Unravel Me

14: Defying Gravity

   "I really feel like you're insulting my intelligence right now."

"In what way?"

The campus was quiet. Since exams were finally over, most people had already left for winter break. Only a few dozen students remained for club activities, but even they would be gone after the weekend.

"You said you wanted to treat me to dinner. Of course, I knew you'd have ulterior motives, but I figured you'd at least keep your word. So, tell me, first: why are we here? And second: why aren't we at least heading toward the campus center? The dining hall is the only food option that would still be open at this point."

Dazai chuckled to himself. Nothing ever got past Ranpo. "I promise there'll be food where we're going."

"Do you really expect me to believe that? This is the way to the athletic fields. Unless you have a picnic waiting—"

"They'll have concessions there. Don't worry."

Ranpo stopped walking, standing in the middle of the sidewalk as he analyzed his friend. "There's something going on today?"

Dazai rolled his eyes. "Guess you don't ever check the university website, then. Where's your school spirit?"

"Please, since when do you. . . oh." A knowing smile spread across his face.

"What?"

"Nothing," he said, waving a hand as he sauntered past Dazai. "Let's go. We don't want to miss any of the important events."

At that moment, Dazai began to wish he'd dragged Kunikida along with him instead. Sure, he would've complained about being tricked into rearranging his meticulously-planned schedule for a bunch of nonsense, but he would've been completely oblivious to the truth behind Dazai's newfound interest in college sports. Not Ranpo, though. Ranpo read him like a fucking picture book.

The track meet was held in the field house, which Dazai hadn't been anticipating, but he supposed it made sense that they would have moved the sport indoors once the weather got cold. Looking at the uniforms that most of the athletes were wearing—thin tank tops and shorts that barely reached mid-thigh—he figured they were onboard with the decision.

As soon as he and Ranpo took their seats on the bleachers, he started scanning the crowd of people. The competing teams were all scattered about—some huddled up in the center of the track, while others were tucked into the corners of the field house. Dazai must have been pretty obvious, since Ranpo sighed at the sight.

"Looks like our team is set up by the pole vaulters."

Ranpo was right. There were their school colors, and there was that familiar shock of red hair. He was laughing with his friends as they went through some warmup stretches. Sure, Dazai had seen him in shorts and an oversized t-shirt when he'd spent the weekend with him, but his track uniform was much more flattering, showing off his toned figure. He didn't mean to stare, but. . .

"Any idea what events are happening when?"

Dazai shrugged, not taking his eyes off of Chuuya as he answered. "Couldn't tell ya."

"Alright, guess I'd better hit the concession stands before they start. Maybe they'll have a schedule posted there or something."

Dazai hummed in acknowledgment, though it wouldn't have taken a genius like Ranpo to know that he wasn't actually listening. Ranpo stood and made grabby hands in front of Dazai's face, breaking the gaze that had been locked in on a certain small ginger.

"Money now, please."

Dazai laughed. "That's really how you're gonna ask?"

"What? I said please."