Chapter 3: Everyone's Thoughts
Part 1
Starting from the next homeroom, in preparation for the event, it has been decided that we'll be practicing independently. During our free period, each and every student changed into their gym uniforms, that is to say, their jerseys, and headed out towards the school grounds.
"Uwa, hey look at that".
Ike, with a blatantly uncomfortable look on his face, stares at the school building. And there, from the classrooms, there were students peeking out at us. And not just one but several students could be seen.
"That there's Class B, right? They're conducting reconnaissance right away---".
To figure out the physical abilities of the other classes prior to the sports festival is something that would be on anyone's checklist.
"Class A beside them is also looking at us".
Regardless of whether we're enemies or allies, to grasp our capabilities is not a bad thing for them. If we do this somewhere as conspicuous as the school grounds, being watched is also natural.
However, even if we hold back here so as to not have our abilities be discerned, ultimately it will only mean that the opportunities for us to practice for the actual event will decrease.
"It's started right off the bat".
Horikita, who finished changing, also seems to have immediately realized the curious stares. But what worries me is Class C. Even though there were signs of people being inside their classroom, not a single person looked towards us.
It's almost as if they're saying who from Class D participates in what contest is of no concern to them.
"Are you worried about Ryuuen-kun?".
"Well, a bit".
"I really doubt that he didn't think about conducting reconnaissance on us but he's the one who rejected cooperation with Class B after all. He doesn't have any intention of seriously building up a strategy".
Right after she said that, almost as though saying 'I understand', looked at me and continued.
"Is what I would have thought if I hadn't been warned by you. Surely the other students must be thinking that way".
Horikita further looked towards the students of Class D who were endeavoring to practice.
"The thing you mentioned earlier, about Ryuuen-kun already having thought of a strategy to win. So this means that has now been realized, right? After all, it means reconnaissance is no longer necessary for him, doesn't it?".
The optimistic expression Horikita had in the gymnasium can already no longer be seen. On the contrary, I could see her being pronouncedly bewildered.
"Anyone would want information on the other classes. Whose physical abilities are high or who's going to be participating in which contests, they'd be dying to know those. But he's not showing any sign of that".
That's right, that in itself is proof that Ryuuen already has a strategy he's keeping to himself.
"The important point here is to not be satisfied after only knowing that 'Ryuuen has thought of a strategy'".
"...what do you mean?".
"Normally, when a person comes up with a strategy or a secret measure, they would do their utmost to ensure their enemies don't wise up to it. However, that man isn't even trying to hide that and is boldly not conducting any reconnaissance".
"He's acting boldly, almost like he's showing off".
Then, if you think about what that would mean, you would be able to simultaneously see his thought patterns as well.
I wonder how much of that Horikita can see right now.
"You, that insight or observation of yours, I can't help but ask where you picked it up. But you've forbidden that so I dare not ask though".
What a disagreeable and Horikita-like way of putting it. Of course, no matter how she prods me I won't be saying anything though.
"Suzune, do you have a moment?".
Sudou, who came late, called out to Horikita, who was deep in thought. Horikita, who cut off her own thoughts, said to Sudou in a slightly irritated manner. It appears there's something else she's bothered by.
"I've been warning you repeatedly but would you mind not calling me by my first name?".
"What's that mean? Do you have a problem with being called like that?".
"A huge one, yes. I don't want a person I'm not close with to call me by my first name".
She took decisive action like that without paying heed to Sudou's feelings.
"If you insist on continuing to call me like this even after I've directly told you I'm uncomfortable with it, I'll be taking action".
Truly a terrifying expression. If possible, I'd rather not hear the details of what she has to say.
He must truly want to call her by her first name but he'd lose everything if she comes to hate him. However, I don't know what Sudou thought of it, as he said this.
"Then, in this sports festival, if I can produce the best results out of Class D.....at that time, please give me permission to officially call you by your first name".
Ohh? For Sudou, that's a rather modest wish he's put into words.
It's just even so, I don't know whether or not Horikita will honestly acknowledge it.
