Clearing Confusion

The official team relay competition has begun.

Seeing the opportunity to surpass the scores, the members of the white team are now highly enthusiastic. The supporters not only cheer louder than anyone else, but even the contestants on the field seem ready not to be defeated.

Although all members of the red team are sports club members, the white team has no intention of admitting defeat. Essentially, the candidates sent here are those with the best physical fitness in the club, capable of competing with their opponents in their proudest field.

The last match will determine the winning team between the red and white teams today.

The white team is very excited, and the red team is nervous. They just learned that the strongest champion of the team, Yotsuba, fell ill and is now watching the match in a wheelchair. Their spirits have decreased significantly, and there are even many negative voices saying, "We will definitely lose" and "If it weren't for Nakano-kun, we would have lost a long time ago."

Of course, some people are not discouraged; instead, they encourage their teammates.

"Don't worry, how can we lose to those dead bookworms in regular training?"

"Go for it! Nakano-san has done a lot for us; now it's up to us to secure his victory!"

"Are you too embarrassed to hand over victory or defeat to Yotsuba-chan?! Especially you kids, why don't you cheer me up and win yourselves!"

"That's right, we can do it without her. Let's give our best in the end! Go, Ollie—!"

"Wait, what's Ollie?"

"I don't know; I accidentally heard a motivational slogan on the Internet, and I found it annoying, so I shouted it..."

On the sidelines, Yotsuba is sitting in a wheelchair, staring blankly at the athletes rising on the track. They all have confident smiles on their faces and seem eager to make the red team look good.

"Yotsuba."

Her father's voice suddenly sounded, and Yotsuba turned around to see Nino walking towards her with Shinichi's phone.

"It seems you've prepared a lot and practiced hard for today."

His blunt words made Yotsuba unsure how to respond for a moment, so she spoke a little shyly.

"Um, actually, it's not bad. Besides, this is not just a sports festival. I also have competitions outside of school to participate in..."

"...Is that so." Maruo closed his eyes slightly and said calmly.

"When is the match?"

"Eh?" Yotsuba was stunned.

"I didn't see it this time, but I'll watch it another time." Maruo's voice remained steady.

Off-camera, Nino rolled her eyes. Why couldn't their father speak properly? Wouldn't it be better to be straightforward than beating around the bush like this?

Forget it; it's better than saying nothing.

"Alright, I'll send you the schedule when I get back!"

Although her mood is still complicated, Yotsuba smiled upon hearing her father's rare concern.

At this moment, the starting pistol sounds, and she turns her gaze to see different figures running on two tracks.

Shinichi is the first contestant of the white team. Amid the cheers of others, his serious profile quickly surpasses the other contestants. As mentioned before, he doesn't let anyone pass, immediately equalizing with the red team.

"Ah! Shi-kun is so handsome! Let's surpass them!"

Shouts like a fangirl naturally come from her sisters. Nino jumps with joy on her face.

After being stopped by her cold father, with Nino finally calming down, she coughs a few times with a red face and shows a shy expression. "I'm so embarrassed, but I just wanted to cheer him on."

Yotsuba smiles bitterly; she also praises Shinichi's leadership from the bottom of her heart and worries about other red team members.

"Everyone, it's okay..."

The relay baton is passed one by one, and the losses caused by the student council president gradually decrease. However, the red team still can't surpass the white team and can only continue to chase their lag.

"If I could play..." Thoughts like that come up; Yotsuba leans her upper body forward, and the blanket slips off her body, as if she's about to get out of the wheelchair.

But before she completes her movement, she is stopped by enthusiastic cheers echoing throughout the school.

"Go for it—!"

"Keep going!"

"Don't admit defeat, fight them!"

"The red team will win! Let's go for Yotsuba-san!"

Cheering groups, regular students, teachers... There are countless people, all giving encouragement to the sweaty contestants on the field.

Yotsuba stares blankly at the scene on the field, unable to do anything.

She slowly sits back in the wheelchair. The pain in her stomach no longer affects her thoughts. Only her confused and unclear mood still bewilders her.

Now, no one expects anything from her.

Yotsuba has clearly left the field, but the competition still continues. No one gives up because of her, and no one gives up because of her.

Her thoughts stop, and Yotsuba exclaims.

The relay baton is handed over to Asahina from the athletic club. She runs like the wind.

She quickly overtakes the next contestant from the white team in the following turns.

Cheers fill Yotsuba's ears.

She suddenly realizes that everyone is smiling.

They all seem to say: winning is winning, losing is losing, as long as you try your best, you can accept the results calmly.

There is no doubt that wherever you are, everyone enjoys the final moments of the Sports Festival.

She is the only one left.

"So that's it..."

Yotsuba releases her fists and touches her cheek.

"It's okay even if I don't win... I can still be more satisfied and happier than others by believing in everyone, cheering for everyone, and supporting everyone..."

"Asada-san, I really am an idiot."

It's a simple truth, but she only realizes it now.

Yotsuba looks at the tense competition on the field without turning away.

It's the final leg, and the runners of the red and white teams are indistinguishable, almost side by side.

Yotsuba raises her head and takes a deep breath, filling her lungs with air.

Now, she wants to do things she has enjoyed passively for a long time but forgot to take the initiative to do.

She raises both hands and holds them in front of her mouth like a megaphone. Yotsuba tenses up and begins to gather strength.

Always accepting others' expectations but never placing expectations on those with talent and working as hard as her.

She always cares about others, but she never really wants to understand that they don't need her attention, and she is stronger than others.

Lack of confidence or trusting others, Yotsuba is a contradictory person.

She always hesitates and pretends to be strong, making the most important people worry, like a child, always unreliable in critical moments.

However.

Now Yotsuba has one thing that everyone can do, but it's unique to her.

Beside the field where noise comes and goes.

She stood up from the wheelchair, disregarding the fallen blanket or her head spinning from anemia, and shouted with all her strength:

"Go for it—!!"

"Red Team, fight on!!!"

Figures blended on the track.

Under the gaze of everyone, the white line before the finish line suddenly collapsed.

When the whistle sounded, the winner was determined.

Accompanied by cheers and applause from the emcee and the audience.

Red balloons filling the sky over Shuchi'in Academy slowly rose to celebrate the current victory.

Yotsuba froze in place due to surprise.

The grin on her lips gradually became clearer, enthusiastic as the competition result was announced.

[Today's sports festival——

The thrilling victory has been achieved by the red team.]

"Yeay—!"