126 – Expectations and Disappointments
For some reason, I wanted to run away from this place.
But now that I’ve come this far, I can’t go back home alone.
I was sitting in my seat, crossing my arms and struggling to maintain my composure.
“Victory! Lovely! Eri! Fighting~!”
In the background, the cheering leader shouts enthusiastically.
At the same time, members of the Takase Eri fan club shout slogans.
It’s good, but couldn’t the slogan be changed to something better?
“Victory! Lovely! “Eri!”
As if I were the main character of today. Their cheers echo throughout the stadium.
Yuki was calmly swallowing snacks and waiting for the game.
“…… “Are you okay?”
“Because it’s Shiraishi. “Isn’t this the expected range?”
“That’s right.”
Nodding my head, I decided to agree.
It was the day of Takase-senpai’s competition.
Shortly after completing the trip, we gathered again according to her competition schedule.
This was Shiraishi’s first time watching her senior compete in real life, let alone track and field, so she had high expectations.
I had no idea that the anticipation would be expressed in this way.
“Eri! Lovely! Victory!”
When I glanced back, I saw Shiraishi, the cheerleader at the front, wearing a gakuran coat with his upper body wrapped in bandages and a long skirt, waving a cheering trumpet.
Behind Shiraishi are members of Eri Takase’s fan club.
And a large banner is unfurled.
A drone camera flying in the sky illuminated this area.
Well, if it stands out this much, you won’t be able to ignore it.
Obviously, if you look up from the stadium, we will be the most noticeable.
“Oh~~ Hohoho! I really enjoy it!”
Shiraishi raised his fist and looked back at the fan club members.
“Everyone, let’s cheer harder so Eri can win!”
“Yes~!”
“Prince!!”
“aaah!”
Elena in a maid uniform stands neatly next to the platform where Shiraishi is standing.
No, please stop me….
You say you are a nanny, but why do you leave Shiraishi’s misdeeds alone?
“Isn’t this okay? “It’s just support.”
Yuki said calmly.
“But…” “It stands out too much.”
“Get used to it.”
Among the participating players, the one with the most unrivaled popularity is Eri Takase.
Beyond being a track and field athlete, she is now also a model, and her face is showing off everywhere.
So, I think her fan club will understand to some extent even if it is this loud.
“…… But where are the rest of the kids? “Have Haru-chan and Yuuko arrived yet?”
Yuki looked around and asked.
The only people sitting were me and Yuuki.
There is a strong wave of support behind us.
“Everyone~ Eri is not the only one coming out today~! “A lot of other great players are competing too!”
In the meantime, Shiraishi shouted.
“We will work hard to cheer on Eri and brighten the mood of the entire game!”
What are you going to do?
Shiraishi falls to the side from the middle of the podium.
Two cheerleaders came up on top of him.
“Wow….”
Yuuki opened his mouth and sighed.
I also had the same reaction.
“Aki-chan… The skirt is too short….”
“It’s okay! “I can’t see it!”
The two people who appeared as cheerleaders were Haruna and Yuuko.
“hahahahaha… Ahahahahaha…… Ugh… ….”
Yuuko, who only acted like a good girl in front of them, also had her face turned bright red and held down her skirt as if she had no business in front of her shame.
“Hey… ! Music cue!”
Press the switch on the audio device that Elena was holding.
Haruna and Yuuko moved their bodies hesitantly, accompanied by cheerful music.
“Miss Haru! Miss Yuuko! Like this! Stretch out your arms!”
“Ah, Aki-chan~~!”
The girls danced along with Shiraishi.
Wave both hands or jump up from your seat.
“…… That’s amazing. “Shiraishi.”
Yuki muttered while looking at them.
Yes, I agree.
To liven up the atmosphere of the competition by not just cheering for the seniors, they even prepare cheerleaders.
The spectators sitting in their seats and waiting for the game to start were watching.
Some people held cell phone cameras and one child waved her hand after them.
Should I say that we were successful in lifting the mood?
Three beautiful girls dance with their own charms, and there will be no one who won’t pay attention.
Resigned, I turned and looked down at the stadium.
I could see our academy’s track and field team members warming up.
In the end, Sayoko-senior’s request was not granted until today.
I would have always had the timing, but I never had the courage to do it.
I was wondering if I really had the right to meddle in the deepest parts of my senior. I wasn’t sure if I could stick my head in there.
Senior Sayoko spoke as if I had something to do with it, but it was a problem whether it was present or not.
Until the senior’s game arrived, the cheerleaders and cheerleaders worked hard to encourage the competition by cheering on other people’s games and dancing.
