The Class A team continued to dominate almost all the events of the sports festival. It was, by far, the class with the best performance, and now one of the most peculiar competitions was about to begin: the three-legged race. This event consisted of a pair of a boy and a girl tied together by one leg. To represent them, Class A had selected Kayden and Honami, who were already on the track preparing.
Kayden observed his partner as she adjusted the strap that would bind their legs together.
—How have you been doing in the other events, Honami? —he asked while finishing tying the strap—. I haven't had much time to see your performance.
—I've been doing quite well—Honami replied with a smile—. I've achieved first places in some and second places in others. Oh, and the girls and I won the jousting event.
—Really? —Kayden nodded in approval—. I'm glad to see everyone putting in so much effort.
As he crouched to ensure the strap was tightly secured, Honami looked at him with a confident expression.
—I'm sure we'll win this event too, Kayden—she said with complete determination.
—Of course—he responded with a calm smile—. We've practiced enough and our synchronization is excellent.
—That's true.—Honami looked at him for a moment before asking—: What events do you have left after this?
—Including this one, I have three more—he replied as he stood up—. And you?
—I have two left—she said—. After this, I have the flag capture and the relay race.
Kayden nodded, wanting to keep the conversation going. It had been a busy day, and he hadn't had many chances to talk with Honami. However, before he could say anything else, the teacher in charge interrupted.
—Participants, please prepare for the start of the three-legged race!
Honami looked at Kayden with a slight smile before positioning herself.
—I guess it's time, Kayden.
—Yes, we're ready—he responded, looking ahead with determination.
They both lined up with the other participants, ready for the starting signal.
...
The tension on the track grew as the participants lined up for the three-legged race. Kayden and Honami, with their legs firmly tied, positioned themselves at the starting line, both focused. Around them, the other competing pairs also prepared, some adjusting the knots of their straps and others exchanging quick strategies.
The teacher raised the whistle, and for a moment, the world fell silent.
Whistle blast!
The sound of the whistle broke the calm, and in an instant, all the pairs began to move. Kayden and Honami started in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized from the first step. The intense practice they had undergone was evident: each adjusted their pace with precision, alternating their tied legs with a fluidity that made them stand out from the start.
As they advanced, Kayden kept his gaze straight ahead, focused on maintaining balance and speed. Each step was fast but measured. Honami, with the same determination, followed the pace effortlessly, her movements light and graceful, as if she were dancing.
The other pairs were not as coordinated. Next to them, a pair from Class B stumbled and fell to the ground after losing their rhythm. Behind them, another pair wobbled dangerously, their disjointed movements slowing them down. But Kayden and Honami did not lose focus. Their teamwork was almost perfect, as if they were one.
—We're doing well, Kayden! —Honami exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement as they accelerated.
—Keep the rhythm! —Kayden responded, not letting the adrenaline cloud his mind.
Halfway through the race, they were already in the lead. The stands erupted in applause and cheers of support, but both stayed focused. As they approached the final stretch, they felt their bodies working in perfect harmony, their steps so well calculated that they hardly needed to speak to understand each other's moves.
A glance backward showed them that the competition was far behind, and although other pairs were starting to recover, Kayden and Honami's lead was undeniable. Each step brought them closer to the finish line.
—Last push! —Kayden shouted, feeling the energy of the moment.
Honami nodded, her eyes fixed on the finish line. Her legs, although tired, maintained their cadence. A final joint effort, and they crossed the finish line with impressive speed and precision.
Whistle blast!
The sound of the final whistle announced their victory. Kayden and Honami arrived first, several seconds ahead of the rest. The spectators erupted in cheers as Honami breathed deeply, trying to calm her heavy breathing.
—We did it! —Honami exclaimed, with a radiant smile.
Kayden nodded, smiling as well, though more calmly. They both untied their legs and gave each other a pat on the back, satisfied with their performance.
—I knew we would—he said, looking at her with approval.
—Of course—she replied with confidence—. We make a good team, don't we?
—The best.
As the other competitors reached the finish line, many still wobbling, it was clear that Kayden and Honami had not only won but had done so with an impressive display of teamwork and skill.
...
The events kept coming, and time flew by. Soon, another challenge awaited Kayden: the tug-of-war, a team event. This time, Class A, led by Kayden, would join forces with Class D, led by Ryuuen. Classes B and C would be their opponents.
Students began to gather at both ends of the long rope. On the B and C side, students were strategically organized, positioning themselves based on height and strength. Meanwhile, on the A and D side, there was no particular order, with more confidence in their brute strength than in strategy.
Kayden, observing the situation, noticed Ryuuen nearby and decided to approach him.
—Hey, Ryuuen —Kayden called with a calm smile—, it looks like your class has been doing quite well, huh?
