The Story of Waking up With My Beautiful Childhood Friend and Realizing We Had Spent the Night Together - Chapter 37: Sports Festival

Chapter 37: Sports Festival

…What did that mean, I wonder?

Sekiya-senpai’s words from the other day echo in my mind.

—You’d better not get involved.

That’s what Sekiya-senpai told me.

Why did he feel that way?

I try to think about the meaning of those words…

(…No.)

I shake my head and stop my thoughts.

Everyone has their own sense of things. He just happened to feel that way.

…It’s not something I need to worry about.

“…Phew.”

A park at midnight.

I catch my breath and wipe my sweat.

What I’m doing now is checking my running form, which has become something of a routine.

The park is the one I visited with Mizuki before.

Because it’s late at night, no one else is around.

It’s the perfect place for running practice.

(…If Asahi saw this, she’d probably be noisy again.)

“Senpai! You’re doing it all wrong! Your arm swing should be more like this!”

Her loud voice replays in my head, and I can’t help but smile wryly.

She’s seriously annoying when it comes to sports…

But that probably means she’s just that earnest about it.

—Since the morning training with Asahi ended,

I’ve somehow kept up my solo practice.

The person who forced me into training is no longer here, but even so…

“—Here.”

Just then, a pure white towel is suddenly held out from the side.

Turning my head, I see her there as if it’s the most natural thing—my childhood friend.

“…Thanks.”

I take the towel and wipe my face.

Mizuki quietly watches me as I do.

“…What?”

“…Nothing. Just thought you’re working hard.”

“Well, yeah.”

Still expressionless, her emotions unreadable.

“…Is it for Asahi-chan?”

“…Huh?”

Those words make me freeze.

Then… after a short pause.

“…No.”

It’s true that Asahi trained me passionately.

And I do want to live up to that. I want to show my best to my junior.

But more than anything—

“It’s for myself.”

Originally, the reason I wanted to train my body, the reason I accepted Asahi’s guidance,

was because I wanted to change.

And that reason, of course…

“…”

“…?”

—Is right in front of me, in the form of my flawless childhood friend.

“…Having a perfect girlfriend can be a problem, too…”

I mutter without thinking.

Hearing that, Mizuki looks puzzled for a moment.

…Then, she smiles gently, as if she can’t help it.

—And before I knew it, the day had arrived.

The day of the sports festival.

“We solemnly—!! Vow to fight fairly—!! Using every ounce of our strength—!! Until the very end!!!!”

“““We vow—!!!!”””

…

The energy is high.

Pointlessly high. Suffocatingly intense.

“YEAHHH!! LET’S DO THIS, GUYS!!!”

“WOOOOOO!!!”

The athletic types let out roars of excitement.

Just to confirm, this is a school sports festival.

It’s not a club competition or anything with prizes.

Still… the energy is bizarrely high, especially among the second-years.

The reason is obvious.

The boys suddenly turn and wave toward one corner of the girls’ tent.

And there, of course—

“…”

Under the tent,

sits a stunning girl in her gym uniform, seated gracefully.

She seems a little confused at being waved at.

But, urged on by the cheerful female teacher beside her…

“…”

—She waves back, modestly.

Instantly—

“““UWOOOOOOOOHHH!!!!”””

An explosion of cheers.

More than enough motivation for the boys.

Everyone’s going wild from the encouragement of their dream girl.

…But I can tell.

That cold gaze of hers.

A face that says, “I don’t get it, but if this cheers them up, fine.”

Right now, I’m pretty sure she’s already moved on from the sports festival and is thinking about what to make for dinner.

…Girls can be really cruel sometimes, I think, when—

“And now, the first event will begin…”

The announcement echoes.

The sports festival begins.

The morning events proceed without issue.

The usual ball toss. Then somehow surviving the tug-of-war.

“…Ugh…”

“What’s with that tired voice?”

Renji nudges my shoulder from beside me.

I mean, come on… there’s no way I won’t be sore tomorrow.

