A voice of surprise rose from a corner of the black team’s area.
The cause was the words and actions of Hoshino Michika, also known as the soothing Hoshino-san, towards me.
Incredibly, Hoshino had asked me to accompany her.
Since no one knows what task she drew, they can’t judge if bringing me along is the right choice.
However, Hoshino, who seemed to have little interaction with me in class until now, had chosen me.
This surprised our classmates, causing them to raise their voices in astonishment.
And now, I’m being pulled by Hoshino, heading towards the finish line at a brisk pace.
As expected, Hoshino’s presence stands out wherever she goes, and the attention from the crowd was on a whole different level.
「Ah~! It’s Hoshino-san!!」
「Look, look, she’s pulling some boy’s hand!」
「Is he her boyfriend??」
「No, no, it’s said that Hoshino-san doesn’t have a boyfriend…」
「Wait, isn’t that the guy who was amazing in the 100m selection today?」
「Wasn’t he Marina’s older brother?」
The voices varied, but it was clear that all eyes were on us.
Glancing to the side, I saw Hoshino unfazed by the comments, simply pulling my hand.
「Hey…」
「W-What…」
「Why me?」
「Because you were the most suitable for the task.」
「What kind of task was it??」
「That’s… I don’t want to say it myself after all…」
「Why not…」
「Just because…」
「Haa…」
In this event, when you check the task, you hand the paper to the staff, and they read it out loud once for confirmation.
So there’s no problem if I don’t hear it now.
But what kind of task does Hoshino not want to say…?
I’m starting to feel anxious.
You didn’t drag me into something ridiculous again, did you…
I don’t want to think about it, but I can’t help but doubt since she’s the type who might do something crazy with a straight face.
With these thoughts, we safely reached the finish line.
As per the rules, the staff comes to check the task.
「Now, I going to check the task, okay?」
As the staff said this, Hoshino nodded and handed over the paper with the task written on it.
「Fumu, fumu, let’s see… the task is… the classmate you’re most interested in.」
「Ehh…!?」
When I looked at Hoshino in surprise, she nodded with a smile.
「That’s right. Takumi-kun’s performance today was amazing, and as classmates, I hope we can deepen our friendship.」
Ahh, I see… it’s the soothing mode.
The phrase “most interested in” can be interpreted in various ways, and it’s a troublesome task that could easily lead to problems if misunderstood.
I wondered why she chose me for such a task, but it seems she had a plan.
Apparently, I had performed well today, and if it’s seen as Hoshino acknowledging my abilities, no one in class or school would question it, and this task would be considered successful.
The staff also signaled a pass to the headquarters without hesitation.
「Well done. The borrowing race is now over.」
Since staying at the finish line would get in the way of those coming after, participants are allowed to return to their cheering section or take a break once they’ve finished and received their judgment.
We had no reason to stay at the finish line, so we started walking immediately.
There were still many people on the race field struggling with their tasks or asking the audience if they had what they needed.
Apparently, we had reached the finish line quite quickly.
The time at the finish line also adds to the score, so Hoshino has made a significant contribution to her team.
「Good for you… finishing early.」
「…Yeah. I wasn’t sure what to do when I saw the task, but I was lucky that the right person was right there.」
「If we’re talking about the right person, there might have been someone more suitable.」
It wasn’t just me who performed well.
As the black team is currently in second place, there are many others who have done well.
There must have been someone less conspicuous than me.
「I thought about it and chose you, so there’s no problem, right?」
「No, it’s not good that I stood out more, okay? You’re definitely trying to make an impression of me on the audience, aren’t you?」
Hoshino’s words from lunchtime flash through my mind.
「Aren’t you overthinking it? According to you, everyone will forget in a week, right? So there’s no problem.」
「Gununu…」
She’s definitely saying this knowing I can’t argue back.
Damn… I fell right into Hoshino’s trap.
I should have thought it through a bit more.
「By the way, you took quite a fall at the beginning, are you okay?」
「…Why were you watching that much?」
「Well, it was pretty noticeable. You fell hard, so I was worried.」
In a race, what’s noticeable is when there’s a big change on the field.
Collisions and such are more eye-catching than just people running.
