Stealing Spree

The relay continued smoothly.

Chii and Hana worked together with remarkable focus, immediately crossing a fourth of the distance without the ball dropping. Meanwhile, on the other side, Maaya had just passed the baton to their next runner, Umeda.

While our class had all their excitement focused on cheering for Chii and Hana, Class 3

mirrored our intensity. Ryouko-san had to shush both sides to keep the atmosphere tense and avoid distracting the players.

A minute later, on the last stretch before Station 4, the ball wobbled precariously.

Everyone collectively held their breath because if they dropped it here, they'd have to restart from the beginning, the Class 3 would be able to catch up!

Almost immediately, Chii and Hana stopped in place, carefully balancing the ball. Sweat dotted Hana's forehead, while Chii whispered encouragement to her partner while smiling despite the tension.

Since I was standing nearby, keeping a close eye on the progress, I caught snippets of their conversation.

"Hanachi, we've got this. Look, Kii is watching us." Chii gestured in my direction, sticking her tongue out playfully, as though daring me to keep watching.

Hana, on the other hand, seemed to waver. Her eyes followed Chii's gaze and landed on me, her expression flickering with doubt.

"I know he's watching... But... Can I really do this?" She murmured with a shaky voice.

That girl... Now that she's opening up to more people, her confident nature has also started showing more cracks. But I guess that's necessary for her development.

Besides, it's not like she suddenly became a frail girl. She's still the same Hana to other people. The girl with the angelic smile that no one would think of hating her for it.

"Oh come on. Of course, you can! Hanachi, you're the most confident out of all of us. I'm just this klutzy girl. Don't think, just follow my lead."

Hana blinked as her face softened under Chii's encouragement, "Okay. I won't falter anymore!"

With renewed determination, the two girls resumed their careful steps.

There were about twenty steps left to reach the next station, while their opponents lagged about fifty steps behind. As long as they didn't drop the ball, Saki and Mio, waiting at Station 4, would have more than enough time to secure the win.

I had the urge to cheer out loud, but knowing that some in the crowd might not appreciate it since I was the 'hated playboy', I restrained myself, opting instead to send them silent gestures of encouragement.

In the end, it wasn't necessary. Chii and Hana, after that brief wobble, regained their rhythm and, with coordinated steps, completed the course.

They lost a few seconds of their lead, but it was a minor setback. With a triumphant smile, they passed the baton to Saki after crossing the station's finish line.

"Thank you, you two. Leave the rest to us," Saki said, flashing them a confident grin before turning toward me with a wink. "And Ruki... don't blink!"

Without waiting for my response, Saki spun around and braced herself as Mio approached her with the blindfold.

Mio stood tall, ready to guide her partner through the final leg of the relay. Saki carefully tied the blindfold around her eyes, tightening it securely until her vision was completely obscured.

Like Saki, she also looked at me first, the eyes behind her glasses shining with determination to win. I gave her a thumbs up which somehow put a beautiful smile on her face.

Now, tell me if you won't fall in love with them if they're like this...

Mio, poised just behind Saki, took a deep breath as she prepared to give the calm and precise instructions Saki would need to reach the finish line.

Ten seconds later, on the opposite side of the gym, Umeda and her partner finally reached their goal, handing the baton to Class 3's final pair.

I couldn't remember their names clearly but thanks to the Class 3 cheers I recalled it. Takenaka and Hamasaki.

I'd interacted with them during the camp. One of them, Takenaka, was among those who hated my presence when I'd snuck into their side of the camp. Well, she's one of those manhaters but I reckon she mellowed out when I finished helping them with their tent.

Looking at Saki who already gained a considerable gap, they were about twenty seconds behind.

However, this was the blindfold challenge. Just like the previous challenge, it was just as tricky. Anything could happen.

One wrong instruction could veer her off the winning path.

Takenaka, the more agile of the two, was blindfolded while Hamasaki, known for being a studious girl, prepared to guide her.

They're still not about to give up. They knew they still had a chance to catch up.

