The three-legged race ends, and the cavalry battle begins.

The girls’ cavalry battle barely ends in victory.

But with Horikita’s team getting surrounded and having their headband taken, it was fair to say it was almost an even match.

Next is the boys’ turn.

I’ve been assigned as the rider.

A commander unit made up of Sudō, Hirata and Miyake—some of the most physically capable in the class.

That’s a heavy responsibility.

At the signal, the cavalry units start moving.

As chaos erupts everywhere, it seems they plan to surround and overwhelm our unit with numbers.

Several cavalry units head straight for us.

But we saw that strategy in the girls’ match.

We gather multiple allied units into a cluster to defend our commander unit and while they hold off the enemy, we aim for Ryūen’s cavalry, which is giving orders.

“Yo, Ayanokōji. Finally get to fight you.”

“Yeah. I was looking forward to it too, but cavalry battle isn’t exactly ideal.”

“What, whining before we even start?”

“No. It just means this will end in an instant.”

“What!?”

Sudō charges into Yamada.

A violent collision.

I quickly reach for Ryūen’s headband.

Of course, he grabs my arm.

The plan is to swing my captured arm and throw off his balance.

In cavalry battles, the rider with higher positioning has the advantage.

But Ryūen anticipates it and releases instantly.

“Heh, that was close.”

“Not bad, Ryūen. I was planning to finish it in one move.”

“Flattered. As thanks, I’ll twist that smug face of yours in humiliation.”

Now Ryūen grabs me.

We lock hands like a wrestling grip.

He’s trying to stall for time—but this puts me at a clear advantage.

“Ggh… what the hell is that strength…”

He groans, but his goal was never to beat me directly.

Behind him, Class B’s commander—Kanzaki—is approaching.

No time to waste.

I grip both of Ryūen’s hands tightly.

The difference in grip strength is obvious.

Pain makes him lose strength, loosening his hold.

I seize the opening and take his headband.

It feels oddly slippery, but no problem.

Then I spin 180 degrees on the cavalry and face backward.

Sorry Sudō, this puts pressure on you—but it’ll end quickly.

Kanzaki is caught off guard.

I grab his reaching hand, pull hard to break his balance, and take his headband.

“Damn it!”

“Ayanokōji… you’re a monster. Heh, this just keeps getting more interesting.”

With both commander units gone, the white team has no remaining force to compete.

Red team wins cleanly.

We go on to win the 200-meter race as well.

At this rate, either Sudō or I could take best performer in the grade.

Only the recommended events remain.

After a break, we move to the scavenger hunt race.

Looks like Shibata from Class B is here too—this will be competitive.

At the start, I take the lead and pull ahead of Shibata, reaching into the box.

Let’s see the prompt…

Person you like

Without hesitation, I run to Matsushita.

“Matsushita, I need you.”

“Okay, got it.”

I show her the paper, and she immediately moves.

I grab her hand and run.

…Actually, it might be faster to run together, but a mischievous idea comes to mind.

“Matsushita, bear with me a second.”

“Huh? W-wait—”

I lift her up—princess carry.

“A-Ayanokōji-kun!?”

“Don’t talk, you’ll bite your tongue.”

She curls up quietly in my arms and wraps her arms around my neck for stability.

Whistles and cheers erupt from the crowd.

I sprint full speed and take first easily.

“Alright.”

“Th-that surprised me. That’s bad for my heart.”

Her face is bright red.

But she doesn’t seem entirely unhappy. Cute.

“Sorry. I wanted to show off our relationship a bit.”

Lately, the attention from girls has been troublesome.

This was also a warning to others.

“I-if that’s the reason, then I guess it’s fine.”

“Yeah. Next is the three-legged race. Let’s do our best.”

“My heart might not survive…”

She’s exaggerating.

Despite that, Matsushita fully displays her potential in the race.

Running at practice speed, no pair can compete with us.

We take first easily.

“Only the relay left.”

“The relay has higher points, right? Let’s do our best.”

The relay order is Sudō → Hirata → Matsushita → Onodera → Horikita → me.

Horikita entrusted me with facing her brother.

The strongest lineup she devised to defeat him.

Then I have to fulfill my role as one of its pieces.

“Matsushita, I need a favor.”

“Yeah, anything.”

After giving her instructions, I prepare as the anchor.

The final event—the relay—begins.

Sudō runs with overwhelming speed, handing off the baton in first place—even ahead of upperclassmen.

