Niijima had been right about the weather, thought Ryuji as he stretched. However, she hadn't thought about one very crucial thing. The earth hadn't had time to try out, so the grounds of Shujin Academy were still a sea of mud. Running in these conditions was not only messy, but risky considering how slippery mud could get, and Ryuji had to content himself with doing a few pre-run exercises before shuffling back to the front of the school. Luckily, it wasn't too cold and he always brought along a few manga books in his school bag, so he'd at least be able to pass the time until the school opened. He found a seat near the vending machines and pulled out the fourth volume of the new series he was reading and began to flip through it.

He was several chapters in the story when he noticed movement in his peripheral vision. Ryuji felt a surge of anxiety rise in his chest, and he peered over the top of his manga to see who was approaching. In the event that it was Nakaoka out looking to finish what he started yesterday, Ryuji decided he'd bail.

But as soon as he saw who it was, the anxiety receded. Niijima was here early again, that was all. He was about to go back to being engrossed in his comic when the curiosity nagged at him. He'd seen her arrive early a few times, but not knowing what she did...for whatever reason, he was curious about what Ms. Prez did before anyone else got to school. Rolling his eyes at his sudden curiosity, he slipped his manga back into his pack before heading over to the door Niijima was currently unlocking.

"Mornin' Prez," said Ryuji, giving her a little wave as he approached. Niijima looked up at him, the slight quirk of her brow betraying her surprise.

"Oh, good morning Sakamoto," she replied, opening the door to the school. "You're here early. Weren't you able to run?" she asked, her tone casual. Ryuji gave her an embarrassed smile.

"Well see, the rain yesterday made the grounds all muddy, an' it's dangerous to run when the ground is all slippery from the mud," he explained, rubbing the back of his head. Niijima took in his appearance now more carefully, seeing that he was dressed in athletic wear.

"I see. I suppose I forgot that outdoor athletes need to be aware of more than just whether it's raining currently," she replied, her face taking on a thoughtful expression. She opened the door and gestured for him to come in, pulling her key from the lock as she did. Outdoor athletes? wondered Ryuji. It almost sounded like she was a part of some sport herself...but he'd never heard of Niijima being on any of the school teams. Strange, he thought, and wondered more about the kind of person Niijima was.

"Well, you're welcome to come inside and do a little reading inside. However, we aren't scheduled to meet until this afternoon, so don't feel the need to get set up at the library yet," continued Niijima, closing the door behind the two of them.

Unfortunately for Ryuji's curiosity, Niijima looked like she was just about to leave before he could ask any of his questions that he'd had since he'd been assigned to her as a study partner. So, without thinking, Ryuji reached out to lay his hand on Niijima's shoulder. "Hey Niijima just a sec-" he said, before being cut off. Before he had laid his hand on her shoulder, Niijima had caught him in her deft, strong hands. Her grip had a strength to it that surprised Ryuji, and he yelped in alarm.

"Whoa! Uh, sorry Niijima!" cried Ryuji, jerking his hand back in astonishment. Niijima let go of him as quickly as she'd grabbed him, bringing her hands to her mouth in a wide-eyed expression of surprise. It was the most emotion he'd seen her have...probably ever.

"I'm so sorry Sakamoto! I really didn't mean...it was purely reflex you understand!" stumbled Niijima, who looked equal parts surprised and embarrassed. Ryuji waved his hands in what he thought was a casual gesture signaling that he was fine, but in reality looked like he was trying to fan smoke away.

"Oh it's fine! I'm fine!" replied Ryuji in a voice that was very near a squeak. Adrenalin spilled into his blood, but in spite of the sudden rush, he managed to keep control of his hands and they didn't tremble. Perhaps because she looked so apologetic. "I uh, I just had a question is all," he finished, dropping his hands. Niijima looked at him, her expression softening into something more relaxed when she understood that he had been merely surprised.

"Well um...what was your question Sakamoto?" asked Niijima, tucking a few strands of hair into place in a way that suggested she was still embarrassed about grabbing him like that. Ryuji looked at her vacantly for a moment, the surprise having blasted the question out of his mind. But he snapped to attention quick enough.

"I just wanted to know uh...what you do here so early in the morning," he said, his words a little halting. "I mean, you know I come here to run an' all, but sometimes I see you here early too. I was just curious uh...what you could be doin' since no one comes here this early, not even the school clubs," explained Ryuji, and he glanced this way and that, as though he were afraid of how his question might be received.

Niijima regarded him quietly for a moment, her face utterly unreadable for a moment as she considered his question. "Well, how about I get changed and I'll show you," she said, and headed towards the practice rooms.

"Wait, change?!" asked Ryuji, jogging to keep up with her as they entered one of the sports practice rooms. Niijima didn't answer, and went into the girl's locker room, leaving Ryuji to wonder what it was that she might be changing into. Several possibilities floated through his head. Cheerleader? Swimmer? Maybe tennis? Any of those would sort of make sense for someone as clean cut as Niijima he thought, puzzling over what she might look like in the various sport uniforms.

He was lost in thought considering what the student council president would look like wearing the Shujin Tennis Team uniform when he was interrupted by Niijima emerging from the girl's locker room wearing a white gi belted about the middle. Ryuji's eyes opened so wide they looked like they might roll out of his sockets. "N-Niijima? Why are you wearing a gi?!" he yelped, leaning back in surprise.

Niijima regarded his yelped question with a questioning expression of her own, her red eyes meeting his. "Well, what else would I wear to practice aikido in Sakamoto?" she asked matter of factly.

"Wait, you do aikido? For real?" asked Ryuji, now recovering from his initial shock. He tried squaring the fact that she did aikido with his mental picture of her as a fussy, ivory tower academic and found that he couldn't quite make it work. Niijima, it seemed, had surprised him again. He had to grin now when she nodded, and Ryuji found himself wondering just what other surprises the student council president had in store.

"Maybe you'd like to practice with me?"

It seemed at least one more for today.