The day of the sports festival finally arrived.

Class D was placed in the red team along with Class A.

If we didn’t win both the team competition and the grade-level competition, we’d lose class points.

A harsh event.

That said, it’s not like we have no chance.

Some of the students in Class D have exceptionally high athletic ability.

Starting with Ayanokōji-kun and Sudō-kun, along with Hirata-kun and Miyake-kun.

On the girls’ side, we’ve got Horikita-san, Onodera-san, me, Kushida-san and Maezono-san.

It hurts that Kōenji-kun has no motivation and already forfeited, but depending on the matchups, we still have a solid chance of winning.

As for the team competition, although Sakayanagi-san from Class A Year 1 can’t participate due to physical reasons, giving us a one-person handicap, Classes A in Years 2 and 3 have Horikita-san’s older brother, the current student council president, and Nagumo Miyabi-senpai, the leading candidate for next student council president.

After the opening ceremony, the events began without delay.

Starting with the 100-meter dash, Class D’s key members steadily achieved strong results.

“Hirata-kun, you’re so cool!”

“Ayanokōji-kun, look over here!”

…Not exactly fun for Kei and me.

“Ayanokōji-kun and Yōsuke-kun might gain even more fans at this rate. What a problem.”

“Seriously… wait, Kei, you just called Hirata-kun—”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I started calling him by his first name recently. I hesitated before, but it’s also to keep others in check.”

Kei says it a bit flustered.

It’s true—despite dating for a long time, the distance between her and Hirata-kun didn’t feel that close.

“What about you, Matsushita-san? Maybe it’s time you start using first names too?”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

Because it’s a fake relationship contract, I’d been neglecting that kind of progression.

We’ve been dating for months… maybe I’ve been too distant.

Ayanokōji-kun… no, Kiyotaka-kun.

I’m going to call him that.

…I’m so nervous. It shouldn’t be a big deal.

“Oh, also—can I call you by your first name too?”

“Y-yeah. I’ll do the same, Kei.”

“Nice to meet you again, Chiaki!”

Calling Kei by her first name is easy.

Alright, I’ve decided.

I’ll call him Kiyotaka-kun during this sports festival.

With that resolve, I ran the 100 meters and managed to take first place fairly comfortably.

Class D was off to a great start, but Class A—our partner—was underperforming.

In terms of physical ability, they’re the weakest of the four classes, so it can’t be helped.

Kiyotaka-kun kept taking first, and so did Sudō-kun, Shibata-kun from Class B, Horikita-san and I.

I might not be able to win everything, but I’d love for my boyfriend to take overall MVP.

Next was the boys’ pole-toppling event.

The first team-based competition.

How will cooperation with struggling Class A go?

* * *

The pole-toppling begins.

First to take two out of three rounds wins.

We agreed with Class A to change strategies each round—first, they defend while we attack.

Simple, but more effective than forcing coordination on short notice.

We charge toward the enemy pole, but Class C blocks us first.

They’re focusing heavily on stopping Sudō and me, while mostly ignoring others.

Their plan is to stall us while Yamada Albert topples the pole.

A rational strategy.

But we won’t stop.

I charge straight through at full speed.

They hesitate—amateurs, scared.

I slip through easily and reach the pole defended by Class B.

Our classmates grab for the pole, but Class B’s coordination holds.

Looking back, Sudō is still stuck in the chaos, taking hits like elbows during the scramble.

He’s dealing with extra defenders—sorry about that.

Meanwhile, Yamada is being held back by Katsuragi and others from Class A, but not for long.

…Yamauchi will do.

“Sorry, Yamauchi. Borrow your back and shoulders.”

“Huh? What are you—whoa!?”

I step onto his back and leap from his shoulders, grabbing the pole.

“You used me as a stepping stone!?”

Ignoring him, I put my full weight into it and topple the pole.

Red team takes the first round.

“Nice! That jump was insane!”

“Thanks to Yamauchi.”

“Hmph… call me the ultimate stepping stone.”

I ignore that.

“Sudō, sorry. You took all the hits. You okay?”

“It hurts, but it’s fine. Big guys like me hold them off so you guys can move—just like basketball.”

He really has grown.

We exchange a high-five.

“Not bad, Ayanokōji… but next time won’t be so easy.”

Kanzaki, leading the white team, mutters.

But now we’re on defense.

Class A greets us warmly.

“Well done.”

“You stopped Yamada—that’s impressive.”

“Yeah. The difference in build and strength is obvious. Be careful.”

“Thanks, but I’ve done martial arts. I’ll manage.”

“Good. You’re reliable as an ally.”

We switch sides.

Now we defend.

Yamada charges again like a tank.

“Damn, he’s coming again!”

“How do we stop that!?”

Class D panics.

Understandable.

“I’ll stall him.”

“Ayanokōji-kun!? That’s dangerous—”

I reassure Hirata.

Yamada charges.

We collide head-on.

At the last moment, he slows slightly.

Kind… but that’s hesitation.

That’s a mistake.

We clash.

But I hold.

Yamada’s eyes widen behind his sunglasses.

“He stopped him!?”

“No way!”

Cheers erupt.

With this much attention, Ryūen can’t interfere.

I hold him until Class A’s Kitō Hayato topples the pole.

Red team wins in a straight sweep.

* * *

“I’m tired of being praised.”

After the girls’ ball-toss event, we return to the tent.

Kiyotaka-kun leans his head on my shoulder and sighs.

After stopping Yamada, he was flooded with praise—even from upperclassmen like the student council president.

“No surprise. No one thought anyone but Sudō could stop him.”

“I couldn’t match his raw strength, but with technique—center of gravity, positioning—it’s manageable.”

He says it so casually.

Next came tug-of-war.

Boys won easily.

Girls lost due to being one person short.

After that, obstacle races continued, and we kept winning.

But Class A still struggled.

“Even Class A has weaknesses.”

“No reason to help them. Red team will still win.”

Cold, but true.

Then a Class A student approaches.

A flashy blond guy with a laid-back vibe.

“Hey. You two have been doing great.”

“Who are you?”

“Hashimoto from Class A. I already know you—Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, Class D’s strongest, and his girlfriend Matsushita Chiaki.”

“I don’t recall being the strongest.”

He’s clearly investigated us.

“So what do you want?”

“Just greeting teammates. We’ll be working together.”

“No benefit to knowing me.”

“Not true. You’re basically Class D’s boss, right?”

So that’s how he’s seen now.

Not surprising.

“Next is the three-legged race. Go easy on me.”

“No promises. If we face each other, give up.”

“Scary.”

He leaves.

Suspicious.

The same-sex three-legged race begins.

Sudō carries Ike and wins.

But the highlight is Hirata and Kiyotaka-kun.

Huge cheers. Even from upperclassmen.

…They both have girlfriends, you know?

* * *

“Let’s do this, Horikita-san.”

For the girls’ three-legged race, I’m paired with Horikita.

Based on ability and intellect, apparently.

“Seems you’ve been doing well too.”

“Not quite top tier. I lost to track athletes. But I won’t hold you back.”

“I’m not worried at all.”

We line up.

She’s a bit stiff—probably nervous because her brother is watching.

I adjust to her rhythm.

We run.

Close race with Class A—but we win.

“We did it.”

“…Thank you. You matched me well.”

“Don’t worry. Nervous about your brother?”

“Maybe. I’ll refocus.”

She slaps her cheeks.

No hesitation in her eyes now.

A good sign.