Athletic Festival Arc
27 Cavalry Battle and Limit
The afternoon portion of the athletic festival began.
Hayate headed to prepare for the cavalry battle, Fuuga and Laila to prepare for the cheer battle, and Meru, Shoutarou, and Yuuri headed toward their various stations.
The morning portion ended with the third years in the top position, and the second years were chasing after them with a large point difference.
Last year saw the unprecedented victory of Meru and the others' school year as first years. Of course, they were aiming to maintain the championship title this year as well, but looking at the current state of affairs, it would be difficult.
However, with the beginning of the team sports, the point difference between the second and third years started to steadily narrow.
"Got that? In the next cavalry battle, our target is only one person–Kamishiro Hayate."
Having finished cleaning up in the school building, Meru was heading toward the headquarters seats when she heard voices behind the building.
"But he's too good! Last year, too… Just rememberin' it's scarin' me."
Meru wasn't interested in the cavalry battle last year and ended up nodding off in the tent, so she didn't know what had happened. As a result, thinking about what exactly Hayate had done during the cavalry battle made Meru smile with her eyes half-closed.
"If everyone in our school year goes together, it'll be fine."
"But…"
"Even if we injure him, it's not an issue given the event."
Meru twitched at that remark. It was certainly a strategy that would come to mind, but since she had overheard it, she couldn't simply overlook it.
Those male students weren't done talking, but Meru quickly left from that area.
When she reached the place where the cavalry battle would take place, Hayate was there surrounded by the male second years, going over their strategy one last time.
Meru waited on the edge of that group and, through a gap between the boys, her eyes met Hayate's.
Within a short amount of time, the strategy meeting-like discussion ended and Hayate ran up to Meru.
"Meru. What's up? Did you need me?"
Hayate asked her with his usual gentle smile hovering on his face. Moving just her eyes, Meru checked their surroundings and spoke to Hayate in a quiet voice no one else could hear.
"Kamishiro-kun… Be careful in the match against the third years, ok?"
"You're worried about me?"
Hayate grinned. Meru made a helpless face at his reaction that seemed to welcome the third year's aim. When she sighed, Hayate patted her head with a smile still floating on his face.
"Meru. I'll be okay. Thanks."
Hayate said and tapped Meru's head softly. As he did, Meru relaxed despite the lack of anything solid to back his words up.
However, in the instant she relaxed…
Hayate's hand which had been on her head moved to her arm and tugged her to the side of the tent. It was perfectly a blind spot.
"Kamishiro-kun, what?"
"Even though you're worried about me, you won't let me worry about you."
"…?"
Meru didn't quite understand what Hayate meant by that. When Meru tilted her head in confusion, Hayate heaved a heavy sigh.
"I have to go in a second, but Meru."
With his back to the sun, Hayate's face was covered in shadows.
"With your foot, the relay is impossible."
Hayate turned his back to Meru.
Meru's eyes opened wide for a moment, then smiled in embarrassment. Perhaps she should say it was to be expected, but Hayate had noticed her foot injury.
"I was found out, huh…"
"Program number fifteen, cavalry battle."
With that broadcast, the second years' tent grew incredibly boisterous. Since Meru was in the headquarters seats, she was able to grasp the full situation.
At the center of the group of male second year students was Hayate with a fearless smile on his face.
At Hayate who smiled as though something was so incredibly fun or pleasant, the female students began to collapse as usual. If it was like that now, Meru wondered half in amazement as she looked on just how many stretchers they would need in the following cheer battle.
However, at the moment the third years appeared, Meru's eyebrows knit slightly. As she had expected, the boys involved in the previous conversation were standing in the center.
First was the match of the first years vs. the second years. Hayate avoided the horseback groups that came to attack him and took their cords.
Meru was surprised by the agility that those carrying him showed.
It seemed that Hayate disheartened the other team, and with the second years continuing to take the cords, the match ended with all the first years losing them before the time limit was reached.
Next was the third years vs. the first years. Meru didn't take her eyes off of the previously mentioned students. They were certainly strong. She noticed that they were skillfully hitting the first years under the cover of blind spots. However, since the teacher in charge didn't notice, they weren't fouled for it.
Just like against the second years, the first years were defeated without any suspense.
Then, it was the match they were all waiting impatiently for, the third years vs. the second years.
Hayate glanced at Meru. Seeing the unease on her face, Hayate suddenly smiled.
"Begin!"
At the same time as that announcement, a majority of the third years swooped down on Hayate.
However, Hayate didn't even flinch.
The third year boys grasped for his headband.
At that moment, Hayae jumped.
"Wha…!"
With the disappearance of their target, the third year 'horses' immediately collided and collapsed.
"Sorry 'bout that. This time especially, I can't lose."
Hayate smiled in midair, then landed lightly on his own 'horse.' The students who caught him were amazing, but his sense of balance was even more so.
The fallen boys bit their lips.
Hayate looked at Meru and smiled once again.
Meru released her breath. There wasn't any need to worry. That was Kamishiro Hayate. The one standing on top of the famous student council. He was not someone who could be done in by this sort of strategy.
Meru felt that the her who was worried until just a moment ago was foolish and raised her voice with a smile.
"Kusuharsan. They've called for the participants of the representative relay to gather."
Yuuri came to call her. It seemed that he had also finished his job and was on the way to the gathering place.
Meru stood up and took a step toward Yuuri.
"…Ugh."
Meru lifted her right foot that had just hit the ground.
Yuuri looked at her strangely, and Meru shook her hands in front of her chest.
"There might be something stabbing my foot. I'll take a look, so you go on ahead."
Meru waved her hand at Yuuri and without limping, headed to the bathroom while enduring with all her might.
Sweat welled up on Meru's forehead.
Meru's right foot was swelling a dark red, and just walking was already her limit.
Will Meru enter the race? Will she fail? Will she meet a magical creature and turn into a magical girl? Tune in next week to find out!