Chisato Mitarai 

Chisato Mitarai is a first-year high school student who is a bit clumsy and struggles to express her feelings to others.

Although she is talented enough to have won a long-distance track and field competition in middle school, perhaps because she had been training in isolation, she had struggled to make any friends she could truly call her own.

Even after entering high school, nothing changed, and Chisato continued to spend her days running alone.

One day, her only friend invites her to help out the ekiden club.

This is the story of a girl who has always run alone discovering the joy of running with teammates and gradually changing.

I’ve always had a hard time expressing my feelings to others.
It feels kind of embarrassing, and I get anxious about what to do if I don’t get my point across properly.
I didn’t have the courage to speak up first, and even when someone talked to me, I’d only say a word or two.
Because of that, opportunities to talk naturally dwindled, and I didn’t make many friends.
Even so, people occasionally try to strike up a conversation with me.
But I end up responding with a cold, aloof attitude, and people drift away.
Sometimes they tell me I’m “cool,” but that’s wrong. I’m just not good with words.
But I can’t even tell them properly.
Why am I always like this…?
But there is one thing I love.
That’s running. I love running, no matter what.
If you ask me why, I can’t really explain it well… but I just love it.
While I’m running, all sorts of things slip out of my head, and all I can hear is the whoosh of the wind cutting through the air.
That feels so good.
Back in middle school, I joined the track and field club thinking I could just run freely.
At first, I struggled with the hierarchy and balancing it with my studies, but I just ran as if to escape all that hassle.
Before I knew it, I had won the long-distance race at a competition.
At the time, it didn’t really sink in. Everyone around me praised me, but it just didn’t feel right for me, and since I wasn’t running to win, I went back to running on my own.
When I started high school, I joined the track and field club again, just like before.
Because for me, the time I can run freely is pure bliss.
But even though it’s been almost a month since I joined, I still haven’t been able to get close to the other members, maybe because of my personality.
Track and field is an individual sport, so there shouldn’t be any problem… right?
As long as I can keep running, even if I’m alone, that’s enough.
As long as I can feel the wind, that’s…
…I guess today is one of those days when I overthink things a bit too much.
On days like this, I’ve decided to go for a run somewhere different than usual. Just as I looked up, wondering where to go, the bell signaling the end of class rang.
My classmates started chatting and laughing, and just as recess began, the classroom door swung open.

“Chisato! Please help meee~!”

It was Yoko Wase, one of my few friends from middle school… maybe even my only one.
The fact that she’s coming to me in tears… well, I guess it wasn’t par for the course.

I met Yoko when we were in the first year of middle school.
Maybe she was concerned about me, since I was shy and didn’t really try to join in with the group, because she often came up to talk to me.
At first, I acted a bit cold toward her, but before I knew it, I was able to talk to her normally.
Yoko is very caring, and she has a gentle, soft-spoken manner.
Maybe that’s why I found it easy to talk to her.
Unfortunately, we ended up in different classes in high school, but she’s still a very important friend to me.
And now, Yoko has literally come to me in tears.

“I want you to join the ekiden club as a helper!”

When I heard ekiden, the first thing that came to mind was the Hakone Ekiden broadcast on TV at the start of the year.

“Chisato, you won the long-distance race in middle school, right? So please! Lend us your strength!”

She clasped her hands together and bowed her head vigorously.
I’m used to seeing this kind of scene, but usually Yoko’s requests were just about borrowing my class notes, so this time felt a little different… maybe.

“Even if you say that, it was only 1,500 meters. I don’t think it’s anything like an ekiden.”
“It’s okay! It’s totally fine! You’re the only one I can count on!”

When she told me that, I couldn’t very well refuse.
Besides, it was Yoko asking me, so I didn’t really have a reason to say no anyway.

“Alright, but just for a little while.”
“Really!? Thanks so much, Chisato!”

