Chapter 37: A Beautiful Girl Takes on the Sports Festival (Part 5)

To start with the results—our three-legged race team finished in third place.

We couldn’t beat the Blue Team’s runners, but we crossed the finish line without falling even once, and that alone made us really happy. We got so excited that we accidentally hugged each other. It wasn’t until afterward that I realized what I’d just done and jumped back in a panic. Moeka-chan just laughed and said I was "blushing," which made me laugh too.

The final event, the relay race, also ended with the Red Team in third place. The Blue Team fumbled a baton pass and dropped to fourth, but even so, our overall points weren’t looking great. Our last hope was the cheering competition results, but since those depended on the parents’ votes, there was no way to predict how that would go.

And then came the closing ceremony.

For some reason, they made me wear the maid outfit from the obstacle race again. And—unbelievably—they had me attend the entire ceremony in it.

Standing in line, I couldn’t help thinking, I’m so tired today… But more than that, I actually had fun. Maybe? It was my first time ever winning first place in anything. I managed to finish the three-legged race with Moeka-chan without messing up. The cheering dance—my moves were stiff as a board, but at least I danced.

I don’t think I’ve ever ended a sports festival feeling this refreshed.

Sure, I came dead last in the hundred-meter dash, and I got embarrassed a lot… but still.

As I replayed the day in my head, the time finally came for the ranking announcements.

First up was the cheering competition. The broadcasting committee member in charge began reading off the results. Honestly, the hardest job of the day might’ve been theirs.

They announced the results from last place upward. Third place went to the Blue Team. Red Team still hadn’t been called.

That meant… we were either first or second! My excitement shot through the roof as I exchanged glances with Togo and the rest of the cheering squad.

"Second place goes to… the Yellow Team!"

Which meant—before our result was even announced—the Red Team had already started cheering in anticipation.

"First place goes to the Red Team! The Red Team took a full seventy percent of all votes! Incredible!"

A beat later, the official announcement confirmed it, and the Red Team’s side erupted in even louder cheers.

"Let’s share a few comments from the parents’ votes. ‘The little cheer girl was adorable.’ ‘I became a fan of the small girl dancing in the front.’ ‘I voted for the cheer girl showing her belly because she worked so hard.’ Looks like they were talking about you, Sakura-san♪"

"—Wha!?"

My name came up out of nowhere, and I let out a strangled sound that didn’t even qualify as a word. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest.

The moment they called my name, everyone’s eyes were suddenly on me. The embarrassment hit like a punch, and I started shrinking into myself. What if I shrink so much I disappear?!

"Ayu-chan, that’s great! Sounds like everyone saw how hard you worked."

"Sh-shut up!"

Togo teased me, and I quickly turned away.

"Aww, she’s blushing. How cute."

"Shut up, shut up!"

I never thought I’d have to endure this kind of humiliation during the closing ceremony.

Besides, I wasn’t the only one who worked hard! They could’ve picked a better comment to share!

Making it sound like I carried the whole team just made me feel bad for everyone else. Feeling guilty, I looked around to see how they were taking it.

"Putting Sakura-san in that position was definitely the right call."
"Yeah, she was so cute dancing next to me, I almost got distracted."
"I kinda wish we could’ve watched her from the front too!"

…Okay, they didn’t seem bothered at all. In fact, if I said anything, it’d probably make things even more awkward. So I stayed quiet.

Once the cheering results ended, it was time for the overall standings.

Blue Team had been third in the cheering contest, Red Team first. Maybe—just maybe—we had a shot.

They announced the rankings up to third, then came the moment for second place. The field fell silent. My heart was pounding. This was the first time I’d ever cared this much about the results of a sports festival.

"Second place goes to… the Blue Team!"

A groan of disappointment rose from the Blue Team’s area. Second place was normally something to celebrate, but they’d been in first almost the entire day. To lose it right at the end must’ve been a real blow.

And then, the Red Team was declared the winner. The cheers returned, even louder than before.

Thanks to the cheering contest points, we managed to snatch first place in a dramatic comeback. The Red Team’s victory cries continued long after the broadcast tried to cut them off.

When the closing remarks ended, the festival moved into its final event—the folk dance.

All third-year students were required to participate, while first- and second-years could join if they wanted. Apparently, it was a long-standing tradition at Mikawa High’s sports festival.

Two circles were formed—an inner and an outer ring. In the outer circle, partners switched every few measures, while the inner circle couples stayed together the whole time.

