A True LOVE [ Yandere-kun X Male Rivals ]

[25] Runner's High

One.

Two.

Three.

Repeat.

One.

Two.

Three.

And repeat.

As Osano ran across the field, he recounted the numbers in his head, starting from one and counting to three. Following the sports leader's advice, he found himself distracted from his body's tiredness and focused on maintaining his steps.

After the declaration he made, he swore to work himself to the bone and pour his blood, sweat and tears into perfecting his stamina and physique. Early morning or late night runs, buying and consuming expensive protein, stretching and running daily at the sports club. 

Even if the club activities and preparations for the school festival hadn't officially started yet, he didn't want to miss out on a chance to use the running field, using it as his area to improve himself. He occasionally caught the wondering gazes of his club members, trying to figure out why he was eager and excited to join and continue their sessions.

Osano couldn't tell them the real reason.

That he's doing it not just for himself and his health but because he fell in love.

He fell in love with a blunt and inexpressive black-haired boy.

A boy who sometimes showed glimpses of a personality he came to adore over time, drawing him in closer with every moment they spent together. A person who went to great lengths to help him and would continue to do so. Someone he wanted to please, protect, and abide by—his best friend- hopefully, something more one day.

There. Osano finally admitted it. However, it was within the confines of his mind. He couldn't say it out loud yet, as his tongue suddenly stopped working and his throat closed up. The desire to confess his feelings weighed as heavy as his fear of rejection, stuck in an inner battle on what to do.

Could they possibly have a relationship in return for their friendship? The sacrifice cost was too great for something he wasn't even sure he was getting.

Now that Osano thought about it, he didn't know how Ayato felt towards him. Sure, the boy would help him out whenever he was in trouble, comfort him whenever he was crying, and listen to him despite his continuous talking. But did he like him like that?

Everything Ayato did for him was something friends would do for each other. Osano was sure that if he asked Taro about it, his best friend would do anything to ease his mind, even through his timid and calm manner. Osano would do the same for them if it came to it if only his stubbornness and cowardness allowed him to.

Facing off against a stalker and rescuing his cat were brave acts that Osano couldn't seem to reach, no matter how hard he tried to muster the courage to confront the man and retrieve his pet. It took the help of his newly made friend to achieve that.

And that.

That made Osano feel weak.

Was he always going to rely on Ayato like this? Would he have him run around completing his errands for him? 

In a year or so, they will graduate from school, and Osano would have to get up on his own two legs and stand up for himself, not through bickering or nagging, but through strength and perseverance. 

He hoped that by taking the first step to improve his physique, he could feel more confident about himself and start improving the qualities he was lacking.