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Chapter 7: What You and I Lack 


The bell rang and the latter half of the sports festival began. It's now time for the Recommended Only Participation events. It's expected that for the remaining four contests, elites chosen from within the ranks of the class will be the ones participating.  
"Speaking of which, Ayanokouji-kun will be participating in the scavenger hunt right?". 
"If possible I'd rather not though.....". 
It can't be helped though since I happened to win at rock-paper-scissors. Six from each class will be participating in the scavenger hunt contest. It's a contest set up such that a single person from each class will be running in it, causing four people to form one group for that race.  


As a result, the obtainable points are set higher than they were during the individual contests.  
"The problem is the absentee, Sudou-kun.....". 
Since Sudou, who would have participated in all contests, happens to be absent, he'll be treated as an absentee at the rate this is going. Whether to prepare a substitute or not. That is the question.  


"If you don't mind, I'd like to hear your opinion, Ayanokouji-kun. I'd like to ask Horikita-san for her opinion but that doesn't seem to be an option". 
That's right. Horikita has yet to return to our camp. I had thought in the worst case scenario, she'd be back alone by the time the afternoon half started but this is unexpected.  
That leaves the possibility that things may be proceeding swimmingly intact.  
"If it's Hirata, you'll be able to make the right call even without relying on me, right?". 
".....I wonder. But, as for my personal opinion, I think a substitute will be necessary. When it comes to individual contests, our class is probably the worst. That's why in order to win in overall points, we have to win here". 


"Then, the question is who to use as a substitute". 


"100,000 points are required for a substitution after all. I'll do something about the points. The substitutes we can use that I think would be fine are Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun". 
"Because if they take 1st place, they'll be able to acquire points for their tests?". 
"Yeah. I think it's a good idea to make use of that merit". 


It can indeed be said that in the scavenger hunt, where luck is a significant factor, this would be a good plan. Ultimately, Ike and Yamauchi had a rock-paper-scissors duel and Ike, who won, triumphantly joined the participating group.  
"Alright! I'll try my hardest for Sudou's sake too!". 
His fighting spirit alone doesn't seem like it'd lose to Sudou's. Prior to the contest, the referees provide an explanation.  
"There are items marked as being difficult to obtain in this scavenger hunt. It is possible to draw again but there will be a 30 second window before you'll be able to do so. You will need to inform the referee present when you draw lots of your desired course of action. In addition, the contest will end as soon as 3 contestants clear it. That will be all". 


After that supplementary explanation was given, I prepared to join in on the second round of the scavenger hunt I'm scheduled to participate in.  
"Yo". 
The man beside me called out. I don't even need to look, it's Ryuuen from Class C.  
"So that muscle head won't be participating in the scavenger hunt? I figured he'd participate for sure. Also, I can't see Suzune anywhere. Surely they aren't fucking each other backstage right?". 
"No idea. It has nothing to do with me......I also don't know the internal affairs of my class very well". 
"What a shitty response". 


It appears he immediately lost interest in me, as Ryuuen walked away. But still, it seems like he'll be a part of the same second race too. Not too long after, the first race began.  


It seems the other classes have assembled their athletic students properly as Ike was overtaken from the start.  
However, what's crucial here are the contents of the items scavenged. Coming in at last place, and finally reaching the box, Ike drew his lot and checked it.  
The lead contestants are already going this way and that, leaving the grounds in search of their designated items to scavenge.  
"Uooooooooooh!". 


Loudly striking a guts pose, Ike suddenly turned and ran back towards the starting area.  
"Ayanokouji! Please lend me your left foot. Your left foot!". 
"Left foot?". 
"Shoes, I meant your shoes! That's my item!". 
What he showed me was a note with 'Classmate's Left Foot (Shoes)" written on it.  
"No, if I gave it to you, I wouldn't be able to run anymore........". 
"Geh!?". 


He came running back because I happened to be close by but he can't just borrow a shoe from someone who will be running in this very scavenger hunt. Ike panicked over his mistake and rushed over to the camp.  
However, it appears the other students are also having a hard time with the scavenger hunt since I still couldn't see anyone heading towards the goal. Ultimately, through luck of the draw, Ike stumbled upon a way to prevail and in the tumultuous opening act, he seized 1st place.  
"This is no trifling matter.......". 
Then after several tens of seconds, Class A came in followed by Class B and then Class C at last place. 


And with its end, the signal came for us to start with the second race. I then also headed towards the area where the lots are drawn, following slightly behind the faster ones who dashed forward.  
"Now then, what exactly's going to be written down......". 
I inserted my hand into the box that's placed in front of me. Inside, there seems to be quite a bit of paper. Taking care to not drawn multiple pieces of paper, I snatched one out.  
I unfolded the paper that had been folded into fourths.  


