Rin is a tremendous worrier. And she's teasingly cute.

"Hey, Rin. If you don't go home soon, I'll get mad at you."

"Yah."

"You spoiled little cat."

"Meow~"

"Duh, it's teasing, but..."

She laid down on my lap, and then made a gesture of inviting my hand like a cat.

Mocking ... too much!

But I don't feel bad about the teasing.

It's more like an indescribable feeling of elation and a fluttering of the chest that shook me to my core.

Where did you learn that from...?

Well, it is easy to imagine.

Kenichi, Fuji-san... good job...

I thanked them both in my heart.

"I'm sorry to leave, but I have to go home now..."

"They'll get mad at us."

"Haaah, that's right..."

Rin showed a blatantly disappointed look.

Reluctantly but agreeably, she packed her bags and moved to the front door.

By the way, I always take her home.

If Lisa-san catches me on the way there, I'm sure I'll have to stay overnight that day...

Rin and I went outside and walked together through the dark night.

It was starting to get a little chilly, and the occasional breeze made me shiver.

"That's right. Can I ask Rin just one thing?"

“Fufu. Of course you can. I'll tell Towa-kun anything."

"Thanks. So, this may seem like a far-fetched question, but... Rin, is there anything you're not good at in sports?"

"Well, yes."

Rin looked up at the night sky and pretended to think, then answered, troubled.

"I don't like the shouting and the ranting."

"No, that's not what I'm asking."

“Then ... I don't like rough play. I still like fair play. Of course, I'm all about winning."

"The mindset of an athlete ... is something like that. But still, Rin likes to win surprisingly much, don't you?"

"Fufu. I'm a competitive person. Basically, I hate to lose. Besides, I have a policy of 'never cutting corners and giving it my all', no matter who I'm up against."

"As expected. That is why I never see you losing."

Based on this story, it doesn't sound like Rin has ... any weaknesses, does she?

She never lets her guard down, and she always gives it her all...

Even if the opponent is not motivated, Rin would probably take on the competition regardless~.

As I was nodding my head thinking that.

“Towa-kun, is what you wanted to ask me, perhaps what you were talking about with Ainoya-san?"

"Well, yes. I was asked by Ainoya-san, "Do you know Rin's weakness?"

"I see... Is that what you meant?"

In truth, for the sake of the class, I would sneak the secret out of Rin and leak it to Ainoya-san.

That kind of move would be desirable.

But hiding something from Rin is ... impossible no matter which way you look at it.

She would definitely find out, and if I tried in vain to hide it, I would only feel like I was digging a deeper grave.

So I had no choice but to simply admit it.

I mean, the fact that she said "as I thought" means that ... Rin seems to know about Ainoya-san's business with me too!

As expected of an Esper...

"I am not proud to say it, but I am not bad at anything. I think I can do everything without a hitch."

"That's right~. I can't think of anything either."

"Ah... By the way, even if Towa-kun is kidnapped or involved in a violent incident, please tell her that I will give priority to the match and focus on winning..."

I felt sad for a moment, but the strangely implied way she said it made me tilt my head back.

Does that mean she doesn't have a win-at-all-cost attitude?

"Let's see, Rin. Tell, you mean to Ainoya-san?"

“Yes, I do. If she asks, that's fine... I'll make sure that such a rumor is spread on my end as well."

"I don't think you have to go to the trouble of spreading it."

"There's no such thing, right? I would never do that. For example, if Towa-kun was really injured and had to be taken to the hospital, or if there was a series of bad rough play, I would immediately leave the competition."

"No, no, I don't think such a violent thing would happen."

“And I will thoroughly beat the person who was violent to Towa-kun. I will ... obliterate ... them."

"Rin, let's not think such a dangerous idea, shall we?　Unless it's fiction, it definitely won't happen."

"Just kidding."

Rin smiled at me.

But her smile conversely made me feel uneasy.

When it comes to me, there are times when things get out of control...　 I'm happy, but at the same time I'm worried.

To begin with, I almost never compete, so there are few opportunities for me to be harmed.

Even if I do get out, it's baseball and ......... Ah.

Dead balls and all that, right?

I'm getting really worried...

“I'm sure Towa-kun has noticed the bad feeling, but there's a chance it's not a joke. Towa-kun is also in the middle of rumors... I feel bad for getting you involved in this."

"No, no, it's not Rin's fault. Nothing, it's just that the murderous stares I've been getting from guys has been happening since before the summer break."

“But just in case it happens, please be ... careful."

"I understand. Rin, too."

"Yes. Being famous means you have a lot of enemies, so I'll keep that in mind."

Rin is prominent and popular.

But not everyone in the school loves it.

There must be some who are jealous of her who seems to have it all and don't think well of her.

Well, I don't think that makes anyone take direct action.

Not to short-cut measures, anyway.

But Rin is the type of person who takes all possibilities into consideration, so I guess she is concerned.

I wish I were someone who had enough say and influence to reassure her.

When I think about that, ...it itches me, in more ways than one.

As I was thinking about that, Rin, who had moved to stand in front of me, smiled at me.

"So, I'll nip those sprouts in the bud as soon as possible. Reducing risk is essential to life, you know."

"I've never thought that far into my life, but ... What? Don't ... do anything strange... when you say you'll nip it in the bud?"

"I won't do it. But please leave it to me! I'll protect you, Towa-kun!"

"Normally, men say that..."

I looked down at my arms.

They were white, thin, and obviously weak looking.

Too bad it's too late now...

I'm so weak that even Rin could beat me in strength, so I'll ask Kenichi to train me up.

"So, first of all, in order to erase your insecurities, I will continue showing and demonstrating 'how much I'm crazy about Towa-kun'."

"... What?"

“In other words, I have to make people think that there is no point in messing around with you. This will be a milestone for the future."

…What?

Rin grabbed my arm, not seeming to care that I was tilting my head.

And then...

"So let's head home, arm in arm, right away."

She then pushed herself against me, somewhat forcefully.

In a sense, a violent sensation hit me, and I felt dizzy.

"Rin... that's what you just wanted to do...?"

"Ehehe~"

Oh, she's so sure of it.

But I'm weak when she gives me that look...

She squeezed my arm and leaned in close to me.

The warmth on her arms somehow counteracted a chilly feeling.