Muscles.
Since ancient times, they've supported all living beings.
Muscles.
Essential for human survival.
Muscles.
The ultimate aid in times of need.
Muscles—capable of defeating any evil, saving countless lives.
"Huff, huff, huff… I've come pretty far," Sumire Otohana panted, a second-year Millennium student in training gear, her ponytail bouncing as she jogged through Kivotos. A member of the Training Club, Sumire lived for exercise, her toned physique a testament to her dedication.
"Working out clears my head… makes me forget all about studying," she mused.
Sumire's obsession with training sometimes backfired. During exam periods, unable to exercise, she'd push herself to dehydration with intense workouts—classic musclehead behavior, much like Mash. Though she approached training scientifically, tracking nutrition and metrics, her brain was undeniably muscle-driven.
"Studying while training… now that's an idea," she thought, grinning.
Lately, someone had caught her attention: the Schale teacher, rumored to share her love for training. Her underclassmen—the Saiba sisters and Alice—had mentioned him.
"Sumire-senpai, you'd totally hit it off with Sensei!" they'd said.
"Absolutely… but beware his training. Seriously," one warned, deadpan.
"He's super kind and has amazing muscles!" Alice added.
Sumire's curiosity grew, but Schale's teacher was busy. Asking for his time felt presumptuous. I'll wait for him to visit Millennium, she decided, spotting a park. Perfect spot to rest.
She grabbed her sports drink and entered the park.
"—What…?"
Sumire froze, her drink slipping to the ground. Before her was a mushroom-haired young man—Mash—doing pull-ups on a bar at breakneck speed. It wasn't just the exercise; his speed and flawless form were staggering.
That pace… and not a single wobble in his posture! Is that… Schale's Sensei? I have to talk to him!
As Training Club president, she needed to know how he moved like that. She stepped closer.
"…Last one, hup!" CRACK!
(!?)
"Whoops," Mash muttered.
With his final pull, Mash's strength snapped the bar's bolts, launching him five meters into the air, still gripping the bar.
He… broke the pull-up bar? Those are fixed with four heavy bolts… and he shattered them with one pull!?
"Gotta fix that later," Mash said, landing lightly. "Worked out too long. Time for a snack."
Chance! Sumire steadied herself. Just say hi—
"Alrighty!" THUD!
He stabbed the bar into the ground!?
Mash planted the broken bar upright, balanced on one leg atop it, and began eating a cream puff while reading a book on kabaddi.
Standing on one leg, on a bar, eating a cream puff, and reading about kabaddi!?
Sumire's legs gave out, overwhelmed by his power and balance. His physique—visible through his training gear—was a sculpted masterpiece, far beyond her reach.
"Munch, munch… hm?" Mash noticed her. "Muscle…?"
"Who's that? She's collapsed… is she okay?" he wondered.
"So… incredible…" Sumire whispered.
"She's in training gear. Here to work out too?" Mash hopped down, cream puff in hand, and approached. "You okay?"
"…"
"Here to use the bar? Sorry, I broke it."
"…"
"Uh… really okay?" He offered his hand.
Sumire grabbed it, springing up with a radiant smile. "I'm moved!"
"Huh?" Mash blinked.
"Your perfect physique, your overwhelming power—I'm in awe! I'm Sumire Otohana, Millennium Science School, age 16!"
"Hey, same age," Mash said. "Training Club? You love muscles too?"
"Of course! All problems can be solved with exercise!" Sumire declared.
"Whoa."
"How do I get muscles like yours? Please, teach me!"
"I just trained a lot," Mash said simply.
"Then let's train together at Millennium's gym! Please!" Her eyes sparkled.
"Uh, sure…"
Sumire's enthusiasm won him over. Mash was secretly thrilled—someone who loved training and muscles as much as he did was rare.
"Race to Millennium?" Sumire challenged.
"No need," Mash replied.
"Come on! Here we go!"
"Okay."
They crouched for a sprint. Sumire counted down.
"Star—"
WHOOSH!
"—t!?"
Mash was already far ahead. Sumire, stunned, chased after him but couldn't catch up.
At Millennium's gym, they dove into training. Sumire insisted on Mash's full routine.
"That's a bit much," Mash cautioned.
"No training is too tough!" Sumire declared.
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Really, really?"
"Yes!"
"Really, really, really?"
"YES!"
"Alright, if you're sure," Mash relented, seeing her determination.
They'd use the gym's equipment for his routine.
"Start with this barbell," Mash said.
"Teach me, Trainer!" Sumire beamed.
"Trainer, huh? Cool. Lift this barbell—"
"Ten, hundred, thousand—"
"100,000 times."
"Got it! 100,000—wait, 100,000?"
"Yup."
"Not 10,000?"
"100,000."
"…Fine! For muscles like yours!" Sumire steeled herself.
"Then 50,000 push-ups, 50,000 sit-ups, 10,000 high-knees, 10,000 squats. Two sets."
"…"
"We ran earlier, so skip that. But add 10,000 burpee jumps."
"You… do this daily?" Sumire asked, paling.
"Of course," Mash said matter-of-factly.
"…Alright. I'll conquer this hellish menu!"
Mash saw her resolve and went all-in, no holding back.
"Give it your all," he said.
"YES!"
Hours later:
"F-finished…" Sumire gasped, drenched in sweat.
"Impressive. You actually did it," Mash said, amazed. "You held up better than that other guy."
"Other… guy?" Sumire panted.
"Forget it. I always eat a cream puff after training. Fuel." He handed her one.
"Thanks…" Sumire took a bite. "Mmm! The perfect post-workout food!"
"Cream puffs are key to my muscles. Eat one daily, and—"
"I'll be like you?" Sumire's eyes lit up.
"You will," Mash said firmly.
"Where do I get these?" she asked.
"That shop. 150 yen each—buy one, get one free right now."
"I'm buying them. Now."
Another cream puff lover was born. As they ate, Mash smiled.
"Training with someone else… it's great."
"Truly," Sumire agreed.
Neither had trained with a partner before, making this session special. They spoke in unison:
"Let's do it again sometime—"
They laughed, clasped hands, and cheered:
"Muscles forever!"
"Muscles forever!"
They became fast friends.
Later, the cream puff shop (where the After-School Cream Puff Club worked) reported an odd incident: 5,000 cream puffs sold in one go.
A happy ending.
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