The whirlwind that was lunchtime finally subsided. After recovering in more ways than one (?) thanks to Sara-senpai’s lap pillow, I made my way back to Headquarters.
The events proceeded smoothly from there. The Costume Relay, a Student-Planned Event, turned out to be an unexpected hit. In this race, various parts of a costume had to be carried relay-style to complete an outfit. It wasn’t just about the running; the struggle of trying to dress the participants while in a hurry made for a surprisingly heated and exciting competition. It might be worth doing again next year.
Finally, it was time for the event I was forced to participate in: the Cavalry Battle. I was assigned the Rear Role for our horse. Fortunately, my teammates were from the Isolated Group—or rather, the Non-interference Faction—and were relatively easy to deal with compared to the rest of the class.
"Alright, let's give it our best without getting hurt," one of them said.
"I'll try, but just don't let me fall off," the rider replied.
"Is it just me, or are we being watched strangely?"
We were definitely being watched... or more specifically, I was. There was a high probability that the resentment from this morning’s events still lingered in the air.
"Ah... sorry. It’s probably because of me..."
"Oh, I see! That business from this morning!"
"I’m actually pretty curious about what happened there myself."
"To be honest, this is getting interesting! It basically means we’re surrounded by enemies, right?"
Wait, what?
Based on my past experiences, I’d expected them to be annoyed and blame me for the unwanted attention. Instead, while their reactions differed, they were all wearing grins.
"...You guys don't mind?"
"Are you kidding? I’m fired up!"
"Don't mind him, he’s just that kind of guy."
"Takanashi, I think you might be misunderstanding something. It’s not like we particularly hate you or anything, okay?"
...What?
That was a shocking revelation. Granted, since they were part of the Non-interference Faction, they didn't have any real ties to those idiots who were on particularly bad terms with me.
"Think of it as 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend,' even if that’s not quite right."
"You probably don't know because you disappear from the Classroom the moment the bell rings, but those guys have more enemies than anyone else right now."
"Hey, it’s starting!"
While I was still reeling from the shock of that conversation, the Cavalry Battle was a sport where a lapse in concentration could lead to injury. Since there was a high chance we’d be targeted, I pushed the unnecessary thoughts aside and focused.
Bang!
At the signal to start, a group of guys charged straight for us.
"We can't take them all at once! Let's observe and counterattack while keeping our distance!" our rider shouted.
I followed his lead, moving in perfect sync with the person at the front. It was taxing, but we focused on staying mobile and sticking to the less crowded areas. When the groups chasing us thinned out, we’d launch a counterattack and then relocate immediately. Because we were being targeted from all sides, some groups ended up taking each other out through friendly fire when we successfully dodged their charges.
Midway through, Hayato and his team provided some support, allowing us to put up a surprisingly good fight. However, we were simply outnumbered; shortly after the midpoint of the match, our headband was snatched, and our run came to an end.
"Ah, well, that’s that."
"I actually had a blast thanks to you, Takanashi!"
"You really do love this kind of chaos, don't you?"
"...I had fun, too."
And I meant it. Honestly, it was fun. I hadn't imagined for a single second that I could actually enjoy a competition with my Classmates.
The Cavalry Battle concluded with the White Team as the victors, but my mind was too full of the genuine enjoyment I’d felt to care much about the result. Even as I headed back to Headquarters, people called out to me, saying, "Good work." To be honest, rather than happy, I felt like I was in a daze, as if I’d been bewitched.
With the competitions finished, all that remained was the customary Folk Dance Time. The boys and girls were likely nursing all sorts of hopes and expectations, but these things usually followed the rule of never being able to dance with the person you actually liked.
Well... good luck to them.
I had one last patrol scheduled, after which I was supposed to help with the cleanup. Just as I was about to head out, I received word that the Disciplinary Committee Member who was supposed to accompany me had been slightly injured in the Cavalry Battle and was currently being treated in the Infirmary.
Which was why I was currently on patrol with a substitute.
"Takanashi-san, all that’s left is the School Building Back Area by the Flowerbed."
"Sara-senpai, was it really okay for you to leave Headquarters?"
The one acting as the substitute was Sara-senpai. When the need for a replacement came up at Headquarters, she had immediately dump—er, handed off her own responsibilities to the President and volunteered to come along.
"Takanashi-san, how did you find the Sports Festival?" she asked suddenly.
I wasn't sure if she was just asking if I’d enjoyed the events, or if she was asking about everything that had happened, including the surprises.
"To be honest, so many good things happened—and so many surprises—that I can't quite put it into words... but taking it all together, I think it was fun."
It wasn't a very polished answer, but it was my honest feeling. So much had happened. There were plenty of shocks, but I’d felt genuine joy. I’d even made a friend. It had been a long time since I’d had an event leave me with such good memories.
But if Sara-senpai hadn't been here, or if I had made up some excuse to stay home, I probably wouldn't have participated in the Sports Festival at all. When I thought about it that way, I felt like it was all thanks to her.
In return, had I been able to give Sara-senpai any good memories? Had I returned the favor? I wanted to do something more...
The "Oklahoma Mixer" began to blare from the speakers. It seemed the Folk Dance had begun. Come to think of it, how did that dance go again?
"Sara-senpai, do you know how to dance the Oklahoma Mixer?"
"Yes. To be honest, I didn't want to dance it, but I felt it was necessary to learn... for you to ask me that, does it mean you can't dance it, Takanashi-san?"
Well, Sara-senpai wouldn't have wanted to dance with any other guys. I had a vague memory of the steps, but it had been a long time.
Wait.
Right now, it was just the two of us. We could dance together.
What should I do? Would it be okay if we were a little late getting back? I hesitated for a moment, but realized I couldn't let a chance like this slip away.
"Um... Sara-senpai, would you dance with me? Since, you know, we're here right now..."
She was a serious person, so there was a chance she might scold me for being improper, but I pushed through the nerves and asked.
"...Are you sure? If I can dance with you, Takanashi-san, then nothing would make me happier."
It seemed it was okay. If we were both happy, then there was no problem.
Since time was precious, I didn't say another word. I stepped toward Sara-senpai and took her hand. She wore a radiant smile and immediately moved in sync with me.
And so, until the song faded out, a Folk Dance for just the two of them—with no partner changes—was held quietly in the secluded venue of the Flowerbed.