Yoko, who had been crying just a moment ago, threw her arms around me with a big smile.
Maybe this kind of friendliness is one of the reasons I find it so easy to talk to her.
And so, having joined as a helper, I started participating in practice that very same day.
When I asked for more details, it turned out they were short on members, and if things continued like this, they wouldn’t be able to compete in the official tournament.
So, they’d been trying to recruit anyone who might join, but it didn’t seem to be going very well.
Thinking that might be why they approached me, I felt a little disheartened.

“Will I be able to talk to the club members?”
“I’ll be with you, so it’ll be okay!”

I was so nervous I was even breaking out in a cold sweat, but Yoko seemed completely carefree.

“Captain! I’ve poached a promising newcomer from the track and field club!”
“Well done, Yoko-chan!”

As soon as we entered the clubroom, Yoko said that, and a girl who looked like the club president threw her arms around her.
The other club members surrounded the two of them, and the room became a noisy hubbub.
Feeling a little uncomfortable, I stood there staring blankly at the scene when Yoko took my hand.

“This is Chisato Mitarai-chan!”
“N-nice to meet you…”

Being suddenly thrust into the spotlight made me break out in a cold sweat.
My heart was pounding as hard as if I’d just run a full lap around the track at full speed.

“I’m the captain of the ekiden club. You really saved us. We were getting worried because we didn’t have enough members.”

It was true. As the captain said, including me, there were just enough of us in the clubroom to meet the minimum requirement.
After we all introduced ourselves, club activities began.

“Chisato, let’s work hard together starting today!”

Just before practice began, Yoko said that to me.
At the very least, I’ll do my best not to let her down. She’s counting on me.
With that in mind, I nodded at Yoko.

Since it was my first time participating today, we decided to actually pass the relay sash over a short distance.
Even though it was my first time, it felt just like my usual runs.
I thought that, but it felt a little different from when I was running at my own pace.
Handing off the sash was a bit clumsy, and for some reason, the sash draped over my shoulder felt incredibly heavy.
And what bothered me the most was how the others were running.
I’d never paid any attention to it before, but I found myself thinking that I could run faster than them.
I was shocked that I was even thinking that.
Plus, I felt bad for Yoko, who had asked me to run because she trusted me.

“Wow, Chisato-chan, you’re fast. I’m really surprised.”

As I was wallowing in self-loathing after practice, the captain spoke to me while wiping the sweat from her face.

“…Thank you.”
“I heard you won the long-distance race in middle school, so you’re a great asset to the club.”
“Well, I’ve really only ever thought about running.”

As I kept giving that kind of reply, the captain leaned in close, staring intently at my face.

“W-what is it?”
“I just thought you still seemed a bit stiff. It’s okay to relax a little more, you know?”
“I’ll, I’ll do my best!?”

Suddenly, something cold was pressed against my neck, and I let out a strange cry.
I looked to see what it was, and Yoko was holding a plastic bottle and laughing.

“Hahaha! Chisato, you’re so easily startled.”
“Y-Yoko. What are you doing all of a sudden?”

I was finally having a serious conversation with the captain, but whenever Yoko shows up, it throws me off.

“I thought I’d help you relax a bit. And…”
“…And?”
“I thought showing this side of yourself might help us get closer.”

I looked over at the captain in surprise, and saw her shoulders shaking as she tried to stifle her laughter. The other club members were doing the same.
I suddenly felt embarrassed, and my ears started to burn.

“You’ve found yourself a cute girl, Yoko-chan. Chisato-chan, why don’t you quit the track team and join our club? I promise I won’t treat you badly.”
“Huh… huh…?”

I can’t decide something like that yet…
Just as I was about to reply that I needed some time to think about it, the captain cut me off.

“Just kidding. If you want to run with us, you’re more than welcome, but I wouldn’t force you.”
“Personally, though, I’d love to keep running with Chisato always.”

Yoko… she’d been thinking that all along.
I’m a little… no, actually, I’m really happy…
But what do I actually want to do?
Should I stay on the track team and keep running on my own, just like I always have?
Or should I join the ekiden team and run with everyone, including Yoko?
With these unexpected options still swirling in my head, my first day with the ekiden team came to an end.

