When an Oblivious Handsome Older Man Went Back in Time and Was Building Harlem - Chapter 15

With the sound of the pistol, the students start running, and cheers resonate. Yes, today is the sports festival. It’s unfortunate that the sky is overcast, but maybe it’s not so bad since the sunlight isn’t blinding. Am I the only one who thinks so?

The sports festival had entered the afternoon session, and the excitement was building. Since the 2nd-year relay and footrace had already concluded in the morning, the only remaining event for the 2nd-year students was the scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt is a competition in which about five students are selected from each class to participate, and it mainly serves to liven up the sports festival.

For some reason, I was chosen for the team again, just like last time. I was relieved to see that nothing had changed. Right now, it’s the third-year students’ foot race before the borrowing race, so the school’s energy level is at its peak. Even though I feel a bit hesitant about participating in the borrowing race under these circumstances, I brace myself and decide to go through with it.

“Group 5, let’s win the championship!”

We form a circle and line up. A mix of slight tension and excitement fills the air, creating a sense of exhilaration. The third-year students finish their events, and we second-years are instructed to stand up. As the third-year students exit and the announcement is made, it’s finally our turn to enter. Since I’m second, I want to finish quickly.

The first runner starts running, and everyone scatters. Looking at the people who ran together, it didn’t seem like the tasks were that difficult. Once all the first runners finished, they sat down with the borrowed people. My class came in third, so I think that’s pretty good.

It’s my turn, so I take my position. The gun goes off, and I run towards the box. I open the prompt and it says “Pink Person.”

“What do you mean by pink person?”

I couldn’t help but mutter to myself, but suddenly, Miwano-san came to mind. Her first name is Sakura, if I remember correctly. I can see why people would associate her with pink. In fact, I couldn’t think of anyone else who fits the pink image. Thinking this, I hurried to my class seat and searched for Miwano-san.

(Yees!! Lucky!!)

I was relieved that I hadn’t gone to the bathroom or anything, and at the same time, I called out to Miwano-san.

“Miwano-san, could I borrow you for a moment?”

“Huh!? Got it!!”

I ended up urging Miwano-san, who was eating snacks with her friends, but I managed to pull it out as a topic for now. I was thinking of running with Miwano-san, but then I remembered she said earlier that she twisted her ankle during the girls’ creative dance.

(It’s a bit embarrassing to make her run… but carrying her to the finish line like a princess…)

I was worried, but I thought it might be okay if I got a little attention, so I considered giving her a princess carry.

“You twisted your ankle earlier, so is it okay if I carry you to the finish line like a princess?”

“Eh!! N-no, it’s fine! Just run, ow… I might be heavy, but please take care of me.”

Because the classmates who were listening to the conversation were egging her on, Miwano-san’s face was bright red.

“Get first place!!”

After receiving such a comment, I carry Miwano-san and head back to the course. Since the relay race is accompanied by a live commentary from the broadcasting club, I’m being teased relentlessly by the announcer as well.

“Oh wow! The 5th pair of contestants! He’s carrying her like a princess! But he’s so fast! They finished in a glorious first place!!!”

Not only her face but her neck turned completely red, and while covering her face, Miwano-san was let down, and they checked if she brought someone who matched the theme.

“The theme is… a pink person, right? Um, where exactly is Miwano-san pink?”

“Ah, um, her first name is ‘Sakura’.”

“I see. Sakura, huh? Alright, that’s fine! Please line up in the first place!”

Successfully passing the review, I sit where the pole for first place is set up.

“Ha, that was embarrassing… And I’m sorry, Takai-kun. I was heavy, right?”

“No, you weren’t heavy at all. Besides, if you’re human, it’s actually a bit concerning if you don’t weigh a certain amount.”

“I see…”

In the end, Class 5 achieved a relatively good result, coming in 4th out of 10 classes. When I returned to my seat, I was teased by various classmates about the incident where I carried Miwano-san like a princess. Of course, the first one to tease me was Midori. I knew it would happen, but I was still struck by the thought of what I had done. From now on, even if I get flustered, I decided to stop doing crazy things.