CH 87

“Die!” “Drop dead, you sh*t!” “You should get constipated!” “I’ll beat you up when it’s over.” “Despite being a student…the main duty of a student is to study…how dare you act like this…damn it.”

The ground was filled with jeering and abusive language. The people were the worst. If anything, the teachers were also in the dark. Oh, it’s Sayuri-sensei. …… Sensei, why? The world is a place of impermanence.

Ignoring the sound of the shrine bells in my heart, I turned to the passionate senpai in his basketball uniform.

“Leave it to me, Yukito Kokonoe! Suzune, let’s show off our wedding run together!”

“Ah mou!　I’m embarrassed, Toshiro……”

Despite the blushing Takamiya senpai, the hot-blooded senpai was all fired up. In life, it may be easier to live happily with such a positive attitude. He is a quintessential upperclassman. I have a lot to learn.

By the way, the 10 Gig era of face light and I also changed into uniforms.

The interclub relay is an independent program that has nothing to do with class wins or losses. It is what is called a fascinating event that adds color to the athletic festival. Therefore, there is no need to plan any particular countermeasures, and it is a casual event.

If it were a simple relay competition, the cultural clubs would be at an overwhelming disadvantage. Even for the sports clubs, since they are required to run in uniforms, the archery and kendo clubs are at a significant disadvantage because of their hakama, which are not suitable for running. [TL: Hakama= loose trousers with many pleats in the front, forming part of Japanese formal dress.]

Batons are also different for each activity, with basketballs for the basketball team, soccer balls for the soccer team, music sheets for the brass band, and many other varieties. Needless to say, the reason why musical instruments are not used as batons is because they are expensive, no?

So the purpose of the inter-competition relay is not so much a serious competition as an opportunity to show off each club’s activities, and each club is full of elaborate ideas.

…… and so far so good, but at Shoyo High School, there was one more twist added to this inter-community relay. The club activity relay is also called “Rear relay”.

“You know! Yuki, run with me!”

When I turned around, I saw Shiori, her face bright red, looking determined and enthusiastic. Her ponytail was shrieking and flaring. Recently, Shiori has been participating in the women’s basketball team, and she was changing into her uniform to see if she would also be participating in the interdivisional relay.

“You are the most Riajuu of them all”

The grinning and in-your-face G’s are stirring her up. Yes, there is a special rule in this club relay, also known as the rear relay, that if the contestants are in a dating relationship, they must compete as a couple.

At the same time, it was also a kind of confession event at the gymnastic festival, and even if it did not lead to a confession, it had the aspect of appealing to the opposite sex by inviting the person you liked. It is an extremely tasteless event that no one knows who came up with the idea. For this reason, the inter-company relay is more likely to draw the attention of the crowd than the cheering crowds.

Of course, those who keep their relationships secret or do not want to participate even if they are well known are not forced to do so. Some students may not feel comfortable making a big show of their relationships or confessing their feelings.

Nevertheless, some students may be able to muster the courage because the confession event is prepared on the open, sunny stage of the athletic festival. If they confess their feelings on this occasion, they can laugh it off no matter what the outcome. The Rear Relay was just such an event.

Incidentally, students who participate with their partners are interfered with by the gallery, which throws balls at them. It was a rough blessing.

Meanwhile, the joys and sorrows of love and romance were being exchanged here and there.

“I don’t mind, but are you sure you want to do this?　It’s a three-legged race, right?”

“Yes!　I’m totally fine with it.”

The students who participate with their partners are supposed to be on three legs, according to the mysterious rule of overcoming obstacles for the sake of love. I don’t get the point of this. Don’t they want us to win?　Did the person who made this rule have a depressed adolescence?

Speaking of three-legged competitions, of course one must be in close contact with one’s partner. In other words, even if they do not confess their feelings, the students who are invited to participate in the activity are those who are willing to allow themselves to be touched, have a good impression of the other person, and can be judged as having a “pulse.

Besides, it is important to show respect for the feelings and courage of the person who has the courage to ask you out, before actually responding, unless it is a definite “no.” If it is an invitation from a girl, it is even more important.It can be part of making memories and a great deal of fun.

But Shiori, however, is not good. In many ways!

Shiori is the most physical and one of the strongest horsemen in Shoyo High School.

