「As expected, I hate tug-of-war because it makes my arms hurt…」
After the second event, tug-of-war, Eri-san and I secretly slipped out of the cheering seats and came to the home economics room.
Of course, this wasn’t due to impure motives like skipping, but to prepare for the stall.
「Even though you were wearing gloves, how did your palms get so red…?」
It seems Eri-san had tried too hard in the tug-of-war, and her palms were bright red.
「I was giving it my all! We got first place in the ball toss, so I wanted to finish the tug-of-war in first place too and end on a high note!!」
「I understand that feeling, but…」
「If it was going to get this bad, I should have held back a little…」
「Well, you were certainly trying hard…」
「D-Did you m-maybe watch!?」
「Just a glance. Just a little bit…」
「Mumumu, really~?」
「Yeah, you had amazing intensity.」
「You watched closely! You totally watched closely, right!?」
「No, no, not at all…」
The red team, having won first place in the boys’ ball toss as well, continued their unstoppable momentum by dominating the tug-of-war, leaving the other armies far behind and taking a commanding lead after two events.
Our team also secured a solid second place, not wanting to lose to the red team.
It’s a good start, I would say.
「That’s a lie! You definitely watched! Anyway, Yamanaga-kun must think it’s silly for girls to get serious about these events… like we’re fools…」
On the other hand, Eri-san, who should have been happy about winning, was in a bad mood for some reason.
Did she dislike being watched by me that much?
「You know… I prefer people who get serious and try to achieve something together over those who are like, “Hmph… I can’t be bothered with this stupid sports festival” and act all cool.」
「Really??」
「We’re not middle schoolers anymore, so seeing someone work hard and give it their all is more inspiring. Seeing you leading the charge, even as an opponent, made me want to cheer for you.」
「Yamanaga-kun… Ehehe… Is that so.」
「Are you okay now?」
「Yes… I may have been a bit too sensitive about something I shouldn’t have worried about.」
「I don’t know why, but if you’re back to normal, that’s good. Come on, let’s start preparing. We can’t be late for the 100m selection.」
「Right… I’ll do my best because I want to see Yamanaga-kun’s brave figure with my own eyes.」
「I’m not sure how to respond to such expectations…」
「Fufu, I thought that giving you a little push might help Yamanaga-kun achieve better results.」
Seeing Eri-san start walking with a hum, I feel relieved.
I’m glad she’s back to normal.
Alright, let’s finish this in an hour and a half!
〇
「Eri-san! How much longer??」
「I think we’re all done!」
「I see… finally finished…」
I wonder how many times we went back and forth between the club room and the home economics room.
Packing products into cooler bags to keep the PET bottles and fruits chilled. Then carrying them on our shoulders and going back and forth between the rooms.
It was like a trial, even though the 100m selection was coming up.
The only saving grace was that the two rooms weren’t that far apart.
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「Good work. Even though the 100m is coming up, I am impressed by Yamanaga-kun’s seemingly endless stamina.」
Is she trying to acknowledge my efforts?
Eri-san, having brought a fan from somewhere, was gently fanning me.
The lukewarm breeze wasn’t particularly refreshing, but I decided to indulge in her kindness, thinking such opportunities were rare.
Then, the clock’s hands pointed to 11:30.
「It’s finally time…」
「Yeah, it’s finally time…」
I think I’ve worked harder than usual for this sports festival.
I didn’t skip a single after-school practice and seriously committed to training.
I’ve worked hard, so… I want results…
「Are you nervous, perhaps…?」
「Eh…?」
「You had an unusually tense expression for Yamanaga-kun… so I thought you might be nervous, which is unlike you…」
「Maybe so… I might not be aware of it, but deep down… I think I’m nervous… I’ve caused Eri-san a lot of trouble, and I feel like I need to make up for it with results… I might be thinking in a way that’s not like me.」
Maybe I knew it all along.
But I pretended not to notice because I felt that if I acknowledged it, I’d just push myself further in the wrong direction…
「It’s okay. Yamanaga-kun can do it. I guarantee it… and that friendship bracelet will give you courage too.」
「Ahaha… maybe so.」
Saying that, I look at the friendship bracelet wrapped around my wrist.
My own bracelet on my dominant hand, and my little sister’s on the other.
Seriously… what a pitiful brother and sister we are…
「Geez… The Yamanaga family is full of siscons and brocons, aren’t they?」
Eri-san laughed heartily.
It was the same smile she always showed me.
「Thanks. I’m starting to feel like I can win.」
「Is that so? Then let me give you an additional buff.」
「Buff?」
It’s rare for Eri-san to use a word like buff.
「Yes, a buff.」
Saying that, Eri-san gently hugged me from behind.
「O-Oi… w-wait…」
「P-Please don’t say anything… I’m embarrassed too, since this is my first time doing something like this.」
「Then, you don’t have to force yourself…」
「B-But… this is an energy injection method approved by Nee-san… It also serves as a good luck charm, so it’s very precious, you know…?」
「I see…」
「Yes… that’s right. It’s precious.」
「Is it okay to send salt to the enemy…?」
「Indeed, we’re enemies in the sports festival, but in the club, which is more important than the sports festival, we’re comrades. So this is what you call a cheer (yell) for an important club member.」
「It’s a pretty close distance for a cheer (yell) though…」
「Yes… but it’s special today, so it’s okay. I’m doing something that’s not like me too. Because we’re directly touching, the effect is outstanding. So… go do your best, okay?」
「Yeah, I’m going.」
「Yes, see you later. Yamanaga-kun.」
Eri-san gently let go. Without looking back, I walk straight ahead.