Chapter 72: Sports Festival Enjoyers vs. Gachis (1)

Translator: Soafp
TL: Gachis= people who take their hobby or interest very seriously
Important note: I made a blunder about Hiragi’s name. It’s Hinagi. Sorry for the inconvenience.
And if you haven’t noticed it yet. The character design and cover is out. Link. Characters.

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Volume 6: Getting serious from the second semester.

“The day has finally come……” (Sayuri)

　At the window, where too much bright sunlight shines in, Sayuri-sensei is twilighting tiredly in the early morning.

“Waaa!　Sensei, you’re more beautiful than you were before summer vacation.” (Yuki)

“You’re the only one who’s been complimenting me lately, can I introduce you to my parents?” (Sayuri)

“You can’t!” (Hinagi)

“O-Obviously, you can’t do that!” (Shiori)

Hinagi and Shiori are denying it regardless of the will of mine.

　Even though a new semester had started, the teacher’s mind was still stuck in summer vacation.

　It can’t be helped. It’s the same for me. It’s hard to wake up in the morning, right? I’m already thinking about the winter vacation. I’m trying to be nice to the teacher to ease her mind a little.

“At my age, this kind of straight talk works better than you might think. I’ll tell you what. You can only be praised for your study skills and athletic ability while you are still a student, right?　Once you enter the workforce, it is a given that you will be able to do your job. No one will praise you for that. You guys will understand that when you get older.” (Sayuri)

　From the outset, Sayuri-sensei speaks fluently about the harshness of the working world. Now that the age of adulthood has been changed to 18, those of us who will become new adults in two years are far more deserving of listening to her talk than to the useless and useless principal who has been around for a long time.

　What a wonderful teacher you are!　I couldn’t help but speak out in the emotion that was coming over my heart.

“Sensei is still young and pretty, too, you know?” (Yuki)

“I really appreciate it. Seriously, should I introduce you to my parents?” (Sayuri)

“Like I said its a no-no!” (Shiori)

“Why was he being shota-ish for a second there?!” (Hinagi)

　–Batsu?!

　Perhaps because I had been living a life unbecoming of a high school student during the summer vacation, my mental age had completely regressed. When I’m sleepwalking, I brush my teeth or something. I’m Yukito Kokonoe and I’m 16 years old.

　I spend my optimized days mindlessly and automatically throwing favorable words like an AI to those who try to take care of me whenever the opportunity arises.

　I rummage through my pockets and find the security buzzer my sister gave me. I accepted it without feeling any discomfort. I’ve been told repeatedly to ring it if something sour is about to happen, but I’m still a high school student, after all. And I have a sweet tooth. Sour is a little …….

　If there is a button, everyone wants to press it. I was resisting the urge to do so, when I suddenly realized that I had to do something about it.

“Come to think of it, I was treated like a pillow yesterday…… !” (Yuki)

“Aside from the problem children who are stunned there. Okay, you’re all here without injury. The second semester will be full of events, including the sports festival and the cultural festival. You have only a short time to be a high school student, so make sure you have fun and enjoy your youth. And of course, don’t forget about the tests.” (Sayuri)

　Sayuri-sensei says just what she wants to say and turns to leave the classroom, but stops dead in her tracks.

“Can I get one more compliment from you?” (Sayuri)

“I want to be a cool and nice adult like you!” (Yuki)

“I see, I see. You’re a hard man to deal with, you know that?” (Sayuri)

　Kya Kya

“Those two are so close.” (Student)

“Sensei, are you going through something difficult?” (Student)

　The classmates were giving me a warm look.

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“Ron, 8,000 all in.” (Yuki)

“This is a poker.” (Kouki)

“…………” (Yuki)

“…………” (Kouki)

“Full house!” (Yuki)

“Don’t win this battle so easily.” (Kouki)

　At recess, while putting away the cards, the fresh handsome man suddenly declares himself.

“Let’s definitely win the sports festival!” (Kouki)

“I think this class can do pretty well, no?” (Takahashi)

“It will be fun. But I’m not too confident in running. ……” (Ito)

　Takahashi and Ito, who were playing poker with, agreed with him.

“We have both Kouki and Shiori, so I think we have a good shot at winning, right?” (Takahashi)

“There are a lot of athletic kids here, you know.” (Ito)

　Elizabeth and the others join in the chit-chat. There is no doubt that this class is a strong contender, and the fresh handsome guy and Shiori will certainly outperform the rest of their classmates, but that is not the only thing that decides who wins in a sports festival.

