"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and school leaders! The moment we've all been waiting for—the ultimate battle of speed and teamwork—has finally arrived!"
"That's right! The climactic event of the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School Sports Festival: the mixed-gender 4×100-meter re-lay ra-ce!"
The host drew out the word "relay race" for a full six seconds, each syllable ending at a higher pitch than the one before.
"Are—you—Ready!"
"Yes!"
"I can't hear you! Are—you—Ready!"
"Yes!"
Once the atmosphere in the stands had been whipped up enough, the host continued.
"This isn't just a test of individual limits. It's a test of teamwork! Every handoff carries on the trust between runners; every stride is a chase for glory!"
"Four batons connect more than just the track—they link faith and dreams! Four heroes will write their own legends with speed and passion!"
"On this track, victory and defeat are separated by mere fractions of a second, and everything comes down to the final leg! Now, hold your breath and focus on the field as we welcome this moment! Who will become the king of speed? Who will carry the baton to victory? Let the track decide!"
"Everyone, let's cheer them on and witness this epic showdown!"
"Now, let's switch our view back to the studio."
The host's polished commentary made a small school Sports Festival sound as momentous as the Olympic relay finals.
"Triple points. We have to win this relay race."
"Hirata, I think I twisted my ankle during the 200-meter race this morning. It still hasn't gotten better. Can I be replaced?"
Miyake had twisted his leg during the 200-meter race, and he was still having trouble with it.
"I can run in Miyake's place. I'll pay the points for the substitute runner."
Ayanokoji offered. Doubtful murmurs rose around them. He usually kept such a low profile that his classmates instinctively didn't trust him.
"I agree with Ayanokoji. I believe in him."
Hirata settled the matter, silencing his classmates' objections.
"Hirata, are you all right? You signed up for most of today's events. Can you handle it?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine."
Hirata said with a strained smile, sweat running down his face.
Whether Class D could finish first in their year now depended entirely on whether they could turn things around in the final relay race.
"So there's no need to push yourself, Hirata. Take a break this time."
"I understand, but Nagami, who do you think should run in my place?"
"It's simple. I'll run."
His classmates stared at Nagami, who was suddenly walking normally. As if relieved, he handed his crutch to Hirata.
He casually tore off the bandage wrapped around his right leg. Everyone was stunned: Nagami had been faking his injured calf.
"I spent the whole afternoon pretending to limp so the students from Class C would stop trying to pull another stunt."
So that was why Nagami had done it: he wanted Ryuen to let his guard down and assume Class D was bound to lose.
"Hirata, don't worry. I'll win this one!"
Nagami said confidently as he put on his shoes.
"Do it for me, Ayanokoji. Give the relay everything you've got."
Horikita looked at Ayanokoji, her eyes full of hope.
"Uh, all right."
Looking at Horikita, he went along with her dramatic speech and agreed to match the mood.
Class D F4—Sudo, Kushida, Ayanokoji, and Nagami—took their positions.
The host began introducing the runners in each lane.
Lane one: First-year Class A's Yahiko. Give him a warm welcome!
Lane two: First-year Class B's Shibata Hayate. Give him a warm welcome!
Lane three: First-year Class D's Ken Sudō, who had the strength to beat members of the Track and Field Club. Give him a warm welcome!
Lane four: Third-year Class A's Ayakawa Yuto. Give him a warm welcome!
Lane five: Third-year Class B's Fujiwara Kenji. Give him a warm welcome!
Lane six: Second-year Class A's Sawamura Naoto. Give him a warm welcome!
Lane seven: Second-year Class B's Kiriyama Ikuyo. Give him a warm welcome!
Lane eight: Third-year Class C's Kosaka Ritsuya. Give him a warm welcome!
The race is about to begin. Stay tuned!
"Bang! And they're off! First-year Class D's Sudo gets off to a lightning-fast start and bursts into the lead! Third-year Class A's Ayakawa Yuto is right behind him. Could Class D pull off an upset?"
"The girls are starting their run-up. The second leg is a girls' relay. Let's see if first-year Class D can hold on to its lead!"
"Go, Kushida! Go, little Kikyo!"
The cheerleaders shouted encouragement to the runners on the track.
"Class D's Kushida is giving it her all, but she's overtaken at the 50-meter mark."
"Who's that? It's second-year Class B's Kiryuin Fuka. Her white hair streams straight up into the air, and she's moving so fast she barely seems like a girl."
"Kushida is still giving it everything she's got, but the lead Sudo built is slowly being eaten away by the girls in the other lanes."
"On the third leg, thanks to the lead Kiryuin Fuka built, second-year Class B's Kimura Yuki is now in front."
"First-year Class D's Ayanokoji is right behind her. Can he overtake the Class B runner and restore Class D's glory?"
"Ayanokoji is moving fast! He's actually passed Kimura Yuki!"
"His actions are telling everyone that Class D can't be underestimated. We're much stronger than you think!"
"As long as you're willing to fight for it, the future holds endless possibilities!"
"That perfectly captures the theme of this Sports Festival: 'Burn, Youth!'"
"Now in the lead are first-year Class D's Ayanokoji and third-year Class A's Hoshino Shohei. Second-year Class B's Kimura Yuki has dropped to third place."
"What's going on? First-year Class D's Nagami isn't running up to the starting line. He's just standing there. What's he doing? Did he forget to turn off the gas at home?"
"So that's it! Third-year Class A's Horikita has received the baton and is starting at the same time as first-year Class D's Nagami. They're doing this for a showdown between real men!"
"Go, Nagami! Go, Nagami! Nagami, take down the Student Council President! I'll stay single for ten years if it means Class D comes in first!"
At that moment, Class D's cheer squad went wild. They waved their colorful flags, their faces flushed red as they shouted themselves hoarse. The boys jumped up and down, whistling loudly.
"A promise between men. What a romantic bond."
"Now I kind of want to go back to school and do it all over again!"
"First-year Class D's Nagami is moving at incredible speed! He's already pulled four full strides ahead of the runner in second place. If he keeps this up, he might break the school record for this relay!"
In the end, Nagami crossed the finish line first. Class D erupted in celebration, and the relay ended in a perfect comeback for them.
"42.57 seconds! A new Sports Festival relay record!"
"Let's give the warmest applause to every member of first-year Class D!"
"Woohoo! First place! First place! First place! First place!"
Class D celebrated on the sidelines. After this Sports Festival, it felt like their class had grown closer and more united.
"Thank you, Nagami, Kushida, Sudo, and Ayanokoji. Class D owes this one to you."
Hirata stepped forward and said.
"It was nothing."
"Ayanokoji, honestly, you're pretty fast. I felt a little bad waiting for you. If we hadn't come in first, I think I'd have been killed."
"I wouldn't mind."
Before you continue