The day of the competition arrived. I had promised Reina-senpai, so I came to the venue to cheer her on.

It wasn't too far from my house, and I was able to find my way there without getting lost, thanks to my smartphone.

"This... must be it."

When I arrived at the venue, there were a lot of people who looked like they were from the Kendo club. Everyone seemed tense. For some reason, I started to feel nervous too.

As I walked through the passageway to the cheering section, I spotted Miyachi-senpai and Reina-senpai. They seemed to have finished their conversation, and Miyachi-senpai was heading toward the cheering section where I was.

I was about to continue walking, not wanting to interrupt them, when Reina-senpai caught sight of me.

"Ah, Chihiro-kun, you came!"

A smiling Reina-senpai rushed towards me.

"Yeah. I promised I would."

"Fufu, I'm so happy. ...I'm definitely going to win, so watch me."

"I'll be cheering you on. Good luck."

"Okay. ...And, uh, that... promise, keep it, okay?"

Reina-senpai is going to let me pamper her again if she wins. It's embarrassing, but a promise is a promise.

"O, okay."

"Fufu. I'll be back."

Reina-senpai walked towards the athletes' waiting room.

────

"If I win, I'll be able to get you to stroke my hair again, praise me again, let me rely on you again..."

I will win for that bliss.

_____________________

'The winner of the individual competition is Reina Mahima, a third-year student from Aogakayama High School!'

The competition ended with Reina-senpai's victory, an unprecedented third consecutive championship.

Once it began, Reina-senpai showed no sign of the break from her injury, completely dominating her opponent throughout the match.

Reina-senpai looked incredibly cool, beautiful, and dignified as she competed. I was so excited even though I was just watching.

"Reina-san was so strong, wasn't she?"

"She had the aura of a champion."

"Yeah. That was probably the best match I've ever seen."

Even the students from other high schools in the cheering section were all talking about Reina-senpai.

My excitement still hadn't cooled down when I was leaving the venue, and I bumped into the Kendo club members and Miyachi-senpai as they were celebrating with Reina-senpai.

I wanted to tell Reina-senpai "Congratulations", too, but I didn't want to interrupt, so I decided to wait for another opportunity.

As I walked home, I checked my phone and saw a message from Reina-senpai.

'Come to my house tonight. You absolutely have to come. I'll be waiting.'

__________________________

"Senpai, you're amazing! Congratulations!"

"I was really worried when you got injured, but Reina-senpai, you're still incredible!"

"You were perfect today, even more than usual, Reina-senpai!"

My underclassmen were shedding tears as they congratulated me.

"Thank you. I'm glad I was able to show you all how cool I can be in the end."

Looking back, I won the competition quite easily.

I didn't feel any pain from my injury, no anxiety, and my physical condition was the best it's ever been. I never thought for a second that I would lose.

This has never happened before... It must be because Chihiro-kun was cheering me on.

"Mahima, you're amazing. I had faith in you."

"...Thank you."

The teacher smiled and congratulated me. He's really easy to understand. He wouldn't even look at me when I told him I might not be able to compete because of the injury.

"Reina, congratulations on winning. You were perfect as always."

"Fufu. Thanks, Jin."

I shook hands firmly with Jin.

"…………S, so, would you... like to go out for dinner tonight, to celebrate, maybe?"

The other Kendo club members cheered, seeing Jin's invitation. Jin's face turned red.

"Sorry, I'm tired today, so maybe another time?"

"Y, yeah, that's true. Let's do it another time then. Get some rest today."

"Okay. Thanks."

Dinner... There's no way I'm going.

After saying goodbye to everyone, I immediately contacted Chihiro-kun.

'Come to my house tonight. You absolutely have to come. I'll be waiting.'

"Haah..."

Thinking about Chihiro-kun makes my heart race more than today's competition.

... I can't wait to see him.