The sun hung high over Seigaku High, casting a bright glow through the windows of the homeroom. The third-year students were bustling with energy and anticipation for their final year. Sakuno was particularly focused, her notes spread out before her like a canvas filled with unpainted dreams.
Sitting beside her was Ryoma who was immersed in his own scribbles, yet the two often exchanged glances. As she stole another look at him, her heart raced when their eyes met. A shy smile bloomed on Sakuno's face, and to her surprise, Ryoma flashed one back, just as fleeting but infinitely more potent than any word could convey.
The ringing bell snapped them both back to reality as Ms. Sakaki entered the room. The rhythmic bowing in greeting filled the air, quickly followed by the rustling of notebooks as students settled in. Ms. Sakaki began taking attendance, a familiar routine that established a sense of normalcy amid the excitement brewing in the students' minds.
"Do you guys know what exciting events are coming up soon?" Ms. Sakaki asked, her tone teasingly light.
"Sports Day!" Horio exclaimed, jumping up from his seat.
The rest of the class erupted in cheers, motivated by the thrill of competition. "That's true," Ms. Sakaki chuckled. "And we also have the school festival around the corner." A wave of enthusiasm washed over the class once more, laughter rippling through them as they contemplated the festivities ahead.
"Alright, let's focus on Sports Day first," she continued. "Osakada, you can divide the games."
Tomoka stood up proudly, brushing her hair behind her neck and went to the front, before reading from a list she prepared. "Everyone, we will compete against the other third-year classes! This year we have a variety of events: a relay race, tug of war, long jump, three-legged races, ball-tossing games, cavalry battles, and pole-toppling."
As Tomoka wrote the games on the whiteboard, excitement swirled in the air, igniting friendly banter among the classmates. "Let's decide who's going to participate in each event," she said, glancing back at her peers.
"First up, the relay race!" Tomoka called. "We need four guys and four girls for the 4x100 race. Any volunteers?"
A quick discussion ensued, and it didn't take long for Horio to stand up confidently. "I'll do it, along with Kachiro, Katsuo, and Echizen!"
"Any objections?" Tomoka asked, and the class unanimously agreed, buzzing with energy about their prospects of winning.
"For girls?" One classmate piped up. "What about you and Ryuzaki-chan? I've seen you practicing your laps around the tennis court!"
"I'm okay with it," Tomoka smiled. "What about you, Sakuno?" She asked.
"Well… sure," Sakuno stammered, blushing as she quietly declared her commitment.
Quickly, the roster filled up with more eager participants for the other events. They decided that Horio would lead the tug of war, Another classmate would handle the long jump, and soon there was talk of mixed pairs for the three-legged race.
"Echizen and Ryuzaki would be perfect," one classmate suggested, eliciting giggles. "Weren't you two champions in that mixed-doubles tournament? You two must be good in synching."
Sakuno felt a wave of heat flood her cheeks, her heart racing at the mention of her name alongside Ryoma's. Tomoka grinned, leaning forward. "Are you both okay with it?"
"I'm fine with it," Ryoma replied, shrugging nonchalantly, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward ever so slightly, an unmistakable hint of a smile.
"What about you, Sakuno? You won't let another girl hug Ryoma-sama, will you?" Tomoka teased, and laughter erupted around them.
"I-I'll do it!" Sakuno declared, her voice stronger than she felt. The class erupted in cheers, enthralled with their spirited camaraderie.
As preparations for Sports Day ramped up, the days turned into a flurry of training sessions and cheerful bonding moments. At the track, while practicing for the three-legged race, Ryoma tied his feet to Sakuno's, casually placing his hand on her shoulder. "Alright, we'll count together—one, two, one, two."
Sakuno wrapped her arm around his waist, feeling the warmth radiate from him. "Okay, I can do this," she whispered, a mixture of nerves and excitement swirling inside.
"Start… one, two. One, two…" Ryoma instructed, but miscommunication led to Sakuno accidentally stepping on the wrong foot. They stumbled and fell, Ryoma landing on his back with Sakuno tumbling over him. Their faces hovered inches apart, breaths mingling, hearts pounding in a chaotic rhythm.
