Event Story – Year-end&NewYear: Relay Race!

[kozvme]

 

Dino: 1, 2 ♪ 1, 2 ♪ How’s it, Oscar? At this pace, even your body will get warm, right?

 

Oscar: You’re right. I don't feel as cold anymore.

 

Akira: Haah, haah… Man, it’s gonna be tough matching that cold-sensitive Oscar until he warms up...

Oi, Gray, you okay…? You’re falling behind, you know…? 

 

Gray: Haah, haah… Yeah, I’m okay… I'm going to pick up the pace now...!

 

Dino: Alrighty! Now chant aloud! GO, GO, LET’S GO! HELIOS!

 

Akira & Oscar: GO, GO, LET’S GO! HELIOS!

 

Gray: Go, go… Let’s… go…

(Ugh… I still can’t believe I’m here, running with such incredible teammates...

Is it really okay… for the likes of m- me to compete in the road relay…?)

 

Dino: I've gathered the three of you here today for one reason only: I want you to join me in the New Year Road Relay!

 

Akira: New Year Road Relay…?

 

Oscar: Join you...

 

Gray: E- Ehhhh…!?

 

Akira: Say, Dino, what’s this… New Year Road Relay?

 

Dino: It's a long-distance relay competition for teams of four that takes place in New Million at the start of the year.

Participants are primarily corporate track and field teams and track and field circles for working people, but it seems to be growing in popularity each year, considering the increase of applications.
 

Akira: Aah, I think I saw that on TV...

 

Dino: They wanted to make it even more thrilling this year, so they invited HELIOS heroes to participate as a special entry.

And so, Brad chose me as team leader, and I personally picked you guys.

What do you think? I'd be grateful if you could take it on.

 

Akira: Heh, if that's the case, then leave it to me! This road relay sounds like a lot of fun! I’m gonna come to the fore starting right on New Year!!

 

Oscar: I will gladly accept.

 

Dino: Nihihi ♪ Thank you, Akira-kun, Oscar. How about you, Gray-kun?

 

Gray: Co- Could I, uhm… know the reason for this selection…? I’m super happy you included me, but… I’m wondering why me…

 

Oscar: I’m also intrigued. I'm confident in my speed, but I'm certain my ability is a ruse.

 

Dino: Right, right, better explain that as well.

Let me begin with Oscar. There was a lot of interest in you on the management side. They want to broadcast you as you use your ability to close in on the others.

 

Oscar: I can use my ability…?

 

Dino: Yep, they actually encourage you to use it to spice things up even more. Of course, you'll be starting late to give everyone else a leg up. I'm sure you'll be alright, though.

 

Oscar: I see, that's an essential factor. I understand; if they want this ability of mine, I will do everything in my power to liven things up.

 

Dino: Yeah, I’m counting on you! ♪
The relay will start in South, then we'll pass through East to reach Central.

That's why I decided to pick a member from South and East each.

Akira-Kun, you jog often, and your running style is also attractive, but you're best recognized for your physical power, which is why I approached you.

 

Akira: Heheh, but of course.

 

Dino: As for you, Gray-kun, I heard from Junior and Faith that you're in a band together and thought you would give it your all this time as well, so I checked with Jay.

And guess what? He also said you were perfect for the role.

 

Gray: Jay-san did…?

 

Dino: “Gray has plenty of grit,” is what he said. I heard you can even escaped from Asch.

 

Gray: !? That is, uhm, because I felt my life was in danger…

 

Akira: If Jay gave his stamp of approval, then Gray’s good.

 

Gray: Huuuh…!?

 

Oscar: A runner who even Asch can't beat, eh? I'd love to run with you.

 

Gray: Awawah… L- Like I said, I did it because I had no other option...

 

Dino:  I'm not pressuring you to do anything. There will be more training before the competition, too. It's not a problem if you refuse.
So what do you say, Gray-kun?

 

Gray: … A- Alright. I'm not sure if I can live up to your expectations, but... if you’re fine with me…

 

Dino: Hooray, it’s decided! ♪ Alright, everyone! Let's do our best to win first place!

 

Akira & Oscar: Yeah—!

 

Gray: Y- Yeah……

Gray: *Wheeze*, *gasp*... Huff…

 

Akira: You okay, Gray? Let’s take a walk to cool down.

 

Gray: Y- Yes, thanks… You look fine, Akira-kun…

 

Akira: I wanna say it's a piece of cake, but…  compared to Dino and Oscar, I still have a long way to go.

  

Gray: Those two are incredible... It's as if they have boundless energy... I feel duped…

 

Dino: Did you know, by the way? The names of the participants have been posted on the competition website.
 

