There was a mishap during the cavalry battle, but after that, the events proceeded without any further incidents.
“The final event is about to begin! The last competition will be the mixed-grade relay!” (Announcer)
When the final event was announced, cheers erupted from all the classes.
The scores were evenly matched across all classes.
“Now, let me explain the rules of the event. Two representatives from each grade will run. The order will be 3rd years, then 2nd years, and finally 1st years. So, senpais, do your best to make things easier for your kouhais.” (Announcer)
Once the announcement ended, we were surrounded by our senpais.
“Nice to meet you, first-years. We’ll do our best so you guys can take it easy.” (Senpai)
“Don’t overthink it—just run. Even if we don’t win, we will take the responsibility.” (Senpai)
They said that to reassure us as we stood there nervously.
“Thank you, senpais. We’ll do our best too.” (Yuuto)
Kouhei spoke up to the seniors.
Once they finished talking to Kouhei, the senpais turned toward me.
“Do your best on the anchor leg. Gotta show your girl something cool, right?” (Senpai)
With that, the senpai ruffled my hair playfully.
“Yes, I’ll do my best. But… she’s not really my girlfriend or anything…” (Yuuto)
It seemed like the last part of my sentence didn’t reach their ears.
After spending some time bonding with the senpais, we finally began preparing for the last event.
Then, when it was time, the 3rd-year senpais lined up in their lanes.
At the sound of the starting pistol, they all burst forward at once.
The senpai from my group launched forward with great momentum, making a successful start dash.
He and the group that had done the dirty tackle were neck and neck, fighting for first and second place.
They remained evenly matched, but the 2nd-year senpai running before Kouhei stumbled at the corner and fell.
Fortunately, he quickly got back up, but we had dropped to second place.
When he passed the baton to Kouhei, he apologized.
Kouhei took the baton and immediately made up the distance, sticking right behind the runner ahead.
The runner ahead handed the baton to the same person who had made that dirty tackle earlier, and I received the baton from Kouhei right after.
I sprinted with everything I had.
I caught up right behind him and drew even at the final corner.
In that moment, he thrust his elbow toward my face.
I leaned slightly forward to dodge it, and perhaps because he didn’t expect me to avoid it, his baton slipped from his hand.
I kept going and crossed the finish line, and our team won the race.
TL Notes:
Thanks for reading!
Footnote:
- None