I’m Gonna Live with You Not Because My Parents Left Me Their Debt But Because I Like You - Chapter 184: I'll Pass the Baton!

Chapter 184: I’ll Pass the Baton!

The running order of the mixed gender relay could be freely decided by the class, and there was no particular rule. The orthodox order consisted of boys, girls, girls, boys, but every year there were a few classes that tried to break the order and make a surprise attack.

“What are you going to do this year, Yuya? Do you want to do something?”

“No, if we want to win, let’s keep it orthodox rather than trying to do something strange.”

Shinji asked me, and I didn’t hesitate to answer. Even if we switched the order of men and women, it would be surprising and exciting, but that was all. There were not many girls who were able to run faster than Nikaido and Kaede, so I didn’t think we needed to do anything unnecessary.

“Rather, it’s up to me and Shinji to win the championship. The anchor–“

“I’ll leave the anchor to Yuya! Leave the top to me! I’ll give you the lead!”

“Yes, yes! Then I’ll run for third! I’ll connect to Yuya-kun!”

“Then I guess I’ll be the second runner. I’ll take it easy on you. Higurashi, don’t fall behind, okay?”

Before I could say anything, the three of us ran for a place to run. Then he looked at me as if to say that was the decision. I’m going to be the anchor again this year!?

“You know, Yuya, you were so disappointed last year when you couldn’t get past the senior anchors. You have to get your revenge this year!”

Shinji was right, in last year’s class relay, Shinji and Nikaido took the lead, but the third place girl was overtaken and dropped to third place while handing the baton to me as anchor. I managed to push myself up to second place, but I was just short of the third-year seniors, and I was in tears.

“At that time, Yoshizumi didn’t seem to be in the mood to lose a relay race at a sports festival. It was like we lost because of his own fault, and it was hard to watch.”

Shinji nodded his head in agreement to Nikaido’s words with a bitter smile. He was frustrated because he had lost the victory right in front of his eyes. It was like losing a game because you missed a shot in a one-on-one situation with the keeper.

“Yuya-kun does his best when it comes to winning, and he has a competitive streak. That’s why let’s win this year.”

Kaede smiled benevolently at me as she placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Yuya-kun. I’ll be with you this year. I will definitely pass the baton given to me by Higurashi-kun and Ai-chan to Yuya-kun in first place!”

Kaede made a goofy fist and declared forcefully. Nikaido and Shinji both nodded that they would leave it to her.

“So, Yuya, please don’t get all worked up by yourself, okay? Let’s grab the victory together!”

“Haha… I’m no match for Kaede. That’s right. The four of us are going to win!”

“Aah, once you’ve decided that, it’s time to practice your baton pass! I’ve heard that underhand passes are leaner, so let’s practice that!”

No, Kaede. This was the baton pass used by the Japanese national relay team, and it was extremely difficult, you know? It was said that there was no other country that used this baton pass except for the Japanese national team? It was impossible for us who were not on the track and field team to do it, you know?

“You can’t give up before you even try! If you give up, that’s the end of the game,  the great teacher said!”

We couldn’t help but gush over the high quality imitation that Kaede would occasionally do. We couldn’t help but wonder where she was coming from with her voice.

“Mou, why are you laughing!? It’s awful, Yuya-kun!”

Kaede protested by slapping me on the back with her poka-poka. If I pat her on the head with a reed here and there, Nikaido will get mad at me again, so I gently grabbed her hand.

“It’s time to practice. Let’s give up the underhand pass and do it normally. That’s good enough for me.”

“Yes, yes… I understand.”

Kaede turned over with a slight blush on her cheeks. Okay, she was quiet now, just like we planned.

We were finally able to start practicing for the relay. That was right, let’s ask Otsuki-san to measure our time.

When I tried to find out where she was, my eyes met Nikaido. She looked at me with cold eyes like she was in the middle of a cold snap.

“What the hell… ?”

“It’s nothing, okay? It’s not like I’m annoyed by Metoppuru who immediately starts flirting no matter what I do, you know?”

“No, I think you’re letting your true feelings show.”

“Hmph. I hope Yoshizumi gets kicked by a horse! Takumi! Sorry, I need you to measure my time, can I ask you to do it for me… !?”

After saying what she wanted to say, Nikaido ran a short distance to Otsuki-san who was practicing the ball game with the others.

“Yuya… really, don’t go too far, okay?”

My best friend also nailed me. I don’t get it.