Oscar: That's right. Will informed me that there is a lot of buzz about it on SNS. There were numerous positive comments.

 

Akira: Gray got the most comments, didn't he? Everyone is focused on him since he's the hero that took the stage at CFF.

 

Gray: Uweeeh!!? I become anxious when people have such great expectations for me... And I'm already worried...

 

Akira: What are you talking about? You just gotta live up to their expectations.

 

Gray: You make it sound so s- simple…

 

Akira: Don't worry! You've got Akira Otori the genius on your team! I'll connect with you in the greatest way possible, so you have nothing to worry about!

Gray: Akira-kun…

 

Dino: Yup, yup, in road relays, everyone works together to reach the goal. You don’t have to worry all by yourself.

 

Gray: Y- Yes…

Akira: (The road relay finally begins tomorrow! Hehehe, we're going to leave the rest in the dust, we're going to leave the rest in the dust!

Still, I’m a bit worried about Gray. Though he's not a bad runner, I hope nervousness won't get the best of him.

Well, it's fine. We won't have to worry about that stuff as long as I run fast.) 

 

Hm?

 

Jack: 「Emergency, emergency!

A number of Eclipse members have appeared in Carmine Street. Please head over at once.」

 

Akira: Hmpf, how dare they show up this early in the New Year! I’m gonna teach those guys a quick lesson!

 

Citizen: Thank you very much… for protecting me…!

 

Akira: Yeah, don’t worry ‘bout it! Next time maybe don’t take your time to get outta here!

 

Citizen: Will do! Thank you!

 

Oscar: Things appear to have been resolved here as well. Akira, you’re not hurt, are you?

 

Akira: Hm? They got my left leg, but this much is nothin’.

 

Oscar: Left leg? That’s not good.It's also right before the competition. Should we go to the doctor's office to have it checked?
 

Akira: I told you, it’s fine! It doesn’t hurt, and it’ll heal before the competition.

 

Oscar: … Alright. Still, don’t overdo it, okay?

 

Akira: Gotcha!

Commentator: 「The New Year’s Road Relay is about to take place here, beneath the clear sky of New Million! 

Each team is currently forming a circle at the starting point!」

 

Dino: Alright, let me explain today's order once again.

Oscar will be our first runner! Once you start, use your ability and run as fast as you can. But, in the meantime, it's cold, so bundle up.

 

Oscar: Yes!

 

Dino: Akira-kun is our second runner! Maintain your pace at first, then make a burst on the straight road at the end. At voltage max, that is ♪

 

Akira: Aight! Lemme show you how to it's done at voltage max!

 

Dino: Then, Gray-kun, our third runner! Maintain a good position without getting too far away from the lead group. I'll be waiting for you up ahead!

 

Gray: Y- Yes…!

 

Dino: And then there's me, the last runner! It will be my task to bring the love and peace that connected everyone to the finishing line! ♪ 

And then we’ll have a pizza party tonight! ☆

 

Akira: Isn’t pizza after a marathon kinda heavy…?

 

Dino: Don’t worry, we’ll only have light pizza!

That being said, let’s do what we always do! Go, go, let’s go!

 

Everyone: HELIOS!

Commentator: 「After completing their leg, the first runner is about to reach the second runner!

Oscar Bale, HELIOS team's first runner, who everyone has been waiting for, will now begin with a significant disadvantage.」

 

Oscar: Alrightー

 

Commentator: 「Whoa, Oscar Bale vanished in the blink of an eyeee!」

 

Last runner amid the participants: I’ll take the water…

 

Staff in charge of the water: Here you have it. All that remains is water for HELIOS teamー

… Huh? It disappeared?

 

Commentator: 「Amazing! The water bottle vanished in an instant, and the last runner was silently passed! Is it only possible to check it by replaying this in slow‐motion!?」

 

Oscar: (I outdid the last runner. If I keep going at this pace, I should surpass half of the participants!)

 

Akira: Ooh, there you are! You really managed to get past half of the people in an instant, that’s amazing, Oscar! 

 

Oscar: I was able to get past them faster than we anticipated, so don't be reckless and maintain your speed. Save it for the final spurt.

 

Akira: Yeah, no need to worry! Leave it to me, I’m gonna make everyone eat dust!
 

 

Haah, haah… Alright, I see the leading bunch! At this pace I’ll be able to connect with Gray in a good position ♪

 

Commentator: 「Even though they’re going at a quick pace, HELIOS team is closing the gap on the leading group! Oscar Bale has performed a significant role in this!」

 

Akira: Wh…!? I'm the one who caught up to them, but... He's only saying nice stuff about Oscar, dammit...!

