Horizontal Bar Gym: Aira’s Legendary Fall and Recovery

The Gymnasium Buzzes

The gymnasium buzzed with excitement long before practice officially began. Afternoon sunlight filtered through the high windows, shining onto the wooden floorboards where students stretched, chatted, and waited for instructions. Today was horizontal bar training, something everyone looked forward to—either for impressive skills or spectacular accidents.

Aira Kobayashi adjusted her grip on the bar. She wore her white blouse tucked neatly into her short dark blue skirt, knee socks pulled up straight, and her hair tied back. She tapped her fingers against the cold metal and exhaled slowly.

Friends and Frenemies

Mia Hoshino, her best friend, leaned in nervously.

“Aira, I swear, if you fall, I’m going to scream. Please don’t fall today.”

“I won’t fall. It’s just a pull over. I practiced a lot yesterday,” Aira replied.

Mia pointed at the bar.

“Yes, but this thing acts differently every day. You two are not friends.”

Aira laughed.

“Watch me. I’ll make it look easy.”

Across the gym, Reina Takahashi and her trio—Lina, Mika, and Sayaka—watched eagerly.

“If she slips, I am taking a picture,” Reina whispered.

“If she crashes, I’m recording,” Lina added.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got both covered,” said Sayaka, holding her phone ready.

The Attempt

Aira stepped onto the stool, gripping the bar firmly.

Mr. Ito, their PE sensei, approached.

“Kobayashi, don’t rush. Focus your strength. Safety first.”

“Yes, Sensei,” Aira replied quickly.

Mia whispered from the side, “Don’t look down. Don’t look at Reina. Just… float.”

Aira raised an eyebrow.

“Floating doesn’t help with bars.”

“I’m doing my best here,” Mia shrugged.

Aira lifted herself off the stool, hanging with surprising control. She tucked her knees and began the rotation for the pull over.

Reina shouted across the gym.

“She’s shaking! Totally panicking!”

Mika giggled.

“Give it ten seconds.”

Aira clenched her jaw, pushing harder. She rotated further, stomach brushing the bar—but then her fingers slipped.

The Legendary Fall

Her palms slick with sweat, her grip gave way. Aira’s body fell backward. Panic shot through her chest.

Mr. Ito reacted instantly.

“Kobayashi!”

He caught her just in time—but they both toppled onto the thick mat. A loud thump echoed through the gym, followed by a burst of laughter.

Reina doubled over.

“She flattened Sensei! She actually flattened him!”

Lina clapped.

“I knew it! I knew this would happen!”

Sayaka was already filming.

“This is making history!”

Aira scrambled off him, her face bright red.

“I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to fall like that!”

Support and Recovery

Mia rushed to her side.

“Are you okay? Do you need a stretcher?”

“Please stop talking…” Aira groaned.

Haruto Sakamaki knelt beside her.

“Does anything hurt?”

“Only everything that’s not supposed to hurt,” she muttered.

Haruto chuckled softly.

“Then you’re okay. That’s impressive in its own way.”

Two boys helped Mr. Ito to his feet.

“Kobayashi, do not blame yourself. Accidents happen,” he said.

Aira bowed deeply.

“I am really sorry, Sensei.”

“What matters is no one got seriously hurt,” he reassured her.

Lessons Learned

Mia patted her shoulder.

“You survived and added a new chapter to our class legend book.”

Aira groaned.

“Do not remind me.”

Reina walked by, smirking.

“Next time, try not to crush the teacher. Try crushing an admirer instead.”

Aira blushed furiously.

“I do not have admirers.”

Haruto quickly looked away.

“Ignore her. She likes stirring things.”

Aira nodded shyly.

“Thank you for checking on me. You didn’t laugh like the others.”

“I was too worried you’d land on your neck,” Haruto smiled.

Finally, Aira followed Mia and Haruto for some water, still red but relieved. Despite the chaos, she knew one thing for sure: tomorrow, she would grip the bar tighter.