第１６６５堀：体を動かすのも楽しいことが大事 (Part2)
"Yes. We’ll be using these balls. Everyone, please touch one and pass it along to the person behind you."
I brought out three balls and had the entire class handle them. It’s important to get a feel for the equipment, after all. Once the balls made their way back to me, I began the detailed explanation.
"Now, since there are thirty of you in this class... let’s see, we’ll form four teams of eight. Firia, Hiiro, Yua, and Stasia, please make sure to spread yourselves out among the groups. I’ll be acting as the referee."
That meant nine players per team. It felt a bit crowded, but they were children, so it was manageable. Fortunately, they split into four teams without any squabbling. Yuki had muttered something incomprehensible about how team selection was the worst aspect of social anxiety, but I ignored him.
"The rules are simple. Stasia-sensei has laid out two rope boundaries; each team will occupy one. Next, I want you to choose three people from each team to stand in the outer boundary on the opposite side of their opponents."
"???"
They looked a bit confused, but they followed my instructions nonetheless.
"Yes, that’s the basic formation. Now, I’ve set up another identical court next to us to serve as a demonstration."
At my prompt, Firia and the others took their positions, even though they were short on numbers.
"Alright, Firia and Hiiro, let’s have a ball-toss to decide who starts."
"Understood!"
"I won't lose!"
"Rock... paper... scissors... go!"
With that, the ball landed in Hiiro’s hands, and the match began.
"The basic rule is to hit someone on the opposing team with the ball to knock them out of the court. However, if the person being targeted catches the ball, they aren't out, and the ball passes to them instead. You repeat this until one team has cleared the other side entirely. Also, regarding the players starting in the outer boundary—Firia, please go ahead and get 'out' for the sake of the demo."
"Sure thing!"
Hiiro tossed a soft, lazy throw that hit Firia, and the ball dropped to the ground.
"Firia is out. Move to the outer boundary. And Yua, you’re in the outer boundary, so you can swap in. As you can see, those already in the outer boundary haven't been 'hit,' so they can rotate in. And once the team that got hit takes possession of the ball..."
"I see. So, I just need to hit Hiiro, right?"
"Exactly."
"You won't hit me~"
The Empress of Eupia grinned, while Hiiro taunted her, practically begging her to bring it on. If they actually went all-out, everyone else would be intimidated.
"You two, go easy on—"
"There!"
*Whoosh!*
Before I could finish, the ball flew through the air with incredible velocity. Hiiro, however, wasn't the type to be hit by something so simple.
But then...
*Thwack!*
Firia, standing in the outer boundary, snatched the ball out of the air and immediately hurled it back at Hiiro, who had just finished her dramatic dodge.
*Bam!*
A sound echoed that had no business coming from such a soft ball, and it struck Hiiro square in the back of the head.
"That’s mean, Firia!"
"It’s called 'never let your guard down.' Also, you need to hold back."
"Hmph."
"Right. Hiiro is out. Stasia, you’re up. You continue this until one team has eliminated the other from the court. There is a rule where outer players can return to the inner court if they hit an opponent, but for today, we’ll say once you’re out, you stay out."
Otherwise, the game might never end.
"Alright, let’s do this with eight players each. Members from Weed, please support your teams. And remember, no using physical enhancement like we did before! Save that for your individual training."
I gave the Empress of Eupia and Hiiro a stern warning, and from there, we enjoyed a lively, heated game of dodgeball.
As it turned out, the enthusiasm wasn't limited to this class; the other teachers started getting into it as well.
"Indeed. This should be declared the national sport of Zuraburu. We shall spread this throughout our country."
"It’s quite entertaining to watch, too. For those who were on the Hein side, this is a much better reprieve than those life-or-death tournaments. I believe it’s a fine idea."
And just like that, a sports culture was born in Zuraburu.
I suppose dodgeball is something you usually grow out of by elementary school. By the time you hit middle or high school, you barely have the time for it anymore.