Episode- 12

A few days have passed since Shimoda's famous speech.

　Since then, there have been many events packed with sports festival atmosphere, such as deciding who will compete in each event and creating class T-shirts.

　During physical education classes we practiced the "eye of the storm" exercise for our grade, and those participating in selected events practiced during lunch breaks and after school, so I was constantly witnessing such extraordinary things while I was at school.

　--And today.

　The day before the sports festival arrived, and the venue was set up in the schoolyard and everything was ready.

　The school building was bustling with excitement, and excited voices could be heard coming from somewhere even after school when no club activities were held.

"It's already this late. I need to get home quickly..."

　Sighing, I finally made it back to the classroom.

　The sun was setting, bathing the classroom in a faint orange glow.

　She was the only one sitting alone in a chair, moving her hands.

"Tohsaka?"

"Wow!!! ...Fujita-kun?"

"Yo."

"Why are you still at school at this time? Unlike Aika and Asahi, I don't think you have to help set up the venue."

“I had to resubmit my essay for current affairs. Somehow they noticed that I was half asleep when I wrote it. Maybe it was because my handwriting was crooked.”

"That's definitely it..."

　Tohsaka sighed in exasperation, then burst out laughing.

"Ahahaha, you're really funny."

"I'm not a big deal though."

"You're always so humble... well, that's typical of you, Fujita."

　Tohsaka puts her hand over her mouth and laughs softly.

　As I approached Tohsaka's desk, I noticed a stack of papers lined up on the desk.

"What is Tohsaka doing?"

"It's the work of the executive committee. I was actually planning to distribute the program today, but I guess I got too excited and it took a while to finish... Now that it's going to be distributed on the day, I'm hastily putting it together into a booklet."

　As she answers, she folds several sheets together and staples them together.

　At first glance, there appear to be about six books completed, but considering the number of students in the class, there are likely many more.

"What about Shimoda? He's also a member of the sports festival team, isn't he?"

"It looks like Shimoda-kun is busy reviewing the warm-up exercises for the opening ceremony and rehearsing the inter-club relay race."

"Now that I think about it, Shimoda is a member of both the drama club and the debate club. No wonder he's so busy."

　As he said this, he borrowed the seat in front of Tohsaka's desk and sat down, positioning his chair so that he was facing Tohsaka.

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"Is this the cover and I just have to take the rest in order?"

"Eh, yeah, that's true, but..."

"roger that"

　He takes the papers one by one and puts them into a booklet.

　Tohsaka watched the book being completed, then let out a smile.

"Fujita-kun, you know."

"yeah?"

"...No, it's nothing."

"The most annoying thing is when someone stops after starting to say something."

"I suddenly didn't feel like saying anything. That's all."

"You seem determined."

　When I said that, Tohsaka's cheeks relaxed again in amusement, and then she dropped her gaze to her hands.

　After school, the only sound that echoes through the classroom is the sound of papers being turned over.

　Like water flowing down a gentle slope, time passed peacefully between Tohsaka and me.

　Without any real timing, Tohsaka speaks.

"I definitely want to win the sports festival."

"You want to win, huh? Tohsaka, you seem to like that sort of thing. Like a fight, or something that gets you excited."

"Oh, really? People around me say that I'm pretty calm."

"That's not wrong, but it's not perfect."

"Huh? ...Maybe you actually think I'm a bloody bastard?"

"No, actually I think she's the girl covered in whipped cream."

"...Fujita-kun?"

"Ah, yes. Sorry."

　It's scary to be glared at by a beautiful woman.

　After I apologized sincerely, Tohsaka muttered a quick "That's fine" and nodded.

"But like you said, I quite like competitions. Especially sports festivals."

"I've been feeling good these past few days."

"Do you understand?"

"You'll understand. Just watch."

　When I said that, Tohsaka gave a small smile.

　I pick up one piece after another and stack them together.

　The pleasant sound of paper rubbing against something dissolves into the blurred contours of space.

"I really, really want to win from the bottom of my heart. Up until now, I've been thinking that on my own, but tomorrow, everyone wants to win too. I want to contribute in whatever way I can to live up to the expectations that are placed on me."

"Tohsaka is amazing as always."

"Is it amazing?"

"...No, it's nothing."

"Is that payback for earlier?"

"Well? You've forgotten everything."

