idia shroud [ gym uniform ] r "i'll be number one"

[mandytl]

 

Location: Sports Field

Deuce: ....Goal! Nice, Jack. You cut your 50 meter dash time down by 0.3 seconds.

Jack: Something about the way I started felt off. Time me again.

Idia: Hm, hm. By leaning forward at the waist a little, the pendulum-like mechanism of the elbow can…

The quadricep femoris muscles will need to be made of flexible material… and springs in the calves for elasticity…

Ruggie: Oh, hey. Is that Idia-san behind that tree? What're you sneaking around over there for?

Idia: Uwah! R-R-Ruggie-shi…!

Ruggie: Why’re you so nervous? Kinda sus if you ask me. Are you cookin’ up something shady back here?

Idia: Wh-wh-wh…

Ruggie: Count me in on the… huh? What the? It’s a mountain of sketches of Jack-kun…

Idia: T-T-These… th-these are…

Ruggie: It ain’t good to stalk people, y’know…

Idia: I-I-It’s not, not like that!

I-I was… I was j-just… just… observing Jack-shi’s proper running form…

Ruggie: That’s what we call stalking.

Idia: I-I’m not… —it’s because, in class…! The teacher said… the, the short distance sprint…

Ruggie: Uh, what? Sorry. I can’t understand if you don’t speak up.

Idia: …

(tablet) Idia: I just wanted to know more about short-distance running for class! I’m not a stalker.

Ruggie: Waugh! Too close, man. I can read your tablet just fine from over here.

Short-distance running… for uh, physical fitness class, right?

Were Ignihyde students the type to take exercise seriously?

(tablet) Idia: “You never work hard enough! It’s time for some remedial education if you can’t prove yourself next time!”

Idia: … is what… Vargas-sensei said.

T-There’s no way I’m doing extra lessons, so… I decided to learn the ropes from, uhm, someone who’s good at running.

Ruggie: Ah hah. So that’s why you had your eyes on Jack-kun.

Trying to figure this all out from a logical standpoint’s seriously what a totally uncoordinated person would do.

Idia: Harsh…

Ruggie: … Well, now I get you. Jack-kun’s not too keen on people followin’ him around. Shishishi.

Idia: T-This was just between us, okay…? It was the only method I had…!

Ruggie: Now, I wanna confirm something. Aren’t your parents from that famous Shroud family?

Idia: …

.... famous… well. It’s, yeah… that Shroud family… you know, from the Isle of Lamentation.

Ruggie: I knew it! You’re a distinguished, noble family, huh.

Idia: The ‘distinguished’ thing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Anyway, what do you want with my family…?

Ruggie: Not to worry. I won’t tell a soul a single thing! So gaze away at Jack-kun to your heart’s content.

Idia: Huh. Y-You’re letting me go just like that…?! Ah, ahh, Ruggie-shi… You’re a saint…!

Ruggie: Whoa, hey. I didn’t say I was doing it for free! I’m just investing in the Shroud family’s young master.

So return the favor when you finally inherit the family name, Idia-san.

Idia: ...There’s not even one good thing about investing in my future, but…

Ruggie: Relax, relax. Let’s be friends. Shishishi.

—A few days later.

Second Period: Physical Fitness.

Vargas: All right. Time to record your short-distance sprints! I notified you beforehand, but those with poor times will be getting extra lessons.

Well, it’ll work out. You can’t fall behind, not when the perfectly amazing Vargas is giving you a flawless education.

Now, line up at the… Shroud?

Idia: Yes?

Vargas: Why’re you riding on your little brother’s back?

Ortho: Greetings, Ashton Vargas-sensei!

Idia: Uhm… w-well, today’s Ortho has, you see…! A special device equipped…

Vargas: Device?

Idia: Uh, uhm… I-I’ve got… a cue card ready in my pocket.

“The lower body is modeled after Jack Howl, mounted with special alloy fibers, to reproduce the movement of his supple muscles.”

“In addition, the custom springs inserted into his heels and calves can produce unparalleled speeds.”

Ortho: Good going, Nii-san! I’m packed with so many high-powered features.

Idia: ...heehee… how is it? With this I’ll be number one in the short-distance race for sure...

Vargas: These paltry tricks… Did you think I’d let this slide?! What’re you thinking?!

Idia: B-B-B-But… I w-worked really, hard… for today…

I w-worked! So! Hard!

Vargas: All you’re doing is taking shortcuts. This is sacrilege against musculature! Apologize to the quadriceps, and the triceps while you’re at it.

I’ll elegantly drill some hustle into you. Your remedial regiment starts tomorrow after school. No need to thank me!

Idia: Siiigh… there it is, that no pain no gain crap. The guy can’t put two and two together. It’s hopeless.

Our objective is just to reach the goal ASAP, right? So, what, you’re saying the only method to achieve that is to walk there yourself??

Vargas: Hoh… talking back, eh? I see. I got it. You want morning training on top of your extra lessons!

Idia: I thought as much… faced with the absurdity of an irrational world. Having to think inside the box is just pathetic...