With the Sports Festival approaching.

The Sports Festival.

It is the sole domain of the top of the school caste.

A festival for them, by them.

And it's finally starting...

When I think about it, I'm still wondering.

"Ah, it's so depressing..."

I sighed as I looked at the program for the sports festival that was coming up in two weeks.

I just finished a very exhausting event called a test...

For me, it's like one difficulty after another.

I sighed, and Rin gave me a staring look and poked me on the head in some sort of exasperated manner.

“Is the sports festival really that depressing?"

"Well... I'm not sure why... Because everyone gets excited and makes a lot of noise, and crowds of people gather to form a festival, and it's very troublesome. It's not about the nuisance, it's about the enjoyment... Ah, I'm getting a headache just thinking about it."

"Towa-kun today seems to be more negative than usual... Is there something wrong?"

"I don't have anything against it. I just want to give them a hard time about moderation if they're going to have fun. It's always the people who aren't having fun who get in trouble..."

"... Towa-kun."

I'm starting to feel sad when I'm talking to myself...

I fluttered my hand at Rin, who looked at me with concern, as if she sensed what I was going through.

I mean, Rin.

Don't pull out your handkerchief as soon as you think I'm depressed... I'm not that fragile with tears, and it's not like I had anything to cry about!

I mentally retorted.

"Well, I understand a little ... about wanting to have fun."

"It's ... a pretty small understanding."

"I mean, I've been thinking about these events in high school."

"Thinking?"

"I think? Unlike junior high school, these events in high school are quite serious, right? They become more serious, or rather, more obsessive... "

“That is certainly the image I have of them. But in general, high school students enjoy it as a real pleasure."

"Right? That's what youth is all about..."

In junior high school, field day was a lot of fun.

I was out of the mosquito net, but I think there was a lot of excitement around me.

But part of the excitement was a family visit, which made me realize that I was still in compulsory education, i.e., under supervision.

But in high school, it was different.

Autonomy is required, in our school, the framework is decided by the school, but the content and other preparations are done by the students themselves.

In other words, more people become more attached to it.

That's why...

"The content of the competition is also discussed, and some classes are more particular about it than others. ... It's a big difference from junior high school."

"I agree. In junior high school, the competitions were very simple and we wore gym clothes."

"When it comes to high school, they spend a lot of money on it. And it's expensive... A good example is Rin's previous trip to buy materials to make a cheering flag."

"It's not expensive, though, since everyone in the class contributed to it, right? Besides, we are now making class T-shirts as well as the cheering banner."

"Seriously... you're so fired up~"

"We're also considering the idea of having all the girls wear their hair in the same style."

Rin then grabbed a handful of her own hair and pulled it into a bun on top of her head.

And then she turned to me and said, 'Does it look good on me?' I stuck out my thumb.

Rin's happy smile at that moment was so cute that I was staring at her like a fool.

However, I quickly regained my composure and coughed to cover it up.

But there was no way Rin could be fooled by such a deception.

"Towa-kun wants me to do my hair, so I'll do it later."

"No, it's nothing..."

"I'll do it later. What do you want to do ...?"

"I want to see ... but..."

"Fufu. Then please leave it to me."

Damn ... surprise is a foul, isn't it?

As usual, she's an esper ...

But I might be a little happy ... to see such a cute figure first.

"Rin's class is very tight-knit, by the way. You made cheering flags and T-shirts, aren't you the best in the whole grade?"

"Let's see. I know it sounds like someone else's problem, but Towa-kun's class is doing the same thing, right?"

"Eh... is that so?"

Our class has it too?

Certainly, it seemed like they were practicing soccer during lunch break recently...

Huh. Maybe I'm the only one who doesn't know?

No, no. There's also the possibility that Rin is mistaken...

"You're not mistaken, are you?"

"Rin ... Can you stop talking to my innermost thoughts naturally? I mean, are you serious ...?"

"Yes, I heard it from Kato-san, so I am sure of it."

Kenichi...?

Ah. Yeah, I was doing a lot of ... stuff.

I've been trying not to think about it too much because I've been studying during my lunch break before tests and such.

But thinking back, I think Kenichi was saying, "Leave Towa to me!"

"Huh. You seem to have an idea of what I'm talking about..."

"Slightly, though. Come to think of it, I think... we had some sort of vote before the summer break? I can think of a few things here and there just recently..."

“Why are you being so vague ...? Wasn't there some sort of fee collection?"

"No, because. If a classmate suddenly said to you, "Tokiwagi, money," wouldn't you ... understand?"

"But you did ask why, didn't you?"

"No, I thought it was just a normal mugging, and I was still sleepy when I woke up, so my memory is a little fuzzy... Oh, but I think I pointed to the bag and said, 'Money, there.'"

