And so, the following day came as fast as lightning.

  I head early to the school, all by myself. Suzuki said we had something to talk about, after all. I wonder what could that be.

  I reach the school gates, and there, the whole Broadcasting Club was waiting for me.

  “Everyone?”

  “Yes. We need to talk about the upcoming school festival. Let’s talk more in the club room.”

  We all head towards the empty classroom.

  Suzuki takes out a whiteboard and starts drawing on it.

  “So, as you know, we have the responsibility of holding the entire broadcast of the sports festival. We will all have our schedules packed, but we can manage it. We need to.”

  “Sure…so what have you got in mind.”

  “Well, we know that at the end of the festival, Kaito’s going to be in the football match.”

  “That’s correct.”

  “And we need someone to hold his place in that timeframe. So one of us needs to volunteer for him and pick up his last duty, meaning you will go home a bit later.”

  Tsuku-chan’s hand rose up.

  “I’ll do it. If it’s for the sake of our club, I’m willing to sacrifice 1 hour of my life.”

  “Thank you! You’re a lifesaver. Now, let’s check the full schedule and let’s split out the tasks, considering when we won’t be available.”

  And so, everyone got to work. Soon enough, the plan was ready. I was going to hold the broadcast of 3 events.

  “Good work, everyone! I have one more thing in mind, but I will only tell it to Tsuku-chan since she is going to be the last broadcaster. You may all leave now.”

  I, Mizuki and the other 2 girls leave. It’s just Suzuki and Tsuku in there.

  “I have a great idea in mind. It will make tons of students happy.”

  “Tell me more!”

  “I received an anonymous letter from someone, saying that they would like to have their message broadcasted at the end of the festival. It’s sealed, and I won’t open it until you read it. I will hand it over to you. Please don’t forget about it!”

  “Sure thing, prez! Count on me!”

  They all regroup outside the classroom.

  “Now, we can all go home. The director just said we should take the day off and prepare for tomorrow’s sports festival.”

  Everyone groups up and leaves. I remain behind with Mizuki.

  “Should we also go home?”

  “I want to go to buy a new tracksuit. Come with me to the mall, and then let’s go home.”

  “Sure thing.”

  The two of us head to the local mall, where I went a while ago with Mai and Akane.

  “Should I get the red one or the blue one?”

  “Well…personally I like the blue one better.”

  “Okay, then, I’m getting this one. I’m also going to look for a new short dress, for summer vacation.”

  Mizuki went to change.

  “I’m done, how does it look?”

  “Well, the blue tracksuit compliments your eyes. It looks great.”

  “Then I’m going to get this one. Let me try on the dress and tank top.”

  “Sure, take your time.”

  Mizuki was a bit hesitating.

  “It’s a bit too daring…this white tank top is very cool but the dress looks a bit too short for him to judge it. I already feel embarrassed. What if he’s going to think I’m a man-seducer?!”

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  She went on to try it out.

  “How does it look?”

  “Great! You look fantastic in it.”

  “Oh…thank you.”

  She closes the curtain.

  “He just said that! I look fantastic….why is my heart pounding so fast…it made me happy.”

  She gets out of the room, and we go on and pay for the clothes. She seemed a bit flustered but happy at the same time.

  We both go home, and just chatter up with the others. We cook dinner, play some console games and prepare our tracksuits for tommorow’s sports festival.

  “Are you guys ready?”

  “Yes! I can’t wait for it.” said Mai cheerfully, as always.

  “I guess…” said Akane, careless.

  “Sure thing!” said Mizuki, brighter than ever.

  I wonder if that’s due to the compliment. Her cool self would not think much of it, but hey, everything has a beginning.

  We all go to sleep. Except Mizuki.

  The next day arrives. We’re at the school, waiting for the broadcast to call us on to our events. I was in the relay, scavenger hunt and the football game. I am athletic, so it’s alright for me.

  A message is heard over the broadcast.

  “The relay will start in 5 minutes! Team Blue, Team Green, gather your participants and prepare to arrive at the starting point.”

  It was my sign. Hikaru and I were on the same team. The relay had 4 rounds. Me and Hikaru were the last 2 in the series.

  “Let’s show them how it’s done, Kaito!”

  “Let’s go, Hikaru.”

  “And the 8th sports festival starts! Good luck everyone!”

  Mai, Akane, Kaguya and Mizuki were in the stands, cheering for me and Hikaru.

  “Go boys! Show them how it’s done!”

  The weird boys group look at me dangerously, yet again, jealous of me being friends with three of the four goddesses of our high school. Whatever.

  We’re behind. The second relay runner was NOT great. We need to pick up the pace.

  “Hikaru, go! Sprint all the way! We need to recover ground!”

  “Got it.”

