A Day Without Fighting [Daytime / Gym]

Hara squeezed a grip-strength meter by himself.

34.

He meant to stop at average.

Instead, a crack formed in the handle.

(Hara) : “Apparently acting normal takes skill too.”

From that day on, Hara practiced hiding his strength.

He shortened his stride when he walked.

Held door handles carefully.

Even in PE, he deliberately matched everyone else’s pace.

[After School / Shopping Street]

Hara and Koharu went to buy supplies for the school festival.

Yesterday’s question still hung between them.

(Hara) : “About what you asked yesterday.”

Koharu looked at him.

(Hara) : “I think... I did enjoy it. A little.”

She didn’t look surprised.

(Hara) : “That’s why I don’t want to fight anymore.”

(Koharu) : “I still don’t know why you suddenly got so strong.”

Hara’s eyes shifted.

(Koharu) : “But I know you’ve been acting weird ever since.”

(Hara) : “You say ‘weird’ really casually.”

(Koharu) : “It wasn’t a compliment.”

They both laughed.

Koharu picked up a limited-edition keychain.

(Koharu) : “You’re cooler when you’re not fighting.”

Hara’s ears turned red.

(Hara) : “Then the cool person should get that keychain.”

(Koharu) : “Exactly. I’ll take it.”

This time Hara laughed too.

That day, even when he saw students spreading rumors about him, he didn’t follow them.

Today was a day without fighting.