Welcome to Paradise of Freedom

"Um, sorry for interrupting—I just overheard some of that. I think Horikita must have her reasons for insisting on the final leg, right? Horikita, could you explain?"

"Huh? You have a reason for wanting the final leg? Can I know what it is? If so, I can let you have it."

Sudo immediately spoke up.

Horikita was silent for a moment, then said.

"I'm guessing my brother will be the final leg, so I want to settle things with him on that last stretch..."

With that, Horikita stole a glance at Kiyotaka.

The reason she felt this way was that Kiyotaka's presence in her heart had gradually been pushing her brother's image aside. She wanted to use this rare opportunity to make a clean break with the past—you could even call it a pledge of loyalty to Kiyotaka.

"Brother? So then... that Student Council President is...?"

"Yes, he's my brother."

Everyone knew who the Student Council President was, but since the surname Horikita wasn't exactly uncommon, no one had ever made the connection.

Hirata and Sudo exchanged glances.

"So you just want to run the final leg with your brother?"

Hirata asked. Since this change affected everyone's results, for the sake of fairness, he needed a reason.

But right now, that reason wasn't sufficient for Hirata, and the atmosphere grew awkward. Horikita didn't intend to elaborate.

"She seems to have some issues with her brother—probably wants an opportunity to make up?"

Kiyotaka stepped in at the right moment to smooth things over for Horikita.

"If that's the case, and if Sudo agrees, I don't think the class will have any objections."

Hirata could tell it was just an excuse, but since the person involved wasn't saying more, he couldn't press further. He passed the decision to Sudo.

"If that's how it is, even though I still want to run the final leg, I can let you have it."

Sudo scratched his head, thought it over, and said.

"Thanks..."

Horikita thanked them politely for the first time, which surprised everyone.

For Horikita, this was a rare chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her brother. But would things really go that smoothly?

At least, from Kiyotaka's information channels, it was full of obstacles...

Finally, the day of the Sports Festival arrived. After all the classes filed in orderly, there was no tedious speech from the school administration—just a simple opening declaration from Fujimaki of Class A, third year.

Beside the athletic field stood a white hut, just like the one on the Uninhabited Island, big enough for about twenty people. It seemed they were just as thoroughly prepared as they had been back then.

On either side of the field, tents were set up in red and white as base camps. The two sides probably wouldn't have any contact with each other except during the actual competitions.

"This weather... it's so hot."

Kiyotaka was hiding in the tent, fanning his shirt, staring at the blazing sun outside.

"Kiyotaka... I have some cooling patches here. Stick a couple on—you'll feel a lot better."

As if she'd heard his muttering, Airi walked over with two cooling patches in her hands.

"Thanks."

Kiyotaka didn't hesitate. He took them and stuck them on, letting out a sigh of relief as the cool sensation spread through him.

"You're welcome."

Airi smiled sweetly.

"They really prepared thoroughly—even set up camera equipment to judge results."

Airi sat beside Kiyotaka, peeking out with her little head as she spoke.

"After all, the school has always preached absolute fairness."

Even a difference as small as a nose or a neck had to decide the winner—it was very much the school's style.

"Kiyotaka, which heat are you in for the 100-meter dash?"

"The seventh group."

Kiyotaka glanced at the simple schedule and answered.

"I hope it goes well! I'll cheer for you with all my might!"

Airi instantly turned into Kiyotaka's little fangirl, clenching her fists as if his turn was coming up next, ready to cheer him on. The sight was adorable.

Kiyotaka was amused by Airi and chuckled.

"Then I'll try my best not to come in last."

After Kiyotaka made that utterly unambitious declaration, the first-year boys began gathering and heading to the field for their races.

Since Kiyotaka was in the seventh group, he waited off to the side, while Sudo, running in the first group, was already on the track.

Because we only found out the other classes' order today, everyone in Class D was nervously watching Sudo, hoping he'd boost morale with a win in the first race.

"They all look like small fry—plenty of fat guys and bookworm types. Sudo's got first place in the bag, right?"

Kiyotaka heard what Ike said, and when he looked around, he really couldn't see anyone from other classes whose names he knew. It seemed the rankings were just as Ike had said.

But in a sense, this was a loss for Class D. Like the strategy of Tian Ji's horse race, the other classes had used their inferior horses to trade off against Sudo, their top horse. There was no helping it, though—this was also a matter of luck, and they had to accept it.

Ready for the race, Sudo assumed a highly professional starting posture, his face calm and confident.

The moment the whistle blew, Sudo took off with a perfect start, pulling away from the other runners at an exaggerated pace and claiming first place with overwhelming force.

As for the Doctor, just as expected, he became the backdrop of the race, finishing dead last.

