NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 100: Shock and Awe!
The school sports meet was in full swing, with athletes giving their all on the field. The cheers and encouragement from the makeshift broadcast booth added to the excitement—
“Swift as the breeze, our youth dances with great energy. Cheers echo like thunder, mirroring our limitless enthusiasm…”
“Your sweat spills onto the track, fostering the growth of success. Your laughter soars across the field, bringing honour to your class. Dionysius, keep it up!”
“Pursue your dreams, our youth beneath the azure sky. Class 1-3, Luciel, give it your all!”
Amidst the athletes’ fierce competition, there were those who provided comic relief at critical moments, causing the entire audience to burst into laughter.
For instance, during the men’s 100-meter final, one athlete, who had an impressive start and quickly gained a significant lead, seemed destined for victory. The crowd cheered, “Wow, he’s so fast,” and assumed he had the gold medal in the bag.
However, just before the finish line, this athlete, feeling overly confident, began celebrating prematurely. He attempted to form a heart shape with his hands—perhaps as a gesture of affection to a girl in the stands or simply to show off.
Unfortunately, his hand gesture went awry, causing him to stumble and fall dramatically, losing both his lead and the medal.
This misfortune handed a silver medal to Sunny, representing Class 1-3. Sunny wasn’t a professional athlete; he was a speed-oriented soccer enthusiast. In the 100-meter race, although he wasn’t the fastest, he finished just two positions behind the athlete who had celebrated too early, thus securing the silver.
Another amusing scene unfolded during the hurdles race, where some participants attempted the jumps seriously, while others decided to dismantle the hurdles instead. One particularly memorable performance involved a competitor finishing the race while still tangled in a hurdle.
The high jump event featured its own array of peculiar athletes—some managed impressive leaps but ended up knocking over the support stand, while others attempted high jumps with unorthodox techniques, like jumping with a rubber band method, causing great amusement among the spectators.
There was even a millenials' style of jumping, which made the sports teachers, who were officiating, shake their heads in dismay and don pained expressions.
The long jump, especially the triple jump, saw numerous participants who focused more on participation than performance. Often, they failed to reach the sand pit in the third jump or stumbled during the run, resulting in a comical movement, using their hands and feet in a chaotic but entertaining display.
By the end of the day, the audience was less concerned with who won the medals and more interested in which amusing performance would provide the next round of laughter.
Notably, among the spectators from Class 1-3, cheerleaders Xanthia and Elena were garnering more attention than the athletes themselves.
Especially Xanthia, who, despite having removed her wig, still stood out in her white maid outfit. Her natural hairstyle, paired with her attire, exuded a unique charm.
Athletes from other classes envied them greatly, wishing their own classes had such captivating cheerleaders to boost their morale.
Xanthia and Elena not only cheered energetically but also took on the role of distributing water to the athletes, providing top-notch support services.
Xanthia seamlessly transitioned into “housekeeping mode,” finding these service tasks far less tiring compared to her domestic chores, even considering the minimal energy expended.
For the athletes from Class 1-3, such as Makarios, the experience was highly satisfying. Despite not achieving a remarkable distance with his game, he was delighted to receive water directly from Xanthia, feeling that his initial reluctance to participate was completely worth it.
However, if there was one athlete who received the most enthusiastic support from Xanthia, it was Luciel!
Luciel herself was surprised when Xanthia gave her a huge surprise before her 200-meter sprint.
During the preparation stage for the 200-meter race, Xanthia approached the temporary broadcast station and commandeered the microphone. As an intern school broadcaster, she was familiar with the members of the temporary station, who were more than happy to indulge her request.
Instead of reading the usual, clichéd encouragement messages, Xanthia spoke into the microphone with heartfelt sincerity, “I’m Xanthia from Class 1-3. Our classmate Luciel is about to compete in the women’s 200-meter sprint. She is my best friend, and her favorite song is ‘Little Fireflies.’ I’m going to sing this song to support her!”