"Bring along 10 friends". 


".....you've got to be kidding right?". 
The moment I skimmed across the paper, I could feel my field of vision darkening.  
Even a single friend would already be a difficult hurdle for me but 10? They've got to be kidding right? Even as I mulled it over in my head, I failed to think of 10 people.  
"What are you spacing out for! Hurry it up, Ayanokouji!". 


Ike, who had gotten cocky after getting 1st place, shouted out to me like that but there's nothing I can do about it. Two people I could count as friends within the class (Horikita and Sudou) are both absent and that alone puts me in checkmate. As long as Ichinose and Kanzaki are my enemies, I can't quite rely on them either....... 
"I'd like to request a change.......". 


I requested to change my lot in accordance with the rules. Already, the other students are running off in pursuit of their items. I stood by for 30 seconds and drew my second lot.  


"The person you love". 


"No, no, no.........no, no, no, no". 
What the hell is up with the contents of these lots. I can't help but think they're screwing around with me.  
"C-Change". 
I could sense the confusion coming from the Class D students who were watching me but what can't be helped just can't be helped. If someone else were to draw something like this, I wonder what they'd do.  


If I showed this paper to someone of the opposite sex, it might as well count as a confession. Even if I ask them to just play along, it's already considerably embarrassing.  
Before deciding on the item to scavenge, I ended up shouldering a minute of handicap.  


"A table clock". 


On the third attempt, I finally ended up choosing something I could realize at last. 
However, if it's a table clock I'll have to head into the school building for one.......? 
Just in case, I tried searching for a clock in the teachers' tent but I couldn't find a table clock there. While I busied myself with it, three contestants ended up reaching the goal.  


".....this is impossible". 
Abandoned by fortune, I was unable to produce any results and came in at last place. It's not about holding back or not holding back, this is just a contest where I simply can't do anything about it. 


The afternoon contests should be starting right about now on the school grounds. At last, I've found the red-haired student sitting on a sofa in the dorm's lobby.  
"Sudou-kun". 
I called out to him with a gentle voice so as to not startle him. Sudou-kun put some slight distance between us before turning back to look at me.  
"...Horikita". 
The reason he's surprised by my appearance is probably because he simply didn't expect me to show up here.  
"Why did you come here......? Could it be you're here to persuade me?". 
"Do I look like the type to come all the way here to persuade you?". 


"It.....doesn't seem that way to me. Then why? Did you come here to scold me again?". 
"I wonder. I'm also at a loss for words". 
"Ahh?". 
Sudou-kun tilted his head as though he didn't understand.  
Why, I wonder. When I finally found Sudou-kun, I felt as though I couldn't say anything. I think back on why exactly I went to such lengths to look for him.  
"If you withdraw, Class D will stand no chance". 
"I suppose so. Matter of fact, aren't they in trouble right now?". 


"Yes. I guess right about now they're at the very bottom and to turn things around, taking 1st place consecutively on the Recommended Only Participation events will be necessary. Even then, it'll still be pretty much impossible for us to stand at the top". 
In our class, there are those who excel at sports much like Sudou-kun himself but overall, there are places where they prove themselves inferior to him in this sports festival.  


"Even though I've been carrying them, damn it all. That bastard Hirata.....". 
"He's not at fault simply for stopping your rampage. On the contrary, you should be grateful to him. If you had, by any chance, raised your hand against Ryuuen-kun, you might've been disqualified from the sports festival itself". 


"I just couldn't stand being on the losing side of it. What he did was against the rules". 
"The problem with you is your speech and conduct but you were earnestly trying your best for the sports festival". 
In this case, he acted unlike himself. In a sense, that in itself is a miracle. For the sake of his classmates, he acted as a leader in spite of his lack of experience and tried to carry them through the sports festival.  
He was as quick to fight as ever but at the root of it all was a desire to win.  
I could tell just by seeing how he's taken 1st place in all contests save for the 200 meter dash he was absent for and it's clear from afar that even in the team contests, he's been an overwhelming force.  


In regards to that, I need to acknowledge Sudou-kun and evaluate him accordingly.  
"But there are also plenty of areas you need to reflect on. The ultimate proof of that is the fact that you're here all on your own". 
"What's the supposed to mean?". 
"If you were someone people could trust in and rely on, then rather than me you would surely have a lot of classmates here instead. To convince you to come back". 
Perhaps that angered Sudou-kun once again, he gave the table a light kick.  
"That attitude's the problem here. Class D's always been bossed around by you. The midterm exam, the incident with Class C. Snapping and going on a rampage this time around. It's because you keep doing things like that that no one will follow you". 


"So you're seriously going to preach to me. Spare me, Horikita. I'm really pissed off". 
Having been judged to this extent, Sudou-kun started fidgeting and frantically letting out his feelings of irritation. 


"I do think I've done something bad but I can't hold myself back either. That's why it can't be helped right?". 
"Amazing how you thought you could carry everyone like that". 
"I never said that in the first place. The other guys begged me to, right?". 
"But even so, since you've accepted, there's a certain responsibility you bear". 
"Shut it. I don't care about something like that". 


"You're still as childish as ever. In society, this isn't something you'll be forgiven for, right?". 
"Shut up!". 
He shouts. He directed a fierce glare at me as though to intimidate me into shutting up. But I won't give in.  
"Tch.....what's the matter?". 
If it had been anyone else, they would've given in. 
Sudou-kun ran out of patience with me after I didn't once quiver and he averted his eyes.  


"Your weakness is that you're too easy to figure out. What would happen if you didn't happen to study? What would happen if you were to instigate violence? You lack the imagination to think ahead". 
"Ahh damn it all, it's already over! Leave me alone already! Your preaching is making me want to vomit!". 
Sudou-kun does want to make things work, he wants to stay here at this school. But even so, to continue instigating violence. There's got to be some circumstances behind it. Unless he learns the rules and routines, Sudou-kun will stay on this loop forever.  
I---even though I desired to be alone forever.  


That's why, even if I end up being hated, I won't stop my words. Right here, I will see him for all that he is.  
"If you dislike it, you're free to hit me". 
"Huh? That sort of thing......there's no way I could do that sort of thing.....". 


"Is it because I'm a woman? I may be late in saying this, but I'm quite strong. I'll knock you down before your fist reaches me". 
"So you fully intend on fighting back......? Honestly, you're a really strange woman. Just like you said, the others didn't come chasing after me. But you alone, came after me". 


Although that's partly because Ayanokouji-kun admonished me on the matter though. It's just, I don't feel the need to say that in particular since I'm standing here because I'm convinced of that. But perhaps Sudou-kun's also a bit spent, since he started talking as though to suppress his anger.  
"The reason I accepted the role of leader is because I thought the sports festival would be a piece of cake as long as I'm good at sports. And it is a fact that I didn't lose to anyone from the other classes. But you know, it's in the nature of team contests that you can't do anything as long as someone's there to pull your leg. Both in capture-the-flag and in the cavalry battle, I lost no thanks to those useless guys. I just couldn't stand that". 
I understand that this is a situation that warrants complaints.  
Certainly, even for our school year, Sudou-kun's athletic ability is outstanding.  


But there isn't a single person with the capability to keep up with him.  
"I can tell just by looking that you hate losing in a field you're good at. But is that really all?". 
If he simply doesn't wish to lose to anyone at sports, then it wasn't necessary for him to accept the role of leader. Sudou-kun shouldn't realized too that they'd struggle when it comes to team contests.  
In other words, there's definitely another reason behind this.  


Sudou-kun tilted his head a bit as though he were giving it some thought but soon enough, he gave his reply.  
"...for them to pay attention to me and respect me I guess? I thought maybe I could have something like that for myself. I wanted to show up the ones who made fun of me.....lame, right?". 


Once he had regained his calm, he realized both his own desires and the fact that he abandoned them all without being able to fulfill them and he forcefully scratched his crimson dyed hair.  
"And with this I'm also a complete pariah, huh? Well, that's fine. It just means I'll be going back to how it was like in middle school for me". 
"..........". 


Listening to those words from Sudou-kun, I fell silent. Now then, I wonder if all my preaching will reach his heart. I was argued down by Ayanokouji-kun, lost to Ryuuen-kun and my brother abandoned me too.  
I felt I had no right to reprimand him.  
It's because someone I had seen as being beneath my level all this time, now seemed to not be so anymore. Certainly, Sudou-kun is clumsy and is the type of person to not think ahead.  
He possesses an uncontrollable disposition.  


However---by changing perspectives, I could also begin to see him as someone who continued fighting all alone while confronting that loneliness. He who possessed the courage to confront that solitude may yet be far superior to me.  
While feeling anxiety that my words won't reach him, I sincerely tried to squeeze out those words. I continued the conversation that was never my forte.  


".....it's strange. These feelings of yours are basically the same as my own". 
"Ahh? What do you mean?". 
"The desire to be respected by someone. The desire to continue fighting on your own. I'm the same". 
He and I are similar. In the sense that we both carry a certain contradiction yet continue fighting against that solitude.  
"Thinking back, the signs were there. Back during the midterm exams, I felt irritation towards the students who could not study, including you. I felt angry at people who couldn't even do what's natural. I just couldn't muster up the desire to cooperate with you. Compared to that, you did brilliantly in this sports festival. Because at the very least, you carried the ones who could not handle sports". 


