Though it's obvious, just because the volleyball finals ended doesn't mean the Sports Day is over. In fact, the real highlight of Sports Day is something else entirely.

Ball sports like volleyball, soccer, basketball, or dodgeball, and various other events aren't particularly interesting to students whose classes were eliminated in the preliminaries. Even though winning isn't supposed to be that important, it's naturally more fun to win when you're participating.

As a compromise, they divided each class into red and white teams to encourage interest in other classes' matches, but by high school, everyone knows the truth. These team competitions ultimately don't mean much. Even when one side wins, most people just shrug it off.

"That's a bit disappointing."

That's not to say people don't care at all.

While no one dwells on losses for the entire semester or constantly reminisces about them, the winners still cheer and celebrate, don't they? Students will always find reasons to play or rest, and the title of "champion" is perfect for gathering together to have fun after Sports Day ends.

Sota's class was on the red team, unlike ours. Unfortunately, Sota's soccer team lost in the finals. It seems even Nanami's rather bold choreography couldn't overcome the absolute difference in skill.

Actually, it might have been problematic because it was too bold. It drew too much attention.

"But there are still many competitions left," I said with a shrug.

That's right.

The real highlight of Sports Day is the various running competitions.

Ball sports take a long time per match, require large spaces, and need many students to participate, so preliminaries are held throughout the week of Sports Day. But running doesn't need that. There's only one course to run at a time, and unless it's a relay, it doesn't take that long.

So, all the track competitions diligently proceeded through preliminaries and finals today.

Naturally, every class in the school participated, and since our school even had a track and field club, the competition was quite fierce.

Kaoru, who had apparently left the track team due to conflicts with other members, proudly made it to the finals and raised both hands high in victory.

Though Kaoru usually has a laid-back personality and doesn't wear revealing clothes, today she wore what must have been her track team uniform—something real athletes would wear. It was practically a swimsuit. I was a bit impressed that her body was still so well-maintained despite quitting the track team.

And honestly, I thought I might feel a little embarrassed in her position. Well, Kaoru must have really wanted to win.

Even though I was watching from a distance, Kaoru seemed to recognize me, Koko, and my friends.

After hugging Izumi, Kaoru looked in my direction, smiled broadly, and waved her hand high. I was about to wave back casually when Harumi, who's in the same club as her, started cheering loudly, and before I knew it, I was caught up in the excitement and cheering too.

Kaoru scratched her head with a slightly embarrassed expression that she never shows normally.

...Anyway.

Besides running, there were several other event-type competitions that Koko participated in. Like races where you read a note and find the object or person written on it, or three-legged races where two people run with their ankles tied together.

Since I was on the volleyball team, I didn't participate separately, but those competitions were quite fun too.

I'm not sure what was written on the note, but Yuu took Harumi and ran. Yuu had been somewhat pushed into that race because everyone else was participating in other events and looked like she just wanted to get it over with, but somehow Harumi was so excited about being called to participate that they ended up winning.

Yuu had an indescribable expression as she received chocolate wrapped like a gold medal as a prize.

Koko participated in other races besides that one. After seeing Koko's running speed, the other kids strongly recommended her, so Koko entered the three-legged race with Mako.

Although Mako was practically dragged into it, the two of them managed to win silver medals. The contents were chocolate, of course.

"Sota, are you doing any running events?"

"Ah, yes. The relay at the end."

I see.

The relay race, also called the baton pass, has every class from all grades participating. Since many classes can participate at once. They need to determine the winner between the red and white teams anyway, so mixing the classes appropriately works well for running.

"What about you?"

"I'm not participating in anything besides volleyball."

Honestly, I'm a bit tired too. I could run more if asked, but mentally, I want to rest now. After winning the finals, I feel like fatigue is suddenly hitting me all at once.

"Should I cheer for you?"

"We're on different teams, though?"

"Everyone's shouting, so if I'm mixed in with them, you won't even hear me."

"Then what's the point of cheering?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Sota!"

I heard Nanami calling Sota from a distance. Looking over there, I saw Shii watching Nanami with a very wary expression. Shii, who could only come after morning classes ended, was somewhat indignant about missing my finals match.

And she seems a bit indignant about Nanami calling her brother while wearing a cheerleader outfit. Unfortunately, Shii's body hasn't quite developed to Nanami's level yet.

"I should go," Sota said with a wry smile.

I glanced over at my mom.

Mom was holding a camera, but instead of thinking about taking pictures of me, she was watching the two of us with her mouth slightly open.

Somehow, that expression was a bit funny.

After waving goodbye to Sota, I approached Mom, who said with a somewhat serious expression:

"Kotone, perhaps..."

"Absolutely not."

"No?"

"No. It's not like that."

Having graduated from an all-boys school, I don't really know what friendship between boys and girls is like. After all, the vast majority of my acquaintances were male.

I did know some of my sister's friends by face and name, but we never contacted each other separately.

But in this world, I think I understand what that feeling is like.

To be honest, I think Sota is much more likely to like Mom than to like me.

"Kotone."

Despite hearing my words, Mom spoke with a somewhat worried expression.

"Sota and Nanami-chan..."

"...I don't think they're together yet."

I looked up at Mom as I spoke.

"And I don't think Sota is that kind of person."

You know, the two-timing kind.

Sota is too nice to do something like that.

That's how it should be, anyway.

"Right?"

At my words, Mom visibly relaxed. Though he can't be called her son, she's watched him grow up since he was little. For Sota, the meaning of "home cooking" is probably the taste of Mom's side dishes. Even Shii's cooking tastes very similar to Mom's.

...

No, thinking about it this way makes it seem even more dangerous.

Meanwhile, Dad is glaring at Sota with sharp eyes. Does he still think Sota is dangerous?

I slapped Dad's arm. Knowing why I hit him, Dad gave a slightly bitter smile.

"So, Kotone, you're done with all your competitions?"

"Yes."

"I've taken plenty of pictures, so no problem."

The lens seems to have gotten a bit bigger.

Maybe by the time I graduate high school, Mom will have skills comparable to a professional photographer.

"Then, should we cheer—"

"Kotone!"

As I was speaking, a girl came running from a distance, calling my name.

She's from my class. She was also on the volleyball team.

Seeing how flustered she looks, has something serious happened?

"We're short a player!"

As if reading my thoughts, she shouted that.

"Huh?"

I didn't immediately understand what she meant.

*

To put it simply, one of our runners had been injured.

The number of students in a class is quite large, of course. There were plenty of others who could fill the spot besides me, but—

"You, Koko, and Yuka are the next best runners."

The volleyball team captain had recommended me.

"...Were you two planning to participate in running competitions too?"

"Koko's was just decided today, and I was originally scheduled."

From what I heard, there was a student who didn't really want to participate in the running competition, and they gladly switched places with Koko.

As for Yuka, they had observed her running during regular PE classes and put her in the running competition.

The volleyball match was in the morning, and many students were participating in multiple events anyway. Since this was a large-scale competition held when everyone was already tired—unless it was a sprint—Yuka could participate too.

The other "athletic girls" already had games in the afternoon like dodgeball or running. Unfortunately, one of them had just gotten injured.

"So, could you fill in the empty spot?"

Hearing this request, I fell into thought for a moment.

I could reach a conclusion quickly.

Well, I suppose there's no reason why not?