Effort Never Betrays
So much had happened… “Great work today, Lene!” “Th-thank you… you too….”
The moment the stream finally ended, every ounce of strength drained from my body. I could finally go home. So much had really happened…. This was exhausting, seriously….
“Honestly, if we’d had a little more time, I would’ve loved to teach you the big three lifts….”
“…Huh?”
“Deadlift, squat, bench press. Those three are called the big three. But since Health Project focuses more on foundational fitness than heavy weight training….”
Harum suggested that if the chance ever came up, we should work out together sometime. I dodged the invitation with a vague smile.
“Oh, right. Our channel is having a team dinner tonight. Would you like to join us, Lene?”
“Ah, I… I already have plans after this….”
“Then I guess it can’t be helped.”
I had a very important schedule waiting for me: going home, showering, and flopping onto my bed.
“Well then, I’ll be heading out now….”
“…Lene!”
“Yes? …Ah?”
Just as I was about to leave, Harum called out to me. When I turned around, she was bowing her head.
“I’m truly sorry.”
“…Excuse me?”
“For sending you letters over and over until you finally replied. For using viewer reactions as an excuse to half-force you into being a guest. All of it must have been a nuisance to you. I really do feel bad about it.”
…I had thought it was a nuisance. But when asked whether it warranted this level of apology, the answer felt a little ambiguous. After all, I’d made mistakes too.
“I actually planned to say all this from the beginning… but when I first saw you, I was so surprised that I forgot. I’m sorry.”
…I really wish she hadn’t said that last part.
“If you ever need my help in the future, please tell me anytime. I’ll definitely assist you.”
“…Okay.”
I doubted that day would ever come. Thinking that, I finally started to step outside when—
“Lene!”
Harum called me again.
“…You might think someone you only met for a single day has no right to say this, but… I hope you can have a little more confidence in yourself.”
“Huh?”
“The world often doesn’t reward effort no matter how hard you try. But exercise is different. Exercise never betrays your effort. If you keep at it consistently, it will always repay you. And anyone who’s worked hard enough to receive that repayment… I think they’re truly admirable.”
I lifted my gaze, just barely, and met her eyes for a moment. The look in Harum’s eyes as she spoke carried a remarkably upright, sincere air.
“I don’t know what you’ve been through. Maybe I’m overstepping by saying this. But I still wanted to tell you. You’re truly an amazing person, Lene, so I hope you can find some confidence.”
Just like she’d said earlier, Harum was someone who had caused me a ton of trouble. Objectively speaking, I wasn’t entirely blameless either, but subjectively, she was the kind of person I’d rather not get involved with again.
…Still.
At the very least, she didn’t seem like a bad person.
“…Take care.”
“Yes! I hope we can meet again someday!”
That was a bit…
“I don’t know what you’ve been through. Maybe I’m overstepping by saying this. But I still wanted to tell you. You’re truly an amazing person, Lene, so I hope you can find some confidence.”
Confidence.
What exactly is confidence?