"Isn't it because everyone likes you?"
"!"
"I think that's something to be envied." Lin Yan's voice was full of gentleness, and the tenderness in his eyes was moving. Hishiro Chizuru felt that warmth too. "You were only resting a little before the match because you were injured. No one would blame someone who had stayed behind to keep practicing every day for the past three years! Tamari said so too. She wants to compete with you. But she hurt you, so she can't keep troubling you because of her own selfishness."
"But this is really great." Hishiro Chizuru finally saw hope, and the huge weight in her heart finally fell away. "Hearing you say that, it seems there's no problem at all."
"?" Kariu Rena still had some doubts in her heart.
"Because wanting to participate together and hoping the other person will take part in the final match are everyone's selfish wishes, aren't they? Aren't they the same thing?"
"!"
"Let's go!"
Hishiro Chizuru held out her hand to Kariu Rena. All she wanted was to give her a pull, so Kariu Rena would not regret what she had done today. By the time regret came, it would already be too late.
"This is great. To be honest, I was worried whether I could pull you away with my strength alone. I was planning to ask Lin Yan to step in if necessary." Hishiro Chizuru even told the truth. That was already quite a serious thing to admit.
Lin Yan spoke calmly.
"You're willing to run without me dragging you along?"
Kariu Rena looked at Hishiro Chizuru, her heart filled with gratitude. She was the one who had pulled her out of the darkness, the one who had treated her with such kindness.
At that moment, a voice