Sunlight bathed the school field in warmth.Banners flapped in the breeze.The announcer's voice echoed across the grounds.
"Welcome to the First-Year Sports Festival!"
Students in gym uniforms bustled about, stretching and laughing.Water bottles clinked. Shoes squeaked.
And Caelum?
He stood near the sidelines, hands in his jacket pockets, looking exactly like someone who wanted to go home.
"Why are we here again?" he muttered.
Lysia was tying her shoelaces beside him.
"You scored first on the entrance exam. They made you team captain."
He glanced sideways. "You're team vice-captain."
"I volunteered."
He blinked.
"…Why?"
She smirked.
"To make sure no one flirts with you while you're trying to throw javelins."
The Reluctant Hero
Event after event, Caelum performed with his usual calm perfection.
Basket toss?Perfect aim.
Sprints?Casually first.
Obstacle course?Completed like he was walking through a lab simulation.
Every time he moved, crowds of girls cheered.
"He's so fast!""Is he even sweating?!""He looks like he's bored but winning everything?!"
Lysia stood nearby with narrowed eyes.
When one girl tried to hand him a towel between events, Lysia politely stepped between them and handed him one first.
"You're sweating," she said.
He took it. "I'm not."
"Pretend."
He wiped his forehead. She smiled.
"Good boy."
The Three-Legged Race Incident
The next event was the three-legged race.
Pairs were being formed rapidly.
Girls swarmed toward Caelum.
"Can we be partners?""Caelum-kun, let's team up!""I promise I'm fast!"
Lysia stepped forward and, without blinking, looped her arm around his.
"We're paired."
"Was that even—"
"It was in the official team roster," she said smoothly.
(It wasn't.)
He let her tie the sash anyway.
Mid-Race Chaos
Halfway through the race, Lysia whispered as they ran:
"If we fall, it'll be your fault."
He didn't glance over.
"You're pulling too hard."
"Am I?"
She yanked.
They stumbled.
He caught her.
Their faces hovered an inch apart.
"…I told you," he muttered.
She grinned, cheeks red.
"Worth it."
The Tug-of-War Disaster
When Team A faced Team B in the final event, Caelum was front anchor.
Lysia was directly behind him, gripping the rope tightly.
Their opposing team was filled with second-year athletes, bulkier and louder.
They sneered.
"Hey, we got pretty-boy and his girlfriend in front!""Maybe they'll hold hands instead of pulling!"
Caelum raised an eyebrow. "How original."
Lysia's eyes narrowed.
"Destroy them."
Caelum gave a soft sigh.
Then pulled.
One clean motion.
The other team stumbled.Shouted.Lost their grip.
They were dragged clean across the chalk line in five seconds flat.
The Aftermath
As the bell rang and the winning team celebrated, Lysia stood beside Caelum, panting, arms crossed.
Students looked at them — mostly him — with awe.
"You're insane.""He's not human…""Did he smile just now?!"
Caelum didn't react.
But Lysia, flushed and triumphant, tossed him a juice box.
"You did well," she said.
"I thought you were going to murder someone."
"I still might."
"…Who?"
She leaned closer.
"Whoever calls you 'pretty boy' again."
System Log – Competitive Mode Engaged
[GENESIS CORE SYSTEM – OBSERVER MODE]— Subject LYSIA: Elevated Aggression (Jealousy-Based)— Subject CAELUM: Low Engagement, High Effectiveness— Relationship Status: Public, Unspoken— Synchronization: 77.6%— Note: "She competes with the world for him. He only ever looks at her."