And when it was finally Takase-senpai’s turn,
“Phew… “I’m exhausted.”
“Really.”
Haruna and Yuuko were released and sat down.
Because I have to intuit my senior’s game.
“Still, it was a little fun. Right?”
“Lots of photos were taken… “I didn’t like people flirting with me, though.”
She said while looking at Haruna sitting next to her.
“Good job. “Dancing was really cool.”
“Really? Lol… I learned it from Elena as an attribute, but… “I’m glad you saw it well.”
She learned it from Elena.
Can that person dance like that?
“Yuko too. “It was pretty good considering I was shy.”
“……….”
I also said a word to Yuuko, who was sitting next to Haruna. However, she turned her head and ignored it.
As the silence passed, I could feel Haruna and Yuuki watching.
“…… “Did you have a fight with Yuuko?”
Yuki asks in a whisper.
“What… “It just so happened.”
Sighing, Yuuki shook his head.
Let’s say we fought, but that’s Yuuko’s honest attitude towards me. Personally, I think this is better.
It is better to reveal your honest feelings than to show unnecessary pretense.
Unless she is an enemy, she wants to maintain a long relationship in the future.
From noble mtl dot com
***
When you are tired, the mask comes off easily.
However, as I stayed with them, it started to wear off, and now I felt like it was okay.
That man is not the main character of this world.
He’s not a proper character, and he’s in the same position as me. He thought that it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t pretend to be particularly nice.
Anyway, that didn’t matter, it was the moment when Eri Takase’s match finally began.
I always wanted to watch Eri run.
I wanted to watch her run so well, win her work, and win her medal.
That man must have seen that scene many times while working as a manager, but I have never experienced anything like that.
The true face of Eri Takase. Her charm.
I also wanted to feel her shining appearance.
And my wish was to have an intimate and close relationship with her.
More than that man.
“Eri~!! Fighting~~!!”
Aki shouts from the podium.
Eri came out to the stadium and was seen warming up her body.
Loud cheers rang out.
I, too, cheer for Haru by chanting her name.
Standing in front of her starting line, she turned her head and glanced this way.
At that time, I unconsciously rolled my eyes and looked at the man.
“What…?” ….”
He wasn’t cheering, but just sat there with an expressionless expression that showed no emotion whatsoever.
“Huh? Why Yuuko-chan?”
“Oh, no…” . It’s nothing.”
I shook my head. However, just now, I had the feeling that Eri’s eyes were on him.
From such a long distance. There’s no way Eri can see us clearly.
With that strange feeling in mind, the game began.
Filled with anticipation, I waved my hands.
Everyone is cheering hard.
Except for that man.
But I didn’t care anymore and only looked at Eri.
He will definitely come in first place, hang a medal around his neck, and smile at us.
I wanted to see that.
“Wow… !! Ah… ….”
The cheers die down.
The game ends when all players cross the finish line.
Eri’s result was 4th place.
When I turned my gaze, his seat was empty.
The moment I discovered that, I stood up.
“Now, wait a minute…” “I’ll be back!”
Leaving them behind, I left the stands and looked around.
“Ah… !”
I found his back. I hurried after him.
Where on earth are we going? ? I had a question, but the answer came right away.
He went down the passage and entered the entrance to the stadium.
Do you want to meet Eri Takase?
What on earth are you going to do when you meet her face to face at a time like this?
Are you saying you will be the first to go and comfort me?
Follow him through the dark entrance to the stadium.
“…… Senior.”
I was startled by that voice and stopped.
When I looked up, I saw him and Eri facing each other.
“Please be honest.”
He spoke words that were neither comforting nor anything else.
“…… “Is it because of me?”
“……… ….”
Is it because of me? What does that mean?
At that question, Eri Takase smiled quietly and looked down at him.
As I watched the scene, I immediately understood.
I am asking about the results of the current game.
Is she herself the cause for her poor performance?
That’s what he was asking.
But why?
Does that man realize that he ruined Eri Takase?
Like I suspected?
“……… Okay. That’s right.”
At those words, Takase Eri nodded her head.
“You are the cause.”
Close your mouth with both hands.
What happened?
However, what came next was a confession so shocking that it made me faint.
“Because I like you.”
“……… ….”
My body was shaking.
I wanted to jump out and ask what happened, but I felt like I didn’t have the right to do that due to the current atmosphere.
“Let’s go now. Manager.”
“……… ….”
He stood still in that spot.
The senior passed by him, rubbing his forehead with a towel.
I hurriedly ran away from the scene.