Bay

*Huff... huff...*

C'mon, everyone! Put your hands together!

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! What's that spell? Victory!

Oh...!

*Huff... huff...*

No, it's not because of you, Coach.

I think the soles of my shoes came off.

Since I first started cheerleading...

So yeah, it's been a while.

...

Maybe it's really time to get a new pair.

Huh?

Oh, yeah. I guess I could...

Well, it's just...

Everyone else takes one look at my shoes and tells me to toss 'em.

But not you.

I wear these every time I practice, so I've grown attached to them.

They've been there through every fall, every bruise, every drop of sweat.

So if there's any way to fix them up, I'd really like to keep wearing them.

Huh?

You're actually coming with me?

...

Thank you.

Uh... didn't you say we were going to get my shoes repaired?

Then why are we in the Commander's Room?

Wait...

You're not going to fix them yourself, are you?

...?

Wh-what are you doing?

You want me to come in?!

... Oh.

... Here you go.

!!

Why are you putting them in the water?

But why bother washing them yourself?

You can take them somewhere to be cleaned.

Uh... Yeah, in a few days.

I can do it barefoot.

...

I could have done this myself...

But thank you for doing this.

Would you like me to cheer you on?

Fair enough.

...

...

Won't that take a while?

Wow!

That's fascinating.

But, Coach...

Why won't you make eye contact when you're talking to me?

...!

Th-that's only because

I get startled when you look at me so suddenly.

You see?

I can look into your eyes now.

...

Of course not!

I'm not saying we need to be staring at each other all the time.

It's just that

it feels like you're deliberately avoiding eye contact with me.

Oh.

So you were being considerate.

...

Let me see.

Hmm.

Yep, they're all good.

Thank you for helping, Coach.

Now that they're clean, the worn and frayed parts are more noticeable.

All right.

...

Coach.

I just had a thought.

I...

One! Two!

Hup! Hup!

Huh?

Oh, hey, Coach! Hey, Bay!

What are you guys up to?

We're on our way to get my shoes repaired.

How about you?

I was practicing.

We have a cheerleading performance here in a few days,

and I still feel like I'm off-tempo, so I wanted to practice at the actual location.

So this is where you've been these past few days.

That's admirable.

Let's take a look at how you're coming along.

Oh! You're going to watch me?

I can spare a minute or two.

Is that okay, Coach?

That's fantastic!

All right, I'll get right to it!

Hup! Hup!

Go! Go! Victory!

Let's go! Let's go!

...

Huh?

Oh, nothing. You're staring at Clay really hard, that's all.

Oh, right.

We did.

Tah-dah!

That's it for now.

How was it?

Really?

I'm glad the practice paid off!

What do you think, Bay?

...

Huh?

Oh, uh... you did well.

Just a few more days of practice, and you'll be all set.

We need to sync up our routines, so you should come to the practice room starting next week.

Wow, a compliment from Bay!

I'm so happy! Thank you!

By the way, you said you were getting your shoes repaired?

Oh, yeah.

The shoes I always wear for practices have finally worn out.

It's about time!

The soles have been coming off for a while, and I've been worried about that.

For a while...?

Yeah, it's been at least a month.

Honestly, I'm amazed you never tripped while wearing those shoes.

...?

Anyway, thanks for your time.

Now, hurry up and go get those puppies fixed.

Huh...?

Oh, right.

Is that you, Sweetie?

Darn, you didn't fall for it.

Hi, Teacher!

Who's this, Coach?

I see.

Nice to meet you, Ein. I'm Bay from Rewind.

Hi!

Based on your outfit,

you must be a cheerleader, right?

That's right.

I knew it!

I bet you do all sorts of awesome moves and cheers!

So cool!

Thanks for the compliment.

What brings you guys here, anyway?

Oh yeah?

What is it?

Rupee has been teaching me a whole bunch lately, so I'm getting pretty good.

Here.

These shoes.

Shoes?

Hmm, I'm not super confident when it comes to footwear.

Let's see...

