“We’ve been ‘wait’ing!!”
“For this ‘moment’!!”
“Shut up.”
As soon as I arrived at the classroom, Ryūya and Neika pestered me. It was annoying beyond belief.
“Hey, hey, hey. Akito, how was it? How was it?”
“How’s the wifey, Akky? We’ve already got the scoop, you know?”
“Don’t cling to me, it’s hot.”
The pressure from above and below was intense. I pushed them aside and sat in my seat. Then, I felt pressure from the left and right.
“Now, now. We’ve gathered enough from the Class President’s ‘interview’—which was basically an interrogation—to know what’s going on with you guys.”
“Ye-es. Oh, ye-es.”
“Then don’t say it so loudly.”
I haven’t told the school, and it’s supposed to be a secret. But since our bickering is a daily occurrence, nobody else in the classroom seemed to care.
“Look, look, Sanada-kun is here.”
“My older sister asked me to introduce her to Sanada-kun. I turned her down, saying he’s all lovey-dovey with his fated person.”
“Me too, me too!”
“Well, after seeing such a cool photo, it’s no wonder.”
“We’re so lucky to have someone like that in our class♪”
It seems they’re still hyped up about that photo... This is trouble.
“Ni-hihi. You’re quite popular, Akito.”
“You’re a world-famous celebrity now.”
“I’m not happy about it...”
I just want to live a quiet life. Ah, where has my ordinary life gone?
“Oh, right. My dad wants to talk to Akky and Rira about a modeling thing.”
“Modeling?”
“Yeah, yeah. You know, like the advertising models you did for the wedding company? My dad is all fired up and wants you guys to do another modeling gig. Of course, he’ll pay you model fees.”
Neika showed me a message from President Jūmonji on her screen.
Let’s see, one, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, one million...
“Is this for real?”
“Totally real. Of course, that’s the guarantee for both Akky and Rira, and the condition is that you both appear together.”
“......”
“I’ll decide after consulting with Riran.”
“Hey, Akito. Your eyes have turned into ‘¥’ signs.”
Well, anyone’s would after being shown an amount like that. Though if Riran says she doesn't want to do it, that’s the end of it. But this must be the effect of the Dark Scarlet Thread. On my own, I'm just an ordinary person, but with Riran, everything turns out for the better.
I don’t know how the principle works... but it’s starting to get a little scary. I hope I can just live a normal life without any issues.
“Oh, that’s right, Akito. We have the Sports Festival in two weeks, right? Have you decided which events you’re entering?”
“No, not at all. How about you, Ryūya?”
“I’m doing the mixed-gender three-legged race. I’m entering with Nei.”
“Yay.”
“...Three-legged race?”
“With that height difference?”
On one hand, a giant over 190cm. On the other, a 140cm legal loli. They’re an uneven pair with a height difference of over 50cm. Yeah, that’s impossible.
“Akito, are you underestimating Nei’s physical abilities?”
“Yup. If I just run like I’m flying while matching Ryūya’s stride, it’s ‘nothing problem’.”
“I see, I don’t get it at all.”
Is she a ninja? ...I can’t underestimate her physical abilities enough to think Neika could actually pull it off. Besides, I’d actually like to see this uneven pair take first place in the three-legged race.
“What were the events we could sign up for again?”
“Let’s see, there’s the footrace, obstacle race, borrowed item race, three-legged race, selected tug-of-war, and the cavalry battle. You just need to enter one.”
Hmm. They’re quite limited. I’m not particularly confident in my speed, so I should probably leave the footrace to the track and field club. I have power, but the selected tug-of-war should probably be left to the guys with bigger builds. The three-legged race... is impossible. Considering how uncoordinated Riran is, she’ll just get hurt. In that case.
“Maybe the borrowed item race.”
“And the reasoning?”
“It looks the easiest.”
“Hyuu! That’s our Akito-san for you!”
“It’s so like Akky to have no desire to look cool even though his wifey is watching.”
Because it’s tiring. Getting tired for something other than what I want to do is nonsense. In the first place, I have no motivation for the Sports Festival itself. The whole thing is a pain.
“...I want to go home and it hasn’t even started yet.”
“The festival hasn’t even begun.”
“More like, it’s still two weeks away.”
I like moving my body, but I hate sports festivals. I think there are quite a few people like that. Eh, just me? I see, *depressed*.
“Ah, the Sports Festival, huh?”
“What should I enter?”
“I’m doing the footrace!”
“If you’re a man, it’s gotta be the cavalry battle!”
“It’ll mess up my makeup, so it’s a drag~”
Hearing us talk about it, the whole class started talking about the Sports Festival. Wait, does everyone like the Sports Festival that much? Seriously...? While the class was getting excited, Riran, who knew nothing, entered the classroom.
“Good morning. ...It’s quite lively for so early in the morning.”
“......”
“W-What is it, Akito? Staring at me like that...”
“...Riran, you’re on the ‘I hate the Sports Festival’ side like me, right? Since you can’t do sports.”
“Eh? Do you want a beating?”