Hirata continues with his usual flawless speed.

Then Matsushita—her baton handling and form are excellent.

But against upperclassmen, especially boys, she’s gradually being caught up.

“Interesting. Was making you the anchor Horikita’s plan?”

“Yeah. She’s grown.”

“Heh… before, she’d insist on running beside me. So she’s finally serious about beating me.”

Horikita Manabu smiles faintly.

He seems pleased.

“Looks like we finally get our match, Horikita-senpai. Winner here takes the class total too.”

“Nagumo. Be careful. Or we’ll both be overtaken.”

“Oh? That first-year, Ayanokōji, huh? Fast, strong… interesting. I’ll play with you after graduation.”

“No thanks.”

I have no interest in Nagumo.

Only Horikita Manabu.

Soon, the baton passes to Onodera, then Horikita.

We’re neck and neck with Years 2 and 3 Class A.

Class B Year 1 trails in fourth.

“Listen. Run at full power.”

“…Fine.”

The batons approach.

For a moment, Horikita and her brother’s eyes meet.

Year 3 passes first—barely.

“Ayanokōji-kun!”

I start my run, take the baton—and immediately go full throttle.

I run for the fastest possible finish.

The wind feels good.

The cheers sound distant.

It’s just me and Horikita Manabu.

Our speeds are nearly identical.

The slight lead he has is painful.

Defeat flashes in my mind—

Then—

“—Do your best, Kiyotaka-kun!!!!!”

My gear shifts up another level.

I overturn the small gap—and cross the finish line by a nose.

Thunderous cheers erupt.

“…I lost. Well done, Ayanokōji.”

Horikita Manabu offers his hand.

I shake it.

“If not for that cheer, I would’ve lost.”

“…You’ve grown too. Good to see before I step down.”

He looks toward Horikita, standing stunned.

A proud brother.

“Kiyotaka-kun!!”

Impact.

Matsushita jumps into me.

“We did it! That was amazing!”

“It wasn’t just me. Sudō, Onodera, Horikita, Hirata—and you.”

“That’s true, but… still!”

She looks frustrated.

Right—no need to be modest now.

“Yeah. I was fast, right?”

“Yeah! As expected, Kiyotaka-kun!”

“…By the way, that—Kiyotaka?”

“Eh? …Ah.”

Calling me by my first name wasn’t planned.

But there’s no issue.

We’re a couple—even if fake.

Moving forward isn’t bad.

“Then can I call you Chiaki?”

“Y-yeah! Of course!”

She smiles brighter than ever.

…Though finishing first and getting hugged is a bit too flashy.

Classmates rush over, praising us.

Then—

“Hey Matsushita, give your boyfriend a reward!”

“Eh?”

“Kiss him!”

The crowd joins in.

“Guys, we’re not kids…”

She tries to calm things down.

But it’s simple.

“Chiaki.”

“Eh—Kiyotaka-k—mm!?”

I pull her in and kiss her.

Cheers and whistles erupt, but I ignore them.

All my focus is on her.

After a long kiss, I pull away.

“That’s my reward for winning. Right, Chiaki?”

“K-Kiyotaka-kun… geez!!”

Blushing to her ears, smiling uncontrollably.

…First kiss. Not bad.

Her lips are still soft.

The guys start hitting my back—probably praise.

Even Hirata and Miyake join in lightly.

Still hurts a bit.

Final result—red team wins.

Year 1 results:

1st: Class D
2nd: Class B
3rd: Class C
4th: Class A

Class points change:

Class D +50

Class A & B −100

Class C −150

We jump ahead of Class B.

Overall MVP—me.

110,000 points. Not bad.

Current class points:

Sakayanagi Class A: 874

Horikita Class B: 661

Ichinose Class C: 603

Ryūen Class D: 492

The gap between classes is shrinking.

Still about 200 points to Class A—but within reach.

One big exam could flip everything.

Maybe reaching Class A isn’t far off.

Thinking about it…

Our rise began when I entered a relationship contract with Chiaki.

“Bringing out others’ abilities is also ability…”

“Kiyotaka-kun?”

“Maybe the most capable one is you, Chiaki.”

“Eh? No way. You’re way better.”

Maybe.

But you’re the one who moved me.

Without you, I wouldn’t have acted.

I might’ve stayed unnoticed for three years.

Just how big a presence Matsushita Chiaki will become to me…

A sports festival that makes me think that.

Not a bad event.