"Hey! What are you two doing?" Horio laughed, watching from nearby.
Ryoma smirked, his gaze locking onto Sakuno's bright, flustered expression. "Are you doing this intentionally?" he teased.
"I-I didn't mean to!" she blurted, hitting his arm lightly, which shocked their classmates witnessing the rare exchange of playful banter between the two.
Surprisingly, Ryoma smiled—a genuine smile that sent whispers of awe through their classmates. It was a little victory for Sakuno, knowing she had brought forth such a reaction from him. She scrambled to her feet, extending a hand to help him up.
"Let's practice again," she said, her heart still racing as they resumed their training with a newfound energy.
The sun shone brightly on the school track as laughter, cheers, and the clamor of excited students filled the air. It was sports day, and the excitement was palpable. Today, rivalries would be tested, bonds deepened, and a new layer of camaraderie would be born amid competition.
Katsuo adjusted his red headband, feeling the adrenaline surge through him as he stood at the starting line of the relay race. Kachiro and Horio already stand by to run as the second and third runner. Standing beside Ryoma, the last runner was Heisuke, representing the white team with an air of confidence that only stoked the flames of competition.
As the whistle blew, Katsuo took off like a rocket, his feet pounding against the track in rhythm with his heart. The stands erupted with cheers, and among them, Tomoka and Sakuno were waving their pom-poms, their voices rising above the crowd.
"Go, Katsuo-kun!" Tomoka cried.
Katsuo dashed forth, his strong legs propelling him forward, swiftly passing the baton to Kachiro. As the second runner, Kachiro sprinted with an intensity that seemed to ignite the red team's chances—next, it was Horio, whose approach was marked by a fierce determination to maintain their lead.
But Heisuke's team had an advantage; two of their sprinters were members of the running club. As they tore down the track, it became clear that the battle for the finish line was heating up. Time slowed as Horio approached Ryoma. The final handoff was critical, and the crowd held their breath. Ryoma stood poised, ready to unleash his speed. Heisuke already took his baton and run.
In a moment that would forever be etched in memory, Tomoka called out to him, "Ryoma-sama, look here!" With a quick glance, Ryoma noticed Sakuno at the sidelines, holding pom-poms, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Tomoka nudged Sakuno, urging her to shout. Trembling with shyness but bolstered by her friends' encouragement, Sakuno called out, "Ryoma-kun, do your best!"
A smirk crossed Ryoma's face as he focused entirely on the race. He took the baton from Horio and sprinted forward with renewed vigor. The finish line loomed closer, and Heisuke was gaining ground, but Ryoma's determination surged within him like a powerful wave. With a final push, he darted past Heisuke, crossing the finish line first. Cheers echoed around him, a triumphant roar celebrating their victory.
The girls ran to him, their faces alight with joy. "We did it!" Tomoka exclaimed, her laughter echoing in the cool breeze.
"Ryoma-sama, can you stay in the finish line?" Tomoka asked, eyes sparkling.
"Huh?" Ryoma replied, puzzled yet intrigued.
"Just stay!" Tomoka said, before sprinting back toward the track.
Meanwhile, the girls' relay race was on, anticipation swirling in the air. Tomoka was up against Ume. "Good luck, Ume," Tomoka said, her competitive spirit shining through. Tomoka smiled at Ume, since the incident before, they have became close. Ume also always seen together with Ai in her class since she stopped hanging out with Shion and Hitomi.
"Same to you, Osakada," Ume responded, a friendly smile on her face.
Excitement rippled through the crowd gathered for the girls' relay race. The atmosphere was electric, charged with anticipation as five teams lined up, each runner glowing with determination.
As the starting whistle blowed, the first runners launched forward like shooting stars.
In the swirl of flying uniforms, Tomoka and Ume, both stationed for the third runner, shared a glance that spoke volumes. With deft precision, the second runners passed the baton, propelling their teams to new heights. The tension palpable, Tomoka felt the weight of the baton in her hand, an extension of her hopes and dreams.
