Volume 13 Chapter 203 Nekoyama Toa, Turning Regret into Strength
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hah hah, hah hah”
I arrive at the relay point, breathing heavily.
Tough!
I had been training on a treadmill to increase my lung capacity, but running on asphalt is painful for my legs, with uphill, downhill, and curves making it tougher than I expected.
”I’ve been waiting for you, Kagami!”
”Good pace!”
”Kobayashi… Captain Night Shadow and Commander Tajima! What are you doing here!?”
The people around us who were watching our exchange get excited.
I see, so there are people related to us waiting at the relay point.
I lower my gaze to the fan messages written on the flag.
[Toa-chan, your song always heals me!!]
[I always watch your streams! Toa-chan, do your best!!]
[Toa-chan, we know you’re working hard behind the scenes!]
[I’ve admired Toa-chan since I first saw you in a magazine. How are you so cute!?]
[I love Toa-chan, and I bought all the clothes you wear!!]
[I really like Kagami from Heaven’s Sword. I think the growing Kagami is so cool!]
[Cute and cool, Toa-chan is the strongest in my heart!!]
[Toa-chan from the special drama was so beautiful, it made my heart race!!]
[I love the lively Toa-chan during live performances!]
[Toa-chan, please take care of Aqua-kun!]
Thank you, everyone.
I hug the flag tightly.
But the last person who wrote a support message has the wrong request.
Please ask Kanon-san, Kohina-senpai, or Shintaro about Aqua.
Don’t think I can control Aqua.
”Do your best, Nekoyama! It’s all about spirit!! If you have the will, you can do anything!!”
”Yuki-chan… Only Morikawa-san and Aqua-kun can push through with sheer will.”
I strongly nod at Abe-san’s words.
However, this isn’t just about willpower; I believe if you lose in spirit, you can’t run all the way to the end.
Thanks to everyone, I’m running the shortest course.
So, I absolutely have to reach the goal.
”Thanks to both of you! I’m off now!!”
”Ah! I’m cheering for you!!”
”Do your best!!”
I wave to both of them and start running toward the finish line.
Although I had some expectations, the return path was tougher than the outgoing one.
I guess not conserving energy on the way out is taking its toll.
Each time my legs feel like they want to stop, I muster all my spirit and push my legs forward with sheer determination.
One more step, heading toward the goal where everyone’s waiting.
In the end, I clung to my pride as a man, but still, my legs finally came to a stop.
”Hah… hah… hah…”
With my hands on my knees, I bow my head toward the ground, opening my mouth wide to breathe.
My legs hurt, but my side hurts a lot as well.
Running while protecting it only messes up my form and makes things tougher.
”Toa-chan, do your best!!”
”If it’s too hard, let’s take a break for a bit!!”
”It’s fine; we still have plenty of time!!”
After a brief doctor’s stop, I rest on a nearby bench.
How pathetic…
While catching my breath, I almost cried at my own inability.
But I won’t shed any tears.
Crying won’t solve anything, and it uses up more energy.
I’m frustrated, and because of that frustration, I’ll focus on recovering my strength first.
That’s the only thing I can do right now.
Always staying calm, that’s who I am.
I mentally sort through the situation.
Tenga-senpai and Shintaro will surely finish before me.
Aqua will definitely reach the goal too.
That’s why I want to get to the finish line before Aqua does.
”Is it okay to take a break like this? Are there any time limits for breaks?”
I check the rules with a nearby staff member.
”Uh, the rules are to reach the goal within the time limit. No cheating by using public transportation like taxis, buses, or trains. Just these two things, okay? So, it’s fine to take as many breaks as you want!”
Got it, if that’s the case, things are quick.
”Well then, I’ll take a break here for a bit. Gotta make sure I can definitely reach the goal.”
In reality, I want to start running as soon as I feel even slightly better.
Even if it means holding back, I will definitely prioritize reaching the goal.
If there’s a second doctor’s stop, I might be forced to stop running.
I’m sure Shintaro and Tenga-senpai are well aware of this.
That’s why the next time I start running, I have to go nonstop until I reach the goal.
Don’t lose sight of your priorities, me.
Even if it looks a bit uncool, I can throw everything away for a purpose I must achieve.
And engrave this frustrating experience deeply in my heart.
This frustration will surely lead to my growth later on.
”Understood. Now I’ll get a good rest.”
”Okay, I got it!”
I smile at the staff member and lie down on the bench.
To recover even a bit of stamina and heal my fatigued body.
Sleeping is the best way for that.
I set the timer and drift off into sleep for a short while.
A few hours later.
I wake up before the timer goes off.
”Mmm!”
Sitting up from the bench, I stretch lightly.
Yeah, feels good.
With this, I can definitely reach the goal.
I run towards the goal again, with the sunrise at my back.
”Huff, huff.”
I’m sure Shintaro and Tenga-senpai have already reached the goal.
Both of them are amazing, unlike me, so they must have run straight through without taking a break.
I thought I had let it go-nano, but the frustration wells up from deep inside me.
Suppressing that frustration, I transform it into the energy to run.
With my fatigue recovering and pain easing, I return to the national stadium nonstop.
Then, just before the track, I see someone familiar waiting.
”Toa!”
”Oh, Mom!? What are you doing here!?”
I thought she was watching from the back room…
I receive an explanation from my mother and understand.
I see, so in the end, it’s a 3-legged race, huh.
”Mother, I’m going!”
”U-um!”
My mother and I start walking slowly.
”Toa, you did great reaching the goal.”
”No, I took a break along the way, so I’m still frustrated.”
I grit my teeth tightly and clench my fist.
I have no regrets about my choice, but whether I can accept it is another story.
My mom gently strokes my head as I look down.
”I see. But I’m genuinely happy. Everyone watching here feels the same way, I’m sure. So lift your head up and show them, Toa.”
”Yeah.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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