Blushing Balloon Battle and Rainy Embrace
Something felt different after that brief intermission. The academy's sports festival had reached its final stages before they knew it.
Alright, it's about time.
Time for the special event we prepared!
Bianca's class had climbed to first in the overall rankings. They'd racked up high scores in the marquee running events, sweeping first place in every single one.
"We just need to win one of these special events, right?"
"Yeah, lock it in."
Bianca chatted amiably with her desk mate, Shasha, but as time wore on, their expressions grew tense.
Wait a sec...
Class 3, eliminated!
Class 3 is out first!
Unlucky breaks struck in the next three events: candy hunt in the flour pile, charades with bodies, and the O/X quiz. Only two remained.
We have to secure first place.
Bianca's resolve was ironclad. But this? Totally unforeseen.
Why... of all people...
It was a real pickle. Balloon snatch event.
These specially made balloons won't pop easily.
As we explained earlier, the team holding the balloon after time's up wins!
Opponent: neighboring Class 2. Down to one survivor per class. And that survivor was...
Well, her.
"You two looked amazing together earlier."
The girl giggled with a hint of jealousy.
"You and Carlyle make such a killer combo."
None other than Emily Swan!
Bianca managed an awkward thanks. "Uh, thanks..."
Truth was, her head was spinning.
Where do I even look?!
Emily Swan—her crush—was decked out in a bloomer uniform. Silver hair fluttering elegantly in the breeze, a gentle yet firm impression, pure and sweet face. That mature figure was dazzling. Slender ankles, soft-looking thighs. Bianca swallowed hard.
Emily was subtly grown-up in all the best ways. The kind of ideal curves most guys dreamed of.
Calm down, me...
Bianca blinked hard, trying to focus.
How am I supposed to handle this up-close?!
She couldn't look away, so her face flushed naturally. Emily tilted her head but misinterpreted it helpfully.
"Nervous, huh, Bianca? Don't expect me to go easy."
From Emily's side, it was a twinge of envy.
If Carlyle and I had been in the same class...
Her friend Bianca and childhood pal Carlyle synced too perfectly, bumping her class to second.
"Gotta give it our all, right?"
"Yeah, exactly. Class vs. class!"
The two girls exchanged words. Right now, they were just reps for rival classes. Nothing left but friendly competition!
"Come at me, Bianca."
Emily hugged the balloon, ready to bolt. Hold it till time's up to win. If nothing changed, defeat loomed—so Bianca moved in.
The boys already won their round. If I nail this...
She could seal overall first.
"You got this, Bianca!"
"Snag that balloon!"
Cheers snapped her to attention.
No matter who the opponent is...
This was competition!
"No holding back, right?"
Emily giggled at Bianca's words. "Sorry, but nope?"
"Guess we have no choice then."
Class points and prize money on the line. Bianca tensed, cheeks pink, and lunged first.
The balloon snatch was confined to a large circle filled with soft sand. Steal inside those bounds.
"S-sorry!"
Bianca dashed at Emily, who yelped and bolted.
"Kyaa—!"
Bianca was faster, quickly closing behind.
"S-sorry!"
Why so apologetic? To steal the balloon? Emily wasn't yielding easily—class pride on the line.
Bianca's small hands grazed the balloon.
"N-nooo..."
Emily flopped face-down, clutching it tight. Bianca panicked.
Oh no, now...
Only way: roll together. Bianca's face went beet red.
But no choice—this was serious.
Ugh—!
Deep breath. Bianca hugged Emily's body.
S-sorry! Really no choice!
No funny business, promise. Emily's grip forced it. But even braced, she froze.
S-so soft...!
Bianca's vision swam.
B-breasts...! Did I just...?
She stiffened in shock. Victory mattered, but this was her crush. First real contact—no immunity. Total fluster.
The two girls tangled up. Watching guys blushed faintly.
"Ooh..."
"Ahh—"
Picturesque scene. Bloomers showed plenty skin. Emily, academy idol; Bianca, rising star. (Rumors of Carlyle's girl kept confessions at bay.)
"Eek, that tickles!"
Two cuties writhing—pure gold.
