Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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18, Member Selection


　After getting involved with Tatsumiya and then receiving a complaint-like message from Touka, the last thing for today's event is...

"Well, then, today we will decide who will compete in each of the sports festivals."

　Ike, standing at the podium and presiding, announces the agenda.
　As the saying goes, there are several events in the sports festival, but except for the compulsory events, it appears that each class will be represented by a representative athlete, so they will be selected.

　By the way.
　Originally, each class had a member of the sports festival committee, so that person should have been the moderator, but as a matter of course, Ike was performing that role.
　...Sorry to the guy on the organizing committee, but it's just easier for Ike to talk about it and get his classmates together.

　While many people are willing to participate in such events, some are reluctant to do so.
　In fact, even now, some of my cultural classmates were listening to Ike speak on the stage, while others around them looked somewhat indifferent.
　Basically, the class is excited about the sports festival, but Ike, who of course is aware of the presence of such guys, opened his mouth with a fresh smile.

"Before we start deciding what each of you will participate in, there is one thing I would like to talk about."

　At Ike's words, the whole class looked at him.

"There is no particular limit set on the number of times you can compete, so some classes are solidified with students who are athletically inclined and belong to athletic clubs, but ... to be honest, this class has too many athletic guys. If we set up a strong group, the rest of the class would pull away from us."

　Ike says, shrugging his shoulders.
　... Indeed, in this class, there is Ike, who is athletic and is no match for the elite of the athletic department, and among the girls, there is Kana, a nationally ranked tennis player.
　Besides, there are many regulars from various athletic teams, including Asakura.
　I guess Ike is right, this class is full of sports elites. If we had strong members, the other classes would probably pull away from us for not being able to read the air.

"So let's not worry about winning or losing, and let's all just take it easy and enjoy the sports festival."

　Hearing those words, the atmosphere in the class relaxed.
　I guess everyone agreed with Ike's words, "Let's go have fun."
　Not a single person spoke out in disagreement.

　The direction was set.
　The hard-working athletes also agree to prioritize having fun.
　... It would not be good if they got injured and interfered with club activities, and that might be justified.
　
　After that, we immediately moved on to selecting participating athletes for each event category.
　First, a candidacy system will be adopted, and then other nominations will be made for competitions where there are not enough participants.
　The events that did not require much physical strength, such as the ball tossing, were quickly filled by those who belonged to cultural club activities, leaving only events that required physical strength and physical ability, such as cavalry races and relays.
　
　... By the way, I didn't participate in any of the events.
　I feel bad for Ike, but I'm sure many of them would be afraid of me if I joined in, which would ruin the mood of a fun sports festival.　

"... Well, there are still quite a few events where the participants haven't settled yet."

　When Ike says so,

"... Ah, hey Ike! Tomoki isn't participating at all!?"

　Asakura said so after comparing the names of the events written on the blackboard.
　... At that moment, tension ran through the classroom.

　My classmates look at me.
　I was at a loss for a response, so I just kept silent, and my classmates quickly looked away awkwardly.
　It's tendon. It is a promise. (Note: repeating the same gag or silly line)
　I was convinced that it was no longer a joke.

"I guess that's true. Well then, Yuuji, why don't you join in the event with me, in which the participants have not been finalized yet?"

　... To my surprise, Ike said such a thing in front of my classmates.
　No, no, Ike. What are you saying in desperation?
　If I were to participate in the sports festival with full motivation, that is exactly what the other classes would pull away from me.

　I thought so and looked at him silently, but Ike was still waiting for my answer with a fresh smile on his face.

　What in the world does he think he's doing, I reply to him.

"I won’t participate. ...I'm not very good at these things"

　My words draw the eyes of the entire class.
　However, unlike usual, I couldn't respond to that gaze, and the other classes didn't even look away from me.

　...I can't stand it.

　The silence reigns, and that's what I'm thinking.

"It's good, isn't it?"

　I heard such a voice from somewhere in the classroom.
　I turned my gaze to the owner of the voice.
　The voice belonged to a tall girl in the women's volleyball team, named Oi, I believe.

“Tomoki-kun, he has good physical ability and is not a member of any athletic club, so it's okay for him to do his best even if a worst-case scenario is that he gets injured.”

　In a pause, Oi said with a somewhat mischievous smile in her voice.

"I think Yagi is right, we should have Tomoki participate in this event. Like in a cavalry battle, he looks really strong."

　This time, the baseball team's No ...... Hara or Nozaki said it.
　I was so shocked I couldn't say anything.

　Apart from the fact that the name of the girl I thought was Oi was actually Yagi, or that I was devastated by the fact that I couldn't even remember the names of my classmates at all, I was agitated.

“That's right, Tomoki is too good to be left unused. Do your best!?”

　Asakura says cheerfully.
　With that, my other classmates started to make various calls toward me as I appeared upset.
　Hearing those words, I...

"Are you sure?"

　That's what I was muttering.
　I continue to speak to my classmates, who tilt their heads and wait for me to continue.

"If a ... delinquent like me were to participate in the sports festival, it would spoil all the fun memories, wouldn't it?"

　I felt pathetic, but still, I just had to.
　I couldn't help but put it into words.

　Silence comes again.
　The one that broke it was...

"Yuuji-kun is not a delinquent, are you?"

　It was Kana's gentle voice.
　When I turned around at the sound of her voice, Kana smiled at me.

　After that,

“Indeed, you always do your best to help the student council!”
"In tests, you always get top scores, and lately I've been thinking that you don't seem like a delinquent!"
"You take the usual tendon joke on board, and get into the mood, too."
“Also, you have a super cute girlfriend!”
"Yeah, your girlfriend is really cute!!"

　And so on, I'm stunned to hear the favorable words ― about me ― half of them to Touka.
　Then I naturally turned my gaze toward Ike, who was standing at the podium.

　Ike gave me a dumbfounded, but very warm, look, and then,

"Hey, Yuuji. We all agreed to take it easy and have fun, didn't we? Let's relax and have fun."

　Saying so, he smiled brightly.

　... Not at all, I'm no match for Ike.

"... Well, if that's the case, I'll just enjoy the ride."

　As I responded, I felt gratitude in my heart.

☆
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　And homeroom is over, after school.
　Still on the blackboard are the events of the sports festival and the names of the participants side by side.
　And I looked at it for a while,

"Good for you, Yuuji-kun."

　I was approached by Kana, whose voice sounded cheerful.
　I nodded at her words and then answered.

"Yeah. I never thought I'd be able to participate in school events normally. ...I have to thank Ike for that."

"Haruma has nothing to do with it."

　Kana, who heard my words, assured me without a pause.
　I waited for her to tell me what she meant.

"Yuuji-kun, you have worked hard all this time. That's why everyone noticed Yuji's good points."

　Seeing Kana smile gently at me like that, it made me happy.

"Thank you, Kana."

　After laughing at my words, "You don't have to thank me," she said.

"Even so. ...Yuuji-kun and Haruma are going to be in most of the events, I still think the other classes are going to pull away...?"
　
　Hearing Kana blurt it out made me feel a little bit sorry for the other classes a little bit.