There's no practice today so we can go home early. It feels a bit strange since I'm always with everyone around this time.

Yeah, it does make me feel a little sad, but let's make the most of this break and take a load off. Maybe I'll stop by a café on the way—

We may be running a short-distance circuit, but you better not short-circuit on me!

What?!

[Fade in/out.]

Anyway, I'm off! Good luck with the meet! See ya tomorrow!

Ai!

Oh, Karin! And Emma-chi, too! Heya! Are you two about to go home now?

Yup. Were you participating in the track team practice just now?

Something like that. They apparently saw potential in my racing legs, so I'm sometimes asked to join in as a practice partner.

I can totally see why. The sporting clubs at Nijigasaki are all vying for you. The tennis club wrangled you in for the practice match the other day as well, right?

Nahhh, I'm not that popular! I was asked out of desperation the other day for the tennis gig, seeing how my friend had to bail out 'cause of an injury.

The school we were up against is a tennis powerhouse, so even I was shaking in my little tennis shoes.

All in on all hits! Down on love, but serving up some humble pie! Having a ball making a racket with my racquet!

Backhanded compliments on my forehand! Oh volley, Miss Molly when I net in those drop shots! And a smashing time smashing the lobs!

That was how it pretty much went down. It was a close one, but I somehow managed to come out with the win!

You guys serve pie at tennis matches in Japan? Wow, I didn't know that! The things you learn!

That is definitely not the case. Please do not commit that to memory.

In any case, you really are impressive to join in on the track team's practice and participate in the tennis club's match. The tennis club's been bugging you to join, right?

Ahahaha, yeah, about that. I wasn't only asked by the Nijigasaki tennis club, but the opposing school's club as well.

What?! You got invited by another school?! Are you gonna transfer schools? No! I'd be so sad if you left!

No, no! I won't! I totally won't! I've already declined! We did exchange contact info, though.

And another game's been set up with that school, so I've been summoned again. That's why right now—

Oh, I almost forgot! I gotta head over to the tennis club for practice with them now! Sorry, guys! I gotta split! Later!

Okay! Give it all you've got, Ai!

She's not only popular within Nijigasaki, but with other schools as well? AI totally think all EYEs are on Ai. Hehe, get it?