Part 1
A few days after the Sports Festival
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Class 1-C
Saki
Hehe... Teehee...
Ichika
Oh, Saki... Are you still looking at Sports Festival pictures?
Saki
Yeah! I took heaps and slowly sorting them into albums on my phone...
Saki
I can't bring myself to deleting any of them, so I'm still stuck with this mountain of photos.
Ichika
Hehe. You might be at it for some time then.
It goes to show you really enjoyed that day.
It goes to show you really enjoyed that day.
Saki
Sigh... And it's hard to believe that it's already been a week since then...
Ichika
You were so busy with the committee too.
I'm glad everything went well.
I'm glad everything went well.
Saki
And you were super worried about my health during the lead-up to sports day too.
Ichika
Huh? Wait, how...?
Saki
It was all over your face!
Saki
But I'm way stronger now compared to when I caught that cold last time.
Ichika
Yeah. You helped organize the whole event and even took part in it yourself.
Saki
Right? I had to make sure it was gonna be the best sports day ever!
Saki
But I couldn't have done it without Haruka and Emu!
Ichika
Yeah, they put in a lot of effort into it too.
Saki
Yup. But that wasn't all they just did!
Sometime before the Sports Festival
Emu
Heeey! Haruka!
Haruka
Oh, Otori. How did practice go for the three-legged race?
Emu
Oh, um... Yeah, it was good!
Saki
Oh... Haruka. Emu.
Are you staying back today too?
Are you staying back today too?
Haruka
Yes. There's something I should get done before I leave.
Saki
But you stayed so late yesterday too. I feel bad for not realizing it'd end up being so much work.
Haruka
No, you don't need to apologize.
Saki
But... I invited you to join the committee after saying it wouldn't take up that much time, and it turns out I couldn't have been more wrong.
Haruka
You invited me, but it was my own decision to help Emu put her grand ideas into practice.
Haruka
Besides, if I hadn't joined the committee, I'd never have found out how satisfying it can be to organize the event instead of only participating in it.
Saki
(She really seems to be enjoying this work.)
Saki
(I really should do more too...
But...)
But...)
Haruka
Hm?
Is something wrong?
Is something wrong?
Saki
Uh, no... Well, I'd like your opinion on something...
Emu
Our opinion?
Saki
You see... A while ago, I tried to organize an event for Ichi and my old friends. It was supposed to be a trip to the observatory...
Saki
But between school, band practice and my part-time job, I ended up overdoing it and got caught a cold...
Saki
I didn't understand my own limits very well back then. I could do it all in my mind, but not physically.
Saki
This may sound crazy coming from me but...
Saki
Along with organizing it, I want to compete in some Sports Festival events too.
Saki
But that might make things harder for you two, and you might have to pick up my slack...
Saki
So... I really need your help with this!
Emu
You... Need my help?
Haruka! We're helping someone!!
Haruka! We're helping someone!!
Haruka
Haha, yeah.
Haruka
Don't worry about it, Tenma.
Haruka
You don't have to take on more work than what you're comfortable with, and you can count on us for the rest.
Emu
Yeah♪ It'd be a shame if you didn't get to be in any events after working so hard to make it all happen!
Emu
I want everyone to have fun!
Including you, Saki!
Including you, Saki!
Saki
Emu...
Saki
Okay... Thanks!
Saki
Oh, but feel free to ask me for help too!
Saki
I'll do everything that I can!
Haruka
I know first-hand how easy it is to push yourself too hard too, so go at your own pace and remember that we're all in this together!
Saki
Yeah!
Ichika
Ah, that was very nice of them.
Classmate
Huh. You really like penguins that much, Haruka?
Haruka
Yeah. I just love how adorably round they are.
Ichika
Have you noticed that more people have been going up to Haruka to talk with her?
Saki
Yeah. They used to treat her a bit like a guest or something before, but I guess that's changed.
Ichika
I have to think the Sports Festival has a lot to do with that.
Saki
Really...?
Ichika
You inviting her to join the committee and having to engage with a lot of students helped break the ice.
Saki
Hehehe. So does that mean I was able to help her out too?
Ichika
Yes. I certainly think so.