The gym finally became quiet.
Not because Takeru stopped.
Because everyone else had already stopped a long time ago.
The final weight hit the floor.
CLANG
Takeru stood there.
Sweat dripping.
Hair messy.
Breathing a little heavier than usual.
Silence.
Yuji stared.
"…Is…"
A pause.
"…is the monster tired?"
Takeru looked over.
"…A little."
The entire room froze.
Hakari pointed dramatically.
"…HE ADMITTED IT!"
Ryu looked impressed.
"…Legendary moment."
Takeru ignored all of them and grabbed a towel from nearby.
"…Ice bath and sauna time."
Then he headed toward the locker room.
A few minutes later—
the door opened again.
Takeru walked back out with a towel wrapped around his waist, hair still slightly damp.
He looked around.
Left.
Right.
"…Where's the sauna?"
Silence.
Then suddenly everyone pointed in different directions.
"THAT WAY!"
"NO, LEFT!"
"RIGHT!"
"DOWN THE HALL!"
Megumi stared at the chaos.
"…You all have no idea where it is."
"…Correct," everyone said immediately.
Meanwhile Takeru had already started wandering off.
Five seconds later:
"…Why am I in the yoga room?"
Ten seconds later:
"…Why is there a smoothie bar?"
Twenty seconds later:
"…WHY IS THERE A ROCK CLIMBING WALL?!"
Fred slowly raised a sign from the distance:
"Side quest acquired: Find Sauna."