Horikita Suzune POV
At last, the day had come. The curtains were about to rise on the
sports festival, and it looked to be a long day.
The entire student body, all
wearing their jerseys, marched together as one.
Well, we called it a march,
but most people just strolled along, taking the movement just seriously
enough not to disrupt the order.
Honestly....
"All right, time to really show-off what I can do!" I could hear Ike-kun shout just a little behind me
Looks like what Ayanokōji-kun said was right.... He'll be awfully motivated this time.
Observing Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun right now. It really looks like the two became more and more separated from each other after Ayanokōji-kun and I threatened them for the second time..
...Mostly Ayanokōji-kun, but I'd like to think that I was useful in that scenario
But anyway
Telling them that this Sports Festival will just be the catalyst for one of their demise though, seems to motivate them to do better
As I feared, everything's going exactly as Ayanokōji-kun planned
My train of thoughts got interrupted by a booming voice. Fujimaki-senpai, from the third-year Class A, gave a speech during the opening ceremony.
Although there weren’t many, a number of spectators watched from the school grounds’ outskirts. They were probably adults who worked on campus. The school didn’t seem to have put any strict restrictions in place regarding who could attend the festival.
Occasionally, one of the
spectators smiled or waved.
Meanwhile, the teachers themselves watched us without the vaguest
hint of smiles.
Medical personnel could also be seen setting up some kind of cottage.
The cottages seemed to be rather spacious. It could fit around twenty people and was equipped with an air
conditioner and water cooler.
The school’s preparations were as meticulous as they had been on the deserted island. They provided tents for the Red Team and White Team; these faced each other on opposite sides of the track.
It seems like the school didn’t want the teams mingling with each other, except during competitions.
The first event of the festival was the 100-meter dash, and I saw that a
camera had been installed and pointed toward the finish line.
The line between victory and defeat could come down to a hair’s breadth in competitions like these.
"Haaaahhh..." A brief yawn took my attention from the field and switched to the familiar brown haired boy.
"Stop yawning and take this seriously" I scolded, making my way to him from the far end of the tent.
"'knew you would call that out" he sighed "You're too nervous Horikita. Being nervous isn't bad in these occasions don't get me wrong. But too much can be such a pain. Loose up"
"First of all, I'm not nervous" I tried to deny "Second, you can't blame me after you arrived with a bandaged hand" though my two points contradict, I left it aside as I switched my gaze to his Right hand
"Thanks for the worry. But I'm fine" Ayanokōji-kun said casually. Not delving deeper into the matter.
After the meeting between Ichinose-san, Kushida-san, Ayanokōji-kun and me yesterday, Ending with a mysterious hint —
The aforementioned boy arrived this early morning with an injured hand.
He isn't close with a lot of our classmates so it didn't become a big deal. But those of us who personally knew him to a close degree got worried.
Kushida-san and I particularly got more suspicious about the situation, but he just shrugged as off like second nature. Telling us that he's fine.... Sighh
"Are you really though?" I asked yet again "Remember Ayanokōji-kun, while it may not be a lot. You're still participating in quite a few competitions"
"I know, I know. Haaaahhh..." A yawn escaped his relaxed lips for the second time.
"Sighh" I shook my head in exasperation. "You never change"
"Hmmm. I'm taking that as a compliment. Anyway, looks like the first Event is about to start"
"You're a part of it. What group are you in for the 100- meter dash again" I asked beside him, observing the open field up at our front. Slowly being filled with students from all across the the Classes.
"Seventh" He answered "you should know, we were the ones who decided which student would participate in which event remember?" Ayanokōji-kun started to stretch a little, preparing for the race.
I could see his hand occasionally twitch from the pain, but he just shrugged it off
"...I know. But are you sure about this?" with Class D not really having an assigned leader until just this second semester. I was left with the task of appointing who would participate.
Hirata-kun was more focused in helping the class directly. While Kushida-san.... Well, I didn't see her much until she invited me to spy on the other classes yesterday.
