380 Short Story 3 : Ichinose Honami’s SS - Jealousy

Ahh, that was nerve-wracking.

With the excuse of going to hydrate myself, I went away from Ayanokouji-kun and Mako-chan.

Even though I've recently gotten used to 30-minute courses and got it down to just getting a good sweat out of it...

A bizarre amount of sweat and high heart rate. This isn't normal.

It wasn't a sudden outbreak of an illness or anything, it's clear that the reason cause is those two.

"It's because Mako-chan said something like that..."

Even when I tried to calm down my breathing by not recalling it as much as possible, that was just a meaningless effort. No matter what, I end up recalling what had happened earlier.

'By the way, wait a sec Honami-chan.' (TLN: tte iu ka. Can't think of an English equivalent. Not quite by the way, but that's the best I can do)

The words Mako-chan, who we'd met up at the gym, muttered after looking alternatively between me and Ayanokojluji-kun.

'It's probably what you usually wear, but have you noticed that your appearance is quite bold?"

"...!?"

I was too focused on other things that I didn't realise anything about my appearance.

I just thought about training at the gym like usual, and about being calm....

'So you didn't notice, Honami-chan...'

'What is it...?'

'Ah no, um... well you know, like, it's a bit embarrassing when you're not used to it and your appearance becomes like this. Right?'(TLN: probably scuffed tl.)

'I see?'

Mako-chan courteously conveyed my feelings in their entirety.

She probably thought openly admitting it would make it relatively easier on me, but it had the opposite effect.

Because of her kind meddling, I was filled with the feeling of wanting to hide forever.

That's why for 30 minutes, I had my focus concentrated solely on the treadmill.

And that reaction happens now...

"Uuu... It's too embarrassing..."

I want to change right now and then, but I can't do that.

I got a bit sweaty so I changed into a reserved-looking jersey~, my intentions would definitely get seen through.

It's bad even if they are simple-minded, so Ayanokouki-kun would definitely notice.

Before I knew it, my throat had become dry.

It was just an excuse to run away, but I decided to properly hydrate myself.

"I think I've calmed down a bit."

By drinking some cold water, I'd finally regained composure.

"...Yep. Let's do my best."

It's gym time now. If I concentrate on my training, it'll be solved.

But the moment I think that and returned to the gym's entrance, my feet became heavier.

From far away, I saw Ayanokouji-kun...speaking to Mako-chan as if they were having fun.

"Isn't their talk taking off....?

I didn't know what they were talking about, but their conversation didn't pause and continued on.

Mako-chan's attitude also didn't seem to differ from when she talked to our classmates.

Is it because she was together with Ayanokouji-kun on the school trip? They've opened up to one another quite a bit...

Even though a friend and a friend getting along is a good thing, I was feeling restless and my emotions were stirring about deep inside my chest.

Like, unpleasant emotions are clinging around me.

The steps that should've gotten heavier.

The feeling of being connected to a chain had now disappeared.

Rather, I wanted to get rid of this uneasiness in my chest quickly.

I became unable to think of anything else other than that.

"I am strange after all...nope, but...I'll get through today...!" (TLN: not quite but it's hard to translate this line to English and I cba)

I took a deep breath as if to give myself a push on the back.

And then, I decided to return to the two as the usual me.

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Translated by u/adventurousart8711