As I continued my activities with the ekiden club, I gradually started to open up to the other members.
As we taught each other the training methods I’d used in track and field and the mindset needed for ekiden, the barriers between us naturally disappeared.
I’d always focused solely on running, and now I was trying to use that to help everyone.
Just that alone gave me a sense of fulfillment I’d never felt before.

“Chisato, you’ve been a little brighter lately, haven’t you?”

It was on the way home after club practice.
Yoko, walking beside me, suddenly brought up the topic.

“Does that mean I used to be gloomy?”
“It’s not that, but… how should I put it? You seem more lively, I guess.”

Yoko muttered, looking up at the sky.

“…Aren’t I pretty much the same?”
“Well, anyway! I just think you’ve changed a little, and it makes me happy.”

Saying that, Yoko flashed me a wide grin.
But maybe she was right.
After training with everyone in the ekiden club and talking so much, I feel like the world that used to be just me has expanded.

“It’s all thanks to you, Yoko.”

If Yoko hadn’t asked me to join the club, I’d still be running alone just like before.
When I said that again, Yoko gave me another sly grin.

“If you’re going to say it’s all thanks to me, I’d like a reward or something~”
“A reward… Well, I guess that’s fine.”
“Yay! But actually, there’s already something I want to ask you to do.”

I could see the corners of Yoko’s smiling mouth tense up just a little.
Having a vague sense of foreboding, I decided to set the record straight.

“Just so you know, only within my limits.”

I made sure to emphasize that, but I wanted to grant her wish if possible.
Even so, I braced myself nervously, wondering what kind of request she’d make, when she opened her mouth, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Um, let’s go for a run together sometime.”
“…Huh? Is that all?”

Knowing Yoko, I’d expected her to say something even more outlandish.
Well, I guess in a way, this is pretty out of the blue too.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ve been thinking about this for a while.”
“…Are you sure that’s all? I’d go running with you anytime.”

Maybe she just found it hard to ask me out?

“Then, it’s a promise. Pinky swear.”
“Well, if that’s what you want…”

I hooked my pinky finger around hers.
Seeing Yoko smile happily, I couldn’t help but smile too.
With the tournament just around the corner, we decided to keep our promise after it was over.
Running with Yoko.
It was just that simple, but I looked forward to it eagerly as I trained hard for the tournament.

The day of the summer regional tournament had arrived.
Even in such a short time, I’m sure I’ve done everything I could.
I’m nervous, but for now, that’s all I can think.

“Oh, Chisato looks nervous.”

Crouching down to tie her shoelaces, Yoko tried to ease my tension with another smile.

“It’s my first ekiden competition… I’m worried I won’t be able to pass the sash properly.”

I don’t think I’d be nervous if this were just a regular individual long-distance race.
But this is a team event.
A single mistake by one person could lead to defeat.
Plus, I’m here as a helper for this club.
I can’t afford to make any silly mistakes.

“You’ll be fine. We’ve practiced a lot so far.”

I’m a little envious of Yoko’s carefree attitude. When I’m not running, I get distracted and end up thinking about all the negative stuff.
The captain calls out to me from behind.

“Chisato-chan, you really need to relax. Look at the others. They don’t seem the least bit nervous.”

She didn’t look nervous at all.

“Yoko, aren’t you nervous at all?”

To distract myself from my negative thoughts, I try to change the subject with Yoko.

“Me? I’m just so happy to be running with you, that I’m not even close to being nervous.”
“…R-right.”

