Mei POV:
Hoshino's goal set everything in motion. After that, Julie's game eased just a bit. I guess she had already gotten what she wanted from this match.
But that didn't mean we were able to keep up with her. She still left us behind easily—well, almost everyone. If either Hoshino or Lily guarded her, she'd have a chance of losing the ball. Hoshino, because he was starting to adapt to her play style, and Lily… because Julie would go easy on her.
I didn't understand why she'd go easy on someone, but for some reason—she seemed to have more fun doing it.
What a weird girl.
Shortly after Hoshino's goal, Julie managed to score another one. The score was now three to one.
We managed to mount a counterattack, which led to Yuka scoring a goal, and I scored one shortly after.
It was now three to three, ten minutes left on the clock. Whoever scored next would decide the winner of sports day.
The ball was now back in Julie's possession. She didn't sprint. She walked, leisurely dribbling the ball toward the halfway line.
Then—she cracked her neck and let out a satisfied groan. "Ah! That feels much better."
She stopped, resting her foot on top of the ball. She scanned everyone on the field, meeting each of us in the eye, then grinned.
"It was fun… but it's time to win."
She shot a glance at Mikhael. He flinched before running ahead. She reeled her foot back but paused just before kicking it. She tapped the ball lightly in the opposite direction and began to sprint.
I tried running to where I'd intercept her, but my legs throbbed, causing me to stagger and fall to the ground.
Again…?
This has been happening for the past two hours. During the three-legged race, the pole takedown, and the relay—pain had been coursing through my legs nonstop.
I glanced down at my legs. Even though I wasn't putting any strength into them, they wouldn't stop shaking.
I bit my lip.
C'mon! Just a little bit more.
I dug my hands into the dirt to push myself up, but my arms just couldn't muster any sense of strength.
I… I can't feel them.
My arms, my legs, even my breath… I couldn't feel a thing.
Am I… at my limit?
"No."
A cold, half-crazed voice called out from behind, vibrating the marrow of my bones. I tensed, then snapped my head back. No one was there.
"I didn't raise such a miserable Daughter."
I turned again. Nothing.
No… this-this can't be happening!
I quickly covered both my ears and squeezed my eyes shut.
Go away…
Go away.
Go away! GO away! GO AWAY!
Suddenly, a cold, phantom grip tightened around my throat. I opened my eyes and glanced down. Nothing, again—and yet, I couldn't breathe.
"Stand up, Mei."
With nowhere left to go, the air in my body pressed against my ribs, threatening to burst.
"Don't disappoint me."
My legs moved on their own.
"I don't want to do this to you, Mei."
My nails dug into the dirt.
"I don't want to hurt you—Mei."
Using everything I had, I began to push myself up.
"So, don't make me."
There should have been no strength left in my body.
"Show me that you have what it takes."
I shouldn't have been able to rise again.
"Show me that I can love you—Mei."
And yet, just like always, I did.
"Show me… show the world—that you are my beloved Daughter."
I grabbed my wrist.
Yes, Father.
The grip on my neck vanished. I opened my mouth and let out a sharp, piercing exhale. Shortly after, I took in a large, suffocating inhale.
I remained still for a moment. One second passed. Then two. Then three.
I let go of my wrist and put on—a cheery smile.
There… all better.
I turned around and read the state of the field. Julie had dribbled past everyone and had a clear shot at the goal. She fired, but at the last second, Lily jumped in and blocked it with her face.
Julie's face went pale as she gasped. She quickly ran over to her, pulling her into her arms.
"Hey, kid, you okay?!" she asked while cradling her face, checking it frantically.
Lily nodded weakly. Julie pressed her face close against her.
"I'm sorry, baby. I'll be here for you. Just tell me if it hurts, okay? And—please don't tell your Mom!"
Lily giggled. "I'm not going to tell Mom, don't worry."
Julie let out a relieved breath, but continued to stay by Lily's side, ignoring the ensuing chaos.
Well, it's safe to assume she won't be playing for the rest of the game.