Class D had outperformed Classes B and C in several tests, although their performance was still below the undisputed dominance of Class A.
Ryuuen, with his typical sarcastic tone, glanced at him sideways.
—Look who it is, the star of the festival. What's the honor of you talking to me? —he replied, each word dripping with obvious mockery.
Kayden didn't lose his composure and responded calmly:
—Just a greeting. Since we'll be on the same team here, I hope you don't mess it up.
Ryuuen let out a dry, disdainful laugh.
—Don't worry about me, Osawa. I hope your class doesn't be the one to mess it up. I have other plans —he said, casting a contemptuous glance at the students from Classes B and C—. I'm going to crush them.
Kayden's expression remained relaxed, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes.
—It must be hard for you that the 'worst class' has outperformed the others —he said, referring to Class D's position with a touch of amusement in his tone.
Ryuuen shot him a withering look and responded with an acidic tone:
—I wonder whose fault it is that we're in this situation.
Kayden shrugged and smiled.
—I don't know… maybe it's due to your lack of skill —he replied, maintaining his provocative smile.
Ryuuen gritted his teeth, clearly irritated, but kept his composure.
—Tch, just wait a little longer, Osawa. Soon I'll take care of you and your class. But first, I'm going to crush the others. —His gaze hardened, filled with determination.
Kayden couldn't help but smile with confidence.
—Take your time. But remember, the longer you take, the harder it will be to even get close to my class.
His tone was calm, almost arrogant, but he backed it up with facts. Ryuuen knew this. Class A was in a league of its own, and while Kayden spoke with confidence, he wasn't wrong.
Ryuuen looked at him for a moment longer before looking away, knowing that Kayden's words carried more weight than he wanted to admit.
....
The sun's heat was relentless as the male teams from Classes A and D lined up at one end of the rope. Opposite them, Classes B and C were organizing their strategy, adjusting positions according to the height and strength of their students. But on Kayden's side, there was no particular order, only palpable confidence.
—Ready to beat them? —Kayden asked with a smile directed at his team.
—You'll see, Osawa, this will be a piece of cake —Ryuuen said with a challenging grin, casting one last contemptuous glance at the rivals.
The atmosphere tensed as everyone prepared for the first pull.
Fiuuu! The whistle blew across the field, signaling the start of the first round. The men from Classes A and D tensed their muscles in unison and, with brutal strength, pulled the rope as if it were one organism. On the other side, Classes B and C struggled to hold their ground but quickly began to lose ground.
—Hold on! —shouted one of the boys from Class B, his hands slipping on the rope.
—It's useless, we can't! —another from Class C replied, gasping for breath.
With one last coordinated pull, the rope crossed the line marking victory for Classes A and D. The first round was over in less than a minute.
First round, Class A and D! announced the professor.
Ryuuen let out an arrogant laugh. —I thought they'd put up more resistance —he said mockingly, as the students from Classes B and C reorganized for the second round.
—This will be over soon —Kayden added, stretching his arms.
The second round started quickly. This time, Classes B and C tried a new strategy, placing their strongest guys at the front, but the difference in power was too great. As soon as the pull started, Classes A and D once again demonstrated their superiority. Kayden led his team with unshakable calm, while Ryuuen at the front pulled with a satisfied smile.
—Go! —Ryuuen shouted, enjoying every second.
With one final effort, the rope crossed the victory line again.
Second round, Class A and D! shouted the professor, as applause began to rise from the stands.
—They're completely outmatched… —muttered one of the boys from Class C, dejected.
The boys from Class A and D prepared for the third and final round. The confidence on their faces made it clear they knew this would be quick. And they were not wrong.
The third round was even faster than the previous ones. The B and C students barely had time to react before being dragged towards defeat once again.
Third round, Class A and D! announced the professor, concluding the event.
Ryuuen let go of the rope and stretched, looking at the defeated with mockery. —I guess it was too much for them —he said, turning to leave.
Kayden, showing little fatigue, approached Ryuuen. —Good job, but don't get too excited.
—Don't underestimate me, Osawa. This isn't over —Ryuuen replied with a sharp smile—. Soon I'll be on top.
Kayden looked at him with a slight smile. —It will take more than words for that.
As the winning team dispersed, they knew this was just one of many events. However, each victory strengthened their position in the sports festival, and this one was no exception.
With the victory sealed and the tug-of-war concluded, the day rapidly moved toward the next events. Although the competition was still in full swing, for Kayden and his team, this victory was just another solid step toward their goal of keeping Class A at the top.
The sun remained high in the sky, casting its intense light over the field as the students prepared for the next tests. For some, the struggle was just beginning, but for Class A, this was another assured triumph.