I’m not sure why, but she doesn’t seem nervous at all.
Maybe I’m just too nervous, but it feels like everyone else is actually too relaxed.
I really need to pull myself together, even if I’m the only one!
Soon, the announcement came, and we headed to the starting points for our respective legs.
I was in the third leg, scheduled to run a relatively short distance.
As the scorching sun baked the asphalt and the air thickened with heat, the regional tournament kicked off.
After a while, the relay sash was passed to the third-leg runners.
As runners passed me one after another and my anxiety grew, I kept waiting for Yoko, the second-leg runner.
The cheers and the cicadas’ chirping seemed far away; all I could hear nearby was my own breathing.
I spotted Yoko rounding the curve.
She was right in the middle of the pack, so small it was hard to spot her, but it was enough to ease my tension.
After receiving the sash, she set off running to catch up to the lead.
I thought I heard Yoko’s faint voice behind me.
We’d fallen behind the leaders, but a comeback should still be possible.
After receiving the sash, I moved to the front of the middle pack and led the way, acting as a windbreak for the group.
Just as we were about to start the climb, I spotted the leading pack in the distance.
Before I even had time to think that I had to catch up, I had already broken away from the pack behind me and started sprinting.
It was easier to maintain my pace because I could see the runners ahead of me.
I just needed to run a little faster than the group in front. I’d never really run while thinking things through like that before.
In fact, in a race setting, it had been an incredibly long time since I’d had anyone running in front of me.
I finally caught up to the back of the leading pack.
I felt I’d done everything I could.
Thanks to the pack acting as a windbreak, it became much easier, but at the same time, the fatigue from running alone against the wind all this time hit me all at once, and I felt my pace suddenly falter.
Running alone, running behind someone else, running while thinking. It was a series of things I’d never done before, and the only thing keeping my legs moving was sheer willpower.
Even so, I managed to pass the sash to the next runner.
I managed to hold back the urge to collapse and checked the situation behind me.
It was only a brief moment that we managed to break into the lead pack; from there on, the ekiden team was constantly being overtaken.
As a result, we ended the summer tournament in a mediocre position.

“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone… but I guess we all felt the same frustration.”

The tournament was over, and we were returning to the clubroom, dejected.

“Everyone, good job today. The results… well, they certainly weren’t great, but I think you all did your best. We’ll have a debriefing another day, so just take it easy for now.”

The captain broke the heavy silence and offered words of encouragement to everyone.
But no one could bring themselves to respond.

“Chisato-chan, thanks for stepping in, too. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have even been able to enter the tournament in the first place.”
“No… I…”

Unable to meet the captain’s gaze, I instinctively looked down.
Had I really been of any help to everyone?
It’s true that having me there might have been the only way we could field a full team for the tournament.
But that’s all. Anyone else could have done that.
But I was the only one they could rely on.
Yoko had told me so.
Even if that just meant there was no one else to ask, I wanted to live up to those expectations.
I wonder how she is doing.
When I looked up, I spotted her among the grieving club members, fighting back tears.
Just seeing that made me realize I hadn’t been able to be there for her.
I didn’t want to see her like that.
If I had tried a little harder, could I have spared her from looking like this?
If I had just…

“Should’ve run faster…”

I was so immensely frustrated, that those words slipped out before I could stop them.
Those were supposed to be words I was saying to myself.

“Are you saying that to us…?”
“Eh… n-no-“

One of the team members stood up and glared at me with a fierce look in her eyes. It looked like tears were about to spill over from those eyes at any moment.

“We were doing our absolute best, too! You didn’t have to put it like that!”

I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding.
But I couldn’t find the right words.
And looking into her eyes, I felt like I was going to start crying too, so all I could do was look down.
It’s frustrating. I’m frustrated, too…

“Stop it!”

Yoko’s shout echoed through the club room.

“Chisato would never say something like that! You all know that, right!?”

The captain hugged Yoko, who was sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.
I couldn’t move a muscle.

“Everyone, please calm down. Just like Yoko-chan said, that’s not what you meant at all. Right?”

Even when the president asked me, all I could manage was a small nod.
I had absolutely no intention of hurting anyone.
I was supposed to be lamenting my own helplessness.
How did it come to this…?
Maybe I really should just be alone.

“I’m sorry…”

I muttered those words and bolted out of the ekiden clubroom.
I thought I heard Yoko’s sad voice calling after me from behind.

Still harboring resentment toward the ekiden club, I’d returned to my original track and field activities.
But no matter how much I ran, I couldn’t feel the joy I used to.
Even when I focused on running, or tried to run fast to feel the wind, a sense of unease only grew.

“Why… am I even running…?”

