The Bouncing Fun

A Funny Morning in the Gym

The sun shone through the big windows of Shirakawa High’s gym. The floor was shiny, and the air smelled like clean wood and a little bit of gym mats. Most students were in their classrooms, but today the gym was very noisy. Laughter and fun filled the room.

Aira and Saki were on bright blue jumping balls. They wore their school uniforms: dark blue blouses and skirts. They bounced up and down, laughing and trying small tricks.

Sensei Takumi, the gym teacher, watched them from the side. He had dark hair and a friendly smile. He held a clipboard but did not look serious.

“Be careful, Aira!” Sensei called. “Keep your balance.”

Aira wobbled but fell forward anyway. Saki laughed and bounced higher.

“Ha! You are falling!” Saki teased.

“I’m doing a new move,” Aira said, pouting. “It’s called ‘Oops I Fell.’ Very advanced.”

Sensei laughed. “Advanced, yes. But don’t break anything.”

Aira smiled. “Sensei, it’s funny and educational.”

Sensei shook his head, smiling. “Okay, okay. Just try not to hurt yourself.”

The Serious Girls Arrive

Some other students came in. Reina, Mika, and Haruna were known as the serious girls. They always looked strict and annoyed. Their uniforms were perfect, dark blue blouses and skirts.

“What are they doing?” Reina said, crossing her arms. “This is not serious.”

“They are just playing like little kids,” Mika said.

Haruna frowned. “Why does Sensei allow this? It is silly.”

Aira looked at them and grinned. “Oh, look! The fun police!”

Saki laughed. “Don’t worry. We can bounce over their frowns.”

Reina frowned more. “I cannot watch this.”

Sensei spoke gently. “Girls, we can have fun but stay safe. You can join too. It is more fun with more people.”

The serious girls looked at each other. Mika whispered, “Maybe it is fun if we try.”

Haruna didn’t look happy but took a blue ball anyway.

Learning to Bounce

Sensei showed how to sit on the ball, hold the handles, and bounce slowly. The girls tried. At first, they wobbled but slowly learned.

“You are better than I thought,” Sensei said. “Especially Reina. You look like you want to be serious, but you are trying.”

Reina blushed. “I just don’t want anyone to fall.”

Aira bounced closer. “Falling is fun. You might like it.”

Saki laughed. “Come on, try it. You may laugh too.”

Reina’s small smile showed she was thinking about it. Haruna and Mika joined slowly.

Rolling and Tumbling

Soon, the girls tried small tricks. Aira tried to spin but rolled forward. Saki tried to follow and both fell in a funny heap. Balls rolled away.

Sensei ran over, laughing. “Controlled chaos! Very impressive.”

Aira laughed. “Sensei, this is my best skill.”

Saki nodded. “We survived, so we are winners.”

Reina watched and whispered, “I cannot believe this is fun.”

Mika giggled, “It is fun. Admit it.”

Haruna tried not to laugh. “Maybe a little fun is okay.”

A Friendly Competition

Sensei gave an idea. “Let’s see who can bounce the highest.”

The girls’ eyes lit up. Balls bounced, skirts moved, and everyone laughed. Even the serious girls smiled and tried their best.

Aira joked with Sensei. “Sensei, are you secretly training for the circus?”

Sensei winked. “Maybe I am. Maybe not.”

Saki laughed. “He wants to be in the Olympics.”

Reina whispered, “I am laughing… quietly.”

Mika teased, “See? Fun is good.”

Haruna rolled her eyes but smiled. “Okay, just a little fun.”

Aira bounced near Reina. “See, serious girls can enjoy it too.”

Reina tried a small bounce. “Don’t make fun of me,” she said, but smiled.

Sensei clapped. “Excellent! You all are more confident now.”

The girls bounced together. The rhythm of their balls on the floor was almost like music.

Games on the Balls

Aira and Saki invented games. One game was passing a small foam ball while bouncing. Another was a race across the gym without falling. Sensei joined and showed tricks. Even Reina, Mika, and Haruna started to play more.

“Race time!” Aira shouted. “From this line to the other side. No falling!”

Saki bounced ready. “I will win!”

Reina huffed. “We will see.”

Mika and Haruna got ready. Sensei blew an imaginary whistle.

The girls bounced fast. Aira fell at the end, Saki won, and the serious girls were close. Everyone laughed.

Sensei clapped. “Well done! You all did great. Especially Aira for creative chaos points.”

“Chaos points! My favorite,” Aira said.

Saki nudged her. “We all survived, so we are winners.”

Reina laughed. “Okay, maybe this is fun.”

Mika teased, “You admit it!”

Haruna crossed her arms but smiled. “Maybe a little.”

Time to Rest

After the games, the girls bounced slowly to calm down. Sensei gathered them together.

“You all did well today,” he said. “You learned, laughed, and worked together. Gym is about fun and learning.”

Aira raised her hand. “Sensei, can we do this every day?”

Saki nodded. “Yes, please!”

Reina, Mika, and Haruna looked at each other. “Maybe next time,” Reina said, smiling.

Sensei laughed. “Okay, maybe less chaos tomorrow.”

Aira laughed. “No promises!”

The girls left the gym. They bounced their balls lightly while walking down the hall. Even the serious girls played a little. Sensei watched, happy.

The gym was quiet now, but the laughter and bouncing balls would be remembered for a long time.