600 - I Was Genderswapped and Reincarnated as a Villainess, but I’m Making this My Personal Yuri Game

## Chapter 600: "The Two Borrowed Item Race" As the event concluded and we made our way back to our seats, everyone was there to greet us with smiles. "Well done, Sakuya-chan!" "You were so fast!" "Thank you." Everyone was echoing similar sentiments. Sure, our pair came in first, but rankings don't matter. It's not like the pair of Renka-chan and Seri-chan, who came second, were being blamed. We aren't competitive sports festival participants, so it's not about being first or insisting on winning. As long as everyone can enjoy the sports festival, that's what matters. "Sakuya-tchi!" "Yes?" As we returned from the two-person obstacle race, we heard a voice calling us from behind. Just from the voice, I knew who it was. After all, there's only one person who calls me "Sakuya-tchi"... "Good day, Hozuki-san, Suzuran-san, Karin." "...Morning, Sakunyan." "Good morning, Kujou-sama." Turning around, I greeted the three who had approached. Suzuran and Karin responded immediately, but Hozuki only pouted. "Sakuya-tchi! Why weren't you in the short-distance race!?" "Huh?" Suddenly, my shoulders were grabbed tightly, and I was shaken back and forth while being asked this question. But honestly, even if she said this, it was perplexing. I want to participate in events that I can enjoy with everyone, not just a solitary short-distance race. I'm not sure why Hozuki thought I would enter the short-distance race; we hadn't had such a discussion... "W-w-why, w-w-w-why, uh... Hozuki-san, could you stop shaking me?" "Oh, sorry..." Even though I tried to speak, with Hozuki shaking me, it was hard to talk. After gently shaking her hands off and advising her, she immediately apologized with a downcast look. Clearly, she wasn’t doing it on purpose; she likely didn't even realize what she was doing in her excited state. "I don’t recall saying I would participate in the short-distance race, so why did you think I would?" "Well, isn’t it obvious that Sakuya-tchi, being the fastest, would join all the running events?" "Huh?" "Huh?" Puzzled by what Hozuki said, I tilted my head, and she did the same. I couldn't understand what she meant. Sure, I might be the fastest among the second-year girls, but why would that mean I have to enter every running event? "I'm not sure I understand what you're suggesting..." "No way! The person best at something usually participates, right? That gives the highest chance of winning, doesn't it?" "Huh?" "Huh?" No, I just don't get it. It feels like there's a fundamental disconnect in our conversation. "So in the track club, is the fastest person in the 100-meter dash always required to compete in that event, even if they want to try the long jump? Are they compelled to participate if they're the fastest, regardless of their own wishes?" "Uh, well..." Her expression turning awkward, she averted her gaze. Oh... So that's how it is in the track club, huh. "Of course, they encourage the event the student is best at, but they consider preferences if they want to try something else." "Considering it is one thing, but are they persuaded otherwise?" "That…” Hozuki looked completely downcast. Understandably, from a coach's perspective, they would want to enter the student with the highest chance of winning. They might listen to and consider someone’s preference, but 'persuasion you can't refuse' comes into play. "We aren't competitive athletes, nor are we holding the sports festival solely to win. I always aim to join events where I can cooperate and enjoy with everyone. So this time, I simply chose the events I could participate in with my group." "That's true, but... still... I'm sorry... This is just my selfishness talking." Hozuki, who seemed ready to insist further, suddenly relaxed and laughed, though it seemed a lonely smile. "… I wanted to have a fair match against Sakuya-tchi... I just assumed I could do it during a sports festival short-distance race. I got excited when that wasn’t possible. Sorry." "Hozuki-san…” Honestly, I don't grasp how Hozuki feels. I've never wanted to compare myself to someone in a short-distance race or strived in athletics as Hozuki likely has. Having practiced diligently and holding pride as track and field athletes, their feelings are something I probably can’t comprehend. And it would be disrespectful to claim otherwise. However... "Wouldn’t it be easier to run together sometime, rather than comparing at a sports festival?" I couldn’t hold back from saying it... so I did. After all, if she asked, I wouldn't mind running a race today after school even. I don't understand why it had to specifically be the short-distance race at the sports festival. "………" "………" Everyone stared at me, dumbfounded. Oh? Maybe I wasn't supposed to say that? "Sakuya-chan…" "You really shouldn't say things like that..." "You're ending it right there..." "There's no nuance in it..." Oh... So it seems like I wasn't supposed to say that. Personally, it was just my honest thought. But evidently, there are some things better left unsaid even if you think them. This seems to be one of those occasions. "Pfft... Haha! Hahaha!" "Hozuki-san?" Suddenly Hozuki, who had been silent, burst into laughter. Confused, I couldn't help but feel flustered. Did I offend her by saying something inappropriate? What should I do? "Ha...! Yeah, you’re right! It doesn’t matter where or when we run! Haha!" 'Participants in the two-person borrowed item race, please gather at the entrance gate.' "Ah..." Though the issue with Hozuki wasn't entirely resolved, the announcement came. As much as I am concerned, I can't halt the progress of the sports festival. "I'm sorry, Hozuki-san. We've been called, so we must go..." "Yeah. Go ahead... and thank you, Sakuya-tchi." "Huh?" "………" Feeling as though I heard Hozuki say something, I turned back, but she was just waving with a bright smile. I couldn't linger any longer, pulling myself away with some reluctance as I made my way to the entrance gate. --- While waiting in line at the entrance gate, I decided to consult with Satsuki-chan. "Do you think everything’s okay with Hozuki-san earlier?" "Huh? It seems fine now, doesn’t it? Sakuya-chan, you resolved it, after all." I resolved it? It doesn’t feel that way to me. Everyone told me, "you shouldn’t have said that," and Hozuki was acting a bit oddly, suddenly laughing out. "But look, it's our turn to enter." "Oh, right..." With no time to ponder further, it was our turn to enter. Though Hozuki still occupied my thoughts, I set that aside for now. I needed to focus on what was in front of me; it’s a two-person event, and I can't afford to drag Satsuki-chan down. If I space out and cause an injury, it would be disastrous. 