Polaroid | Suna Rintarou

05: Refreshing

"YESSS!!" She rejoiced, fists punching the air triumphantly as if she had just won the lottery. Atsumu mirrored her antics with equal enthusiasm. Since our expulsion from the library, the twins, especially the blond troublemaker, and her had grown unusually chummy.

I didn't particularly care, but wherever she went, I seemed to follow suit, not that I had much of a choice. Despite my efforts to challenge her in video games and arcade matches, I remained firmly entrenched in my role as her reluctant companion.

"You're far too cheerful for someone who barely scraped through their exams," I commented dryly.

Her jubilant expression faltered, replaced by a sullen pout as her hands found their way to her hips. Suppressing a snicker at her childish display, I adopted my usual deadpan expression.

"Why the sour face?" I inquired.

"What's with you? Really? You always have a snappy comeback whenever I'm the one talking!" she grumbled, delivering a series of light smacks to my back out of frustration.

I fought back the urge to laugh at her vexation. Needling her was an enjoyable pastime, my way of getting back at her for constantly dragging me into the orbit of the troublesome twins.

"I beg to differ."

"But you just did it!"

"Fine, fine," I relented, her repeated hits finally coming to an end as she looked at me with a tilted head.

"Promise?" her gaze softened, a glimmer of vulnerability peeking through the façade of irritation.

"Promise." I exhaled, realizing that arguing with her was a futile endeavor. This brat always seemed to get her way in the end.

"[Reader]-chan, we'll head home first, okay?" Atsumu waved farewell, and Osamu nodded in agreement.

"Sure thing! Tell Kita-san thanks for me. I couldn't find him earlier at the gym, but he really helped us study for the exams." She called out to the departing twins.

"Of course. We'll thank him at tomorrow's morning practice," Osamu replied before the pair disappeared from view.

A brief silence enveloped us, unusual given her penchant for chatter. She massaged her shoulder absentmindedly, one hand occupied by her bag.

I extended my hand, prompting an incredulous look from her. Motioning for her bag, I noticed a faint blush tinge her cheeks, quickly dissipating. Perhaps it was the heat?

"It's not that heavy," she insisted, averting her gaze as she resumed walking. I fell into step beside her, matching her pace.

Leaning in, I relieved her of the bag, causing her to fluster. "What do you mean 'it's not that heavy'? Clearly, it is. What on earth do you have in here? Rocks?" I slung the bag over my shoulder, scrutinizing her.

"Nope," she replied, meeting my gaze with a smile, and I couldn't help but steal a glance at her before refocusing ahead.

"Oh! Rin-kun, look!" Her excitement drew my attention to a café across the street, and she dragged me toward it.

"Wait, the pedestrian light's still red," I interjected before she could take another step. We waited until it changed, a weary sigh escaping me. Being with her always seemed to demand extra energy just to keep up.

"Whoops," she giggled sheepishly as we finally crossed the street.

Entering the café, we found a cozy table, and I held the door open for her before joining her. As we settled in, the soothing ambiance enveloped us, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

"Rin-kun, what would you like? My treat," she offered, snapping me out of my reverie.

"Coffee."

"Just coffee? Are you sure?"

"Mhm," I affirmed, watching as she made her way to the counter.

Returning with a smile, she leaned on the table, propping her head up with her hands. "We stumbled upon a lovely spot," she remarked.

I hummed in agreement, appreciating the quaint surroundings.

She reached into her bag and pulled out a Polaroid camera, capturing a picture of the café from her seat. Watching her joyfully examine the photo, I couldn't help but smile.

The waiter soon delivered our orders: my coffee and her towering stack of pancakes. I observed as she dug in, her childlike glee evident as she devoured her meal. Despite her voracious appetite, there was something oddly endearing about watching her enjoy herself so freely.