[Short-Short] A marathon broadcast where an unsettling atmosphere drifts everywhere except the competition, despite being on public airwaves 《Three-Dialogue Story》
“Welcome to the 26th annual Shizuoka Kawazu Marathon. We are starting from Kawazu Bagatelle Park, where cherry blossom petals are dancing in the wind. Providing commentary is Toshiki Ira, and I, Aosugi, will be your play-by-play announcer. Mr. Ira, please try not to get irritated.”
“Yes, and please try not to stir things up too much.”
“The lead group has already formed with about 20 runners, including the invited athletes. As for our starting point, Kawazu Bagatelle Park, it is a sister park to the Bagatelle-la-Roseraie park located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, France. Bagatelle-la-Roseraie in the Bois de Boulogne features a rose garden that Marie Antoinette herself ordered to be built, and it is also said to be a hidden gem for cherry blossoms in Paris.
By the way, I went there on my honeymoon and spent a very romantic night in Paris. I heard you have been there too, Mr. Ira?”
“...I haven't. I'm single.”
“It seems there was an error in my information. My apologies.
Also, regarding this Kawazu Marathon, due to the recent severe labor shortage, we were unable to arrange pacemakers. So, the organizers, based entirely on a gut feeling that 'people who drive Shinkansen trains must be fast on their feet, right?', have appointed two Shinkansen drivers as the race pacemakers.”
“No, look, their faces are bright red and they are gasping for air. Even if they are professionals at driving Shinkansen trains, they aren't professional marathon runners. Actually, they've already been overtaken by the pack; shouldn't we stop them?”
“It has become a slightly warm day for cherry blossom season here at the 26th Kawazu Marathon. The race is approaching the 10km water station.
Oh my!? The runners who took a drink are spitting it out one after another! Did they think the bottles contained water or sports drinks? For this tournament, we are providing lemon squash made from Makinohara City's famous 'Surfing Lemons' for the athletes' hydration. What a waste, don't you think, Mr. Ira?”
“No, uh, I understand you want to promote local specialties, but isn't the method wrong? It's not that carbonated drinks are forbidden during a marathon, but you can only drink a little bit in the early stages. If your stomach gets bloated from the carbonation, you won't be able to refuel later. Besides, usually, tournaments don't provide lemon squash.”
“Yes, thank you for the trivia. Replacing the two Shinkansen drivers who dropped out, Mr. Tada, who has been a farmer in Kawazu for 50 years, will serve as the race pacemaker.”
“No, a tractor! A tractor, and a large one at that!
It's a 170-horsepower M7 series made at the new Kubota factory in France! I can't see the runners at all because they're hidden by the tractor! You don't have to force yourself to be a pacemaker like that!”
“This Kawazu Marathon has a very strong connection to France. By the way, Mr. Ira, have you been there…”
“I just told you I haven't!!”
*I participated in this here🙇♂️
Theme
Dialogue: I haven't
Three topics: Shinkansen, cherry blossom petals, lemon squash
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