I used to love running.
Running freely across the land, all by myself, without anyone caring.
That alone should have been enough, so when did I start feeling lonely running alone?
Even in that state, I didn’t stop running.
If I stopped, something would truly come to an end.
That’s how I felt…
Day after day, I kept running alone.
Even after I finished running, no one ever came up to talk to me.
It was back to my solitary days again.
Since that day, I hadn’t spoken to Yoko either.
Even though we were in different classes, we used to talk almost every day, but now we don’t even see each other’s faces.
The promise we made, that we’d talk after the competition was over… I hadn’t kept that either.
Maybe I never will.
Even though our school building is so small, strangely enough, I don’t run into anyone from the ekiden club either.
Maybe they’re the ones avoiding me.
If I could, I’d like to apologize.
But what could I possibly say at this point?
When I thought about it, I was still afraid to see them.
Yoko, and everyone in the ekiden club, had become such a big part of my life without me even realizing it.
As I continued living those empty days, the summer heat had faded away before I knew it.
After finishing practice, as usual, without any real focus, I was about to head home when I saw a familiar figure waiting for me at the school gate.
It was Yoko.
When our eyes met, I didn’t know what to say. I instinctively looked down.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Chisato, I have something I want to talk to you about. Is that okay?”

Yoko spoke to me first.
When I glanced at her face, unlike me, she seemed to be staring straight into my eyes.
I envied that about Yoko.
Seeing her face for the first time in so long, I was overcome by both joy and confusion at the same time.

“We made a promise before, right? That we’d run together after the competition was over. Is it too late to do that now?”
“Huh…?”

I thought that promise was long gone.
I never expected Yoko to be the one to bring it up.

“Sure, but… why?”
“I want you to race against me. In long-distance running, which you’re good at.”
“…What do you mean?”

I had absolutely no idea what she meant.

“If I win, let’s run together in the ekiden club again.”

It was her usual tone. Gentle, yet somehow endearing.
But her eyes were serious.

“…And if I win?”

I blurted it out bluntly. What an idiot I am.

“In that case… I’ll just give up.”

Yoko spoke her proposal in a voice on the verge of tears.
But maybe this was a chance.
A chance to apologize to Yoko, and to everyone in the ekiden club.
If I lost this race, I could see everyone again, apologize, and get back the days I’d let slip away.

“…Alright, let’s do it.”

Maybe I’m the worst kind of person for thinking this way.
But because I wanted to reclaim those days of laughter with everyone, and with Yoko, I accepted her proposal.

Perhaps because it was nearly the end of the school day, the dimly lit field had grown dark, and there were no other figures in sight. Just Yoko and me.
Only the light spilling from the teachers’ lounge illuminated our cheeks.
Although we’d said we would do a long-distance run, we decided to run the 1,500-meter middle-distance race since time was limited.
It’s my specialty. I’ve been running it since middle school.
That was also Yoko’s suggestion.

“It’s my idea, after all. You have to have the advantage.”
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Yeah. So, Chisato… don’t you dare try to lose on purpose, okay?”
“…I won’t do that…”

Yoko said it in a tone that sounded like she was joking, but I looked away again.
Maybe she had seen right through me from the moment I accepted her proposal.
I was planning to lose indeed.
Feeling a pounding in my chest born of guilt, completely different from the tension of competition, our race began.
Right from the start, Yoko pulled ahead of me.
If I just kept running behind her like this, there was no way I could win.
This is fine… surely…
Just as I was thinking that, I felt the summer night breeze brush lightly against my cheek.
Before I knew it, I realized the gap between Yoko and me had widened slightly.
It wasn’t that I was slowing down.
Yoko was continuing to speed up.
Looking closely, I saw that Yoko’s body, running ahead of me, was covered with band-aids everywhere.
Even after I left the ekiden club, even while I was living an empty life, she had been training all this time.
To seriously beat me. To bring me back into that club.
If she didn’t have that kind of determination, she wouldn’t be competing under conditions that favor me…
And yet, I’d been thinking only of myself.
I hadn’t even considered how Yoko felt.