'Taste the fortune of witnessing our Kujou Sakuya-sama’s glory once again, folks!' "Uooooooo~~~!!!" What was this? Following An's announcement, the crowd erupted enthusiastically. It seemed orchestrated, with people from all walks of life crowding at the front of the stands. "I’ll carry you first, Sakuya-chan." "Are you sure you’re okay with that?" "Absolutely! Leave it to me!" Satsuki-chan and I had discussed our plan: she'd carry me for the first 25 meters, and I’d carry her for the next 25. Ideally, I should carry her for both speed and safety, but Satsuki-chan insisted on this division for an equal partnership. While prioritizing winning might mean me carrying her would be faster, that's not our priority. What's paramount is enjoying the sports festival on equal footing with everyone. For that reason, I accepted Satsuki-chan’s suggestion. My only concern was Satsuki-chan potentially tripping if she couldn't bear my weight... 'On your marks... get set...' A loud bang signaled the start. In this two-person borrowed item race, you're prohibited from carrying your partner before the start signal. Starting from rest and then carrying them helps avoid premature exhaustion that could slow them down before the race even begins. "Satsuki-chan!" "Sei-sei-se-se..." "Huh?" As I tried to climb onto Satsuki-chan’s back, her behavior seemed unusual. She spread her arms wide, palms facing down. Had Satsuki-chan awakened something within her!? "Bring it on!" "Here I come!" With a pat on her back, Satsuki-chan prompted me, so I climbed onto her back, and... "Whooooooo!" "Wah!" The moment I mounted onto Satsuki-chan’s back, she blasted off at incredible speed. Her pace was at an estimated 1.389 meters per second, reaching the target 25 meters ahead in just 17.998 seconds! In other words, a speed roughly equivalent to 5 km/h... 'Oh my! The pair of Kujou Sakuya-sama and Saionji Satsuki-sama are not distinct from the other teams! Unexpectedly, it’s Saionji-sama who’s doing the carrying! Everyone expected Kujou Sakuya-sama to blitz ahead, but it’s the reverse! Is this underestimating the competition?!' "Huff... puff... The borrowed item…" "Right. I'll take this one!" Picking from the envelopes laid out on the table, I selected one and showed its contents to the staff seated across the table. "I have... A guardian's wristwatch!?" That’s far... too far... Why on earth is there a specification like "guardian's"? Staff members are present nearby; if it was a staff member's, it would have been so much closer. I have to traverse all the way to the opposite side in the stands to borrow a wristwatch from a guardian... Who chose this item for borrowing? Oh... It was us... "I have... a baton!" ".....Yeah!" We nodded to each other knowingly. The baton was located not far from the operation headquarters. While I had to run to where the guardians were, given Satsuki-chan was already tired, and I was still energized, the distance difference was fairly fitting. In short, if I quickly fetched the borrowed item, we still had a chance. 'The contestants, having determined their items, disperse in all directions! And Kujou-sama is headed towards the stands! It's the most grueling! The farthest! Kujou-sama’s pair hit the jackpot of agony with this borrowed item, in big trouble now! Underestimating the challenge comes with repercussions!' An, you... saying whatever you please... But she’s right, this is a mess. I’m the only one fetching such a distant item. Do I need to get serious... "Could I borrow a wristwatch from one of the guardians, please?" "Take mine!" "By all means, use mine!" "Kujou-sama, please!" Reaching the stands and voicing my request, many wristwatches were offered. Hesitant for a moment, I opted for something less expensive, a Swiss watch costing around 220,000 yen. "I'll borrow this one, then!" "Oh! Kujou-sama is borrowing my watch!" Though someone cried out, I didn't have time to listen. Being the farthest of all, I must show a hint of seriousness in my sprint. 'What?! What?! Unbelievable! Fast, so fast! Kujou-sama is swiftly making a grandiose return to the course!' "Sakuya-chan!" "Satsuki-chan! Hop on!" The other groups had already started running while carrying their partners. We were the last ones. Quickly, I had Satsuki-chan climb onto my back. "Please hold on tight!" "Y-yes!" To catch up, my usual careful running style wouldn't suffice. Confirming Satsuki-chan clung closely to my back, I grounded my footing with all my strength. "Oooh! Ha!" "Eeek! Sakuya-chan! I’m gonna fall!" Kujou-sama was carrying her now, but surely it’s too late? It appeared that way when suddenly... a grand finishing burst! The pair of Kujou-sama and Saionji-sama smoothly claimed first place! Was that Kujou-sama running while carrying someone? Can one even consider Kujou-sama human? Her beauty and might nearly convince one she’s an android!' An... who are you calling an android? Just you wait until later! Having successfully crossed the finish line in first place, we went to return the borrowed items. The person who lent me the so-called “cheap” Swiss watch claimed, "I'm going to treasure this as an heirloom!" But honestly, I think it's better suited for everyday use, considering its modest price. After us, the pair of Akane-chan and Tsubaki-chan, who aren’t exactly athletic, ended up in last place by a significant margin. Meanwhile, Yuzuriha-chan, paired with another classmate, managed to secure first place, possibly thanks to drawing a favorable borrowed item. There are still group presentations and the final relay to go, but this concludes the events that involve participating with everyone from our group.