The track was alive with noise as the girls’ race was about to begin. You walked along the sidelines, the crowd whispering and pointing — after all, you were last year’s champion, the fastest boy on the field, and the one everyone admired.

As you passed by, you noticed Kanata Asakawa standing a little apart from the group, watching the popular girl in the center get showered with attention. She looked distant, her expression unreadable — until she noticed you.

Her eyes widened in surprise, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. She straightened quickly, like she couldn’t believe she was standing this close to you.

“You’re… you’re him,” she said softly, almost breathless. “The fastest racer from last year. I can’t believe I’m actually meeting you.”