“…It’s not too late, is it?”

To face those genuine feelings, to respond to them.
I took a deep breath and let it out, then started running at full speed to pass Yoko.
I overtook her on the outside of the track.
As I passed her, I could almost feel her ragged breathing, but I didn’t look back; I just kept running, staring straight ahead.

“…Haha, you really are fast.”

As I waited at the finish line, Yoko, having finished the race, staggered to her knees, placed her hands on them, and laughed with a tremor in her voice.

“You know, ever since middle school, I’ve always watched you run, Chisato.”
“Huh…?”
“You looked like you were having so much fun… I loved watching you run…”

I had no idea Yoko had been thinking that.
After all, I’d been running alone ever since back then, never paying attention to anyone around me.

“Watching you like that, I used to think that I wanted to run with you… It came true once, but I guess I shouldn’t have been so greedy…”

Droplets were falling onto the ground. Were they sweat, or…
Yoko wiped her face with the hem of her shirt, then looked up at me and gave a weak smile.

“I wanted to run with you again… but I’ll keep my promise. See you later…”

I reached out toward her retreating back, but my hand cut through the air in vain.
Yoko had always been thinking of me.
She had always been watching over me.
And yet, I…
If it ended like this, I would truly be alone. That’s how I felt.

“I… I…”

The answer to what I wanted to do was already inside me.

The next morning, I found myself standing in front of the ekiden clubroom door.
I’d come here carried by yesterday’s momentum, or rather, by the impulse that I had to do something.
What should I say now…? How should I apologize?
Would they even forgive me if I apologized…?
The thought made my hand, stretched out toward the door, freeze in place.

“Hey… Chisato…?”
“Y-yes!?”

In stark contrast to yesterday, Yoko, looking full of energy, called out to me from behind.

“What are you doing here?”

Yoko said it casually, as if yesterday’s events didn’t even cross her mind.

“Um, well… I was thinking of joining the ekiden club…”

Having run into Yoko at such an unexpected moment, I stammered, struggling to get the words out.
When she heard what I said, her eyes widened.

“Chisato… thank you… I’m so glad…”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you for inviting me… Yoko…”

If she hadn’t invited me, I would have never known the joy of running with someone else.
Seeing Yoko crying, my vision started to blur too.
Then, until the bell rang for class, the two of us cried out loud together.
With our eyes red and swollen, we finished what felt like an endless class and arrived after school.
Having prepared my application form to join the ekiden club, Yoko and I arrived at the clubroom door.

“It’ll be fine. Nobody’s mad at us.”

Even though she said that, I just couldn’t bring myself to face it.
But I couldn’t just stand there forever, could I?
I took a deep breath and, steeled with resolve, reached out for the door.
At that moment, the door slid open, and I bumped right into the captain, who was standing on the other side.

“Whoa! You gave me a scare… Wait, Chisato-chan?”
“Oh, good afternoon…”

Looking past her into the clubroom, it seemed like all the members were there.
If I was going to say it, now was the only chance.
Standing before the bewildered captain, I bowed my head deeply.

“I’m so sorry about what happened at the tournament! I was only thinking about myself and ended up hurting everyone… So, this might sound presumptuous, but I want to run with you all again! I want to be a help to you all! Please, let me join the club!”

Once I’d said it out loud, the words came pouring out.
I’m sure that was the loudest I’ve ever shouted.
I wondered what kind of expressions the captain and everyone else had on their faces.
Even after I finished speaking, I was too scared to look up for a while.
But when a hand rested on my shoulder and helped me sit up, there was the captain, smiling.

“Thank you for thinking about us so much. No one’s mad about what happened back then. In fact, we’ve been wondering how we could apologize to you. So, I’m really happy you came to tell us you want to join. Right, everyone?”

The captain turned to look around the clubroom.
Everyone nodded with smiles, and I bowed my head once more, thanking them.
I felt from the bottom of my heart that it was truly wonderful to have met everyone. They were so kind and warm.

“Do you regret quitting the track club?”

While we were getting ready for practice, Yoko asked me, looking a little anxious.

