LIGHTNOVELSTORY chapter 52
Sports Festival
“…It’s too hot.”
Not scorching, but the heat was getting to me. With the summer break over and the new term beginning, the sports festival kicked off as the first event.
The high school I attend is fairly large with a considerable number of students. Hence, the sheer number of tents set up on the grounds was impressive, and not to mention, the number of parents was substantial as well. Well, it’s my second year, and I experienced it last year too, but even without that, this crowd… Oh, the cheers are so loud.
“hahahaha, Towa’s participating.”
“Shu… Thanks, pops.”
Under the red tent, this year, Towa and Shu were assigned to the red team out of the three colors. Basically, in elementary and middle school, basically, last year, I was on the same team as Shu. I don’t know what kind of luck it is, but we really end up together a lot.
Seeing me struggling in the heat, Shu smiled wryly, handing me a sports drink from the sky to quench my thirst, and I drank it eagerly to hydrate my parched throat.
「… Puh!」
On such a hot day, nothing beats a cold drink.
“You drink well.”
“Well, yeah. It’s not even noon yet… Can’t this end soon?”
In any school, a sports festival typically takes a whole day. I’m already tired, not to the point of being completely worn out, but it’s only been about two hours since it started. It’s a major event where all grades participate, quite lively and fun, but tiring nonetheless.
“For third-year students, this is the last year… Well, it’s also the duty of underclassmen to accompany them.”
“That’s true.”
Third-year students will graduate next year, taking different paths to either university or work. Because of that, they want to enjoy events like this, where students can let loose for the last time. What’s happening now is a classic bread-eating competition. It’s an event for third-year students, and indeed, their determination in the competition seems different.
“Good luck, seniors!!”
“Whoa!”
“Just a bit more! No, a little more!”
“Yay, keep running just like that!”
It’s really getting exciting.
I was surprised to see that even high school students do bread-eating competitions, but watching it, it’s not just lively; it’s quite intense and genuinely enjoyable as a spectator.
People who smoothly grab the bread, others who fail repeatedly… There’s even a senior girl who seems like she might cry because she’s too short to reach. Isn’t that pitiful?
“What do you think about that?”
“… It’s really sad.”
I feel like helping her, seeing her desperately jump and still not reach. But just then, a man who seemed to be her father jumped out. He lifted the senior girl to where she could grab the bread, and thanks to him, she managed to get it.
“Thanks, Dad!”
“Ah!”
Oh, so it was her father after all.
Although it was clearly an outsider’s intervention, everyone in the venue applauded the parent and child, feeling moved by the interaction. The father, looking embarrassed, smiled and bowed… Oh, did the mother turn bright red the moment she returned? Was she the one who gave him a smack?
“Well, if my daughter were in trouble like that…”
“I’m sure the mother understands…”
The competition continued, probably feeling like a long-awaited moment for Shuu. At the starting point, Iori stood. It was amusing to see her go from looking disinterested moments ago to leaning forward slightly in excitement upon spotting Iori. It seemed like Iori noticed Shuu too, as she cutely winked at him.
“Let’s move forward a bit and cheer her on.”
“Okay.”
We pushed through the crowd of students and stepped forward.
Then, with a loud sound of bread, Iori and the others started running. When they reached the place where the bread was hanging, Iori seemed to be struggling quite a bit. While her height wasn’t an issue, she couldn’t quite reach, so she tried to jump a little, but couldn’t bite it properly.
“Go for it, Iori!”
“Whoa!”
“Wow!”
“Is there an earthquake just there!?”
Now, as she kept jumping like that… Well, what can I say? Iori’s chest was bouncing unbelievably. Iori’s size is probably the biggest in the school, and when carrying such large assets, that’s bound to happen.
As a high school boy, I can understand the curiosity about such aspects of girls, but it’s best not to say it too loudly. There’s a girl behind giving looks as if she’s looking at trash. Geez, Shuu should just purely cheer—
“Oh.”
“…”
Well, even Shuu was just watching normally.
Iori, still unable to bite properly, was shaking that weapon of hers. Surprisingly, not only her but other participants seemed distracted by it and couldn’t bite properly. I thought Iori might be a strategist, but she seems irritated by the lack of success, so it’s probably all genuine.
“… Well, that’s quite something.”
Not just guys, but an amazing presence that even catches the attention of girls… It was at that moment, while staring intently like that, when I felt a poke on my cheek and reflexively shifted my gaze towards it.
“What are you so eagerly looking at? Towa-kun?”
With a slight sense of pressure, Ayana, who had somehow come to be by my side, asked me so.
It wasn’t strange for Ayana to be by my side, as she shared the same color not only with Shuu but also with me. She wasn’t by my side earlier because she was helping out with the management along with the other girls. Now, what should I say to be forgiven when caught staring at another girl’s chest by my beloved girlfriend?
But such worries were needless.
“Well, I guess that’s inevitable. I find myself looking a bit too.”
Saying so with a wry smile, Ayana struggled… oh, she finally got it. Even though it should have taken quite some time, it was Io who finished first, amidst everyone being so engrossed that they didn’t notice. Oh right, Io, despite being in a different grade, shares the same color as us in red.
“I did think it was quite a spectacle, but since you have a girlfriend like Ayana, I shouldn’t get so captivated.”
“I understand. I know how hopelessly captivated you are by me, Towa-kun!”
Even though she pouted her lips, her lovely smile made me think she was truly adorable. If it weren’t for this unbearable heat, I might have held her in my arms, but both Ayana and I refrained from embracing in this sweltering heat.
“Oh, Ayana’s back.”
“Yes. I saw you two completely engrossed in staring at breasts, you know?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Well, that person would probably be delighted, though.”
Certainly, Io would be delighted if he knew that Shuu was so captivated. Despite his attitude being quite obvious, Shuu still seemed oblivious to Io’s potential creation of a fait accompli.
“I think it’s more suitable for Shuu to have someone who can rein him in like that. Shuu isn’t the type to lead someone.”
“You’re quite straightforward…”
“We are childhood friends.”
“…I see.”
Perhaps due to the events just before the end of summer vacation, Ayana and Shuu’s relationship had improved enough for them to exchange light banter. Watching this scene… I don’t know, it makes me incredibly happy. Despite everything that’s happened, we are connected in every way, and being able to feel that is truly heartwarming.
“Oh, it’s our turn next. Let’s go, Towa-kun!”
“Good luck, both of you!”
“Yeah!”
Next up is the two-person three-legged obstacle relay race with Ayana and me.
When I saw this event, I couldn’t help but think, am I the only one who feels it might be better to separate the two-person three-legged race from the obstacle race?
[Afterword]
I’ve run out of stock, so updates will be irregular, I apologize.