"Alright, everyone! Who's ready to show off their blazing red-hot spirits?!"

Over the course of the past week, Fujiwara's gotten quite a bit more comfortable with the cheer squad. Her demeanor combined with her natural charisma ensured her popularity with the other members.

Right as she spoke, however, Fujiwara felt a tap on her shoulder, turning to see Onodera standing in front of her.

"Hey there! What do you need?"

"You seen Hayasaka-senpai anywhere?"

"She hasn't shown up?"

"No, and I figured that since you guys have been attached at the hip for the past little while, you'd be the best person to find her."

"Eh? How'd you- nevermind. Detective Fujiwara's on the case!"

The first thing that Fujiwara did was to complete a full lap around the school grounds.

That's weird. Hayasaka-san's not the type of person to be late for this kind of thing… Then again, we've still got about half an hour before we start, so maybe it's fine? Still though, I should probably find her as soon as I can. So, where could she be? I could head to her house, but that would take too much time. Maybe she's in a change room? I'll ask Kaguya if she knows-

As Fujiwara pulled out her phone to message Kaguya, the first thing that opened up on her phone was her list of contacts.

The person listed at the top? Ai Hayasaka.

Today's result: Modern Technology wins.

###

Fujiwara knocked twice on the change room door, announcing her presence.

"Hayasaka-san? I'm here."

After some rustling, the door swung open to reveal:

"Herthaka-kun?!"

Hayasaka adjusted her wig and pushed her glasses further up her nose as she adopted a deeper, more masculine tone.

"You know, I half expected you to just barge right in here without knocking."

"W-what are you talking about? I wouldn't do something like that…"

A slight sense of surprise began to coalesce in Hayasaka's mind as she saw Fujiwara's gaze flit between her and the floor, Fujiwara's cheeks having gone the colour of her hair.

"By the way, Secretary-chan…"

A smirk began to form on Hayasaka's face as she walked right up to Fujiwara, leaning down so that their faces were mere inches from one another.

"How do I look?"

Immediately, Fujiwara averted her gaze, standing up straight while facing the opposite direction. When she didn't say anything, Hayasaka pushed harder, sidestepping Fujiwara to reach her line of sight.

"What, am I so cool that you can't even look at me?"

All of that bravado, however, slipped away from Hayasaka as she saw the utterly embarrassed look on Fujiwara. She covered her now red face with her hands, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

"P-putting that aside…"

Eh? 'Putting that aside?'

Hayasaka watched Fujiwara appear to compose herself. Fujiwara now wore a stern expression as she pointed her finger at Hayasaka, saying:

"What you're doing right now isn't aligning with the sports festival spirit!"

Hayasaka blinked twice, raising an eyebrow.

"The sports festival spirit?"

Fujiwara nodded vigorously, her voice taking on just as much strength as her actions.

"Yes, the sports festival spirit! Do you know why we have a cheer team here at Shuchi'in?"

"To demonstrate the technical skill and coordination of our school?"

Fujiwara shook her head, making an X with her arms.

"Incorrect! Seriously, it's almost like someone just swapped you with Kaguya-san for a second there."

"Then, what is the correct answer?"

"The correct answer? It's quite simple, really."

Fujiwara paused for dramatic effect before saying:

"It's to have fun, cut loose, and get pumped up for the sports fest! This isn't a cosplay convention, so just follow my example."

"What, you want me to hang a black bow on my forehead?"

"That's not what I-"

As she was speaking, however, Fujiwara's voice abruptly cut out as a massive smile was plastered across her face.

"Wait, that's a great idea!"

Fujiwara dove into her bag, rummaging around for a moment before taking her dress out. Reaching under the hem of the dress and turning it inside out, her whole face began to shine even brighter as she took out a slightly less black bow, handing it to Hayasaka.

"Put it on!"

Hayasaka eyed the bow for a few moments before giving a shrug.

Why the hell not?

"Sure. I'd be ok with that, though I'm not exactly sure how to do it myself…"

The 2 of them stared at each other before Fujiwara gave a sigh, a reluctant smile forming on her face.

"I guess there isn't a choice, huh? In that case, just sit and watch as I work my magic."

"You want me to watch my own forehead?"

"I mean, you seem like the type of person to carry around a mirror."

Hayasaka sighed, pulling a compact mirror from out of her pocket.

"Guilty as charged."

And as Hayasaka watched, it was almost as if her very mind had reached enlightenment. Not just her brain, but her entire body was overcome with shock as her thoughts began to race.

I see… So, that's how she gets the bow up there! I feel like my third eye's been opened or something…

"See? Now we're matching!"

Hayasaka felt her cheeks go a little hot as she felt Fujiwara pull her in from the side, posing for a selfie with Hayasaka. Hayasaka, for her part, put up a reluctant peace sign and hoped that Fujiwara wouldn't notice the tinge of pink in her face.

"Anyways, shouldn't we head back? The cheer's about to start."

"Oh, right!"

But as Hayasaka got up and began to exit the room, she heard Fujiwara begin to say something.

"By the way…"

She turned around and saw Fujiwara wearing an uncharacteristic expression. Rather than her usual smile, this one was more muted as she leaned against the wall, staring at the ground, saying:

"You look really pretty."

Hayasaka blinked twice, unsure of what to say.

"A-ah, are you saying that because we're matching now? Very funny-"

"Hah? That's not it at all. I was just saying that you just look good in general."

Hayasaka felt her face heat up as the rest of her body froze. She looked away, beginning to walk off as Fujiwara followed close behind. Neither of them said a word for a few minutes until Hayasaka spoke up.

"So, why'd you say that earlier?"

Fujiwara seemed to ponder this for a moment before giving a shrug.

"I just felt like it, I guess. Oh, and I wanted you to know that in case people don't tell you that enough. Like, people deserve compliments, y'know?"

You just felt like it?

Slowly, a smile began to spread across Hayasaka's face as she turned to her side to face Fujiwara, saying:

"You look pretty cool yourself, Secretary-chan."

"Eh? At least call me cute!"

Hayasaka responded to Fujiwara's annoyed tone with a chuckle as put her hands together behind her head.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll keep that in mind next time you're not wearing Miyuki's uniform."

"Hayasaka-san!"

Today's result: Hayasaka wins. (By cheering her heart out.)