Year End & New Year — Relay Race 2

[gyaxa]

Gray: (heaving)

Akira: Ya hanging in there, Gray? C'mon, ya gotta walk when ya cool down.

Gray: Y-Yeah, thanks for asking… You seem just fine, Akira-kun…

Akira: I'd like to say I am, but… I'm nothing compared to Dino and Oscar.

Gray: They're amazing, right? It's like they have infinite stamina… That's gotta be cheating…

Dino: Oh, did ya guys see? They announced the names of who's participating on the website.

Oscar: Yes, Will told me that it made a buzz on social media, and that there were a lot of comments cheering us on.

Akira: You got the most comments, right, Gray? You've been gettin’ a lot of attention ever since you were featured during CFF¹.

Gray: Huh?! I'm already nervous enough as is… I don't know if I can handle the stress of everyone's eyes on me…

Akira: Aw, don't say that. All ya gotta do is live up to their expectations.

Gray: Y-You make it sound so easy…

Akira: Don't sweat it! You've got the genius Akira Otori-sama on your team, right? I'll give ya the best changeover ya could imagine, so relax and leave it to me!

Gray: Akira-kun…

Dino: Yep, we're aiming for the goal as a team. So don't get too worked up by yourself, ‘kay?

Gray: U-Understood…
 

───
 

Akira: (The big day's two days from now. Hehehe, I'll leave everyone else in the dust and keep everyone's eyes on me!)

(I'm a little worried about Gray, though. It's not like he's a bad runner, so I hope his nerves don't make him freeze up.)

(Well, as long as I do super well during my section, it won't be a problem!)

Huh?

Jack: 『Emergency, emergency!』

『Several Eclipse members have been spotted at Carmine Street. All available heroes, please head to the scene immediately.』

Akira: Well someone sure didn't wait to make their new year's debut! I'll go send them flyin’!
 

───

Citizen: Thank you… for protecting us…!

Akira: Don't sweat it. Next time, make sure ya run away as soon as ya can, got it?

Citizen: Of course! Thank you, again!

Oscar: It seems you've got this area under control. Did you sustain any injuries, Akira?

Akira: Hm? I took a hit to my left foot, but it shouldn't be a big deal.

Oscar: Your leg? That's no good. We have the race soon, so you should pay a visit to the infirmary.

Akira: I told ya, it's fine! It doesn't hurt at all or anythin’, so it should heal in time.

Oscar: … Alright. Just make sure you don't overdo it.

Akira: Got it!
 

───

 

Reporter: 『It's a beautiful day, and New Million's New Year Road Relay is about to begin!』

『All the teams have gathered at the starting point and formed a circle!』

Dino: ‘Kay, I'm gonna go over the order again.

Oscar, you're the top runner! Once you take off, run as fast as you can using your ability. Until then, stay bundled up so you don't get cold.

Oscar: Understood!

Dino: Next up is Akira-kun. Just keep a steady pace at the beginning, and spurt forward when you reach the straightaway at the end. Y'know, at max voltage ♪

Akira: Whoo! Get ready for my Voltage Max-Spurt²!

Dino: You'll take it from there, Gray-kun! I want you to stick with the leading pack and stay in a good position. I'll be waiting for you!

Gray: O-Okay…!

Dino: And I'll be the anchor! I'll take everyone's love and peace, and bring it to the finish line before anyone else!

And then we'll have a pizza party tonight ☆

Akira: Uh, isn't pizza right after a marathon kinda a lot…?

Dino: Don't worry, it won't be anything top over-the-top!

Alright guys, from the top! Go go, let's go…

Everyone: HELIOS!
 

───

Reporter: 『The top runners are about to finish their leg of the race, and pass the batons on!』

『And now it's what we've all been waiting for! Team Helios's top runner Oscar Bale is about to take off after waiting through his very, very long handicap!』

Oscar: Alright—

Reporter: 『Oh my! Bale has disappeared in the blink of an eye!』

───

1. This is a reference to the event HEROES IN THE CARTOON, in which Gray gets invited to the Comic Fandom Festival (CFF for short) as a special guest. ↑

2. Akira is combining max (makkusu) with spurt (supaato). The spelling of the word "max" doesn't really lend itself to this title in English, though... ↑

 

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