ODL – Chapter 90 – Rinjou Shizuka, Easy

[Shizuka’s PoV]

No, no.

No, no, no, no.

Souma-kun and Hiyori-san were totally wearing matching outfits, weren’t they!?

I mean, no matter how you look at it, they look like a couple!

Wait, hold on… Is this real?

Could this actually be a dream?

Well, probably not.

Even though I might be really tired and my head’s not functioning properly, I wouldn’t mix up dreams and reality. This is definitely real. Not to mention, they were sweating like crazy.

“Welcome~!” (Cashier)

Uwa… What should I do?

I’m starting to feel anxious all of a sudden. There’s no way this could lead to a sudden closeness between the two of them, right?

…

I believe in Sohma-kun.

Certainly, Hiyori-san has a well-endowed chest and a mature charm, but Souma-kun is not one to give in to that. He must know there are more important things than physical attributes, even though I don’t know what those are. Anyways, there are things more important than just appearances in this world. I believe in that.

“Would you like it heated?” (Cashier)

“Oh, please.” (Shizuka)

Um… What should I do?

I wonder if I should join them too.

But I hate waking up in the morning, and I hate running even more. I don’t even want to go to dance lessons if possible. So, there’s no way I can suddenly change to such a healthy lifestyle right now. It’s not that I’m bad for my health; it’s probably that health is bad for me. Health should come to me, not the other way around.

……What am I even saying?

“Thank you very much.” (Cashier)

Well, anyway.

I definitely won’t do any exercise. I am the ally of unhealthiness.

“…I wonder if I can jog in my dance lesson attire.” (Shizuka)

Not that I would do it.

◆

[Souma’s PoV]

“Shizuka…?”

It was the early morning of the second day of their jogging routine. When I stepped outside the apartment, Shizuka was standing there in her workout attire, looking somewhat hesitant.

When Shizuka noticed me, she pressed the toes of her shoes into the ground while pursing her lips.

“…I thought maybe I’d join in on the run for a bit.” (Shizuka)

“Ah, what brought on this change of heart?” (Souma)

She seemed like a completely different person compared to the one who had eaten convenience store food in the early morning and gone back to sleep yesterday. Shizuka gave me a thoughtful look before responding.

“Hmm… Just felt like it. Maybe I should give running a try once in a while.” (Shizuka)

“I see. Well, in any case, I’m glad. I want my oshi to stay healthy, after all.” (Souma)

“Hehe…” (Shizuka)

Needless to say, Shizuka led the most unhealthy lifestyle among us. Just because she didn’t gain weight didn’t mean she was healthy, and I was genuinely pleased that she was finally showing some motivation.

While we were having a casual conversation, Hiyorin and Mafuyu-chan arrived. Hiyorin was wearing her familiar yellow hoodie, and Mafuyu was wearing a sporty, eye-catching outfit with a thin sports T-shirt and black spats that went down to her thighs.

“Eh… matching outfits?” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan muttered quietly as she looked at me.

“It just happened by chance. I’m surprised too.” (Souma)

“Y-yeah! I totally didn’t notice at all!” (Hiyori)

Feeling pressured by Mafuyu’s sharp gaze, I blurted out without thinking. Hiyorin also quickly joined in. Despite not having exercised yet, Hiyorin’s face was as red as if she had just finished jogging.

“…….Well, fine. So, why are you here, Shizuka?” (Mafuyu)

“As you can see. I’ve awakened to the world of health.” (Shizuka)

Shizuka placed her hands on her hips and struck a dignified pose.

“You look like you haven’t slept at all, though.” (Mafuyu)

“I’m nocturnal, so this is actually normal for me.” (Shizuka)

“Huh, I didn’t know there were nocturnal humans.” (Mafuyu)

Even in the early morning, there were sparks flying between these two. I had thought they had become friends, but it seemed like there was a misunderstanding.

“Alright, let’s get going. Everyone can set their own pace, so don’t push yourselves to match each other.” (Souma)

“Yeah!” (Shizuka)

“Looks like it’s gonna be another hot day.” (Hiyori)

“…” (Mafuyu)

Shizuka raised her hands high, Hiyorin did knee stretches, and Mafuyu-chan gazed emotionlessly at the sky. With that, the “Souma-kai Morning Session” began.

---

Thanks for reading!

So Shizuka is kinda like an idol. Since she goes for dancing lessons that means that Virtual Real does concerts and stuff right?

And there definitely are ‘nocturnal’ humans out there.

---

1. None