There's no need to use Expert-Level Athletics.
The Muscle Control, Acceleration, High-Speed Resistance, and Fast Recovery gained from his last mission are enough for Yuu to transform into a shadow in a single second, his leg muscles screaming with intense force as he stomps the ground abruptly.
His clothes cling tightly to his body under the wind's pressure, feeling like the buttons on his shirt might pop off at any moment. The scenery on both sides stretches, colors blurring into a haze. Everything— the car, the driver, even the pink-haired girl standing by the roadside—seems to slow down relative to him.
Yet, in this high-speed state, Yuu still has time to think about other things:
"This cliché hero-saves-beauty plot actually happens to a system user…"
Though he's only saving a dog, at least it's a female dog. He just doesn't know if it's considered beautiful by canine aesthetic standards.
When something like this happens right in front of him, he can't just say, "I'm not that cliché," watch the tragedy unfold, and feel proud for not following the trope.
So, it must be saved, and the method is simple.
Run closer.
Pick it up.
Dash in front of the pink-haired girl, glaring at her angrily.
"You dumb pigtail girl! If you know your dog loves to wander, tie it up properly!"
The entire sequence takes no more than two seconds.
Everyone witnessing the scene is stunned, even the dog doesn't react—how did it suddenly end up in the arms of this familiar-scented person, and when was it picked up?
The black car only now registers the situation and stops on the roadside ahead. The door opens, and a middle-aged man in a black suit steps out.
Yuigahama Yui's mind is still in a daze.
Today is the first day of the second semester. Her mother woke her up early, and without even changing out of her pajamas, she was kicked out of the house to walk Sable and clear her head.
Though she didn't mind the order, the late summer breeze wasn't cool enough to wake her brain, so while walking Sable, she felt like she was still half-asleep.
"Sable~ don't walk too fast…"
Almost dragged by her dog, Yuigahama calls out weakly.
"Geez, last month you were so listless and wouldn't eat. Why are you so energetic after your heat ended…"
Grumbling, Yuigahama yawns again, her vision blurry.
"I don't want to go to school~ But if I don't, I can't see him, sigh…"
In her sigh, a sudden strong tug comes from her hand. She loses her grip uncontrollably, her entire body freezing in place.
"Sable?"
Turning, she sees her beloved dog running joyfully, dragging its leash, and quickly darting onto the road. Her heart pounds violently, a choking sensation gripping her throat. Her face pales, and she almost reflexively screams: "Sable, stop quick—!"
Perhaps because her panic cracks her voice, Sable shows no sign of stopping. The black car speeds down the hill, oblivious to the tiny dachshund on the asphalt, seemingly about to hit it directly.
But her body moves on its own.
Without thinking, Yuigahama prepares to leap. Though she'd be in danger, though her heart is filled with fear, she still tries to embrace her beloved dog and share the damage.
But before she can, a black shadow flashes from across the street.
Though her eyes are wide open, unblinking, Yuigahama still can't clearly see his movements. She only knows the guy is faster than the car in reaching Sable, then, like a black lightning bolt, he zooms in front of her with incredible speed, glaring at her with a terrifying expression.
"You dumb pigtail girl! If you know your dog loves to wander, tie it up properly!"
That familiar nickname, that impatient tone… Along with her pounding heartbeat, Yuigahama suddenly snaps awake, her mouth forming an O, staring at the young man before her in disbelief.
"Y-Yuu-kun?!" Σ( ° ○ °)
"Calling my name won't help." Yuu hands the docile dachshund into her arms, his tone still serious and intimidating.
"I just happened to pass by this time. If you don't tie it up properly next time, no one will save it—or you—from under a car… Don't you think about how much danger this causes when you walk your dog?!"
"I-I…"
Scolded until her mind is a mess, Yuigahama's face shifts from pale to red, then back to pale. She opens her mouth but can't utter a word. In her agitation, tears well up in her eyes, and she nearly cries while hugging her little dog.
Seeing the situation isn't good, Yuu quickly drops his lecturing attitude, turning to leave.
"Alright, just be more careful next time. If there's nothing else, I'm off."
"Wait…" Her tear-blurred eyes widen, and Yuigahama instinctively tries to stop him, but she notices Yuu walking with a limp, seeming to struggle.
Panic instantly turns to worry, and her tears fall uncontrollably: "Yuu-kun, are you okay? Did you get hit by the car?! Sob, this is all my fault…"
Hearing this, the handsome middle-aged driver who got out to check pauses his approach toward Yuigahama, looking at her with concern.
"It's your fault, but I wasn't hit at all." Crossing the street to pick up his dropped school bag, Yuu replies casually, "My pants aren't even torn, just a slight sprain."
He hops lightly in place, ensuring Fast Recovery has healed his leg's possible tendon tears, then waves and runs off without looking back.
"Don't worry about me. You still need to apologize to the guy, Yuigahama-san."
"Eh?"
Yuigahama freezes for a moment, shifting her tear-blurred gaze from his back to the driver approaching. Only then does she snap out of her chaotic thoughts, realizing how much trouble her negligence in leashing her pet caused others—even if no one was hurt, it's not a problem solved by just hugging her pet and crying.
So, busy bowing in apology and later crying at home out of fear, Yuigahama enters class with a pale, haggard face just as the bell rings.
"That guy's really the same as ever…"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Sobu High, Class 2F.
Arriving at school at top speed, Yuu pulls out a chair and sits, then slumps over the desk, sighing. His expression is no longer serious but rather resigned and a bit annoyed.
If it had been a stranger, seeing her near tears, he might've offered a few comforting words and not rushed off.
But if it's Yuigahama…
Since graduating middle school and rejecting her confession, every time Yuu sees her cry, he gets chills from head to toe and instinctively wants to flee.