Chapter 66: Sports Day (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: Sports Day (9)
I followed the Vice Class President to the edge of the athletic field.
With the next event about to start, students from other classes were scurrying around to find their spots.
"What's up?" I asked out of habit.
The Vice Class President tentatively broached the subject. "It’s nothing major, but… could you possibly fill in for the obstacle race?"
"Me? Isn't there someone already assigned to it?"
Participation was usually decided well before Sports Day began. For him to ask me now meant something had gone wrong.
"Well… Ji-hoon sprained his ankle a little while ago. He’s in the infirmary now."
So that was it. The original runner was out of commission.
"I see," I said, giving a small nod.
This was also something I had already heard from the Mini-Me.
"You're the only one I can ask. Please, just this once," the Vice Class President pleaded, his eyes searching mine.
I fell silent for a moment. As the silence stretched on, the Mini-Me’s expression grew dim.
— Sigh… Seung-ho is the best choice out of the kids who are left…
Hmph. Complimenting me internally won't get you anywhere.
"Fine," I agreed, nodding.
It wasn't a big deal. It was just one race.
"Ah, thank goodness." The Vice Class President let out a long sigh of relief. "It’s starting soon, so let’s head over right away."
"Sure."
I followed him toward the marshaling area. The third-year boys' obstacle race was currently underway, and since it was near the end, it wasn't long before it was the second-years' turn.
"Let's do our best."
"Yeah," I replied with a casual nod.
Swoosh—
The official raised a flag high into the air, signaling everyone to get ready.
— Beeeeeeep!
The whistle blew sharply. At that exact moment, everyone burst forward.
"Whew…"
Maybe it was because I’d been moving non-stop since the soccer match this morning, but my breathing felt a bit heavier than usual. Still, it was manageable.
After clearing the first, second, and third obstacles, only one table remained: the 'Bring Someone' station.
Several slips of paper were scattered across the desk. I picked one up at random.
"Oh."
As I read the contents, I felt a bit flustered. The task wasn't difficult or problematic, but…
"What is it? Is it a hard one?" the Vice Class President asked, running up behind me as he grabbed his own note.
"No," I said, shaking my head.
For now, I had to move.
Finding the target of the note wasn't difficult at all. Lee Sol was still sitting exactly where she had been.
"Hmm…"
I hesitated for a moment before approaching. She was clearly in a foul mood—something I could tell even without hearing the Mini-Me’s voice. She sat with her chin resting on her hand, huffing in annoyance. Lee Sol was never one to hide her feelings, after all. It was plain to see.
Regardless, I had a race to finish.
"Sol, let's go."
I ran over to her, lightly grabbed her wrist, and pulled. Lee Sol followed along limply, her body moving on instinct.
"…Huh?" A small squeak escaped her mouth, her jaw dropping in confusion.
As we ran…
"Ack!"
Lee Sol pitched forward, her hair fluttering in the air.
"!"
I quickly grabbed both of her shoulders, managing to steady her before she hit the ground. Maybe it was because she had been running around all day, but it seemed like her legs had suddenly given out.
"Are you okay?"
"…Y-yeah. I’m fine," she stammered, nodding repeatedly.
— "----------"
However, contrary to her words, the mental noise grew even more intense. Embarrassed by her clumsy display, Lee Sol crossed her arms to hide her face.
"Let's go."
I led her along as we ran, noticeably reducing my pace to make sure she could keep up. We had to reach the finish line in the distance.
"Huff, puff…"
We hadn't even run that far, but Lee Sol already looked exhausted, waddling like a penguin that had just come ashore. I wondered if I should make her exercise more often. Since she was close with Lee Seung-ah, maybe they could work out together.
— Beep.
While lost in those thoughts, we crossed the finish line. Because I had brought her back immediately after checking the note, we were the first from our class to arrive.
"I'll check the note," an official said, approaching us.
"Oh, wait."
I thought he looked familiar; he was a friend from my class last year.
"…Confirmed."
The guy glanced down at the paper and handed it back. We hadn't seen each other in a while, but he didn't even say hello. He just shot me a sharp, sidelong glance.
— Lee Seung-ho, you lucky bastard.
His Mini-Me poured out curses, his voice thick with resentment. I had nothing to say to that.
Now that I was finished, I was about to head to the queue when…
Tug, tug—
Someone pulled on my sleeve. When I turned around, Lee Sol was looking up at me with a hesitant expression.
— …Let’s just ask.
The Mini-Me muttered to itself. The noise had vanished before I knew it—proof that Lee Sol’s mood had improved.
'Oh.'
I was inwardly surprised. It was a good thing, but also puzzling. All I had done was bring her out for the race. I had expected it to take something much more grand to fix her mood, but was this really all it took?
