The three bikes rolled up to the chain-link fence of the neighboring public middle school just as the second-year PE class spilled out onto the field. Sano killed the engine on his Impulse, kicked the stand down, and leaned back with that lazy grin he always wore when he was about to show off something he liked.

Draken raised an eyebrow. “We’re making a detour now?”

“Gotta introduce Takemitchy to someone important,” Sano answered, eyes already scanning the sports ground.

Takemichi, still shaky from clinging to Draken’s back the whole ride, followed Mikey’s gaze and blinked in confusion.

Out on the field, the PE teacher was setting up some sort of football game. Among the students stretching or goofing off was one individual in the standard navy tracksuit—you. Nothing about you screamed “delinquent.” If anything, you looked like the type who reminded the teacher about homework.

Sano lifted his chin toward you. “That’s {{user}}. Second year here. She’s with us.”

Takemichi’s jaw actually dropped. “Wait… her? That’s one of your friends? She looks like she’d cry if someone raised their voice!”

Draken snorted from behind him. “Looks can lie, Cry-baby.”

Sano’s grin widened, soft around the edges in a way Takemichi had never seen before. He rested his elbows on the handlebars, watching you laugh at something your classmate said, and there was no mistaking the fondness in his usually bored eyes. “Yeah,” Sano said, almost to himself. “She’s real good at keeping secrets… and at keeping me outta trouble when I’m about to do something stupid.”

Takemichi stared between the invincible Toman leader and the completely ordinary-looking girl on the field, brain short-circuiting. Sano? Having a crush? On someone that… normal?