That left me alone to decide who would be who. Of course, our class was in agreement, especially after the results they showed in the training. But the final decision still fell to me.
Not sure what to do exactly. I asked for Ayanokōji-kuns help. And thats how we came to plan out the participation table.
Mind you, this was a few days ago. That's why I forgot the specifics just now.
"About what?" Ayanokōji-kun asked, pacing me back to my question "about who we placed into he events?"
"Mhmm" I nodded.
"Yeah. We came into an agreement about it right? Besides, if you're worried about Those two. I suggest you don't. They'll do their best even if they don't realize" he explained.
"Those two huh....." More specifically, Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun.
As both of them are rather special in this Sports Festival — involving their competition against each other — Ayanokōji-kun and I gave them a little focus more so than usual.
Since this would decide who exactly is better than who. We gave them an equal number of Events to compete in.
It wasn't a lot, and obviously not those that are important, but just enough to decide who wins
In simple terms. That who wins less events than the other, is the one Ayanokōji-kun and I will decide to expell.
"But isn't this a little unfair? What I mean is this focuses solely on their physical abilities" The question slipped my out my mouth.
"Hmmm" Ayanokōji-kun hummed. His golden eyes entrancing me more than usual. "Don't worry about that. Those two practically competes who gets the last place in every exam. So this is the only occasion we get to see what they are good at"
"I see.... I guess you have a point" ...seems like he really thought of this through and through...
A hand suddenly plopped down my head. I followed the arm, only to see the apathetic face I got used to, staring at me quite warmly.
"You're worrying about everything too much. Let it be. And an outcome both of us will be satisfied with will undoubtedly arrive"
Ayanokōji-kun ruffled my hair playfully before taking a distance away from me "I'm gonna go. The first event's about to start"
With his casual demeanor affecting me whether I liked it or not, he took off to the field, preparing for the race.
"Sighhh..." I sighed, casually fixing my hair as if im used to it
"He never Change"
° ° °
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka POV
After reassuring the not-so-maiden-in-distress that is Horikita.
I headed to the track with the rest of the first-year boys.
The festival ordered events such as the 100-meter dash by grade level, starting with the first-year boys and ending with the third-year
girls.
Then there’d be a break, after which the order would switch.
We’d resume competitions in the opposite direction, starting with third-year girls and ending with first-year boys.
The competition was about to start.
Now we’d finally learn who would
run from which class, and in what order.
The first-year boys formed ten
groups in total; mine was seventh. Each group contained eight people, two from each class. Sudou was in the first group.
"Hmm.... I guess they finally trust Sudou...... Not that they have a choice"
I shrugged
All of Class D watched, holding their breath As This festival’s outcome
depended greatly upon Sudou.
If we won this race, everyone on our team could use that momentum to get hyped.
And If Sudou did poorly, it would
probably put a dent in our spirits.
But that isn't likely to happen really.
Taking my eyes of Sudo who's ready to bolt down the track at any given signal, I observed the other first years for a bit.
I only have the luxury to do this since I'm someone who is in the seventh group.
"It seems like Sudou-kun's victory is pretty much set in stone in this event. Right Ayanokōji-kun?" Hirata suddenly asked.
Like me, he's someone from the seventh group.
"That does seem to be the case..." I answered
Most of the student here are pretty much radiating nervousness. A good indication of how they'd do.
That said, it doesn't mean that it's all good things for us.
As this is only the beginning of the Sports Festival, it's easy to see why the different classes are still holding back on their competitors.
In fact, Horikita and I expected this that's why we placed Sudo in A lot of events even at the cost of him getting tired.
'Win some points while we can'
Is the basic thought we decided to go with
"If only Koenji-kun would participate. We wouldn't have to put to much strain on Sudo-kun.... Sighh"
"Hmmm? Ah... Yeah" Hirata's voice reached my ears once again.
Gazing at the temporary cottage that had been erected, there I saw a blonde-haired boy fussing with his hair
In truth, Koenji is supposed to be in this event
But surprise-surprise, he doesn't care..... Sighhh
The competition progressed smoothly. As we expected, Sudou took the first place by a large margin.