Studies and sports. Even if they happened to be the antithesis of the other, in theory they may pretty much be the same. What I had felt towards Sudou-kun and the others in those days, Sudou-kun is strongly feeling that now.  
"Then you understand my feelings. Right now, I want to be alone". 
"And I truly wish to let you be. But right now, if we lose you, Class D's defeat will be certain". 
This isn't just about Sudou-kun's personal problems. It'll have a signifiant impact on the class's chances of victory.  


"You too, abandoned the class at first like me right? Then you have no right to lecture me". 
Briefly retorting, Sudou-kun gently stood up from the sofa.  
"...that's right". 
That's right, there is no weight behind my words. Because up until the very last moment, I thought the same thing as Sudou-kun.  
"You're disappointed, right? But I'm used to it. I was born to garbage parents. That's why I'm also garbage. I came here because I absolutely didn't want to turn out like them but slowly, I'm ending up just like my parents.......". 


Perhaps he intends on returning to his room, Sudou-kun looked at me once with eyes that had abandoned everything. I wonder what words I should call out with after seeing that. I myself no longer know.  
"It's wrong to think that someone born to garbage will turn out to be garbage. You can't blame others for how you'll turn out. That's something you have to decide for yourself. I won't acknowledge that mindset of yours". 


I forcefully rejected it. Because I felt that despite understanding him, I had to reject it still.  
"If the sister of a genius will also turn out to be a genius, just how much trouble would be saved.......?". 
"What do you mean?". 


"...right now, you're still a nobody. To become a somebody, that's up to you. At the very least, you have outstanding talent in the field of sports. Sure, you have a rough attitude but you still advised plenty of students during practice. It's precisely because I've been watching you do so that I know you're not a hopeless person. But right now, you're scum. You're looking away from reality and trying to escape from it. If you continue trying to disappear like this, then that's when I'll truly label you as garbage". 


"Then just label me as garbage already. I don't care about that anymore". 
"So you're going to throw a tantrum just because things didn't go your way?". 
No matter what fierce words I throw at him, no actual response came from him.  
Perhaps he's already locked down his heart but 'I' am incapable of unlocking that door.  
The bell rang, signalling the end of the lunch break. The signal that the afternoon contests will be starting. This confirms that Sudou-kun won't be making it in time for the scavenger hunt.  


"Go back, Horikita". 
"No. I cannot go back until I've brought you along". 
"Then do as you wish". 
Sudou-kun starts walking again and he enters the elevator.  


"I'll be waiting here for you to come back. Forever". 
".....do as you wish". 
The elevator door closes shut. Up until the very end, I did not avert my eyes from him. 

"Fuu~......that was unfortunate. A little bit more and we'd have been able to beat Class B.......". 
"I guess so". 
We prepared a substitute for the omnidirectional tug-of-war in Sudou's absence but we were still soundly defeated just now. We challenged them believing in the slim possibility of success. But we lost. We had plummeted down to the bottom.  
As a class, we had decided to re-evaluate our coordination but it was Hirata who, more than anyone else, received the most damage.  
Just like with the scavenger hunt, he bore the burden of providing the points necessary for substitution and as such, he's lost a considerable amount of points. It's an extremely dire situation where we have to tackle any and all contests without our greatest ace, Sudou.  



"Doesn't look like Sudou-kun's coming back yet". 
"Hirata, are you planning on providing the points for the next contest as well?". 
"Yeah. Because it's necessary. A necessary expenditure". 
But even so, conveniently for us, Hirata's paid for three so far. Twice for Sudou who missed out on the scavenger hunt and the omnidirectional tug-of-war and once for Horikita, who missed out on the latter. It wasn't cheap by any means.  


If he has to pay for the next one as well it would come to a total of 500,000 points. No matter how many private points he's saved up, it's still overspending.  
"Well.....leaving aside Sudou, Horikita will probably pay for herself later". 
She is indeed absent, but it's quite the inhuman thing to do having Hirata pay for it all. Fortunately enough, she's obtained a large sum of points from the previous exam similar to Hirata himself.  
"Isn't it about time you let them bear the cost too? The ones participating, I mean". 


"That may be so. But 100,000 points is a large amount and saving up that much isn't easy after all. I'm the one who went ahead with the substitutions and all so I can't really go around asking them for points". 
"Don't you think that the one who bailed is at fault?". 
On top of that, Hirata got beat up by Sudou. But it seems Hirata thinks nothing of it.  
"There's the class's victory to consider too but if we can rank higher and win prizes here it'll give us an advantage in the exams to come. It's best to participate still. If they have to pay their own way through, there are probably a lot of students who would pass up on this". 


