Huff... Huff... Huff...

Phew...

(That's it for my run, but I still feel pretty good...)

(I think I'll do another lap after I get a drink of water. The vending machines should be...)

Ready, Max?
Okay... Go get it!

Woof!

...!

(That guy's here with his dog again. They've been here basically every day recently...)

(And that thing they're playing with... It's called a flying disc, right...?)

Hey, nice catch!

Woof! Pant... Pant... Pant...!

(It's not that big a dog, but it looks pretty intense when it's running around...)

(Anyway, I need to grab some water.)

Alright, again! Catch—

Uh-oh. The wind...! Oh no!

Sir!
I'm sorry, but our flying disc flew your way and...!

Hm?

(Their disc? Oh, here it is...)

Wait a second...
If their disc's over here, then that means...

Pant...! Pant...! Pant...!

No...!
I-It's coming right towards me...!

...!

(Geez, what do I do...?!)

(Wait, the disc...!
If I throw it somewhere far in that direction...!)

Go! That way...!

...!
Woof!

Th-There it goes...

(Did I go a little overboard there...?
I'm not sure it'll be able to get...)

W-Woof...!

What? No way...
It caught it by jumping?

I-I'm so sorry...!
Are you alright?!

Yes, I'm okay...
I'm also sorry for throwing your disc without asking.

Oh, no!
That's completely fine!

Still, seeing him charge towards you like that must've been very startling. I apologize for not being able to stop him sooner. I put an extra-long leash on him, but panicked and couldn't get a good grip on it...

(Oh, he did have a leash on. I got all worked up over noth—)

Woof!

(Whoa!)

Welcome back, Max.
That was an amazing catch you made back there! I didn't think you'd be able to get it after seeing how far our friend here threw your disc.

Haha...

Speaking of which, that was a beautiful throw! Your form was remarkable! Do you play ultimate a lot?

No, um... I haven't thrown a flying disc since I was little.

Really?! Then, you must be a natural athlete! I wish I could do what you can! I'm still working on how to throw one of these properly...

O-Oh, I see...
That explains why you two have been here so often lately.

Huh?
Haha. You saw?

I've actually been thinking about entering us into an agility contest that involves dogs catching discs... It's called “disc dog”.

An agility contest?

Yes! And those who do well in enough of them get to compete on the national stage.

Our dream is to become the number one team in the country!

Right, partner?!

(Partner...?)

Woof!

Oh, I think he just replied to you...

Haha. I think so too...
Sometimes it seems like he knows exactly what I'm saying.

But Border Collies are very smart, so maybe he does understand...

O-Oh, he's a Border Collie...?

Oh, I'm sorry. I've been going on and on about Max without introducing myself. My name is Itsuki Ishihara. And you are...?

Akito Shinonome.
Also, I'm still in high school, so I'm not as old as you may think I am.

Wait, I'm also a high schooler!
It's nice to meet you, Shinonome.

It was nice meeting you both.
Anyway, I should get going...

Pant... Pant... Pant...

(Huh?! H-He's looking right at me for some reason...)

What's the matter, Max?
Oh, do you want Shinonome to pet you...?

Huh? He wants me to pet him?

Yes. After he's pulled off a nice play, he always sits like this and asks for pets.

He wants you to pet him because you were the one who threw the disc last.

(R-Really...?)

Woof...

...!

...?
Oh, wait...

Do you not like dogs, Shinonome?!

Umm, well... I'm not the biggest fan of them.

No, I'm so sorry for not asking sooner!
Also, I apologize for keeping you here so long...!

Nah, that's okay. I should've said something sooner too.

Then, we'll be going!

Alright, see you around.

Phew...

(That guy was pretty rowdy...)

(But...)

(They're also working towards a goal as partners...)

Alright, I feel like running that extra mile now.