Soon enough, it was our groups turn.
Making my way to lane 4, with Hirata next to me on lane 5. Waiting for the signal as the others tensely waited for the competition to start
Though this was the first Sports Festival in my life. Weirdly, I didn't really feel anything.
Not nervousness
Nor excitement.
It's weird that I didn't feel anything.
But then again, anyone would feel like that when you already know the outcome and what's about to happen
Boom—!
The signal to start reverberated across the field, and before I knew it, the students besides me bolted down the track.
I lagged a little bit behind, slowly but surely catching up in order to not get last place
Running at moderate speed, sure enough the race ended
In the end, I finished at third place.
My performance didn't really Garner any attention.
Mostly because Hirata took first place. But it was good for me. The more smoothly this Sports Festival progressed, the better it is for me.
° ° °
"Yeaaaaaahhhh!!! Second place! Ahahaha!"
With Ike's cheerful voice bellowing in the background, I went back to the tent. Horikita, surprisingly greeting me.
"Good job. How's your hand?"
"Hand? Ohhh... Right. Forgot I'm supposed to be hurt........ Ow?"
Horikita looked at me with a dumbfounded look.
"...Well, it looks like you're okay. That aside, it's good that you're finally starting to not hold back" Horikita presumed, nodding in satisfaction
"Yeah. It's a bummer I only got third placed though"
"Don't mind it. I know you have plenty of stamina but Hirata-kun aside, the person who got second place is also in a sports club. Basketball actually. So third place is satisfactory enough"
"Hmmm... If you say so" since Horikita seemed to be in a good mood with my performance. I just let her be.
"Oh yeah the Girls are up next" I voiced my thought.
Horikita wasn't really part of the first competition so the two of us just watched over the others.
On a side note, I was genuinely curious about the girl's competition with the simple reason of Chiaki being there.
Since she's like me who doesn't really stand out — besides her appearance which practically attracts a lot of attention — i was curious on how she'll do in this Sports Festival.
"Hmmm... There seems to be a lot spectators" Horikita hummed
"...yeah....." Looking around, there does seems to be quite a lot compared to ours. Specifically, boys.
I won't delve deeper to but you get the point...
"Oh it's starting"
With a loud boom, the first group dashed at high fairly high speed. 20-or-so-seconds later, the second signal rang.
Focusing on Chiaki which seems to be in this group, the starting signal reverberated once again.
With a rather serious look, Chiaki dashed in what seems to be full speed.
Quickly approaching the finish line finally placing...
"..."
"Looks like we also did quite well in the girls competition" Horikita's satisfied voice rang in my ear
"..."
"Ayanokōji-kun?"
"Ah. Yeah..... Yeah..."
Gazing back to the brown haired girl who just finished her race, I thought
Did I underestimate her...?
Seemingly catching sight of me, a mischievous grin appeared on Chiakis's face as she walked in our direction
"Hello Horikita-san~"
"Mmm"
Chiaki greeted before finally turning her attention to me
"Surprised?" She asked
"..."
My silence seems to have confirmed her suspicion as her cute grin grew wider.
Thinking for a moment, I decided to speak.
"...the hair suits you" I complimented hair low-end ponytail as I averted my gaze
"Hey, Don't change the topic... Thank you though"
"Sighhh. Fine. I didn't think you were that athletic. Especially since you got second place"
"Hehe~ I knew you were underestimating me" she puffed up her chest proudly
"that aside though, its not like I did well over all. I'm tired... Very"
"Good point" noticing her slightly uneven breathing. I came to know she wasn't lying.
"I'll see you soon Kiyotaka-kun. I'm going to rest for a bit. Bye Horikita-san"
"Mmm"
Waving at both of us, Chiaki left as fast as she came.
Looking at her leaving figure, I murmured
"That honestly surprised me..."
"Me as well, if only it wasn't Ibuki-san, I think she would have got first place"
"Yeah..."
Like Horikita said, Chiaki would have probably taken first place if only Ibuki from Class C wasn't her competitor.
