Part-1 Ch-02 Ep-01

 The first storm of spring had long since passed, yet today of all days turned out to be a sudden-gust kind of day.

It has already been two months since I enrolled in this academy, and today is the New Student Welcome Sports Festival.

Sand grains whipped up by the strong wind sting my cheeks and toss my hair about, so I cannot say I feel particularly “welcomed.”

The howling wind whistled like human screams.

Even so, it is still the welcome sports festival.

The boys had it rough yesterday; they were made to set up waiting tents and first-aid stations and were dragged into preparing the sports field itself.

I am glad I am a girl. The only thing we had to do was pick up small stones from the field.

The classmates who had looked completely unmotivated during preparations suddenly started getting fired up now that the festival had begun, and watching that shift is somehow heartwarming.

As for me, I already experienced life as a high school girl in my previous life, so I do not feel any particular excitement.

I find it far more enjoyable to recall the game events and put my energy into cheering for Maki.

When a classmate who had been killing time with me asked, “Nagase-san, what event are you doing again?” I answered, “Soft tennis. Though I might not be very good at it.”

“You picked it even though you’re not good at it?”

“I’m not great at team sports either. If anything, I prefer individual events where I can run or jump with just my own body.”

“I see,” the classmate nodded.

I do talk a lot with girls other than Maki these days, but when Maki is not here at times like this, I somehow feel restless.

Like when one half of a pair of twins is missing?

Probably childhood-friend correction.

“Ah, Ichinose-san is playing! Dodgeball!”

At the end of her pointing finger was Maki.

Peeep! The whistle signaling the start of the match blew.

Right from the beginning, Maki looked brimming with energy as she aggressively hurled balls at the opposing team.

She did not seem to care in the slightest about the swirling dust or the hair sticking to her cheeks from moving so vigorously. She truly looked like she was having the time of her life.

Meanwhile, I was getting nervous that she might get hurt.

“Ichinose-saaan, you can do it!”

Thanks to her overwhelming performance, cheers calling Maki’s name began rising distinctly from the crowd.

Maybe this is heroine correction at work too.

No, that is just how she is. She has always been loved by everyone.

It makes me a little jealous. That is my childhood friend they are cheering for.

While I was thinking this, our class somehow managed a complete victory over the third-years.

Of course Maki contributed a great deal, but I think her stats played a major role as well.

She really did grow up to be an almost all-round athlete.

Hmm… at this rate…

“Nagase-san, it’s lunch break. Let’s head to the classroom once Ichinose-san gets here.”

“Yeah.”

As I replied, I pulled up Maki’s status window while watching her walk toward me and fell into thought again.

…At this rate, her compatibility with “that person” who appears later will probably be excellent too.

“This means I can’t let my guard down this afternoon either.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Mari, is something wrong?”

“Nope, nothing at all. Shall we go have lunch?”

The afternoon looks like it will be fun as well.