The cool breeze of the morning brushed across the empty playground.
On the plastic track, the figures of Imaizumi Keita and Shioyaki Lemon were jogging one after the other at a steady frequency.
Imaizumi Keita was half a step ahead, his breathing steady and long, his pace so light it felt as if he didn't feel the slightest resistance under his feet.
Although he had been worn out by Yanami Anna for a long time, after a night of rest, his energy had returned to its peak state.
Shioyaki Lemon, following behind him, was also maintaining a very good state.
As the captain of the Track and Field Club, this level of jogging was probably just a warm-up for her.
Imaizumi Keita turned his head to look at Shioyaki Lemon's relaxed appearance, and a question suddenly flashed through his mind: Was Lemon a sprinter or a long-distance runner...
It seems he really needs to care more about Lemon...
Neither of them spoke, only the pattering sound of running shoes rubbing against the track and their synchronized breathing.
After running another half-lap, Shioyaki Lemon, who was following behind, finally couldn't hold back and slightly quickened her pace to run side by side with him.
'Say, Kin-chan.'
Shioyaki Lemon initiated the conversation, her voice slightly panting from the exercise yet still lively.
'Hmm?'
Imaizumi Keita turned his head and glanced at her.
'That... how is Anna?'
Shioyaki Lemon's eyes drifted, her gaze landing on the distant soccer goal.
'Didn't she get heatstroke the day of the Fireworks Festival? Later... is she better?'
This question was asked with a bit of caution; on the surface, it was ordinary concern between friends, but it hid a probing intent.
Imaizumi Keita couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth upward upon hearing this.
He slowed his pace slightly to match Shioyaki Lemon's speed, then looked at her leisurely and asked in return: 'Does Lemon hope she is better, or not?'
'Of course I hope she's better!'
'Then that means she's fine.'
Shioyaki Lemon retorted immediately, as if stung by his words, her voice rising a few notches.
'It's good that she's fine, Anna is my friend, how could I hope for something to happen to her!'
She muttered softly and unconvinced after finishing: 'Besides... who knows if she really had heatstroke...'
That night at the Station, although Yanami Anna's complexion was indeed not good, it felt more like she was influenced by Kin-chan rather than being physically unwell...
Especially since the excuse the two of them found required staying overnight in the neighboring city...
Before going to watch the Fireworks Festival, he had never heard Kin-chan mention he had relatives in the neighboring city...
When things are abnormal, there must be something strange.
Shioyaki Lemon's gaze unconsciously sized up Imaizumi Keita up and down.
He was wearing a high-neck sweatshirt today, covering his neck tightly.
A thought floated into Shioyaki Lemon's mind: wouldn't there be some hickeys or something on it?
Why did she suddenly think of this? It was because when Shioyaki Lemon kissed Imaizumi Keita, she also had the idea of leaving marks on him...
Anna would probably be even bolder...
However, Kin-chan's current mental state was full, even excessively so; one couldn't tell at all that he had been through any exertion before.
Judging from this state, it's possible they didn't do anything over the line, but it's also unlikely that they didn't do anything over the line.
So,
The reason Anna could tolerate Kin-chan's philandering, perhaps...
It really is because Kin-chan's ability is too strong, so strong that she alone cannot handle it?
This thought made Shioyaki Lemon's cheeks feel slightly hot.
She shook her head, trying to chase these messy thoughts out of her brain, and brought the topic back, asking indirectly.
'So, after Anna's body was better, did she come back? Did you go shopping or something?'
'Hmm...' Imaizumi Keita nodded and replied in a flat tone, 'We watched a movie together, chatted, and rested.'
This understated answer obviously could not satisfy Shioyaki Lemon's curiosity.
She made an 'Ooh' sound, drawing out the tone, her eyes filled with an expression that said 'Guess if I believe you.'
Looking at her appearance, wanting to ask but being too embarrassed to ask directly, only able to circle around and probe, Imaizumi Keita felt a bit helpless and a bit amused.
He stopped and turned to face Shioyaki Lemon.
'Lemon.'
'...What?'
Being stared at by such serious eyes, Shioyaki Lemon's heartbeat skipped a beat.
'If you want to know something, just ask directly.' Imaizumi Keita's tone carried a hint of indulgence, 'Don't forget, you are also my girlfriend now.'
Although this relationship was preceded by the qualifier 'when alone' added by Lemon.
'I...'
Shioyaki Lemon's cheeks turned red in a 'whoosh.'
She didn't expect Imaizumi Keita to speak so bluntly, and for a moment, she was at a loss.
She hurriedly looked elsewhere, her hands unconsciously behind her back, her fingers entangled.
Looking at her rare embarrassed appearance, the smile on Imaizumi Keita's lips deepened.
He slowed his tone and asked directly: 'Are you trying to ask how far my relationship with Anna has progressed?'
Shioyaki Lemon's body stiffened slightly.
She didn't answer immediately, but remained silent for a moment, feeling a bit embarrassed.
As if finally throwing caution to the wind, she turned her face to the side and let out a soft "Mm."
She really did want to know.
The "date replay" on the night of the Fireworks Festival and that kiss tasting of sweet watermelon juice had indeed given her a taste of the joy of victory.
But after that, the fact that Anna had taken Keita Imaizumi away, and what might have happened between them, filled her heart with unease.
She truly wanted to know from Kin-chan exactly how far behind she had fallen...
"Lemon should have guessed it too," Keita Imaizumi's voice was flat. "Anna wasn't actually suffering from heatstroke that day."
Shioyaki Lemon's face turned even redder, and she gave a small nod.
"Then... so..."
She took a deep breath, mustering the courage to ask, "Kin-chan, have you... already... done it with Anna?"
The moment she asked, she felt as if her heart was about to leap out of her throat.
Keita Imaizumi didn't speak, looking at her quietly before giving a gentle nod.
Her mind instantly went blank.
Even though she'd had a premonition, having her suspicion confirmed with his own words was still hard to bear.
After a long while, she asked in a bit of a daze, "...How long did you do it for?"
"Pah, pah, pah! Not that... I mean..."
Shioyaki Lemon tried to express herself in a panic: "What I meant was..."
Seeing that Shioyaki Lemon's emotions hadn't spiraled out of control, Keita Imaizumi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow to tease her.
"Lemon, your question is a bit vague."
"Do you want to know when we started, or do you want to know... how long we did it for the night before last?"
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"