For a moment, as they sat alone in the infirmary, Shikimori teased him about his constant accidents, her playful nature making Izumi’s face flush even redder than the bruise forming on his forehead. She even jokingly suggested she might stay by his side and skip her own match just to watch over him.

The following story is inspired by the events of Episode 2, titled " Wind and Clouds, Ball Sports Tournament! ".

When Izumi finally opened his eyes, the chaotic noise of the tournament was replaced by the sterile quiet of the nurse's office. Hovering over him wasn't the school nurse, but Shikimori. Her usual soft, pink-haired "cute" demeanor was present, but there was a sharp, protective edge in her eyes that always emerged when Izumi was hurt.

As she stood there, the center of a cheering crowd, she caught Izumi’s eye. She was a school celebrity now, but to her, the only applause that mattered was the one coming from the boy who always managed to find trouble—and the girl who would always be there to pull him out of it.

However, the sounds of the volleyball tournament outside pulled her attention. Her class was struggling against Kamiya, the school’s cool-headed star athlete. Izumi, despite his aching head, looked at her with a determined smile. "Go, Shikimori-san. I’ll be cheering for you from here."

"You really should be more careful, Izumi-kun," she whispered, her voice a mix of teasing and genuine worry.