The Salty Princess Told Me That I Was a ‘Convenient Keep’, so I Tested What Would Happen if I Introduced the Most Beautiful Girl at Another School as My Girlfriend
Time flew by, and soon it was time for the final event, the class relay race. We were called to the waiting area, where we did some light stretching while waiting for the relay to start.
“Oh no, Ochiha! This kind of thing is really nerve-wracking! If I fall spectacularly while everyone is watching, it’ll be a lifelong trauma. My heart’s been pounding since earlier!”
Mori-kun said jokingly, laughing happily. I stretched my arms lightly and replied.
“It’s okay. If you fall behind, I’ll make up for it.”
“Wow, you’re unusually motivated, Ochiha. Didn’t you used to think that sports festivals were like recreation, and that the winner was the one who had the most fun?”
“This time is a little special. Besides… it’s more fun when you do your best, right?”
“…I see. That’s fine. If Ochiha says so, then we’ll have to get pumped up too. Hey! Gather around, everyone! Let’s form a circle! A circle!”
The eight classmates selected for the class relay race gather at Morikun’s call. Most of them are in sports clubs, and many of them are familiar faces. Lately, I’ve been hanging out mostly with Sakaki-san and Koga-san, but they’re still proper… friends.
Even though it’s already hot, we’re shoulder to shoulder with these even hotter guys, heads together.
“Alright, our leader. Say something.”
Mori-kun, who had brought it up himself, suddenly turned to me. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Wait, am I supposed to say something? Since Mori-kun brought it up, he should take the lead. Besides, when did I become the leader?”
“Come on, come on! Everyone is here because they admire you. You have to make a decisive statement!”
“No, stop it. Don’t say ‘falling for you.’ You’re making me take it seriously.”
“Haha, you’re so into Sakaki-san, yet you’re saying such casual things!”
As we all bantered like that, the announcement for the race to begin came over the loudspeaker. Everyone’s gaze turned to me. I took a deep breath and shouted with all my might from the bottom of my stomach for the first time in a while.
“We’re going to win for sure!!!”
“Shah!!!”
We broke the circle and started walking. This isn’t really my style, but it’s okay once in a while. It clears my mind of unnecessary thoughts and allows me to focus solely on winning with everyone else.
“Hey, you seem pretty motivated.”
On the way to the field, Miwa-kun said to me.
“Well, it’s a competition, after all. I have no intention of losing. Everyone seems to be counting on me.”
“Hah, you guys seem so close, I’m jealous. …But that doesn’t matter to me. I run for myself, to prove my worth. That’s how I’ve always fought.”
Miwa-kun looks very serious, staring straight ahead. …Given his personality, you’d think he’d look down on sports festivals as hot and silly, but he seems very motivated.
“Well, let’s both do our best, okay?”
I still don’t really understand what he means by proving his worth. But I’m sure that’s how he’s always fought within himself.
Despite feeling inferior to his older sister, he has been fighting desperately not to be overwhelmed by it.
“But it doesn’t matter. We’re still going to win.”
The first runners, including Mori-kun, begin their preparations. The field falls silent for a moment, then the sound of a pistol echoes, and the race begins.
“Go, Mori-kun!”
As expected of members selected from each class, everyone is incredibly fast. But Mori-kun isn’t falling behind either. He’s currently in second place, but it’s a close race. He’s hanging on. Miwa-kun’s class has stumbled and is currently in fourth place. Still, the race is far from over.
“…………”
The race unfolds at a dizzying pace. Someone gets overtaken, then overtakes again. Oh, Kawaguchi-kun fell. But everyone is trying their best. So strangely, I don’t feel tense. …I don’t think I can win no matter what happens. I’m not the protagonist of a shonen manga. No matter how hard I try, I’ll lose when I lose.
But I made a promise with Sakaki-san. Koga-san gave me a push. I formed a circle with my friends. So many people are cheering me on. Just knowing that makes my heart feel so much lighter.
…I thought I was just spinning my wheels.
I was forcing myself to act cheerful, avoiding what I should be doing, and always feeling guilty about something. Every night, I kept thinking, “What am I doing? There are other things I should be doing.”
But by accumulating things I thought were meaningless, I am now here.
It wasn’t a waste. I was moving forward properly. …Then there’s no need to hesitate. There’s no reason to be nervous. I’ll just run with all my might on the path I believe in.
“Sorry, Ochiha! I’ll leave the rest to you!”
I received the baton that everyone had passed on to me. I kicked the ground with all my might.
“Hah, hah…”
Currently in fourth place. Miwa-kun is already ahead. The distance isn’t that far, but as expected of the anchor, he’s fast. Catching up won’t be easy.
Still, I don’t stop.
I pass one person. The cheers fade away. All I can hear is my own heartbeat and breathing. Nothing else matters. I’ve received everything I need. So now, I just keep moving forward.
“Ha, ha, ha…”
I pass another person. Only Miwa-kun is ahead of me now. Damn it, he really is fast. It’s just a little further, but that little bit feels so far away. The finish line is near. If this continues, I won’t be able to win…
“Sakashima-kun! Keep going!”
“Run, Ochiha-kun!”
I suddenly hear the voices of Sakaki and Koga. I muster my last ounce of strength and kick the ground with all my might. Miwa-kun doesn’t stop either. But I…
I cross the finish line.
“…Damn, he’s still annoying.”
Hearing Miwa-kun’s voice behind me, I raised the baton I was holding into the air. It was a close race, but I still came in first.
Listening to the cheers coming from all around, I gave Sakaki-san and Koga-san a thumbs up. They both smiled, looking really happy.
“Way to go, Ochiha! You’re a hero after all!”
After that, I was surrounded by my high-energy classmates and had a blast in front of everyone for the first time in a while.
“Sakashima-kun!”
After the commotion died down, Sakaki-san came up to me. Everyone else seemed to read the room and stepped back, giving us some space.
“…Go ahead.”
Sakaki-san blushed and spread her arms wide. I didn’t hesitate and hugged Sakaki-san. Another big commotion ensued, but I didn’t care at that moment.
“You were… so cool.”
Sakaki-san smiled.
“Right?”
I smiled too.
And that’s how the fun-filled sports festival came to an end.
Maiban