Xanthia’s gesture shocked many—
“Splendid, what a display of social confidence! Singing to support a friend? Just how much does she dote on Luciel?”
“Is she truly this confident? The temporary broadcast station’s microphone is dreadful; it would be better to play the original track…”
“Xanthia is the leader of Class 1-3’s cheering squad, and she’s really putting in the effort!”
“Sing, sing! I’m eager to have a good laugh!”
“Her voice is rather pleasant, but singing well demands skill. With the noise and poor sound quality, one can only admire her genuine support. Not everyone can be so bold and unashamed.”
…
Luciel, upon hearing Xanthia’s voice, showed an incredibly surprised expression on her striking face. She hadn’t expected Xanthia to support her in this way, remembering her favorite song, “Little Fireflies.”
An indescribable sense of gratitude filled Luciel’s heart. She looked up towards the spectator stand, her majestic gaze now softened with sweetness.
As the BGM of “Little Fireflies” played, Xanthia, taking her social confidence to the extreme, began to sing into the microphone. With her Level 2 singing skills, she was unfazed by nerves and ensured a flawless performance. Despite the poor equipment, her a cappella rendition remained captivating.
“Little girl's melodies, shackle’s ethereal sound, a picture of elegance, mountains and rivers forget the past, writing poetry with abandon, free of sorrow~…”
“…observing who in the world could be as carefree as you~”
…
Xanthia’s rendition of “Little Fireflies” concluded perfectly, and the previously noisy stadium fell into a brief, profound silence.
The song was far from an ideal choice for a pep talk. Its style clashed with the lively atmosphere of the sports event. Yet, it was Luciel's favorite song, and Xanthia had chosen it specifically for her, capturing both Luciel's love for the song and her own unique charm.
Today, Luciel wore a light-colored athletic outfit, which faintly echoed the lyrics, adding a touch of poetic resonance.
Yet, the significance of the lyrics was secondary to Luciel's reaction. As the final notes of "Little Fireflies" faded, Luciel's face lit up with a radiant, sweet smile. She gave Xanthia a thumbs-up from the stands, her spirit ignited and brimming with fervor. Her determination was palpable, as if she was on fire, ready to give her all.
With a deep breath and a determined expression, Luciel planted her hands on her hips. Her gaze was filled with an unyielding resolve, embodying a winning spirit that promised grace and power in her upcoming run.
The brief silence that followed Xanthia’s performance was soon broken by the applause of the audience. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and everyone began to clap and cheer:
“I didn’t expect Xanthia to sing so well. She’s quite talented!”
“Her confident performance was flawless! That singing skill is truly impressive!”
“If she went to a karaoke bar, she’d be a star! One can’t help but envy such a talented person…”
“I was ready to laugh, but instead, I was spellbound. It was like hearing the music of an angel!”
“It’s a shame the environment and the poor microphone held her back. Despite that, her cover was superb. Who is this hidden gem? Could she be a choir member, perhaps?”
“Now that you mention it, her voice was indeed angelic!”
“Luciel is so fortunate to have a friend willing to make a bit of a fool of herself for her. Such friendship is rare and enviable…”
Xanthia’s singing skill, while not on par with professional singers, still shone brightly in a school setting. Her performance was captivating enough to make a high school audience appreciate her talent, and she certainly had a promising future ahead.
Dionysius and Santos were among the cheering squad, and both had listened to Xanthia’s cover. Dionysius, accustomed to hearing his sister sing during their KTV sessions, remained calm.
Nevertheless, he couldn't help but feel a hint of envy for Luciel. Only someone like her could receive such a special performance.
If Dionysius had heard that Xanthia was singing for a boy, he might have had a heart attack. No boy dared to make a move on his cherished sister; such a notion was beyond tolerable.
Santos, however, was visibly stunned. “She sings this well?”
Dionysius smiled with pride. “Yeah, she’s pretty good. It’s just a cover, but she’s quite familiar with this song.”
“You’ve heard her sing before?” Santos asked, puzzled.
