Today is the sports festival. There quite a lot of things that Suwa need to do. In addition to participating in events such as bo-taoshi, the relay and the tug-of-war, he needed to ensure that Kakeru will have a memorable and happy sports festival. Naho's letter had a good suggestion, which was to invite his Kakeru's grandmother.

That plan should work. He had 'delegated' inviting Kakeru's grandmother to the sports festival to his father. Since Kakeru's grandmother don't drive, and they lived quite far from the city centre, he asked his father to fetch Kakeru's grandmother.

"Good morning, Suwa."

It was Kakeru. Suwa greeted him back. They had to arrive early for the sports festival and help up in the preparation. Their parents would be arriving later. Suwa hoped that Kakeru would be happy about the surprise of seeing his grandmother later.

Well, just a while more before the start of the sports festival, and a little while for Kakeru to get a surprise.

The Bo-taoshi (literally, pole pull-down) event was starting soon. The three boys, Suwa, Kakeru, and Hagita was participating in it. Everything was proceeding quite well, as Kakeru was indeed surprised and happy to see his grandmother. Well, except for the fact they lost the tug-of-war.

If they win the Bo-taoshi, they should get a lot of marks, so Suwa hoped that they could win it.

For the Bo-taoshi event, he was going to take his shirt since it involves a lot of violent pulling and attacks. Well, most of the boys will be taking off their shirts.

"Wow, Suwa. After you took off your shirt, you look cooler!" said Takako.

"Yeah, usually Suwa is just a doofus, but when he shows off his six packs... He liked a different person. Ehehehe." said Azusa.

"Stop teasing me, you two." said Suwa.

"Well, that's what all the girls come to the sports festival for—to see the boys half-naked during the Bo-taoshi event." said Azusa.

"What…" said Suwa. "Well, whose are you looking forward to? Hagita's?"

"That's definitely what she is looking forward to." said Takako.

"Why would I be looking forward to that guy? He doesn't have six packs." said Azusa.

"Who said I don't?" said Hagita. On his body, there were six packs muscle marks drawn with black markers.

"What's that? Did you draw them? Lol, you're so funny, Hagita." said Kakeru.

"Wait… So that's why you wanted those permanent markers?" said Azusa.

"Permanent markers?" said Hagita.

"So, Naho, which one do you prefer?" said Azusa suddenly.

"Well… I'm… They're all good. Well, except Hagita's?" said Naho.

"Even the usually kind Naho is bullying me. The world is ending." said Hagita.

"Well, I guess Hagita is out. So, is Suwa cool, Naho?" asked Takako.

"Err, yeah?"

"Or do you prefer Kakeru?"

"Eh eh eh… Well, Suwa's good."

Suwa couldn't believe his ears. Naho prefers him to Kakeru?

"Suwa, you're blushing." said Kakeru.

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"We need to go, Kakeru. Bo-taoshi is starting soon."

"Don't try to change the subject."

They proceeded to the starting position. Suwa and Kakeru was part of the offense team.

"Hey, Suwa. Are you going to date Naho?"

"Hah, why so sudden?"

"She clearly prefers you. And you like her. And you were concern about me, that's why you don't plan to confess to her. But, I already told you that I don't like her romantically. So, you should confess, no?"

"She just prefers me to you… And it was about six packs, ok? It doesn't mean she likes me."

"Well, I would want to see two of my friends living a happy and sweet couple life."

"What?"

"Hahahahahahaha."

Suwa glared at Kakeru.

"I really like bullying you, Suwa."

"I think I made the wrong the decision approaching you on the first day of school."

"No, you didn't. I should ha… fuse… you."

"What did you just say just now?"

"Nothing. Bo-taoshi is starting soon. Let's win this, Suwa."

"Yeah!"

"Suwa! Your hand is bleeding." said Kakeru.

"Suwa. Are you ok?" asked Azusa.

"Oh. Must have been the wooden pole." said Suwa.

"You should have it treated." said Kakeru.

"I'm fine. I'll just wash it." said Suwa. Kakeru gave him a glare.

"Yes. You need to get it treated properly. I'm in-charge of the first-aid. Follow me to the first-aid tent." said Naho. She dragged a reluctant Suwa to the first-aid tent.

"Sit here. I'll take the first aid kit." said Naho.

Naho started treating Suwa with the gauze pad, antiseptic and iodine solution.

"Ouch! Argh! Ah! It's painful…" said Suwa.

"Well, you should be able to stand this bit of pain, Suwa." said Naho.

Well, the injury was rather painful. Still, it was worth it as they managed to win the Bo-taoshi. And to get treated by Naho.

"Suwa, you have a weird grin on your face." said Takako.

"Weird grin?" said Suwa.

"Ok, it's done." said Naho.

"Thank you, Naho." said Suwa with a bright smile to Naho.

"No problem. Oh ya, how about Kakeru and Hagita."

"I don't have an injury." said Hagita.

