A Supporting Character’s Love Story - Chapter 64

POV Makoto Shinji

“BANG!”

As soon as the fake gunshot rang out the 8 people started to dash the fastest they could. Meanwhile I was watching them from the sidelines while sitting comfortably.

Within just 14 seconds the person in the first place crossed the finish line with the second place person crossing it milliseconds after him. I didn’t know who they were exactly, except for the fact that they were second year students from a different class, but the first place person was in the same team as me, so it was good that he won.

“Good luck today Nishikawa kun.”

“That’s right Ha chan, show them which team is better.”

“I didn’t wish for the red team to win, just Nishikawa kun.”

“That makes no sense.”

“It makes sense to me.”

I heard people arguing about Nishikawa beside me.

Isn’t Nishikawa in the opposite team?

I turned my head to see who the traitors were and as expected what entered my vision was Shimabukuro and Hiwari san staring at each other in annoyance with Nishikawa kun stuck between them.

“That kind of looks like a romcom.” Akari sitting beside me commented while looking at the same scene as me.

“It doesn’t just look like one, it really is one.” I replied to her.

In fact it wasn’t only us. Every guy in the vicinity was jealously staring at Nishikawa while the two cute girls were arguing over him. If he doesn’t make an impact in this sports festival the difficulty to make friends will significantly rise. All of this because of simple jealousy. Although they may not even like Shimabukuro or Hiwari in the first place, after watching something like this people will be jealous regardless. That is why he needs to show his capabilities here. If he manages to do that his rank in the class will rise on its own.

“Would wish me good luck like that if I was in the opposite team?” Akari asked with out of the blue. I could see the twinkle of mischief in her eye. She just wanted to put me in a difficult position for fun. Unfortunately, this wasn’t really a tough question for me.

“I think I would.” I replied nonchalantly.

Honestly speaking, I don’t really care who wins, but I would like to see Akari win. Wait. I kind of understand what Hiwari san was saying just now.

Akari was surprised by my quick answer and failed to follow up her offense with a good enough push.

“R-Really? I kinda wish that I was in the red team just to see you do that.”

“BANG!” Another fake gunshot sound rang out and the next set of people started their race, forcing us to stop our conversation.

“This time it’s the red team that got first place.” Akari said dejectedly as the students crossed the finish line one by one.

“Don’t worry, there are many races. One loss means nothing.”

.

.

.

Just like that after a couple more races of boys and then girls the 100m dash races were finished. Next was the 200m dash.

This was a special one. It had Nishikawa participating in it. And apparently he was in the first race itself judging by how he was going to the track.

“Do you think Nishikawa will win.” Akari asked me as the participants got into their positions on their lanes.

“I hope he wins.”

To participate in the relay it was compulsory to at least win one of the races. Basically the participants of the relay would be the winner of the individual races. So if Nishikawa wanted to participate in it he had to win this.

“On your marks!”

“Get set!”

“Bang!”

With the sound ringing out once again the participants started to dash the fastest they could.

“Ha chan you can do it.” Shimabukuro’s shouted at the top of her voice trying to cheer him on.

Nishikawa had a solid start reaching the third place and soon overtaking the second place person. There was only about a meter and a half distance between him and the first one. The person in first place was actually a somebody I knew. If I am right he was in the track and field club last year.

“His chances look grim.” I muttered to myself.

Although he wasn’t falling further behind he didn’t seem to be catching up either, and the finish line was approaching fast. His chances of winning were falling further with each step he took.

“Hiwari san how about you cheer for him as well?” I asked turning towards her.

“But I am in the white team.” She said hesitantly.

“You did it before.”

“But-”

Before she could make another excuse I cut her off, “Do you want him to win? Then do it. He doesn’t really have a lot of time.”

It took her a second but she took a deep breath to fill her lungs and then in a high pitched voice shouted, “Nishikawa kun go!”

Although I say she shouted her voice was no way comparable to Shimabukuro san’s. It was way smaller.

Maybe it was luck but Nishikawa looked in our direction when Hiwari san shouted. I don’t know if he heard it but it definitely felt like he sped up as soon as she shouted that. The distance between him and the first place actually started to close.

Last 50 metres – distance from 1st place = 1 metres

Last 20 metres – distance from 1st place = 0.5 metres

Last 5 metres – distance from 1st place = 0.1 metres

And he was still speeding up.

As soon as the finish line was crossed the surroundings broke into the usual cheer.

He did it. That crazy son of a bitch did it.

Hiwari san who was standing beside us however had a sad look on her face. Not because of the fact that the red team won but because of the person who Nishikawa was laughing with.

“I… am going to the toilet.” Saying that Hiwari san got up and left.

Sometimes I wonder how this fellow’s head works. Why would you get close to a different girl in front of your crush?

But in this situation there is really nothing I could do. It was up to those two themselves to solve these issues. Excessive intervention is interference.

“Then I should also go get ready. Don’t forget to cheer for me. Okay?” Akari said as she got up while dusting her gym pants.

The next races were the girls’ turn.

.

.

.

“Where did Hiwari san go? The races are starting.” Nishikawa who was now sitting beside me asked after his heartbeat calmed down again.

“She said she was going to the toilet. But it has been quite a long time. Not like it matters though. She is not going to participate in this.” I told him her location, hinting him to go to her, but his thick head didn’t understand that.

“Oh. Then who are you cheering for Makoto kun?” Before I could reply he added. “I guess it would be Nakano san right?”

Yes. Yes it would. But can you please care about your own love life instead of this?

Of course I didn’t verbalize this but I really felt like it.

The first race was won by Tsukumo san by a long shot. She was in the track and field club so it wasn’t really an unexpected victor.

The second race was the one in which Akari was participating.

The fake gunshot rang out as always and the participants started running full speed. Nakano swiftly overtook the others and maintained her first place.

She doesn’t even need my cheering. I never knew Akari was this fast. But then I remembered all the feats of physical exertion she had performed in front of me in the past. Thinking about it this wasn’t a surprising result either.

After finishing the race Akari started walking towards me and I stood up to congratulate her on her victory. But instead of shaking my outstretched hand she used it to pull me into a hug. Let me explain this properly. She HUGGED me, in PUBLIC, when EVERYONE was looking. Even the teachers.

We had suddenly become the centre of attention and I really didn’t like this feeling of having hundreds of eyes on me.

“Hey, what are you doing? Everyone is looking.” I whispered in her ear.

“Let them then. It’s not like we are going out secretly.” She whispered back while panting between her words.

“That is true but-”

“But nothing.” She cut me off before continuing. “What if somebody has a crush on me after seeing my performance? I need then to know that I am taken already.”

Her reasoning shut me up. How was I respond to that? In the end I just gave up thinking and hugger her properly.

We separated after a few seconds.

“Originally I was thinking of kissing you as well.” Akari said with a smile that made my heart beat faster.

Although I knew she was teasing I decided to give her a bait. “If you win the relay I will let you do it.”

Her smile instantly faded and I could sense competitiveness in her eyes. “Are you serious about it?”

“I… am.”

We had already hugged in front of everyone. What difference does a kiss make?

“Then don’t chicken out later. I will be ready to claim it.”

**          **          **