“When you run, you should hold your chest, not your shoulders, you know?”

“Did you commit such a dark sexual harassment out of nowhere, that there’s no room for defense or explanation!?”

“Wakiwaki” [TL: itching-to-grab gesture (made with one’s hands)]

“It’s okay, it’s okay!　I’m totally fine with that!”

Heheheh. I approach Shiori with my hands wagging. In an attempt to discourage Shiori, I make a garbage comment that is not humanly possible, but it doesn’t work.

“Have some modesty!　Your mother and father are crying!”

“What’s with all the negotiator-like persuasion! …… Do you really hate being with me that much?”

Shiori’s parents on the bleachers, a very handsome couple, waved at us. They have big smiles on their faces. Shiori’s ponytail drooped. With such a sad expression on her face, there was no way I could refuse.

“I understand, I understand. But I haven’t practiced the three-legged race.”

“Yay! Thank you, Yuki!　It’s fine, as long as we have fun.”

“Well, if you look it that way”

“Yeah.”

Suddenly, when I looked up, I received invitations for simultaneous sign-up and cashback from several girls. For a moment, they gave me a pleading look, but I heartlessly abandoned them. This is what happens when you provoke others. They should reflect on themself and learn from this experience. Serves you right.

……Not to mention that after all this time, for a club with so few members, four pairs, including myself, were born to participate in the three-legged game, and the men’s basketball club was the apple of my eye. ……

“Do I stink of sweat?　I’m sweaty. ……”

We, the first runners, were just before the white line, waiting for the right moment. The second runner, the partner with the quickest run up the face and the fastest run down the face, was decided to be a second year senpai who bought it in a rock-paper-scissors-scissors race. What a damn harem guy.

Shiori was in some kind of a hurry, wondering if she would be bothered by such close contact. A three-legged race in such close proximity is an unthinkable event in this day and age. I sniffed Shiori’s body odor to dispel her concerns.

“Don’t worry. You smell good.”

“But don’t sniff me!　I’ve been unfairly humiliated …… ugh …….”

“Isn’t that too unreasonable?”

I half-glanced into the teary-eyed Shiori. I was just trying to reassure her. Is this what they call an annoying, unanswerable question from a girl? When asked “Which one do you prefer?” and you choose one, they still complain, or when you ask “What do you want to eat?” and they answer “Anything is fine,” they complain later.

“Uhm…something wrong, Yuki?”

“There’s nothing I can do about it. It can’t be helped. I didn’t want to say this, but…”

Just before the start, I looked around in a circle and saw the students with bloodshot eyes and balls in their hands waiting for me now.

“Only those of whom have never had a boyfriend or girlfriend will throw a stone at us.”

Pang– the starting signal sounded.

A relentless hail of balls rained down on us. The ball was filled with years of resentment.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch!”

“Wawa, that was close!　Are you okay, Yuki?”

Soft balls from the ball pit would cause little or no injury, but we were on a three-legged tripod. The scattered balls make the foothold unstable, and if I accidentally step on one and fall, I’d be out of control.

“Stop it!　It’s not right to be so backward!　It’s okay to be unpopular!　First of all, you need to redeem your pathetic guts…”

I was hit hard. Persuasion failed.

I managed to keep my balance as I ran out with Shiori, but our speed was too slow for an unaccustomed three-legged race.

It’s no use. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose anyway. Shiori, I won’t accept any complaints.”

“Eh, what’s wrong, Yuki!? –Wai, waaa!”

I hurriedly removed the restraints from Shiori’s legs and lifted her up in a princess’s embrace. Shiori’s weight rests heavily on my arms, as she is the strongest girl and has a physique that surpasses that of boys.

This is against the rules, but it was done out of concern for her safety, and she has no reason to complain. What is wrong is all the non-humans who backhandedly attacked us. Shiori’s eyes are black and white, but that’s not the point now.

“Nyohohohohoho. What’s going on here, I can’t keep up!”

I was dashing to avoid the balls with my much-improved mobility. It was too warm for me, an STG player who used to play bullet-hell games alone in a desolate arcade.

“YYYYYYYYYYYYuki?! This, tttttttttttttttthis!?”

Shiori was confused. At any rate, I couldn’t help but say the one word that came to my mind.

“————-So heavy”

“So rude?!”

