The Morishita Family Fish

August sunlight streamed through the gym's floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a bright patch of light across the floor.

Takahashi Ren maintained a steady pace on the treadmill, his breathing even. Sweat trickled down his temple. He raised a hand to wipe it away, his gaze drifting naturally to the side.

On the neighboring treadmill was a girl with a blond ponytail. Her running form was proper, her breathing regular. One glance was enough to tell she exercised often.

He had seen her a few times on his previous visits, and she had been running almost every time.

"Ichinose-chan!"

A girl called out from behind them. Hearing her, she turned and answered with a smile.

Ichinose. So she was Ichinose.

The leading figure of Class B, one of the "two little angels" alongside Kushida Kikyo.

Seemingly noticing his gaze, Ichinose turned and gave him a friendly smile.

Takahashi Ren nodded to her and looked away.

But was this angel hiding another side no one knew about, just like Kushida?

He kept running for another few minutes. Only when the timer reached eight minutes did he gradually slow down and press the stop button.

That should do.

Working out was only a side benefit of his visits to the gym. His real purpose was the matter involving Mr. Mashima.

Takahashi Ren picked up the towel draped over the handrail, wiped the sweat off his face, and headed toward the counter.

Over the past few days, he and Akiyama had gradually gotten to know each other.

On his first visit, they had only exchanged nods and greetings. On the second, they had chatted a little more. By now, calling her "Akiyama" with an easy familiarity came naturally to him.

"Akiyama."

Akiyama looked up, and a smile immediately appeared on her face when she saw him. "Oh, Takahashi. Here for another workout today?"

"Yeah." He leaned against the counter. "Just finished running. Taking a little break."

"Oh, by the way, I tried that ramen place you recommended last time."

"What did you think?"

"The broth was rich, and the chashu had plenty of flavor."

"See? See?" Akiyama's eyes lit up. "I told you it was worth a visit!"

"It was good, but the place is closed a lot," Takahashi Ren added.

"They've always been like that. They're way too laid-back," Akiyama said with a laugh. "Whenever they open, business is booming, and you have to wait in line forever."

"Yeah."

He noticed a small bag of cookies beside Akiyama's hand. The packaging was simple, as though they were homemade.

"Did you... make these yourself?" he asked.

Akiyama glanced down and smiled a little sheepishly.

"These? I had nothing to do on my day off, so I baked some cookies. Want to try one?"

Takahashi Ren took one and bit into it.

"How is it?" Akiyama watched him expectantly.

"Good," Takahashi Ren said. "Not sweet."

"That's because I didn't add much sugar," Akiyama said with a smile. "I love snacking, but I'm worried about gaining weight, so I tried making some low-sugar ones myself. When I make too many, I bring them in as snacks."

"Do you usually make your own food?"

"Yeah, it's a hobby, I guess," Akiyama said. "I often come across things online that I want to eat, so I try making them myself. It's not just cookies. I can make a few simple desserts, too."

"Is that also why you came to work at a gym?" Takahashi Ren asked.

"You got it. If I want to eat without getting fat, I have to move more. They happened to be hiring here, so I applied. I can even work out for free after my shift. What a deal."

Takahashi Ren nodded, then looked as though something had just occurred to him. "I don't think I see you here much on Thursdays."

"Yeah, Thursdays are my days off."

Akiyama smiled. "It's a rare chance to sleep in, so I mostly stay home. Catch up on shows, look into new recipes, and sometimes browse the supermarket on my own."

"I thought you might have a boyfriend," Takahashi Ren said.

"Nope. Work keeps me busy, and I haven't really met anyone."

"Besides, guys would probably think someone like me, who can't walk past good food, was pretty hopeless."

"A good appetite is a blessing," Takahashi Ren said.

Akiyama paused, then laughed. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Of course," Takahashi Ren said.

"I've rested enough. I'll go work out a bit more."

"Okay, go ahead." Akiyama nodded with a smile. "Don't push yourself too hard."

Takahashi Ren answered and turned toward the weight area.

