It's time for a school-wide athletics festival
Everyone's admired my athletic skills
That nice American boy is participating too
He's doing really well
...Wow, he's stronger than he looks
And he looked pretty damn strong to begin with
No wonder everyone wants him on their team
He's practically a gamebreaker
Okay, enough ogling
Time to refocus
My team is counting on me
We're doing long jumps
I sail through the air
I go pretty far
But something's wrong when I land
My ankle hurts
I crumple to the ground and cry out in pain
The American boy is between events
Hears me and comes running over
"Are you okay?"
"I think I'm fine"
I try to stand up
Ankle flares up
"You don't look fine to me."
"It's probably just a bruise. I can walk it off."
Try to take a step
Fall again
"I don't think you can. Let me take you to the nurse's office. I can help you keep weight off that foot"
"...Alright", I say reluctantly
I expect him to help me stand up and let me lean on him
Instead, he grabs me by the back and legs and picks me up
And starts carrying me
...I'm probably bright red
Kami, he's not burdened by me at all
He secures his grip on me and starts briskly walking
...You know, I could get used to him carrying me like this
It makes me feel delicate and girlish
Any boy who can and will do this for me is definitely worth pursuing
Strong AND caring
He makes me feel safe and protected
I want to keep feeling like this
Nurse says it's nothing serious
I just need some ice and I should be good to go
"You want me to stay here until the nurse clears you to go?"
"...I think I'd like that, actually."
He smiles
I want to bask in that smile forever