Certainly, most of the students who are in dire need of points in their exams also fret over their financial troubles. Of course they'd want points for themselves but since there's the possibility they'd plummet to the bottom instead and be at a disadvantage in their exams, they'd hesitate.  
Because it'd be a miserable sight if they happened to lose both money and points.  
The remaining contests are the mixed gender three-legged race and the last one: the 1200 meter relay.  


Hirata tries calling out to see if there's anyone interested in participating. But before he could, Kushida came running over.  
"Umm, Hirata-kun. Could you let me help out too? I'd like to participate in the three-legged race. Of course, I'll pay the points for it.....can I?". 
"Ehh?". 
Surprisingly enough, it was Kushida who put her own name forward.  
"I can't let Hirata-kun be the only one bearing the burden. Besides, I also want to try my best to contribute for Horikita-san and Sudou-kun's sake as well...". 
"Of course that's a welcome offer. Since Kushida-san's pretty good at sports too". 


"Thanks. I'll go tell Chabashira-sensei that I'll be participating in Horikita-san's place then". 
Saying that, she ran off.  
"Then, now for the boy. I'll ask around". 


"Hey, Hirata. This contest, is it ok if I act as Sudou's substitute? I'll pay the points for it too. There's no guarantee I'd be able to contribute to the class but if that's fine with you". 
"Well---sure. Of course I don't mind.....but are you fine with that?". 


"It feels awkward having you bear the burden alone. Besides, I'm feeling a bit anxious about the next exam. I'd like to secure at least one point". 
Having received permission, I immediately went after Kushida. I cut into the conversation she was already having with Chabashira-sensei.  
"So, Ayanokouji, you're going to be Sudou's substitute?". 
"Yes". 
"This is unusual, considering you like playing spectator". 
"So Ayanokouji-kun's going to be replacing Sudou-kun. I'm looking forward to it". 


"Likewise. I'm not very fast so you'll have to forgive me for that". 
"I think rather than speed, the three-legged race puts more emphasis on coordination though". 
While having that conversation, we made preparations right away for the contest.  


"Yahho~ Ayanokouji-kun. And also Kikyo-chan. Looks like we're in the same group---". 
Ichinose came up to us while saying that. Both her and Shibata, that is.  
"Wah---tough opponents. To think the two of you would team up......". 
"That's true for Shibata-kun but I'm not that special you know? I haven't gotten 1st place in anything yet". 
"Really? That's unexpected". 


"I got 2nd place once and I got either 4th place or 5th place for the rest. To tell the truth, someone else was supposed to participate but she sprained her foot in the 200 meter dash before lunch. Looks like quite a lot of people are getting injured this year". 
Apparently Class B has their own absentees. So this pair is an improvised one.  
"Shibata-kun, is it ok if I tie it now?". 
"Okay". 
The Class B pair who began happily tying their string.  


"Alright then, we should too......umm, can I leave tying the string to you? It wouldn't look good for a man to start tying it on his own". 
"That's fine. But how strange, when you practiced with Horikita-san, you were the one who tied it right, Ayanokouji-kun?". 
It's a frequent thought of mine but she's really observing the class quite well.  
"She's...an exception. I can't afford to do the same with other girls". 


"Do you mean to say she's someone special to you?". 
Rather than a special someone, it'd be more factual to say she's someone with a special status. But it'd be hard conveying that.  
"More importantly, it's hard to believe Horikita-san went looking for Sudou-kun.....how should I put it, Horikita-san always makes it a point to never miss classes right?". 
"I was also surprised". 


"But even so, you didn't look that surprised to me". 
Kushida said so while crouching down and tying the string to my foot.  
"It's just because I find it difficult to express myself facially in the first place". 
"You mean a poker face?". 
"Kushida". 
"Wait just a bit longer ok? I'll be done tying in a bit". 


Replying in a cute voice, Kushida tied the string beautifully. I decided to abruptly interrupt Kushida.  
"It's you, isn't it? The traitor who leaked Class D's participation table to Class C". 
"...come on, Ayanokouji-kun. What's the matter with you all of a sudden? Even for a joke, that's far too cruel---". 
"I saw it. You snapped a picture of the participation table we drew up on the blackboard with your phone". 
"That's just a record so I don't forget. It'd be a big problem if I forget my own turn after all". 


