SpoJoy Park
Minori
Roller skating was so much fun!
Kanade
*Sigh*
My feet feel so much lighter after taking those roller skates off...
My feet feel so much lighter after taking those roller skates off...
Kanade
And I'm tired...
But I had fun.
But I had fun.
Ichika
I'm sure we're all tired.
Still, Kanade, you were skating all on your own there towards the end.
Still, Kanade, you were skating all on your own there towards the end.
Ena
Even though you weren't able to stand without clinging to the wall in the beginning. Doesn't that mean you made a huge amount of progress?
Kanade
I suppose so...
However, I have Hanasato to thank for being such a good teacher.
However, I have Hanasato to thank for being such a good teacher.
Minori
Me?
Hehe... I'm glad I could help!
Hehe... I'm glad I could help!
Minori
But I think you were able to skate on your own because you gave it your best effort, Kanade!
Kanade
R-Really...?
Minori
Alright, let's keep going and have fun with our next sporting activity!
Ena
Okay, let's choose what to do next.
Ichika
But we have so much to choose from...
I'm not seeing a clear favorite.
I'm not seeing a clear favorite.
Ichika
Table tennis, shooting free throws, tennis... Bubble soccer...?
Kanade
Bubble soccer...?
Minori
Oh, I've heard of that before!
Minori
You play soccer while wearing these bubble suits that look kinda like big balloons!
Ichika
Balloons...? I'm having a hard time imagining what that'd be like...
Minori
Uhh... It's difficult to describe it in words...
Ena
Then, wanna go check out that area?
That's probably gonna be the quickest way for us to get a feel of what's going on.
That's probably gonna be the quickest way for us to get a feel of what's going on.
Ichika
Good idea!
Oh, which floor is it on...?
Oh, which floor is it on...?
Ena
Th-Those look like...
Kanade
I see. So this is what she meant. Those suits do kind of look like big bubbles...
Ichika
And it envelops your entire upper body...
But it's transparent, so we should still be able to see okay.
But it's transparent, so we should still be able to see okay.
Ena
Yes, that's important...
But these just...
But these just...
Ena
Seem like something you see people wear on variety shows. It doesn't seem like a real sport at this point, so maybe we should try something else...
Minori
Ena!
That's not fair to bubble soccer!
That's not fair to bubble soccer!
Ena
Huh?
Minori
Yes, I get that it doesn't seem like a real sport, but it's a full-body workout! Other people attack you while you try to maintain your balance!
Ichika
And unlike rollerblading, we won't have to learn or practice any of the fundamentals.
Kanade
Not being a technical challenge does sound nice...
Ena
Yeah, but still...
This seems like the opposite of photogenic...
This seems like the opposite of photogenic...
Minori
But I bet it's gonna be really fun!
I heard that it's also good for you since it's a nice core workout!
I heard that it's also good for you since it's a nice core workout!
Ena
What?!
I-Is that true?! Hmm...
I-Is that true?! Hmm...
Ena
Alright, fine...
It looks really silly, but I agree that it could be fun.
It looks really silly, but I agree that it could be fun.
Kanade
However, I'm not clear on the rules...
Minori
Oh, right...
Then, why don't we simplify things by trying some bubble sumo wrestling?
Then, why don't we simplify things by trying some bubble sumo wrestling?
Ena
Bubble sumo?
What are the rules for that?
What are the rules for that?
Minori
It's easy! The person who pushes their opponent out of the ring wins!
Ichika
Oh, that is simple.
Kanade
And easy to understand. I'm okay with that.
Minori
Great!
Then, let's head over to the bubble sumo corner!
Then, let's head over to the bubble sumo corner!
Minori
Everyone have their bubble suits on?
Ichika
Yes. It's amazing how your whole upper body fits inside. I'm having trouble keeping my balance since I can't stick my hands out.
Ichika
And it's lighter than I expected...
Ena
We probably look ridiculous right now, huh?
Minori
Do we?
I think it's cute how round we are now...
I think it's cute how round we are now...
Ena
Really...?
Kanade
...
Kanade
(This bubble's bigger than I realized.
If I fall over, I may not be able to get back up...)
If I fall over, I may not be able to get back up...)
Kanade
(Can I even move around all that well...?)
Ena
So, now what?
Do we just start doing one-on-one bouts?
Do we just start doing one-on-one bouts?
Minori
Oh, let's try doing some as teams of two! It'll be more fun if we're all battling it out at the same time!
Ichika
I agree.
So, let's split into teams.
So, let's split into teams.