Even though the ceremony was over, most parents were still watching, so dancing in the inner circle basically meant you had an unshakable relationship—and probably parental approval too. Still, every year, a few couples danced there. Pretty bold, honestly.

"Huh? Ayumi-chan, you’re not dancing?"

As students who wanted to join gathered by the gate, I sat at our team’s tent, sipping tea.

Sakurako-chan came over and asked me that.

"I’d just be in the way. Besides, I can’t really dance properly anyway."

"Really? I think the third-years would be happy if you joined them, though."

"Eh, I seriously doubt that."

That was Moeka-chan chiming in.

I barely knew any of the third-years. If they told me to dance with some girl I’d never met, I’d just feel awkward.

Even so, some of the third-years had actually invited me. I politely turned them down. Holding hands with guys I didn’t know—it’s kind of scary, honestly.

"By the way, where’d Ryoji go?"

"What, you don’t remember? Back at the freshman welcome party, he got that ‘dance with your crush at the folk dance’ ticket from the student council, remember?"

Oh… right. That was the prize from the hide-and-seek game.

I didn’t think he’d actually use it. Guess he really did.

So right now, Ryoji’s probably out looking for his favorite girl—or maybe the one he secretly likes. Huh…

"Ayumi-chan, you okay with that? Ryoji-kun might get taken, you know."

"‘Taken,’ huh…" I wasn’t sure that was the right word, but…

If Ryoji got a girlfriend, maybe he wouldn’t hang out with me as much anymore. That’d be a little lonely.

But still, barging in on a friend’s love life would be rude. I’ll just cheer him on from the sidelines. Yeah, that’s best.

"Ah, there you are, Ayu. Come on—we’re dancing."

Just as I’d made up my mind to support him, Ryoji suddenly appeared.

"Huh? What did you just say?"

"I’m telling you, we’re going to the folk dance. Oh, and by the way—refusal isn’t an option. It’s a special bonus, so just accept your fate."

"But… isn’t that supposed to be girls only?"

"What are you talking about? You’re the girl here."

…Right. I almost forgot.
Wait, hold on a second.

Why in the world would he pick me over all the actual girls out there? Is this some kind of prank…? No, Ryoji’s not the type to pull something like that.

"Oh, Ryoji-kun. Knew you’d do that."
"Yeah, saw that coming."

Meanwhile, the two girls nearby reacted like it was the most natural thing in the world—completely unfazed, as if to say of course.

"Anyway, let’s get going already."

"I can’t dance at all—whoa!?"

Before I could finish my protest, he grabbed my hand and pulled me along.

I turned to Sakurako-chan and the others for help, but they just waved back at me with cheerful smiles.

Grrr… so this is the cursed “April Hide-and-Seek” bonus at work. Nobody’s even trying to stop him!

Maybe it’s because time was short, but Ryoji kept a firm grip on my hand and briskly led the way toward the entrance gate. Along the way, I caught other teams staring as we passed, whispering things like, "Lucky guy," and, "Man, I should’ve joined the welcome event."

Wait, this “new student welcome party bonus” is that famous!? Did someone leak it on the school’s unofficial site or something?

"Okay, okay, I get it! I’ll go, so stop pulling already!"

"Oh—sorry. Did that hurt?"

"No, not really… just felt like I was gonna trip, that’s all."

"My bad, my bad."

He chuckled with a mischievous grin.

As we waited at the entrance gate, I noticed a few third-years glancing over.

"Sakura-san, you had a boyfriend!?"

Some even asked in shock. I quickly explained that it was just a “welcome event bonus,” and they backed off with a relieved, "Oh, thank goodness." Still, having to repeat it every time was exhausting.

It’s not like Ryoji actually plans to date me anyway. Honestly, he should’ve just asked the girl he really likes. Maybe he chickened out before he could?

Well… I guess asking someone out in a setup like this is awkward. I wouldn’t have the courage either.

But still—if that’s the case, he could’ve just forfeited his bonus instead of dragging me into this mess…

Once we entered the inner circle for the folk dance, I noticed a few other pairs joining in too. Thank goodness—it wasn’t just us alone in the middle.

As soon as everyone was inside, the music began.

"Sorry, Ryoji. I really have no idea how to dance."

"Ah, no worries. Me neither."

That’s… not exactly reassuring. Still, Ryoji started moving his feet with a lazy rhythm that somehow matched the tune. I tried to follow his steps as best I could.

