Volume 13 Chapter 201 Run, Shintaro!!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I’m not really good at sports.
Idols shine when seen through a screen, but performing live and managing national tours and music shows while studying requires substantial stamina.
Moreover, idols engage in a variety of work beyond singing, including magazine shoots, acting in dramas, participating in variety shows, streaming, and video filming.
That’s why since joining BERYL, I’ve been training to improve my basic fitness.
I wanted to at least build my stamina and not be a burden to everyone.
”Ha…ha…”
It’s fine if I’m slow at running.
What’s important in long-distance running is to maintain a steady pace without pushing too hard.
I’m not great at sports, but running at my own pace suits me well.
As I keep running, solely focused on finishing, I can see the turnaround point at the border with Saitama Prefecture ahead of me.
”Hey!!”
At the turnaround point, Mutsumiya Seijuu-san, who co-starred with me in a late-night drama, was waiting.
It seems she’s going to help lower and fold the flags.
”Great pace! Let’s keep this up!!”
”Yes.”
Mutsumiya Seijuu-san, the empress of the acting world with numerous awards, now frequently appears in many dramas and films as a renowned supporting actress.
It seems she often has petty quarrels with fellow actor Kohina Yukari-san, but they’re not really on bad terms.
Rather, according to her, they are quite close.
Though Kohina Yukari-san herself denied it with “Where!?”…
’Mayuzumi Shintaro-kun, don’t rush.’
When we first met, Mutsumiya-san patted my shoulder and said this.
I quickly understood what she meant by not rushing.
Aqua is incredibly good at acting, even from my inexperienced perspective.
Honestly, no matter how hard I try, Aqua will outdo me with even more effort.
But… even so, I’m Aqua’s best friend.
Shirogane Aqua is special.
Shirogane Aqua is different from us.
As Aqua’s best friend, I don’t want to deny the efforts he has built up for such a reason.
’How can I become better at this?’
’Oh really?’
Surprised by my question, Mutsumiya-san’s eyes widened.
’Could it be… do you want to beat that kid?’
’No, I don’t want Aqua to be a lonely king.’
Shirogane Aqua is not a lonely Empress to be feared and revered by everyone, nor a n*ked king who leaves everyone behind.
Aqua is cool to anyone who sees him, kind to everyone, and makes everyone happy.
This might be my ego.
Still, I want Aqua to always be a sparkling prince admired by both boys and girls!!
’Then there are other members who can do it, right?’
’Tenga-senpai and Toa are amazing. That’s why I don’t want to give this role to anyone else.’
This is the role of the most ordinary person in the group.
If I have any pride as a man, this must be it.
The first person Aqua confided in about wanting to become an idol is none other than me.
It’s me.
I love seeing the faces of those Aqua has made happy from beside him.
So I will never give this role to anyone else.
’Nice. I like it. I understand why the young ones are so passionate about BERYL.’
This is how I learned various things about acting from Mutsumiya-san.
Even after working so hard, I was amazed by Aqua’s overwhelming character of Makishima created without any rehearsal during the actual performance, and I remember feeling frustrated with Mutsumiya-san after the shoot.
But more than that, I was happy.
Because I admire Aqua more than anyone else, who easily surpasses what an ordinary me can imagine.
”If you feel pain in your legs, tell Manager Kaoruko-san running alongside you right away. If you push yourself while protecting the painful spots, it could lead to hurting other areas or getting injured. At this pace, we can return by dawn, so keep in mind that it’s okay to take a break for now. Got it?”
”Yes!”
I fist-bump Mutsumiya-san and receive the flag covered in everyone’s messages.
[I’ve been a fan since Mayuzumi-kun appeared on Toa-chan’s stream! Do your best!!]
[Seeing the clumsy Mayuzumi-kun doing his best makes me want to try harder too!!]
[I’m not good at sports either. So when I see Mayuzumi-kun, who isn’t athletic, doing his best, it gives me courage!!]
[Mayuzumi-kun, we are watching you shine next to Aqua-kun!!]
