*Sigh*

(I know I need to keep my attendance up, but a whole day of classes is so exhausting.)

(Still, once homeroom's over...)

We'll now be choosing cheer squad members for the Sports Festival.

Huh...?

(The Sports Festival's one thing, but the cheer squad? I'd rather pass if it means standing out more than I need to...)

Since no one put their name in during our last homeroom, our class will be drawing straws.

Please say so if you draw a straw with “winner” in red letters written on it. Form a single-file line to the right and wait to draw your straw.

Yikes... I've gotta get mine now!

Okay...

Please, not me...

What...?!

Mizuki? Does that mean...?

Oh, hey! Looks like Akiyama drew one.

Alright, that's our first winner.

Everyone else, please keep checking to see what you get.

Grr... And I keep missing out on that anime song concert too... Why's my luck so rotten...?!

...

Shiraishi, you're up.

Oh, right.

Alright, let's see...

Nope, not me...

(Hmm... But it could be fun to be on the cheer squad with Mizuki during the Sports Festival...)

What...?!

O-Oh no...

I... I can't be on the cheer squad...

Oh...

That's all the straws.

There should be one other winner out there. Who drew it?

Oh, me! I'm the last one!

A-An?!

Ah, Shiraishi. Understood.

(Man, An drew the short straw too.

I guess we can lick each other's wounds while griping about our bad luck.)

Um, Shiraishi...

Are you really sure about taking my place?

Hm...?

I actually kinda wanted to be on the cheer squad.

And not everybody's cut out for stuff like this, right? I really don't think there's any need to force yourself into doing anything for the Sports Festival.

So you can leave the cheering to me!

But in return, promise to do your best during the other events!

O-Okay...!

I should be able to do that for at least the ball toss!

Great! That's the spirit!

(So An took their place.)

Um... Thank you so much, Shiraishi.

No, I should be the one thanking you!

Now I get to enjoy the Sports Festival with Mizuki!

Oh...

Thank you for your cooperation, everyone.

The representatives for our class have been decided, but the cheer squad is always looking for more recruits. Please feel free to ask to join at any time.

Well, looks like we're both on the cheer squad now.

Yup. I guess the Sports Festival won't be as boring as having to sit through classes just to keep up my attendance.

Haha! I really doubt you'll be bored. I mean, our school's cheering competition's supposed to be pretty famous!

So let's do our best to make the Sports Festival really fun this year!

Okay, okay...