“Of course. I’ve witnessed her progress firsthand,” Dionysius replied, beaming with pride.
“So, did you hire a vocal coach for her?”
“Nope. She just practiced on her own at KTV and improved quickly.”
“Wow! Your sister is incredibly talented. If she loves singing, you should definitely provide her with the best training environment.”
“I would, but she has her own way of doing things. She doesn’t want to waste too much time on formal training. She prefers to go with the flow,” Dionysius said with a shrug, respecting his sister’s wishes.
He believed Xanthia’s talent was inherited from their late mother, Ella La Fielsola, who was a celebrated figure in the music scene at the turn of the century.
Santos suddenly thought of the band he wanted to form. “Speaking of which, I need a lead singer. Maybe…”
“No way! Don’t even think about it. If you want her, you should invite her yourself. If she agrees, then we’ll talk,” Dionysius interrupted, predicting Santos’s intentions.
“Forget it! Even if my band is short on a lead singer, I can handle it myself. Your sister’s style doesn’t fit with the rock genre I’m aiming for,” Santos retorted, his pride showing.
Dionysius thought Santos underestimated Xanthia. Her voice was highly versatile. She dabbled in voice acting privately and could easily master different tones, from loli to mature voices.
“You can handle it yourself, but here’s the thing: how many members do you have in your band right now?” Dionysius asked pointedly.
Santos was caught off guard and blushed. His band was still a one-man show!
“Actually, you’re the last member I need. With you on keyboards and me on guitar, our band would be unbeatable!” Santos boasted.
Dionysius smirked. “A two-person band? I’ve only heard of folk duos. You’re aiming for rock.”
Santos was at a loss for words. Although he was frustrated, he couldn’t refute Dionysius’s point.
The moment arrived for Luciel’s 200-meter sprint!
At the sound of the starting gun, Luciel shot off like an arrow. Her sun-kissed skin glistened, adding to her fierce beauty.
Her striking features and athletic grace earned her the admiration of many. In the short-distance race, her appearance alone made her a standout.
With a determined glint in her eyes, Luciel drew strength from Xanthia’s support, pouring all her effort into the race. Her resolve was unshakable as she pushed herself to the limit.
“Go, Luciel!”
“Push it, Luciel! Give it your all!”
“Run with Xanthia’s love and energy!”
“You can win, I believe in you!”
“Go, my love! Unstoppable!”
Despite her elegance and grace, Luciel’s physical attributes somewhat held her back. Additionally, two professional athletes competed in the race.
Ultimately, Luciel couldn’t secure a victory but still earned a bronze medal for Class 1-3.
As she crossed the finish line, Xanthia was already there, having rushed to the end to support her friend. After finishing her song, she awaited Luciel’s arrival.
When Luciel saw Xanthia standing there with water, she felt an overwhelming impulse. Instead of immediately grabbing the bottle, she embraced Xanthia tightly. Their chests pressed together, and they shared a moment of mutual triumph.
“Xanthia! Your rendition of ‘Little Fireflies was amazing, but I didn’t meet your expectations. I didn’t win the gold… oh well,” Luciel said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Luciel was a perfectionist, always striving for first place, but sports often relied on innate talent.
After all, everyone’s youth includes failures and regrets.
Xanthia, smelling the pleasant scent of her friend, comforted her. “Luciel, in my eyes, you’re already a champion. Don’t be upset. Your performance was beautiful, and I’ll never forget it!”
Luciel felt immensely comforted by Xanthia’s words and enjoyed the hug. It was incredibly soothing.
She held the embrace for a long time before accepting the water and drinking it, sweat trickling down her neck. Xanthia gently wiped her sweat with a tissue, unexpectedly experiencing the softness of Luciel’s form.
In reality, Luciel became the center of attention after the 200-meter race, surpassing even the athletes who won the gold and silver medals. Xanthia’s pre-race serenade had already made her the most dazzling figure of the day. Now, with Luciel tightly embracing Xanthia and Xanthia tenderly wiping her sweat, their pure and beautiful friendship was nothing short of captivating.
