Angel Borrowed

Shu's time is generally limited to the events he takes part in, such as the ball toss, the borrowed horse race, and the cavalry competition in which all the boys participate.

Other passionate students wanted to participate in more than two events, but Zhou didn't have that kind of enthusiasm, so he limited himself to only the second event and the overall competition.

By the way, the ball insertion has already been completed.

It's a really low-key competition, or rather, it's just a matter of putting balls in a basket that's in a high position.

There was a fight over the balls that could be put inside, but since there was already a large amount of them and it wasn't something to get excited about, it was a peaceful fight from beginning to end.

Although Chitose pushed him to play an active role, he participated, but he probably won't be able to do anything about it.

It was a simple, repetitive process of picking up a few balls, turning them around, stacking them, and throwing them all at once, so it didn't really stand out.

However, perhaps because their aim was accurate and their ability to gather the balls together was successful, they probably had more balls than the white team.

"I'm going to a really plain event, Zhou."

"Noise. It's almost time for you to take your turn. Come on."

"Ah, that's right."

Looking at the schedule, she grumbled, ``The executive committee members are pretty busy, aren't they?'' as she headed toward the management tent.

I couldn't help but wonder why he was running for office, but I guess it's too late.

I look at Chitose's back as she trots towards me, and I check today's schedule taped to the tent pole.

The morning schedule ends with a few more events. The borrowed item competition, which Zhou will participate in last as an individual event, was also included in several events.

After the remaining events are over, we will take a lunch break and move on to the afternoon session.

For the time being, once the borrowed item race is over, Zhou will no longer be participating in the afternoon cavalry race.

"…Isn't that the guy who runs the rental property?"

Since Chitose took the place at this timing, it means that Chitose will probably be in charge of the remaining events. She's definitely going to be the judge of the borrowed item race... or rather, I feel like she's aiming for it.

I don't know who is thinking of the borrowed theme, but I was a little scared that it didn't look like a good theme.

Feeling slightly uneasy, I went to the meeting place for the next borrowed race, and there I saw Mahiru, who also seemed to have gotten my wish, standing quietly.

Zhou also closed his mouth because he had nothing to talk to, but when his eyes met midday, he smiled faintly and bowed.

I was treated like a stranger outside, but my heart jumped a little when I saw the usual smile on my face.

Zhou responded in the same way, expressionless, but he couldn't deny that he felt uncomfortable.

Chitose, who had gathered to manage the sports festival, watched Amane and Mahiru happily.

When it's your turn to play the borrowed race, you follow the instructions of the staff member...in this case, Chitose, and enter the grounds.

There are already many folded papers scattered around the ground, and when the start signal is given, all you have to do is pick up the paper and bring the theme written on it.

Unlike other running events, the borrowed race is an event that is more like a relaxing event, and the purpose of the race is to enjoy borrowed things, so it is not too serious.

However, depending on the subject, you may become an exposing person, so you need to be careful.

"All athletes participating, please line up at the starting line."

Chitose, who uses the microphone to indicate that she is polite, is really a girl who is suitable for the moderator if she is not joking around. Not only does she have a cheerful personality, but she can also read the atmosphere and the situation, and her clear voice that is easy to hear and not too high is probably enough to make you listen to her.

Chitose, who hasn't played around at all so far as the whole school is being watched by the students and staff, signals, ``Take your position.''

The signal gun itself is held by another male staff member, so I guess he'll just be counting.

After Chitose's words, "Prepare," the sound of blank gunfire echoes a beat later.

This sound is always bad for the heart, but it runs slowly towards the fallen paper without even eructing.

The faster players had already opened it and checked the theme, and Shu followed them by picking up a folded piece of paper and checking its contents.

Inside was written in meticulous-looking letters:

"People Who Think You're Beautiful"

I had expected a pattern like this, but the theme was to borrow people rather than things.

I wanted to find out who really came up with this topic, but I was able to clear this topic just as quickly as I could.

It's not about the person you like the most, it's just a matter of bringing someone who is objectively beautiful.

In other words, she is a beauty that everyone recognizes...you can call her Mahiru. All you have to do is cross the finish line together when Midday's Borrowed Things are over.

It may seem quite conspicuous to take Mahiru with you, but since the theme is a theme, if you know what's inside, you'll probably think it's a reasonable thing to do.

Thinking so, I was about to look for Mahiru, who was probably picking up the same topic... but someone grabbed me by the T-shirt from the side.