"You working hard is a desirable thing but why do I have to respond to that?".
It seems Horikita hadn't thought that she had curried goodwill with Sudou. In response to that, I wonder how Sudou will answer her.
"....not too long after enrollment, you saved me, right? That's why I want to be proper love...no, first I want to be friends with you. This is a step towards that".
"I don't understand. It's not something you'd go out of your way to declare and put into action. But alright. If you produce the best results, then at that time, I will permit you to call me by my first name. However, don't be satisfied with just the class. Show me the best results across the entire school year".
Saying that, Horikita struck Sudou with the highest hurdle. But, in a sense, it may be good material to act as a booster for Sudou. There was no sign of fear on him.
"Alright. It's a promise, if I become the 1st across the school year then I'll be calling you by your first name".
"However, until you produce results you can't. Also, if you cannot take 1st place amongst the school year then you are forever forbidden from calling me by my first name. You'll do well to prepare yourself for that".
"S-Sure".
Although he had an overwhelmingly difficult task pressed upon him, Sudou vigorously nodded and answered.
It's just, well, the possibility of it is by no means low. As far as I've seen from students of the other classes, Sudou's potential is unmistakably top class. I can see he'll have no problem with the individual contests.
The only one who could stand against him, Kouenji, seems to have no motivation so there should be no problem there. All that's left is to see just how many records he can break in contests that require cooperation.
Part 2
After a brief check inside the room, genuine practice for the purpose of determining aptitude began. Hirata's policy was also in effect with compulsory participations not being demanded of the students but with the goal of bringing the class together as one the participation rate was about 90% and ended with only those like Kouenji and the Professor declining.
"Hau, auu, fuu....".
Right now, a girl came in at last place and looking as though she were about to collapse, she placed her hands on both her knees.
"Good work out there, Sakura. You were eagerly running out there".
"A-Ayanokouji-kun. Huu".
Sakura, who's always been unathletic, did not proactively participate in things like this. However, recently she's been serious in taking the initiative and is working hard to become a member of the class.
It's just regrettably, since she's not very athletic, results don't follow her.
"Ora! Let's go!".
On the other hand, as for the usually unserious Sudou, his existence right now would be noticed by just about anyone. After having mouthed off in class, he could not afford to let it end with disappointing results.
However, that was a needless concern. Bathing in attention, perhaps he's utilizing more power than usual but Sudou scored without permitting anyone to catch up to him. There are probably no students in our class that could stand up to him as an equal.
"As expected of Sudou-kun. Whatever you do, you end up in 1st place among the class. That's amazing".
Kushida expressed her respect towards Sudou, who ran the 100 meter dash, while she jumps up and down.
"Heh, well I guess. But even so, I don't know what'll happen if he runs though".
The one Sudou glared and looked back at was Kouenji, who did not show any interest in the class.
"Speaking of which, I've never seen Kouenji run seriously before".
Before, when he faced Sudou as an opponent during swimming lessons, when he swam seriously just that once, he transcended Sudou's time. From that, I was able to confirm that Kouenji has high potential.
But Kouenji is the type of man who won't make a move at all unless he himself decides he'll be doing it. In regards to this sports festival, since his policy is to basically let us think and act freely on our own, Kouenji truly won't do anything at all.
"Yeah, but it's really amazing. In this sports festival, Sudou-kun's the leader".
"Leader? Me....?".
As he was once again told that, Sudou seemed slightly dumbfounded as he pointed at himself.
"I agree with that too. The sports festival is truly the place for the athletic students, after all. I believe Sudou-kun is more than qualified for that. If you're fine with it, can you accept it too for everyone's sake?".
As if agreeing with Kushida, Hirata said that while recording. The sports festival demands a strong leader. Hirata also has those qualities in abundance but perhaps he's judged that Sudou who excels at it would fit the bill better.
"But even so, I'm not cut out to be a leader.....".
Sudou, who pretty much acts alone or with a small few, seemed slightly bewildered. Then he looked at Horikita who was near him and asked her for her opinion.
