Chapter 91

In the marathon, the women start running first, and then after a while, the men start running.

Why this order is followed is not entirely clear...

Perhaps it is to avoid congestion.

Generally, when comparing men and women, men are expected to be faster.

And while the men run 10 kilometers and the women run 7 kilometers... with this distance, the leading group of men would quickly catch up to the trailing group of women.

Therefore, the men's start is delayed.

After seeing off Airea and the others for a while, it was Yugen's turn to run.

With the signal, the men all started running at once.

Yugen also started running alongside Soichiro and the others.

(At first, no one pulls ahead; everyone adjusts to the pace around them.)

Is this due to the Japanese tendency to observe the surroundings before deciding their own actions, to align with the group?

Or is it that all teenagers in the world adjust to their surroundings?

Or is it simply that the early stages are run slowly, so no one pulls ahead?

It's unclear, but at the beginning, everyone runs in a tight group, maintaining a uniform pace.

As people start to break away from the group...

They seem relieved to distance themselves from the group.

Before long, a significant gap had formed between the leading and trailing groups.

(Well, what should I do?)

Soichiro is running in front of Yugen.

Shou is running behind him.

Soichiro probably doesn't intend to let Yugen and Shou get ahead of him, and Shou is likely planning to overtake Yugen and Soichiro in the later stages.

And of course, Yugen doesn't intend to let Shou overtake him and plans to overtake Soichiro.

For now, they are maintaining a certain distance, observing each other, but from the middle stages onward, it will turn into a psychological battle.

(For now, I'll maintain this distance.)

Yugen prioritizes conserving his energy.

Since Yugen and the others are relatively in the leading group...

They soon caught up to the trailing group of women.

Among them was Tenka, who already looked exhausted despite it being early in the race.

"Are you okay?"

"…pant, don't, pant, talk…"

A conversation like this could be heard from behind.

It seems Shou was calling out to Tenka, but she didn't have the energy to respond.

As they approached the middle stages...

They reached the point where the women's leading group, who had already passed the turnaround, was running on the opposite lane.

Among them were Ayaka and Chiharu.

Given their personalities, they are not the type to hold back or observe, so they have been leading from the start.

Even so, they seem to be struggling.

They exchanged brief glances and passed by.

After a while...

They saw the women's middle group approaching the turnaround point.

(Ah...)

Among them was a bib with the surname "Yukisei."

Her beautiful flaxen hair, tied back, was swaying.

She rounded the triangular cone placed as a marker and turned in Yugen's direction.

Her fair skin was flushed, and sweat glistened on her face.

She looked a bit strained.

...And her large chest was slightly bouncing.

Her short shorts revealed healthy, white legs.

Her gym uniform was slightly damp with sweat, and her camisole was slightly visible.

As Yugen sent a heated gaze at Airea, who had become a bit sexy...

She noticed him.

She smiled at him, seemingly misunderstanding something.

(Cute...)

He felt a surge of energy...

But at the same time, he felt a bit annoyed.

(I don't want other men to see her...)

This adorable and alluring "fiancée" is his alone, and he doesn't want other men to see her.

Such possessiveness welled up within him.

(But... I also want to show her off...)

At the same time, he wanted to show off his "fiancée."

Look, my "fiancée" is cute, right? How envious are you?

(Ah, not good...)

Realizing this, Yugen quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

He had unconsciously relaxed his facial muscles and was grinning.

Running with a grin...

To put it mildly, it would be quite creepy.

He tightened his expression and reached the men's turnaround point.

If the starting point for both men and women is the same, it's natural for the turnaround points to be different.

Yugen rounded the triangular cone...

And then he noticed.

Shou was running beside him.

He had caught up.

Yugen increased his speed to avoid being overtaken by Shou and tried to overtake Soichiro as well.

Soichiro and Shou also increased their speed to compete.

"..."

"..."

"...ha"

The three of them started a game of cat and mouse, running side by side.

(...I messed up.)

Finally, Yugen realized.

If they all compete, it would only make things more difficult.

It would have been easier to run at a relaxed pace.

However, a meal was at stake.

Moreover, Yugen needed to buy a suitable present for Airea... he didn't have the money to treat Soichiro or Shou to a meal.

Yugen ran with all his heart, thinking only of Airea.

However, sheer willpower alone wouldn't make a difference if physical strength didn't exist.

Soichiro, Yugen, and Shou were all fairly athletic, but...

Among them, Soichiro was clearly the best.

Naturally, Soichiro took a slight lead, followed by Yugen and Shou.

(Not good... not good at all.)

Shou was right behind Yugen.

It seemed he had adopted a strategy to make a final push at the last moment.

He was gradually putting pressure on Soichiro and Yugen.

Occasionally, he would pretend to speed up, which was annoying.

As they approached the finish line...

Students who had already arrived were watching from a distance.

"Go, Soichiro-kun!"

"Just a little more!"

Those voices were from Ayaka and Chiharu.

Soichiro's leg turnover visibly increased.

To be energized by a woman's cheers...

What a mercenary! Yugen inwardly fumed.

Does my beloved not cheer for me?

He looked for her.

Airea was right next to Ayaka and Chiharu.

She was looking at him, her hand on her chest.

Her delicate lips moved slightly.

"Try your best."

That's what he heard.

Or rather, he felt like she was cheering for him.

(I have to try my best for Airea.)

Yugen summoned his last bit of energy.

Shou also made a final push, but Yugen ignored it.

He didn't care about the guy.

Airea was the only one on Yugen's mind.

And then…

"I haven't had a baked hamburger in a while."

"I'm fine with anything. As long as you treat me."

While Soichiro and Yugen were discussing which family restaurant to go to...

"...You guys, fighting like this is unfair... die."

Shou muttered resentfully.

Incidentally, Tenka crossed the finish line with a grand applause.

Out of pity, everyone decided not to mention it.

If you scroll down, you'll see the book cover.

In bookstores, you can look for this title and illustration...

I also posted information about the book cover and the special edition on my activity report.

https://mypage.syosetu.com/mypageblog/view/userid/430380/blogkey/2682373/

The special edition includes content like "Hmm, that's naughty," so if you're interested in that, please check it out.

If the naughty special edition sells well, it might influence future volumes. (If there are future volumes.)

By the way, I prefer bookmark registrations and ratings (the stars below the table of contents) over applause.

Next time, it's the long-awaited massage.

I'll make sure they both feel good.