"Fufu, you really are a strange person."

　Even as he exchanged words with Tohsaka, his hands moved on their own, like a machine.

　Is that because it's an easy task, or is it because--

"Now that I think of it, Fujita-kun--"

"Now that I think of it, Tohsaka--"

　The words overlap.

　At the same time, our hands, which were reaching out to what was before we knew it was the last cover, overlapped slightly.

　At that moment, they realized they had been concentrating on what they were saying and exchanged looks as if they had agreed on something.

　And for some reason, we just stared at each other without saying a word.

　The setting sun, the colour of which seems to be "warm", shines into the classroom.

"Ah. Sorry."

"I'm sorry. I was so engrossed in talking that I didn't notice."

"Y-yes. Me too."

　I pulled my hand away first, and Tohsaka hesitantly picked up the cover and finished the last book, saying "Okay then."

　There are booklets stacked up, one for each student in the class.

"It's done already?"

"Even though there was so much. It's quicker when two people do it, as I thought."

"That's right."

　I answered briefly and then looked at the completed booklet once more.

　However, I didn't feel any sense of accomplishment or that it finished surprisingly quickly.

　But at that moment, the coldness of Tohsaka's hand when our hands touched, her touch, and her expression all filled my mind, as if they were plastered all over the place.

　What color was her face really?

　Again, no one knows that.

　The classroom is bathed in orange.

　　　　　♦ ♦ ♦

　I heard a voice in front of the classroom and stopped in my tracks.

　I secretly peeked inside through the glass door and saw Kaori and Fujita.

　I, Usami Aika, immediately hid myself.

　What a timing.

　Just the two of us in a classroom after school, bathed in the setting sun...how romantic.

　I've always had a strong power of empathy.

　Maybe that's why even now, I couldn't stop my heart from pounding as I saw myself in those two.

　I had a feeling it would be fun.

　But now it pulsed even stronger――

"Huh? Usami-san, what are you doing?"

"⁉"

　I turned around in a panic and saw Asahi-kun tilting his head quizzically.

"Oh, it's Asahi-kun... Stop surprising me like that!"

"That's what I should be saying. Why don't you take an objective look at yourself right now?"

"...If Asahi-kun sees this, he will surely understand my feelings. Pay close attention!"

"No way... ha! This is delicious!!!"

"Yum yum!"

　As comrades who share the same aspirations, we observe the two of them together.

　It was as if we were getting a share of that youth, and my heart was filled with a sense of happiness I had never felt before.

　and--

"!!!!"

　Kaori and Fujita's hands are definitely touching.

　We too looked at each other and shared our excitement.

　Oh my god.

　To think something like this could even happen...those two are the real deal after all.

　For a moment, the two of them stared at each other as if they were the only two people in the world, then, as if they remembered time,

"Ah. Sorry."

"I'm sorry. I was so engrossed in talking that I didn't notice."

"That's right. Me too."

　After a brief exchange of words, they return to normal.

　After watching it all the way to the end, I let out a big sigh of relief.

"That's amazing, seriously."

　Filled with the happiness I receive from other people, I lean my back against the wall in the hallway opposite.

"I can't do that."

　Asahi-kun also let out a similar sigh and sat down next to me.

　Then the two of them look up at the ceiling.

　The pattern is unclear and there are stains that look like they were caused by a leak and no one knows when they formed.

"Hey, Asahi-kun. We're a bit similar, aren't we?"

"Yeah, that's true. I guess that's true."

　Those were the only words we needed and we were satisfied.

　A soft light streamed in through the window behind us, casting shadows on us as we leaned against the wall.

　We heard the sound of joyous laughter in the distance, and we breathed out again, catching our breath.

　　　　　♦ ♦ ♦

　The sun was shining brightly. The sky was clear and blue.

"The sports festival will now begin."

　After the opening remarks, the students left the stage.

　Gradually, applause erupts.

　It was louder than usual, and occasionally there were some excited voices mixed in.

"Our class going to won the championship!!!"

"That's right! Just wait, our youth!!!"

"...No, no, the championship isn't decided by class."

　Regardless of the content, I can finally feel that this day has come.

"So it's sunny after all."

　I muttered to myself as I looked up at the brilliant sun again today, and unzipped my tracksuit a little.

　--thus.

　The fateful sports festival begins.