[Mayuzumi-kun, please take care of Aqua-kun!! You’re the only one we can trust with Aqua-kun!]
[Seeing Mayuzumi-kun gradually being able to do more makes me want to challenge myself too!]
[We understand your efforts, Mayuzumi-kun!!]
[We will always support you, Mayuzumi-kun, who is doing his best!]
[I really love the genuine Mayuzumi-kun who is trying hard. I’m sure you can catch up to your best friend someday!!]
[Don’t forget that there are people you are saving! Our idol, Mayuzumi Shintaro!!]
I grip the flag tightly, feeling the strength in my fingertips.
So many people are supporting me.
No, it’s not just me.
The group BERYL is being supported by many people.
Best friend, you really are amazing.
I wonder if I can get a little closer to you after I finish this?
No, it’s about Aqua.
Kohina-senpai said it was impossible, but I believe.
I know you can definitely reach the goal in time.
Then there’s only one thing I can do.
”I’m off!”
I wave to the fans gathered at the relay point and start again.
”Do your best!!!”
”Mayuzumi-kun, fight!!!”
”You can definitely do it, Mayushin-kun!!!”
Receiving everyone’s loud and warm cheers, I aim for the National Stadium at a steady pace.
With 10 km to the finish, a big trouble occurred.
”Ah!”
The moment I twisted my ankle, everything appeared in slow motion.
”Mayuzumi-kun, are you okay!?”
My manager, Hanabusa-san, rushed over to me as I lay on the ground.
”I-I’m fine.”
”Did you hit your head!? Your foot… there’s blood! Medical team, hurry!!”
Ugh!
As I tried to get up, I grimaced at the sharp pain in my leg.
It probably isn’t broken, but I hit my lower leg hard.
The medical staff who rushed over immediately began to treat me.
”Are you really okay?”
”Yes, I will definitely finish the race.”
I absolutely refuse to retire due to an injury.
I promised Aqua, Toa, and Tenga-senpai that we would meet at the finish line.
They will definitely come.
I can’t break my promise to everyone!!
After the treatment, I jogged a bit to check my condition and then returned to the course.
”Hah… hah…”
The pain in my leg was disrupting my running form.
I couldn’t maintain my steady pace and was gradually falling behind my expected time.
”Mayuzumi-kun, do your best!!!”
”I really don’t want you to push yourself, but I’m cheering for you even more!!”
”Pain, pain, go away!!”
As people began to gather on the street, aware of my injury, the dark sky brightened and the sun rose.
I was supposed to arrive at dawn, but I still had over 1 km to the finish.
There, I once again lost my form and collapsed to the ground.
”Mayuzumi-kun!”
I immediately reached out, signaling to the medical staff and Hanabusa-san who rushed over to stop.
If I receive treatment here, if I stop, there might be a doctor’s stop.
I took one step, then another, and began to walk.
This is fine.
I’m okay with this.
This is fine for me.
I might not be as cool as Aqua, but I still have my pride.
”Mayuzumi-kun, there’s blood…”
Blood seeps from where I received treatment.
It seems I’ve started bleeding again.
”Uoooooohhh!”
I’ve never shouted like this even in dramas or live events.
Yet, I bellowed from my gut, rallying myself with determination.
My form was awkward and messy.
Still, I kept running towards my goal.
”Mayuzumi-kun, you can do it!”
”Just a little more to the finish line!!”
”Go, our Mayushin-kunnn!”
I took off my glasses, which were shaking up and down, and handed them to Hanabusa-san, who was running alongside me.
Once I entered the National Stadium, I stopped in front of the person waiting for me.
”Shin-chan…”
My mother tears up when she sees my injuries.
”I-I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt as much as it looks.”
It’s a lie.
It really hurts a lot.
I put on a brave face so I wouldn’t worry mother.
”Really?”
”Yeah, everyone took good care of me.”
That’s another lie.
I’ve actually evaded treatment.
I glanced back and signaled everyone to cooperate with my story.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply