-------------back to the present-----------
"umm....anyways, let's all do our best!",I say, while stepping between the two.
Tazuki: of course I will! By the way, I've been looking forward to racing you Angel-chan.....the last time we raced was a year ago! If I recall the score was 9-9 wasn't it? today, I plan to break that tie! I've been practicing a lot you know!"
Tazuki senpai declares this confidently.
Me: oh, about that...well you'll see , after the race is over."
I decide not to mention what I was about to say.....
Tazuki senpai looks at me confused.....
Carlo, who had seen my expression, simply smiles knowingly.
'*giggle* Carlo knows me way too well...'
We all exit the gym, and follow Tazuki senpai to where the race will be held.
————————————
Carlos POV:
We walk over to the starting line .
The race will include 2 laps around the school building, with multiple hurdles along the way.....of course the path will be cleared of other students.
'How did he manage to get all this ready in 5 minutes?.....well, I guess that's the power of a former student council member.....'
I look over at Angeline who has started warming up.....
'She's wearing her PE uniform....she looks good in shorts.....wait! What am I thinking about right now of all times!'
Reprimanding myself, I begin to warm up as well, but I can't stop my gaze from straying to her.
'...earlier, Ryu-senpai mentioned someone named 'Ayato'....from the looks of it, Angeline doesn't seem to like that person very much, she didn't really seem like she wanted to talk about it so I asked her something else instead.'
This time I glance at Ryu senpai.
'Ryu senpai and Angeline seemed to know each other as well, I wonder what their relationship is.....'
I look towards the ground....
'Anyways, first things first....I better focus on the race!'
We all get into our starting positions....
*bang!*
The coach signals the start of the race, and we all take off!
...
We run as fast as we can,
The first turn comes up....
Angeline gets there first!
Without slowing down, she kicks off the pole at the corner of the turn to change direction and lands with elegance that can only be achieved through practice and perfection.
Ryu: whoa! She's fast! So she's been practicing too huh....well I can do better!
Saying so Ryu senpai tries to overtake me.
Carlo: hah! Is that all you've got?
I increase my speed and reach the pole a second before Ryu senpai does, I grab onto it and use it to spin around and change my direction.
'I'd rather save my jumps....cuz knowing Angeline...'
Angeline tends to 'bring it on' in the last stretch of a race.....so id rather save my energy for then.....
Of course, Ryu senpai doesn't seem to care....
'Hmmm?'
I see a shadow above me.....
I look up to see Ryu senpai using the same move Angeline did, though a little less elegantly compared to hers, or so I thought.
'What?!'
Ryu senpai had modified Angelines earlier jump which was based on speed to one based on power, thus enhancing his compatibility with the jump....and increasing the range and height over which he jumps.....
'...he jumped over me...'
Me: haha! He's a lot better than I thought!
'This just got a whole lot more fun....!'
I rile myself up and quickly close the distance between myself and Ryu senpai.
Ryu: wha-?!
Before he knows it, I'm already ahead of him, jumping over the hurdles with finesse.
Ryu: ....not bad!
Ryu says, quickly catching up to me.
Me: not bad yourself!
I work to stay ahead of him.
Angeline is up a few meters ahead of us.
'...well, I'm racing Angeline as well aren't I?'
I decide to challenge myself to beat Angeline....
The last leg of the race is approaching, with Angeline in first place, me and Ryu senpai fighting for 2nd.
I finally catch up to Angeline.
Me: you're not holding back this time are you?
Angeline:.....I could ask you the same thing!
Ryu: ???
Ryu senpai seems confused by our exchange....
'Well obviously.....he never knew that Angeline was most likely holding back on him all those times they raced.....otherwise she would've won every single one...after all, she's always been the fastest girl I know.'
The last turn to the finish line approaches with Angeline, me and Ryu senpai all fighting for first place.
Ryu senpai suddenly overtakes us and kicks of the nearby tree.....
I reach a split second after him and use the energy I've been saving to kick off of the wall opposite to the tree,farther than Ryu senpai...
I sense movement behind me.....
'That's must be.....'
As I thought, Angeline had been saving up her energy for the last leg of the race....
She kicks of off the wall, this gaining altitude and then kicks of off the tree as well, thus making her jump over Ryu senpai and me as well!
She lands only 2 feet ahead of us and sprints the fastest I've seen her till now in this race...
Angeline wins first place, with me and Ryu senpai tied for second.
Me:man! Angeline, you surprised even me! I was so busy admiring you that I nearly forgot about the race!
Angeline: liar! You weren't even trying! If you unleashed your true potential.....well it wouldn't even be a normal school race anymore.....it would be more like the Olympics!"
Me: I could say the same for you as well...."
I wink at her, and she looks away....
Me: .....though I guess I get why you held back, I was thinking the same after all.....
'If we went all out, I'm pretty sure Ryu senpai's reputation would go up in smoke...'
Ryu senpai walks over to us after catching his breath
'....speak of the devil.'
He seems to be clueless about our conversation so i decide not to bring it up either.
Ryu: well, I have to admit, you two truly are incredible.....you've exceeded my expectations! Especially you, Angel chan! I didn't expect you to jump over the both of us like that!
Me: I know right! Neither did I!"
'Again with the Angel-chan!'
Then i suddenly remember what Angeline said before the race....
Me: .....so, like you promised 'Angel-chan' would you mind answering all the questions I have?
I put my hands on my hips as I stare at her.
Angeline hesitates for a moment...before nodding her reply.
"...ok..."