Ryota's POV. Music Club Room.
Tohma: So, since the Sports Festival is drawing near, we won't be able to practice.
Tohma: Not to mention, most of us are in the cheer squad, right?
Mio: Yep.
Kotori: Yeah!
Sora: WOOOOHOOOOO!
Kousei: I don't know what should I join in the sports festival.
Ryota: Our class will perform a dance, I don't know what it is yet and we're still currently deciding on what to do.
Tohma: And there you have it.
Tohma: By the way, what teams are you on?
Tohma: I'm on team white.
Mio: White.
Kotori: White.
Sora: White.
Kousei: White.
Ryota: Red.
Everyone went quiet and my fellow club members stared as if I betrayed them.
Mio-senpai then replied with a cold tone.
Mio: Get out.
Ryota: *gulp*
Ryota: *immediately bails out of the room*
Ryota: W-WHAT WAS THAT!? IT'S LIKE SOME HORROR MOVIE SHIT! THEIR EYES! THEIR EYES LOOK LIKE THEY WILL EAT ME ALIVE!
I have no choice, but to go at the Student Council. While on my way though.......
I saw Shinomiya-san stopping Ishigami who is desparate to run away.
Ryota: Shinomiya-san, is Ishigami in trouble of his grades again?
Kaguya: No, I don't even know why he's running away.
Ishigami: Kaedehara-senpai! Help!
Soon after, the three of us went to the Student Council and when we learned that Ishigami joined the Cheerleading Squad, and his trouble fitting in.
Ryota: You know, that is your first step to conquer your past.
Ishigami: Senpai......
Ryota: At some point, we got to change, if we don't, then our life wouldn't get better.
Ryota: As much as change is scary at first, we got to embrace it.
Ryota: So...........
Ryota: Take your time Ishigami, also, it's not always you who will do the work.
Ryota: Sometimes, you just have a little push in the back, when life gets hard.
Ishigami: That's really philosophical with you.
Ryota: I'm speaking from experience.
Kaguya: I agree with Kaedehara-kun as well. So, Ishigami-kun, mind telling us what you need to do?
Ishigami: Oh, I need a female uniform, because the cheering squad decided on cross-dressing.
Ryota: I see.
Kaguya: I don't mind.
Ishigami: Really!?
Kaguya: When a member of the student council is in a jam, what else could we do? Right?
Ishigami then decided to wear Shinomiya-san's uniform and........surprisingly, it fits.
Although Ishigami stated how difficult it is in the chest area........
She paid back by doing a ridiculous make up on him.
Ryota: Um, Shinomiya-san.........
Kaguya: Pffft!
Until Ishigami got a message to attend the practice with the Cheerleading Squad.
As for me, the next day, our class finally decided on what we will do at the Sports Festival and we're assigned to dance the Soran Bushi.
Fujiwara-san and I asked the prez if he can perform the dance, and he confidently said it was easy.......
But knowing him.......we had to make sure.........
At the gym, we prepared the drum, Fujiwara-san will be the drummer, while I prepared my phone and video as evidence.
And.......here's how it happened.
Miyuki: *cursed dancing*
Chika: ..........
Ryota: Wait, why does it feel like we're performing an exorcism?
Miyuki: How's that?
Ryota: All right, I'm done with this.
Ryota: Um......
After the prez got a set of scolding with Fujiwara-san...........we began to teach the prez on the dance, for the sake of not getting our class embarrassed in the Sports Festival.
But eventually, Fujiwara-san gave up and ran out of patience.
Ryota: Can't blame her, though.
Miyuki: Yeah.
Ryota: Don't worry, I'll still help you.
We went to the Student Council Room to practice and we both copy the demonstration on the internet.
Until Shinomiya-san arrived and she offered to help me teach the prez.
But.......
Fujiwara-san came and her aura, it changed. She's angry. She's jealous. Not in a romantic way but......in a maternal way.
As if it's like a mother who's child was taken away and now she wants her child back.
The banter went on and I can't interfere or it will get worse.
And the two girls pulled the prez in a tug-o-war.......
Ryota: ........that's it!
Ryota: Prez!
Miyuki: !?
Miyuki: LET ME GO!
The two girls let go and the prez gave me a thumbs up!
