I’ve Been Working My Hardest as Manager of the Girls’ Track and Field Team, but Ever Since I Retired, the Team Members Have Been Coming at Me Like Crazy!?
“Wow, is this from the freshman tournament? That brings back memories.”
The first video she opened was from the 100-meter preliminaries of the freshman tournament held that fall.
Back then, Shirotori still lacked the necessary skills; she fell far behind right from the start, and her legs were practically giving out as she approached the finish line.
“Moe was really slow back then, wasn’t she?”
“What are you talking about? Mai, you were the one who kept fouling.”
“I cleared the bar. It just hit my heel a little. Don’t lump me in with Moe—she didn’t even come close.”
“What’s with that tone?”
“What about you?”
Suddenly, the mood had shifted to that of a club practice.
Come to think of it, I’d forgotten—these two hate losing with a passion.
Even though they compete in different events, they’re always aware of each other, and Yukimura and Shiratori, in particular, used to fight all the time.
“Come on, you two, don’t get so worked up.”
“Mitchii, Mai’s being pretty harsh right now, isn’t she? Hey?”
“Mitsu, I was just stating the facts. Was there something wrong with that?”
“……”
This has turned into quite a hassle.
But it also feels strangely nostalgic.
I used to get caught in the middle of their fights, and then listen to Yukimura’s complaints late into the night.
Hmm, I wish I could go back to those days.
“Hey, hey, you two. This is Sen-chan’s house, so don’t yell.”
When Hayase stepped in, the two of them sat down looking bored and turned their faces away with a “Hmph.”
This exchange feels nostalgic, too.
Hayase seems like a bit of an oddball, but she’s actually pretty level-headed in situations like this, so I used to always confide in her about things I couldn’t tell the other two.
……Though right now, Hayase is the one who seems the most dangerous.
“Um, anyway, how about this one? The one from the second-year regional qualifiers, when Hayase won her first title?”
“Ah, that’s the one where I pulled off a comeback on my final jump in the finals, right? Sen-chan, as always, great choice.”
Watching a video of a fond memory, Hayase was in a great mood.
However, the other two weren’t so lucky.
“That’s the tournament where I pulled a muscle, isn’t it? Mitchi, are you trying to remind me of my bad memories?”
“N-no, that wasn’t my intention.”
“Mitchi, that’s so mean! You’re always favoring Masa! What’s the deal? You just want me to pull a muscle and die, don’t you!”
“C-calm down, Shiratori! You’re shouting too loud.”
As Shiratori went berserk, Yukimura shook her head in exasperation.
“Moe really is childish in that way.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Mai? You’re the one who always gets irritable when you lose a match.”
“Well, it’s frustrating, so I can’t help it. But I don’t lose my cool like Moe does. I wouldn’t want to be a burden to Mitsuru.”
“You think I’m a burden?”
“A girl who’s always acting all clingy isn’t good enough for Mitsuru. If it were me, I’d support him as an equal.”
Yukimura, looking cool and collected, glanced at me and said, “Right?”
What’s with the “Right”?
You’re the one who’s always causing trouble.
“Mitchii, do you have the video of my first championship win?”
“Oh, that was the Six-School Tournament. Of course I have it.”
Shiratori first made a name for herself during the annual inter-school competition held with neighboring schools.
Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise—after focusing on core training while recovering from a muscle strain, she began rapidly improving her times once she returned to competition, and it was at that tournament that she won her first championship.
I remember the two of us crying tears of joy back then.
Ah, I wish I could go back to those days.
“Wow, I’m actually running pretty well here.”
“You were outstanding back then. Seriously, if you’d been able to run like that at the Nationals, making the finals wouldn’t have been a pipe dream.”
“But I got this fast thanks to you, Mitchi.”
“It’s all thanks to your hard work, Shiratori.”
“Hey, Mitsuru, don’t you have any of mine?”
“Of course I have some of yours too, Yukimura. Look, that one from the spring of our third year when you set your personal best. In this one, you’re clearing the bar by at least ten centimeters.”
The jump Yukimura made at the meet—the best I’d ever seen her do, as far as I could tell.
Even the “Whoa!” that slipped out of my mouth while I was filming was perfectly captured on video.
“Hmm, if only I could’ve done that at the Nationals. But really, it’s all thanks to Mitsuru that I’ve gotten this good.”
“Yukimura had talent. Plus, it’s the result of her constantly thinking about how to jump higher.”
“Everyone, we were able to grow like this thanks to Sen-chan, right? Seriously, Sen-chan is amazing.”
All three of them nodded thoughtfully as they looked back on the past.
Yeah, I don’t know why, but the atmosphere feels peaceful.
No one’s saying they want to wreak havoc, or be wrecked, or be locked up.
I see. It seems the habits from club activities are still deeply ingrained in these guys.
I should keep the conversation focused on memories of club activities as much as possible to maintain this atmosphere.
“Um, well then, let’s watch the footage from the last Inter-High qualifiers too.”
“More importantly, Mitchi, why are Mai and Masa here?”
Shiratori slammed her glass down and interrupted.
“Uh… well, that’s… it just so happened that…”
“Just so happened? If I hadn’t come, what were the three of you planning to do?”
“N-nothing in particular.”
“Hey, Mitsuru.”
This time, Yukimura spoke up.
“Why are Masa and Moe at your house? You weren’t inviting them over behind my back all this time, were you?”
“N-no way. This is the first time for everyone.”
“Really? You’re not lying?”
“I-I’m not lying.”
“Hey, Sen-chan.”
Of course, Hayase wasn’t going to stay quiet either.
“What were you doing alone with Mai-chan? Why are you here separately even though you came with your parents?”
“W-well, my parents wanted to talk among adults.”
“Or so you say, but weren’t you planning to sneak off and make out behind your parents’ backs?”
“N-no way. I wouldn’t do something like that with my parents right next to me.”
“But Sen-chan and Mai-chan’s moms just left.”
“……Huh?”
Come to think of it, it was quiet next door.
I hurriedly opened the kitchen door, but the two of them were nowhere to be seen; only a messy table remained.
“……Huh? Where did they go?”
“They were getting really into it a moment ago and left together.”
“No way.”
“It’s true.”
I couldn’t believe it.
Somewhere deep down, I’d thought it would be fine because Mom was right next door, but that sense of security crumbled in an instant.
“Mitchy, it’s just us now, isn’t it?”
“Mitsuru, the night is long.”
“Sen-chan, where’s your room?”
The look in all three of their eyes changed.
Trying to change the mood, I tried to play a random video on my laptop, but Yukimura snapped the lid shut.
“Mitsu, what are we gonna do now?”
“W-what do you mean…?”
“Sen-chan.”
“Mitchy.”
The three of them stared intently at me.
If this keeps up, I’m definitely going to get attacked.
Someone, anyone, help me!