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

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20, Practice With Classmates


　It was a sweltering hot day when the sports festival practice was in full swing in the classroom.

　Normally, classes are held in two separate classes, one for boys and one for girls, but today the boys and girls in the class will be practicing together for the sports festival competition.

"All right, let's get fired up so we don't lose to the other classes!"

　After pairing up with Asakura and completing the preparatory exercises, the sports festival committee members released some spirited words, and then each athlete in each event began practicing.

"For now, we have a few competitions to compete in, so let's take it in turns to practice."

　I nodded as Ike approached me.

"Oh yeah, Yuuji. Would you work with me on the three-legged race?"

　Ike asked me out of nowhere.

"Is it okay, it's me?"

"Okay or not, considering my height and time, I can't team up with anyone other than Yuuji."

　To my words, Ike replied with a brisk laugh.
　We're certainly taller and more athletic.
　If that's the case, then don't hesitate to run with me.

　So, first, I decided to participate in a three-legged race practice with Ike.

“Oh, Ike will be running with Tomoki. Both of you are very athletic, so I'm looking forward to seeing your times.”

　Asakura, who was preparing to measure the time with a stopwatch in his hand, smiled wryly as he accepted us.
　As Asakura has narrowed down the events he competes in, he seems to be moving rather freely at the moment.
　
"I'm looking forward to running like this with Yuuji too."

　Ike nodded and then accepted a piece of magic tape from Asakura to hold our feet together.
　Then, with a deft hand, Ike fastens our feet.

"Is it tight?"

"Yeah, no problem"

"All right, then, let's do some light practice."

　The two of us do a light starting practice and then, after making sure we are both in good shape, we decide to actually run the race once.
　Several groups of guys from the class were also just about to run, so we decided to join them.
　As we lined up in our starting positions,

"Hey, Yuuji."

　Ike opened his mouth near my ear.

"What?"

　When I ask, Ike smiles somewhat happily and replies.

"For once, forget about anything else and just run as fast as we can."

“If we do that, the timing couldn't possibly be right?”

　I was stunned that he would make such an odd joke, but,

“Then, Yuuji, try to run as hard as you can. I'll adjust.”

　Said Ike lightly.
　No, it's unreasonable......, I think, but I am convinced that Ike can do such reckless things.

　After a short pause, I nodded slowly.

"All right, then, let's do this! Are you ready!?"

　Asakura's voice is strained near the finish line.
　We each replied to him.

　Then I heard the sound of the start and I ran as fast as I could, just like Ike said.

　And immediately surprised.
　Even though it is a three-legged race, there is no sense of unnaturalness in the running.
　On the contrary, I had the illusion that I was running even faster than when I was running alone. ......As expected, it was just my imagination.

　In no time at all, we left the others who had started together behind and finished first.

　I regain my breathing, which had been disturbed by my full speed, and then say to Ike, who was doing the same.

"Amazing, you really adjusted perfectly to me."

　Ike innocently laughed at my words.

"No, actually, I didn't."

"Ha?"

——— seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

　I didn't understand the meaning of Ike's words, so I gave a stupid reply.

“Honestly, I just ran with all my might.”

　Ike said with a mischievous smile.
　If you do that, you usually end up falling because the timing isn't right.
　
　Of course, it was probably Ike's joke, but I couldn't help but laugh.

"Not much different from the time I run alone...?"

　Then Asakura, who saw the time on the stopwatch, walked up to us and said, with astonishment on his face.

　Classmates who were observing the event were excited to see the time on the stopwatch held by Asakura.

"Uwwah, your time is bad"

"Hey, Ike, why don't you join the track and field team?"

　One of the classmates said this to Ike.
　Apparently he's in the track and field club.
　Certainly, if Ike joined the club, it would be tremendous strength.

"Sorry, I can't cross over from student council."

　However, Ike simply refuses.
　The track and field guy didn't seem to have high expectations either, and only lightly shrugged his shoulders.
　
　After that, he turned his gaze to me and opened his mouth.

"How about Tomoki? If you're not doing club activities, why don't you join the track and field club?

　...What a surprise, now the track team that recruited me.
　I was too surprised to reply immediately.
　I who had always been feared by others, had never expected to be approached in this way, and even to be invited to join club activities, so I was very moved.

　However, if I accept this invitation, it is inevitable that he will get carried away in the track and field.
　While conveying this gratitude, I desperately searched for words to gently refuse ...

"Ah, I'm sorry."

　It was me, who had a communication problem, refusing normally after thinking around.

“Kah, Tomoki rejected me, too. Well, it can't be helped..."

　Ike puts his hand on the depressed athletic guy's shoulder and says to him.

"It can't be helped, Yuuji has to be with Touka after school, so he can't do club activities."

　And he looks at me with a compassionate gaze.

"D-Don't tease me..."

　I responded with dismay to Ike's direct gaze, unaware that my relationship with Touka was a fake.

"... D*mn it..."

　Asakura's words reached my ears as he bit his teeth in frustration, more so than my and Ike's rejection of his invitation to participate in club activities, but I decided to pretend not to hear them for now.