Episode 77: Sports Festival Part 2

On your mark… Bang!

「Now then, this year’s sports festival has begun. As for the commentary, continuing from last year, it’s being brought to you by Minamin of the broadcasting club!」

The commentary seems to have started.

Even calling it commentary, it’s not like she does it in minute detail every step of the way.

She picks up on things that stand out or students of interest to some extent, while mixing in talk to liven up the place, but I’ll have to wait and see how Fukasawa-senpai handles the balance as the one in charge.

「Minami~n!!」

Apparently, there are fan-like guys around.

She’s waving her twin tails toward the direction of the voices.

「Now then, everyone, the guest you’ve all been waiting for… this time it’s a special guest!!! Excellent in both academics and sports, with a track record of activities that have truly appreciated our feelings, yet so unapproachable!! Her rejection count isn’t just for show, and her position as the student council vice president is totally calculated! It’s the lone goddess our school is proud of, Satsukawa Sara-san!!!」

「「「Oooooh!!」」」

…I knew Sara-senpai was popular, but what is with this energy? Senpai looks incredibly annoyed.

She probably doesn’t like this kind of thing.

「U… m, as I have been introduced, I am Satsukawa Sara. I am in charge as the student council vice president.」

Senpai still had an annoyed look on her face, but she started her self-introduction, perhaps thinking she couldn’t just stay silent.

「Satsukawa-sa~n!」

「You’re cute today too~」

「Marry me~!」

「Go out with me!」

It’s only natural that people would get carried away by the atmosphere, but it doesn’t feel very good.

「I decline.」

Whether she hated the voices from the sidelines or not, Senpai reacted immediately.

「Whoa, another one added to the rejection count already!! But man, you sure are popular… Speaking for myself, I can’t believe Satsukawa-san is sitting next to me. Good job getting her to agree, me!」

「…Let us begin the commentary.」

I feel like Senpai’s mood is getting worse and worse.

I want Fukasawa-senpai to take this seriously, but I also understand that creating this kind of atmosphere is important…

…In other words, my「follow-up」is to soothe Senpai, who I know is going to get cranky like this.

I leaned in a little to talk so only Senpai could hear me.

「Sara-senpai, to be honest, I also hate the way people around us are getting carried away and saying such frivolous things to you.」

「Takanashi-san…」

Maybe because I suddenly started saying something serious, Senpai looked toward me with a bit of surprise.

「But Sara-senpai, me, and everyone else worked hard as the student council to make this sports festival fun. It’s just for today. I’ll endure it too, so please get through this with me.」

Honestly, I know I’m saying something pretty embarrassing, but it’s my true feelings, and I’ll endure it for Senpai’s sake.

「Takanashi-san… together… yes, it is just for today, isn’t it. I will do my best.」

Senpai showed me a smile.

I’ll do my best for this smile.

If anyone comes along saying unnecessary things, I’ll get rid of them.

「…Whoa, it’s a rom-com, total youth drama stuff… Takanashi-kun, you’re amazing for being able to say those lines with such a straight face. Eh, am I going to be forced to watch this flirty lovey-dovey stuff next to me for the rest of the day?」

Fukasawa-senpai started muttering.

Why are there so many people around me who start muttering…?

「Now for the 100m sprint, and naturally, there are many members from sports clubs. The focus is the head-to-head battle between the track club’s ace, Tanaka-kun, and the tennis club’s handsome guy, Yokogawa-kun. What do you think, Satsukawa-san?」

「U… m, wouldn’t the one from the track club have the advantage?」

Even if you ask Senpai, who is an amateur and probably not interested, this response is only natural.

「Already in the start area, there’s Yokogawa-kun’s fan club with their banners, and a group of guys who seem intent on cheering for Tanaka-kun out of spite.」

I wish she’d at least call them Tanaka-kun’s cheering squad.

It’s true that Yokogawa is working hard at tennis, but no matter how you look at it, he can’t beat a professional.

Well, it’s just a school event, so there’s no need to get worked up.

Tanaka-kun won that battle between the two of them.

In other words, the cheering squad won too… in many senses.

Yokogawa didn’t seem to think he could win either, so he didn’t look particularly frustrated. Still, coming in a close second is quite impressive.

Just as I thought that, he gave a smile and a thumbs up toward us.

「Whoa, Yokogawa-kun seems to have made an appeal over here, but to who~?」

The fan club is making a fuss.

Fukasawa-senpai probably goaded it by thinking it was an appeal to Sara-senpai… but that was probably for me.

Once the 100m sprint is over, naturally the 200m sprint is next… I hate this.

Since my athletic ability is average, I’ll just try not to come in last at the very least.

It’s an event anyway, so there’s no need to get worked up.

It’s a shame I don’t have the strength to show off a cool side while Sara-senpai is watching…

Even coming near the start area, naturally there are no cheers coming from my class.

Since Sara-senpai is at the commentary desk, she obviously won’t be coming to cheer.

「Now, he’s not exactly a featured athlete, but Takanashi-kun, a member of the student council executive branch who also worked hard on the preparations for the sports festival, is participating. Satsukawa-san, how is he at sports… hey, where are you going? Please stay here!!」

I seriously want her to stop commentating on me. I really regret forgetting to warn her about that.

By the way, what was that panicked look at the end?

「…Since Takanashi-san does not usually exercise, I do not believe he is particularly good at it. However, he is a serious person, so I believe he will do his best. Please do your best, Takanashi-san.」

Aaaah, I’m happy, but hearing her say that so gently when the whole school is listening…

「「「Boo boo」」」

This means I’m surrounded by enemies even before the race starts…