The ball, which had bounced skyward after hitting Lily's face, began to descend. Yuka was the one to receive it. Her eyes sharpened as she studied the field, then she sent a pass to Luna. Luna gave it a small tap before passing to Hoshino.
The moment he got the ball, Yu started barreling towards him. Hoshino looked around until his eyes locked onto me. He didn't need to say anything. And I didn't either.
I just turned around and ran toward the opposing team's goal. Everyone was on our side of the field, which meant I had a clear path.
Then, a white blur zoomed past me and bounced a little further from where I was. The ball.
Bad pass, but it gets the job done.
I quickly took possession of it and continued my sprint towards the goal. That was when, suddenly, someone blurred past me and stood in my way.
Out of everyone it could have been, I was glad it was him.
Mikhael wore a wry grin as he stood there. I didn't slow down. He lowered his stance, as if bracing for impact.
"Enough, Mei. We both know you can't dribble past me—at least not the way you are now."
Yeah, I know. I know what I'm capable of better than anyone.
Suddenly, my conversation with Hoshino after the relay flashed in my mind.
I couldn't help but scoff.
I'll take a page out of your book, Hoshino.
As I ran towards Mikhael, I opened my mouth and spoke slowly. I didn't say anything harsh or embarrassing. Instead, I said what any ex would say.
"Mikhael, I hope you can move on from me and find someone you can love. I really am rooting for you."
Mikhael's footing faltered, and his face paled. "H-how did you–"
He couldn't have made it any more obvious. I've known the whole time. I just never said anything because I thought I wouldn't need to.
Who would've thought I'd use it in a soccer game of all places?
With that brief window of opportunity, I kicked the ball between his legs and dribbled past him.
My legs burned, my lungs dried, but I never stopped running.
I was ten meters from the goal when I finally shot. It went in.
The whistle rang out, and everyone froze.
"Game over! Mei scores the final goal. And the class with the highest amount of points—is hers!"
The spectators, my classmates, the people on the field, let out a billowing roar.
Remi and Luna ran up to me from the opposite side of the field and tackled me into a tight hug.
"Oh my gosh, Mei! How did you dribble past Mikhael so easily?!" Luna asked with sparkles in her eyes.
"You were amazing, Mei! Not just this game, but the whole day!" Remi exclaimed excitedly.
I put both my hands up sheepishly. "Guys, please, it wasn't just me. It was a team effort!"
I turned to Luna. "I wouldn't have gotten the ball if you hadn't passed to Hoshino."
Then I turned to Remi. "And we wouldn't have been able to win the relay if you didn't match Sora at the beginning."
I wrapped my arms around both of them, returning their hug. "WE are the reason we won! You guys are the best teammates I could've asked for!"
Luna and Remi's eyes glistened.
"Mei…"
But before they could say anything else, every one of our classmates ran onto the field and huddled around me.
"Mei, that was a crazy goal!"
"Are you even better than the soccer club's captain?!"
"How are you not tired? Do you work out regularly?"
Everyone showered me with praise. I understood where they were coming from. This was a monumental milestone for our class, especially since we would be graduating this year. What better way to end our last sports day than with a win?
Even so—I gripped my wrist, let out a sheepish giggle, and politely distanced myself from them.
"I really am flattered. But it was a group effort! Pat yourselves on the back more! We all pulled our weight. So let's go celebrate together, okay?"
Everyone turned to each other and nodded happily. The crowd slowly began to disperse as they all went back to the tent. I waited until I was finally alone on the field.
I let go of my wrist.
The instant I did, I could feel the trembling of my legs. They had been the entire time. Except—no one noticed.
Once they were gone, I let myself collapse. I didn't have it in me to stand any longer. Just for this one moment, I wanted to rest.
Before I could hit the ground, someone grabbed me by the back of my jacket and caught me.
"If you're tired, you can just say so."
A familiar, detached voice came from my left. My left hand twitched.
I messed up…
I turned around, my lips curled like they usually were, and spoke in a soft voice.
"Why, I didn't see you there, Hoshino."