Then again, Ibuki is a monster of her own. Outrunning everyone with a large gap
...that make some curious
"Hey Horikita"
"Yes?"
"Between you and Ibuki, who do you think is faster"
Caught off guard with my question, Horikita fell into thought.
"Hmm... Assuming that Ibuki-san's performance earlier was her best, then..."
"Yeah?"
"Then she would be faster"
"....figured"
I was curious because I remembered how Horikita and Ibuki fought back at the Island Exam.
Back at that time, Ibuki lost to Horikita. While it was probably only because her mind was preoccupied, a lost is still a lost.
"But"
Horikita continued, catching me off guard this time
"If we did Race.....
"...?"
"I'd win"
Her lips curling up slightly on one side into an unexpected smirk. Horikita left to go to the others
Watching her leaving figure with a weird sense of deja vu, I murmured
"...what was that about?"
° ° °
"Come on. Get it together, everyone. Especially you! Your speed’s the
only thing you’re proud of, right?"
Following Horikita to the others, Sudou's... encouragement? Loudly rang in our ears
"Y-yeah, but that Shibata dude’s just too good, man. I got second place though" Ike argued
"Nothing we can do about it. Shibata-kun’s even faster than me, after all" said Hirata.
"Tch. Hey Haruki! What about you? Get yourself together!"
"Sh-shut up! I got fifth! the others were just really fast
"Excuses Excuses..."
Even though we'd gotten off to a good start overall, tracking our scores
would get more complicated from here.
No notebooks or phones were
allowed, and though we could talk to one another about the results, we
couldn't know what the other classes were planning.
"So far, everything's going well"
Said Horikita
"Yeah... Too well actually"
Class D is surprisingly getting along. Well, not everyone
"Oi Koenji! Ya really gonna sit your ass all-day?!" Sudou shouted at the familiar blonde boy brushing his hair.
"Let him be Sudou-kun"
Horikita interfered
"But he's clearly bullshiting his condition!"
"Everyone knows that. But we can't do anything about it. Just stay put and let him be so no unwanted problem arises"
"Tch! Fine..." Sudou's reddening face calm down "If you say so Suzu— err.. Horikita..."
Sudo was just about to call Horikita by her name again, but one glare from Horikita was all it took.
Tough luck dude...
"Good. Don't make problems we don't need" Horikita voiced out
With that, she marched off to watch the third year competition.
She's most likely going to watch her brother compete.
No
I'm sure that what she's going to do.
That aside, while I would have liked to watch as well, I already know that President is gonna leave the other competitors in the dust.
It's not really a hunch but more of a fact.
That guy is simply a monster. Sighhh
After each grade level finished the 100-meter dash, the final results
were tallied. The first round of points for the Red and White teams were
announced.
Red Team: 2029 points. White Team: 1891 points.
The competition had just begun, but the Red Team was slightly ahead.
° ° °
The hurdle race came next. It was like the 100-meter dash in that it
was based on speed. However, you also needed to clear hurdles while
running.
If you knocked down or touched a hurdle, your time was penalized.
If you knocked the hurdle down, the penalty was 0.5 seconds. If you only
touched it, 0.3 seconds.
There were ten hurdles in all, placed at ten-meter intervals. If you knocked them all down, you’d have five seconds added to your time. It’d be completely hopeless.
Sudou was starting in this competition’s final group.
"If you guys place Last, I'm gonna slap you," he said.
The unathletic students trembled at the pressure.
"Dude, what kinda tyrant are you?"
"Hey, um, is Sotomura-kun here? If he’s absent, he’ll be disqualified,"
said the referee.
"R-regrettably, it would appear that my stomach is upset. Would it be
permissible for me to take an absence?” asked the Professor.
He'd just barely cleared the hurdles during practice, and looked as though he was chickening out.
Then again, setting Hurdle race and remembering just about anything he practiced. I'm surprised he participated at all.
"Huh? Dude, it’s fine if you knock all the hurdles down. Finish the
race at any cost!" shouted Sudou.