「I-I’m perfectly fine…」
「You’re just telling yourself that, aren’t you?」
「…Why do you think so?」
「Because you were just walking at the end. This event adds time to the score, so if you were in perfect condition, you’d run full out, right?」
「Maybe I was being considerate of you?」
「Considerate of me? You? No way. If anything, you’re the most merciless in class.」
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
I’ve never seen her act considerate towards me before.
At least, not the real Hoshino.
That’s why when I saw her walking at the end, I was sure she was injured somewhere.
「Where is it? Where are you hurt?」
「……My knee.」
After a slight hesitation, she mutters softly.
Looking where she indicated, I indeed see a large scrape.
「Indeed, this looks painful… What do you want to do? Want to get some first aid at the infirmary??」
「Can’t… The call for the selected relay will come soon. Girls run first, so if I go to the infirmary, I won’t make it in time.」
「Then, let’s at least wash off the germs with water. There’s a faucet next to the field.」
「It’s fine… I’m okay with this much.」
「I can’t let that slide. If germs get in and it gets inflamed, it’ll ruin your beautiful legs.」
「……」
「What?」
「Idiot… don’t call them beautiful… That’s sexual harassment.」
「Call it sexual harassment or whatever you want. I’ll listen to all your complaints later. For now, let’s go wash it.」
I say this and pull her hand somewhat forcefully.
「W-Wait… everyone’s watching…」
「You wouldn’t walk if I didn’t do this, right? Bear with it.」
「I’ll walk… I’ll walk properly.」
「Really?」
「Yeah, I won’t run away.」
「Alright then.」
I let go of her hand and led her to the edge of the field.
「…Are you okay?」
「Yeah… it stings a bit, though.」
「Well, can’t be helped.」
Washing off the germs is the priority, so some pain is unavoidable.
While Hoshino washed herself, I returned to the cheering section and brought back a new, unused towel.
「For now, wipe your leg with this. It’s brand new, never used, so it’s clean.」
「B-But… the blood…」
She was probably worried about staining the clean white towel with blood.
But to me, it’s a trivial matter.
「Don’t worry about that, I can deal with a towel. Just think about yourself right now.」
「Okay… got it. Thanks.」
Hoshino said this, took the towel, and pressed it against her injured area to wipe off the moisture.
「Think you can manage?」
「Yeah… I think I’ll be okay. There’s still a bit of discomfort, though.」
She said this while putting back on the shoes and socks she had taken off to wash her leg.
I see… it still hurts…
I’d like Hoshino to run confidently without worrying about her injury… but what should I do?
Unfortunately, I don’t have anything to relieve the pain.
I can’t provide anything scientifically proven, but I do have something that might work psychologically.
「Hey, Hoshino…」
「W-What?」
「Are you the type to believe in fortune-telling or good luck charms?」
「Why are you asking that all of a sudden?」
「Just answer.」
「W-Well… I might believe in things that are convenient for me.」
「Then, it’s perfect.」
Saying this, I remove something from my right hand.
「What’s that? You’ve been wearing it all day, haven’t you?」
「It’s a friendship bracelet. I’ve been wearing it for good results.」
「Fuun.」
「I’m giving it to you.」
「Why?? Isn’t it important to you?」
「…It is important, and that’s exactly why I’m giving it to you.」
「Eh…」
「……This is a very precious thing. After all, my little sister made it with great care.」
「I see… your sister.」
「And its effectiveness is proven. I even beat a senpai I thought I couldn’t win against. Even with an injury and a handicap, you’ll be fine with this.」
I gently grabbed her right arm.
「With this on, you’re guaranteed to perform amazingly, and it’s free of charge. How about it? Want it now?」
「I don’t like the sales pitch that sounds like a scam… but yeah, maybe I want it a little.」
「Right? Now you have the same as me. It carries the blessing of the divine Marina.」
I gently tie the bracelet around her right arm.
「Won’t you get punished for giving away a good luck charm to someone else?」
「I don’t know, but if there’s a punishment, it’ll be on me. After all, I’m the one giving it to you, so any problem would be on the giver.」
「Geez… what’s that supposed to mean?」
At that moment, the call for the selected members of the team relay came.
「Time’s up. Do your best out there.」
「Yeah… thank you.」
Saying this, she starts running.
She no longer seems concerned about her knee.
Her expression as she ran was so sparkling and dazzling that it was blinding.