"To only memorize one's own turn through writing it down by hand. Wasn't that the consensus?". 
"Really? Sorry, I forgot". 
Having finished tying the string, Kushida slowly stood back up with her usual smile directed at me.  
"By any chance, did that cause you to suspect me?". 
"Sorry but I'm confident I'm right. If not, Class C wouldn't be able to attack us this conveniently". 
The time the two of us can be together like this is limited. In a way, this is the perfect opportunity to talk.  


"Hmm, but still, even if someone were to leak Class D's participation table by any chance, that doesn't necessarily mean Class C will be able to conveniently win right?". 
"That's true". 
Of course, since it's not like Class C went unmatched in all the contests, it's difficult to ascertain the truth. Even if they've figured out Class D's order in its entirety, whether they win or not will still depend on the members from Class A and Class B.  
Still, it is a fact that this raises their chances of winning that much more.  


"Hey, Ayanokouji-kun. Assuming I'm the culprit responsible for leaking the class's information---and me snapping a picture with my phone was the deciding factor, then that must mean you knew the participation table had been leaked right? Then why didn't you alter the participation table later? Couldn't you have submitted a new participation table later as a countermeasure? If you had done so, the participation table I snapped a picture of would become outdated and meaningless, don't you think so?". 
"That would be pointless. If the traitor is a student from Class D, all of that would mean nothing". 
"And this means?". 


"For instance, suppose we altered the participation table in time like you said, Kushida. Then we'd keep quiet and submit the new participation table. Even if we do that, as long as the traitor's a student from Class D, they'd still be able to check and inspect it anytime they want. If they simply asked Chabashira-sensei to show them the participation table, it's well within class rights for them to see it". 
If it's just checking the list, then you'd be allowed to do so at any time. In other words, even if we acted behind the scenes, ultimately the order will still be figured out if you repeatedly check the participation table.  
Kushida...no, Ryuuen would surely do so in that case.  


"But if you had kept the participation table hidden until the last minute and then submitted it, then whoever sees it after wouldn't be able to make any alterations to it anymore right? I still think you could it prevented it beforehand". 
"In that case, then perhaps the participation table might not have been leaked. I didn't think that far ahead". 
"Ahh, but if you did something like that on your own then it might end up confusing the others later I guess---.....that's no good right?". 


That line of thought isn't too shabby. To neuter the spying being done on the participation table, it's necessary to act in advance. Certainly, like Kushida had said, by submitting the participation table just before the deadline, it would be impossible to accomplish anything even if one obtains said information since the deadline has already passed.  
However, doing so would cause confusion amongst our classmates who aren't in the know. It would also invite animosity from them since alterations had been made onesidedly despite everyone having already reached a consensus.  


That is precisely why, taking that and the possibility of a leak into account, the optimal course of action would have been to come up with multiple participation table patterns for the class.  


By doing so, no matter which one is submitted in the end, we'd still be able to compete regardless. If so, it would also act as a countermeasure for any leaks and it wouldn't invite any animosity from the class either, the opponents we'd face based on this participation table would also be random so there would be nothing they can do about it.  
The leak would be completely neutered.  


"I get the gist of it but I'm not the culprit you know? But I don't want to suspect my classmates either". 
"Then shall we confirm it with Chabashira-sensei? Whether or not any students have gone out of their way to check the list after the participation table was submitted. If such a person exists then surely they'd be the culprit". 
Especially if someone like Kushida, who had already confessed to taking pictures of it on her phone, happened to have gone out of her way to go see it then she'd be all the more suspicious for it.  
"..........". 


Kushida closed her mouth and for the first time, her smile disappeared. In other words, it's an implicit answer that meant an affirmation. However, she smiled deeply again right away.  
"---fufu. You're really something else, Ayanokouji-kun". 
Kushida laughs. It was a face I had seen before, a Kushida I didn't know.  
"It can't be helped if the cat's out of the bag. That's right, I leaked the information on the participation table". 
"You admit it then?". 


"Yeah. It'd have been surely exposed either way if you had asked Chabashira-sensei. It was only a matter of time. Besides, even if I told you the truth, Ayanokouji-kun, I'm confident I won't be exposed. You haven't forgotten, have you? My uniform that you touched? If that's revealed, it'll become a big deal you know?". 
It's a threat that if I were to expose Kushida as the traitor to someone, she'd submit her uniform with the fingerprints on it to the school.  


"Certainly, I won't be able to expose you as the culprit. But, by the way, tell me something. The exam on the cruise. That result came about because you informed all the students of the fact that you're the 'target' through Ryuuen, right? And you asked Ryuuen for a favor in return for you leaking that information". 
"And that favour would be? Do you know what I wanted to accomplish so badly that I'd even betray the class for it?"> 


"If you act this blatantly during the sports festival, I'd end up wising up to it even if I didn't want to. It's the same request you wanted to make to me a while back isn't it?". 
"Ahaha.....yeah, I see. So Ayanokouji-kun really figured it out". 
"Yeah. Why you would betray the class. I wanted to know the exact reason behind it". 
"It's because I want to 'expel Horikita Suzune'. That's the reason". 
"I just couldn't figure out the reason why you're so persistent when it comes to targeting Horikita though". 


