My Battle for Love in a World Where I’m Just an Extra

The final stretch of the Survival Relay felt like a race against time. The forest around us was a blur of green and shadows as we ran, our breaths coming fast and hard. The finish line was close — I could feel it.

"Faster!" Kaito urged, his eyes blazing with determination.

But just as we reached a clearing, Rin's team burst through the trees from a different path. Our eyes locked. The competition wasn't over yet.

The final challenge stood ahead — a towering wooden wall. We had to get everyone over it to win.

"I'll go first," I said, my heart pounding.

With Kaito's boost, I climbed the wall quickly, reaching the top. From there, we worked together to pull May up. Her hand slipped once, but I caught her wrist just in time.

"Got you," I whispered.

For a moment, our eyes met. Her face was flushed, her breathing uneven — but she smiled. And that smile made everything worth it.

We helped Kaito up just as Rin's team reached the wall. They climbed fast — too fast. I knew we had only seconds.

We hit the ground running. The finish line was in sight.

But fate had other plans. May's foot caught on a root, and she stumbled. Without thinking, I turned back to help her — and in that second, Rin's team surged ahead.

They crossed the line first.

The whistle blew, signaling their victory.

The disappointment hit hard — but when May squeezed my hand and whispered, "Thank you," the sting faded just a little.

Because sometimes, winning isn't everything.