The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best

O-oh…

The next group is also incredibly intense. They’re almost side by side. Everyone is really fast. I wonder if there are any ties.

“Gouda-kun, I came in first place.”

The first place in the second group was Fukata-san. It was a very close race, but Fukata-san, who seemed to shift into a higher gear at the end, pulled ahead of everyone and crossed the finish line.

Fukata-san was walking while waving her hand slightly and still seems to have a bit of leeway.

But the girls who finished in second place or lower are exhausted, with both hands and knees on the ground. It really looks like they gave it their all. I wonder if they’re okay… Oh, the staff members are rushing over, so they should be fine.

“Yeah, Fukata-san came in first place. Congratulations!”

As I approached to quickly hand over the award flag, Fukata-san, without touching the award flag,

——Hmm?

For some reason, she hugged me.

“Fukata-san?”

Why is she hugging me? Everyone who borrowed the staff’s shoulder to stand up and was staggering is now looking at me with a fierce expression.

“This is… Hehe. I’m glad I came in the first place. I hugged a man for the first time.”

Does she hug for coming in the first place? Wasn’t it just the prize flag? I didn’t hear anything about it… Speaking of which, when the first runner, Kimishima-san, was about to collapse, I ended up hugging her, so it turned into a hug after all.

——So that’s how it was.

This is definitely a case where changes were made while I wasn’t at school.

I haven’t heard anything, but the competition has already started, and if everyone thinks so, then I have no choice but to go along with it, huh…

“Fukata-san, shall we go ahead and receive the prized flag?”

Fukata-san is very soft, but while pretending to be calm and not minding it, I lightly pull her shoulders apart and present the award flag in front of her.

“Gouda-kun, I hugged a man for the first time, and it was really nice.”

“Th-that’s good to hear.”

“Yeah.”

Fukata-san, who gave a small thumbs-up, took the prize flag from me and walked away.

The next person, and the one after that, were from different classes, and I was meeting them for the first time, but as expected from someone who had fought hard to win first place in a close competition, they confidently asked for a hug, spreading their arms wide despite looking a bit embarrassed.

I thought it might be some kind of mistake, but if four people keep coming, it can’t be a mistake.

As expected, the first-place prize included not only the trophy but also a hug.

But the person who came in first after that was from a different class.

“Congratulations on coming in first place!”

“Hmph.”

She took the prize flag from me and then left. No hug, of course.

——What was that person just now…!? No, wait, maybe not.

Because there are many kind women, I might have misunderstood, no, I have already misunderstood, but if I reflect on my past actions, the current reactions of women are also normal.

Even though I thought I understood it in my head, I was getting carried away without realizing it…

Familiarity is scary. I used to be like this too, continuing down this path and getting things wrong. I need to be careful.

“Hah, hah, Gouda-kun, I came in first place, hah, I did it.”

The next first place was Kirishima-san, who had become a bit friendly, but I couldn’t get excited because the earlier incident was still on my mind.

Maybe I’m enduring more than I think.

“Ah, I lost to Tsukune.”

Second place was Makino-san. Were they running in the same group? Makino-san is always so energetic; I wish I could share in that energy.

——Alright.

I muster up some determination in my heart and forcefully raise my spirits to match Makino-san and the others.

“Kirishima-san! Yes, congratulations on coming in first place!”

Kirishima-san hugged me, looking a bit shy. I felt a bit relieved because I still had the earlier incident on my mind. Thank you, Kirishima-san.

“Makino-san, you were so close to second place too.”

“Ahh, I missed out on getting a hug from Gouda-kun~”

“Haha. It’s not that great.”

“Hmph!”

Then, Makino-san slightly forcefully pulled Kirishima-san’s hand. The two of them started whispering to each other.

But these two, if they don’t move a bit further away from me, I’ll be able to hear Kirishima-san’s “Good job” voice from over here.

——Pfft.

Both of them are really funny. Thanks to them, my heavy feelings have lightened up.

In the end, only one person was rejected, but this was a good stimulus.

————————

“Hmm.”

The program continues with team sports, grade relays, and dance, but in every event, I was at a loss where to look, as expected.

Even if I don’t watch, the teachers sitting at the same headquarters will still ask me if I’m enjoying the sports festival, so I feel pressured.

But the teachers are also participating in the competition, so they’re wearing gym uniforms. I wonder why they aren’t wearing tracksuits. Their thighs are pretty much weapons…

“Fuh.”

I just don’t want to be misunderstood as looking at them lewdly…

Everyone is wearing different clothes than usual, so I can’t help but notice everything…

Here, women don’t aggressively pursue men (though there are exceptions everywhere), but they seem to have a desire to get at least a little interest from men, often glancing over to see how things are going.

“Gouda-kun, there’s dust in your hair…”

“Gouda-kun, was the barley tea good?”

“Please use this towel.”

So if something happens, they’ll notice it right away and take the initiative to handle it.

But, I guess this is what makes men arrogant…

“Gouda-kun, you’re next, please.”

“Yes.”

The second-year students’ race was more impressive than the first-year students’.

Everyone was so serious that it felt like I might mistake it for an athletics competition.

I was surprised to see so many students collapsing after finishing first, but I guess everyone pushed themselves to their limits.

Suddenly, I had to carry them to the nearby rest area, but they ended up getting a nosebleed, making it even worse. I’m sorry, senpai.

But I’m glad it ended safely.