The Fate of the Protagonist Who Chose the Harem Ending - Episode 16

Sports Festival 

—

Autumn of athletics. 

Considering the intense heat of recent years, the teachers decided to hold the sports festival on a day in October or later. It was when the midday temperatures wouldn’t feel unbearably hot. As a result, the event took place on a day close to November. 

“Let’s win this! Yeah!” 

The cheer squads rallied their teams with fervor. 

Amid this enthusiastic atmosphere, Yuusuke crouched down in despair. He was clutching his head. 

“Higashitani, pick up my bones later, will you?” 

“Yuusuke, that’s way too dramatic for a sports festival.” 

“I tried to make myself sick from lack of sleep and unhealthy habits to avoid coming. But my health ended up being fine. Then, when I tried to skip, Mom forced me into the car and dragged me to school.” 

“That’s just your own fault!” 

What an idiot, I thought, as I watched the other teams’ cheer squads enthusiastically dancing. 

With the dance performances wrapped up, the competitions began. 

First up was the three-legged race, conducted by representatives from each team. 

“Let’s do this, Haru!” 

“Alright, let’s crush it!” 

With that, I headed to the starting line with Shizuku. 

In this event, mixed-gender pairs were allowed as long as both participants consented. Consequently, Shizuku and I were from the same class. We were chosen to represent our team. 

As we made our way to the starting point, comments flew from the crowd: 

“Go, childhood couple!” 

“Get blown away by everyone’s jealousy!” 

“Dash ahead to the lead and mock us all!” 

“Fall over and have an accidental lucky perv moment!” 

“Are you cheering or insulting us? Make up your minds! And what’s this about a ‘lucky perv moment’? That’s not happening!” 

“Um, uh… pervy stuff is for when no one else is around, okay?” 

“Shizuku, don’t react to that!” 

“Hehe, sorry.” 

With her playful apology, I couldn’t muster a retort. 

However, the other teams’ representatives didn’t seem amused. 

“We’re not losing to that pair…” 

“Show-offs…” 

“Go explode together, happily married until your great-grandchildren see you off…” 

I felt the weight of their muttered complaints. 

“Alright, I’ll give the starting signal!” 

The one speaking was Kanefune-senpai. 

Shouldn’t this task fall to a teacher or an event organizer? 

As far as I knew, she wasn’t part of the organizing committee. 

“Um, Kanefune-senpai?” 

“Hey there, Higashitani-chan! And Shizuku-chan! How about giving you guys 500 million yen as a congratulatory gift?” 

“I’m at a loss for what to say to that absurd amount…” 

It truly was an insane sum. What would you even spend it on? 

And anyway, just like Shizuku’s opinion—I think that kind of money would feel like it’s going to rot.

Not just for the money but also the person holding it. 

“I wouldn’t even know what to do with it, so no thank you.” 

“Same here.” 

“I see…” 

Kanefune-senpai pouted. She was visibly deflated. 

Had we made the wrong choice by refusing? 

Then she added with a grin, 

“Not like I could hand out such a sum anyway, considering the gift tax and all!” 

“Then why did you even suggest it?!” 

Turns out she just wanted to tease us. Being the daughter of a wealthy family only made it feel more plausible. 

“Honestly, though, I do want to apologize for hurting Shizuku-chan’s feelings that time,” 

She was referring to a cafeteria incident where she’d provoked Shizuku. 

“Oh, that? That was all Ichijo-kun’s fault for declaring he wanted to be a gigolo. So you weren’t in the wrong, Kanefune-senpai.” 

“I appreciate you saying that.” 

Suddenly, she slung an arm around both Shizuku and me. She whispered mischievously: 

“So, you two getting married? I won’t object!” 

“Wha—” 

“Uh—” 

“Aww, young love! Leave the planning to me!” 

Oh no, she’s going to make a mess of this! 

Shizuku was blushing furiously, and I could feel my face burning up as well. 

“Um, can you please return to your position so we can get started?” 

A stern-looking member of the organizing committee was emanating a dark aura. They gripped Kanefune-senpai’s head with alarming strength and dragged her away. 

“Owowow! My hair’s going to come out!” 

“Reflect on your actions for every strand you lose.” 

“I’ll never get married now!” 

“Good, regret it.” 

The other representatives whispered in awe, 

“That organizer is a hero…” 

—

“On your marks…” 

With a complete change in mood, Kanefune-senpai sullenly gave the starting cue. 

“Get set….

.

.

.

Go!” 

Bang! 

With the sound of the starting pistol, the first-year pairs dashed forward. 

“Wow, look at that pair with such a huge height difference!” 

“Yeah, that’s Fujimoto Tsukasa, one of the harem members.” 

The height difference between them was striking—about 30 centimeters, I’d guess. 

Despite that, the boy adjusted his pace to match hers. He was running with care and consideration. 

Though they finished in last place, he cheered her on with a beaming smile, 

“You made it to the end!” 

Fujimoto-san, on the other hand, looked away in embarrassment. Her hands were behind her back and her feet were shuffling. 

She seemed flustered, but not displeased. 

“Looks like Fujimoto-san might leave the harem.” 

“Yeah, if this keeps up, definitely.” 

“Alright. Let’s go, Haru!” 

“Let’s do it, Shizuku!” 

To sum it up, our perfect synchronization earned us a clear first place.