"I feel like you've said that sentence many times..."
Yanami subconsciously retorted.
The girl on the other end of the phone sounded excited: "Yanami, stop complaining! Hurry up and get on NicoNico to watch the live stream. Your childhood friend is making headlines with someone else!"
"What do you mean headlines?"
Yanami Anna felt a bad premonition in her heart and hurriedly opened the link her friend shared.
The screen jumped.
A flood of bullet comments instantly rushed into view.
Yanami widened her eyes, clearly seeing that the two people in the live broadcast were Izumi Sora and Mahiru.
"That girl is super cute!"
"Her skin looks like white porcelain, and her features are super exquisite. It's like an angel descended to earth. Please definitely debut as an idol."
"That boy is also very handsome. They must be a couple, right?"
"The boy is helping to break the wind, so gentle."
"Best couple of the Tokyo Marathon!"
"..."
Looking at the hundreds of thousands of real-time viewers and the countless blessing bullet comments, Yanami's pink cheeks puffed up high, and she felt completely terrible.
Is this an official announcement?
And it's a global live broadcast official announcement!
No wonder when I woke up this morning, the Losing Heroine Diary said I was wearing a green wreath today. It turns out the wreath isn't important, the important part is the green.
The top of my head has turned into a vast green prairie!
"Anna, Anna~"
Her friend's voice came from the phone, both somewhat cautious and full of excited gossip expectation:
"You aren't secretly crying, are you?"
Yanami: "...I definitely wouldn't secretly cry!"
If I hid in a corner and secretly cried, wouldn't I become a true losing heroine?
I'm holding the winning cards, I definitely won't be a losing heroine!
"Sora told me about the Tokyo Marathon a long time ago." Yanami took a deep breath, suppressing the grievance and resentment in her voice. "We all entered the lottery together back then, but unfortunately I wasn't selected, otherwise it would be me and Sora on the live stream right now."
"Eh, is that so?"
"Of course it is..." Yanami sniffled. "I-I'm going to eat first! I still have to go to the finish line to celebrate with Sora later!"
Meanwhile.
"Hah... haah..."
Having run five or six kilometers in one breath, Shiina Mahiru's breathing had clearly become rapid.
Izumi Sora didn't say words of encouragement. Instead, he quickened his pace and quietly moved in front of Mahiru.
Anyone who runs frequently knows that running generates wind resistance. Running behind someone not only saves stamina but also creates a slipstream effect.
"Hah..."
Shiina Mahiru also didn't speak. Speaking now would disrupt her breathing. She merely followed behind Izumi Sora, their lane changes exceptionally in sync.
Continuing to run, competitors finally appeared ahead, indicating they had caught up to the previous group.
It was only here that the cameraman finally reluctantly stopped tracking them.
A moment later.
A supply station appeared ahead. Izumi Sora slowly decelerated:
"Mahiru, let's replenish our energy."
"Okay..."
Shiina Mahiru panted and agreed.
They drank a cup of water, ate an energy gel, and then set off again.
Continuing along the way, Izumi Sora and Mahiru overtook more and more competitors. Unknowingly, they arrived at the entrance of Senso-ji Temple and stopped to rest at another supply station.
"Sora-kun, your race bib is a bit loose."
Shiina Mahiru panted lightly. She suddenly noticed the race bib on Izumi Sora's back was loose, so she walked behind him, carefully unfastened the safety pins, and focused on gently re-pinning the number tag.
After pinning it, Angel-sama smoothed out the wrinkles with her hand, her movements gentle:
"Now it won't fall off..."
Before she finished speaking, Shiina Mahiru's body suddenly stiffened, her gaze fixed on a portable toilet not far away.
The door of the portable toilet opened, and a beautiful woman with a cold expression walked out.
I-I actually ran into her...
Even though the probability was only one in forty thousand, I actually really ran into her in this vast crowd.
Shiina Mahiru only felt complex emotions surging in her chest, and she stood frozen in place.
"...Mahiru?"
Izumi Sora quickly noticed the girl's unusual behavior behind him. Turning his head, he saw Mahiru's face was slightly pale, her pearly white teeth tightly biting her lower lip, staring fixedly at the woman not far away.
Following Mahiru's gaze, a tall, beautiful woman came into view. Izumi Sora lowered his voice:
"Mahiru knows her?"
