V3Ch17: Blue Wind

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

The sports festival, which had been so lively, was drawing to a close.

Win or lose, this was the final event.

Currently, our red team was in the lead. However, the gap was minimal. Any of the top four teams could win. You could say that the team that wins the final event will win overall.

“Congrats. That was amazing at the end!”

“Thanks… Akazawa, make sure to give it your all too.”

“Leave it to me. The opponents are strong, but I’ll win and secure the championship for the red team!”

On my way back to the red team’s area, I exchanged words with Akazawa as we passed each other. She seemed really pumped up, which was reassuring.

Everyone’s attention was fixed on this event.

It wasn’t just the close competition—this was the first-ever direct showdown between the goddesses, which drew even more attention.

The red team’s anchor was Yuuhi Akazawa.
The blue team’s anchor was Umi Aoyama.

The goddess of red and the goddess of blue were clashing in this decisive match for the championship. It was impossible not to get excited, and there were few students who weren’t interested.

By the way, Kuromine and Shirase were not participating in the relay. They were excluded from the eight selected members. If either of them were to participate, it would draw attention, but neither was very athletic, so it made sense that they weren't included.

After our relay team returned with a victory, we were showered with praise. I was a bit embarrassed from all the compliments, but it didn't feel bad.

“Alright, this is it. Let’s cheer them on with everything we’ve got!”

When Nekoda said this, the whole red team raised their voices.

I set aside my emotions and gave my full support to the red team, especially Akazawa. Considering the bet, I desperately wanted us to win.

Having given my all earlier, the only thing I could do now was cheer.

“Now, we’ve reached the final event of this year’s sports festival. All eyes are on the unprecedented clash between the goddesses. The spotlight is particularly on Umi Aoyama from the blue team. What kind of performance will she show us!?”

The announcer seemed unable to contain their excitement.

As the entire student body watched, the starting pistol fired.

The red team shot out of the gate.

The first runner took the lead and passed the baton smoothly to the next runner. The red team kept the lead.

“Nice!”

However, we couldn't let our guard down. The top teams were right behind us. A single mistake could cost us the lead.

Although we were nearly caught several times, everyone held on well. There was even an accident where the black team dropped their baton, but the top teams made no major errors.

The red team passed the baton to Akazawa while still in the lead, with a decent gap between them and the teams behind.

“Alright, we've got this!”

“We can do it!”

“Run, Yuuhi!”

Mahiro, Nekoda, and I shouted together.

Akazawa, who received the baton while in the lead, ran at full speed. She looked even faster than during the 100-meter race—it wasn’t just my imagination.

The girls from the pink and purple teams were also fast, but with the lead Akazawa had, she could hold them off. We were going to win.

“The red team is in the lead. Now, the blue team has handed the baton to their anchor, Aoyama. Can she catch up!?”

Hearing the announcer, I looked over, and saw Aoyama, who had received the baton, giving chase with incredible speed.

“Whoa, she’s fast!”

I didn't know who said that.

Aoyama, who had received the baton, was closing in with tremendous force. Her speed was unreal. In no time, she overtook the other runners and was closing in on Akazawa.

…She was as beautiful as ever.

Her running form reminded me of the day I saw her run, thinking it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. She became one with the wind and gained speed rapidly.

Before I knew it, the gap between them had narrowed.

“This is bad! Run!”

Snapping out of it, I desperately cheered. Even while captivated by Aoyama’s run, I continued to cheer for Akazawa.

The gap steadily closed.

“The blue team is showing an incredible comeback. The red team’s lead is quickly disappearing. But the finish line is right ahead. Can they hold on!?”

I shouted until my throat was raw. I never thought I'd be cheering this hard for her.

Akazawa was doing her best.

She was holding on, but just before the finish line, Aoyama overtook her. Aoyama crossed the finish line first.

And then—

“We did it! We’re the champions!”

Aoyama, overcome with joy, tossed the baton into the air.

In a dramatic turn of events, the blue team won the final event with a stunning comeback in the final stretch. With this, the blue team overtook the red team by just one point, and the lively sports festival ended with the blue team's victory.

“…”

As I watched that scene, I gave a few claps.

Though it was disappointing to lose the championship, the silver lining was that the blue team had won. With this, I had won my bet with Renji and with Shion.

And, seeing Aoyama give it her all had me feeling elated.

“…Congrats.”

I muttered as I watched Aoyama, beaming with joy, and with that, my first “Goddess Sports Festival” came to an end.

---

The day after the sports festival, during lunch break.

Since the sports festival was held on a weekday, the following day was still a school day. My body didn't hurt since I regularly exercised, but my throat was sore from all the cheering.

At Tenka Academy, a whirlwind of excitement surrounding Aoyama had begun.

Aoyama's popularity skyrocketed after the sports festival. The dramatic comeback victory left a huge impression. Even as her opponent, I couldn't help but admire her running form. It was truly beautiful.

This year, it might be possible for her to stand as the sole goddess.

In reality, the entire school was buzzing about Aoyama. Even in this class, where Akazawa sat, the only conversations I could hear were about the final relay. Although Akazawa pretended not to care about the last-minute loss, it was clear she was upset.

Suddenly, Mahiro came rushing in from the hallway, his voice frantic.

“Something big's happened!”

“What is it? Did something else happen involving Aoyama?”

“Yeah, it’s about her! It’s huge!”

The momentum surrounding Aoyama really was unstoppable. What happened now? Did her faction suddenly grow bigger, or did a video of her go viral online? I wouldn't be surprised no matter what it was.

Right now, the winds were in Aoyama’s favor—strong, undeniable winds.

But Mahiro’s next words far exceeded my expectations.

“Aoyama-san has withdrawn from the Tenka Contest! (Goddess Contest)”

“…Eh?”

The blue wind had suddenly turned into a storm.