I’ve been training more lately, but I feel like it uses different muscles.

I feel joints in my body crackle and pop.

“That’s what you get for trying too hard. Just take it easy.”

“Shut up, you playboy.”

Once I start, I can’t help but take it seriously.

Because of the atmosphere.

…It’s moments like this that really make me realize how Japanese I am.

“Don’t waste your stamina now. The 50-meter dash is coming up.”

“…I know.”

For me, the real deal is after this.

Of course, I’ve been trying to conserve my energy, but still…

“Huh? Where you headed?”

“Bathroom.”

I leave the tent and walk through the school building.

Everyone’s hyped up from the heat and excitement.

There are lots of people, it’s noisy, and it’s hot.

For someone like me, who’s more of an introvert, this is a rough environment.

As I walk with slight exhaustion—

“—Asahi-chan! What events are you doing this afternoon?”

I hear a voice from up ahead.

Looking over, I see what looks like a group of first-year girls.

And in the center of them—

“Ah, um… The 50-meter dash and… the cavalry battle, I think.”

“Wow, so sporty! I’m already tired from just the ball toss.”

Asahi, smiling and chatting with her classmates.

I find myself stopping in my tracks.

—Ever since she started spending time with Mizuki,

“The girl Yukimura-san dotes on.”

That label forcibly boosted Asahi’s position in the school’s social hierarchy.

From a bullied girl to her original… no, even higher status.

Her standing at school was quickly restored.

And that scene is the proof.

(…She’s okay now.)

Seeing her like that, I smile softly.

I’m glad. That she can smile again.

A gloomy look doesn’t suit Asahi.

She’s better off laughing like an idiot.

In the end, I couldn’t do anything for her… but still, I’m glad.

Just as I’m about to turn away from the sight of Asahi laughing with her classmates—

“—”

Suddenly, Asahi looks over here.

Our eyes meet.

And then—

“…!”

She quickly looks away.

So unnaturally.

Seeing that, I let out a sigh.

(…Seriously, what’s going on with her?)

Did I do something? Is there another reason?

I don’t know, but…

If she’s not struggling anymore—

(…Then it’s fine.)

There’s no need to force any more involvement.

“Senpai already has a girlfriend. You shouldn’t be so nice to other girls, you know?”

Asahi’s words cross my mind.

—Yeah, you’re right, Asahi.

I have a girlfriend.

Someone precious to me—someone I want to be with forever.

That’s why—

(…I only need to look at Mizuki.)

If I do that, everything will surely go well.

“—Hey, Iori. It’s about time.”

“Yeah.”

“Next is the 50-meter dash. Participants, please start moving to the track.”

“…Alright. Let’s go.”

“Hell yeah.”

But just one thing.

If I can be selfish just once more—

(…I kinda want to hear her thoughts.)

It’s true she trained me passionately.

She even randomly gave me a six-second goal.

So, if I manage to hit that goal…

(…Maybe she’ll at least say something.)

With that thought, I fired myself up.

“…Target time: under seven seconds.”

“Whoa, seriously? You think I can pull that off?”

And then, the two of us walked to our assigned spots.

SIDE: Asahi

“Participants, please move to the track.”

The announcement for the boys’ 50-meter dash.

I find myself looking for him.

(—There.)

A familiar boy.

Because of his delicate face, he could be mistaken for a girl from afar.

But I know.

That lately, from all the training, his body has gotten a lot stronger.

(…Good luck.)

I cheer for him in my heart.

I can’t say it out loud.

Because…

“…”

I glance to the side.

A breathtakingly beautiful woman, watching the field with a faint smile.

“From now on, don’t get involved with Amano-kun anymore.”

I still don’t know what that meant.

I have ideas. But they’re ridiculous.

I almost want to laugh.

I mean… this person? No way.

I can’t believe it. But…

“…Alright. I understand.”

…Still, I took her hand.

I chose my own safety over Iori-senpai.

So now…

“First place, Red Team: Amano Iori!”

I have no right to share that joy with him.