Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Sports Festival #16
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"What day is it today? You're really going all out, huh?"
The captain approached me with a sly grin.
"I took a quick nap after lunch, so I've got energy to spare."
I high-fived the captain after he scored.
Then I turned toward the stands and waved energetically.
Of course, it wasn't to appeal to strangers. There were people watching over us, after all.
I raised my hand toward the seats I'd spotted earlier, and even from afar, I could see them jumping with excitement.
Seeing them so thrilled made all that hard running worthwhile.
The first half wasn't even over yet, and my stamina was still full, so maybe I should push a bit harder.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The match ended with a 3-0 victory for us.
The captain scored two goals, and I got one—mine was from a penalty kick.
He could've had a hat-trick, but he kept passing the ball to me, so I ended up taking it.
I had no idea why, though.
Anyway, after the game, our captain walked over to the dazed captain of Class J.
"Good game."
"...Damn it."
He looked reluctant, but he didn't shake off the hand our captain offered to help him up.
Maybe they weren't such bad terms after all.
"If it weren't for that wild card, we would've won."
"Probably. If Ijin hadn't shaken up their defensive line, I wouldn't have shone much either."
"...His name's Ijin?"
Class J's captain whipped his head around to stare at me.
"Yeah. Seo Ijin."
Suddenly all eyes were on me, and I blurted out my name in a daze.
"I'm Lee Hyun-seok. Seo Ijin... Remember that name. We'll meet on the national stage someday. Don't forget mine either—I'm the guy who's gonna beat you."
With that, Class J's captain turned dramatically and strode off the field.
...Hey, I have zero plans to play soccer.
But I couldn't bring myself to grab Lee Hyun-seok's back and stop him as he posed his way out.
A real man knows when to let another go in silence.
"Heh heh. Hear that?"
"What a shonen manga rival type."
He'd pulled off the exact cliché move.
And it seemed like they actually knew each other.
"Pfft! So does that make me the protagonist and you my sidekick?"
I shook my head.
"Nah... I'm just an extra who shows up once. No dreams of soccer here."
"Tch. Figures."
The captain grumbled in disappointment.
"Alright. Great clean win today—let's do well in tomorrow's games too. Good work, everyone. Don't forget your stuff in the waiting room."
A moment later, he naturally gathered us all and dismissed the team.
He's got big things ahead. Might need to get his autograph sometime.
Charisma, skills to back it up, and a decent personality.
If he becomes a world-famous player, who knows how we'll look back on today.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I quickly rinsed off the sweat with some water, grabbed my bag, and left the field.
Wondering where everyone was—should I call?—I spotted them all waiting at the path to the sports ground.
"We're back."
As I approached, Hong Yeonseo spotted me and made a fuss.
"You didn't overdo it, right? You've got to run again later."
"Huh? Not at all. I barely ran in the second half."
"Whoa. I knew you were tough, but... this is beyond expectations."
Hmm. Was it that impressive? Guess my condition was peak today.
If even Hong Yeonseo was reacting like this, maybe I outperformed my own expectations.
"Heh heh. Did you try extra hard with the girls watching, son?"
"...Well, yeah. Gotta run hard with Mom watching."
Sea’s mom burst out laughing at my response.
"Still the same as ever, Ijin."
"Pardon?"
"Oh, nothing~"
Her beaming smile reminded me so much of Lee Sea's occasional sly side.
Well, technically, Lee Sea takes after her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The moms suggested it was time to rejoin our classmates, so we headed to the sports ground alone.
They'd watch the next games from the parents' seats and meet us for dinner after everything wrapped up.
"Sigh..."
Lee Soyun let out a deep sigh, like it came from the bottom of her soul.
"What's up?"
"Oh, nothing. Just... tension's easing off."
I see. Come to think of it, she'd been quieter than usual today.
"Not uncomfortable or anything... Just hard to speak up."
"Yeah."
I got it completely. In my past life, adults turned me into a mute every time.
It's just her personality—unavoidable.
A mix of factors, nothing I could really fix.
For me, low self-esteem was the biggest culprit back then.
...No more gloomy thoughts. That's the past now.
Still, I wasn't unhappy back then.
I was content with what I had.
"What're you thinking?"
"...Just random stuff."
I'd zoned out too long; everyone was looking at me curiously.
I shook my head to clear it and looked ahead.
We were almost at the sports ground already.
Our class had about half the seats empty.
Makes sense—we'd been off doing our own thing since morning, and others were probably enjoying the festival similarly.
Half the class still hanging out here was the real surprise.
"You guys are back? Teacher watched your soccer game too."
Huh? The teacher hadn't stayed here the whole time?
I asked her, puzzled.
"You too, Teacher? Weren't you here the whole time?"
"Huh? They stream the big matches online."
Wait, what high school sports festival gets internet broadcasts...?
Glancing around, it seemed I was the only one out of the loop.
Did I sleep through announcements at homeroom or dismissal?
"All your games done today?"
"Just the three-legged race later."
She smacked her fist into her palm at my words.
"Right~ The one with Yeonseo and Yurin? Teacher'll cheer hard."
"Thanks."
I bowed and took an empty seat. Lee Sea handed me a drink.
It was from the ones I'd moved that morning.
"Oh. Thanks."
I took a sip, swallowed, and thanked her.
"No biggie. Not like I bought 'em."
Come to think of it, back when Lee Sea was class rep in middle school, she'd hand out burgers and stuff at events.
...Not that I'm asking, but nothing this time?
I glanced at her face, but without mind-reading powers, her smile gave nothing away.
Then my phone buzzed.
Thinking it was a text, I checked—and it was from an unexpected person.
[Junior! Great game!]
The club president, of all people.
[President? Isn't it class time?]
[Hee hee. Just hit break.]
[...Class time during the match, though.]
[...Hee hee. Ways around it.]
[......Thanks. Study hard, President.]
[Okay~ Good luck at the festival, Junior. ^ω^]
She must've found a way to watch that stream in class.
As Yu Seol mentioned last time, she didn't seem big on studying.
Anyway, maybe that online broadcast has more viewers than I thought...
I stared at her emoticon, debating sending one back, when Lee Soyun spoke up beside me.
"Who is it?"
I closed my phone and answered.
"Club senior."
"Oh? Telling you to come to club today?"
I shook my head.
"Nah. Said they watched the soccer and it was great."
"Ah, got it."
Seong Yurin, who'd been quietly listening, asked softly.
"...That senior. Is it a girl?"
"...Yeah, well, it is."
I answered hesitantly, a bad feeling creeping in.
"Hmm... I see."
For some reason, Seong Yurin’s eyes narrowed.
"...Why?"
"Just curious."
She turned away, face calm.
...Hmm. Must be the cool drink, but it suddenly feels chilly around here.
Did they turn on the AC in the sports ground?