"G-got it—!"
Bianca cheered.
"Not so fast, Bianca!"
"Ah, ahn..."
Emily's tickles drew weird noises; Bianca clamped her mouth. Hugged tight, she froze again. Soft, squishy press against her back...
No, uwaaah—!
How to endure this?! Pure embarrassment.
Before confessing. Before rejection. Just fantasy touches with Emily Swan.
Pretty pervy in hindsight. But peak teen boy energy back then.
"Sorry, taking it back."
Emily exploited the daze, snatching it. Whistle blew mid-stun.
Beep— Beep!
Balloon snatch ends with Class 2's victory!
More anticlimactic than expected?
Bianca Shama seems to have slipped up—though who knows why.
No, not that.
Bianca slumped.
...I really wanted to win. Not a slip-up.
Way outside predictions. Face burning, she trudged out, consoled by excuses.
Just bad luck drawing Emily.
Class liked Emily. Her happiness was enough.
"Great job, Emily!"
"Knew you had it!"
"Whew, we won."
Emily smiled. Bianca felt a bit cheated, but game over. Festival fading into sunset.
Now, final class rankings!
Sports festival over. Breath held. Emily's Class 2 vs. Bianca's Class 3—neck and neck to the end.
Class 3!
"Wooo, epic!"
"After-party time!"
Cheers erupted. Class 2 groaned in regret.
"One point difference. Insane."
"So close."
Bianca laughed with Shasha. First was best, after all. Their and Carlyle's high-point events clinched it.
"First place—impressive!"
The smiling teacher addressed them.
"Especially you two. Everyone, give 'em a hand?"
Applause rang. Bianca grinned sheepishly; Carlyle scratched his head. Friday—midterms after weekend.
"Great job, all. No announcements—head home, rest up, study."
"Ehh..."
"Aww—"
Sighs spread. Homeroom ended; seats emptied.
"Fun day."
"You too, Shasha."
"Hey, Bianca. Karaoke?"
Shasha's invite. Friends behind perked up, but Bianca shook her head.
"Ah, sorry. Too wiped today."
Zero singing confidence. Embarrassing as a guy; worse now.
And I'm a girl these days.
No girl songs for her.
"Too bad. Next time?"
"Yeah, next time."
"...You seem like you'd sing great."
Shasha pouted, drifting off with friends. Bianca waved goodbye, strolling out. Greeted Emily amid her crowd.
"Text later tonight!"
"Got it!"
Full, satisfying day.
"Oh, forgot..."
Carlyle's jacket—still had it. No direct goodbye, but normal. They tacitly avoided public PDA at school. No one demanded it, but Bianca liked the discretion. Overt approaches would've freaked her out.
Guy was sly. Got these unspoken things.
Honestly, sometimes.
Surprisingly considerate in weird ways...
Lent jacket post-race, too. Bianca shook her head.
"...No dumb thoughts."
Return next week. Mind wandering again—she sighed softly. Trudging alone, rain started.
Plip—plop—
Autumn showers hit sudden.
"Rain outta nowhere...?"
Flustered, Bianca raised her bag as shield—then a tall shadow fell beside.
"Same way anyway."
Raindrops blocked. Carlyle sidled up naturally.
"Walk you a bit."
Umbrella from nowhere—prepared as ever. Smooth talker. Not mad, Bianca nodded slightly. No students around.
Silent walk home. Quiet felt comfy. At her door, usual light hug.
"Hate to let go."
Bianca flushed.
"Why so extra..."
Extra hugs? But Carlyle cut in, reading her.
"Your reward, from earlier."
His teasing chuckle irked her pout.
"What reward? You're not a kid."
"But I tried hard."
Couldn't deny that. So she just melted in.
"This settles it."
"Yeah, okay."
Tight squeeze. In his big arms.
Ugh...
Odd feeling every time. Like handling fragile glass—precious. What was it? Different from Emily hugs. Couldn't pinpoint why, or which better.
In that weird mood, weird emotions, hugged tight.
"Wh-what...?"
Panicked voice. Bianca turned—and freaked at her own mom, Emma.