With such a strong reaction, could this be 'that woman' Mahiru mentioned in the park?
"I..."
Shiina Mahiru parted her pink lips, took a deep breath forcefully, her voice slightly hoarse:
"That's... Mom."
"She's your auntie?"
Izumi Sora raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this.
It's actually Mahiru's mother?
The problem is, Mahiru should be happy to see her mother, right?
But her expression right now is clearly off; it's an indescribable mix of complexity and tension.
Not only that.
There was also something wrong with that beautiful woman.
As a mother, upon seeing her daughter, she merely cast a cold, indifferent glance, then looked away as if looking at a stranger. She walked to the supply station to drink water, showing absolutely no intention of coming over to speak.
Shiina Mahiru widened her eyes, watching the woman coldly turn away. Her body involuntarily trembled slightly, her hands clenched tightly into fists, her nails almost digging into her palms.
She had imagined many scenarios for their meeting: happiness, relief, impatience, disgust, disdain... The only thing she hadn't expected was for the other party to be so indifferent as to ignore her completely.
A strong sense of loneliness and abandonment surged over her. Shiina Mahiru felt as if boundless darkness was sweeping towards her, almost swallowing and drowning her.
Just as she was about to sink into the abyss, a warm hand suddenly pulled her back.
Izumi Sora grasped Mahiru's soft hand. Expressionless, he led Mahiru towards the woman.
Making Mahiru show such a lonely expression, that really pisses me off.
"Sora-kun, don't..."
Shiina Mahiru quickly looked up, her eyes pleading:
"Don't go over there."
"Then I'll just go say hello..."
"Don't." Mahiru shook her head quickly, tightly gripping Izumi Sora's right hand. "Sora-kun, don't go over. Let's get some water and keep running, okay?"
Faced with Angel-sama's almost pleading gaze, Izumi Sora finally agreed:
"Let's go, let's get some water."
The two walked hand-in-hand to the supply station.
The tall woman drank her water slowly. She turned to look over, her expression remaining cold, as if they were irrelevant strangers, showing completely no intention to speak.
"Here, water."
Izumi Sora picked up a water cup and handed it to Angel-sama.
"Thank you, Sora-kun..."
Shiina Mahiru thanked him softly and reached out to take the cup. But as she drank, her throat suddenly felt a bit itchy.
"Cough, cough..."
She coughed lightly.
Shiina Mahiru's right hand failed to hold steady, and the water in the cup accidentally spilled, landing right on the shoe of her right foot.
(Oh no...)
Shiina Mahiru's heart sank slightly, nervously biting her lower lip.
If it were normal times, spilling a little water on her shoe wouldn't matter naturally. But this was during a forty-two-kilometer marathon. Any tiny burden would multiply the exertion required.
Just like how a normal shirt can chafe the chest until it bleeds.
Now that her shoe and sock were wet, not only would the running shoe become heavier, but it would also add extra friction between her foot and the shoe. What was originally a possible finish line might now turn into an early withdrawal.
"Hah..."
A cold, pleasant, but condescending voice sounded nearby:
"You can't even drink a cup of water without wetting your shoe. You're as useless as ever."
"..."
Hearing this, Shiina Mahiru's pretty face suddenly turned pale. She silently lowered her head to look at her toes.
Izumi Sora frowned slightly and decisively took a half-step forward:
"Please take back what you just said and apologize to Mahiru."
The tall woman shifted her gaze to Izumi Sora, her eyes remaining condescending:
"Who are you?"
"Who I am isn't important." Izumi Sora's expression was calm. "Spilling a water cup is a very common accident. Mocking someone for something like this is going too far. So please apologize to Mahiru."
"Apologize?"
The corners of the woman's lips turned up, forming a non-committal smile. Her gaze fell on Mahiru:
"Mahiru, do you want me to apologize to you?"
"..."
Shiina Mahiru kept her small head down, her pretty face pale, unable to speak.
Izumi Sora's tone was calm:
"Justice is in the hearts of the people. Whether you should apologize or not should be asked of the volunteers around us, not the person involved."
"..."
Seeing drama unfolding, the surrounding volunteers curiously looked over one by one.
The non-committal smile vanished from the tall woman's face. For the first time, she looked at Izumi Sora seriously:
"Do you know who I am?"