"You're not the type of person who can theoretically explain things to someone. For a leader, Hirata-kun would be the superior choice. However, by looking at your sprint earlier as well as your other records I can understand. You're the type of person to shine while bathing in the attention of many. To tug the class along, it's probable that brute force will be necessary. I have no intention of objecting to you being named the leader".
She did not affirm it, but neither did she reject it. In other words, it means she's acknowledged Sudou.
It seems Horikita is not just vaguely participating in this practice but had been properly ascertaining talent.
"....I get it. I'll guide Class D to victory in this sports festival then".
Perhaps it could be called the weakness of having fallen in love but Sudou took on such an attitude so as to live up to Horikita's expectations.
"Don't get clumsily overconfident. You'll get it later if you do".
She warned Sudou to listen to her and after that Horikita left to continue the practice.
While blushing, Sudou looked at her back and clenched his fist.
Part 3
Sudou, who had started acting in his capacity as leader, had the students assemble on the next day and began coaching them. It appears Sudou's job on his first day as leader is to teach them to get the hang of tug of war. I watched from a slight distance.
"You're pointlessly straining too much. There's no strength at all behind your tug. At this rate you won't win what can be won".
Saying that, perhaps he intends on giving a practical demonstration, Sudou gripped in his hands a short rope. Facing him were two people, Ike and Yamauchi. It appears he intends on taking them on alone.
The two of them must surely have expected to win but when the match began, Sudou pulled on the rope with overwhelming strength. Not too long after, the two of them fell before Sudou and sat down on the ground.
"See? You're not putting any strength into it".
"I don't get it.....hey Sudou. Is there a trick or something behind this?".
"Power is also vital but in cases like this it's not just your arm but rather you use your hips, you know, hips".
Even as he spoke roughly, Sudou was giving each and every student complete and thorough instructions.
"Hey, Sudou-kun. Can you have a look here later? The horseman isn't going too well".
"Wait a minute. I'll be right there".
There were more than a few students who aren't especially good at sports and so there were quite a lot of voices calling out to ask for Sudou's opinion. Surprisingly enough, I honestly didn't expect that even the girls would ask him for his opinion.
"He surprisingly appears to be doing it seriously".
"It's the first time his surroundings have relied on him after all. The role of leader may yet surprisingly befit him, don't you think?".
In theory, having people rely on you would make just about anyone feel good. It's especially true for students like Sudou who have lived in solitude.
"As for me, if it weren't for 'that', I wouldn't mind praising him though......".
'That'? As I was about to ask her about that, an angry voice rang out.
"I'm telling you that's not it!".
Kicking the dirt on the ground, he blew up a dust cloud towards Ike and the others.
"Dowa! Peh, peh! Please stop!".
Seeing that, Horikita sighed. Certainly, him being quick to get physical is a problem. A leader must have proper awareness that the people they interact with are fundamentally different from them. On the other hand, the leader who always employs kind teaching methods is Hirata. Underneath the girl waiting for Sudou's instructions, he was checking their positions in order to ensure a comfortable posture and to establish a foundation in preparation for the cavalry battle.
"Yeah, I think this is fine. But don't you feel a bit cramped?".
"That's right....my shoulders hurt a bit, I guess".
"Let's try changing positions a bit, shall we? I think just by moving a few centimeters it'll be different".
"Ohh---you're right, it feels rather comfortable now. Thank you, Hirata-kun".
"Please help out here a bit too, Hirata".
Yet another cavalry group asked for help and Hirata responded with a smile.
"How about you teach the girls too?".
Horikita too, within her class, is top class as far as athleticism goes. She has quite a lot of potential as a leader.
"I have no intention of teaching them. In the first place, I doubt there's anyone who wants to be taught by me".
Boldly saying something that she shouldn't be proud of, she begins warming up on her own.
"I have my hands full with making sure I can produce results. Can you afford to be laid-back? If you're confident you can win no matter who you fight against, then that's fine though".
"I have no such confidence".
"Sounds about right. Your results are always mediocre after all. You're neither fast nor are you slow, inconspicuous results".
