Sports Day, for Cid, the words conjured images of sun-drenched fields, cheering crowds, and…well, let's just say a healthy dose of nervous anticipation mixed with a touch of dread. He wasn't exactly known for his athletic prowess. His coordination tended to be…unpredictable, and his stamina was more suited for marathon reading sessions than running races. But this year, Sports Day held a different kind of significance. It wasn't about impressing Kiyomi, not exactly. It was more about…participating. After their talk in the park, after clearing up the misunderstanding about Kai, Cid felt a shift in their dynamic. He wanted to show Kiyomi that he valued their friendship, that he was willing to step outside his comfort zone, even if it meant making a fool of himself in the process.
He spent the week leading up to Sports Day trying to be a little more active. He joined Kai for some light jogging (which mostly involved Kai patiently waiting for Cid to catch his breath), and he even attempted a few basketball free throws (with varying degrees of success). It wasn't about becoming a star athlete; it was about showing Kiyomi that he was trying, that he was willing to put in the effort.
On the day itself, the school grounds buzzed with energy. Banners flapped in the breeze, music blared from the loudspeakers, and students, clad in their respective team colors, milled about, their faces painted with team logos and expressions of excitement.
Cid, wearing his class's designated yellow t-shirt, felt a knot of nervous energy tighten in his stomach. He spotted Kiyomi across the field, looking radiant in her team's blue uniform. She was laughing with her friends, her smile as bright as the sun. He didn't try to catch her eye this time. He simply smiled to himself, happy to see her enjoying the day.
The first event was the three-legged race. Cid found himself partnered with a particularly enthusiastic classmate who kept yelling instructions at him. He tripped, they stumbled, and they crossed the finish line last, much to the amusement of the crowd. He didn't even glance at Kiyomi. He knew she'd seen it, and that was enough.
Next was the sack race. Cid, hopping along in a giant sack, looked more like a distressed caterpillar than a competitive athlete. He tripped again, face-planting into the grass, much to the amusement of…well, everyone. He brushed himself off, grinned at his classmates' laughter, and gave a thumbs-up to the cheering crowd.
He glanced over at Kiyomi, expecting to see pity or, worse, laughter. But she was nowhere to be seen. He felt a pang of…something. Not disappointment, not exactly. More like a quiet understanding. He knew she was busy with her own events, and he was happy for her.
The final event was the relay race. Cid, to his horror, found himself as the anchor leg. He watched as his teammates struggled, their faces strained with effort. He knew he had to do something, anything, to make up for his earlier failures. He didn't think about impressing anyone. He thought about his teammates, about their shared desire to win, about the fun they'd had practicing together (even the clumsy parts).
When the baton was finally passed to him, he took off like a shot, his legs pumping, his arms flailing. He could hear the cheers of his classmates, but all he could focus on was the finish line.
He was neck and neck with the other team's anchor, a tall, athletic guy who looked like he belonged on a sports magazine cover. Cid, fueled by adrenaline and a desperate desire to win for his team, pushed himself harder than he ever had before.
Just as he was about to cross the finish line, his foot caught on something. He stumbled, his arms windmilling, the baton flying through the air.
He braced himself for the impact, expecting to land face-first on the ground. But instead, he landed in someone's arms.
He looked up to see Kiyomi, her face flushed, her eyes filled with concern.
"Cid!" she exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
He nodded, speechless. He was still slightly dazed, but he was also acutely aware of the fact that he was currently being held in Kiyomi's arms.
"I… I think so," he stammered, his heart pounding.
Kiyomi helped him to his feet. "You almost had it," she said, her voice gentle.
Cid shrugged, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him. "Yeah, well," he mumbled. "I'm not exactly known for my athletic prowess."
Kiyomi smiled, a genuine, warm smile that made his heart flutter. "You were trying your best," she said. "And that's what matters."
As the day drew to a close, Cid realized that he hadn't impressed Kiyomi in the way he had initially intended. But he had impressed her nonetheless. He had shown her that he was willing to try, that he wasn't afraid to put himself out there, even if it meant making a fool of himself. And that, he realized, was more important than winning any race.
The final event wrapped up, the cheers of the crowd slowly fading as students began to gather their belongings. Cid, still feeling a bit sore from his various tumbles, limped towards the designated area where his class was congregating. He spotted Kiyomi, chatting animatedly with her friends. He hesitated, unsure whether to approach her. He wanted to thank her for her concern, for catching him when he fell, but he was still feeling a bit embarrassed about his overall performance.
Before he could make a decision, Kiyomi turned and saw him. She smiled, a warm, genuine smile that made his heart flutter. She excused herself from her friends and walked towards him.
"Hey," she said, her voice gentle. "You were great out there."
Cid raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Great? I think 'spectacularly clumsy' is a more accurate description."
Kiyomi laughed, a melodious sound that made his heart sing. "You were trying your best," she said, her eyes sparkling. "And that's what matters."
Cid shrugged, feeling a wave of warmth spread through him. He was grateful for her support, for her understanding. He was starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, Kiyomi liked him for who he was, clumsiness and all.
The bell rang, signaling the end of Sports Day. Students began to disperse, heading towards the exits, eager to get home and rest. Cid and Kiyomi walked together, the comfortable silence between them filled with unspoken words.
As they reached the school gates, Kiyomi stopped. "I had fun today," she said, her voice soft.
"Me too," Cid replied, his heart pounding. He wanted to say more, to express his feelings, but the words seemed to catch in his throat.
Kiyomi smiled, a shy, uncertain smile that made his heart leap. "See you tomorrow, Cid," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
"Yeah," Cid replied, his voice a little too loud. "See you."
Kiyomi turned and walked away, her figure fading into the crowd. Cid watched her go, a mixture of hope and longing filling his heart. He knew he had to talk to her, to tell her how he felt. But the fear of rejection was still holding him back.
He sighed, feeling a wave of frustration wash over him. Why did he have to be so complicated? Why couldn't he just be honest with her?
As he walked home, Cid replayed the day's events in his mind. He cringed at the memory of his tumbles, but a warm feeling spread through him as he thought of Kiyomi's concern and her encouraging words. He still felt a pang of regret about not saying anything to her at the school gate. He'd wanted to thank her properly, to tell her how much her kindness meant to him, but the words just wouldn't come out. He kicked a loose stone down the street, frustration bubbling inside him. Why am I so awkward? he thought. He wished he could be as graceful and confident as Kiyomi.
He reached his house, the setting sun casting long shadows across the lawn. As he walked up the path, he thought about Kiyomi. What was she doing now? Was she thinking about Sports Day too? He wondered if she'd noticed his spectacular clumsiness, or if she'd just seen him trying his best. He unlocked the door and went inside, the image of her smiling face filling his thoughts.
He knew he had to talk to her, to tell her how he felt. But how? What could he say? He went to his room, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him. He sat down at his desk, pulled out a piece of paper, and picked up his pen. He hesitated, then began to write.
But as he did, another thought crept into his mind, a cold wave of reality washing over the warmth of the day. After all this…after the races, after Kiyomi, after everything…the midterms were coming. He sighed, the weight of his studies suddenly feeling heavier than ever. He capped his pen, the unfinished letter lying on the desk. He had more pressing work to do.