Race with the tray

The race with the tray consisted of carrying the most tea cups you could from a table to another without dropping the tea out of the cups. If someone dropped a cup on the floor they would have been eliminated from the game. The team who carried the most full cups to the empty table, won.

I can’t help, but think that this game is so stupid. Satoko thought, while putting her first cup on the tray. But at least I will be of some use to my class.

Every team was composed of three members. During practices everyone acknowledged that Satoko was the most skilled out of the three participants for class 3-B, so they were all counting on her to win the competition.

This is too much pressure, I will surely trip on my own feet and make a fool of myself in front of the whole school!

At that moment, she heard a familiar voice cheering for her. She turned to the stands and immediately spotted Minami in the front row.

“Go, Itou-san!” he exclaimed.

“Destroy them, Satoko-chan!” Watanabe backed him up.

Mei unrolled a banner with Satoko and the other two classmates’ names written on it.

I feel a little uncomfortable, but I know they’re trying to cheer me up.

She placed her gaze on the track, determined.

I have to win for Minami-kun and my classmates!

A student blew the whistle and everyone started running, trying to not let the tea drop out the trays.

Unlike everyone else, Satoko was staring at her feet, more worried about the run in itself than the cup of tea.

Don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip… She repeated to herself.

By the time the other classes had brought three cups, class 3-B had already six cups on their table.

Satoko’s classmates cheered enthusiastically, while the other students were shocked and didn’t know what to say.

“She’s basically twice as fast as everyone else!”

“Go, Itou-san!”

The more I focus on running, the more it gets confusing. Satoko sobbed quietly. I just hope I won’t fall!

She kept on bringing cup after cup, without even realising that the majority of the contestants were already eliminated, until her classmates also dropped a cup.

Class 3-B’s table was now completely full and Satoko was alone against class A and Class D’s last runners.

One last effort, I can make it! She encouraged herself.

“Class B’s table is already full, where will she put all those cups?” everyone murmured.

I’ll show you the result of my hard work at The Nightingale!

Satoko started to stack the cups to create a pyramid. She was so precise that every single one was still full to the brim.

“Yes, you’re the best!” her classmates cheered.

The last person in class A’s team was fuming with rage, so he took one of his eliminated classmates’ tray and started to carry two cups at a time using both his hands.

The students of class A shouted triumphantly.

“It’s not fair, you’re playing dirty!” Watanabe complained.

One of them smirked. “It was never said that you could use only one—” His jaw dropped before he could finish the sentence.

Satoko also started using the trays of her two eliminated classmates: she was carrying them with both hands and one on her head, each one containing three cups.

This should be enough to stop them. She thought, then started running.

Under everyone’s flabbergasted expressions, Satoko succeeded in bringing all nine cups completely full to the table and came back for another round.

At first, no one had taken the race with the trays seriously, but now it was becoming absurd. Class B was cheering with all their might, while class A was boiling with rage.

Why are they so excited? It looks like they’re watching the world cup! Satoko gulped, trying to chase away anxiety. I feel too much pressure…

Class D’s runner, after seeing what Satoko just did, surrendered, completely demoralized. It was now the decisive battle: class B against class A, the eternal rivals of sports festivals.

Class A’s runner bit his lips, frustrated. “I won’t let you win!”

When Satoko took nine new cups and resumed running, he feigned to trip and threw one of his empty trays between Satoko’s legs.

Satoko stumbled on it and lost her balance.

Oh no, what’s happening?!

She glanced at the other student, who grinned smugly, and her eyes widened.

What a jerk!

She started falling backwards helplessly and the tray on her right hand slipped away, together with the cups.

This is not fair, I was doing great! She cried inwardly.

She stared at the tray that was miserably falling towards the ground, dejected.

Everyone did their best for this day, I can’t let them down!

The two classes were watching with bathed breath, waiting for the result with anxiety.

Satoko pursed her lips. Please, butler who is in me, do something!

She swung her free arm and, unexpectedly, managed to stay balanced on one foot keeping the trays on her left hand and her head steady.

She shot a sharp glance at the third tray, determined.

It’s just you and me now!

She stretched her leg and, before the tray could touch the ground, she picked it up on her shoe and balanced it to save all the tea cups from falling.

Both class A and class B clenched their fists for the tension, even if they were waiting for different results.

After what seemed like an eternity, the tray stopped wobbling in perfect balance on Satoko’s shoe, all three cups still on top of it.

I did it! Satoko rejoiced.

Class B erupted in excited shouting, while class A’s temper had been completely cut down.

Class A’s runner gritted his teeth, furious. “I’ve had enough of this nonsense!” He threw his last tray on the ground and left the track.

“Class 3-B is the winner of the race with the trays. Congratulations!” a student announced into the megaphone.

Satoko’s classmates jumped straight up from their seats triumphantly, as if their favourite team had won the Olympics.

I-I won! I made it!

Satoko relaxed her shoulders, but the anxiety she had held back for all the race stabbed her in the back.

Her skin turned pale and her body fell on the ground, without force.

Farewell, guys, it was good being your classmate.

She closed her eyes and her soul slipped out from her mouth.

Treasure my sacrifice.

***

When Satoko opened her eyes again, a white ceiling was in front of her. She blinked twice to get used to the light and glanced around.

I’m at the infirmary. She ascertained. They probably brought me here after I fainted.

She rose up and sat on her bed, only to be welcomed by two marvelous honey eyes that were looking at her with concern.

“Itou-san, you’re awake! How do you feel?”

Satoko stared blankly at Minami.

Never been better.

A trickle of blood came out of her nose and she passed out again, falling back on the bed.

“Itou-san?!”

After some time, Satoko recovered from the shock and sat up again.

“I-I didn’t expect to see you” she mumbled, trying to explain.

Minami let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good, I thought you weren’t still feeling good.”

Satoko blushed a little. “Thank you for your concern.”

I can’t believe he stayed with me while I was unconscious, he’s too sweet!

Minami smiled warmly. “You should thank Kobayashi and Watanabe, they waited here all the time too. A little while ago they had to participate in one of the competitions, so they left, but they were very worried.”

Satoko lowered her gaze, mortified. I ruined the day, I’m terrible…

“Itou-san, your pigtails are all messy” Minami noticed. “If you want, I can fix them.”

Satoko shook her head violently. N-No, it would be too embarrassing!

“There’s no need, I’ll just let my hair down.”

Minami pouted, a little disappointed. “Why? They’re cute.”

Cute?! Satoko glanced at him, surprised. And why does he look so disheartened?

He stared intensely at her with begging eyes, until Satoko gave up.

“W-Well, if you insist…”

Minami’s eyes sparkled. “Really? Thank you!”

He sat on the bed next to her and Satoko turned her back to him, a little embarrassed.

Minami gently untied the tails and separated her hair to make new ones. When his fingers passed near her neck, Satoko flinched and became red up to the ears.

Minami chuckled. “Don’t worry, I always tie my sister’s hair up, so I’m pretty good at it” he reassured her. “I quite enjoy it, too!”

That’s not the problem! Satoko thought, flustered.

“But let’s not talk about me. You did amazing today, Itou-san! It looked almost…” his tone of voice lowered to a mumble. “...Like you do it everyday.”

What?! Satoko turned to him, tense. What does he mean with that?

Minami hinted at a smile.

“Where did you learn to be this good?”