68. Energetic
"I- I don't think I can do it!"
"Come on, Rin, just a little further!"
Len stops beside the girl, as she fights for breath. Swiping his sweaty bangs from his face, he coaxes her once more. "Rin, we can make it."
"I- I don't think I c-can." Rin swallows hard, suddenly looking like she's about to cry. "I'm sorry, Len. I promised I'd run this race with you, but I don't think-"
"Hey. None of that," Len says sharply. "Rin."
"Hrm?" She looks at him through tears.
"Remember what I said? We'll finish this race together." Len reminds her. "I'm not ending this thing without you, Rin. Come on, you can do it. I believe in you, you know?" He says.
Rin takes a deep breath, about to argue. "But-"
He takes her hand tenderly. "Rin, let's do this. We've done so much together, this little race is nothing, right?"
She pauses, and then smiles. "Yeah… Yeah, you're right." She squeezes his hand. "Okay. I... I think I can do it."
Len grins. "Alright. Let's go!"
Tugging her along, the two runners sprint off towards the finish line, hand in hand. Oddly, Rin seems to have renewed energy, almost surpassing him.
When they hit the finish line- far behind the others, but not paying that any mind- Rin squeals and hugs him happily, effectively toppling him over.
"We ought to do this again!" She says, giggling down at him.
Len laughs, brushing her hair from her eyes. "Sure thing."