With a sharp clap of Kanade's hands, the two competitors shot off the line, their legs pumping in unison. Ryu felt the ground beneath him as he raced toward the first obstacle—a series of hurdles. The adrenaline coursed through him, making him feel almost weightless. He leaped over the first hurdle with ease, feeling the wind whip past him.
Glancing over, Ryu saw Subaru matching his pace, determination etched on her face. It was clear she wasn't going to let him take the lead without a fight. As they approached the balance beam, Ryu took a deep breath, steadying himself.
The beam loomed ahead, narrow and daunting. With confidence, he carefully navigated its length, balancing with precision. He could hear the crowd cheering, their voices rising in a cacophony of excitement. Ryu could feel Subaru right behind him, her focus unwavering.
"Not bad, Ryu! But I'm just getting started!" Subaru called out, her voice ringing with competitive spirit as she expertly maneuvered the beam after him.
He jumped off the beam and sprinted toward the next set of obstacles—a series of cones arranged in a zigzag pattern. Ryu weaved through them, pushing himself to move faster, but he could hear Subaru's footsteps closing in, echoing in his ears like a drumbeat.
"Keep going, keep going!" he muttered under his breath, his heart racing as he dodged the final cone. He could see the finish line in the distance, a bright banner flapping in the wind, beckoning him closer.
Just as he thought he was gaining a solid lead, he heard Subaru's voice cut through the cheers of the crowd. "You think you can outrun me?" she taunted, her competitive spirit fueling her speed.
Ryu glanced back and saw her gaining on him, determination set in her features. The pressure surged through him, but he pushed it aside, focusing on his breathing and stride. He was nearing the last obstacle, a set of hurdles that would determine who could maintain their speed until the end.
With a final burst of energy, he approached the hurdles, leaping over each one with practiced grace. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through him, the cheers of the crowd echoing in his ears like a distant roar.
As he soared over the last hurdle, Ryu caught sight of the finish line—just a few meters away. He could see the crowd rising to their feet, the excitement palpable. In that moment, he pushed himself harder, his legs pumping as if they had a life of their own.
The finish line drew closer, and he could see Subaru right on his tail, her fierce expression one of concentration and will. Ryu felt his heart pound in his chest, the thrill of competition igniting every nerve ending in his body.
They were neck and neck. Suddenly, Ryu heard the voice of his wives and girlfriends and wives.
"You got this Ryu!"
"We believe in you!"
"Come on, Ryu! You've got this!" he whispered to himself, forcing every last bit of strength from his body. He could feel the pressure building, the adrenaline surging through him, and he didn't want to let it go to waste.
With one final sprint, Ryu crossed the finish line just seconds ahead of Subaru, collapsing onto the ground in sheer exhaustion.
The crowd erupted into cheers, and Kanade rushed over to him, her eyes wide with excitement. "And the winner of the race is… Ryu!"
He lay on the ground, panting but exhilarated. Disbelief washed over him, and a wave of euphoria followed as he realized what he had accomplished.
"With Ryu winning the race, he takes the overall victory! Congratulations, Ryu!"
Ryu beamed, taking in the applause and cheers. He had won the competition, and it felt incredible. Subaru clapped him on the back, her competitive spirit shining through.
Subaru looked completely deflated. She was going to have to marry him.
A moment of stunned silence swept over the crowd. Some people froze mid-step, while others staggered back, their faces pale with disbelief.
A few individuals in the front row could barely contain their shock, resulting in a few unfortunate nosebleeds that added to the absurdity of the moment.
In many people's eyes, Subaru was a single male icon, admired not only for her exceptional skills but also for her charismatic presence.
Ryu, too, held a reputation as a beloved figure, drawing admiration for his talents and charming demeanor.
The announcement of their pairing sent ripples through the gathered spectators, leaving many in a state of confusion and disappointment.
The reality that both icons were now taken felt like a heavy blow to their devoted fans.
Some spectators were left reeling, grappling with the abrupt loss of their chances with both Ryu and Subaru.
Whispers of disbelief rippled through the crowd, as fans exchanged incredulous glances.
"Did she really just say that?" one voice murmured, while another added, "I can't believe they're together!"
Amid the chaos, others in the crowd began to entertain far more scandalous thoughts.
The implications of Ryu and Subaru's newfound partnership sparked the imaginations of many, igniting vivid daydreams of their future together—steamy showers, shared adventures, and intimate moments that would become legendary tales.
But the excitement in the air quickly twisted into something darker.
A simmering tension began to brew among the crowd, and whispers of rivalry turned into murmurs of outrage.
A group of dedicated fans, fueled by jealousy and disappointment, exchanged glances, their expressions hardening into determination.
In the heat of the moment, plans began to form—schemes to win back their idols.
Some fans resolved to confront Ryu and Subaru, while others plotted more elaborate plans to sabotage their relationship.
The tension in the air thickened, like a storm brewing on the horizon.
The atmosphere shifted, and Ryu sensed the change, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Subaru, too, felt the unease, her brow furrowing as she noticed the hostile glares directed at them from across the arena.
"Ryu," she whispered, her voice low. "Do you feel that? Something doesn't seem right."