Chapter 21 Cheer Competition
Emiko's POV

I was in the film club's meeting room during lunch break.

"Hey Emiko", Nene greeted as she walked into the room.

"Hey, Nene", I greeted.

"I'm glad I found you here", Nene started. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Sure", I said. "What is it?"

"Your class is going to be on the blue team for the sports festival, right", Nene asked.

"That's right", Emiko replied. "So is your's, right?"

"Yes", Nene started. "And, I've been selected to be a member of our team's cheer squad."

"That's amazing, Nene", I stated. "I've been hearing upperclassmen talking about the cheer competition. Apparently it's a really big deal at Kamiyama High."

"It is", Nene confirmed. "And that's why I came to you for help."

"For help", I asked. "With what?"

"Emiko", Nene started. "Would you be interested in directing our team's cheer routine?"

"Huh", I said in shock. "Direct our team's cheer routine?"

"Yes", Nene replied. "When Rui was in his second year of high school, he directed his team's routine, and they did very well."

"He did", I asked excitedly. "That's so cool!"

"Yeah", Nene said. "So I thought that, if you directed our routine, then maybe we'll do as well as Rui's team did?"

"I don't know", I said. "I don't have as nearly as much experience as Rui did back then. Plus, I've never directed something like a cheer routine before."

"I know", Nene said. "But I believe that you can do it, Emiko!"

"You do", I asked in shock.

"Of course I do", Nene replied. "So, what do you say?"

After this, I began thinking.

Nene was the one who brought me to Rui; who gave me the opportunity to direct a show for Wonderlands x Showtime. And it was that show which made my mom smile again.

With this thought in mind, I came to a decision.

"I'll do it", I replied. "I'll direct our team's cheer routine!"

…The sports festival had arrived!

After a day of events, it was now time to end said day with the cheer competition!

"Alright", an announcer started. "Up next is the blue team!"

"This is it", I said to the cheer squad. "Is everybody ready?"

"I'm ready", Mizuki, one of the members, replied excitedly.

"Let's do this", An, another member, exclaimed.

"Let's go everybody", Nene said.

Then, the cheer squad took to the stage.

Afterwards, they began performing their routine, and everybody looked at them in awe.

"Amazing", I said in awe. "They're amazing!"

"Yes", Rui, who had come to watch the sports festival, agreed. "However, that is because you were able to take the talents of all of the squad members, and use them to create an amazing routine. Well done, Emiko-Kun."

Hearing this warmed my heart, and made me smile widely.

"Thank you so much, Rui!"

…

The cheer competition had come to an end, and the results were being announced.

"The judges have decided", an announcer revealed. "The winner of the cheer competition…is the blue team!"

With this news, everybody in our cheer squad began cheering.

"We did it", I exclaimed as I was holding onto Nene's hands.

Then…I pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you so much, Nene", I exclaimed. "Thank you for everything!"

After I said this, Nene hugged me back.

"And thank you for everything as well, Emiko."