It's mid-November. Students were waiting in class for lessons to begin when the announcements began. "Good morning, Akademi High School. This is your principal with your morning announcements today. I know many of you have been anxiously waiting for this day. In a week, we will host our annual Sports Day!"
All throughout the school, students burst into excitement. Their joy rang throughout the halls. You could hear their voices in every inch of the school. Teachers did their best to calm them down, but there was still chattering.
"Each year will be divided into four teams. Your teachers have already been informed of which team your class is a part of. I hope all of you will work hard this week to make your teammates, teachers, and parents proud. I wish you all luck!"
"Mrs. Fukahori! Mrs. Fukahori! What team are we a part of?"
Mrs. Fukahori reached into her podium and pulled out a flag. "We're team yellow this year!"
There are a total of eight classes in each grade. Every two classes were combined into a team. "Miss, what class are we teaming up with?"
"Our teammates are class 2-3." Mrs. Fukahori placed a piece of paper on an empty desk in the front. "All of you, please sign up for your desired competition. Any students who haven't signed up by the end of the day will be assigned whatever competition slots are left over. Spots are limited, so be quick."
One of the school's bullies raised her perfectly manicured hands. "Do we have to participate?"
"Unless you have a written excuse from the principal, then you must participate."
The bully crossed her arms and huffed, "Whatever."
Students got up to talk to their friends about which competition they wanted to sign up for. Mrs. Fukahori, understanding everyone's excitement, decided lessons could wait for today.
Engeika walked up to Ayoshi's desk with a smile. "What are you going to sign up for, Aishi-kun?"
"I do not know. I have never participated before. The principal has always given me a written excusal."
Engeika furrowed her brows, "How come?"
Ayoshi looked out the window, "... I do not know. I have never been told."
"Are you not allowed to participate?"
"I am allowed, but since the principal has decided to excuse me, I followed along with his wishes."
"Do you want to participate?"
Ayoshi looked back at Engeika, "... yes."
Engeika's face brightened and grabbed Ayoshi's hand to drag him to the front of the class. "Come on, let's go pick something out."
"What competition do you sign up for?" Ayoshi asks.
"I like to do the sack race. It's been the competition I've chosen since I was a kid. Haha, not very elegant but very fun!" Engeika grabbed the sign-up sheet and quickly wrote her name. She then handed the paper to Ayoshi. "So it looks like the three-legged race, 100-meter dash, and relay race are still open. Which one looks good to you?"
Ayoshi scanned the paper, "I think I will do–"
"I apologize for my tardiness, Ma'am. I was discussing arrangements for Sports Day with the principal." Megamo walked through the door, his authoritative voice silencing the classroom.
"Do not apologize, Student Council President. The principal has already informed me that you will be late to class some days."
Megamo bowed, "Thank you." He noticed Ayoshi and walked over. The stress of the day melted away at the sight of Ayoshi wearing his hair stick and he smiled. "Have you chosen an event?"
"Mm, are you participating?"
"No, as Student Council President, I'm far too busy organizing the event to participate. However, I can not wait to cheer you on in the…"
"Relay race."
"Very good choice. I'm sure you will do well." Megamo looked into Ayoshi's sweet eyes. "I can't wait to see you."
***
Aso bounced around Ayoshi, "It's been so long since we've been able to train together! I'm so happy!"
Ayoshi looked at the track, asking, "Where is Atatsuma-kun?"
"I'm not sure. When I saw that he was also doing the relay race, I didn't get the chance to ask him in class. Don't think he likes me very much." Aso shrugged his shoulders. "Do you want to start for now?"
"I will follow you."
"Great! What position do you…"
Togo walked towards the track with Engeika. 'This is my chance to show off that I'm way better than that bastard! Can't let him be faster than me!'
Engeika looked at Togo's determined face and let out a quiet giggle. "Who are your teammates?"
'Act cool, act cool!' Togo shoved his hands into his pockets. "Some guy in my class and Aishi-kun."
