Next up is the three-legged race. All participants, please
The noon section of the sports festival had progressed smoothly, and it was finally time for the big final event, the three-legged race. The competitors had already gathered in the center of the field, and among them were Ryuichi and Shizuna.
Alright, weve got this.
Yeah.
The three-legged race was a competition in which two people ran in pairs, and the most crucial factor to achieving victory was for both runners to synchronize their breathing and movements.
While most pairs were male-male and female-female, Ryuichis partner was, of course, Shizuna. Shizuna tied their legs together with a string and smiled happily.
Now you wont be able to get away from me for a while, Ryuichi-kun.
Normally those words would be a little terrifying, but since youre the one whos saying it, it just comes off as cute. Really cute.
Both Ryuichi and Shizuna had some free time on their hands since their turn had yet to come, but they were completely flirting with each other while cheering for their own team.
Their classmates looked on with smiles, but the seniors and juniors, especially the boys without girlfriends, stared at them with vexed looks.
Oh, its almost time.
Yup.
Finally, it was their turn.
Do your best out there, Shishido, Shizuna!
Yeah!
Of course!
Sohei cheered them on, and they replied back before lining up at the starting point. As usual, the grounds were filled with a lively atmosphere of cheering, and the voices of Chisa and the other girls could be heard quite loudly as the two lined up.
Ryuichi and Shizuna both nodded at each other, saying, We cant lose this, and with the sound of the pistol signaling the start, they began their run.
Woah, the Shishido-Shizuna pair is really fast!! Both their starting dash and their follow-up are swift and nimble!
The two of them were in perfect sync. Since it was a three-legged race, they could not run at full speed, and Ryuichi and Shizuna also had different strides when running, so Ryuichi was basically matching Shizunas stride.
One, two; one, two; one, two.
The two of them calmly chanted the shouts theyd practiced as they ran. Perhaps the pairs behind them were struggling a bit, but the distance between Ryuichi and Shizuna and the others was quite wide, and they should be able to reach the goal with enough time to spare if they continued at this rate.
However, it was then that an unexpected accident occurred.
Huh?
It was Shizunas voice. Ryuichi, drawn by her voice, turned his gaze quickly and saw a child jumping out of the audience seats. It seemed that they had come out to catch a ball that had rolled in front of them, but the timing at which theyd done so was very bad.
Ugh
Shizuna?!
It would have been best if they could avoid the kid, but it had happened so suddenly that they had no choice but to stop. Since their legs were connected by a string, stopping suddenly would naturally cause them to lose their balance slightly.
Just as it seemed like they had fortunately come to a perfect stop, Shizuna fell to her knees and collapsed.
Wanna come with, Shishido?
Nah, I wont go. Sorry.
Ryuichi said this while looking at Shizunas leg, and the male student who spoke to him readily relented and nodded in understanding. After he wished Shizuna a quick recovery, he asked her this question somewhat embarrassedly
By the way, Rindo-san.
Yes?
Does it really make you happy to have your boyfriend carry you like that?
It makes me really happy. I feel like Im falling more and more for Ryuichi-kun.
Oh Gah, strong men really are popular with the ladies, huh.
Not really, thats just a special case, Ryuichi thought as he gave a wry smile.
Not really, thats just a special case
, Ryuichi thought as he gave a wry smile.
Chisa and Satsuki would be getting together at Shizunas house again today, as they were going to have another evening party to celebrate Ryuichi and Shizunas hard work at the sports festival.
It seemed they would be coming after they did some preparations, so Ryuichi and Shizuna went home first in the car Sakie was driving.
Wait a sec.
Ryuichi was the first to get out of the car once they arrived home. He went around to Shizunas side and took her hand, holding her up in his arms again.
Geez, you really didnt have to.
Dont be ridiculous. Im doing this because you, a wonderful girl, are now my girlfriend.
It feels like Im getting more and more corrupted with every word you say.
Im pretty sure youre already corrupted, you know?
Sakie launched a direct attack at her with that calm retort.
Even though it was only a sprained ankle, if it got worse, it would be painful for her to even move her leg. Therefore, it would be best for her to rest for today and pray that her injury didnt get any worse.
Then I guess Ill fawn on you more than usual today, Ryuichi-kun.
Perfect. So, what do you want me to do?
Ryuichi replied as such to her as she sat on the sofa. When Shizuna heard him ask her what she wanted him to do, she gave him a heated look, and her eyes grew intoxicated for some reason.
Whats wrong?
If you ask women what you want them to have you do from up there like that, youre going to make them tingle, you dummy.
So its my fault?
Yes. Of course its your fault, since you, a wonderful man, have become my boyfriend now, Ryuichi-kun.
Those words were like a kind of payback for what he had said earlier. Later, Chisa and Satsuki joined them as promised, and the evening turned into a lively one.
This was Ryuichis first time seriously participating in a sports festival, and it would remain etched in his memory forever with wonderful memories.