“What’s the matter, Yukito?　You don’t look happy.” (Kana)

“I don’t know when in my life I’m going to use “anywhere”.” (Yuki)

“What are you talking about?!” (Kana)

“You say we will definitely win, but I don’t see how that’s possible.” (Yuki)

“Why do you say that, Kokonoe-chan?” (Mineda)

　Mineda was not pleased, but I guess all I can say is that it all depends on luck.

“We are students and as long as we all have a good time, it doesn’t matter who wins or loses. Isn’t it realistic to think that we might win if we are lucky?” (Yuki)

“That’s true, of course. …… Still, if we all just hang in there, who knows?” (Takahashi)

“If you don’t know the outcome, you can’t say for sure we’ll win.” (Yuki)

“That’s very logical. These things are like enthusiasm.” (Takahashi)

　Kouki’s expression turns serious as he looks at the troubled Takahashi.

“No, I definitely want to win.” (Kouki)

“Impossible” (Yuki)

　The people around me gasp at the seriousness of Kouki’s unusually stubbornness. It seems that this hot-blooded man cannot help but burn at such occasions. The tension is palpable.

“—-Then, how can we be sure of winning this tournament, Yuki?” (Shiori)

　It was Shiori Kamishiro who interrupted with a confident voice.

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“You know, I’ve made up my mind.” (Shiori)

　I won’t ask what. That’s because I’m sure she won’t be able to give me an answer if I ask her. I thought I had pushed her away. I thought I had let go of her hand. But there she was, as usual, full of emotion, as if nothing had happened.

　I could tell by her expression. It was the same as Hinagi’s, or maybe even the same as her sister’s. Her eyes were strong and determined, with no hesitation whatsoever. I can’t do anything about the person who always has such eyes.

　After school, Shiori invites me to come home and talk with her. The words she spoke out clearly were very powerful. There was no trace of the timid Shiori Kamishiro that I had seen in the past, and she had a radiant smile on her face as if she had blown away all her doubts.

“I decide everything for myself. I decide how I feel and what I want to do. I don’t want to say goodbye. I don’t want to leave. I’m the one who decides that, not Yuki.” (Shiori)

　Once that is said, there is no room for objection. It’s selfishness to the point of egocentricity. She simply imposes her own wishes, without looking at my face or caring about my feelings. It’s just like what Sekka-san said.

“….I don’t have any say in the matter.” (Yuki)

　After all, there is no way that others can interfere with her choices. Maybe I was the one who was arrogant enough to try to do so. I was trying to take advantage of the other person’s emotions and move them to my will for my convenience. I thought I understood their feelings and their happiness. But I don’t understand a single thing.

“I just don’t know what to do.” (Yuki)

　My true feelings, lost in a dead-end, spilled out. I thought it was the right thing to do. There had to be a choice that would not cause harm. There must be a right answer somewhere.

　But there is no such right answer, and no matter how hard I look for it, I can’t find it, and here she is, walking next to me. Even if it is a painful choice.

“Ahaha I don’t know it either. …… It’s difficult.” (Shiori)

　Her smile was charming, her eyes squinted like a cat’s, and her smile was more mature than in junior high school.

“I’m done chasing after your back. I want to walk shoulder to shoulder with you. That’s all I want right now. It feels different. I want to start from there again.”

“There’s no way to reset it, though.” (Yuki)

“Right. We can’t go back like back in the past. But I want to start from scratch again.” (Shiori)

　I wonder if there is a “future” for us, just as there was when she first approached me that day.

　Shiori meditates and takes a deep breath. Then she slowly opens her eyes. I was indeed there.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Shiori Kamishiro. Hey, how can you work so hard?” (Shiori)

　Words I had heard long ago. That’s how our relationship began. Time passed by and we changed drastically.

“I’m not working hard on anything right now.” (Yuki)

　I just answer honestly. Both hands were squeezed between my cheeks.

“Yuki is doing his best. You’re always working hard on your own. Always looking for answers for someone else. Let me help you. You may not be able to find the answer by yourself, but together we can find it. Besides, we’re all here!” (Shiori)

　Shiori puts her right hand out in front of me. An extended hand. If I take that hand, I am sure she will suffer from now on. Even so, I cannot refuse the hand that is forcibly extended to me. It was extremely difficult to shake off the feelings of warmth.

