episode_0042

At the starting signal, Vita started running.

“Run, guys-!”

The cheers echoed throughout the stadium, almost rupturing eardrums.

A total of eight athletes started running at the same time. Before long, Vita felt herself out of breath and her legs starting to tremble.

But Vita ran. Of course, she couldn’t stop.

‘We must win…!’

Because I always thought that if I wasn’t number one, it was meaningless.

You have to do your best.

And here at least I had to get first place. If only for the sake of the class ranking.

So Vita fixes her gaze forward. She grits her teeth and stretches her legs out even longer.

The flower of sports competitions.

[The running event has the highest score among all events!]

[We’re about halfway through now. Bianca from Class 3 is getting more and more aggressive!]

At the same time as that comment, Vita took out one person.

“Wow-!”

“Run!”

The cheers around me felt like a hallucination.

Vita moved briskly like a squirrel.

Tad- Tad-

The friends in the stands have been standing for a long time.

“Ppa, fast… !”

“Bianca is really fast?”

“Oh… Oh… !”

They looked at each other and checked their excited expressions.

Clap and cheer.

Running is the best sport for excitement. The thrill and tension of having the outcome decided in a short period of time.

There is a good reason why it is called the highlight of sports competitions.

Even the usually cheerful Carlyle.

Even Vita’s odd partner, Sasha Noah.

“Run, Bianca-!”

He has the kind of charm that makes everyone stand up. And in a way, Vita is the only promising prospect in the group.

After 4th place, 3rd place. After 3rd place, 2nd place! After beating out two people.

[Class 2 is in the lead, and Class 3 is right behind!]

[Bianca Shamal shows off her incredible skills!]

At first, Vita was definitely ranked fourth. He felt pushed back because he was a bit smaller than the other players.

But it doesn’t seem to disappoint anyone’s expectations.

The distance between them gradually narrowed as her thin ankles powerfully kicked the ground several times and her blonde ponytail fluttered in the wind.

‘I will win…!’

He originally had excellent athletic ability. He has almost no rivals except for Carlyle Schultz.

Even now that I have turned into a woman, it is still the same.

Vita was not confident.

Jill herself, that is. Except for the one person she is conscious of and acknowledges.

‘Running is like that. It’s easier to chase than to get ahead.’

Knowing that, Vita ran strategically. Starting from the middle, she starts striking out in an instant.

‘Just a little more…!’

***

“Wow-!”

As the cheers grew louder, the third-place female student, and the second-place female student, finally overtook the first-place student and ran forward.

Cheers and cheers continuously erupt from the stands.

As he crossed the red finish line, almost throwing his whole body forward, in that split second, a breathtaking joy enveloped Vita’s entire body.

‘I did it, finally…!’

Vita fell to the grass, but she was still laughing.

[Class 3! Class 3 is the winner of the girls’ race!]

[It was a huge comeback!]

This is it, really.

After catching her breath, Vita returned to the class stand, and everyone cheered to greet her.

“Wow, what is it?!”

“I totally thought it was a cheetah.”

Even the teacher is smiling brightly.

“Well done, really. I didn’t know you’d get first place.”

Of course, things were going well for her recently, so Vita took a deep breath and smiled. She even gave him a V.

“Ah, good-!”

And when I stretched with a refreshed mind, my sweaty Burma rolled up strangely.

“Ohhh… ”

“Wow!”

The boys in the class instantly blushed and turned their heads away, but Vita didn’t notice and just bent down again, catching her breath.

Then the sound of approaching footsteps.

“What are you doing, you idiot.”

He has a look of helplessness on his face. That Carlyle Schultz guy.

No, why?

Vita spoke to Carlyle with a puzzled expression.

“Why, what?”

Carlyle sighed deeply at Vita’s reaction.

Bam-

A men’s gym jumper was placed over Vita’s body.

“Cover. With this.”

And then, just in case you were to refuse, he immediately corrects himself.

“I have to go to the game. You take care of it for a bit.”

“Uh, uh.”

Only then did Vita realize.

When I looked, I saw that the sweat-soaked Burma was sticking to me. And strangely enough, it was rolled up inward, showing my bare skin.

