The First Floor gym route. Longer travel but greatly reduced risk..

(chapter originally by Phantom Pen at writing.com)

There was no way Fuuka was about to risk the second floor hallways. The idea of running past the classrooms, and the high chances that the halls wouldn't be empty, was too frightening to even imagine. As much as she hated the thought of it, she'd be safest with the long path. Besides that, Fuuka wasn't sure she could count on Minako not to compromise their secrecy in her current state. The more timid of the two was afraid that Minako might start shouting or something to "up the ante." If they stayed away from the classrooms, then any potential antics from Minako should be curbed, at least in theory.

"Okay, Minako-chan. We're going to be going around past the gym and practice building." Fuuka said, pointing at the door leading toward her desired path.

"Ooooh! Taking the scenic route, huh? I knew you'd love it, Fuuka-chan!" Minako squealed, still as overly-energetic as she'd been since ingesting the mystery stew.

"I do NOT love this!" Fuuka snapped back. "We're going this way because there shouldn't be anyone along that path!"

"Yeah, and because it means we get to enjoy the sensation even longer!" Minako chirped, oblivious to Fuuka's exasperation.

Sighing in defeat, Fuuka grabbed Minako by the wrist and wordlessly began to lead the way. Fuuka just wanted to get this nightmare over with before anybody saw her. Leading Minako into the stairwell, the gravity of the situation seemed to hit her once more. She was completely naked in school, in the middle of the school day, with an overly energetic Minako in tow. Fuuka could feel her heart beating in her chest, each thump feeling like a drum being struck inside her. If she didn't know any better she'd swear her heartbeat could be heard throughout the entire stairwell. She knew for a fact that the slap of hers and Minako's shoes against the hard tile floor echoed in the relative silence around them. Every small noise worried Fuuka, fearful that the next sound might give her away.

Finally, after what felt like a hundred flights of stairs, Fuuka and Minako reached the first floor. Now the long part of the trek began, and the idea that she wasn't even a quarter of the way done made Fuuka's hair stand on end. Carefully, she cracked open the door leading to the gym and looked around. Thankfully, the coast was blissfully clear. Maybe Fuuka's luck was turning around? This thought was driven from Fuuka's mind as she felt a pair of slender hands on her back for a moment before being shoved firmly through the door! Stumbling to catch her balance, Fuuka spun herself around to see the grinning face of Minako beaming at her.

"Minako-chan! What's wrong with you?!" Fuuka shrieked, appalled at her friend's apparent disregard for secrecy.

"Just giving you a little push along, Fuuka-chan!" Minako said, happily skipping over to her. "Can't just hide behind a door forever. Lunch hour's running out, after all!"

Minako was right, as much as Fuuka hated to admit it. Taking things nice and slow also meant burning precious time. If Fuuka took too long, the lunch hour would end before she and Minako got to their clothes, and then they'd really be in a bad situation. Still, that didn't mean Minako had to do something so reckless. What if there had been people out here? Fuuka really hoped that Minako would recover from her altered state of mind soon, before she came up with something even crazier.

Carefully, but a bit more aware of the passage of time, Minako and Fuuka made their way to the courtyard. There were a few close calls where Fuuka heard the sound of conversation close by, but thankfully she and Minako (with a bit of **** from Fuuka) found hiding places while making sure the coast was clear. Luckily, the sounds passed without any hint of the people coming closer. Maybe, just maybe, Fuuka would be able to put all this behind her and laugh it all off one day. Finally, Fuuka and Minako reached the home stretch- the last hallway to the courtyard. Throwing caution to the wind, Fuuka gave up her careful pace with a dead sprint, Minako following close behind. Meeting the doors with her arms outstretched, Fuuka threw them open and let her momentum carry her into the courtyard, only to see-