"You knew?".
"For the record, I intend on ascertaining the abilities of my classmates".
It appears even in physical education classes, she's been closely observing me.
"I'll ask you this once but.....by any chance would you happen to be holding back like you did with your test scores?".
"Do you think I'd do something that pointless?".
"I'd say it's 50/50. So, what about it?".
"I apologize for partly betraying your expectations but my usual results are my ability".
"In other words, you're neither good nor bad. Meaning I shouldn't expect good results from you, then?".
"That's how it is".
"Then you'd better endeavor to practice right away".
"It wouldn't be a problem if I could improve by practicing in this short period of time. Unlike studies, last-minute cramming is impossible for this".
One's physical ability will only improve through daily accumulation of experience.
"I think it'll be a different story if you focus on contests that can be supplemented with technique though? The way you grip the rope or the way you form the horseman. Just by learning those you should be able to add to our manpower".
"...perhaps".
I had tried to slack off but she's done a good job besieging me. It can't be helped then, I think I'll practice for the Recommended Only Participation events I ended up becoming a participant in.
"...hey".
Having been urged to do so, I was about to move when Horikita once again called out to me.
"Hmm?".
"What's going to decide victory or defeat in the sports festival is the physical ability of each class. That is correct, is it not?".
"It is a sports festival. You do realize that physical ability is the key here, don't you?".
"That's right.....but that way of thinking is limited to times when I fight alone. If I focus on my own results, then I'm confident I can leave behind a good outcome. But recently I no longer quite understand. That just by elevating one's own abilities, perhaps you might not be able to reach Class A".
It was an uncharacteristically timid remark. It's likely proof that all her mistakes in the exams leading up to now are causing her to respond like this to this extent.
"Then let me ask this. What needs to be done in order to produce results in this sports festival? To climb up to Class A?".
As I replied with a question, Horikita closed her mouth right away. She only sends me a gaze that seems to be telling me she's asking me that precisely because she doesn't know.
"Isn't it that you'll win if you enjoyed it? This is the long-awaited sports festival, you know. Forgetting that this is an exam and amusing ourselves is also an option".
I said that as though avoiding the topic.
"You promised me you'd cooperate, right? That you'd help me climb up to Class A".
"I'm doing it now, aren't I?".
I spread out my hands lightly as if to show my body.
"I will participate in the sports festival. That is cooperation".
"...are you serious?".
"You said so yourself, right? That what will decide victory or defeat in the sports festival is physical ability. That is correct".
"But.....what I wanted to say is about elements other than that".
In other words, something other than physical ability capable of influencing the outcome.
"If so, on the day of the sports festival, shall we give the guys from Class C and Class B stomach aches and have them be absent? If we do that then we'll be completely victorious. It'll be our victory by an overwhelmingly wide margin".
"Don't joke around".
"The answer you're hoping for from me is something like that right? This sports festival is a task that should be challenged up front. Clumsy tricks will backfire, each and every person should elevate their abilities and triumph in the contests".
What the school side is looking for also undoubtedly leans strongly towards that aspect.
"It's just if I have to strongly add onto your way of thinking then even if your physical ability is high, it would mean it's still impossible".
"...in other words? Is something else necessary?".
"It would seem you'll understand the answer soon".
I turned my gaze towards the person walking towards us.
"Horikita-san, for the three-legged race practice, the next one up is you, Horikita-san".
"I understand".
Having been called, Horikita heads over. Apparently the one who will be pairing up with Horikita is Onodera. Onodera is a girl who belongs to the swimming club but according to rumors, she's also quite a sprinter.
For the sports festival, the important things are: your individual ability and cooperation with your classmate.
I wonder if Horikita will be able to make it go well. Horikita and Onodera mutually tie the string and the girls start in their battle formation. If we're only talking about coordination then the Horikita/Onodera pair would be number one. However, the result is something yet unknown. It was by no means slow but neither can the result be called fast, they came in at 3rd place.
By the way, the slowest ones were the unathletic Sakura/Inogashira pair. Decisively slow.
