A Popular Girl Confessed to Me, the Loner—Thinking It Was a Prank, I Tried to Scare Her Off... But She Was Actually Serious. - Chapter 30: I’ll Watch You Until the End

It was Saturday, just before 9 a.m.

I stepped off the train and walked through an unfamiliar town, checking the map on my phone over and over again.

Going out this early—especially this far—was rare for me. From the station, it was a 15-minute walk. I could see a few students in athletic gear scattered around.

I must be going the right way…

Or so I thought, just as the street opened up before me.

Right there in front of me stood an impressive track and field stadium.

The sounds of the area buzzed in my ears.

Athletes shouting, teachers barking through megaphones, cheering from the stands.

The sheer atmosphere almost overwhelmed me. Still, I took one step forward.

—Am I really supposed to be here?

That thought flickered across my mind, but even so—

(I said I’d come, didn’t I?)

I let out a small breath and took a seat at the edge of the stands.

***

From the field, I spotted someone familiar—though she somehow looked a little different.

It was Hiyori.

She wore a bright red uniform, her ponytail swaying as she silently went through her warm-up routine.

Big arm circles. Stretching. Light sprints.

Her expression was dead serious—not joking at all.

She barely spoke, eyes sharp with focus.

It was the most concentrated I had ever seen her.

(…Where’s your usual smile gone?)

Even so, her profile looked strikingly beautiful.

Completely different from when she’s chatting with our classmates.

Different from the cheerful face that yells “I love you!” at me without warning.

She wasn’t being playful or silly—she was purely focused on running.

And I… I couldn’t look away from her.

***

“Next up: Girls’ 100-Meter Preliminary Round,” the announcement echoed across the stadium.

Hiyori walked toward the starting line.

She exchanged a few words with someone who looked like her coach, took a deep breath, and stepped up to the line.

She pulled one foot back and set it on the starting blocks.

Then—

She crouched low, getting into position.

The background noise faded for a moment.

Bang!

The starting gun went off—and Hiyori shot forward.

In that instant, the entire atmosphere shifted.

The sound of her shoes pushing off the track.

The rhythm of her arms slicing through the air.

Her body leaned forward, charging straight at the finish line.

It wasn’t just fast.

Her form was flawless. Her leg turnover was sharp. Her core didn’t sway an inch.

It felt like she was tearing through the air itself.

“…Whoa, she’s fast.”

The words slipped out of my mouth.

The other runners weren’t bad either.

But Hiyori stood out—she looked special.

After crossing the finish line, she eased up her speed and walked while breathing heavily.

The digital scoreboard lit up with the results.

[13.01 – 3rd Place]

So close—was my immediate thought.

And just then, I saw her expression twist slightly with frustration.

She wasn’t crushed, more like… disappointed that she couldn’t do better.

(…So she makes faces like that too.)

She’s always smiling around me.

Always saying “I love you!” over silly things, being playful and energetic.

But when something really gets to her—when she’s genuinely frustrated—she makes a face like she’s about to cry.

(…You’re amazing.)

That was the only word that came to mind.

It’s not just about running fast.

She gave it her all, and when she fell short, she genuinely cared.

She didn’t complain or lash out. She just quietly shouldered that feeling on her own.

(She’s way stronger than me…)

A warmth stirred deep in my chest.

What is this feeling?

“Wanting to protect her” doesn’t quite cover it.

It was more like—I want to stand beside her.

To be someone worthy of standing next to her.

Watching her run, for the first time, I felt that way.

A breeze blew through the stands.

I thought I saw her hair flutter in the wind from across the field.

(I’ll keep watching you. All the way to the end.)

With that thought, I kept my eyes locked on her.