I knew that person was actually a hard worker.
I knew that person, who always seemed languid, had a stronger sense of responsibility than anyone else.
He always seemed somewhat mature, observing things from a step back, but when he showed me a certain expression that could be considered a weakness for the first time… I couldn’t hold myself back.
〇
「Now, the last event of the morning session is the 100m selection. A new event added this year! What will happen!!」
The announcement from the broadcasting club echoed throughout the grounds.
The sun was shining brightly, making it really hot and dazzling.
Normally, I wouldn’t be outside in this kind of weather.
But here I am, firmly standing on the ground under the sun.
Because I wanted to see him win… that moment.
Him breaking the finish tape first.
After doing something so bold when I sent him off, I don’t even know how I’ll face him afterwards.
But right now, none of that matters, and I was so captivated by the scene in front of me that I could put off all my worries, regrets, and agonies for later.
「The girls will start first. In the first race, first year, blue team, Yamanaga Marina-san── second year, red team──」
Ah, Yamanaga… could it be…
When the broadcasting club announced the same name as his, a particularly loud cheer rose from the cheering seats.
Is that Yamanaga-kun’s little sister…
I often heard about his sister from him.
An academically and athletically gifted student. On top of that, she’s so mature-looking and beautiful that it’s hard to believe she’s just started high school.
And above all, she’s cute.
She’s the ultimate life form, so precious, and super cute! (His own words)
When he passionately described her, I often thought he was being too biased towards his family.
But seeing her in person, I thought it was no wonder he praised her so much.
And she has a similar aura to Nee-san.
From what I hear from Yamanaga-kun, their personalities are completely different.
But there’s this indescribable charisma…
That’s what I felt even from a distance.
「Now, on your marks… set, go!」
The pistol fires, and the competitors who were in a crouching start position all start running at once.
At first, they were running side by side with not much difference, but around the 50m mark, one girl suddenly pulled ahead.
It’s his little sister…
A girl who somewhat resembles him was leading the race.
「Ootto! Yamanaga is pulling ahead! What incredible speed!!」
The announcer was excited too.
In this event, grade level doesn’t matter.
It’s a mixed-grade 100m selection, only separated by gender.
At first, I thought it was just an event that favored third years, but it seems that doesn’t matter in front of her.
She accelerates even more, leaving everyone behind as if it doesn’t matter that upperclassmen are in the same race.
The gap widens more and more, and she cuts the finish tape in one go.
「It’s decided! In the first race, Yamanaga takes first place!」
That was amazing…
Watching from the cheering seats, I was so shocked that I was at a loss for words.
It was an overwhelming victory that allowed no competition.
After the race, she looked relaxed, not even out of breath…
As expected, she’s a monster…
Yamanaga-kun is a brocon to such an amazingly talented little sister…
I’m sure he’ll show us an amazing race too.
As his race approached, I couldn’t help but be convinced of that.
〇
My little sister showed an overwhelming race.
We made brief eye contact before the event, and she was smiling.
Then she raises her arm with the friendship bracelet on it.
Oi, is this One Pi〇ce or what.
That’s right. If you’re doing it, I have to do it too.
Otherwise.
I can’t proudly call myself your brother.
「Next is the boys’ race. First race, second year, black team, Yamanaga Takumi-san.」
My name was called, and I took a step forward.
〇
Seeing him stand at the starting line, my heart races as if I were standing there myself.
I take a deep breath, clench my fists tightly, and hold my breath.
My gaze was fixed on him the entire time.
The venue was at a climax level of excitement.
In that unusual atmosphere, his name is called in the announcement.
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The cheers were smaller than for his little sister.
Probably because the favorite to win is in the same lane.
「This race is all about Michisumi, no doubt.」
「Totally, the other competitors are just unlucky to be in the same race as Michisumi.」
I heard such voices from somewhere.
Even our team saying he can’t win against him… he’s really amazing, isn’t he…
Third year, white team, Michisumi-senpai. He’s the captain of the soccer club and an overwhelmingly popular male student at school.
Even I, who am bad at remembering names, know him.
Such a person is running in the same race, right next to Yamanaga-kun.
People’s gazes were fixed on Michisumi-senpai, not Yamanaga-kun.
The person himself even had the composure to wave at the spectators.
Muu… Show them what you can do. Yamanaga-kun can definitely win.
I sent him another cheer in my heart as he calmly looked at the goal.
To be honest, I wanted to put it into words. But today, we’re enemies.
So I have to keep these feelings locked in my heart.
The teacher on duty raised the pistol high in the sky.
「Now, on your marks… set, go!」
「Goooo!」
「Do iiit!」
With the sound of the pistol, deafening cheers filled the area.
「As expected, Michisumi is fast!」
As the male student shouted, Michisumi-senpai made the perfect start dash, better than anyone else.
However, Yamanaga-kun wasn’t doing badly either.
Once, he told me about his practice after school.
「I’m always bad at the start dash and I’m always last around the 10m mark. I cover that with endurance in the middle. You’ve seen those types who suddenly accelerate around the 50m mark, right? I’m that type too, and I love overtaking people from behind and seeing their surprised faces as I pass them. You’ll definitely see it in the real thing.」
I remember him saying that with a very mischievous face.
Now that I think about it, that might have been self-suggestion too.
I was laughing back then, but actually…
No, that’s in the past and I don’t need to think about it.
He would probably say so.
Still, to deliberately talk about his strengths from the start… Are you not going to let me shed tears of emotion?
But yeah… that’s just like Yamanaga-kun.
As I watch, lost in my thoughts, a change occurs in the race around the 50m mark.
「Oi oi oi…」
「W-What’s this… isn’t there someone catching up fast?」
「Eh…? Could it be our team? No, but that’s…」
As expected, it was him.
No, of course it was.
「Ootto! The black team is rapidly closing in on the blue team! With 30m to go, what will happen!???」
「No way, surely not…」
「But… that’s not normal… maybe…」
「Seriously! But this is interesting… Go both of youuu!!」
「Uoooo! Black, overtake theeeem!!」
The venue was a chaotic mix of confusion and excitement.
The cheers that were initially all for Michisumi-senpai began to change.
Perhaps influenced by that heat, I couldn’t help but shout even though I knew I shouldn’t.
「Y-Yamanaga-kun! Do your beeest!!」
It was a louder voice than I’d ever used before.
But it was drowned out by the surrounding cheers, and he probably didn’t hear it.
But surely…
With 10m remaining.
The moment finally came.
「The black team has overtaken the blue team!! And he crossed the finish line! First place, second year, black team, Yamanaga Takumi! What a dramatic race! A major upset defying all expectations! The black team has done it!」
As he cut the finish tape and his name was called in the announcement, the venue erupted in cheers.
You did it… Yamanaga-kun…
I’m so glad…
Seeing him, who rarely shows emotion in public, smiling and making a guts pose, something naturally overflowed from me.
Huh, that’s strange.
Of course, I believed in him and was prepared.
But why is there so much overflowing?
Drops fall one by one onto the dry ground.
My blurred vision still had his figure in it.
I wonder why… I suddenly can’t stop…
But for now… it’s okay to stay like this, right?
At least until this event is over.