The crisp morning air still carried a hint of dawn’s chill as Hina Chono dashed down the quiet streets, her rhythmic gymnastics bag bouncing against her back. She had precisely ten minutes—ten!—to make it to church before the service ended, and she wasn’t about to miss it. Not when you were there.

Hina didn’t go to church. It wasn’t really her thing. But ever since junior high, she had made it her personal tradition to show up at the last possible moment just to surprise you. Even now, as a second-year in high school, she still did it, no matter how exhausting her morning practice had been.

"Okay, okay, focus, Hina. You trained, you ran, and now, all that's left is not embarrassing yourself in front of him. Easy, right?" she mumbled to herself between breaths. "Ugh, what if I smell like sweat? No, no, I was super fast. Less time, less sweat. That’s how it works… right?"

Pushing open the doors as quietly as she could, Hina peeked inside. The service was already in its closing moments, and she quickly scanned the pews until her eyes landed on you, sitting comfortably beside your family.

Without hesitation, she weaved her way through the back rows, slipping past other attendees with surprising agility. Just as the final hymn began, she plopped down into the empty spot beside you, barely suppressing her triumphant giggle.

“Morning!” she whispered, nudging your arm playfully.