chap. 6 nekomaru/shuichi

nekomaru helps shuichi up after a difficult workout

"Woah!" Nekomaru cries as his leg gets caught on something on the ground, nearly tripping him. He looks down at the grass of Hope's Peak track's field where a pool of dark blue and PE uniform sprawls, emmeting a soft whimper with the collision. "Hey, I didn't notice you there!"

Shuichi merely turns his head to the side and out of the ground, looking up with brownish eyes at his coach, airing absolute defeat with a single gaze. The detective is already pale naturally, but currently he is even more so- sweat soaking his clothes, bangs sticking to his forehead, and limp body exhaling deep breaths.

Nekomaru shakes his head at the sight. It's always good to work extra hard, but you need to know your limits! "Did you overwork yourself today?"

The body beneath him trembles momentarily, and then there's an audible gulp before Shuichi attempts to speak with a dry throat. "I wanted to… do better than… last time…" he huffs.

Hearing the excuse he had already expected, Nekomaru still laughs. "I love your spirit! But if you tire yourself out you won't be improving whatsoever!" Scolding, he shakes his head again, hands on his hips.

"Yeah, I… already regret my decision…"

"Well it's no good if you just lie here! You need to stretch your body after an intense workout! Have you drank water yet?"

"No," Shuichi rasps, face smooshed to the grass, "I can't move."

"Get up and do some stretches," Nekomaru commands with no remorse anyway- knowing fully well that the smaller boy will feel better in no time if he is to listen to his instruction, "I'll bring you your water bottle." People less athletic, like the detective, tend to get dramatic with their bodily pain after a good run, but in just a moment he'll realize how much healthier he feels. Well, if he was to go at the intensity that's right for him, at least, instead of overdoing it.

But when he returns with the other's bottle, Shuichi is still on the ground. The lanky boy reaches his arm up, grabbing at the direction of the water. "You can't drink laying down! That's not good for you!" Shuichi frowns in disappointment, hand falling to the floor beside him. "Now get up before everyone leaves!" Nekomaru laughs, "Gahaha, I'm not your babysitter!"

"Sorry…" Ignoring the detective's guilty apology, the team manager crouches down and grabs the other by the armpit, hoisting him up to his wobbly feet in one swift yelp inducing move, and shoving the water bottle into his hand.

With an even greater laugh, Nekomaru slaps the other on the back, nearly sending him toppling over all over again, "Don't worry about it, Shuichi! With determination like yours, I'm sure in no time you'll be just as ripped as I am!"

Uncapping his bottle, the detective furrows his brow. "Well I don't know about that…"

"Shuichi!" a new voice bellows, a figure comes running from the sidelines, "There you are, sidekick! I've been looking for you all over!"

For a moment the two boys watch the third finish a long gulp of water, before sighing, "Sorry, Kaito. Needed to take a break."

With a hand over his buddy's shoulder, the astronaut sends the upperclassman a wink and a thumbs up, "I got it from here!" he quickly tells him before turning with Shuichi to the direction of the locker room, "No problem, dude! Did Coach Nekomaru take care of you?"

"Ah, well…"

Nekomaru can't help but grin with pride as he waves the two other boys off. Man, the guys in their school sure love to showcase their effort!