The Horikita/Onodera pair who shouldered the expectations of the class, in response to their dissatisfactory results, challenged it again and again but their time did not improve.
"They're rather slow, those two".
From the high levels of attention they were receiving, Sudou unexpectedly uttered that from an outsider's perspective.
"That's true".
Having returned after their sprint, the two of them immediately untied the string and faced each other.
"Hey, Horikita-san, would you mind keeping pace with me a bit more?".
Onodera, slightly annoyed, said that.
"Indeed our rhythms are mismatched. But it's not my fault. Rather it's because you're slow".
"What.....".
"Isn't it natural to keep pace with the rhythm of the faster one? To bother slowing down just to compromise would be strange after all".
The development I had feared will soon be at hand it seems. It's no easy matter to keep pace with Horikita, who's running at her maximum pace selfishly.
"Then shall we have a go at it too, Ayanokouji-kun?".
"Roger".
I have no time to either help out or laugh at the quarreling Horikita. Three-legged racing is a first for me too.
"For now let's try running and then fix our shortcomings, shall we?".
Nodding and following Hirata's instructions I tied our legs together.
It was far tighter than I had imagined or rather, it felt like I was deprived of my freedom. Besides, even though we're both males, if we're this close to each other it's slightly embarrassing. More so if it's Hirata, who garners attention from the girls.
"Then, let's go. Let's try using our tied feet for the first step".
I nodded and waited for Hirata's foot to move and then stepped forth to match it. And with the same rhythm, this time, I moved my free foot on the outside.
"...feels terribly uncomfortable".
"Right? But as you run you'll get used to it, I guess. I'm going to start running a bit then".
Hirata said that as he picked up the pace and I too, started running to match him.
Well, I say run but it was only at the speed of a trot though.
"Yep, that's it, you're doing great".
It was probably a speed almost anyone can keep up with but being praised like that made it easier. And then as I got used to it, I realized it was something surprisingly simple to do.
To properly understand your partner's pace. Then if your partner, too, grasps your pace, the next step will come smoothly.
"As expected of Hirata-kun! So fast!".
Shrill cheers came flying from the girls. We ran a small lap and then returned, untying the string.
"It's extremely easy to do if Ayanokouji-kun's my partner. Let's practice countless times then work hard at the actual event, shall we?".
Yes, he sure is invigorating. Furthermore, even after finishing practice, without resting, he headed over to advise the other students. This is probably the daily life of Hirata, a man capable of doing this.
Part 4
Mid September. Two weeks closer to the sports festival. Horikita, Sudou and the others were putting effort into their daily training in preparation for the actual event. Sudou, who utterly fails at studies, was steadily, laboriously and repeatedly practicing when it came to sports. Having trained his spirit habitually as part of the basketball club, he proved to be tenacious. There were students among them who held back but Sudou, without being prideful about it, devoted himself to his ability and thoroughly did what he could do.
This is probably the bare minimum requirement demanded by the sports festival. Especially for contests like the cavalry battle and tug of war, it's a direct showdown with your opponents. The outcome can be greatly influenced with just a strategy or a formation alone. Of course, it's not like Hirata had forgotten about our cooperative relationship with Class A either.
He periodically holds meetings with Katsuragi, discussing how to best fight in the actual event. For Class D that's been in hot water many times until now, this is a situation that's far too good. Seeing that fact as part of the bigger picture, I could also see the remaining two issues similarly.
One is the existence known as Horikita Suzune, who will become an indispensable existence to this class in the future. Ever since the first day, Horikita has changed her partner many times over and challenged the three-legged race but each and every time she ends up quarreling with her partners and ending their partnership.
Eventually in the end, she decided to challenge the actual event with the girl who she had gotten the best time with but even that time is still a worrisome one.
But now she's no longer practicing and instead silently spent her time alone.
"Do you have a moment?".
"What's the matter?".
Perhaps it's the fault of the stress she accumulated from the three-legged race but she's slightly thornier than usual.
"I think it'll do you good if you remember to compromise a bit".