So, although she was embarrassed in many ways, Vita felt more embarrassed by Carlyle covering her with a jumper than by the fact itself. For no reason at all.

[Next, men’s division! Men’s division students, please come.]

Carlyle had already passed by during the broadcast, but Vita was still dazed and unable to move.

-What are you doing, you idiot?

The words that Carlyle let out with a sigh were played back. When I looked towards the stands, everyone was looking this way.

In particular, the teacher’s expression was like a surprised rabbit’s eyes, making me feel very embarrassed.

So, as Vita timidly returns to her seat, with her head bowed, she hears Sasha speak.

“Youth. Youth.”

Vita raised her head.

“Oh, no! Just leave it to me, so… ”

But the voice crawls like a mosquito.

Eventually, Vita lowered her head again, her face ripening like a tomato.

Let’s just blame Carlyle.

‘Why is he suddenly doing something stupid again…?’

Anyway, the men’s match started not long after.

“Go, Carlyle-!”

“Show the power of Class 3!”

Well, he’s such a superior and talented guy that it’s annoying when he’s your enemy. Is there really any need to see him?

‘Carlyle will be first anyway.’

Even as I think that, I can’t take my eyes off Vita.

If you think about it, we’re on the same side now. It’s not strange to analyze your rival’s game.

Carlyle was running. He looked like a black panther running.

Leisurely yet fast. Amazingly superior.

“Wow… Fast… ”

“It’s a huge difference from 2nd place.”

Vita finds herself captivated by Carlyle.

‘It’s a monster, really.’

I would say that it is an overwhelming gap, just like the reactions of the students around me.

Now that I’m on the same side as them and competing, I realize that it really was like that.

[Quick, Class 3!]

[Carlyle is in the lead.]

He’s been competing with that kind of monster all along. Vita doesn’t feel bad about that thought.

Nod your head slowly.

‘If it’s not me…!’

You have no match. The other kids can’t even rub shoulders with him.

So Vita feels a bit of a strange sense of superiority. She also feels a bit of regret about what would have happened if she had been running with them.

I was completely immersed in the game, and I woke up without even realizing it.

Vita cheered for Carlyle. Beside her, Sasha and her friends were shouting.

‘More, more…’

Show me overwhelmingly!

Because I can’t forgive you for losing to anyone other than me!

‘He’s my rival. Even if you lose, lose to me.’

Vita bit her lip.

A possessiveness that arose without me knowing.

As much as you hate your opponent, you also acknowledge him.

So Carlyle Schultz, that unlucky guy, must remain only his own rival.

Yeah, that’s it.

I don’t want to see that guy lose to someone else.

It’s unimaginable, but if it really were to happen, it would only be for Vita herself.

‘Don’t give up, really.’

Before I knew it, Vita was holding both hands tightly. She was completely out of her seat and immersed in it.

[We’re halfway through now!]

There is no room for relaxation.

But the other players are also representatives. They are running well, even if they are not as good as Carlyle.

At first glance, it seems like the gap between Carlyle and the second place is narrowing.

[The distance is closing!]

[Is there really going to be a reversal?!]

‘No, what are you doing?!’

Vita feels absurd yet urgent.

***

The lips are bitten.

I feel a yearning heart.

‘If you lose, I really can’t forgive you.’

Because I absolutely cannot forgive you…

‘Even if you lose, lose only to me.’

‘Run, run more-!’

But was it a mistake?

Carlyle started to pick up speed again and crossed the finish line first.

[Class 3, 1st place!]

The result was Carlyle in first place.

Cheers and applause spread.

“As expected, it’s Carlyle.”

“The line that catches up at the end.”

Everyone is excited.

“If we keep doing this, we’ll get first place?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Vita also laughed heartily. She hugged Sasha and enjoyed the joy together.

I feel strangely proud and happy. I feel like I won.

‘Yeah, this is it.’

If you lose to someone other than me, I will never forgive you!

Maybe it was because he was on the same side as Carlyle for the first time, and because he came in first. Vita felt good, but also strange.

So, I unconsciously looked towards Carlyle, and our eyes met.

