The next few weeks flew by, filled with school events and the lingering excitement from the cultural festival. Koga found herself thinking more about Katsumi but also about her own feelings and what she truly wanted.
One afternoon, as she and Haruka were leaving practice, Koga noticed a new girl chatting with a group of students by the entrance. She had a confident presence, her dark hair framing her face perfectly, and there was something about her vibrant laughter that drew Koga in.
"Who's that?" Koga asked, nudging Haruka.
"Oh, that's Aiko Tanaka. She just transferred here last week," Haruka replied, glancing over. "I've heard she's really into sports and is supposed to be super friendly."
Koga's curiosity was piqued. As they walked closer, Aiko caught sight of them and waved enthusiastically. "Hey! You're in the track team, right?"
"Yeah, I am! I'm Koga, and this is Haruka," Koga introduced, her heart racing a bit.
"Nice to meet you both! I'm Aiko. I used to run track back at my old school," she said, her eyes sparkling. "I'm looking forward to joining the team here!"
"Awesome! The more, the merrier," Haruka said, smiling. "We could definitely use someone with your skills."
Koga felt a flutter of excitement as they continued to chat. Aiko's energy was infectious, and Koga found herself laughing and enjoying the conversation more than she had anticipated.
"So, do you both have any plans for the weekend?" Aiko asked, leaning in with a playful grin.
Koga felt a rush of courage. "Actually, we're thinking of hitting up the local arcade. You should come with us!"
"Count me in!" Aiko exclaimed, her enthusiasm brightening the air around them. "I love arcade games! Maybe I can finally beat someone at racing."
As the three girls exchanged numbers, Koga felt a sense of warmth spreading in her chest. There was something about Aiko's easy charm that drew her in, and for the first time in a while, Koga felt hopeful about exploring new connections.
The day of the arcade outing arrived, and Koga was nervous but excited. When she met Aiko and Haruka outside, Koga couldn't help but notice how Aiko's playful demeanour made her heart race.
"Ready to lose?" Aiko teased as they entered the arcade, her confidence shining.
"Not a chance!" Koga shot back, feeling a thrill of competition.
As they played games, Koga found herself stealing glances at Aiko, who was fully immersed in the action. The way she laughed and celebrated small victories made Koga's heart flutter.
"Okay, Koga, let's race!" Aiko called out, dragging her to the racing game.
They both climbed into the seats, and the game began. As they raced neck and neck, Koga felt a rush of adrenaline and joy. But it wasn't just about the game; it was the way Aiko cheered her on, their banter filling the air with laughter.
After several rounds, they took a break, sipping on slushies and catching their breath. Aiko leaned back, her expression playful. "You know, I think we make a pretty good team. If we teamed up, no one could beat us!"
Koga grinned, feeling the spark between them grow stronger. "Definitely! We should make this a regular thing."
As the afternoon turned into evening, Koga felt a shift within herself. There was something special about Aiko that made her feel seen and appreciated. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was potential for something deeper.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Koga said, gathering her courage.
"Of course! What's up?" Aiko replied, her interest piqued.
