The Final Relay Race

"Ladies and gentlemen, spectators! School administrators! Today, the ultimate battle of speed and teamwork has finally reached its final moment!"

"That is the grand finale of the Advanced Nurturing High School Sports Festival: the mixed-gender 4x100m relay race!"

The host dragged out the word "relay" for a full six seconds, his voice rising in pitch with every syllable.

"Are--you--Ready!"

"Yes!"

"I can't hear you! Are--you--Ready!"

"Yes!"

Seeing that the atmosphere in the stands had been sufficiently hyped, the host continued.

"This is not just a test of individual limits, but a trial of team synergy! Every baton pass is a continuation of trust; every sprint is a pursuit of honor!"

"Four batons connect not just the track, but belief and dreams; four heroes will use speed and passion to write their own legend!"

"In this contest on the track, victory or defeat lies in the blink of an eye, and the outcome rests on the final leg! Now, let us hold our breath, focus on the field, and welcome this moment. Who will become the king of speed? Who will take the baton to victory? Let the track provide the answer!"

"Everyone, let us cheer them on together and witness this epic showdown!"

"Let us cut back to the studio."

The host's skillful commentary turned a small-scale Sports Festival into something as grand as an Olympic relay final.

"Triple points—we must win this relay race."

"Hirata, I think I sprained my ankle this morning, and it hasn't gotten any better. Can we swap me out?"

Miyake had sprained his leg during the 200m race, and it was still causing him trouble.

"I can run in Miyake's place. I can pay the points for the substitution," Ayanokoji said. Skeptical murmurs arose; Ayanokoji's presence was usually so low that his classmates instinctively doubted him.

"I agree with Ayanokoji. I trust him."

Hirata made the final call, suppressing the students' dissent.

"Are you alright, Hirata? You signed up for most of the events today. Is your stamina okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Hirata said, sweating as he forced himself to stay upright.

Whether Class D could take first place in the grade depended entirely on whether they could turn the tables in this final relay.

"So there's no need to push yourself, Hirata. You should rest this time."

"That may be so, but Nagami, who do you think is suitable to run instead?"

"It's simple. I'll step up, won't I?"

The students' gazes turned to Nagami, who was suddenly walking normally. He handed his crutches to Hirata with a look of relief.

He casually tore off the bandages wrapped around his right leg, and everyone was shocked—Nagami's leg injury had been a ruse.

"I spent the whole afternoon faking a limp just to prevent people from Class C from trying to sabotage us again."

It turned out that Nagami's goal was to make Ryuen lower his guard, believing that Class D was destined to lose.

"Hirata, don't worry. I will win this time!"

Nagami said confidently as he put on his shoes.

"Ayanokoji, just do it for me. Give it your all in the relay."

Horikita looked at Ayanokoji, her eyes filled with hope.

"Uh, alright."

Looking at Horikita, he went along with the atmosphere after her rather chuunibyou-esque speech.

Class D F4: Sudo, Kushida, Ayanokoji, and Nagami took their positions.

The host began to introduce the contestants in each lane one by one.

Lane one, 1st Year Class A, Yahiko, let's give him a warm welcome.

Lane two, 1st Year Class B, Shibata Hayate, let's give him a warm welcome.

Lane three, 1st Year Class D, the man with the strength to defeat the track and field club, Sudo Ken, let's give him a warm welcome.

Lane four, 3rd Year Class A, Ayakawa Yuto, let's give him a warm welcome.

Lane five, 3rd Year Class B, Fujiwara Kenji, let's give him a warm welcome.

Lane six, 2nd Year Class A, Sawamura Naoto, let's give him a warm welcome.

Lane seven, 2nd Year Class B, Kiriyama Ikuyo, let's give him a warm welcome.

Lane eight, 3rd Year Class C, Kosaka Ritsuya, let's give him a warm welcome.

The race is about to begin, so please look forward to it!

"Bang! The race has begun. Sudo from Class D, 1st Year, has had a lightning-fast start, breaking through the pack to take the lead. Ayakawa Yuto from Class A, 3rd Year, is hot on his heels. Is Class D about to pull off an upset?"

"The girls have started their run-up; this is the second leg of the relay. Let's see if Class D, 1st Year, can maintain their lead!"

Go, Kushida-chan! You can do it, Kikyo!

The cheerleading squad is shouting loudly for the athletes on the track.

"Kushida of Class D is running with all her might, but she's been overtaken at the 50-meter mark."

"Who is she? It's Kiryuin Fuka from Class B, 2nd Year. Her white hair is streaming straight back in the air, and her speed is almost unbelievable for a girl."

"Kushida is still pushing hard, but the lead Sudo established is being slowly whittled away by the girls in the other lanes."

"For the third leg, the one now in the lead thanks to the advantage built by Kiryuin Fuka is Kimura Yuki from Class B, 2nd Year."

"Ayanokoji from Class D, 1st Year, is following closely behind. Can he overtake the student from Class B and restore glory to Class D?"

"Ayanokoji is incredibly fast; he's actually overtaken Kimura Yuki."

"With his actions, he is telling everyone that Class D cannot be underestimated, and that Class D is far stronger than you all imagined."

"As long as you are willing to fight, the future holds infinite possibilities."

"It perfectly matches the theme of this Sports Festival: 'Burn, Youth!'"

"The current leaders are Ayanokoji from Class D, 1st Year, and Hoshino Shohei from Class A, 3rd Year. Kimura Yuki from Class B, 2nd Year, has fallen into third place."

"What's going on? Nagami from Class D, 1st Year, isn't even doing a run-up; he's standing perfectly still. What is he doing? Did he forget to turn off the gas at home?"

"So that's it! Horikita from Class A, 3rd Year, has taken the baton and started running at the same time as Nagami from Class D, 1st Year. It turns out it's a showdown between real men."

Go, Nagami! Go, Nagami! Take down the Student Council President, Nagami! I'll trade ten years of being single for Class D to take first place!

At this moment, the Class D cheerleading squad began screaming as if they had gone mad. They waved their colorful flags, their faces flushed red, shouting slogans at the top of their lungs. The boys were jumping up and down while whistling loudly.

"A man's promise—what a romantic sentiment."

"It almost makes me want to go back to school and study again!"

"Nagami from Class D, 1st Year, is moving with incredible speed. He's already four body lengths ahead of second place on the straightaway. If he doesn't slow down, it feels like he might break the school record for this relay."

In the end, Nagami was the first to cross the finish line. The entire Class D erupted instantly; this relay race concluded perfectly with Class D's comeback.

"42.57 seconds! A brand new Sports Festival relay record!"

"Let's give a round of the loudest applause to all the members of Class D, 1st Year."

Woohoo! First place! First place! First place! First place!

The students of Class D were celebrating on the sidelines. Through this Sports Festival, it felt like the atmosphere of the class had become much more united.

"Thank you all—Nagami, Kushida, Sudo, and Ayanokoji. Class D really relied on you all this time."

Hirata walked up and said.

"It was nothing."

"Ayanokoji, honestly, you ran pretty fast. I felt a bit embarrassed while I was waiting for you. If we hadn't taken first place, I feel like I would have been killed."

"I don't mind."