"On your marks... bang!"
"And so, this year's Sports Festival has finally begun! Your commentator today is none other than Minamin from the Broadcasting Club, back by popular demand for the second year running!"
The commentary had officially started.
It wasn't exactly a blow-by-blow play-by-play. Rather, she focused on picking out highlights and notable students to keep the energy up. I sat back and watched to see how Senior Fukazawa would handle the flow.
"Minamin!" "Minami-n!"
Apparently, she had her own little fan club.
Minamin waved toward the cheering voices, her twin-tails swaying with the movement.
"Now then, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for—our annual guest! This year, we have a very special guest indeed! She’s a top-tier student in both academics and sports, a dedicated worker who truly understands our needs, but notoriously unapproachable! Her list of rejected suitors is legendary, and her role as Student Council Vice President is nothing short of calculated cuteness! Let’s hear it for our school’s pride, The Aloof Goddess herself—Sara Satsukawa-san!"
"Whoooo!" "Yeahhh!"
...I knew Sara-senpai was popular, but I hadn't expected this kind of reception. Senpai herself looked absolutely miserable.
She definitely wasn't the type to enjoy this kind of spotlight.
"Um... thank you for that introduction. I am Sara Satsukawa. I currently serve as the Student Council Vice President."
Despite her obvious distaste, she realized she couldn't just sit there in silence and went ahead with her greeting.
"Satsukawa-san!" "You're gorgeous!" "Marry me!" "Go out with me, please!"
It was inevitable that some guys would get swept up in the heat of the moment, but listening to them didn't exactly make me feel great.
"I decline."
Clearly fed up with the heckling, Senpai shut them down instantly.
"Whoops! Another one added to the body count already! But wow, you really are popular... To be honest, even I’m in shock that I’m sitting right next to you. I can’t believe I actually talked you into this."
"...Let’s just get on with the commentary."
Senpai’s mood was tanking fast.
I wished Senior Fukazawa would take things a bit more seriously, but I also understood that keeping the crowd hyped was part of her job...
In other words, my role as "support" meant I was the one who had to soothe Senpai when her mood soured like this.
I leaned in close so only she could hear me.
"Sara-senpai. To be honest, I hate this too. I can't stand seeing these guys getting carried away and talking to you so flippantly."
"Takanashi-kun..."
She looked at me, a flicker of surprise in her eyes at my sudden change in tone.
"But we all worked so hard to make this festival a success—you, me, and the rest of the Student Council. It’s only for today. I’ll endure it too, so please, let’s just get through this together."
I knew I was being incredibly cheesy, but it was how I truly felt. I was willing to swallow my pride for her sake.
"Takanashi-kun... Together... Right. It is only for today. I’ll do my best."
Finally, a smile returned to her face.
I’d do whatever it took to keep that smile there.
If anyone else tried to pull any nonsense, I’d shut them down myself.
"...Whoa, total love-comedy vibes. It’s like a scene straight out of a youth drama... Takanashi-kun, I can’t believe you can say stuff like that with a straight face. Wait, am I going to have to sit here and watch you two flirt all day?"
Senior Fukazawa started muttering to herself.
Why did everyone around me have a habit of talking to themselves under their breath?
"Now, looking at the 100m Dash, it’s mostly members from the sports clubs. The big match to watch is between the Track and Field Club ace, Tanaka-kun, and the Tennis Club’s resident heartthrob, Yokogawa-kun. Satsukawa-san, what’s your take?"
"Um... I would imagine the representative from the Track and Field Club has the upper hand?"
Considering she had no interest in sports or the competitors, her answer was perfectly logical.
"Over at the Start Area, we’ve already got Yokogawa-kun’s Fan Club out in force with their banners, and a boy group who seems determined to cheer for Tanaka-kun... probably just out of spite."
You could at least call them Tanaka-kun's Cheering Squad, I thought.
Yokogawa was a great tennis player, but he couldn't realistically expect to beat a specialist in a sprint.
Then again, there was no point in getting too worked up over a school sports day.
In the end, Tanaka-kun took the win.
Which meant his "Cheering Squad" won as well... in more ways than one.
Yokogawa didn't seem to have expected a win anyway; he didn't look particularly bothered by the result. Still, coming in a close second was impressive.
As he was catching his breath, he looked toward the commentary booth and gave a bright smile along with a thumbs-up.
"Oh! Yokogawa-kun is making an appeal to someone up here! I wonder who it could be?"
The Fan Club erupted in screams.
Senior Fukazawa probably played it up to make it look like an appeal to Sara-senpai... but I had a feeling that was meant for me.
Once the 100m Dash concluded, it was time for the 200m Dash... I was dreading this.
My athleticism was pretty average, so my goal was just to make sure I didn't come in dead last.
It was just an event, no need to get intense about it.
Though it was a shame I didn't have the talent to show off a cooler side of myself while Sara-senpai was watching...
When I arrived at the Start Area, there was no cheering from my class, as expected.
Sara-senpai was stuck at the commentary table, so she obviously wouldn't be coming down to cheer for me either.
"Now, he might not be a featured athlete, but we have a member of the Student Council Executive Committee competing! Takanashi-kun is stepping up to the blocks. Satsukawa-san, how is his athletic ability—wait, where are you going?! Come back here, stay in your seat!"
I really wished she'd stop bringing me up in the commentary. I deeply regretted not telling her to leave me out of it.
But what was with that panicked shouting at the end?
"...Takanashi-kun doesn't usually participate in sports, so I don't believe he considers it a strength. However, he is a very dedicated person, and I believe he will give it his all. Please do your best, Takanashi-kun."
Ah... I was thrilled, really, but having her say that so tenderly over the school-wide broadcast...
"Booooo!" "Booooo!"
Great. I was surrounded by enemies before the race had even started.