SCPK 69

Chapter 69 

 Sports Festival ④

“Tsukiyo, let’s go!”

“Yes!”

I grabbed Tsukiyo’s hand and started running as the anchor.
The visibility isn’t great, but maybe we’ll manage.

“Whoa! The prince has been cut down by the Dark Knight, and the princess has been taken! What is the Dark Knight thinking?!”
“BOOOOOOOOO!!”

Everyone enthusiastically booed. You can pretty much guess what’s coming next. Justice always wins, after all. Now, about 100 meters to go.

“Haa… haa…”
“Tsukiyo!?”

Tsukiyo’s breathing had become quite heavy. We weren’t even running that fast…
Ah, that’s right! Tsukiyo had already run 400 meters. No matter how athletic or strong she is, there’s a limit.
It’s tough for a girl to keep up with the speeds of Seiya and me. Damn it, why didn’t I realize this sooner?

I slowed down a little more. At this pace, we won’t lose second place either.

“Ah!”
“!?”

Tsukiyo’s foot tripped. She almost fell forward, so I quickly shifted the hand I was holding to her shoulder and lifted her up, stabilizing her.

“Eh!? Taiyo-san!”

This was hard to hold. So I wrapped my arms around her back, supporting her body, and slid my arms under her knees to support her legs. This way, I could carry her!

“Whoa! The Dark Knight is carrying the princess bridal-style! What a good guy!”

It doesn’t exactly scream villain, but I can’t let Tsukiyo fall.
Even while running hurriedly, she felt light. When I glanced at her face, her teary eyes and slightly flushed, delicate cheeks made my nose almost bleed.
I can’t have a nosebleed while wearing a mask, that would be bad.
Tsukiyo in this white dress, looking like a wedding gown, was unbearably cute. Her shoulders were bare, the neckline loose… I wanted to keep looking at her forever.

Carrying Tsukiyo, we neared the goal. I could see the prince, the magician, and the female knight waiting at the finish.

“Through the magician’s power, the prince is revived!”

Urihara-san waved her hand over Seiya, who had collapsed on the field, and he stood up as if brought back to life.

“The female knight gives the prince a sword to defeat the Dark Knight!”

Sera-san handed the sword she had to Seiya. That sword even had a light! It shone like a magical blade. Hard to see in daylight, though.

I crossed the finish line still carrying Tsukiyo. First place, beautifully done!
I put Tsukiyo down for the final scene and stood firmly. The prince Seiya slowly approached and struck the Dark Knight with his glowing sword.

“I’m defeated—”

I deliberately fell off to the side of the lane.
And thus, the prince successfully defeated the Dark Knight.

“The prince’s strike vanquishes the Dark Knight! He rescues the princess, and the world is saved! Bravo!”
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

It’s a predictable comedy, but everyone was thrilled. Now, having secured first place, I could leisurely walk a victory lap around the track.
Seiya seemed to notice Tsukiyo’s burden and lifted her in a bridal-style carry. Cameras clicked endlessly, capturing the handsome and beautiful group.

“Kamunagi-saaan!”
“Tsukiyo-chan is so cuuuute!”
“Kamunagi siblings!”
“Amazing!”

Female knight Sera-san and magician Urihara-san waved to the crowd while circling the track.

“Umi-chaaan!”
“Sera-saaan!”
“Kinori-saaan, you’re the best!”

One guy, louder than anyone, kept praising Urihara-san. Wow… even Urihara-san hid behind Sera-san.
I stood and followed everyone.

“Dark Knight! You did great!”
“I like the villains better!”

Oh… okay, so maybe it’s not all bad. Well, they are high schoolers, so maybe that’s just how it is.
As I walked ahead, Seiya stopped and turned toward me. Tsukiyo, still carried, called out her brother Seiya’s name.

Tsukiyo in the arms of Prince Seiya. I stepped closer to the two of them.
What’s going on…? Seiya looked straight at me and opened his mouth.