Gulp- Gulp-

Carlyle, who was drinking water, soon finds himself and snickers.

It’s not even funny. He’s pretending to be cool while sweeping his sweaty hair up.

‘… What, what is that? Is that guy crazy?’

I feel very lethargic. It feels like the food I ate this morning is coming back to me.

Vita thought so, but was also slightly embarrassed.

‘Does he think he’s cool when he looks like that?’

My face gets a little hot because it’s so absurd. I was just annoyed because it was so absurd.

Well, anyway.

The most important event in the sports competition is still coming up: the mixed relay race between men and women.

After a brief break.

Vita and Carlyle stood together as class representatives.

[They say the highlight of sports events is running, right?]

[Among them, the best is the mixed race.]

Two boys and two girls chosen from each class.

Four runners from each class participate in a relay race.

Vita and Carlyle had already been running, but it was only a short distance. They still had plenty of stamina, so they both volunteered.

“I want to be the last one!”

Because the last one is the most important. Of course, Vita stepped forward, but it turns out that the women’s turns are already decided.

‘No, isn’t this… sexism?’

Because he likes to be the center of attention, at least in places like this, so even though he was a little dissatisfied, Vita chose the third runner.

“You have to do well, you!”

In the end, the last runner was Carlyle Schultz, so Vita made a bold move.

“Are you giving me a prize or something…?”

Vita nodded at what the other person had said.

There is absolutely nothing I cannot give you.

“Just win, for now.”

Because first place is much more important. There is nothing visible.

[Players, please gather together.]

As everyone decides their order and gathers at the starting line, tension begins to build.

“Okay, fighting!”

After everyone had chanted the slogan, the relay race finally began amidst loud cheers.

***

[Three, two, one…]

Beep-!

A total of eight players stepped out at the same time.

The mixed race begins. The host’s voice rings out along with loud cheers.

[Class 2 is going to attack! Next is Class 4-!]

[What will happen?]

It’s a bit of a shame though.

Half of the Vita’s from the first and second runners up to third place.

Vita stamped her feet.

“Give me! Hurry up-!”

Because the first and second place classes have already started next to each other.

“Hey, here… !”

Vita took the baton and started running at the same time, her tied-up blonde hair flying around her cheeks.

The neat forehead of Vita was revealed into the air.

[As expected, it’s fast!]

[This is Bianca Shamal, the winner of the women’s race!]

I’m out of breath. My legs are shaking.

Still, Vita’s twinkling amethyst eyes looked only ahead.

[This is really fast! Class 3 is already in 2nd place.]

I can’t get first place because I’m far behind.

Vita grits her teeth, but soon Carlyle’s figure comes into her sight.

‘Yes, if it’s you…!’

I feel somewhat reassured.

Vita laughed heartily while unconscious.

“Take it, Carlyle-!”

Fingertips are connected to fingertips.

Carlyle immediately snatched the baton that Vita had offered and started running.

A guy with long legs and a superior physique.

Carlyle Schultz’s method is clearly different.

“Wow-!”

“What the?!”

The rankings begin to change.

[This is ridiculous!]

[Where did Class 3 recruit track and field athletes?!]

[Bianca too, and that Carlyle Schultz!]

The stadium was practically a crucible of excitement.

When we were enemies, we were just annoying, but now we are strong allies!

Vita’s gaze continued to follow Carlyle’s back. Although she felt regretful for not being able to be the last runner, it was okay for now.

‘If only I could get first place…!’

And Carlyle never disappoints. In the end, Vita was relieved when Carlyle crossed the finish line in the lead.

[The relay race 1st place winner has been decided!]

[Class 3! It’s Class 3!]

It was all done together, but especially the comeback victory achieved by Vita and Carlyle.

Vita, feeling better, ran to Carlyle.

“Good job, ya-!”

A brightly blooming smile.

Carlisle looked at Bianca Shamal and smiled, wondering if she was really that good.

Anyway, I think we need to acknowledge that woman’s competitive spirit.

But that’s that. I guess I’ll have to do what I have to ask.

“Sang, don’t forget.”

So Vita’s expression crumpled at what Carlyle said.

What else are you asking for?!