Chapter One: “The Princess Wants to Win Over the Prince” — Part Four

“Good — Senpai’s not here yet. Thank goodness…!”

I’d come to school thirty minutes early and was waiting by the flower beds, our agreed meeting spot. I’d arrived fifteen minutes before the appointed time, because keeping Senpai waiting was simply not an option.

Early mornings and I don’t get along, but when it means seeing Senpai, it’s no hardship at all. I’d done a face mask this morning, and my makeup had gone on beautifully — I was probably even cuter than usual today.

“…Maybe I should touch up my lip colour.”

I was reaching for my makeup pouch when someone called my name from behind. Himena-chan? I spun around, and there was Iori-senpai, in her tracksuit.

Oh no. Senpai in a tracksuit is also devastatingly cool…!

The uniform suits her brilliantly, but she’s just as magnetic in casual sportswear. A blue tracksuit that would look plain on anyone else somehow looks like a new release from a luxury brand when she’s wearing it.

“You’re already here? You’re quite a bit early, you know.”
“I couldn’t risk keeping you waiting even for a second, Senpai!”
“Thank you. I’m sorry for making you wait.”
“Not at all! Waiting for you is a pleasure in itself!”

And I meant it. Compared to the days when I wanted so badly to see her and couldn’t — this was paradise.

“But Senpai — why are you in your tracksuit? There’s no morning practice today, is there?”

I chatted while opening the shed beside the flower beds where the watering cans were kept. The courtyard beds were far from the nearest tap, so we had to fill watering cans and carry them over each time.

“I was doing some solo training. Since the gym’s locked on Wednesday mornings, I run laps on the field.”
“Every week?”
“Every week.”

Putting in solo practice on a day when club activities were cancelled — Senpai really was something. If it were me, I’d definitely laze around at home until the last possible moment.

She really takes her club seriously.

I’d heard our school’s basketball team was exceptionally strong, and the competition for a roster spot was fierce. I’d thought it was just a matter of talent that she’d made the starting line-up as a first-year — but she’d been quietly putting in the work all along.

“Himena-chan? Is something the matter?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking how amazing you are, Senpai.”
“I’m not amazing. I work hard at it because I love it, that’s all.”

She said it lightly, turning away, and her profile in that moment seemed to shine a little brighter than usual.
I’ve never thrown myself into anything with that kind of dedication. Next to someone who had, I felt the gap keenly. Loving something enough to pour yourself into it isn’t something just anyone can do.

We each took a watering can and headed to the tap. Mine, filled to the brim, was surprisingly heavy.

“That’s too full — it’ll be too heavy for you. Let me take it. You don’t need to carry something that heavy.”

Senpai held out her still-empty can in exchange. Part of me wanted to accept. But I didn’t.

“I’m all right. I can manage.”
“Are you sure it’s not too heavy?”
“It is heavy — but I’m going to do it!”

We were partners on this duty. I didn’t want Senpai doing all the hard work alone. I didn’t want our time together to feel like a burden to her.

“Good girl.”
“Thank you very much!”

Senpai filled her own can and we made our way back to the flower beds together. The watering can I was struggling to carry with both hands, she held in one, effortlessly.
The nails on Senpai’s fingers, gripping the handle of the watering can, were neatly trimmed. Thinking that this must be for basketball too, I found myself feeling a strange sense of affection even for her nails.

We watered the beds side by side, carefully and evenly. It was harder work than I’d imagined. Out in the open courtyard with no shelter, this was only going to get more gruelling as summer crept closer.

After several trips back and forth to the tap, the watering was finally done. There was still a little time before homeroom, and students were beginning to trickle in.

“Good work today, Himena-chan.”
“You too, Senpai.”
“I’m going to get a bit more running in before class. See you.”

I called out to stop her before she could run off — almost without thinking.

“…Himena-chan? What is it?”
“Um, about next week — should I just do the watering on my own?”

I’d joined the unpopular environmental beautification committee for exactly this — to get time alone with Senpai. The day it was decided we’d be watering partners every week, I’d spent nearly an hour in the bath humming to myself.
Today had been wonderful too, and the thought of losing these mornings was already making me ache.

But I didn’t want to get in Senpai’s way. That was never what I wanted.

“It doesn’t feel right to cut into your training time. Oh — and of course I’d still tell the committee head and the teachers we’re both doing it properly.”

Senpai had been trying to fit in practice in every spare moment, right up until homeroom. Time mattered that much to her. If that was the case, she was clearly better off without me holding her back.

“Himena-chan — do you not want to do it with me?”
“Huh?!”
“I was having a good time.”

Senpai looked at me with something almost like longing. Her eyes cast downward, and those long lashes threw soft shadows under them — a different kind of beauty from her usual self.

W-what is that expression — it’s far too much—!!

“It’s not that I don’t want to — of course it isn’t!! I joined the environmental beautification committee because I wanted to do the watering with you, Senpai — oh!”

I’d slipped. Said exactly what I hadn’t meant to.

“I’m glad, then. See you again next week.”

She smiled and set off at a run. Just before she disappeared from sight, she turned back and gave a small wave.
Something as simple as that sent my heart hammering in a way I couldn’t begin to explain.
The pounding got too much to bear and I sank down to the ground, crouching there, breathing slowly until the feeling passed.

“…Oh, honestly.”

I was supposed to be making Senpai fall for me. I’d got up early, I’d carried the watering can without complaining — all for that.

And yet here I was, the one falling harder and harder.

I’m the only one catching feelings here!!