“A handshake to make up and to say hello. Now I just want to spend time together. School life. It’s going to be interesting from now on!” (Shiori)

　Bunbun, my hand shook vigorously up and down. The guilt that she had shown in the past does not exist in her now. She is enveloped in a presence like the sunshine of those days.

“—Yuki. Let’s definitely win the sport festival!” (Shiori)

I swallowed the words that were about to come out of my throat. I didn’t say it was impossible. No, there was no need to say it. Shiori Kamishiro knows exactly what she is talking about. She knows exactly what she needs to do to win the championship and what she should do.

　As it is now, the outcome is left to luck. It is a strong will that will bring it about.

“–Ah. Maybe we can do it.” (Yuki)

　After telling the refreshingly handsome man so much that it was impossible, I responded in the affirmative, without shame or regret. I can’t escape the slander of being a dubsta, but it’s not up to me to decide. It’s up to all of them to make up their minds.

“Does this mean that “pressure-free education” is over?” (Yuki)

“T-That’s not right, is it?” (Shiori)

　Shiori smiled, her eyebrows arched in a figure of an 八, as if she were troubled.

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“Kokono-chan, you know, you know. We want to win!” (Mineda)

“Yesterday, we all talked about it in the group chat. We decided that we wanted to do something memorable, since it’s not often we get an opportunity like this. We’ll all do our best, so why don’t you join us, Kokonoe?” (Kana)

　As soon as I got to school, hmph!　Elizabeth and her friends come talking to me, snickering. Mumu, I can feel the lumen vibrations getting stronger and stronger.

“Uommabushi” (Kouki)

“Don’t surprise me all of a sudden!　You’re scaring me!” (Yuki)

　A fresh, handsome man comes and stands in front of my desk.

“If everyone can have fun together, that might be all right. I know that’s the way it should be. But I, we want to get results. Yukito, we’re going to win for sure!” (Kouki)

　He talks as if it were a decision. What in the world did they discuss yesterday? Maybe Shiori had sparked it. I was a bit nervous about the tension in the air, but I took out the thing I had prepared.

“…… What’s that?” (Kouki)

“It’s like an booster. You have to pay attention to the details in these things.” (Yuki)

　I took out a moderately sized wooden board.

“…… ‘Sports Festival Preparation Room’?” (Kouki)

“We’re going to do it, so we’re going to do it to the best of our ability. We will now begin the [Sports Festival Strategy]!” (Yuki)

“Kokonoe-chan, is this what they mean by “gachi”?” (Mineda)

“It’s not good. ……. I can’t believe Kokonoe is motivated, this must be important …….” (???)

　Wading through the bustle and noise, I grabbed Shakado by the neck.

“G-good morning ……. Hihi…… Uhm……Something w-w-w-w-wrong?!” (Shakado)

　The group is a little further away from Shakado, who is left to her own devices. [TL: reptile girl]

“Akanuma, Fujimori, and Doda. We need your help to win. Please, lend me your strength.” (Yuki)

A thudding head hits the desk. The eyes were black and white. Akanuma and the others are what is called a “liberal arts” group. They are not so good at sports. But to win the championship, it would take more than just a fresh, handsome guy and Shiori alone. And the gymnastic festival is not only a festival for those who are good at sports. The cooperation of the entire class, including Akanuma and the others, was essential.

“U-us?! We’re not good at sports?” (Shakado)

“If this keeps up, it’s just going to be one fresh, good-looking guy over there with a grin on his face, and he’s going to stand out and enjoy the delicious taste of the food. How can we allow that to happen?” (Yuki)

“Oi, we’re on your side!” (Kouki)

　Ignore the apologetic protests.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll help. ……” (???)

　That thing has a really good personality, doesn’t it?　I mean, I just noticed that everyone in this class as a whole is very friendly. Isn’t there some kind of more crusty faction warfare or something?　Maybe I’m the only one who’s talking about shady characters and school caste. …… For now, I turn away from the truth that is secretly being revealed.

“U-uhm….How did ……I ended up here …..?” (???)

“Hmm?　Ah, Shakado. You are the trump card for the gymnastic festival. The championship is in your hands!” (Yuki)

　Pointing a finger with a snap. Yes, as far as I am concerned, Shakado is the trump card of our class that will play the most important role in the gymnastic festival. If her mission succeeds, the victory will be assured.

“Hihi……hi……! HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?!” (Shakado)

　Shakado’s faint voice, which was not even a scream, seemed to echo through the classroom.

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