Tomoka and Ume sprinted in unison, racing toward their respective teammates. Tomoka's heart raced for more than just the competition; it raced for Sakuno, who stood ready at the fourth leg. Ume darted onward, her focus locked on Ai, with their team roaring in support.
With the rhythm of pounding feet echoing in her ears, Tomoka reached Sakuno, who was beaming with encouragement. "Get ready!" Tomoka shouted, thrusting the baton toward Sakuno. "Sakuno! Run to your hubby at the finish line!" Laughter erupted around them.
Sakuno felt her heart leap at the thought of running towards Ryoma. But as soon as she spotted him, the warmth rushed to her cheeks.
Horio shove Ryoma towards Sakuno's line and helped spread Ryoma's arms wide.
"What are you doing?" Ryoma questioned Horio, who grinned back, "Hurry, Ryuzaki! You'll get a free hug from your boyfriend!" Horio yelled from the sidelines, prompting laughter from the crowd.
Sakuno gritted her teeth and sprinted forward, propelled by the laughter, the teasing, the need to overcome her shy nature.
Confusion mingled with disbelief rippled through the onlookers—were they really dating? Shion and Hitomi exchanged guilty glances. They remembered messing with Sakuno before and suddenly felt remorseful watching her.
"Stop flirting, can't you?" Heisuke shouted at Ryoma, as Ai called out while still sprinted, "Ookami-kun, I want a hug too!"
Ookami blushed and said to her, "Stop making people misunderstood!"
The laughter grew, and even the teachers couldn't help but chuckle at the innocent chaos surrounding the races.
And then it happened—Sakuno approached Ryoma, nearly colliding with him as she crossed the finish line.
"Oof!" Ryoma fell backward to the ground, taken by surprise. Sakuno landed softly next to him, breathless and bewildered.
"Why were you standing there?" she asked, wide-eyed, her heart racing.
"His fault," Ryoma replied, his tone half-serious, half-playful, pointing toward Horio, who was still grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"At least it worked!" Horio chimed in, smugly.
In the end, the girls' race concluded with Ai claiming second place, sparking playful banter about Heisuke's lack of enthusiasm for hugs.
"Ookami, why weren't you spread your arms too like Echizen?" Ai asked, showing playful looked.
Heisuke blushed more. "Why should I do that?!"
"You are so stingy." Ai said playfully.
The classmates erupted into another round of laughter, the game of light-hearted teasing proving to be the perfect end to a thrilling day.
As the games rolled on from tug-of-war to the three-legged race, an unmistakable bond blossomed between the students through moments of shared victories and laughter. Ryoma and Sakuno glided through the three-legged race effortlessly, their movements in sync from countless of practice. "High five." Ryoma proposed afterward when they won first place, and Sakuno's smile lit up the space between them as their hands met.
With anticipation tightening their chests, the teachers declared the red team victorious. A wave of exhilaration swept over the class; cheers erupted as hugs and high fives filled the air.
After the festivities, Ryoma, Sakuno, Tomoka, Horio, Kachiro, and Katsuo walked back together, laughter ringing in their ears. "I'm so tired," Tomoka admitted. "And the school festival is just around the corner; we'll be busy again."
"It's okay, Tomo-chan," Sakuno replied, her voice warm and reassuring. "We will help you."
Parting ways halfway down the street, Sakuno and Ryoma strolled home together, still riding the high of the day. "Today was tiring, but really fun, right?" Sakuno mused.
"Yeah." Said Ryoma.
The quiet enveloping them as they walked side by side. Suddenly, Ryoma halted and turned to her. "Weren't you supposed to hug me earlier?"
Sakuno blinked in surprise, her face instantly turning bright red. "But there were so many people…"
"Now there isn't anyone," he insisted, opening his arms invitingly. "You don't want to?"
Feeling emboldened by the day's joy, she nodded, heart racing with both excitement and shyness. "I want to," she whispered as she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. They both laughed softly, the world melting away, leaving just the two of them encased in a moment of pure warmth and connection.
