Chapter 13 – “The Sports Festival Showdown”

The morning air buzzed with excitement. Banners fluttered, flags waved, and the loudspeakers blared cheerful music across the schoolyard.

It was the annual Sports Festival — and this year, things were about to get personal.

“Attention, everyone!” the announcer shouted. “Let’s give it our all today!”

Students cheered, but Riko was already sighing. “Why did I sign up for so many events again?”

Mina grinned. “Because you can’t resist competition. And because someone’s watching you extra closely.”

“Eh?” Riko blinked, turning — only to see Rei Aizawa, the new transfer student, waving at her from the soccer field.

He smiled warmly. “Let’s do our best today, Riko.”

Her face flushed slightly. “Y-Yeah!”

Behind her, Daichi groaned. “Great. Prince Charming’s in every event.”

“Funny,” Mina said, “so are you.”

Daichi froze. “Wait—what?”

She smirked. “Don’t ‘what’ me. You literally signed up for the same events after Rei did. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

Daichi’s ears turned red. “I just—I wanted to—he’s not that great, okay!?”

Mina clapped her hands dramatically. “Ladies and gentlemen! Place your bets! It’s Rei vs. Daichi — winner gets Riko’s heart!”

“MI—NA!!” Riko shouted, chasing her friend around the bleachers as the rest of the class burst into laughter.

---

Event One: The Relay Race

Riko stood at the starting line, stretching her legs. Rei lined up beside her, flashing a confident smile.

“Think you can keep up, Tachibana?”

She smirked. “I should be asking you that.”

Daichi, waiting as the anchor runner, glared from the far end of the field.

The whistle blew.

Riko sprinted like lightning, dust kicking up behind her. Rei matched her pace easily, grinning as they passed the baton.

“Nice form,” Rei said, his tone teasing.

“Don’t distract me!” Riko shouted, nearly tripping.

Daichi caught the final baton, bursting forward — eyes fixed on Rei. His foot slammed over the finish line first.

Their class erupted into cheers.

Riko ran up, smiling. “You did it!”

Daichi, breathing hard, gave a quick nod. “Yeah. Easy.”

Rei chuckled. “Impressive… guess you really don’t like losing.”

Daichi shot him a glare. “Not when it counts.”

---

Event Two: The Obstacle Course

Mud, ropes, and hurdles — chaos incarnate.

“Let’s spice it up!” Mina announced, waving a makeshift scoreboard. “Loser has to carry Riko’s bag after school!”

Riko groaned. “Mina, stop making weird bets!”

The whistle blew.

Riko dashed through tires and hurdles, Rei right behind her. Daichi leapt over mud pits like a man possessed.

When Riko slipped at the rope climb, Rei offered his hand. “Need help?”

She blinked — but before she could answer, Daichi appeared, hauling her up by the elbow.

“She doesn’t,” he muttered, not even looking at Rei.

“Thanks…” Riko said softly, heart thumping.

They finished the race together — tied.

---

Event Three: The Three-Legged Race

Riko and Daichi’s legs were bound by red cloth.

“Okay,” Riko said, stretching, “we’ve got this. Just move in sync.”

“Right,” Daichi replied confidently.

The whistle blew — and immediately they faceplanted.

“OW! Daichi, you stepped on my foot!”

“You moved too slow!”

“YOU’RE TOO FAST!”

“Stop yelling!”

“I’M NOT YELLING!”

By the time they stumbled across the finish line — tangled, sweaty, and laughing breathlessly — Mina was on the ground wheezing.

“Romantic disaster in motion,” she gasped. “Ten out of ten.”

---

Final Event: Mixed Soccer Match

This was the one everyone had been waiting for — Rei’s team versus Daichi’s.

Riko was center forward for Daichi’s side. The sun blazed overhead as the whistle shrieked.

Rei played midfield — graceful, calm, confident. “Nice shot, Riko!” he called when she scored early on.

Riko blinked, smiling back instinctively.

Daichi’s jaw clenched. He pushed forward, intercepting every pass Rei made. The crowd roared as the two collided again and again — skill against stubborn fire.

“Wow,” Mina muttered from the stands. “If this were a romance anime, this’d be the love triangle arc.”

“Uh, Mina,” someone whispered, “this is the love triangle arc.”

---

In the final minute, the score was tied.

Rei passed to a teammate — but Daichi darted in, stealing the ball cleanly. He dashed down the field, eyes flicking once toward Riko, who shouted, “You got this!”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t have to.

He launched the shot — and the ball slammed into the net.

The field exploded with cheers.

Riko jumped, pumping her fist. “That’s my partner!”

Daichi didn’t cheer. He stood there, chest heaving, glaring at Rei across the field.

Rei met his gaze calmly, smiling faintly. “Guess you really do hate losing…” He tilted his head, voice soft but teasing. “…especially when she’s watching.”

Daichi’s pulse hammered. Riko ran up to him, grinning wide — but he barely heard her.

Because for the first time, he realized — it wasn’t just about winning.

It was about her.