I had wanted them to resolve this matter between themselves before the sports festival but things didn't pan out that conveniently.  
"Sorry but I'm going to get Horikita-san expelled. No matter what you say, I won't change my mind on this". 
"In other words, in order to accomplish that, you'd even sabotage Class D?". 
"That's right. I don't mind not being able to climb up to Class A. I'll settle for getting Horikita-san expelled. But don't get me wrong. Once Horikita-san is no longer here, I'll wholeheartedly cooperate with everyone from the class and aim for Class A. I promise you that". 


Apparently, getting Kushida to stop is impossible. She's committing this act of treason with that sort of strong resolve. If necessary, she'd likely approach even people like Katsuragi, Ichinose or Sakayanagi.  


"Ahh, but I have changed my mind about something. Just now too. That's the fact that you, Ayanokouji-kun, are now on my list of people to expel. In other words, after the two of you have been eliminated, I'll aim for Class A". 


She said so with her usual, untiring smile. An expression that's almost dazzling.  
"Haven't you considered the possibility that Ryuuen might expose you?". 
"I'm not an idiot either so I haven't done anything that would leave any evidence behind. Ryuuen-kun's capable of casually tricking people and he's also a liar. Well, whether or not he'd betray me is a gamble I made though". 
Even so, I just wanted to say there are plenty of ways to deceive someone. Looks like Kushida is serious about crushing Horikita.  


The way this school is set up, if there's a traitor amongst your allies then you'd end up repeatedly fighting desperate fights. The order on our participation table, our strategy, all that information has been leaked. To ask us to win in spite of all this is unreasonable.  
Well...the side that assumed there's a traitor present and was left unable to formulate any strategies is also at fault though.  
I'd expect someone truly talented to instead use the traitor and pull a stunt to pave way for victory.  
"Horikita-san's a mess throughout the sports festival. Shame you couldn't save her, right?". 


I don't know about that. After giving her that brief reply, we participated in the three-legged race while antagonizing one another. 

Roughly an hour has passed since Sudou-kun left. If the programme has progressed smoothly then they should be on the cusp of the final contest right about now. The hole left behind by Sudou-kun isn't small by any measure. I can imagine Hirata-kun and the others putting up a good fight but I can't expect much in the way of results.  
The powerless me could not do anything except aimlessly and dumbfoundedly stand around.  


All I could do was to keep standing in front of that elevator. Even if I'm told to go back to our camp and withdraw, I lack the ability to pay the points necessary for a substitute. The points I have on hand will later be confiscated by Ryuuen-kun. In other words, I cannot pay for the student who will be participating on my behalf. I'd only be a powerless existence even if I were to go back.  
But that's not the only reason why I cannot afford to leave this place.  


Even if I only left briefly, were Sudou-kun to come back in that period, he'd surely be crestfallen. Besides, in spite of the fact that Class D's defeat is all but certain, I thought I'd like to do what I can.  
I believe Sudou-kun will come back.  
That's all there is to it.  
And then, that feeling paid off.  


"You...did you seriously stick around?". 
"You finally came back, Sudou-kun". 
I maintained my composure but deep down inside, I was happy.  
To the point I spontaneously called out when I saw the figure of Sudou-kun in the elevator.  
I'm truly grateful there are cameras monitoring the interior of the elevator. Because I was able to gain time to calm myself.  


"Isn't it already over? The sports festival, I mean". 
"That may be so. But if we go back now, we may still be in time for some contest". 
"What's the point? Even if we participate in something like that, we may as well have already lost". 


"Certainly a disastrous outcome beyond our expectations may be waiting for Class D. I had to withdraw thanks to my injury and Kouenji-kun was absent from the start. And Sudou-kun also withdrew halfway through it. Our classmates too, compared to the other classes, don't have much of a shot at winning". 
The Recommended Only Participation events I wanted to tackle in hopes of turning the situation around would surely prove to be a disaster too.  


"Since you've come all the way back here, I assume this means you feel like going back to the competition?". 
"Nah. I just came here to check if you're still here or not.....". 
"That's right. I've been sorting out various thoughts in my head while waiting an hour for you. What kind of person I am, what kind of person you are. I've been rethinking it. After all, you and I are similar". 
Once alone, I had calmed myself and finally I feel like I've arrived at a clear answer.  
"We have nothing in common. You and I are just too different". 
"No. You and I are similar. The more I think about it, the more I feel that way". 


