“I’m tired... I’m mentally exhausted.”
“Me too, I didn’t think we’d attract this much attention...”
The event ended, and I returned to the cheering seats with Riran. Even Riran looked completely drained. Well, it was my responsibility for drawing that slip... Wait, no. If it’s because of the 『Red Thread of Fate』, then it’s Riran’s fault as much as mine. Yeah, that’s right.
If I said that out loud, Riran would probably pout, so I’ll keep it to myself.
...Actually, no. This is all the fault of Yakushiji-senpai for preparing such a lottery. I’ll complain to her later.
Just then, Hiyori and Neika approached us with mischievous grins.
“Sana-tan, Rira-tan, good work! I took perfect photos of your brave figures!”
“I took a video too, of course. Nishishi.”
“Take this!”
I gave them a chop.
““Ouch?!””
They rubbed the tops of their heads with their eyes shaped like ‘><’. Honestly, you guys need to know when to stop teasing people.
“Uu, Akki, that’s mean.”
“Why did you hit Hiyori too?”
“Sorry, just went with the flow.”
“Waaah! Rira-tan, Sana-tan is bullying us!”
“Riran, scold Akito~”
“There, there. Now Akito, bad boy.”
Neika and Hiyori hugged Riran, and I ended up being the one scolded. Why am I the one getting in trouble? I don’t get it.
Then, Rio approached us.
“Good work, Akito-kun. You looked cool.”
“Don’t you start teasing me too.”
“How rude. I’m only teasing because your reactions are so interesting.”
“That’s the same thing!”
I’m mentally exhausted, so I really want to be left alone right now. Seriously.
“Well, I’m going back to the Blue Team side. See you later.”
“Yeah. See you later, Akito.”
I waved to Riran and the others and headed back to my own camp. I was stared at intensely along the way, though. I really can’t get used to these curious gazes.
Ryūya, noticing my return, raised his hand to greet me.
“Hey, hey, Akito, good work out there.”
“I’m seriously tired. I never thought a Sports Festival event could be this exhausting.”
“Have you finally understood the terror of that Empress?”
“Yeah. It’s not just scary; her ideas are just insane.”
They say there’s a thin line between an idiot and a genius, but she’s right on the edge. Is she an idiot, or a genius?
I really don’t want to get involved with that person if I can help it.
“Honestly, it’s impressive you managed to avoid that demon woman’s attention until this time of our first year.”
“I haven't contributed to the school in either a good or bad way. If you live a plain life without standing out, it’s rare to be noticed.”
“You think so? We got noticed within about three weeks of starting school.”
That’s entirely because of the trouble you guys caused.
Well, in any case, the events I had to participate in are over. For the rest of the events, I just have to watch.
Good luck, everyone.
◆
“Hey, Ryūya. Look at me.”
“N-No, well. I’m really sorry.”
Does a ‘sorry’ really cut it? Does it?!
Why... why...!
“Why did the rider for the lead horse collapse from heatstroke, and why am I the substitute?!”
“Wow, perfect explanation. As expected of Akito-san!”
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry.”
Ryūya apologized with a 90-degree bow. Good grief, this guy...
As I felt a headache coming on from Ryūya’s unreasonable request, the riders of the other two horses for the lead horse also bowed their heads.
“Sanada, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sure Sanada-kun is tired too, but we need your help...”
Being looked down upon by two guys over 180 cm tall makes me feel like I’ve shrunk.
“Well, if he collapsed from heatstroke, it can’t be helped but... why me?”
“Who else could we ask for something this sudden besides Akito? Akito doesn’t refuse stuff like this.”
Tch. Because we’ve been friends since middle school, he knows me inside and out. It’s annoying, so I don’t want to admit it.
“Three days of ramen and we have a deal. Of course, Ryūya is paying.”
“Seriously?! Hehe, thanks, Akito!”
“Don’t cling to me, it’s hot.”
After being thanked and apologized to again by the other two, I really couldn't back out anymore.
“Sigh. So, do we have a strategy?”
“Leave that to me! I have a perfect strategy that won’t lose to anyone!”
“Heh, let’s hear it then.”
We formed a huddle and listened to the strategy Ryūya had come up with.
“—That’s how it’ll go. What do you think?”
“Isn't that putting too much of a burden on Sanada?”
“Y-Yeah. Leaving it all to Sanada-kun, who’s just a helper...”
Hmm...
“No, it’s fine. We’ve come this far. I might as well go all out.”
“Oh, I like that, Akito! That’s the spirit!”
“Don’t push your luck.”
“Ouch.”
Sigh... how did it end up like this?