The tension mounted on both sides of the gym. Saki's confident grin had disappeared behind the blindfold. It was replaced by a mask of concentration. On the other hand, Takenaka's nervous energy was palpable from across the gym as she fidgeted, adjusting the knot on her blindfold.

As soon as they started moving, I switched my focus back to my girls who were already halfway to the goal. Nami and the others were already standing there.

"Turn slightly to your right... Now take two small steps forward... Stop. One step left," Mio's steady voice carried across the gym, keeping Saki on course.

Saki followed her instructions with unwavering trust, her movements deliberate but confident. Despite the inherent challenge of moving without sight, she remained composed, each step carefully measured to match Mio's voice.

Yeah. Looking at the obstacles that were added after she was blindfolded, Mio had to be more precise with her instruction or Saki could trip.

They're not that obstructive though since they're the same cones used at Station 1. Meanwhile, Class 3 had started to gain some ground. Hamasaki's voice was already guiding Yuri who moved with surprising agility for someone unable to see. Their pace seemed faster than Saki's. She's sprinting, even, disregarding the fact that she could trip at any moment. The murmurs from their classmates grew louder as they gradually closed the gap. "Yuri, just three steps forward, don't overdo it! Then take a side step!" Hamasaki's voice was firm and controlled, showing no sign of panic. They were in sync, and it looked like they might really close the gap if this continued.

The tension in the air thickened, and even the spectators could feel the stakes rising.

Looks like there's a reason why they put them at the end. They're the perfect pair for that challenge.

Nonetheless, Saki and Mio weren't getting pressured. They just continued at their own pace, minimizing the errors.

Soon, both teams were nearing the end. We're still leading but who knows what kind of craziness those two would pull.

Mio, noticing the speed of the other team, quickened her pace in giving instructions. "Now,

three steps straight ahead."

"Don't panic, Mio, Saki. You can do it. You got this."

Sensing that Mio's voice was now laced with urgency, I couldn't help but open my mouth.

Even if they criticize me later, I don't care.

Although they didn't look in my direction, I could instantly pick up my encouragement's effect on them.

Saki's steps grew faster. Each one was deliberate, carefully navigating her way forward. In any case, pressure started to weigh on her. A slight twitch of her shoulders betrayed the calm exterior she was trying to maintain.

On the other side, Takenaka and Hamasaki seemed to be moving even faster, their pace unnerving as they approached the halfway point. Their teamwork was impeccable, and the gymnasium buzzed with anxious whispers. Were they about to catch up?

In their dreams, I guess?

Mio glanced back toward them but quickly put her focus back on the front, her face tightening with determination.

"We're already there, Saki. Three more steps... turn slightly left!"

Saki followed obediently, but I could sense her hesitation. Moving too fast without sight was risky. One wrong step could mean disaster, and Class 3 would take that opportunity to cross the finish line before them.

"One more step," Mio's voice softened, almost a whisper, but her confidence didn't waver.

Saki took the final stride just as Hamasaki barked out her last set of commands to Takenaka, compressing the last 4th of the distance in it.

It wasn't even neck and neck. It was the desperation to catch up. Takenaka sprinted, knocking over a few of the cones. She didn't fall over from it.

But soon, just as Saki whose foot only needed to land on the ground to finish the course, a loud thud rang out.

I looked at the other side and saw Takenaka who tripped over.

Yeah. Their haste and desperation resulted in that.

The gymnasium erupted into cheers as Saki finished the course.

Takenaka managed to get back on her feet, but it was too late. Class 3 finished nearly ten seconds behind us.

Although disappointed at their loss, they still celebrated their incredible effort.

On our side, Saki tore off her blindfold with a triumphant smile and immediately embraced Mio.

She hesitated to run to my side so after ensuring that everything was in order and Orimura- sensei stopped the clock, I walked over to them to celebrate.

One by one, the girls jumped at me, their adrenaline still pumping from the race.

I caught them all, of course, patting their heads and praising their performance, ignoring the dumbfounded stares from everyone watching.

"Good job, everyone. You're the record holders. Let's see if anyone can break it."

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