10 days later
The sun rose, its light illuminated the windows, and the students woke up. Some practiced one last time before going to the competition; everyone was already ready. The teacher grabbed a microphone and began to explain the rules.
—Professor Mateo: The rules are simple: no cheating, you must not injure anyone, and you don't have to hold back when it comes to strength and speed tests.
The competition began. First up were Juan and Axel.
—Juan: Would you lose?
—Axel: No, I'd win.
Then the teacher announced that the challenge would be swimming. Juan and Axel put on their suits. Axel took the lead; Juan hurried and caught up to him, but his body was getting tired from the overexertion.
I won't let myself lose, —Juan thought.
With an impulse straight out of the script, Juan overtook Axel and reached the finish line before him.
—What? 😦 —Axel said, incredulous at seeing that Juan had beaten him.
—The winner is Juan. Let's move on to the next round, —said the professor.
Next was Kiro vs. José. The race consisted of running five laps around the school.
1… 2… and 3.
Kiro and José started running. Our protagonist reduced his speed by 80% to stay on par with José. The first to finish the race was Kiro, and he also won the remaining laps.
The rest were taken by Kiro's team: Isuki vs. Jairo, Alejandro vs. Luis, Maria vs. Sukori, Daniela vs. Jonathan. The competition ended with our protagonist's team winning. The reward was the cancellation of an exam, granting them the full 50 points.
The sky began to darken, and workers were returning to their homes. Kiro and Sukori were taking a short walk through the neighborhood.
Well, at least they didn't find me out, —Kiro thought.
But in Sukori's thoughts: Why didn't he show the strength he had before? Or could it be that he's hiding something? Hmm, suspicious.
While Sukori was thinking, she felt Kiro's fingers touching hers. She startled when she felt them pressed together. Our protagonist was also startled and pulled away slightly, looking to the side with his heart beating a bit faster.
Stop feeling these things. You didn't feel this way before because of her—so why are you feeling it now?! —Kiro thought.
—Did something happen, Kiro? —Sukori asked softly, looking at him.
—No, nothing. I just felt a little agitated, —Kiro replied quickly.
—Well, don't get so nervous, little one, —Sukori said with a playful smile.
Kiro stood still, processing what Sukori had said, before smiling slightly. Suddenly, a gust of air burst out, blowing so hard that the leaves on the trees went flying, pushing Sukori backward. But she was caught in a millisecond by Kiro, who held her in his arms for a few moments, their faces just centimeters apart. The protagonist sighed and stepped back, setting Sukori on her feet.
—Well, to be honest, I can't smile, because that happens—what you see around us, —Kiro said in a soft, calm voice, glancing around.
—I understand. Still, thanks for not letting me fall… and don't get so close, you make me nervous, —Sukori said in a timid voice.
Suddenly, a storm began to fall, their clothes starting to get wet. Without thinking too much, Kiro lifted her in his arms and started running. He reached Sukori's home in two seconds and then tossed her through the open window of her bedroom. Sukori landed on the bed. She approached the window and looked at Kiro; he raised his thumb 👍 and disappeared running away. A small smile appeared on her face, and she lay down calmly on the bed.
Her mother entered and saw her soaked, but what shocked her the most was that the bedsheets were completely wet.
—Young lady, you're going to explain why the bed looks like this right now, —said her mother, seriously.
Sukori startled and got off the bed.
—It was an accident. I forgot my clothes were wet from the rain. Sorry, Mom.
The mother sighed and pulled out the sandal.
—You're going to take a shower right now, and you're going to help your older sister make dinner, —said Sukori's mother, a bit angry but calm.
Sukori nodded and smiled slightly.
Kiro had arrived home and was washing his clothes in the washing machine.