This long journey called the sports festival is coming to an end, today is our last event. Our PE teacher told us the day before that this event was a team softball game.
In team, still, mumbles Kinari blasé.
We get ready to start the test.
Everything was going great, my reputation as a bad athlete automatically put me on the bench.
I analyse our training and laugh inside.
A typical sportsman, proud of his muscles, probably the captain. A round man, nice, but far from being useful. The strategist with a hallucinating brain, as hallucinating as his pride. The determined one and the too violent guy.
Seriously, what is this cliché? Did they watch a sports manga before designing the team?
Anzu positions herself on the mound.
Is she the pitcher?
Am I supposed to cheer her on? Well, why not?
I place my fingers on my temples and try to transmit to her, thanks to my non-existent telepathic powers.
Good luck!
Anzu makes a plunging projection.
—I can't believe it!
But where did she learn such a fantastic thing?
She was the pride of our team for a moment. The match was at its climax. We are in the match ball and that's when the captain approached me.
—Yamazaki-kun, this ball is for you, you are our only hope to win this match.
Damn, this picture…
The man on the bench, respected as much as a hero, but who by a priceless chance will make his team win, this is who I am.
This thought gives me tremendous confidence, I position myself in the batter's box and hold my bat with strength.
It won't be me who throws that ball back, it will be my pride that does.
It will be my stepping stone to a world where I'm no longer considered a gloomy otaku.
Perfect, focus, focus…
My gaze fixes the objective, I don't even dare to blink anymore. The opponent in front of me is one of the best pitchers in high school.
I'm a 3D girl! Kinari dreams in love.
I became so confident that no fear could defeat me.
I would only have half a second to hit it.
It throws the ball with extraordinary power and finesse. I first analyse the wind, then the trajectory.
One hundred and fifty kilometres per hour to the west, eighty centimetres above the ground.
I have it, I'm going to get it.
It's closing in fast … fast.
Now!
I prepare to swing my bat towards my goal. But I didn't have time to make a move: the ball hit me in the head.
Game over,' Kinari sneers in jest.
I fall to the ground, letting the blood run down my face.
Damn, it hurts so much.
Anzu runs to me.
—I take him to the infirmary, don't worry.
We are not in a sports manga after all. I don't have any skills. It is not my non-existent muscles that will make the difference. It is by my overconfidence that we lost this match.
I am far from Tomohito Sugino's* talent, very far.
We entered the infirmary, but the doctor was not present.
—Can you sit here, Kinari? I'll bandage your wound.
She retrieves the disinfectant while I mentally prepare myself not to scream from the tingling alcohol on my wound.
—Are you ready, Kinari?
That's … what's with the sick smile? Does she like to see me suffer?
I nod apprehensively.
I can make her suffer if you want…
Shut up, psycho.
She starts by spreading the disinfectant on my wound. Her look was terrifying, as much as Ryūji Takasu's*, and as sadistic as Sakuranomiya Maika's.*
Damn it, hold your screams, hold your screams… You won't tease me about my weaknesses anymore. I'll show you how tough otakus are!
His soft hands move around my face.
—Don't move, Kinari, I'm going to put some bandages to prevent it from bleeding again.
Her face, so close to mine…
Damn, she almost got me! I was this close to letting my guard down!
The door of the infirmary opened suddenly. In the panic, Anzu collapsed on top of me.
—What the hell are you two doing here!? shout Masuko, Aneko and Yoshida with curiosity.
—I was taking care of … of Kinari.
Taking care? Admit that you have sadistic tendencies.
Aneko comes forward and asks me.
—Are you okay, honey?
—I… I think so. I got hurt during the softball game. Anzu disinfected me and she just finished bandaging it.
This feeling … this electricity in the air … will they all explode with jealousy?
— Anzu! Kinari and my darling, they don't stick like that!
You're right, I'm getting used to it.
—Sorry Aneko, you freaked me out and I ran into him!
—What do you mean your darling? He's not yours Aneko! He's my darling!
—Get your dirty hands off my sensei!
I hate this harem.
They pull themselves together and then Anzu approaches me, and asks.
—Kinari, do you want to rest or are you okay?
—Nah, don't worry, I'm fine.
We go out of the infirmary to join the row of the spectators.
I discover the results of the teams and notice that we are first. Masuko and Aneko are second. And at last, we find the squad of broken arms, Yamaguchi and Maeda.
—Well done, Anzu, well done Kinari!
Yeah … bravo … yippee.
The speakers come on and we hear shouting.
—Please join the gym and line up by the battalion for the closing speech.
He's out of his mind, this teacher.
We return to the physical centre and watch as the PE instructor steps up to the microphone.
The final speech, what a joy. It is the only thing I was expecting.
—This sports festival is now over. We will celebrate! Don't forget that we will have a campfire tomorrow. Uniforms are not required. We will also need you after a night's rest to make preparations for this event. These events were very emotional, I hope they have created powerful and unique bonds between you. I thank you for participating. See you tomorrow and congratulations to the white team for their victory.
Powerful and unique bonds … very optimistic this teacher…
Tomohito Sugino: Talented character in softball. (Assassination Classroom)
Sakuranomiya Maika: Main character with a sadistic look and behaviour (Blend-S)
Ryūji Takasu: Main character with a horrifying look. (Toradora)