After today's conversation, he had a clear idea of Akiyama's interests and hobbies, as well as the fact that she was single.

One last thing remained: what type she liked.

But he couldn't rush that. Asking any more would make it too obvious.

He stopped there and would find another chance to steer the conversation that way next time.

Takahashi Ren returned to the weight area and worked out a while longer, then went to the rest area, unscrewed his water bottle, and took a sip.

Ishida still wanted to work out a little longer. He would rest first.

"Hello."

A voice came from beside him. Takahashi Ren looked up.

It was Ichinose.

"You're Takahashi from Class A, right?" she began. "I thought you looked familiar on the treadmill earlier, but it took me a little while to remember. I've heard you perform."

Takahashi Ren paused. Perform. She was probably talking about the Light Music Club's Saturday performance at the partner shop.

"You played really well."

"Thank you."

"I'm Ichinose Honami from Class B," she introduced herself.

"Hello." Takahashi Ren nodded to her.

"I didn't expect to run into you here," Ichinose said with a smile. "Do you come to this gym often?"

"Not really. I come with a friend sometimes."

"I see," Ichinose said with a smile. "Then if we run into each other here again, we can cheer each other on. I only started coming recently myself."

"Sure."

"I'll let you get back to your break, then."

"See you later."

Just as the rumors said, she had a pleasant personality and spoke naturally, without making people feel pressured.

After a while, Ishida came out of the weight area, his head covered in sweat.

The two packed up their things and headed back to the dorms.

On their way back, Takahashi Ren and Ishida spotted two familiar figures in the distance-Ai Morishita and Miki Yamamura.

Ai Morishita carried a small plastic bag filled with water, a little red goldfish lazily swishing its tail inside.

Yamamura walked beside her, looking down at the path as though thinking about something.

Takahashi Ren said to Ishida, "Ishida, go on ahead."

Ishida glanced at the two girls across from them, nodded, and left without asking any questions.

"Takahashi Ren." Ai Morishita was the first to stop.

"Morishita. Yamamura." Takahashi Ren walked over and greeted them both.

Takahashi Ren looked at the bag in Ai Morishita's hand. "Planning to keep a fish?"

"Yeah." Ai Morishita lifted the bag a little. "I saw it in a shop I passed. It was cute, so I bought it."

"Really?" Takahashi Ren was a little surprised.

"I like little creatures. Is that a problem?" Ai Morishita glanced at him.

"No," Takahashi Ren said. "I'm just a little doubtful whether that fish will survive summer break in your hands."

Ai Morishita protectively drew the bag against her chest and huffed.

"From the moment I bought it, its last name became Morishita. You'd better take back what you just said."

"Then I wish it a long life," Takahashi Ren said. "The Morishita family fish."

Watching from the side, Yamamura couldn't help the corners of her mouth turning up.

Takahashi Ren turned his gaze to Yamamura. "You didn't buy anything, Yamamura?"

"No." Yamamura hurriedly waved her hands. "I was just keeping Morishita company while she looked around."

"Oh."

"Actually, Yamamura told me she wanted to get her fortune told today," Ai Morishita suddenly cut in with a slightly mischievous smile.

"Oh?" Takahashi Ren looked at Yamamura.

Yamamura flushed all the way to her ears and stammered.

"I-it's nothing important... It's just, um, that new Crystal Fortune Teller. I was a little curious..."

"A love reading," Ai Morishita added for her.

"Morishita!" Yamamura protested urgently in a quiet voice, reaching out to tug at her sleeve.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I won't ask," Takahashi Ren said.

Yamamura pressed her lips together, gave him a grateful look, and murmured, "Okay."

"The elevator in the fortune teller's building broke down. It got stuck halfway, with two people still trapped inside."

"When we got there, the staff were gathered around dealing with it, and a whole crowd was standing nearby."

"I can't believe something like that happened."

"Yeah." Ai Morishita clicked her tongue. "Those two were really unlucky. Trapped in an elevator on such a hot day, all stuffy and sweltering. Just thinking about it feels awful."

The three chatted a little longer, then each returned to their own dorm.