Chapter 33

On the day of the sports festival, I was busy from morning, greeting the guests with the teachers and running around.

I feel like the teachers are fully utilizing my status as a member of the Pivoine and the Kishouin family. And it seems the same goes for Enjo, who is in the next class.

After that, I immediately returned to the tent of the executive committee to take charge of the broadcast announcements. I thought this was something the broadcasting committee would do, but it seems they are in charge of the music played during the sports festival and don't handle the microphone. The broadcast announcements are handled by committee members who are not participating in the events, taking turns. Those who are not good at being in the spotlight take on the behind-the-scenes roles. Of course, I prefer the behind-the-scenes work. I have stage fright, so my voice would definitely tremble if I had to do the announcements. After checking the program and the script for any errors, I hand them over to the broadcast team. I also handle other mundane tasks, like holding flags at various points for the relay race. The sunscreen my mother applied will come in handy.

After completing the miscellaneous tasks assigned by the teacher, I finally got a chance to rest in the tent. I drank some cold tea and watched the obstacle relay absentmindedly. There's no bread-eating race, huh? I would have definitely participated if it was anpan.

"Kishouin-san, you really work hard."

One of the teachers called out to me.

"Really? Thank you."

"You were on the move all morning, right? In the afternoon, you should let others take over and rest a bit. Which event are you participating in, Kishouin-san?"

"The relay with borrowed items."

I thought it was a relatively safe event, one that depends more on luck than athletic ability. There are also dance, sprint, and large ball rolling events. I don't like the sprint. I want to at least make it to third place.

When it was time for the relay with borrowed items, I decided to return to my class.

I hope we don't get a weird item. Glasses would be good. I should look around the audience to see what items are available. I don't want to make a fool of myself.

I encourage my classmates who are participating with me, saying, "Let's do our best."

Ugh, I'm getting nervous.

The relay with borrowed items started, and the students who drew their items were running around looking for them. Please, an easy item!

It was my turn, and the item I drew was "a fast friend."

Who could that be?

My body moved before my mind could think. There is only one fast friend I know.

"Kazusa-kun! Come with me!"

I pulled Kazusa-kun's arm, who was surprised, and we ran toward the goal. Kazusa-kun, not knowing what was happening, ran with me. The boys with Kazusa-kun were making a fuss. Don't misunderstand.

When we reached the goal and handed the item card to the official, it was read out over the microphone. Indeed, Kazusa-kun is part of the relay team. I managed to contribute to my class.

"A fast friend, huh? You really surprised me."

"Yeah, sorry."

I couldn't think of anyone else. If the item was "a fast person" instead of "a fast friend," I might have thought of someone else.

"I might get scolded by everyone for helping another class."

Kazusa-kun was smiling as he said this. Maybe I got him involved in something troublesome. I feel bad.

"If anyone teases you or says anything, let me know. I'll take care of it."

"It's okay, it's okay."

Then, someone from another class asked me for help with their borrowed item. I was pulled by a boy and made to run. What was my item? I had to go back to the item location and run to the goal. The item read out at the goal was "a child with a ribbon on their head." I'm glad it wasn't "a child with a vertical roll hairstyle."

Many of the items in this relay involved people, so there were no strange rumors about Kazusa-kun and me. I was worried about causing trouble, so I'm relieved. By the way, a girl who foolishly asked Daitokuji to be her "favorite person" item was completely rejected. Don't be so reckless.

In the afternoon, I continued my work in the tent. It became easier as I got the hang of it. I'm sitting on a folding chair, watching the events.

The highlight of the sports festival, along with the relay race, is the horseback battle for the 5th and 6th-grade boys. Two teams are selected from each class to compete for the headbands. Our class also has a team participating, but this year, there is a team that is considered the top contender. Daitokuji is participating, of course, as the rider. There's no way he would do the horse part. Kikuno-chan from Daitokuji's class was excited and told me, "With this, our class will definitely win the horseback battle!" I thought it would be funny if they fell off right at the start.

I was foolish to think that. As soon as the start signal was given, Daitokuji's team galloped around, taking headbands one after another. Some teams bravely challenged Daitokuji, but they were tackled and had their arms twisted, and their headbands were taken away, and they fell off. The skill difference was too great. The movements were so precise, it was clear they had practiced a lot. The horse riders must have been desperate, knowing that if they accidentally knocked Daitokuji off, they would make many enemies. If a team tried to run away in fear, they would be chased and stabbed in the back. It was like a hunt by a carnivore. The other teams must have been terrified. Our class's teams had also finished by then. Well done, everyone.

"Ah, Masaya is really ruthless."

Enjo, who was sitting behind me, chuckled. Yeah, he really is ruthless.

In the end, only Daitokuji's team remained, achieving a complete victory.

Later, someone compared Daitokuji's heroic performance in the horseback battle to Napoleon, and eventually, this comparison changed to calling him an emperor. This was the beginning of why Daitokuji would be called the emperor for a long time.