Thank you

Rin, curled up in the shade of a tree, took a big deep breath and turned around to look at me.

Then, looking me straight in the eyes...

"Um, uh... Towa-kun, what were you looking at the schoolyard for!!"

Rin, whose face was as red as ever, said such a thing to change the subject.

Well, it's a messy way to change the subject,... but if I go off on a tangent any further, I'm going to wound Rin,... I don't have a choice.

I coughed coherently and decided to go with the flow of the conversation.

"I guess so. It's not just for today, though. I'm sure there are people who don't like sports, but they seem to be having fun, don't they? That's what I'm wondering."

"I see. So that's what you mean. There is no fixed "main" part of these festivals. It depends on each person."

“Main? Well, the main thing is that there will be different events."

"Fufu. No, it's not. It's different for everyone. Some people like to enjoy sports, while others like the idea of working together in class. Some people like to see the people they like do their best. So the main way to enjoy it is different for each person."

"I see. Come to think of it, that's also true..."

"Yes. Because we have our own goals in mind, it's not a matter of being truly monolithic. We are all united in the same goal... This is harder than it might seem."

"So the fact that they seem to be getting along is only superficial. Some of them might be harboring darker emotions."

"Towa-kun's idea is too radical,... But from a twisted point of view, it might be so..."

Rin smiled sadly, so I lightly patted her on the head as she reflexively ducked her head. Rin turned her head to me, a little surprised, but didn't look back, leaning on my shoulder and resting her head against it.

Rin must be different from me, who doesn't fit in with the class. But Rin must have her own thoughts on the matter...

I don't have the arrogance or ego to think that I can understand that. But I can be there for her like this.

--I can't do anything else, because I'm a small and powerless person.

In the autumn sky, a slightly cold wind blows in the shade of the tree where we are. The air is damp but thanks to Rin, I am not cold.

When I look at Rin beside me, she smiles at me and pulls her face close to mine. We stare at each other for a while, and then Rin's face turns confident as usual.

“Towa-kun, how did you like the game earlier? Did you see my great performance???"

"Oh yes, I did. It was really great. I didn't know people could stay in the air for that long~."

"I know, right? You can praise me, right?"

"Okay, okay. You did your best~."

"Ehehe~. Please pet me until you get tired~."

She leans her head close to me as if demanding that I pet her, to which I respond by gently stroking her. Seeing her eyes squint with happiness makes me happy as well.

Every gesture she makes is so cute. I feel the urge to keep petting her and pampering her all the time...

I managed to suppress that feeling and stopped my hand when I had stroked her to some extent.

Rin stares at me sadly, but I hold back.

Then Rin gave up and sat back down beside me and looked up at the sky.

“But I'm ashamed to say ... that I've been active. I was braking hard until about halfway through the second half."

As I struggled with the urge to pet her, Rin said something like that with a wry smile.

"Hmm... But you won, right?"

"That's true... As for me, I wanted to show Towa-kun how cool I am from start to finish. I wanted to be applauded the whole time, and look dignified, and not be able to take your eyes off of me..."

"From my point of view, I think it was cool enough."

"…Really?"

"I wouldn't lie to you. I've never seen Rin participate in a match before, and I'm honestly interested in how eye-catching Rin can be."

"T-that's... thank you."

Rin smiled vaguely, as if puzzled or embarrassed by my words. Perhaps this reaction was unexpected from Rin, even though it was so different from what she wanted to show me.

Rin can easily spot a lie. She must have known I was serious. That's why she must be wondering "Why?" I am sure that is why she is not sure why I am saying this. From Rin's point of view, I showed her an incomplete version of myself...

But...

"Rin is still amazing."

I really want to praise her.

“You don't usually recover that quickly. You can't come back from that point."

"Is that so...?"

"Oh. So once again I thought Rin was amazing. It was as if a comic book storyline had come to life. If I had to use a metaphor, I would say that it was like the main character awakening and making a big comeback."

When I said that, Rin giggled, perhaps because she thought it was funny.

I exhaled like I had lost my strength.

"So that's what you call being nervous in sports. The more I tried to show Towa-kun my good side, the more it didn't go well. My body didn't move the way I wanted it to, and no matter what I did, I couldn't get it right …I felt irritated.”

"On the contrary, it's rare that you haven't experienced this before."

"Fufu. You may be right. I thought I would never have anything to do with it for the rest of my life. That's why I don't think I'll ever forget that feeling."

"I see. But it was a good experience, wasn't it?"

"Well... I think so. At that time, Towa-kun came and talked to... me. Then I felt warmth in my heart, like a light had been turned on. I don't think I'll ever forget that."

Rin smiled and made a charming expression on her face, which made my face heat up and I replied shortly, "I see".

...I'm glad. It's a good thing for Rin.

Rin put her head on my shoulder and whispered in my ear.

"Once again, thank you... Towa-kun. I like that kindness."

The voice is so quiet that it can just barely be heard.

But her crystal-clear voice was still audible.

My blood was boiling hot, and I felt my heart pounding with renewed affection.

Rin was staring at me, and when she sensed my agitation, she rubbed her head against me happily.

"I got a first time again. Showa-kun is always my first, right?"

"Ri-Rin. That's not the right way to put it, is it?

"It's true, isn't it?"

"No, no, it may be true, but..."

"Don't lie."

"Well, that's true, but anyway... You have to be more careful about how you say things, or you'll just accelerate misunderstandings, okay?"

"Yes! I'll careful!"

Wow.

A dazzling full smile.

This is the face you make when you say, "Just be careful, I'm not saying you'll do it."

I won't say it because there's no point in saying it when it comes to this...

I took in her intentions and sighed.

“I'm so warm and fuzzy by the way~ I feel like I'm going to fall asleep like this..."

"It's rare to see you sleep."

"The weather is very nice. I also need to recover my strength."

“If you want to sleep, I'll wake you up when you ask."

“Really? Then I'll take you at your word ... until the end of lunch break."

Rin said and tried to lie down with my lap as a pillow.

I slipped my jersey jacket under her.

"I'll be there to cheer you on in the competition after this."

"Ah, but you're going to feel indescribable watching it, aren't you?"

"Not at all... and I've been working hard-d.........."

"What a fast sleeper..."

She must have been very tired.

Rin immediately began to sleep.

"Well, thank you for your hard work."

I called out to her.