The October sky was clear and vast, with a few white clouds hanging on the horizon.
As the rousing marching band music played over the broadcast and the short, moving opening ceremony concluded, the Sports Festival officially began.
To complete the school-wide competition within the limited time, the schedule was extremely tight. Whistles sounded continuously across the field, and cheers and sighs interwove into a wave of heat.
"Students participating in the First Year Boys' 100-meter preliminary round, please report to the check-in area..."
"Next up is..."
Thanks to Horikita Suzune's vindictive scheduling, Natsukawa's competition timetable for the day was extremely tight. To ensure Horikita accepted her defeat wholeheartedly, he deliberately didn't slack off, achieving a top-three finish in practically every event he entered. With such a heavy workload, even his 'well-trained' body was starting to sweat.
Red Team, the gathering area for Class D girls.
Sakura Airi's large eyes, like a radar, constantly tracked the figure of that black-haired boy on the field. Even in the chaotic crowd, she could spot him instantly.
"Airi."
A slightly lazy but teasing voice came from beside her.
Sakura jumped in surprise. She turned her head and saw Hasebe Haruka resting her chin on one hand, looking at her with a helpless expression.
"Ha-Haru? What is it?"
"You ask what's wrong..." Hasebe sighed, pointing at Sakura's eyes, which were practically glued to Natsukawa. "Your gaze is way too obvious, isn't it? It's like a little dog staring at a bone... *cough*, staring at its master."
"Eh?! N-no, I wasn't!"
Sakura Airi's face instantly flushed red, and she waved her hands frantically. "I'm just... just watching everyone's matches..."
"Everyone? I think there's only one person in your eyes." Although Hasebe Haruka usually seemed somewhat aloof and uninterested in her surroundings, she had an unexpectedly sharp and caring side when it came to friends she approved of.
She looked at Natsukawa, who had just finished his race and was walking around resting on the field, then looked at her blushing best friend beside her, a smile playing on her lips.
"Since you care so much, instead of standing here like a statue waiting for your husband, why not do something practical?"
"Pr-practical?"
"Like taking him some water." Hasebe pointed to the water bottle at Sakura's feet. "He's competed in so many events, he must be tired. He'd probably be very happy if he could drink a mouthful of 'love water' right now, wouldn't he?"
"But..." Sakura hesitated, twisting her fingers together. "What if I accidentally bother him..."
"It's a break right now, how would you bother him?" Hasebe gently pushed her back. "Go on, Airi. It's a rare Sports Festival, try to muster some courage."
Pushed by her friend, Sakura Airi finally gathered her courage.
"O-okay... then I'm going!"
...Under the shade of a tree at the edge of the rest area.
Natsukawa Sosuke was just about to look for a bottle of mineral water when a figure blocked his path.
"You worked hard, Natsukawa-kun."
Karuizawa Kei held a towel in her hand and naturally offered it to him.
Today, she had tied her hair into a refreshing ponytail, which swayed lightly with her movements, making her look especially youthful and energetic.
"Thanks."
Natsukawa took the towel and casually wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Ah..."
Just then, a short gasp came from not far away.
Natsukawa and Karuizawa turned their heads simultaneously. A few meters away, Sakura Airi was frozen in place, hugging her water bottle. She looked at Karuizawa, who was standing right next to Natsukawa, and a flicker of panic instantly crossed her previously expectant eyes.
It was the instinctive retreat of a small animal long accustomed to the bottom of the food chain, encountering a "predator" from the upper echelon of the class.
They had run into each other.
(Karuizawa-san... is here too.)
(Maybe I... really shouldn't go over and bother them right now?)
The little bit of courage Sakura had built up in the stands instantly vanished. She instinctively took a step back, wanting to temporarily escape the situation and wait until Karuizawa had left.
Natsukawa Sosuke looked at the girl and sighed helplessly inwardly.
He handed the used towel back to Karuizawa, gave her a look that said "wait a moment," and then strode over to Sakura Airi.
"What's wrong? Running away when you see me?"
