Year End & New Year — Relay Race 1

[gyaxa]

Dino: 1, 2 ♪ 1, 2 ♪ Whaddya think, Oscar? This pace should warm you right up.

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

Akira: *heaving*... Damn, it takes a lot to warm Oscar up, huh…

Hey, Gray. Are ya holdin' up okay…? You're kinda lagging behind…

Gray: Huff, puff… I-I'm okay… I'll speed up now…!

Dino: Alright! Time to raise your voices, guys! GO GO, LET'S GO! HELIOS!

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

Gray: Go go… let's go…

(Uu… I can't believe I'm running with such an impressive group…)

(I-I wonder if it's really alright for me to participate in the road relay with them…?)
 

───
 

Dino: I called you three here for one reason only! I'd like to ask you to participate in the New Year Road Relay with me!

Akira: New Year Road Relay…?

Oscar: Participate…

Gray: W-Wha-Whaaa…?!

Akira: What's this "New Year Road Relay" you're talkin' about, Dino?

Dino: It's a long distance relay race held each year in New Million. It's made up of several teams of four.

It gets more popular with every passing year, so a lot of people sign up for it. Most of the teams are groups of professionals or ordinary people.

Akira: Ah, I mighta seen somethin' like that on TV once…

Dino: They really wanna hype up the event this year, so they requested that some of Helios's heroes show up as special guests.

So Brad appointed me as team leader, and I picked you guys out to be the members.

Whaddya think? I'd really appreciate it if you could help out.

Akira: Hehe, ya can count on me! That sounds like loads of fun! I'll start this year off strong and catch everyone's eye!!

Oscar: I'd love to participate as well.

Dino: Nihihi ♪ Thanks a bunch, you two. What about you, Gray-kun?

Gray: U-Um, may I ask why you chose me…? I'm honored, of course, but… I was just wondering…

Oscar: I was wondering about that, myself. I have confidence in my speed, but I'm sure using my ability would be against the rules.

Dino: Then I'd better explain myself, huh?

To start, the organizers really wanted Oscar to participate. They want to show you overtaking everyone in the blink of an eye with your ability.

Oscar: So I'm allowed to use it…?

Dino: Yep. They want the event to get as heated as possible, so it'd actually be better if you didn't pull any punches. You'd need a pretty big handicap, but that's fine with you, right?

Oscar: I see, so my role's rather important. I understand. If they desire to see this ability of mine, then I'd best not disappoint.

Dino: Yep, I'll be counting on you ♪

This year's race starts in South, then goes through East to reach Central.

That's why I chose people from their respective sectors.

Akira-kun runs a lot and has great form, but above all that, his impressive stamina is what made me choose him.

Akira: Hehe, well of course.

Dino: And then I learned from Junior and Faith that Gray-kun was in a band with them, and I was wondering if he could put that kind of effort into the race as well.

So I asked Jay about it, and he said he'd be a perfect fit.

Gray: Jay-san did…?

Dino: He told me that you've got one heck of a backbone. He mentioned that you can even outrun Asch when he's chasing you.

Gray: ?! Well, I'll think my life is at stake, so you see…

Akira: Well, if ya got Jay's approval, then Gray's a no-brainer, huh?

Gray: Huh…?!

Oscar: Outrunning Asch is an impressive feat. I'd also like to go for a run with you sometime.

Gray: Awawa… L-Like I said, I was really desperate, so…

Dino: Of course, you don't have to force yourself. We'll have to train for the event beforehand too, so you're totally free to turn down the offer.

Whaddya think, Gray-kun?

Gray: … A-Alright. I'm not sure if I'll be able to live up to your expectations… but if it's truly alright…

Dino: Then it's set ♪ Alright, guys! Let's aim for first place!

Akira & Oscar: Yeah!

Gray: Y-Yeah…

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