Miyuki: I UNDERSTAND NOW! THAT'S THE REASON WHY YOU WANTED ME TO PULL SOMETHING HEAVY!
Ryota: *facepalm*
Ryota: Ugh, about damn time you finally realize.
The result, the prez was able to understand the concept of Soran Bushi, the feeling of pulling the net.
After everything was settled, I immediately went home because I am TIRED from teaching the prez.
But as I was on my way home......
Hayasaka-san is infront of the gate.......
I smiled and wave.
Ryota: Hayasaka-san, I forgot, I promised to hang with you. Sorry, I was busy from our class.
Hayasaka: Oh, no, no. It's all right. Your class is preparing for the Soran Bushi dance, right?
Ryota: Yeah.
Ryota: So, where do you want to go?
Hayasaka: Hmmm.........how about the park?
Ryota: Sure.
The two of us then went on our way to the park. We also bought drinks when we passed by a convenient store.
Hayasaka: What kind of drink do you like, Ryo-chan?
Ryota: Please, stop calling me that.
Hayasaka: Hm? Why not? Fujiwara-san calls you by that nickname.
Ryota: I don't even know why does she call me ever since she confessed to me.
Hayasaka: Oh.......
Ryota: But, I don't really mind. Also, I'd like to take my time.
Ryota: Because I don't want to screw this up.
Hayasaka: Huh?
I may not look like it, but whenever it comes to being in a relationship, I really take it seriously.
When we paid for the drinks, and continued on our way to the park, I continued my answer.
Ryota: I want to date the girl, whom I'll eventually marry.
Hayasaka: Marry!? Aren't you thinking things too much!?
Ryota: Maybe? But Dad was also like that. I mean, when he and my mom are still dating, my Dad's goal is to be married with my mom.
Ryota: And look at them now. Happily married, and staying strong, forever.
Ryota: As much as I really wanted my love story to be just like my parents, but it seems like fate has something in store for me......
Ryota: So, Hayasaka-san, don't think that I'm delaying my answer all because I am still confused.
Ryota: Don't worry, both Fujiwara-san and your feelings are all loud and clear to me.
Ryota: And I have to choose.
Ryota: I wanted to choose carefully.
Ryota: Heck, Dad even said that it doesn't even matter who I choose.
Hayasaka: Eh!?
Ryota: I know, right? But, I guess he's right about that.
Hayasaka: Huh?
Ryota: Yeah, sure. You two are pretty and cute in your own way.......
Ryota: And I can see that you two are really sincere......
Ryota: That's why I'm having trouble in choosing.
Hayasaka: I-I see.........
Once we arrived at the park, we sat on a bench and just looked at the orange sky.
Hayasaka: Say, Kaedehara-kun, when you fell in love with Yuki-san, was it easy?
Ryota: No. It was somehow difficult.
Ryota: Why?
Hayasaka: Just thinking that, what did she do to make you fall in love with her?
Ryota: Haha. We all have our unique ways of falling in love, Hayasaka-san.
Ryota: Fujiwara-san fell in love with me probably during our first year.
Ryota: And you, somehow fell in love with me, when we began hanging out more often.
Ryota: As for me, I don't even know yet. Maybe because it's been too long since I fell in love that I forgot what it is to fall.
Hayasaka: Ah, right.
Ryota: But don't worry. I am not that heartless.
Ryota: It's just like, I don't know. I'm still somehow looking for something.
Hayasaka: Something?
Ryota: Yeah. Even I myself doesn't even know what that something is.
Ryota: Eventually, only time can tell what that is.
We both silently stare at the sky, and slowly sip our drinks.
Ryota: *sigh*
Hayasaka: Phew......
Ryota: Well then, Hayasaka-san. We have to go home now.
Hayasaka: Yeah.
We parted ways in the intersection.
And when I came back, the café is still bustling in service.
So, I decided that, maybe one shift is enough. But I was scolded by Mom and told me to rest.
Days passed and it was already the School Festival.
Eventually we have to participate in the events that we can join.
It went on and on. Not to mention, our parents came to watch, even Saya.
After the Soran Bushi dance, I went to them.
Ryota: Wait, Mom, Dad, Saya. You all came.
Koharu: Of course!