"I know." Izumi Sora said calmly. "You are Mahiru's mother."
The woman crossed her arms over her chest, looking down from her commanding height:
"Since you know, you still want me to apologize?"
"As a mother, doing or saying something wrong, you should set an example and apologize to your child." Izumi Sora was neither humble nor arrogant, his attitude firm. "So, please hurry up and apologize to Mahiru."
"..."
The woman narrowed her eyes, looking at Izumi Sora for two seconds:
"You want me to apologize, right? Fine."
"As long as you finish the race before 12:00 PM noon, I will take back what I said and apologize to Mahiru. But if you have to withdraw because of wet shoes, then honestly admit that you're a useless daughter."
Izumi Sora's expression was calm: "I will definitely finish the race with Mahiru."
"Hah." The woman shifted her gaze, looking at Izumi Sora. "As expected of a useless daughter, her taste is terrible. She actually chose a brat who only talks big."
"...Sora-kun is not someone who talks big!"
A voice suddenly rang out.
Shiina Mahiru clenched her hands tightly into fists, tensed her pretty face, and stepped in front of Izumi Sora:
"Mom, please take back what you just said and apologize to Sora-kun."
It's fine to insult me, but badmouthing Sora-kun... even Mom can't do that!
Watching Mahiru suddenly enter combat mode, a flash of surprise crossed Shiina Sayo's eyes. She dropped the water cup in her hand:
"If you want me to take back what I said, wait until you reach the finish line."
"..."
Watching her mother leave, Shiina Mahiru turned her head, her voice very low:
"Sora-kun, I'm sorry."
"It's nothing to me." Izumi Sora's expression was indifferent. "I just think Mahiru has had it hard."
No wonder Mahiru moved out to live alone and never brings up topics related to her parents. Having such an irresponsible mother, it's a great fortune she didn't grow up twisted.
Izumi Sora rubbed Mahiru's small head:
"What we need to do now is persevere to the finish line. Mahiru also wants her mother to apologize, right?"
"..."
Shiina Mahiru looked up, voicing her true feelings for the first time:
"That's right... I really do want Mom to apologize to me."
"Here." Izumi Sora brought over another paper cup, intentionally saying, "To avoid spilling it again, I'll feed it to you, okay?"
"I-I can drink it myself..."
Shiina Mahiru's pretty face flushed red. She hurriedly took the cup and drank shyly.
If we were alone at home, I could barely let Sora-kun feed me water. But right now, we are surrounded by volunteers and competitors. How could I let Sora-kun feed me!
"Have another energy gel."
Izumi Sora handed over another energy gel. This stuff had no taste, but in a long-distance race like a marathon, it could be considered a magical item, exceptionally effective for replenishing energy.
"Thank you, Sora-kun."
Shiina Mahiru thanked him softly.
"And about your wet shoe and sock..." Izumi Sora looked down at Mahiru's right foot, slightly frowning. "How about we stop time, teleport home, change your shoe and sock, and then come back?"
Having a wet shoe and sock will definitely affect the rest of the long run. The best solution is to completely change them.
"No." Shiina Mahiru shook her head gently, her gaze resolute. "As long as I'm with Sora-kun, I believe we can definitely reach the finish line. And... and since I made a bet with my mother, I absolutely don't want to win by cheating."
"Changing shoes and socks doesn't count as cheating. Even drinking a non-inspected beverage is fine..."
Seeing Angel-sama being unusually stubborn, he naturally had to accommodate her. Izumi Sora said softly:
"Since we're not going back to change gear, shall we set off?"
"Okay..." Shiina Mahiru took a deep breath. "Sora-kun, let's do our best!"
"Let's go."
After eating and replenishing their fluids, the two started running forward again.
"Hah... haah..."
Not long after they started running, Shiina Mahiru's breathing became rapid again.
A forty-two-kilometer marathon is a test of the participants' physical limits, not to mention Shiina Sayo had set a time limit just now.
Now halfway through the course, Shiina Mahiru actually had very little stamina left. Coupled with the effect of her wet shoe and sock, the stamina drain was even more severe.
What's worse, the wet sock was no longer comfortable. With constant friction, her right foot had begun to ache faintly.
As they continued running, the stinging pain on the sole and tip of her foot intensified rapidly.