Minori
Okay!
Ichika
Okay, we have Minori and Kanade on one side versus Ena and myself on the other.
Ena
Let's do our best, Ichika.
But within reason, okay?
But within reason, okay?
Minori
Kanade, let's give it our best shot!
Kanade
Okay, I'll try.
Kanade
(I'm getting a little nervous...)
Kanade
(I don't know how much I'll be able to contribute, so I should at least do what I can to not get in her way...)
Minori
Alright, let's go over the rules one more time! If you step outside of the circle, you're out, and the same goes for falling over.
Minori
The team of the last person standing will be declared the winner!
Ena
Got it. Pretty much the same as normal sumo wrestling.
Ichika
It's simple and easy to understand.
Minori
So, let's get started!
Ready... Go!
Ready... Go!
Minori
Hiyaa!
Ichika, prepare yourself!
Ichika, prepare yourself!
Ichika
Huh?! M-Me?!
Minori
Huh?! W-Wah!
Ena
Wh-Whoa...!
You really go flying when you bounce off someone.
You really go flying when you bounce off someone.
Ichika
O-Okay, I could handle that one...
But I'll be flung out if I'm not careful.
But I'll be flung out if I'm not careful.
Ena
Now I get it.
You can't win by just wrestling like normal.
You can't win by just wrestling like normal.
Ichika
We would fall in a split second if we get hit from the side.
Ena
Yeah, we sorta need a real plan.
How about something like this? First, we'll...
How about something like this? First, we'll...
Ichika
Alright, I understand...
I can't say that I like it, but...
I can't say that I like it, but...
Kanade
H-Hanasato, are you okay...?
Minori
That was close...
Luckily, I managed to stop before I crossed the line.
Luckily, I managed to stop before I crossed the line.
Minori
But please be careful...!
A blow from the front might send you flying.
A blow from the front might send you flying.
Kanade
I thought the same thing when I saw that just now. I'm not sure I can handle being hit like that...
Minori
Don't worry! If they attack, I'll find a way to stop them somehow!
Minori
So, Kanade, when you see your chance, don't hesitate!
Kanade
When I see my chance... Okay...!
Kanade
(But how am I supposed to know when that moment is? I don't even know if I'll be able to capitalize on it...)
Ena
Um, Kanade?
Kanade
Y-Yes, Ena...?
Ena
I owe you a lot and don't really want to do anything to harm you...
Ena
But this is a competition, so I'm not pulling any punches!
Ichika
I'm sorry, Kanade...
This is unfortunately it for you!
This is unfortunately it for you!
Kanade
Huh?! W-Wait...!
Minori
Noooo!
Ena
Wah! M-Minori, how are you able to move so fast?!
Ichika
She stopped us?!
We won't be able to get to Kanade now...!
We won't be able to get to Kanade now...!
Minori
Don't worry, Kanade!
I'll protect you!
I'll protect you!
Kanade
Th...
Kanade
Thank you.
Kanade
(Hanasato managed to save me, but I'm still not doing her any favors...)
Ena
Hmm... Getting to Kanade won't be easy...
Ichika
We may want to go after Minori first.
Ena
Yeah, so...
Minori
...!
Kanade
(Oh...)
Kanade
(They turned their attention away from me. Now might be my chance...)
Kanade
(Going from the front isn't a good idea, but if I go in from the side...)
Kanade
I'm sorry, Ena...!
Ena
Huh? Eep!
Minori
Nice one, Kanade!
That just leaves...
That just leaves...
Ichika
Ena, are you alright?!
Minori
You're mine, Ichika!
Ichika
Huh? Wah...!
Kanade
Th...
Kanade
They both crossed the line...
That means...
That means...
Minori
We did it...
We won, Kanade!
We won, Kanade!
Ena
I never expected Kanade to be the one to come after us...
Ichika
Their teamwork was remarkable.
Kanade
Wow... We won...
Minori
Hehe. It's all thanks to you, Kanade!
Kanade
I'm not sure I deserve all the credit...
Kanade
(But I'm glad that I could help.)
Minori
Oh, Kanade!
Gimme five!
Gimme five!
Kanade
L-Like a high five...?
If we do that with these suits on...
If we do that with these suits on...
Minori
Wah!
Ichika
Oh no!
K-Kanade bounced off of Minori and...!
K-Kanade bounced off of Minori and...!
Kanade
Uh oh... S-Someone, help...! I can't get up...!
Minori
Oh noooo! I'm so sooorry!!
Next Chapter: My Own Feelings