Some spectators joked, “Though Luciel didn’t win the race, she won at life.”
Others clapped enthusiastically, while some watched enviously from the sidelines. Among them was Elena, who had cheered alongside Xanthia and now controlling herself from crying. Why was there a green light flashing above her head? Was someone playing with a laser pointer?
Regardless, the atmosphere remained harmonious.
For Class 1-3, no one felt that Luciel’s lack of a gold medal was a disappointment. Securing a bronze medal was already a significant achievement, and they were proud of their class's performance!
In fact, Class 1-3 didn’t secure any gold medals. The best result was a silver medal won by Sunny, while Marcus took home three “silver” medals, and the chubby girl Sequanni earned a silver in a game board event.
Traditional sports events, where trained athletes had a substantial advantage, meant that securing a gold medal was often a given for those with serious training. For a class without specialized athletes like Class 1-3, winning any medals was a triumph, and they had certainly outperformed the other experimental classes in overall scores.
Nonetheless, students in Class 1-3 were still hopeful for a gold medal in one of the remaining events. Although traditional events were over, there were still novelty competitions like stilt races and one-legged chicken fights. In these, trained athletes wouldn’t have an edge.
However, these novelty events were scheduled for the following day, after all the traditional events had concluded.
The school sports meet spanned two days, with the first day dedicated to traditional and popular events, featuring numerous athletes.
As the first day’s events wrapped up, most spectators were not interested in seeing which sports star took home the most trophies. After all, this was just a school sports meet. True prowess would be proven by making it to the national team and competing in the Olympics.
The memorable moments for the audience were the humorous and unexpected mishaps, providing more joy than simply witnessing a championship win.
In a school sports meet, friendship comes first, competition second—or perhaps entertainment first. Whether participating or watching, the fun was what mattered most.
Xanthia, who thrived on creating fun, saw her happiness surge as she enjoyed the amusing scenes. The lively atmosphere of the sports meet had certainly added to her joy.
Beyond the comedic moments, Xanthia, known for her social skills, had left a deep impression on many students with her pre-race performance. Even if "Little Fireflies" didn’t fit the sports meet’s vibe, her beautiful rendition was more than enough!
Following Xanthia, several students with similar social inclinations and self-proclaimed singing talents took to the stage. They likely felt inspired, thinking, “If Xanthia can sing so well, so can I.” However, they soon discovered that performing at a sports meet came with its own set of challenges. Despite their best efforts, they could barely showcase half of their usual skill.
The audience, initially intrigued, lost interest once it became clear that their singing skills were lacking. Their performances, intended to energize the crowd, ended up being more about setting the mood with energetic, crowd-pleasing songs.
In summary, those who attempted to mimic Xanthia's performance ended up even more admiring her. Experiencing the challenge firsthand made them realize how exceptional she truly was.
Thus, the first day of the sports meet ended successfully, and the second day’s events were soon upon them.
The girls’ 3000-meter race, which initially wasn’t highly anticipated, became the focal point of the event when Xanthia, a participant whose presence seemed incongruous with the other competitors, was announced.
The audience buzzed with excitement:
“Such travesty, why on earth is Xanthia running the 3000 metres? Does she even have the stamina for it?”
“Who in Class 1-3 thought it was a good idea to put their cheerleader in a 3000-metre race? This is bonkers!”
“The 3000 metres is a grueling event. Xanthia doesn’t look like an athlete. Isn’t this just going to be torture for her?”
“Wow, this is going to be quite the spectacle. I thought today’s events would be a bit dull, but it looks like the best is yet to come!”
“Can we pull out now? Xanthia, looking so delicate, really shouldn’t be doing this 3000-metre race. It’s far too reckless. I hope she doesn’t end up in the ICU…”
With the day's events behind them, anticipation and curiosity were at an all-time high as the school sports meet prepared for the final day.