"Hey, Reina-senpai's competition is coming up soon."

"This is our last chance to see our Madonna, Reina-senpai, in her Judo uniform! We're definitely going to watch her win at the venue."

"Well, her winning is a sure thing. She's so beautiful, she can do anything. She's practically a god."

The male students in the classroom were buzzing about Reina-senpai. Even students from different grades and different clubs had such high expectations for her. It's because she's Reina-senpai.

After hearing Otowa's story the other day, I've been thinking a lot about Reina-senpai.

I hope she doesn't push herself too hard...

After class, I went to the shoe locker to leave for home, and Reina-senpai was there in her Judo uniform. She looked somewhat tired.

"Reina-senpai?"

"Oh, hey, Chihiro. I've been waiting for you."

She waved at me. The handkerchief I gave her was tied around her wrist.

"What's up?"

"Actually... I was wondering if I could get some time after practice today."

"Yes. Of course."

I had nothing planned for later, so I agreed readily.

"Great. I think practice will be over around 5 pm today, so let's meet at the Judo dojo... no, let's meet here again?"

"Okay."

"I'll contact you again after practice."

With that, Reina-senpai left the shoe locker. I decided to kill some time in the library until Reina-senpai's club activities were over.

─────

"Sorry I'm late."

Reina-senpai rushed to the shoe locker, just before the clock struck 6 pm. She must have come in a hurry. She was out of breath.

"No, it's totally fine. Practice must have been tiring. Here, have this."

I handed her the sports drink I had bought from the vending machine.

"Thank you. I'll pay you back later."

"No, please don't worry about it... I always owe Reina-senpai a favor, so this is a thank you."

"Is that so? Then I'll gladly accept it."

After Reina-senpai caught her breath, we walked home together.

This was the first time Reina-senpai had asked me to walk home with her like this. Something must have happened...

As I was thinking about it, Reina-senpai opened her mouth.

"I've... been having some worries lately."

"Worries?"

"......I feel like I'm going to be crushed under the weight of pressure."

Reina-senpai mumbled, looking down.

"There's the pressure of being expected to win in club activities, and the pressure from the teachers to be at the top of my class... it's not even just that.

Yesterday, I went to buy textbooks with Jin, and he said, 'I have high hopes for you,' 'You won't fail, Reina,' 'We'll go to the same university'... My parents have been saying similar things too."

When Reina-senpai looked up, she looked just as tired as she did before practice.

"Since I was little, I've always been expected to be perfect. If I fail, I get disappointed looks... honestly, I'm exhausted."

"S, Senpai..."

"I'm sorry. I'm dumping all this on you, Chihiro..."

"No... ..."

Reina-senpai smiled apologetically. It was the first time I had seen her like this since I met her.

I had no idea what to say, so I simply parted ways with Reina-senpai that day.

_____________________________

"Kasugai-senpai, you have to hear this!"

"What happened again?"

"Yeah. This is super shocking."

Otowa sighed dramatically. She's always so energetic, but she's so downcast right now. It must be something serious.

"During practice yesterday, Reina-senpai got injured."

"Eh...? In, injured?"

"Yeah. It's highly likely she won't be able to compete in the final competition."

"S, so... ..."

"Ugh. Everyone on the team is shocked... I've lost all my motivation."

The news that Reina-senpai might not be able to compete in the competition due to injury spread through the school like wildfire.