>>5464646You approach the groups casually. “Yo! Hado, Erasa, Lime, Monty, you guys doing okay?”
Lime and Monty are the first to look up. “Oh, uh, yeah. Doing pretty good.” Lime states, attempting a reassuring smile.
“...We’re just kinda the ones pretty far in last place.” Erasa sighs out. “Even with getting full points last competition, doesn’t really feel like there’s much we can do to catch up.”
“We have still been having fun.” Hado adds, also giving a reassuring smile. “But… yeah, we’re trailing behind pretty badly.”
You rub the back of your neck. “Ah… well…”
“The challenges ahead will have the most points on the line. Laser Moon might have given Team Green their biggest boost, but there’s enough ahead that anyone can overtake them.” Cocoa tells them encouragingly.
“Or their lead can grow even wider.” Monty comments. “Ah well, it’s not so much jealousy over it as just… knowing what we’re up against.”
“When things are tough, that’s when the real challenge begins.” you tell them all. “Sure you might be down now, but you also might turn things around and pull off a heck of a win!”
“And even if you don’t, it isn’t just first place that gets prizes at the end.” Cocoa reminds them with a wink. “So best to keep those spirits up.”
That does encourage them a bit, and the four manage to get up and try out some of the games while there’s still time. You and Cocoa look at one another, and you ask, “Wanna join in on the fun? There’s still a good 10 minutes left.”
(cont.)