Volume 13 Chapter 199-2 Never Give Up
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I wonder how far I’ve run.
The national stadium at the starting point comes into view.
”””””TENGA! TENGA! TENGA!”””””
”””””TENGA! TENGA! TENGA!”””””
”””””TENGA! TENGA! TENGA!”””””
”””””TENGA! TENGA! TENGA!”””””
”””””TENGA! TENGA! TENGA!”””””
I can hear everyone’s voices calling me from the large stadium.
As I enter the stadium, I spot my grandmother by the track.
”Grandma!? W-what are you doing here?”
”Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? I’m here to run with Akira!”
My grandmother offers me a string.
Written on it are words from Grandma, Mom, Haruka-nee, Manager Kaito, Nico-san, and Ako-san.
After running so much, all my hydration must have evaporated, yet my eyes feel warm.
”Alright, let’s go. Akira! One, 2! One, 2!”
”Grandma, it’s okay to go a bit slower!”
A year ago, it felt like a lie when I heard from my mother that I might not be able to walk anymore.
My grandmother pulls me along as we do a 3-legged race.
”Grandma… thank you for that time.”
”That time? Hmm, am I getting old? I wonder when that was.”
My grandmother pretends to be forgetful.
I was happy for her kindness.
”You really worked hard on your rehabilitation.”
”Never give up! If you don’t give up, you can do anything! Right, Akira?”
My grandmother looks at my face and grins.
Haha, haha, Grandma is amazing.
She sees right through me.
After walking slowly together for about 100 meters, Grandma unties the string around her feet and hands it to the person in front of us.
”Mother…”
”Welcome, Akira! Just as I expected from my son!! As declared, you came back in first place!!”
I walk alongside my mother on the track of the national stadium.
I want to apologize for that time, but I couldn’t voice it as I wished.
Then, my mother, who had been watching, opens her mouth.
”That’s amazing, Akira. Look at all these people calling your name. Everyone believed that you could do it, Akira. You’re truly incredible. My proud son.”
I shook my head at my mother’s words.
”I’m not a proud son. Mother, I’ve caused you so much trouble. And yet… Mother, back then…”
”Stop, Akira.”
My mother stopped walking and looked gently into my face.
”I don’t think you’re a bother at all. You stayed home with me longer. I’m actually sorry I couldn’t help you when you were struggling, Akira.”
”No, that’s not it. That’s not it at all. It was because you were there that I…”
Stumbling on my words, I managed to express my gratitude.
Yes.
The junior had said it, Aqua.
It’s better to be given words of thanks than apologies.
My mother and I exchanged words of gratitude back and forth.
Before I realized it, the tears wouldn’t stop.
”Come on, Akira. Wipe your tears; you’ll ruin your handsome appearance. Now, let’s just push a bit more!”
”Ah! Yeah!!”
The two of us slowly started walking towards the finish line.
200 meters left… waiting there was Haruka-neesan.
”Haruka-san, please take care of our Akira!”
”Yes…!”
Haruka-nee took the strap from my mother and tied it around my ankle.
”Alright, let’s go, Akira-kun!”
”Haruka-nee…”
Slowly, carefully, I took each step firmly.
”Akira-kun, I… I’m getting better little by little.”
I heard that from the teacher.
If possible, I want to hug you before bed at night.
There was a time when flashbacks were so bad I couldn’t hug anyone.
But recently, that symptom has improved quite a bit.
”You might be regretting things from the past, Akira-kun, but I think it turned out well.”
”Huh?”
Haruka-nee looked straight ahead with a strong expression.
”It certainly wasn’t a good memory, and we may have taken a detour. Still, I think I’m happy now. Besides, even if the past can’t be changed, the present and future can be. Right?”
Haruka-nee is truly amazing.
Despite the hardships, she is trying to move forward and put the past behind her.
I want to support Haruka-nee by her side.
No, saying I want to support her feels disrespectful to Haruka-nee, who is trying to take a step forward.
I thought I wanted to be close to her.
”Akira-kun, will you make me happy? In return, I will make you happy!”
”Haruka-nee… I’m already happy enough right now. But if you can make me even happier, I promise to make you even happier than now.”
We express our gratitude to each other.
The fans gathered in the arena shower us with warm words.
Ah… I never imagined such a future would come.
Only 100 meters to the goal.
I stop there and untie the string that connected Haruka-nee and me.
”Haruka-nee…”
”I know. You want to wait for everyone here, right?”
Yes, yes!
I nod vigorously at Haruka-nee’s words.
Standing alone on the track, I raised the string in my hand high.
”I am the leader of BERYL, Tenga Akira!! So, I will wait here for everyone to come!! We will definitely cross the finish line together!!”
My words evoke a great cheer.
In response, Kohina Yukari-san on stage takes the microphone.
”Do you really think you can finish together?”
”Yes!”
Kohina Yukari-san smirks with one corner of her mouth raised at my words.
”Then, Tenga-kun, as a fellow senior, let’s have a match!”
”Alright! I believe in my juniors more than anyone else!!”
The venue erupts with even more excitement at this exchange.
”I am Tenga Akira, the man who never gives up more than anyone else!! Even after the last second has passed, I will not give in. We will definitely finish together as a 4-person team!! If no one believes in the words of Aqua, Toa, and Shintaro telling me to wait at the goal, who will believe? Aaaaahhh!!”
The venue shook at my bold declaration.
Yes, I am not the only one who believes you can reach the goal.
Shintaro, Toa… and Aqua!
You all can surely do it!!
Never give up!
Absolutely do not give in.
My proud juniors!!
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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