Summer vacation. Yamanashi.
A two-day, one-night training camp organized by the Taekwondo dojo.
Students in doboks lined up across the spacious gymnasium, their spirited shouts echoing through the building.
"All right! Training camp, here we go!"
Karen was more excited than anyone.
(A chance to spend all this time with Kunimi... This is basically a huge summer romance event!)
However—
"All right. We'll start with the fundamentals today. I really need to work on my legs and core."
...As expected, Takuma's mind was one hundred percent focused on training.
Awareness of this being a potential romantic event?
Zero percent.
After practice.
Outside the mountain lodge.
As the cool night breeze swept past them, Karen smiled and turned to Takuma.
"Hey, Kunimi. Wanna go for a little walk tonight?"
"...Huh? We've got practice first thing tomorrow morning. Shouldn't we get to bed early?"
"W-Well, yeah! But a little walk won't hurt!"
"No, seriously. Rest is important for muscle recovery."
"THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT?!"
Later that night, in the dining hall.
Karen finally made up her mind.
She changed into a yukata and made her entrance. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
"Well? What do you think? You can't have a training camp without a yukata!"
Takuma looked at her.
"...A yukata?"
He thought for a moment.
"Oh. Like comfortable clothes for relaxing?"
Karen froze.
"Doesn't it make it kinda hard to move around, though?"
"THAT'S WHAT YOU GOT FROM THIS?!"
And then—
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!!!"
BAM!
The door flew open.
Standing at the front was Mikiko Izumi— with Urara, Shiori, and Shion right behind her.
"I'm not letting Karen-senpai have you all to herself!"
"I have no idea why the hell we came all the way to Yamanashi, but now that we're here, I'm not losing."
"I mean, getting to go to training camp with Kunimi-kun is way too enviable! ♡"
Karen stared at them in disbelief.
"W-WHY ARE YOU GUYS HERE?! NONE OF YOU EVEN DO TAEKWONDO!!"
Mikiko pointed straight at Takuma.
"Because the part we're involved with is KUNIMI!!"
The next day.
After two straight days of brutal training, everyone from the dojo was suffering from severe muscle soreness.
Even Takuma was limping.
Just walking down the stairs had become an ordeal.
"Takuma! Are you okay?!"
"Want me to massage your legs?"
"Should I put some pain-relief patches on you?"
Takuma waved them off.
"...Nah, I'm fine. Sore muscles are a badge of honor."
"NO, THEY'RE NOT!! Take care of yourself properly!"
Karen sighed.
"Seriously... Is your obliviousness made out of muscle too?"
Ignoring the girls fussing over him, Takuma calmly began stretching.
Mr. Oblivious himself.
Even at training camp— practice came first, while every girl's concern went flying straight over his head.