"Um…" Lee Sol started, fidgeting and smoothing down her hair. "…What did it say on the note?"
"It was nothing much."
"I'm asking what it was," she persisted.
I shifted my gaze to avoid her eyes. I hesitated, wondering if I should tell her the truth as I recalled the phrase on the paper.
‘Someone who looks like a hamster.’
Not a rabbit, not a cat, but a rodent. No matter how I thought about it, telling her that directly didn't seem right.
— "..."
The Mini-Me was looking at me with expectant, sparkling eyes. That only added to the pressure.
"…Someone you can rely on in a pinch," I said, making up something appropriate.
Lee Sol blinked. She stood there blankly for a long time, and then…
"I-I see." With a light huff, she started walking ahead.
— Hehe.
The Mini-Me’s footsteps had suddenly become light. Trot, trot. I watched as it followed behind Lee Sol with a bouncy, excited gait.
I was glad her mood had improved, but…
'Did I do the right thing?'
That concern lingered. It wasn't a complete lie, though. Lee Sol was the type to step up when it mattered. If I ever truly needed help, she might actually be that person.
I shoved the paper deeper into my pocket. It seemed like I would have to keep this secret forever.
*
A moment ago—
"Sigh……."
Shin A-young watched Lee Sol, who had been sighing deeply for a while now. She decided to just leave her be, hoping time would solve whatever was wrong. It didn't seem like a problem she could fix by stepping in.
'I wonder when he's coming back…'
Shin A-young’s feet swung back and forth as she waited for Lee Seung-ho to return.
'…Isn't that Seung-ho?'
She spotted him on one side of the field and felt a surge of surprise. He should have finished all his scheduled events for the day. She wondered why he was over there—perhaps he was filling in for someone else.
'The next event is…'
Shin A-young searched her bag for the Sports Day program. Snap— she unfolded the paper and ran her finger down the chart.
Second-year boys, obstacle race.
Shin A-young snapped her head up and tracked Lee Seung-ho’s location. The race had already begun.
"Huh?"
Her voice rose as she realized Lee Seung-ho was running toward her. His eyes were fixed in her direction. The distance between them closed rapidly.
Gulp.
Without realizing it, she gripped her hands tight in anticipation.
And then.
Grab—
He caught Lee Sol’s wrist. Lee Sol was pulled along effortlessly.
'…Ah.'
Shin A-young’s gaze followed them blankly. She couldn't take her eyes off them as their figures grew smaller in the distance.
"……Ugh."
Shin A-young didn't know what to do with herself. Her eyes darted around restlessly. Because she had let herself hope, even for a second, the resulting embarrassment and envy swirled together, making it hard to stay still.
Her ears felt hot. She forced a deep frown.
'…No, it’s nothing special.'
It was fine. He was just helping her run in a race. The note probably wasn't anything special either. It was just a coincidence that Lee Sol fit the description. That was all.
Even as she tried to soothe herself, watching them made her chest feel tight, as if she had indigestion.
"……?"
It was strange—a truly unfamiliar feeling. She was confused by her own emotions. Her fingers, hooked into the hem of her pants, tightened involuntarily.
To be honest, she was disappointed. And she was incredibly curious about what was written on that slip of paper Lee Seung-ho was holding.
"I'm back—"
Ji Nuri appeared out of nowhere, trotting down the stairs.
Shin A-young abruptly stood up.
"Hmm? Hey, where are you going? I bought drinks."
Without answering, Shin A-young left the area. She didn't have the confidence to keep watching. She had simply realized that she was clearly falling behind.
*
What’s up with her?
Ji Nuri narrowed his eyes as he watched Shin A-young suddenly bolt. He had no idea why.
"…What was that about?" He scratched the back of his neck.
Shin A-young’s expression had looked incredibly awkward. She was smiling, but it didn't feel like a real smile at all. It was like a bad actor trying to force a happy face for a scene.
"Hmm."
He didn't know, and there was no point in dwelling on it. Ji Nuri hummed to himself as he sat down and pulled a drink out of his bag.
"Ngh…!"
The plastic bottle cap was screwed on so tight it wouldn't budge.
"Seung—"
He was about to call for help when he realized the guy was nowhere to be seen.
"…Oh."
Come to think of it, he wasn't there. Not just Lee Seung-ho, but Lee Sol too. They had both vanished. Fortunately, he found them quickly.
"…Huh?"
He spotted them on the field, running together. He had wondered where they’d gone, but it turned out they were doing the obstacle race. Setting aside why they were even there…
Ji Nuri watched them quietly, then scratched his cheek awkwardly. As he watched them…
Sniff.
He let out a small, pointless sniffle.