"How about you, Kakeru?" said Naho. Kakeru didn't response. "Er… Kakeru?"

"Ah! Yes?"

"Did you have an injury? Oh, there's a scrape on your arm." said Naho.

"Oh, that's nothing." said Kakeru.

"Eh. You asked me to get treated but now you don't want to get treated? Are you perhaps scared of pain too?" said Suwa. He started dragging Kakeru to the first-aid tent.

"Argh. Suwa. Let me go." said Kakeru.

"Don't want."

Kakeru glared at Suwa. Except it wasn't the usual playful or joking one. Slightly shocked, Suwa quickly stop dragging Kakeru. There was an awkward pause in the air.

"Sorry. I'm a little tired." Kakeru said. He grabbed the band-aid from Naho's outstretched hand before quickly running away.

"Is Kakeru okay?" asked Azusa.

"Yeah, I'm a little concern about it. I'm going to chase after him and talk to him. Suwa, you stay here." said Takako.

"Why?" said Suwa.

"Aren't you dumb, Suwa?" said Hagita.

"Yeah, he is." said Azusa.

So… Suwa was slightly confused. Wait… Was Kakeru angry with him? But why? Did he accidentally dragged him too hard and hurt him? But, Kakeru wouldn't get angry about that. Or just anything. The last time they had a fight, was… about Kakeru dating Ueda-senpai. But at least that seem understandable. Maybe, Kakeru never liked being teased and was just keeping it… And he finally snapped? Wait, does this make logical sense? Wouldn't he have noticed it? And unless Kakeru is a hypocrite, since he loved bullying Suwa…

Suwa was utterly confused.

"Where's Yamamoto-kun?" The relay race was about to start but Yamamoto, one of the relay runners wasn't there. This have made their homeroom teacher a little annoyed.

"I've found Yamamoto-kun. In the infirmary. He had food poisoning."

"WHAT? What did he eat? Well… Call Naruse-kun here." Call Kakeru? What was sensei thinking? Is he going to ask Kakeru to run? After all their hard work to persuade Kakeru, he is going to end up running? And the thing just now with Kakeru. Was he ok? Suwa was slightly worried that thing might be awkward between them.

Kakeru promptly arrived.

"Naruse-kun, we need you to run since Yamamoto-kun called in sick."

"Me?"

"No excuse this time. Don't worry about the pressure. I won't blame you if we lose. Still, you are our best bet for me to beat that Kawamura-sensei. If Blue team wins, I would have to buy him lunch.

Sensei… Don't bring us into your bets. And, you just increasing the pressure on Kakeru. That was what Suwa thought.

"Ah. Ok then. I'm honoured to represent the class, sensei." said Kakeru.

"Oh good! That's the spirit, Naruse-kun."

"Sorry about just now. I was just tired." said Kakeru to Suwa.

"Don't worry if we don't win this. Don't be pressured. And if we don't win this, it's not your fault. Remember." said Suwa.

"Why are you so pessimistic… Well, getting to run with you. Is probably fun enough. Anyway, it would be your fault, since you are the anchor."

"Wah wah wah. So savage, Kakeru. I'm hurt." said Suwa.

"Hahaha. On the bright side, it seems instead of getting only an approximate momentum, you got the exact one, no?"

Maybe it was the practice? Or that Suwa was the anchor? But Kakeru didn't trip and fall in the middle of the race. So, with their superior speed, they managed to win the relay. To sensei's delight, obviously. The red team managed to be the overall winner.

"It was a long day." said Kakeru to Suwa.

"Yeah, it was." They sat on a bench.

"I'm tired."

"So am I."

"I'm sleepy. Lend me your lap, Suwa."

"My lap? Don't tell me you are going to sleep on my lap."

"Yeah, I am."

"Err… Okay."

Soft, jet black hair landed on Suwa's lap. Even though Kakeru's head was heavy, Suwa sort of liked the feeling. It feels like Kakeru trusts him. After all, lying down like that, it's like exposing all his vulnerabilities? Anyway, he guessed Kakeru wasn't angry after all?

Snoring sounds starts to come out from Kakeru. Wow, he was really that tired? The autumn wind blows lightly and after a while…

"Hey, Suwa! Wake up, it's late already."

"Ah…" Suwa blinks his eyes. Oh yeah, he and Kakeru fell asleep on the bench. Well, technically, Kakeru fell asleep on his lap.

Something feels missing from his forehead.

"Oh, ya, it seems that your headband fell down, Suwa. There you go."

"Thanks."

"Speaking of headbands, do you know our school have a rumour about exchanging sport festival headbands."

"What rumour?"

"I heard the girls saying something about switching headbands with the person you like will make that person like you too."

"Are you sure you have not been reading too much Shoujo manga? Aren't you too old to believe such things?"

"Ahahaha. Well, I said that was such a rumour, not that I believe in it, okay?"

"Yeah yeah."