*Gasp*!

Whoa, these are totally falling apart!

At this point, why not just buy a new pair?

Hmm...

These shoes are very precious to me.

I'm not asking you to make them brand new,

but could you at least make them wearable again?

Hmm...

Honestly, I'm not sure I can pull this off.

You'd probably be better off waiting until Rupee comes back.

And when's that?

I'm not sure.

At least a few days. She said she'd be away for an event.

Really?

That's not good...

...

Hmm...

Okay, how about this?

Show me one of your cheerleading routines.

Huh? You want me to cheer for you?

Yeah!

It might inspire me and make me able to pull off a miracle.

If you do that for me, I'll do my best to fix your shoes.

Hmm...

...

Okay.

Woohoo!

Phew... all right.

Go! Go! Victory!

!!

Go! Go! Victory!

Wow!

Whoooooo!

That's so cool!

Phew...

I'm sorry, Ein, but...

Can you stop staring at me?

Huh? How come?

I know it's a bit strange for me to say this as a cheerleader, but...

I have scopophobia.

Uh...

But the whole reason I asked you to cheer was so I could see it.

Are you saying I can only listen to it?

...

I'm trying to overcome my fear, but it's not going too well.

I'm sorry.

Well, if that's the case...

I guess there's no helping it.

All right, I'll do my best with the repairs!

I really appreciate it, Ein.

Here you go.

I'm not entirely sure how well I did,

but if you run into any issues with them, feel free to come back.

Thanks.

They look much better now.

They were in pretty rough shape, so this was the best I could do.

This'll do.

Gotta admit this is pretty impressive for a student.

You really think so? Man, if only Rupee were here to hear that!

Oh, by the way,

I think I may know what's behind your fear of being the center of attention.

You do?

While I was working just now, I felt a bit pressured with you two watching me.

Especially you, Teacher.

I kept worrying about how embarrassing it would be if I messed up,

and that made me even more nervous and shaky.

...!

Coach,

were you watching Ein the entire time?

Hehe! You better say that again in front of Rupee next time, Teacher!

Ah.

...

Anyway, thanks for fixing my shoes.

I can't wait to wear them.

No problem. Take care!

Hmm...

I think Ein did a good job with the repairs.

They definitely feel more comfortable.

All right.

Hup!

C'mon, everyone! Put your hands together!

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! What's that spell? Victory!

!!

...

I'll try again.

Whew...

C'mon, everyone! Put your hands together!

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! What's that spell? Victory!

*Huff... huff...*

Gah!

*Sigh*...

No!

Don't.

It's not that.

Coach, could you look me in the eyes for a moment?

I want to check something out.

...

...

Darn...

So that's what it is.

Whew...

Hehe...

Haha!

Oh boy,

what a pain to only realize this now.

That's the reason I'm all out of sorts.

It's you, Coach.

I practiced for nearly a whole month in these ratty shoes, and I never once took a spill.

But the second I realized you were watching, my legs just gave out.

No, it's not even that.

After spending an entire day with you, I realized something.

What really bugs me is when you look anywhere but at me.

I freeze up when other people stare at me,

but with you, I just can't get enough.

...

I get you were trying to be considerate, but it really upsets me when you wouldn't look me in the eyes.

It also got under my skin when you were staring so hard at Clay.

And when I heard you stared at Ein so much that it made her uncomfortable,

I got jealous.

I said it was because of the shoes, but that wasn't it.

... It's because I like you, Coach.

Whenever you look at me,

it makes my heart flutter.

What should I do?

I thought I'd overcome my old fears,

but now I've just developed a new one.

Coach, I have a favor to ask.

I'm probably going to fall a lot more from here on out.

When I do, please help me get back up.

Keep looking at me so that I can get used to this pounding in my chest, until I don't fall anymore.

... Until I'm all worn out.

That's okay.

I was rough with the shoes,

but I'll treat these feelings with the utmost care.

...!

That's it. Keep your eyes on me, and only me.

I really like you, Coach.