was acting strangely today. Normally, wouldn't she just storm out with a haughty air?

But Kiyotaka didn't think too much of it. He went into the bathroom and shut the door.

Horikita had exercised a great deal today, too. Even now, tiny beads of sweat slid down her forehead and along her pale neck. Her sportswear clung slightly to her body, damp with sweat, and her graceful figure and rosy, fair skin showed through with every movement.

Horikita didn't react when Kiyotaka entered. She leaned lightly against the sink, then slowly bent down to pull off the long athletic socks covering her slender, pale legs. Because of her posture, her already-firm breasts were pressed against her thighs, their rounded shape visible beneath her crew-neck top.

Then Horikita stood and slowly removed her clothes, standing naked in front of Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka looked at her smooth, jade-white body but made no move.

"What, do you want me to help you?"

Horikita raised her eyes and asked.

Kiyotaka thought for a moment, then smiled.

"That might not be bad."

With that, Kiyotaka spread his arms, as if leaving himself at her mercy.

Horikita glared at Kiyotaka. Her face remained cold, but her body honestly walked over to him.

As Horikita took off Kiyotaka's clothes one by one, the two soon stood facing each other, completely naked.

Kiyotaka pulled Horikita into his arms and moved to kiss her.

"Don't. We're both covered in sweat. We're filthy."

Horikita struggled, pushing Kiyotaka's face away with her hand.

Kiyotaka grabbed Horikita's hands and pinned them against the wall. Horikita was left unable to move as she stared at him.

Ignoring Horikita's murderous glare, Kiyotaka slowly leaned toward her neck. After inhaling deeply, he let his tongue brush against it.

The salty taste carried a faint fragrance. Kiyotaka smacked his lips. To his surprise, Horikita's scent was stronger after exercising than usual. He'd assumed she used some kind of fragrance, but it turned out to be her natural scent.

This discovery only heightened Kiyotaka's interest. His tongue began to wander over Horikita's neck.

"Don't. It's too dirty."

Horikita was still struggling, but her resistance was clearly halfhearted. Her flushed face and increasingly dazed, watery eyes gave her away.

Horikita's legs rubbed together unconsciously, and fine beads of sweat ran down her thighs. But none of it eased the heat inside her; instead, the nameless fire within her only grew stronger.

Then Kiyotaka let Horikita go, but she threw herself into his arms of her own accord. Her little hand found the long-missed companion and felt it change in her palm. Horikita couldn't help swallowing.

"Do whatever you want."

Kiyotaka whispered in Horikita's ear, his words like a devil's temptation.

"You stink of sweat. You're so dirty."

Horikita complained even as she obediently crouched down.

Kiyotaka was used to Horikita's tsundere act, so he ignored her words.

Horikita seemed especially enthusiastic today, and the sensations she gave Kiyotaka were all the more intense.

Horikita felt warmth welling up inside her, making her eyes water at once.

"Cough, cough."

As soon as Kiyotaka let go, Horikita began coughing.

"Are you trying to kill me? You went too deep."

Horikita shot Kiyotaka an annoyed look, then stood up and found a position, slowly sitting on the sink with her back against the wall. She looked as if she were sitting on a little stool, her body bent into a yoga pose.

Horikita gazed at Kiyotaka with hazy eyes and beckoned him with one hand.

"Come on."

Kiyotaka pressed forward.

Because Horikita had taken the initiative, he began moving, and the tightening sensation grew faster and faster.

Horikita sang out without holding back, as if releasing all the longing she'd kept pent up during this time.

"You seem a little eager today."

Seeing Horikita's slim waist move on its own, Kiyotaka couldn't help teasing her.

Horikita rolled her eyes and gazed at Kiyotaka through half-lidded eyes. She didn't answer, only wrapped her arms around his neck and hung her whole body from him.

With a forceful thrust of Kiyotaka's hips, Horikita was lifted into the air, and the sensation that followed was unlike anything she'd felt before.

"Ah!"

Horikita couldn't imagine how Kiyotaka's seemingly frail body could have such explosive strength.

The action moved from the bathroom to the hallway, then from the hallway to the white sheets.

They changed positions countless times along the way, each one making Horikita feel as if she were about to die.

Unable to withstand Kiyotaka's thrusts, Horikita even tried to turn the tables, but even with Kiyotaka beneath her, he was still incredibly vigorous.

After a spasm, Horikita let out a high-pitched cry and collapsed limply into Kiyotaka's arms.

Kiyotaka buried his face against Horikita's chest and took a deep breath. Her sweaty scent had changed from a faint fragrance to the clean scent of body wash. The pleasant smell drove Kiyotaka to ravage her body until it was covered in marks before he finally stopped.

Horikita lay sprawled across the bed, her body covered in marks. Countless fine scratches and hickeys bore witness to the intensity of what had just happened.

Horikita had shed her usual aloofness and was now like a docile little cat, letting Kiyotaka do as he pleased.

"Why are you so obedient today?"

Kiyotaka asked, biting Horikita's ear.

Horikita shivered as a ticklish feeling ran through her body, then replied in a soft voice,

"I missed you."

Kiyotaka gave her a hard slap on the ass.

"That doesn't sound like you."

Horikita pinched his waist as if pouting and said,

"Are you crazy? Do you only feel satisfied when I glare at you coldly like I usually do?"

"Now that's more like it."

Horikita gave him a flirtatious roll of her eyes, then nestled into Kiyotaka's arms, her eyelids drooping with sleep.