"Hey, Ryoji."

"Hm?"

"Why did you invite me anyway? You could’ve asked a cute girl instead."

He paused, thinking quietly for a moment.

"…Yeah, I guess I could’ve. Now that you mention it, I didn’t even think about it."

"What kind of answer is that?"

So it wasn’t that he couldn’t choose or didn’t have the courage—it just never even crossed his mind.

"Seems like a waste. You could’ve picked someone you actually like."

"Maybe. But even if I did, it’d probably just end after tonight. That’d feel kinda lonely, wouldn’t it?"

I’ve always thought Ryoji was actually pretty good-looking. Sure, his personality’s got some rough edges if you don’t look past them… but still, he’s confident, outgoing, and genuinely decent. If he put in the effort, I doubt this would just be a one-time thing. What a waste.

"Even if I went around searching for someone else to invite, I don’t think the result would change."

"Result?"

"Yeah. There’s no girl cuter than you anyway."

The casual way he said it made my face heat up in an instant.

"W-what are you saying? I’m a gu—"

"Whoa, stop right there. Don’t say that out loud. We’re in public, remember?"

He had a point—we were still in the middle of the folk dance, surrounded by upperclassmen even if none were right next to us. I bit back the words I’m a guy before they could slip out.

"…Look, what about Student Council President Mitsui? She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?"

"You into girls who drop to their knees just to peek under someone’s skirt?"

"Agh—yeah, okay, fair point. But you did the same thing, didn’t you?"

"Did I?"

"You totally did!"

The dance wasn’t over yet.
As the first song ended, the pairs on the outer circle switched partners, but those of us in the inner circle—like me and Ryoji—kept dancing together.

"Sure, the president’s pretty," he said, "but I prefer the more petite, cutesy type. Someone like you, Ayumu. Y’know, with just the right size boobs."

"Oh, shut up."

Yeah, I’ve got a kid’s body. I’m short—barely taller than a middle schooler—and my chest isn’t much to speak of either.
Ugh, seriously, why am I even worrying about stuff like that? That’s not supposed to be me…

Well, maybe it’s only natural. Whether you’re a guy or a girl, everyone’s got their own insecurities. And now that I’m living as a girl, I can’t help comparing myself to other girls. Somewhere along the way, that shift just… happened.

When I see someone with a great figure, it’s not “She’s hot”—it’s “I’m jealous.”
In other words—

"You’ve really started to look like a girl, Ayumu."

His words mirrored my thoughts so perfectly that I flinched and looked up at him.

"I noticed it back during the pool event too. It’s been, what, three weeks since then? You’re even cuter now."

"R-really? I don’t think I’ve changed that much."

"Totally. You’re a real heartbreaker, you know that? You were already cute when you just looked like a girl but still acted like a guy. Now that your personality’s catching up, you’re downright dangerous."

"S-sorry…"

"Don’t apologize for that," he said, laughing heartily at my flustered reaction.

"Relax. No matter how you change, I’ll always be your friend. We’re best buds, remember?"

The setting sun cast his face in shadow, and somehow that only made him look cooler. I was really glad to have Ryoji as a friend.

"Yeah… thanks."

Feeling oddly embarrassed, I looked down, unable to meet his eyes.

"Oh, and Ryoji?"

"What is it?"

"I get that in folk dance you’re supposed to hold a girl by the waist, but could you not grope or, y’know, touch my butt sometimes?"

His hand, which was supposed to stay politely at my waist, had been wandering all over.
Good thing I wasn’t wearing the cheer outfit—it shows my stomach. If he’d touched me then, it’d be skin-to-skin contact and… yeah, total disaster.

"Busted?"

"Of course I noticed! Anyone would notice! Keep that up and real girls are gonna run for their lives!"

"Oh no, terrifying. Guess if every girl runs away, you’ll just have to take me in, huh?"

"No way!"

"Aw, you’re such a tsundere, Ayumu. That’s adorable."

"Shut up!"

He’d be perfect if not for that part of him…
Well, that’s Ryoji for you. Still, if he ever tried that on an actual girl, it’d definitely be game over.
Even with me, it’s not okay—but somehow he just doesn’t get it. Seriously…

The sun was sinking in the western sky, the schoolyard slowly dimming.
The music came to an end, and with it, the folk dance.
Tents and spectator stands were already being taken down, the festival atmosphere fading bit by bit.

It had been a long day—but a fun one.