"Yeah... Towa-kun..."

Hey, what a sorry way to look at someone ...!?

Well, it's one hundred percent my fault!!!

Before summer vacation, I was still a little rusty...

But there's no excuse for what happened just recently.

Huh. I'm going to have to be careful from now on, it's bad for Kenichi ...

I haven't been taking my classmates seriously, and I need to start having normal conversations with them, even if it's only gradually.

I have a long way to go.

"I'm here for you now! Let me know if you need help!"

“Oh, oh. But right now, it's not like that, okay?

"Don't push yourself too hard, okay? You're not alone!"

"Thank you..."

I flinched at Rin's fiery words.

Perhaps she thought I was depressed.

Rin held my right hand with both of hers, looking straight at me and giving me a strong-willed look.

Well... you're reliable, really.

"Rin, by the way, our school's sports festival is more easily understood as a "ball game festival" as opposed to a "sports festival"."

"Eh…"

Rin dropped what she was holding onto the floor.

Her eyes rounded, she blinked repeatedly, and a look of astonishment stretched across her face.

"What's with that astonished expression on your ... face?""

"Um, did you look that ...up?"

"Well, yeah. The reason for this is that the people are not as enthusiastic about it as they should be. I'm sure you understand that... was that a surprise?"

"... Was I surprised? Yes, because before you didn't seem interested at all."

"I've been uncooperative up until now. I feel bad for Kenichi, so I'm going to try to contribute at least a little."

Kenichi has been trying to find me some competitions where I can at least do some work, and I'm trying to contribute a little bit.

"That's..."

Rin raised her hand and approached me as I was thinking about that.

"What's wrong?"

“Towa-kun, were you good at any sports?"

"Hahaha. How can that be? I'm a softy."

““……………………””

"Well, the way to contribute is not just with the competition! Yeah, yeah. There should be a way for me to be useful."

“... Ugh, Towa-kun. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't have enough delicacy ... To gouge out your wounds."

"Stop it, Rin! If you shush me, I won't be able to stay!!"

Like a dog that has failed at a trick.

No, it's me who's depressed and in the mood to go into a hole...?

I should have played a sports, I guess.

“For now, Rin. I'm going to try to keep things going well for everyone. I'll act so that everyone doesn't get too excited."

"...Towa-kun's very considerate."

I'm not athletic.

The situations where I can play an active role in competition will be minuscule, and I'll just have to do what I can.

Like cleaning...

"Yes. Does Rin compete in a lot of different competitions?"

"Yes. I think I'll probably be competing."

"With Rin, I think you can win most of the competitions~"

"Fufu. That may be so. But I don't feel comfortable competing in all of them..."

I see...

Rin didn't like the idea of playing sports while being stared at by all kinds of people...

I've never liked sports festivals or cultural festivals because they attract attention even if you don't want it.

And I said that before...

Then at least...

"Then I'll go support Rin."

I'll at least do that.

I don't know if that will make me feel better.

I don't know if it would distract her, but it would be better than nothing.

Rin's expression brightened at my words, and she smiled.

"Really!?"

"I told you I won't tell a lie."

"It's really true!"

"Really, really..."

Seeing Rin's sudden increased excitement, I couldn't help but chuckle.

On the day of the event. Kenichi will probably go to cheer up Fuji-san, so there will be no problem if we work together.

If I go to Rin's class alone, I don't know what will happen.

On the other hand, if Kenichi is there, the handsome guard will be working, so there will be less trouble.

I'm worried about a lot of things.

But I could see Rin in good spirits, so I guess it wasn't a bad suggestion.

"I'm so motivated~! Towa-kun, please watch my brave performance. I'll show you how cool I am!"

"I'm looking forward to it. Just don't overdo it, okay?"

"Of course!"

Usually it's customary for guys to show their cool appearance, but with Rin and me, it's the opposite...

“I just hope the sports festival goes smoothly. Troubles are bound to occur on the day of the festival."

"I am not worried about it. I will participate as a member of the organizing committee, and I will do my best to make sure everyone has a good time."

"Organizing committee member…"

I wonder if this was requested by the teacher.

Certainly Rin is the right person for the job, and she'll probably do it as well as she could...

"Mhm, what's wrong? I'm perfectly capable of doing it."

"No, no. I know Rin is amazing, but..."

“Fufu. Then, please take a big boat ride and be at your ease."

"No need to get too worked up, okay?"

“No problem. Oh, yes, I'll go do my hair into that dumpling I mentioned earlier right now!"

Rin, remembering, headed for the bathroom and disappeared from sight.

I laughed, as busy as ever.

"But Rin's... that confidence is conversely worrisome."