The two people waiting at the track came into view. Engeika's eyes widened, "Oh…"
Togo's teeth ached as he clenched them. "What… what is it?!"
Engeika shook her head, "It's nothing."
Aso noticed the two and gave a smile, waving at them. "Hey, you finally made it. We were going to start without you, Atatsuma-kun." He looked over at Engeika, "You brought a friend?"
"She… she's my… she's here to support me!" Togo moved in front of Engeika, blocking her from Aso's eyes.
With a smile, Engeika touched the back of Togo's shoulder. "Hello Rito-kun. Hello Aishi-kun."
"Hi Uekiya-chan," Aso greeted with a wave.
Ayoshi gave her a slight nod, "Uekiya-chan."
"Can we just start already?" Togo asked with a pout.
Aso placed his fists on his hips with a grin. "Sure! Which position do you want? I was hoping to be the one to start us off."
"I want to finish off the race!"
Ayoshi tied his hair up in a half-up, half-down style to keep out of his face. "I do not mind being in the middle."
"That settles it then. Let's get started!" Aso jogged onto the track. "We each have to run 100 meters, so we have to train well." They were already changed into their gym uniforms, so after a bit of planning, they got into position.
Engeika held a stopwatch to help track their time. "Ok. Ready. Set. Go!"
Aso held a yellow baton as he set off. His powerful legs pulsed as he ran at full speed. He's an experienced athlete and it didn't take him long to reach Ayoshi. Their tactical understanding of each other had been built over the period of time they'd been working out together, so it was a smooth pass-off.
However, with Togo, there was a mishap. He was eager to show off and set off too early, missing Ayoshi handing him the baton. It fell to the ground with a clatter. He tried to stop, but his momentum worked against him and he fell. "Ugh!"
"Atatsuma-kun, are you hurt?" Engeika jogged up to him, asking with a frown.
Togo sat up, his knees sticking up. He clenched his fist, "I'm fine."
Engeika squatted next to him, setting her bag down. She gently touched Togo's knee, "You're bleeding. Let me patch it up for you."
Aso and Ayoshi were right behind her. "Is everything ok?" Ayoshi asked.
"Oh my god, that was a pretty nasty fall, Atatsuma-kun. Are you ok?" Aso asked.
"It's just a scrape. No need to throw a whole hissy fit about it," Togo huffed.
Engeika placed a bandaid over Togo's freshly cleaned wound. "Yeah, it doesn't look too bad."
Togo got up, with help from Engeika, and bent his knee to test it out. "It doesn't hurt that bad. I can still run."
Aso placed his hands on Togo's shoulder. "That's the spirit, Atatsuma-kun! Let's start once more, so everyone get into position!"
***
"It's a good thing Uekiya-chan told us lunch was almost over."
"Of course! She knew if she didn't, we wouldn't have enough time to shower and get to class on time. Such an angel like that."
Aso wrapped his arm around Ayoshi's shoulders, bringing him in close. "I'll walk you to class, Ayoshi-kun."
"Mm."
Ayoshi stood so close that Aso could smell him. His heart raced, face warming up. 'We used the same standard school shampoo, so why does he smell so… sweet?'
"Well, I'll go to my classroom by myself. I don't need an escort," Togo said.
"Ok…" Aso mumbled.
Togo saw the way Aso gave Ayoshi a dopey smile and waved him off with a careless hand. Aso was completely absorbed in his own little world with Ayoshi. 'How could I have ever been jealous of this idiot?' He sighed and walked off unnoticed.
The two made it to Ayoshi's classroom and once they walked through the door, everyone looked at them. Aso's brows furrowed with confusion as every snickered under their breaths.
Kunahito Genka, the school counselor, stood next to Mrs. Fukahori, arms crossed with a frown on her face. "Aishi Ayoshi."
Aso looked back and forth between the two, completely worried, but Ayoshi seemed calm, so he tried to follow suit.
"Yes, ma'am?"
Mrs. Kunahito walked towards him, her heels echoing in the room. "I'm going to need to check your bag."