Shiina Mahiru could only slow down her running speed, adjust her posture, and try to use other parts of her foot to strike the ground. Unfortunately, it didn't help.
"Mahiru, is your foot uncomfortable?"
Izumi Sora had already noticed Mahiru's expression.
"I-It hurts a little..."
Shiina Mahiru bit her lower lip with her pearly white teeth, responding softly.
"Do you want me to help?"
"N-No need..."
Angel-sama shook her head, being exceptionally stubborn.
After persisting for another kilometer, Shiina Mahiru stumbled. Finally unable to hold on, her body staggered forward and fell.
The expected pain didn't come; a broad, solid embrace caught her.
"Can't hold on anymore?"
Izumi Sora easily picked Mahiru up.
"Sora-kun..."
Shiina Mahiru looked up, her eyes misty.
"I'm sorry..."
I finally had a chance to make Mom apologize, but I couldn't hold on, and even dragged Sora-kun down to be looked down upon by Mom. I'm really so useless...
Izumi Sora looked down:
"I'll give Mahiru two choices."
"Eh?"
Shiina Mahiru tilted her pretty face up in confusion, her eyes misty.
Izumi Sora held up one finger:
"First choice, I carry Mahiru in a princess carry and run the rest of the way."
"Second choice..." Izumi Sora paused. "I carry Mahiru on my back and run the rest of the way."
"P-Princess carry or whatever..."
Shiina Mahiru's pretty face quickly flushed red, and she hurriedly shook her head:
"Sora-kun, don't mess around."
"I'm not messing around." Izumi Sora said seriously. "Your mother said before, as long as we can reach the finish line, we win the bet. She didn't say we couldn't run while carrying or holding someone."
As long as they didn't grab a bike from the side of the road and ride there, given Mahiru's mother's arrogant personality, she most likely wouldn't go back on her word.
"Even if Sora-kun says that... it definitely won't work, right?"
Shiina Mahiru lightly bit her lower lip:
"Everyone's stamina has already reached its limit."
There's about ten kilometers left to the finish line, but only a little over an hour remains. Even for a professional athlete, it's impossible to run while carrying someone. That's simply not something a human can do, right?
Izumi Sora said seriously:
"Mahiru, do you believe in light?"
"Believe in light... what do you mean?"
Shiina Mahiru tilted her head slightly.
"I've always wanted to interact with Mahiru as an ordinary person, but I can't hide it anymore, so I'm laying my cards on the table." Izumi Sora spouted nonsense with a straight face. "Actually, I am a Giant of Light from the Nebula M78. I get stronger just by basking in the sun. A mere marathon is a piece of cake."
Shiina Mahiru widened her beautiful eyes, unable to resist complaining:
"Someone who gets stronger by basking in the sun should be Superman, right?"
"Don't worry about the details." Izumi Sora looked down at her. "Anyway, my stamina is perfectly fine to run to the finish line. Mahiru will know once we try."
"But..."
"Carry you in my arms or on my back, Mahiru, make your choice quickly."
Shiina Mahiru's pretty face flushed slightly. After hesitating for two seconds, she finally whispered:
"I-I choose the second one..."
With people lining both sides of the street, a princess carry is just too embarrassing no matter how you think about it.
Although being carried on his back is also embarrassing, it's barely acceptable...
Izumi Sora decisively turned around and half-crouched in front of Mahiru:
"Hop on."
Shiina Mahiru bit her lower lip and reached out her arms, wrapping them around Izumi Sora's neck. The girl's breath was warm and sweet, full of concern:
"Sora-kun, don't push yourself too hard. If you can't hold on, put me down immediately. It doesn't matter if we lose the bet."
"Just trust me." Izumi Sora stepped forward and started running, his steps steady. "We're going to win this bet, even Jesus couldn't stop us."
"..."
Shiina Mahiru didn't speak, just silently hugged Izumi Sora's neck tighter to avoid distracting him.
Time quietly slipped away, minute by minute.
The two quickly ran a kilometer. Shiina Mahiru was shocked to discover that the boy beneath her had steady footsteps, long and powerful breaths. Not only was there not a single sign of exhaustion, but he was even faintly accelerating.
Carrying me to the finish line, Sora-kun might actually be able to do it?