"So-Sōsuke-kun..." Sakura's path was blocked. She could only lower her head, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I saw Karuizawa-san was here... I was afraid of disturbing you two..."
"Were you here to bring me water?"
Natsukawa ignored her excuse, his gaze fixed on the familiar water bottle in her arms.
"...Yes."
"Then hand it over. I was just about to look for something to drink."
Natsukawa reached out, took the water bottle directly from her arms, unscrewed the cap, and took a big gulp.
"Ha—Airi's homemade lemonade really is the best."
Hearing that, Sakura Airi's previously gloomy mood instantly brightened. She secretly raised her eyes, watched Natsukawa's bobbing Adam's apple, and two red patches appeared on her cheeks.
"After the boys' events, the girls' events are next, right?" Natsukawa handed the water bottle back to her, his tone softening. "Don't be nervous. Just stick to the rhythm we used during our special training. Remember to keep your center of gravity low when starting."
"Yes! I remember!" Sakura nodded vigorously. After a month of training, she instinctively reacted to Natsukawa's instructions, and the timidity in her eyes was replaced by fighting spirit.
"Go on. I'll be watching from below."
"Mhm! I'll do my best! I definitely won't let Sōsuke-kun's special training go to waste!"
Encouraged, the girl seemed to be injected with the strength of a hundred people. Hugging her water bottle, she ran lightly toward the check-in area... After seeing Sakura off, Natsukawa turned and walked back into the shade.
Karuizawa Kei was standing there, clutching the towel in her hand, her lips slightly pouted, looking displeased.
"Tch... What's so great about that gloomy country bumpkin?"
She mumbled softly. The volume was low, but Natsukawa still caught it.
"What's wrong? Jealous?"
Natsukawa walked over and pinched her cheek with a smile.
"W-who's jealous!" Karuizawa slapped Natsukawa's hand away and turned her face. "I wouldn't be jealous of a big pig trotter like you! I just... I just think that a girl who can't even speak clearly doesn't deserve to be around a truly strong person!"
A typical tsundere remark.
Natsukawa wasn't annoyed. He naturally put his arm around her shoulder and whispered into her ear:
"Yes, yes, yes, our Kei is the cutest."
"Did your injury from last time affect your training?"
"Hmph... What a stiff way to change the subject."
"Not at all. I've genuinely been worried that the injury you sustained because of me might negatively affect your performance today..."
...Through Natsukawa's comforting words, although Karuizawa was still talking tough, her body obediently leaned against Natsukawa, and her previous displeasure vanished.
She understood the principle of knowing when enough is enough. She could throw minor tantrums in front of this man, but she couldn't genuinely act unreasonable.
The two of them messed around for a while longer until Natsukawa's name was called again over the broadcast.
"I'm going now. See you later."
Natsukawa released her, adjusted his sportswear, and turned toward the track.
Karuizawa Kei stood rooted to the spot, watching the figure enveloped in sunlight. The smile on her face gradually faded, and her gaze became complex.
Was she sad?
Of course she was sad.
Seeing the person she liked being gentle with another girl, and even drinking water given by another girl right in front of her, any normal girl would feel a lump in her chest.
But... Karuizawa lowered her head, looked at the towel in her hand, and curled her lips into a self-mocking bitter smile.
(Karuizawa, you need to face reality.)
She told herself inwardly.
(You are merely a parasite clinging to a strong person.)
(The space next to him is so crowded. Ichinose Honami, Kushida Kikyo... which one isn't superior to me, which one isn't more dazzling?)
(Not to mention I'm just a latecomer...)
...However,
As long as he hasn't gotten tired of this game.
As long as he is still willing to leave me a place to stay by his side, protecting me from malicious harm.
Then, even if it's just pretense, even if the sweetness is fake... what does it matter? Compared to the fear of being swallowed by the abyss at any moment, this small heartache is nothing at all.
"As long as... I can stay by his side."
She took a deep breath, put on her gyaru smile again, and walked toward the Class D base.
However, her beating heart still felt like something was blocking it, heavy and slightly suffocated...
...
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