He stuck his face close to the Professor's and glared.
"Egad! O-okay, I will!" shouted the Professor.
There was a significant difference between coming in last and being
disqualified. If you were disqualified, you wouldn’t get even one point.
Participation was vital.
In the end, the Professor didn’t clear any hurdles. He knocked them all
over and finished in last place.
"Ugh, he’s useless. It's ’cause he just sits around on his butt that he’s so fat," grumbled Sudou.
"Still, that Shibata guy is pretty good."
Shibata from class B was coming up first place after first place.
And looking back on how Sudo and Shibata was practically rivals back summer vacation when we went to the pool. I get why Sudou's interested
"Next up is the fourth group. Please get ready," said the referee.
I got into the same lane as before, and saw Kanzaki standing in the
second lane.
"We meet again," said Kanzaki.
"Go easy on me" I told him.
"Ichinose says you're pretty fast" his eyes narrowed "plus, remembering what you did when we went to the pool last summer vacation, I think you should be the one going easy on me"
Ughhh... He remembered that.
He's probably talking about the incident with Nagumo last time.
"That was just adrenaline at work. Besides, that has nothing to do with agility" I replied
"Fair Point"
He stopped at that.
Recalling our interactions to date, I can tell that Kanzaki seems to be a very curious and careful individual.
Each time we meet, there would always be a question he poses for me. Then again, given this Schools competitive system, it's only natural I guess.
"You know you're pretty calm for a High schooler" Kanzaki spoke once again
"Am I?"
"You are"
"Hmm... Well, feel free to judge me however you like"
Honestly, I won't call myself calm
Okay maybe I am. But more so than that, the word that probably describes me best right now would be...
Bored
Shrugging to no one in particular, the Signal suddenly reached my ears.
All of us simultaneously dashed at the familiar sound.
Running around the same pace as earlier, I cleared one hurdle after another.
Kanzaki as well, as he began to slowly over take me along with someone else.
Though it was interesting, I kept my pace, reaching the finish line in a familiar third place.
Taking a little breather, I walked back to camp.
"Aah, jeez. I can’t keep up," groaned Yukimura as I drew near
He was grumbling to himself, seeming downtrodden. From the looks of
things, he hadn’t gotten good results during his second event.
"That bad, huh?" I asked.
"Ayanokouji? Agh, I’ve been cursed. Seventh and seventh," he
grumbled.
Twice a consolation prize winner, huh?
That was pretty rough.
"It all depends on your mindset, Yukimura. Even if you fail here, you can ace the written tests. Right?" I replied.
"I won’t fail, but my scores will plummet. Besides, I'll drag down my
class and my team," said Yukimura.
Since Yukimura wanted to make it into Class A more than anyone else,
he also felt the burden of responsibility more intensely than anyone.
And because he normally criticized students with low academic ability, like Sudou, he was probably reluctant to show any weakness here
Giving him some space for himself I decided to watch the Girls' hurdle race instead.
Piquing my interest all the more was that Horikita finally coming in to play.
She seemed to be confident in her win. Not that any of us would question it.
There is also Sakura... But, as bad as it may sound, no one actually put some expectations in her.
It was then that Hirata's voice caught our attention
"Hey, ummm... Horikita-san?"
"Yes?"
"This match up isn't very good, don't you think?"
"Really?" Replied Horikita. Clear doubt noticable in her voice.
"Class C's fastest students are Yajima-san and Kinoshita-san from the track and field club. They're both in your group," said Hirata.
"I see..." Horikita fell in thought for a moment before looking at me.
Confused as she was, I shook my head.
Coming into an agreement that it's just a weird coincidence, Horikita prepared for her first race.
Though she didn't say it. Hirata and I knew that that a tinge of unease was present
And uneasy it was
Horikita, this being her first ever event in the sports festival, was in tip top shape.
But as if to ridicule her appearance into the event, the Class C student got ahead of her.
In the end she fell into third place.
Far cry from what we expected of her performance
Looking at her frozen figure at the end of the finish line, only one thought came to mind;
So it has begun