It would be more accurate to say that she was grabbed rather than grabbed, but when she grabbed the hem, it was pulled, and Shu turned around to see what was going on.

There, the person I was currently looking for was looking at me hesitantly.

"Fujimiya-san, I'm borrowing something from Fujimiya-san, so I'd like you to accompany me once Fujimiya-san has finished borrowing something."

"Eh, me?"

"yes"

I never thought they were borrowed things from each other.

In a sense, it was convenient, but I feel like it would be very noticeable.

There wasn't anything that stood out when Mahiru was talking to her in the middle of the field.

On the other side of the goal line, judge Chitose watches with a grin on her face.

(Remember him later)

Since the characters in the theme were written by Chitose in the first place, there must be some theme that she aimed at to some extent. I don't know what Mahiru drew, but since he went out of his way to specify Shu, there must have been an issue that Mahiru couldn't compromise on.

"Ah…By the way, what do you borrow?"

"Is a secret"

Even though I could read it out when I reached the goal, midday didn't try to say the subject.

So I sigh and head towards the goal.

"I am also a borrowed person, so I will reach the goal."

"... What is Fujimiya-san borrowing?"

"secret"

When I returned the same answer as Midday, I was laughed at a little.

"Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing you after you reach the goal."

Whispering, midday took Zhou's hand.

In the middle of the day, he touches the surroundings and heads for the goal, regardless of the noise around him.

Zhou felt a slight pain in his stomach, but looking at Mahiru who seemed to be in a good mood made him think that it couldn't be helped, so he realized that it was a weakness that he had fallen in love with.

When Shu ran through the ground, which had a slightly away feel to him, and reached the goal line, he was greeted by Chitose, who seemed to be in a really good mood.

I clicked my tongue unintentionally, but he didn't seem to care.

"Oops, this is a goal with two people? I think we were both runners in a borrowed item race."

"Chitose, this bastard is grinning. We borrowed each other."

"Haha. Well, let's check the subject, but which one?"

"Fujimiya-san, please."

I was surprised that Mahiru specified it once and for all, but Chitose pointed to the paper held by Zhou as if to say that he knew it. Show me.

I didn't have anything to hide, so I simply showed her the subject.

It was an expression that Chitose was slightly disappointed in the content of the theme.

I don't know what you were expecting, but it probably wasn't what you wanted.

Still, he regained his composure and brought the microphone closer to his mouth with a smile on his face.

"We are currently confirming the theme.

The crowd seemed to be somewhat relieved by the theme read aloud.

It's really a safe choice. As far as Shuu knows, there is no one more beautiful than Mahiru in the school, and for Shuu, Mahiru is still the cutest.

Even excluding Zhou's personal opinion, there is nothing strange about bringing Mahiru with him.

There was a lot of hostility toward Shu after he and Mahiru reached the goal together, but it seems like the content of the topic has calmed it down a bit.

The problem seems to be on the midday side.

Zhou doesn't know what is written, but I can't help but feel that the fact that he goes out of his way to designate Zhou is not good for Zhou's peaceful student life.

Chitose receives the paper with the topic written on it from Mahiru, blinks, and then looks at Mahiru.

Shuu couldn't see what was written, but Chitose's expression showed that it was okay to say it, right?

(What on earth did you bring me here for?)

Chitose's reaction makes it even more confusing.

Midday still has a gentle smile. In other words, it is a declaration of intention that there is no problem even if it is read aloud as it is.

Chitose confirms this and returns to her usual smile.

"Well, next, we have a tie, but let's confirm the theme for the first place in the white group.The theme for the first place in the white group is…'an important person.'"

The moment Chitose's voice echoed on the field, a commotion arose from the student waiting area.

When I reflexively looked towards Mahiru, she fixed her gaze on me and curved her pale red lips.

It looked like the smile of a child who had successfully pulled off a prank, or the shyness of a child.

There is no doubt that Zhou was looking at me to see his reaction when he learned of this topic.

(You little devil...)

If Mahiru is a thoughtful person, it would be easy for her to predict how the people around her will react once the topic becomes public.

Still, midday chose Zhou as a borrowed item. To bring about change in relationships.

From now on, I can no longer be a half-hearted stranger.

Instead of the beautiful smile she usually showed at school, she gave Shu a genuine smile, and Shu scratched her hair with her palm, grumbling, ``People around me will definitely question me later.''