[Shiori PoV]

There is supposedly a confession event at the gymnastic festival. I heard that every year, several couples are born there, confirming each other’s love , and it is quite a lively event.

I was thinking about Yuki when I heard such a story from the senior members of the women’s basketball team, who were in high spirits. During summer vacation, Yuki told me he didn’t like me, but I didn’t care. Those words must have been the ones Yuki didn’t want to say out loud. I could tell by the look on his face. There was no truth in those painful words.

Besides, I know. Yuki, who is looking for love, doesn’t have hate as well. Yuki never hated anyone in particular. Even I, who hurt him so much, even Suzurikawa, or the student council president, or Tojo-senpai, Yuki would not have any reason to dislike them even if they were his enemies. That is Yuki.

If Yuki hated someone, I would already be hated, and we would not even be able to talk to each other right now. Yuki would have insulated himself from me in junior high school, and that would have been the end of it. But it didn’t end that way. He was always kind to me, and that’s why I was always hurt.

I gathered up my courage and asked Yuki out. I thought he would reject me, but he was still kind. I thought to myself that it was a cowardly way to ask Yuki out. I didn’t let him say no, that kind of approach. Before I knew it, I had become a bad girl. Still, I wanted to make memories. I would force my way to him.

I had no intention of confessing again here and now. There was no need to rush. Yuki understands how I feel. That’s why he told me during the summer vacation that he didn’t like me. That was Yuki’s kindness. He thinks about me more than anyone else and shows me the way to be happy. But still…

(—– but still, I want to be with Yuki.)

My relationship with Yuki has just gone from negative to finally back to zero. There is no need to rush. There is no need to rush. It’s okay to slowly build things up from here on out.

I nervously wait for the start. I’ve put on deodorant spray, but I’m still a maiden. I can’t help but be bothered by the smell of sweat. As I was thinking that, Yuki sniffed me. Yuki is innocent in this way. The way she closes the distance between us and the things he says always shake my heart. I was very embarrassed. Ugh. ……

I wonder if it is a regular event(?), but they throw balls at me one after the other. We were not used to this three-legged game. The balls scattered around my feet were in the way, and I couldn’t move forward as much as I wanted.

“It’s no use. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose anyway. Shiori, I won’t accept any complaints.”

“Eh, what’s wrong, Yuki!? –Wai, waaa!”

My body is lifted gently. As soon as I thought Yuki had quickly removed the restraints from around my feet, I experienced a momentary feeling of weightlessness. After the sensation of heaven and earth being turned upside down, in no time at all, I was being carried in Yuki’s arms as a princess. I realize my situation and turn red with a cackle.

（I-I-I-I-I’m being held by Yuki—-!?)

Yuki hugged me. I feel euphoric, as if Yuki is wrapping me in his arms. I put my nose close to the thick chest. I was embarrassed when he sniffed me, but what he was doing was no different than what I was doing. I’ll admit it ……. I was ecstatic.

Yuki was laughing so hard with a straight face that he was avoiding the balls with aplomb. My heart was racing so much that Yuki could almost hear me. I am too embarrassed to look at Yuki’s face. Besides, I don’t want him to see my face right now. I’m sure that would be a disheveled face.

No, this is Yuki’s fault. It’s not me, right?　So it’s okay, right?

As if driven by the irresistible urge to seek such consent, which I cannot resist, I go ahead and embrace Yuki with all my might.

“————-So heavy”

“So rude?!”

My bold actions are cut to pieces by Yuki, who doesn’t understand the heart of a girl. Even though I care about her soberly?

However, Yuki moves lightly, as if he doesn’t feel my weight at all. This is also cool about him.

In the first place, the reason I’m growing so fast is because of you!　He always tells me to eat better and grow bigger …….

No matter how nervous I feel, Yuki always seems to be the same as usual. It’s like a sudden release of tension. It’s okay for now. I just have to keep moving forward, one step at a time like this.

Miho and the other runners are approaching the point where the second runner is waiting. Will Miho and the other runners run in a three-legged race? Or will they run like us, carrying a princess in their arms? Perhaps it will be a wonderful memory for the girl who loves Miho. I’m so happy too.

With these unhelpful thoughts, I buried my face in the chest of the person I love and decided to soak in this short-lived happiness for just a little while longer.