Moonsault in the Afternoon

A Quiet Courtyard

The warm afternoon sun stretched across the school courtyard, turning the campus into a glowing maze of gold and soft shadows.

Aira tugged gently at the hem of her uniform skirt as she approached the old horizontal bar near the side of the building. A slightly worn mattress lay beneath it, dragged outside whenever the gymnastics club had outdoor practice. Today, it was just her and one other person—exactly the way she wanted.

Miyu was already there, gripping the horizontal bar with both hands and swinging her legs lightly, warming up with small hops. Her long hair swayed like a soft ribbon with every movement. When she noticed Aira approaching, her whole expression brightened.

“Aira, you finally came! I was thinking you changed your mind,” Miyu said with a smile.

“I was just grabbing water,” Aira replied, trying to smile back. But the moment their eyes met, her chest fluttered. “I’m not letting you practice alone. What if you break your neck trying something reckless again?”

Miyu laughed. “I’m glad you care. And besides, a moonsault isn’t reckless. Only slightly life-threatening.”

“That’s supposed to comfort me?” Aira raised an eyebrow. “We’re practicing in our uniforms. If we fall, it won’t just be bones that get hurt.”

Miyu hopped down from the bar, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Then stay close and save me if I fall.”

Aira’s heart skipped a beat. “I’ll try.”

Preparing for the Moonsault

They moved toward the mattress, the summer breeze brushing the edges of their sleeves. The campus was quiet after class hours. A few students walked by, but nobody paid much attention to two girls practicing gymnastics outside. It almost felt like a secret place made just for them.

Miyu stretched her arms toward the sky. “Today, I want to try a full moonsault. I think I’m ready.”

Aira felt her throat tighten. “Are you sure? We’ve never done that before.”

“Exactly why we should try it today,” Miyu winked. “It’s fun when it’s new.”

Aira sighed. “You’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days.”

Miyu tapped her forehead gently. “You worry too much. That’s why I like practicing with you. You keep me alive.”

Aira turned away quickly, cheeks warming. “Let’s start.”

First Attempts and Laughter

Miyu climbed onto the horizontal bar again, gripping it firmly. She swung her legs back and forth to build momentum. The wind lifted her skirt just slightly. Aira stood near the mattress, ready to catch her if something went wrong.

“Okay, Aira. Tell me if I look weird,” Miyu said lightly.

“When do you not look weird?” Aira teased, though her smile was soft.

Miyu stuck her tongue out and focused. She kicked her legs upward and spun, trying to pull her body into a tight rotation. She made it halfway before her timing slipped, and she dropped awkwardly onto the mattress with a soft thump.

“Ow.” Miyu lay flat on her back. “That felt… not like a moonsault.”

Aira rushed over. “Are you okay? Does anything hurt?”

“Only my pride.” Miyu reached up, and Aira took her hand to help her sit up.

“You’re insane,” Aira said.

“You already knew that.” Miyu squeezed her hand before letting go, almost reluctantly. “But you’re here anyway.”

“I’m here because someone has to keep you safe.”

“Is that the only reason?” Miyu teased.

Aira’s eyes widened. “W-what else would it be?”

Miyu leaned closer. “Maybe you just like spending time with me.”

Aira looked away. “I… I don’t hate it.”

Miyu laughed softly. “Good enough.”

Memories and Friendship

They had known each other since first year. Back then, Aira was the quiet girl who always sat by the window, and Miyu was the cheerful transfer student who made friends with everyone in less than a week. They got paired together for a P.E. project and had been inseparable ever since.

In three years of friendship, Aira had learned that Miyu was brave, reckless, dazzling, and sometimes frustrating. She had also learned that her heart reacted strangely whenever Miyu smiled.

She kept that part to herself.

Miyu, meanwhile, seemed unaware of the quiet storm she caused whenever she got close—or perhaps she did notice.

Today felt like one of those days when Miyu was noticing too much.

They tried again. And again. And again.

Each attempt ended with Miyu falling onto the mattress, laughing with unshaken optimism while Aira scolded her.

“You’ll break something one day.”

“I break something every day. Usually just my homework.”

“You’re impossible.”

“And you’re cute when you’re angry,” Miyu said with a grin.

Aira froze. “D-don’t say things like that out of nowhere.”

“Why not? It’s true.”

Aira’s ears burned. She threw her towel at Miyu, who caught it while laughing.

Graduation Thoughts and Confessions

They took a break, sitting side by side at the edge of the mattress. A gentle breeze rustled the trees around them.

“Aira,” Miyu said softly.

“Yes?”

“Do you ever think about… what comes after graduation?”

Aira stared at the ground. “Sometimes. It feels strange. Like everything is going to change.”

“Yeah.” Miyu hugged her knees. “I wonder if we’ll still be this close.”

Aira hesitated. “Do you want to stay close?”

“Of course I do.” Miyu turned to her, eyes shining. “You’re one of the most important people in my life.”

Aira’s breath caught. “Miyu…”

“So promise me something,” Miyu’s voice softened. “No matter what happens next year, let’s not drift apart.”

Aira nodded slowly. “I promise.”

Miyu smiled, relieved. “Good. Losing you would hurt more than any failed moonsault.”

The Successful Moonsault and Confession

As the sky shifted to late afternoon colors, Miyu climbed the bar one last time. She gripped it tightly, took a deep breath, and swung her body upward. This time, she tucked her knees perfectly and completed the rotation cleanly.

Aira watched in awe. For a moment, Miyu looked like she was flying.

Then gravity pulled her down, and she landed softly on the mattress. She didn’t crash. She didn’t twist. She didn’t fall.

She did it.

“Miyu!” Aira ran to her. “You actually did it!”

Miyu sat up excitedly. “I felt it! Did you see that? That was almost a real moonsault!”

Aira knelt beside her. “You were amazing.”

Miyu’s eyes sparkled. “Aira… you look really happy.”

“Because you worked so hard.”

Miyu reached for Aira’s hand again. “Then will you reward me?”

Aira blinked. “Reward? Snacks?”

“No.” Miyu shook her head. “Something better.”

She leaned closer, holding both of Aira’s hands. “Aira… can I like you?”

Aira’s breath stopped.

“I mean it,” Miyu said softly. “I’ve liked you for a while. I waited to see if you felt the same. But today… it felt like the right time to say it.”

Aira’s heart pounded. “I… I like you too.”

Miyu’s smile softened into something gentle and beautiful.

They sat in silence, shy and overwhelmed, before Miyu spoke again:

“Well… now I want another reward.”

“Hold my hand properly,” Aira said, intertwining their fingers carefully.

“Perfect,” Miyu whispered.

A Secret Place

They practiced a few more times, not because Miyu needed it, but because neither wanted the day to end. Every time Miyu landed, she would run to Aira, hand extended, as if Aira were the safe place she returned to.

As darkness fell and the courtyard lights flickered on, the space felt theirs alone. Fingers intertwined, hearts light, they walked home together.

The horizontal bar stood quiet behind them, but it held the memory of the moment everything changed—when two girls tried to conquer the sky and found each other instead.