  And he bolted. Such speed. We were only 100 meters behind the leading group.

  Hikaru passes the relay stick to me.

  “GOOOOOO!”

  And there I went. I was running for my life. I keep closing the distance, but we enter the last 200

  meters. I almost give up.

  “I can’t do it…”

  But then I hear a roar from Mai, Kaguya, Akane and Mizuki.

  “GOOOOO Kaitooo!”

  I can hear Hikaru scream at me.

  “GOOOOOOOOO!”

  “50 meters left! The difference between Team Blue and Team Green is incredibly small! Who will win?!”

  Then in the corner of my eye, to top it off, I see Suzuki.

  “GOOO Kaito!!!!”

  The three driving motivations activated. I step hard into the ground, and gain an incredible speed. At the death of the race, in the last 20 meters, I manage to outrun the front leader, and pick up the winning medal.

  The crowd roars. Everyone was thrilled.

  “And Kaito Minase of Class 1-C takes the win, in a heart-stopping race! Incredible scenes on the school field!”

  “You did it man! I’m proud of you!”

  “We both did it, Hikaru. Let’s prepare for the scavenger hunt.”

  “Sure thing, thunderbolt.”

  Meanwhile, I return to the broadcasting room. It was my turn to hold the commentary for the girls relay, and horse battles.

  “And…I’m done. Wow, our team got 7 wins, and the other has 6. It’s a close score. I can’t afford to lose.”

  The scavenger hunt ends up in a loss. The other team made it a few seconds before me.

  And finally, the last event of the day. The football match.

  “And the final event which will decide the winner of this year’s festival…the football game between team green and team blue! The score is 15-15, whoever wins this one, can claim the title of Sports Festival Tournament winners!”

  “Ready for this one Hikaru?”

  “You bet. Let’s go, midfield maestro.”

  “You got it, clinical striker.”

  “And the game begins!”

  It’s a close match. The other team is also very good. We try to dribble, shoot, but none of it works out.

  “It’s the 88th minute! What could possibly happen now?! Is anyone going to score or will we have penalties?”

  The other team was on a serious attack. I am left just before the middle line. The ball gets sent to me, while everybody is in our team’s box. And there was my shot to shine.

  “GO, KAITO! FINISH IT OFF!”

  Everyone was looking at me. I pick up the ball and…easily dribble past the last defender. Everyone tried to come catch me, but I was too fast.

  One-on-one with the goalkeeper. The girls were cheering. The boys where screaming. Everyone was holding their breath.

  I’m closing in on the box, and I see it. I shoot with all my power…and I score, in the top bin.

  Everyone was silent for a second. Then it came.

  “GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! In the 88th minute, Kaito Minase of Team Green had an outstanding finish. No wonder he’s called the genius of the school’s team!”

  Everyone was cheering. But there were still 2 minutes of the game. The team comes to celebrate with me.

  “Well done, Kaito! We knew you could do it!”

  “Focus up. Last 2 minutes.”

  “Sure thing, captain!”

  And I had a hunch.

  “It’s the last play of the game! Corner for team blue!”

  The corner kick was simple. Block it and we won. But it was a perfect ball. Their striker manages to send it to the net with his head.

  Everyone was silent. The teammates that were not yet turned to the net accepted their fate.

  But just then, I put my foot before the ball and clear it off the line. It was now a counter-attack, with only Hikaru left in front.

  He seizes the opportunity and strikes from 30 meters. The commentary goes crazy.

  “GOOOOOOAAAAAL! Hikaru Loya seals the game after an incredible goal-line clearance! What a game we had in sight! 90th minute, score 2:0!”

  The referee blew the whistle. Everyone was happy. Mai was crying out of happiness, Mizuki and Akane smiled, and Kaguya went running to me to personally congratulate me.

  “I knew you could do this! You turn in the hero every time someone needs you!”

  Mai, Akane, Mizuki and Suzuki also joined us.

  “That was incredible!”

  “Thank you guys.”

  Everyone was still recovering from that shocking endgame play. But there was still something in store.

  About 2 minutes pass, everyone was preparing to leave the school site. Then comes a message on the broadcast.

  “A special post-festival broadcast! We have an anonymous letter.”

  “A special broadcast…what’s all that about?”

  We were all confused.

  “This letter is addressed to Kaito Minase, of class 1-C.”

  “Me?”

  Everyone looked at me.

  “I know this is sudden, but…I love you. I always loved you since the day we first met. Come find me someday. Figure out who I am, and give me your answer. I will be waiting for you.”

  Everyone was silent. Even the referee was staying still.

  I look at the 5 girls, and they all look back at me.

  “EEEEHHHHHHH?!”

  Bewildered, I freeze and let my thoughts take over me.