This isn't a lie. These are words from the bottom of my heart.  
"Always alone. Always lonely. But you believed you could do it and carried on that way. If there is a difference between us, it would be that the acknowledgement we crave either derives from a single person or from a group of people. I've told you about the student council president before so you know about it right?". 
"Yeah. That guy who's always putting on airs right? Looks like quite a guy". 
"He's my older brother". 
"...ahh?.....speaking of which, you said something about having quarreled with him....right?". 
As Sudou-kun starts thinking back on it, I began speaking about my brother with Sudou-kun as though I were monologuing.  


"Our sibling relationship is far from being a pleasant one. The reason behind that is my lack of talent. My outstanding brother dislikes being associated with someone as incompetent as me. That's why I tried my best to become someone talented. In both studies and sports. Even now". 
"W-Wait a minute. Aren't you smart and good at sports too?". 
"From an average person's perspective maybe. But from my brother's perspective, all this is nothing special. Merely what is normally expected". 
In all likelihood, Nii-san reached my current level when he was either in his 1st or 2nd year of middle school. Or it could have been even earlier than that.  


"That's why I ran, in order to catch up to my brother, without facing anyone around me. As a result, I was always alone. Whenever I looked back, I always saw that nobody had followed me. I had thought that was just fine. Because I believed as long as I am talented, then eventually my brother would acknowledge me. Even during this sports festival, I've been thinking according to a very calculative mindset. That if I participate in a lot of contests and produce results, then even my brother would stop to look at me. That's also the sole reason why I said that I wanted to be the anchor during the relay. Because I had a fleeting hope that if I do so, he might call out to me or cheer for me. For the sake of the class, or for my own sake, deep down inside things like that were of secondary concern". 


By confronting Sudou-kun's weakness, I also succeeded in confronting my own weakness.  
"Does he really not acknowledge you? Even though you're trying this hard". 


"Yes. Not one bit. But I finally realize now. I'm not talented at all. During this sports festival, I was beaten here and there all just as Ryuuen-kun had intended and I wasn't able to leave behind a single satisfactory result. There's no way my brother would acknowledge someone like me. The reason I'm aiming for Class A is so that my brother would acknowledge me. That hasn't changed. But I have realized the methods I've been using to achieve that are wrong. I'm not alone. That for the first time, by having allies, I may be able to get closer to that peak". 


"Aren't you going to give up?". 
"If there is a difference between us, that might be it. I will never give up. I'll work hard to be acknowledged by my brother, to become someone who isn't a disgrace". 
"It'll be painful, for someone walking that path.....". 
"I suppose so. If you're the only person in the world then you'd surely be at peace without having to suffer. But it's no use thinking about such things. Because we aren't alone in this world. There are billions of people in the world and even around us, there are plenty of people. We can't possibly ignore them". 
A person cannot survive alone. They must walk that path with someone else.  


This sports festival has proved to be a trial for Class D and yet it's become something to be thankful for.  
"I said that you'd continue to act violent. And so I turned my back on you. But that wasn't the case. That wasn't the right answer. If it ever seems like you'll stray from your path again, I'll be there to pull you back onto it. That's why until we graduate, please lend me your strength. I too, promise to lend you my strength to the best of my ability". 


I stared at his eyes. I looked without averting my eyes. Because I wanted him to accept my resolve.  
"Until just a while ago, this wasn't the case......why do your words have so much weight now?". 


"It might be because I've honestly admitted the truth. The truth is.....that I'm a pathetic person and I've only been averting my eyes from that fact". 
I can't flaunt this fact to others. But if it's someone who's the same as me, then that's a different story.  
"I'll say this again, Sudou Ken-kun. Lend me your strength". 
"Horikita......". 


Sudou-kun balled his hands into fists forcefully and hit himself on the forehead with them.  
"Ahh.....what the hell is this feeling? I don't know but I feel like my eyes are finally open.....". 
He said so as he took a step towards me.  
"I'll cooperate with you, Horikita. I.....I feel like my existence outside of basketball has been acknowledged for the first time. That's why I want to reply to those feelings of yours". 


I could feel myself beaming with a natural smile towards those words of his. A feeling I've felt for the first time. I wonder what this throbbing in my chest is. The only thing I could tell is that it isn't something like friendship or love.  
Something separate from those.....that's right, embarrassingly enough I now have someone I could call a comrade.  
Different from both Ayanokouji-kun and my brother.  


What I lack. Something I surely am in shortage of. However, I wonder if I've taken that small first step.  
 





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