Early morning.
Normally, I’d wake up sluggishly on an ordinary day, but today was different.
So, today’s the big day… It was really tough…
I stretch, basking in the morning sun and indulging in sentimentality.
Even the usual routine feels special today.
(Sentimentality isn’t part of any routine.)
It’s 6 AM.
I was supposed to meet Eri-san at school at 6:30 for pre-event preparations.
I pack the necessary items for the sports festival in my bag and leave my room.
「Faa~~… Hmm? You’re leaving already??」
As I stepped into the hallway, Marina was just coming out of her room.
Even her yawning while rubbing her sleepy eyes is cute, probably because it’s Marina.
「Yeah, I have morning preparations.」
「I see… That’s tough~~」
Maybe because it’s morning and her brain isn’t fully awake, Marina speaks in a relaxed tone.
「Is it okay for you to leave late, Marina?? You in the cheer squad, right?」
「Ah~ Still sulking, are we~」
Marina, who hadn’t told me she joined the cheer squad, thinks I’m sulking.
Haa?? I’m not sulking at all!
「I-I’m not bothered.」
「Stop trying to act poker-faced when you can’t pull it off… Here, do you need a handkerchief? Should I go get one?」
Is she implying I need to wipe my tears?
No, this is sweat. Definitely sweat.
「Jokes aside, good luck, Onii. I’m looking forward to the 100-meter dash.」
A little sister cheering for her enemy team… My placement is as good as secured, right?
「You too, Marina, do your best in the 100-meter dash and the relay.」
That’s right. My little sister is too talented.
She’s so athletic that she was selected for both.
She was also fifth in her grade in the last midterm exams, so I’m a proud Onii-chan.
「Yeah, thanks! …Ah! Wait a sec!」
「What’s up?」
「I forgot something important! I’ll go get it!」
She hurried back to her room and returned with two string-like bracelets.
「What’s this?」
「Um… well, it’s a present. For Onii.」
「Thanks… but what is it? A friendship bracelet?」
「Yeah, good luck charms for certain victory. I made them myself… so… do your best, okay?」
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「Really… Thanks. But why two?」
「One is for Onii… and the other is for me…」
「…Don’t you need to keep yours?」
「Well… um… I’m wearing two too… matching…」
「I see, matching.」
「Yeah, I wanted Onii to… hold onto mine too.」
「……」
「…That’s all! S-See you later!」
With that, my sister went down towards the living room.
Haa… She’s precious…
At this point, I have to do my best to see my sister’s gallant figure…
Before leaving, I gained a new task of watching over my sister (work).
〇
「Ah! Yamanaga-kun! Good morning!!」
When I arrived at school, Eri-san, who had arrived earlier and was waiting, waved at me when she saw me.
Eri-san, who usually has a strong image of being in uniform, is in her gym clothes from the morning because of the sports festival.
Just a change in outfit can make a 180-degree difference in impression. Realizing this, I headed towards Eri-san.
「Morning, did you wait?」
「Ah, no, I just arrived too.」
It sounded like a date meeting phrase, but Eri-san didn’t seem to mind particularly.
「Then, shall we get started?」
First, we have to go to the home economics room and cut the fruits that have been chilled overnight in the refrigerator.
There are two hours until the opening ceremony. Working efficiently is important, and it’s time to show off our cooking skills.
「Looking at it again, it’s amazing how much we fit into the refrigerator…」
This is truly a breathtaking sight.
When we opened the refrigerator, drinks and fruits were packed tightly inside.
We’re not using two refrigerators for nothing.
「Then, shall we start?」
「Right…! I have a good idea. Since we’re both in the Home Economics Club, how about a skill contest?」
「A skill contest??」
「Who of us can cut more fruits more beautifully. This is a competition just for these two hours.」
「I see… That’s indeed effective for working efficiently. Are we betting on anything?」
It’s more fun to have a bet in a competition.
「It’s a bit common and straightforward, but… how about this?」
「You mean…?」
「The winner gets the right to give one command, anything they want.」
In the classroom bathed in the morning sun, she relaxed her cheeks, but still with a somewhat serious atmosphere, she proposed this bet.