Morning Handstand Fiasco: Aira’s Classroom Adventure

Clumsy Beginnings

Three girls, Aira, Eri, and Mei, were huddled in the middle of the classroom, giggling and stretching their arms.

Aira took a deep breath and said, “Okay, this time I’m going to do it. No mistakes.”

Eri rolled her eyes but smiled. “You said that last time. Remember? You ended up flat on your back.”

“Flat is just my starting position,” Aira said with a grin. “Watch and learn.” She planted her hands firmly on the floor, kicked her legs up, and immediately wobbled.

“Hold on, I got you!” Eri grabbed her legs, but Aira lost her balance anyway. She flailed, Mei tried to steady her, and soon all three girls were in a heap of limbs and laughter on the floor.

Haruto’s Commentary

Haruto, sitting at his desk across the room, couldn’t help but smirk. “You guys really think this is a good idea?”

Aira groaned, brushing her hair out of her face. “We’re professionals. Just… not very good professionals.”

Mei shook her head. “Seriously, you said you could do this. What’s the secret?”

Aira sat up, smirking. “Balance? Never heard of it.”

Haruto raised an eyebrow. “You’re supposed to be practicing, not inventing excuses.”

Eri laughed. “Haruto, don’t act like you’ve never done something stupid in class.”

He shrugged. “Maybe. But I survived. Unlike some people here who look like human pretzels.”

“Hey! I’m graceful,” Aira protested. “Gracefully falling counts, right?”

Teacher Intervention

Before Haruto could answer, the classroom door opened. Ms. Ayaka, their homeroom teacher, entered, her expression immediately serious.

“What is happening here?” she asked, adjusting her glasses.

Aira scrambled to her feet, cheeks burning. “Uh… we’re practicing handstands.”

Ms. Ayaka’s eyes narrowed. “In the middle of class? On the floor? In skirts?”

“No, not on desks,” Eri said quickly. “Just on the floor… sort of.”

“Sort of?” Ms. Ayaka repeated, clearly unimpressed.

Mei tried to explain. “We were trying to… learn balance and flexibility?”

“Balance and flexibility in skirts during math class?” Ms. Ayaka asked.

Aira gulped. “It looked better in my head.”

Ms. Ayaka sighed and crossed her arms. “Girls, the classroom is for learning. Not circus tricks. Please sit down immediately.”

The girls obeyed, hiding smiles behind their hands.

Haruto whispered to Aira, “Well, at least you got the teacher’s attention.”

Aira elbowed him lightly. “Shut up. I don’t need your commentary.”

“Commentary is free,” Haruto said, grinning.

Aira rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide a small smile. “You’re impossible.”

Quiet Practice and Friendly Teasing

After a few minutes, the girls decided to practice quietly at their desks while the teacher wrote on the board.

Haruto leaned over. “Need help?”

Aira shook her head. “No. I’ve got it… mostly.”

“You mostly fail in style,” Haruto teased.

Aira laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

By lunchtime, the girls were still talking about their failed attempts, laughing at themselves and each other.

“You know,” Mei said, smirking at Aira, “you really should stick to something safe. Like walking.”

“Walking is boring,” Aira said. “Handstands are exciting… if you survive.”

Eri shook her head. “Exciting is the wrong word. Embarrassing is more accurate.”

Haruto leaned back, watching her. “Embarrassment looks good on you, though.”

Aira froze slightly, realizing how close he was sitting. “Excuse me?”

“Relax,” he said quickly. “I mean… you handled it well. Even when you fell.”

She blinked, then smiled softly. “Thanks… I think.”

Progress and Encouragement

The conversation drifted into teasing, jokes about who could do a better handstand, and playful bets. Haruto offered to time their attempts.

“You’re going down,” Aira said, pointing at him.

“You wish,” he replied, grinning. “I don’t even try. I win by not falling.”

“You’re so boring,” Aira said, laughing, poking his shoulder lightly.

“I’m practical,” he said. “You’re dramatic.”

“I’ll take dramatic over boring any day,” she said with a wink.

After lunch, they returned to the classroom for more handstand attempts. Aira tried first. She planted her hands, kicked her legs up, and this time managed three whole seconds before wobbling and toppling.

Eri clapped. “Three seconds! That’s progress!”

Mei nodded. “Yeah, you’re getting there. Your legs don’t hate you as much now.”

Haruto watched, amused. “Three seconds is better than zero. I approve.”

Aira laughed. “Thank you, Haruto. Your approval is very motivating.”

“Motivation is free. Mostly,” he replied.

Growing Confidence

Next, Eri tried. She went up, wobbled, and fell sideways with a soft thud. Aira and Mei scrambled to steady her.

“Are you okay?” Aira asked, laughing.

Eri nodded. “Yes. Floor hugs are surprisingly friendly.”

Mei went next. She managed almost five seconds before tipping over. Haruto clapped quietly. “Five seconds! That’s almost Olympic material.”

Mei smirked. “I’ll take it.”

The girls went through multiple rounds, each attempt slightly better than the last. Laughter and playful teasing filled the room. Haruto occasionally offered tips, like reminding them to focus on their arms or to keep their legs straight. Aira noticed he was always paying attention to her, not just watching, and it made her heart skip a beat.

After one particularly long attempt, Aira collapsed onto the floor, breathing hard. Haruto crouched beside her.

“You’re getting better,” he said softly.

Aira rolled onto her side, smiling. “Do you mean my balance or my style?”

He grinned. “Both. Mostly your style.”

She laughed, hiding her blush. “You’re impossible.”

“Am I?” he said, leaning just a little closer. “Maybe I just like watching you try.”

Aira’s eyes widened slightly. “Is that… flirting?”

Haruto shrugged, pretending to be casual. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just honest.”

She laughed softly, looking away. “Keep practicing honesty then.”

Teacher Returns and Wrap-Up

Ms. Ayaka returned, frowning slightly. “I hope you girls are finished with this handstand nonsense.”

Aira sat up straight. “Yes, Sensei. We were just… learning balance.”

“Balance is fine. Just not during class. Not in skirts. And not while trying to kill yourselves,” Ms. Ayaka said.

“Yes, Sensei,” they chorused, trying not to giggle.

Haruto whispered to Aira as the teacher walked away, “We survived, barely.”

Aira smirked. “Barely, yes. But next time, maybe we can try during gym class instead of math.”

“I’ll be there,” Haruto said, smiling. “But I won’t help this time. You do it on your own.”

“Fine,” she said, mock glaring. “I don’t need your help. Mostly.”

“Mostly?” he asked, grinning.

“Yeah,” she said, shrugging, hiding a small smile.

When the final bell rang, the girls packed their bags, still laughing about their repeated falls. Haruto walked beside Aira.

“You know,” he said casually, “you really make falling look… fun.”

Aira nudged him lightly. “You’re the only one who would say that.”

“I mean it,” he said.

She smiled softly. “Thanks… I guess.”

They walked out of the classroom together, talking about small things, joking, and laughing. The morning handstand fiasco had ended, but the playful teasing and subtle connection between Aira and Haruto had just begun.

By the time they reached the school gate, Aira realized she didn’t mind being clumsy, as long as Haruto was nearby.

The day had been full of laughter, embarrassment, and awkward moments—but maybe that’s what made it perfect.

And maybe, just maybe, she liked that he noticed.