Why was it?

She was reminded of the relay race she did in middle school. It was a cross-year race, and having been picked as a runner, Dawoon practiced starting a month before the school sports festival in order to win. She couldn’t remember how many laps she ran around the field. It was back when she realized just how fast the soles of training shoes could wear out.

What she thought as she ran was herself being applauded by her classmates.

Her record improved over the span of that month. She was sure about her victory. As long as she did not make a mistake, it would be she who would cross the finishing line first.

On the day of the sports festival, Dawoon clenched her teeth as she looked at the forerunner coming from afar as the last runner. Another runner from her class ended up falling over before she could receive the baton. She was slow and even made a mistake.

While the runners from other years, who were standing on the same line as her, started running on the track, Dawoon couldn’t do anything but wait on tiptoes.

She ran with all her might after receiving the baton, but the result was that they were last.

She was frustrated. She prepared her best for the sports...