Tatsuya: We don't wanna miss this.
Saya: Yeah!
Ryota: Wait, Saya, don't you have classes?
Saya: I ditched them just to came here.
Ryota: *sigh*
Miyuki: Oh, it's Koharu-san, Tatsuya-san, and Saya-san.
I heard the prez approaching us.
Ryota: Prez.
Koharu: Oh, hello, Shirogane-kun.
And along with the prez, there is a middle aged man with blonde hair and blue eyes.
???: Oh, you must be Kaedehara Ryota.
Ryota: I think I know who this person is.
Ryota: You must be.....?
Papa Shirogane: I'm Miyuki's father.
Miyuki: I don't know him.
Ryota: Uh......
Tatsuya: Oh, I'm Kaedehara Tatsuya. This is my wife, Koharu, and my niece, Saya.
We let our families talk and I noticed that the prez is looking tired.
Ryota: What the hell happened, prez?
Miyuki: I don't wanna talk about it.
Ryota: Probably his dad.
But the sports festival must go on. Eventually, the scores are neck in neck in each team.
Eventually........
We got the interclub race. A battle agaisnt the cultural and sports club.
Since most of my fellow members at the club are in the white team, I'm the only one who will represent our club.
Tohma: Kaedehara! Don't you dare drag our club down! Also, I will let this slide for a while!
Their competition spirit is too strong.
I was eventually assigned at the second to the last post, just before the anchor. As for our anchor, the Captain Kazeno injured his leg, so Ishigami was chosen to be the anchor as he is in the cheer club, and the fastest runner during middle school.
I saw Ishigami feeling pressured.......maybe due to his past.
I gently tap his back to pull him to his senses.
Ishigami: !?
Ishigami: Who—
Ryota: Relax, Ishigami, it's just me.
Ishigami: Kaedehara-senpai. Don't surprise me like that.
Ryota: Ishigami, I only have one word advice to you.
Ishigami: Advice?
Ryota: Forward.
Ishigami: Forward?
Ryota: Yes.
Ryota: That's it, that's the advice.
Ryota: Also, don't forget your headband.
I gave him a spare red headband.
Ishigami: Oh! Thanks, senpai.
After that, the interclub relay has began and the sports club already got the lead at the start.
Eventually, it is down to the last two. The post before the anchor, and the anchor themselves.
When I got the baton, I immediately sprinted with all my might. The lead was too big, I won't be able to close the gap.........
Until the curve........
I decided to control myself and calculate on how will I move past.......
But it is still a struggle, I'm slowly closing the gap but their lead is still big........
When we reached the curve, I managed to reduce the gap. That is actually the last stretch.
The anchor is waiting.......
I saw Ishigami being despressed once more......but.......
Ryota: ISHIGAMI!
Ryota: FORWARD!
Ishigami: !?
He looked at me as if he saw a ghost.
Ryota: THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO REBEL AGAINST THIS CRUEL WORLD IS TO MOVE FORWARD!
Ryota: NOW'S THE TIME TO DO THAT! SO! ISHIGAMIIIIII!
I increased my speed as much as I can, until the baton is already at Ishigami's reach.
Ryota: Now, break free, and fly.
As if like lightning, Ishigami begins to sprint with all his might the moment he took the baton from me.
Now, it is neck in neck, as we, the Red Team began cheering. Unfortunately though.......
We didn't win........
But, despite that, the cheer squad lifted Ishigami's spirits. Iino wanted to interfere but the prez, Fujiwara-san, and I told her to sit back and watch.
It seems like joining the cheer squad is the right decision for him.
The festival isn't over. The events went on and on......until it is in the final race.
I am the anchor of the last relay. The gap wasn't really that far.
So, I decided to close the gap at the moment we make the turn. And when we did, I immediately increased my speed.......
And I didn't let this chance go to waste. I went ahead for the goal and it was a success......
We, the Red Team, won the Sports Festival.
Miyuki: NICE ONE, KAEDEHARA!
Ishigami: YEAAAAAH!
Chika: WOOOOHOOOOOO!
And thus, ends our sports festival.
After that, a few events happened.
Eventually, the School Festival is now dawning upon us.
And also.........
It seems like the gears of destiny, also begin to turn.