Story Reader / Floating Record / ER09: Crescent Sun / Story
With that, we conclude the opening ceremony of the Second Hydrangea Island High School Track and Field Championship.
We thank all of you for your participation, and of course...
We extend our gratitude to our host, Misono High, for their generous support and these excellent facilities.
Up next is the women's 800-meter race. All participants, please proceed to the check-in area.
Hey, look! It's Yata, our school's ace! She's starting her warm-up!
The Track Queen of Misono? She seems super chill. Must be pretty confident in herself, I bet.
Student council members clear the crowd from the track, making way for the athletes.
Among the eight colored lanes, Yata stands on Lane 4, her brows furrowed.
Wait, didn't she just run here? Isn't that gonna affect her performance?
She's playing mind games. She's putting pressure on the other athletes here.
You go, Yata!
Yata stretches her shoulders on the distant track, her brows furrowed in concentration.
Just my luck... Haven't even had breakfast. Whatever, I should warm up first.
She does a quick stretch, confirming her body is still in good form.
Fifty-fifty.
Two short whistles from the referee signal the athletes to return to their starting positions, their warm-up complete.
Star athletes from different schools take their positions at the starting line, with Yata standing out among them...
The side of the track is lined with Misono High cheerleaders and supporters, most of whom are junior track and field club members.
Yata lifts her head and scans the crowd of supporters, searching for a certain someone among them.
Yuka's not here... But she promised the other day she'd come to cheer me on...
She doesn't seem like someone who'd just stand people up, though.
Oh, well.
Just as Yata's mind begins to wander away from the race, a sharp whistle snaps her back to reality.
On your marks!
The crack of the starting pistol follows, and the runners burst into motion.
Yata leans forward, lowering her center of gravity to secure an advantageous position...
The crowd comes alive with excitement as the commentator, seated under the shelter, begins their race coverage.
And they're off! Taking the lead is... Yata, the Track Queen of Misono High!
What blazing speed! Is Yata planning to sprint right from the first lap?!
Looks like she's built up quite a stamina reserve.
Misono's field erupts with cheers and encouragement as sweat glistens under the sun.
With powerful arm swings, Yata blazes through the curve and past the timing sensors...
At the 400-meter mark, Misono's Yata is way ahead of the pack!
Hold on, what kind of pace is this?!
Yata's first 400 meters has already shattered the high school girls' league record!
How is this possible? This is an 800-meter race...
Hey, is the timer broken or something...
While the announcer scrambles to verify the results with the staff, the other runners are just finishing their first 400 meters.
Yata continues forward with powerful strides, maintaining her steady rhythm and breathing.
She's grown accustomed to this solitary scene—no companions by her side, just herself...
She races toward the distant finish line, chasing both the sunlight and the shadow of herself from yesterday.
Her mind finds peace as she runs, physical discomfort and emotional burden melting away in pure concentration.
This is Yata's most cherished and enchanting moment—only now can she truly feel the essence of youth.
There's barely any slowdown in Yata's second lap!
What kind of monster is she...
Here it comes, the final stretch! Although there's no doubt who's going to win at this rate.
The winner is Yata from Misono High!
Arms spread wide, Yata crosses the finish line, becoming the first champion of this athletic meet.
The junior members of the track team swarm around Yata with water bottles in hand, their words of praise filling her ears.
Amidst the celebration, she casts a lonely glance toward the starting line.
Must've been something urgent... Maybe she's sick?