I've been keeping an eye on her recent practice but I couldn't see any signs of improvement at all. It was clearly obvious that Horikita's overwhelming personality was getting in her way.
".....I've been told that by many people".
Maybe a great many came to mind as she said that while holding her forehead.
"I'm simply not allowing any compromise for the sake of getting the best time. Is that not a good thing? A three-legged race is different from running normally. Even a person who's slow to a certain extent should be able to keep up theoretically".
"In other words, you mean to say you have no intention of yielding?".
"Yes. I have no intention of matching with slow people".
"But as a result, it has become that no one is willing to practice with you anymore, right?".
During practice for the three-legged race, Horikita was left out of the class circle.
She can hardly hope to improve her time if she approaches the actual event in this state.
"I don't understand. Even if I were to yield, it'll have to be after my partner puts in effort. I cannot match up with someone who's abandoned effort from the start".
Well, I do understand what Horikita wants to say. Indeed the girls she partnered up with all suggested dissolving their partnership as soon as their times didn't end up matching.
However, that is only because there is a fundamental reason behind it.
"Step up a bit".
".....what do you mean?".
"Please partner up with me once for a three-legged race".
"Why with you?".
"There's also the mixed gender three-legged race. Isn't it fine to check our compatibility as partners?".
"Do you intend on matching me with your speed? It's a hindrance".
"According to your theory, one's slowness has nothing to do with it, right?".
"....very well. I'll tie it".
As though saying 'don't touch me', Horikita crouches down and ties the string between her own leg and mine.
Since our surroundings were engrossed in practice mood, even if we run a three-legged race we won't attract attention. Sudou, who seems like he'd be the one to get angry, also happens to be busy in the middle of a simulated match with another group too.
"Well then, let's go---".
For the first one or two steps, I sensed and matched Horikita as I stepped forth. However, as we picked up speed, rather than go at Horikita's pace, I started going at my own pace.
"H-Hey?".
In response to the panicking Horikita, I mercilessly sped up my pace. Horikita earnestly tries to come to grips with it but as her base stamina and physical strength is far below that of a boy's, she could not keep the initiative.
"According to you, keeping pace with your partner isn't all too difficult right?".
"That's.....I know that.....!".
She's stubborn after all. Horikita, without yielding, desperately tried to keep up. If so, I'll shift up a gear. I understand now after I've tried it, but as far as the three-legged race is concerned, just being fast alone won't cut it. The important thing is the tempo that both runners feel is best and from there the search for the best pace begins.
If you only demand speed here then inevitably it'll end up as a backassward run.
"!?".
Eventually, no longer able to keep up with my pace, Horikita almost collapses.
I grabbed her shoulders and stopped her fall, then I came to a stop too. Horikita took a slightly sharp breath.
"Before you consider things like fast or slow, it ended up like this because you're not looking at your partner".
I crouched down and without saying anything, I untied the string around Horikita's leg.
"The important thing is to look at your partner, to let them take the lead, is it not?".
It's precisely because she's athletic that she must discern her partner's ability and control herself.
"All that's left now is for you to think about it yourself".
"I---".
I don't know whether Horikita will realize this and mature but I've shown her one possibility. The rest is up to her. And the other issue is the existence of Kushida Kikyo.
Perhaps I should call her a power lurking out of sight, as she's hidden behind the existence of Hirata and Karuizawa yet as far as closeness with a lot of classmates go, she far surpasses even those two. Even now, surrounded by boys and girls, she's happily working on practicing.
In addition to that phenomenal communication skill of hers, she also possesses high academic and athletic abilities as well as a blessed figure. Truly, she can be said to be a faultless student.
In a sense, she's a student whose assignment to Class D in the first place is a mystery. However, I know a little of the darkness of sorts she possesses. That is to say, not too long after enrollment, I saw her ranting on an isolated rooftop and her face when she threatened me. And I don't know of the reason but it is a fact that Kushida hates Horikita considerably.
But it's clear that Horikita and Kushida are both issues vital in the improvement of Class D. And also, in order to resolve these issues, there's probably no other way for them to confront one another.
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