It's now the second day of Hokkyokusei's sports festival. To kick things off, we started to conduct the scavenger hunt. For those who don't know the rules, participants draw cards with a specific prompt, ranging from a pencil to someone wearing glasses. The group that gathers the most items wins.
As for who would be participating in the red team, it's none other than yours truly, along with three other participants from the red team. Participants placed themselves on the starting line, racing towards the finish line, where we would draw our items.
Our first three runner finished their turn.
*These bums!* I palmed my face internally, seeing our team ranking dead last, thirteen points away from the leading team.
*I know I'm working with strangers, but these guys aren't even trying.* I complained internally, seeing as our team only manages to gather seven points while having five minutes each.
I smirked as I muttered "I guess it's up to me to handle everything." Like the secret weapon that always show up last, it's now my turn to defy all odds.
"Watch as how the weakest team steals the number one spot. Kukuku"
Being reminded of what's on the line (new phantom uniform). Upon the officials signal, I dashed forward with everything I got. This was the main reason I got picked, after all. They witnessed our relay from yesterday and deemed me as fast, so the red team chose me as one of the representatives for the scavenger hunt.
Trusting my hand inside the lotto box,
"A ballpen," I uttered.
A normal person would think who would bring a ball pen to a sports event? This was the mistake of our teammates. Instead of asking people randomly, it's more efficient to search a person that's likely holding a pen, a person holding a clipboard, like a student organizer or class representatives.
Borrowing one from the closest student organizers, "Thanks." Giving me permission to borrow, I quickly submitted it to the officiators. Sobano-kun and Hitomi-san who lost in the tennis preliminaries and is now incharge of officiating the scavenger hunt.
"A microphone."
"A belt"
"A teacher"
"A girl wearing glasses."
I quickly rank up points and it wasn't long before I catch up with the yellow team who was in the lead.
"Just a few more points." I muttered. Two minutes remaining on the clock.
Opening my next item, "The next item is..."
Dashing towards our classmates, standing before Mocha-san and Aria-san who was sitting next to each other. "Come with me!" I reached out my hand, grabbing one of the two who were only spectating a moment ago.
"Eh?"
Aria-san widened her eyes, wondering why I am dragging Mocha-san by the wrist, and is now running towards the finish line.
Mocha-san too, looked flustered and surprised. *What could his item be?* The both of them wondered.
Standing before Sobano-kun, the official.
"Alright, and what is your item?" He asked.
Handing him my card, "Something ordinary" I announced.
"Eh?" The both of them, Mocha-san and Sobano-kun seemed puzzled. Sure, my item seem subjective, but why did I pick a Mocha-san specifically?
"I-I see ..S-So that's what it is" Mocha-san laughed awkwardly, sighing in relief, at the same time, disappointed as I made her heart raced for nothing.
Sobano-kun stood there thinking, *Isn't that disrespectful towards Mocha-san?*
Clearing his throat, "Please explain," giving me the chance to explain as to why I chose Mocha-san.
I then began my argument with, "She has average grades, average height, average presence. Everything about her is ordinary!"
That's the one thing I admire about Mocha-san. How can she look so plain and ordinary? The way she could easily blend in the background. That's the type of aura I wish to omit whenever I'm at my base form.
I raised an eyebrow, "Need me to explain further?" I barely have enough time to search for another item, so I need him to accept Mocha-san if we wanted to win.
Mocha-san stared at Sobano-kun, shaking her had as if saying *He has already said enough. Please stop.* not wanting to get humiliated any further.
Sobano-kun got left with no choice but to consider and accept my item, that Mocha-san was is ordinary.
Under a minute and a half remaining.
Searching for my next item, Mocha-san returned to the stands, sitting beside Aria-san, the spot she left before I grabbed her.
"Hm. So what's the item?" Curiously, Aria-san inquired, trying to be nonchalant.
"I-It says something ordinary. Haha." Mocha-san laughed awkwardly, looking a bit dejected and offended.
Finishing up my current item, I moved on to what would be my last with the time remaining.
I muttered, "My next item, is something..."
My mind drawing to a blank, I just went ahead and ran towards the crowd, finding myself standing in front of my classmates once more.
As if in desperation, "Come with me." I reached out my hand towards Aria-san, to which she widened her eyes and unconsciously accepted.
Her heart raised faster as we ran, *What if it's THAT* wondering what my item would be, and not knowing how she would react.
I clicked my tongue as i muttered, "This won't do."
Seeing that were running out of time, and knowing first hand how slow Aria-san is from the three legged race.
"Wh-Wait! what are you doing?!" Growing impatient, I grabbed Aria-san and lifter her off her feet, carrying her in a bridal carry.
"We won't make it at this rate. Just bare with it for a second. Okay." I requested, expecting for Aria-san to throw another tantrum. However, surprisingly, she's being compliant right now and let me carry her without saying a word.
I did wonder why she was being compliant, *Maybe she just also hate the idea of losing?* That's the only conclusion I made, looking at her being so cooperative.
Crossing the finish line barely a second before the clock,
"And what's your item?" Hitomi-san tend to us this time, seeing that Sobano-kun was tending to another contestant.
Handing her my paper, I announced with confidence, "Something annoying."
Hitomi-san turn to the card to verify my item. Skeptical, "Something annoying, huh" As if thinking about it for a second, "I guess I can accept that."
Aria-san frowned and elbowed me on the stomach.
I stood there, purposely not dodging, "Okay. I guess I deserve that."
"Unbelievable," Aria-san walked away, mad at me for getting her hopes up.
I followed her, constantly apologizing, explained I did it for the sake of winning, insisting that she really was annoying.
Staring at us as at a distance, Hitomi-san giggled as he looked at our item again.
"What's so funny?" Sobano-kun peeked at our final item card, curious as to why Hitomi-san is laughing.
"That's..."
[Something "Cute"]
Sobano-kun grinned smugly, noticing the tips of my ears slightly red.
*I understand it now*