Graaaah, voltageeee maaaaax!!

 

Commentator: 「Oh my, Akira Otori is picking up his pace!! He’s fast, so fast he makes it look like he's running a short distance! You can hear the crowd cheering enthusiastically from the side roads!」

 

Akira: Hehe, how do you like it? This is the genius Akira Otori’s voltage max supー

 

Commentator: 「What happened!? Akira Otori demonstrated his incredible speed, but he abruptly came to a halt! And he's running with a limp on his left leg...!?」

 

Akira: Kh… Shit, what’s wrong…? My left leg hurts…

 

Commentator: 「Akira Otori hurt his left leg! According to the information on SNS, he hurt his left leg yesterday while defending a citizen from an Eclipse attack!」

 

Gray: A- Akira-kun…

 

Akira: (I can’t speed up… but if I don’t move up, Gray…)

 

Oscar: ーAkira.
 

Akira: O- Oscar…!? Why are you runnin’ by my side?

 

Oscar: You hurt your leg, right? Don’t overdo it. We still have Gray and Dino-san.

 

Akira: But…!

 

Oscar: Gray has left me a message: "I will do my best to meet your expectations."

 

Akira: ……!

Alright… I’ll keep this pace and leave it to Gray!


 

Gray: Akira-kun…!

 

Akira: Sorry, Gray…! It wasn't my best performance, but I leave it to you…! I have high hopes, Gray…!

 

Gray: Y- Yes…! I’ll turn the tables…!

 

Commentator: 「Now, HELIOS team! Despite the accident that befell Akira Otori, Gray Reverse is rapidly catching up!」

 

Gray: *Wheeze, wheeze*, kh…Haah, haa…

(T- This is tough, it’s hard to breathe… I feel like my heart, is going to give in too… At this pace, my body will…

Should I slow down... I tried my hardest... I’m sure everyone will forgive me…)

 

Citizen’s voice: Keep it upーーー Gray Reverse!

 

Commentator: 「What do we have here? A cosplayer on the sideroad just called out to Gray!」

 

Akira: I have high hopes, Gray.

 

Gray: (This is not the time to whine…! I made a promise with Akira-kun…! I'll live up to his expectations...!!)

 

G- GO, GO, LET’S GO… HELIOS!

 

Commentator: 「It’s finally time for our anchor legs! Gray arrived a little later than the group in the lead!」

 

Gray: I’m sorry, Dino-san…I tried my best to catch up to the leading runners…!

 

Dino: It's all right! Gray, you put up a good fight! ♪

 

Commentator: 「HELIOS team's anchor leg, Dino Albani, just sprinted at a breakneck pace!」

 

Runner in the lead: (A- Alright… I’m in the lead…! At this rate, I'll be the first to finish...!)

 

Dino: Alright! I caught up…!

 

Runner in the lead: Wha…!?

 

Dino: (Oscar, Akira-kun, Gray-kun… The connection we formed really warms my heart!

I'm going to win first place and celebrate with everyone! Tonight we’ll definitelyー)

 

Have a pizza party!!

 

Runner in the lead: Huh-... Pi- pizza party…?

Commentator: 「Finally, finally HELIOS team took the lead…!」

 

Commentator: 「HELIOS team is the first to arrive! With Dino Albani cross the finish line as we speak!」

 

Dino: Hurraaaaay~~~~~ ♪

 

Commentator: 「Despite the handicap, HELIOS team comes in first place! The rest of the team rushes up to Dino to share their joy!」

 

Oscar: Dino-san, as expected! We truly won first place!

 

Dino: Nihi, a successful love & peace! ☆

 

Oscar: Yes, love and peace!

 

Akira: You really made ‘em eat your dust, DIno! Still, you’re a lifesaver... Thanks.

 

Dino: Don’t worry too much about it, we’re a team. Also, you should tell people when you’re hurt, you hear, Akira-kun?

 

Akira: Sorry… Oscar said the same thing when he was taping me.

 

Dino: I see, then I believe we can end the sermon here. ♪

 

Akira: I should thank you too, Gray… You ran way beyond my expectations.

 

Gray: R- Really? I'm glad to hear that…

 

Oscar: Things seem to be heating up on SNS as well. Your fans are posting about the fact that they want you to run in cosplay the next time.

 

Gray: Hawawah… I- I’m not running dressed like that…!

 

Dino: Ahahah! ♪

Alright! When we return home, we'll have a pizza party to celebrate our victory! You can ask me for as many of your favorite pizzas as you like!

 

Akira: Could you include something other than pizza!?

 

Oscar: Before that, Dino-san, the awarding ceremony...
 

Dino: Ah!

 

Gray: Fufu…