“No. Because I realized I’d rather run with everyone, and with you, than run alone.”
“Oh, really? Hearing you say that again makes me feel a little embarrassed.”
“You’ve been telling me that all along, haven’t you? That you wanted to run with me. It made me so happy.”

I’m such an idiot for ever even thinking of letting that go.
Seeing Yoko’s shy smile, I feel that even more strongly.

“Still, I never thought you’d actually quit the track team just to be here. If we make it through the Inter-High qualifiers, we’ll have to give Chisato-chan a victory toss.”
“Sounds great, Captain! Let’s make it a huge celebration!”
“A-a victory toss…!?”

At the captain’s seemingly whimsical suggestion, Yoko and everyone else started chattering excitedly.
I smiled wryly as the conversation took on a life of its own, but it had been a long time since I’d felt this kind of atmosphere, and it made me happy.
A victory toss, huh… If it’s with everyone, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Even in autumn, Kyoto is hot. Plus, it’s really hard to judge distances when running somewhere for the first time. I knew in my head that, just like in track and field, the best thing to do in situations like this is to “run without thinking about anything.”
That day, I was right in the middle of the pack, just like Yoko had been back then.
We’d made it through the Inter-High preliminaries and were now in Kyoto, the stage for the Inter-High finals – our goal.
The competition around us was, as expected, fierce. Whenever someone tried to make a move, someone else would slow them down right from the start. We were caught in a constant cycle of these small tactical maneuvers.
It was thanks to everyone that we made it to this final.
And thanks to Yoko’s hard work in the second leg, we’d secured this favorable position today. I couldn’t let it go to waste.
The moment we hit the curve, I saw my chance, now that the pack was losing its shape, and broke away with long strides.
But before I could even catch a glimpse of the lead pack, my leg was over.

“…The Inter-High was a disaster, but it’s nice to be able to sightsee like this. I guess it’s a blessing in disguise.”
“Captain, doesn’t that make you feel a little sad?”
“…Yeah, I realized that myself as I was saying it.”

Seeing the captain sigh, Yoko and I exchanged glances and shared a wry smile.
The day after the competition.
Seeing me lamenting that I’d been so focused on running I hadn’t seen any of the city, Yoko suggested we go sightseeing.
Everyone was up for it, so we decided to make the most of the opportunity and tour Kyoto before heading home.

“Still, Chisato, that was amazing. You just blew past the pack in one go.”
“It’s all thanks to you keeping up with me without letting the gap widen.”

Yoko licked the soft-serve ice cream she’d bought without me noticing and giggled.

“But after that, we just got passed one after another, didn’t we…”
“Yeah… I’m really ashamed…”
“Well, there’s plenty of time for feeling down and reflecting later! Today, we’re going to enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto to our hearts’ content!”

The mood had been a little down, but the captain shouted to lift everyone’s spirits.
The other club members joined in, shouting as they ran off.
I just stood there, staring blankly at them.

“Hey, wait for me, everyone! Chisato, hurry up… Wait, what’s wrong?”

Yoko turned around and looked at me.

“I guess losing really stings, and I just want to get faster.”
“Yeah… I want to get fast enough to run side-by-side with you, Chisato.”
“Then let’s all come back to Kyoto again next year and the year after that.”

As we were talking, we heard the captain shouting from up ahead, urging us to hurry.
Just as I was about to run after everyone, Yoko spoke up.

“Hey, Chisato. Let’s run together again sometime.”
“Another race?”
“No, no. I didn’t want to use that promise from back then like that.”
“…I’m sorry about that.”
“Well, to make up for it, let’s run together again. I love watching you run, Chisato, so I want to run alongside you and see you up close.”
“…I’ll do it anytime, Yoko.”

I held out my pinky, and Yoko hooked hers around mine.
A pinky promise.
This time, I have to make sure to keep it.
The two of us looked at each other and laughed, then started running toward the other members of the club.
I felt a strong determination: next year, without fail, I want to see the scenery we missed this year, together with everyone, and with Yoko.
Our story has only just crossed the starting line.