Finally, the sports festival had arrived. I was watching the large space where the competition would take place. It was quite a big place, filled with students walking back and forth, preparing for the start, which would be soon.
My class was in one of the tents assigned to each group to keep things organized. Although it wasn't forbidden to visit other tents, I had no plans to do so.
As for the preparations, I hadn't done anything special this time. I focused solely on physical training, so all my class and I had to do was perform our best.
"Are you excited, Kayden?" I heard Honami ask to my right.
"Yes, actually, I am," I replied.
"I'm excited too, though maybe a little nervous," she admitted.
"I don't see a reason to be nervous. We trained really hard over the last month to ensure a good performance today, so relax and make sure you give it your all."
"You're right. And having you with us is quite reassuring. But, will you be okay?" she asked.
"Okay about what?" I asked, slightly confused.
"About participating in all the recommended events."
"Oh! About that, there's no problem. I trust in my physical abilities."
"I don't think there's anything to worry about, Honami-chan," Mako, who was behind me, interrupted. "After all, we're talking about Kayden. Look at this body!" she said, while touching my abdomen and lifting my shirt slightly.
"Look at those abs! Do you think anyone can beat something like that? And not to mention those pecs…" Mako commented while touching my abdomen and lifting my shirt slightly.
"Mako," I interrupted her with a gentle tap on the head, "That hurts, Kayden," she complained, holding her head.
"You deserved it. How can you touch me like that in public? Look at how others are staring at us!" I said, pointing to the students who were watching us, surprised by Mako's actions.
"Wow, I didn't realize!" she said, feigning innocence.
"What am I going to do with you?" I sighed.
"I don't know, kiss me!" she said playfully, blowing me a kiss.
"Mako-chan! Control your jokes!" Honami exclaimed, blushing.
"Okay, okay, I'm just joking," Mako said with a mischievous smile, then looked at me, "Or maybe not~."
Nothing can be done with this girl...
"Attention, the 100-meter dash is about to start. Participants, please head to the track," the professor announced over the loudspeakers.
"Looks like it's my turn," I said, looking at the track.
"Good luck, Kayden," Honami said with a supportive smile.
"Leave everyone eating dust, Kayden!" Mako added, cheering me on.
I smiled at them and, with determination, headed towards the track.
...
Once on the track, I was stretching when I sensed a nearby presence. I looked up and saw Hirata approaching.
"Seriously? What bad luck I have," he complained, shaking his head.
"Bad luck?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Having to compete against you. There's no way I can win," he said, with a crooked smile that mixed resignation and humor.
"Haha, well, you're partly right. But don't get discouraged; you can still fight for second or third place," I replied, giving him a wink of complicity.
"I guess that's the only thing I can aspire to if you're in the race," Hirata admitted, with a smile reflecting both defeat and camaraderie.
The professor approached, holding the microphone firmly:
"Prepare for the start!"
With a friendly challenge in our eyes, Hirata and I lined up on the track. The atmosphere was charged with tension and anticipation. Finally, the professor signaled with a sharp whistle.
The 100-meter dash started with a burst of energy!
...
The whistle blew, and I prepared for the race. At that moment, the track became my familiar terrain, and the 100-meter dash was just another stroll in the park. The starting signal was clear, and I surged forward as effortlessly as one would dive into a relaxing afternoon.
From the first step, everything felt natural. Each stride was smooth and coordinated, as if I were walking rather than running. The ground beneath my feet was solid and firm, and the speed at which I was moving felt more like a gradual acceleration than a competitive sprint.
I glanced sideways and saw Hirata pushing himself to the limit. While I appreciated his dedication, the difference in our speeds was apparent. As I moved forward, the gap between us widened effortlessly. For me, each step felt like a simple extension of the rhythm I had mastered in my training.
The cool breeze on my face was pleasant, almost like a gentle breeze on a walk. The track stretched out in front of me effortlessly, and the noise of the crowd seemed distant, like an echo far away. I felt completely in control, as if every movement was perfectly synchronized with my breathing.
When I crossed the finish line, it was with the same ease as finishing a calm stroll. I stopped and looked back, watching Hirata approaching with a resigned smile. The race had been a mere formality, a routine exercise that I had approached with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what they are doing.
I took a moment to enjoy the applause from the crowd, which came to me as a gentle approval rather than an overwhelming ovation. Victory was pleasant, but for me, it had been as natural as any other day in the park.
As I headed to the cooling area, I felt relaxed and satisfied. The 100-meter dash had been an opportunity to showcase what I had worked for, but also to enjoy the simplicity of the act itself. It wasn't just a race; it was an extension of my confidence and preparation, a walk I had enjoyed with every step.
...
Upon returning, I was met by my teammates with a mix of astonishment and admiration.
"My God, Kayden! Do you have motors hidden in your feet? What was that speed?" Shibata exclaimed, eyes wide open as he looked at my feet, as if expecting to find something hidden.
"Yes, Kayden, you were incredibly fast, much more than we saw in training," said Honami, amazed, with a mixture of pride and surprise in her voice.
"And it seems like it wasn't even a big effort for you. You're not even sweating!" Mako added, coming closer to examine me, as if expecting to find some magical explanation.
"I've said it before, haven't I? I'm quite a good athlete," I replied with a smile, enjoying the moment.
"That's more than just good; it's impressive," Kanzaki commented, clearly impressed by the performance he had just witnessed.
Time passed quickly as my teammates prepared for their own events. It was my turn to participate in another event, the obstacle course. I looked at the track and the obstacles with a mix of anticipation and enthusiasm.
...
The starting signal sounded, and the competitors launched onto the track, facing the series of obstacles with a mix of determination and nervousness. Kayden remained serene, observing the chaos of others while advancing with an imperturbable calm.
The first obstacle, a line of hurdles, became a mere formality for him. With an elegant jump and without losing rhythm, Kayden cleared the hurdles as easily as someone would cross a small puddle. The climbing wall was only a brief challenge: his movements were precise and calculated, climbing with an agility that seemed to defy gravity.
The rope for the descent was the next test, and Kayden traversed it with effortless grace, as if the descent were just a game. Each obstacle he encountered crumbled under his skill, and the finish line approached rapidly.
As the other competitors continued battling with the challenges of the course, Kayden crossed the finish line with an impressive time, as if the race had been nothing more than a game for him.
The sun was high in the sky, and the obstacle course gradually emptied of runners arriving at the finish line, while the attention of the audience and organizers turned to the upcoming events.
This is the situation of Class A, dominating the events with a skill that left everyone breathless. However, the sports festival is full of surprises, and the competition is fierce. How are the other classes handling their challenges? What stories and challenges are their competitors facing? Well, perhaps we'll have an answer to that soon.