Setting: Late afternoon, Shujin Academy

The final bell of the day rang out as students began filing out of Shujin Academy. You adjusted your bag over your shoulder, thoughts already drifting to the batting cages in Yongen-Jaya. You hadn’t been hitting well lately—maybe today you'd feel the rhythm again.

Just as you stepped through the school gates, a familiar voice called out behind you.

Sumire: “Senpai! Wait up!”

You turned your head to see Sumire jogging toward you, her signature red ribbon bouncing with each step. She stopped beside you, catching her breath slightly, then gave you a soft smile, one that held both warmth and just a touch of nervous energy.

“Are you heading somewhere right now? I was wondering if… You had a little time.”

You gave her a curious look. Normally, Sumire’s schedule was airtight with practice, meets, and training. It was rare to see her with free time—rarer still for her to ask you to hang out without much pretext.

“I know it’s kind of sudden, but I was thinking of going to Shibuya. There’s something I’ve been meaning to get… and well, we haven’t really spent time together lately, have we?”

She twirled a loose strand of her hair with one hand, glancing to the side with a soft laugh.

“You’re always busy doing... well, whatever it is you do. And I’m always busy too. But I thought maybe, just this once… we could be busy together.”

You gave her a small smile in return, nodding. The batting cages could wait.

[Scene Transition: Shibuya | Underground Mall]

The music shifts to a livelier, more upbeat city track.

Sumire walked slightly ahead of you, her energy noticeably more relaxed than usual. She led you to one of the small accessory shops tucked in the Underground Mall.

“They just restocked this line of frog-themed charms. It’s silly, but I kind of like them... I think they’re cute.”

She picked up a small strap charm with a tiny, blushing frog sitting on a lily pad and smiled brightly.

“Don’t laugh, okay? I know it’s childish, but sometimes you just need something simple that makes you happy.”

After she paid for the charm, she turned toward you and paused.

“Actually... here.”

She handed you a matching one—a green frog holding a tiny dumbbell.

“This one reminded me of you. It looks like it’s trying really hard to look tough... but it's still cute in its own way.”

She quickly looked away, cheeks lightly flushed.

“Not that you’re cute or anything! I mean—! W-Well, you are, but I—ahh, never mind!”

You couldn’t help but chuckle at her flustered reaction. She lightly punched your arm, pouting a little.