No sooner had the race ended than the second group's runners were already in position, like a strict assembly line, giving the watching students no time to savor the moment.

"As expected of Sudo-kun."

Hirata, who was in my group, remarked.

"Yeah, it feels like the other classes are all intimidated by his speed."

Sudo's speed had undoubtedly become a striking spectacle, and many classes silently marked him as a formidable opponent.

By the third group, Kiyotaka finally saw people whose names he recognized: Katsuragi from Class A and Kanzaki from Class B. On the other hand, Kōenji, who should also have been in this group and was in a sense highly anticipated, was nowhere to be seen on the track.

"Sigh, I thought Kōenji-kun was actually cooperating."

Hirata sighed, as if he already knew what had happened.

In the end, the third group finished with Kanzaki in first and Katsuragi in third.

It wasn't until the race was over that Kōenji's figure leisurely emerged from the white building.

He must have used some excuse like a sore foot or a headache to go inside.

Soon it was Kiyotaka's group's turn. According to the plan, Kiyotaka was in the Doctor's position, meant to be sacrificed, while Hirata was there to compete for a good ranking.

Amid the cheers from Class D, Kiyotaka keenly noticed Airi, her face flushed bright red, using all her strength to cheer him on.

This was very unusual for Airi. Normally, she was quiet and reserved in class, never expressing herself, but at this moment, she became the center of attention for Class D. Yet she seemed unaware of it, earnestly rooting for Kiyotaka.

"I'll try a little harder, so she won't be too disappointed."

Kiyotaka took it all in and murmured to himself.

His previously relaxed muscles began to tense slightly. After a brief adjustment, he entered the starting stance.

At the sound of the whistle, Kiyotaka began to accelerate at a steady pace, maintaining a position between third and fourth, while Hirata gradually pushed ahead, entering the battle for first place.

Perhaps because there was no extreme gap in running ability, the group of them surged forward in a tight cluster. Near the finish line, Kiyotaka exerted a little extra effort, barely securing third place by a hair, while Hirata also took first by a razor-thin margin.

"You're surprisingly fast, Ayanokoji-kun."

Hirata came over with a smile to congratulate him.

"Just a lucky burst of energy, I guess."

Kiyotaka said weakly.

This ranking was an unexpected bonus, barely making up for Kōenji's absence, since the plan had been arranged with Kiyotaka finishing last.

The two quickly slipped off the track and headed toward the tent.

"Kiyotaka, good work!"

Airi blinked her starry eyes, holding water and a towel as she came to his side.

"I only got third place."

Kiyotaka said with a smile.

"That's still amazing!"

Airi was always like this, worshipping everything Kiyotaka did, following and believing in him like a devoted fan.

"Where's Kōenji?"

Kiyotaka scanned the surroundings and asked.

"I don't know."

Airi replied blankly.

Kiyotaka and Hirata exchanged a glance, both feeling something was wrong, and immediately rushed toward the infirmary, hoping things hadn't turned out as they imagined.

"You bastard! Don't look down on me! You actually skipped the official race!"

When the two arrived, the situation was already on the verge of spiraling out of control. Sudo clenched his fist, glaring fiercely at Kōenji.

But Kōenji acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, narcissistically admiring his own reflection in the glass, lost in his own world.

Kōenji's behavior only added fuel to the fire, igniting Sudo's anger completely.

"Looks like I'll have to beat some sense into you! Kōenji!"

"Boy, I advise you not to do that. I'm not feeling well today. I came here so I wouldn't hold you all back."

Kōenji flicked his hair and said.

"Don't lie to me, you bastard!"

Unable to contain himself any longer, Sudo raised his fist and swung it at Kōenji.

Then the expected scene of him being sent flying backward didn't happen. Koenji, that maverick of a man, firmly caught Sudo's fist with a crisp smack.

"Honestly, I told you not to do this. You can't possibly beat me, boy. Why is it that both you and her seem to think you can't manage without me?"

"Her? Who are you talking about?"

"That cold girl you like. She came to give me a lecture today too, telling me to take the match seriously. Has my charm really reached such heights?"

Chapter 69: Ibuki in the Grove (Revised)

So Horikita had known from the very beginning that Koenji wouldn't take the match seriously.

But then again, given his performance on the Uninhabited Island, it was only natural to suspect as much.

Sudo's fist was locked tight in Koenji's grip, and he had to exert considerable force to wrench himself free.

Seeing this, Hirata quickly stepped between the two and spoke.

"Sudo, the next match is about to start. As the leader, you can't afford to be absent."

Hirata reasoned from Sudo's perspective.

"...Fine, I get it. I'll go back."

Sudo agreed, though clearly displeased.

"Thank you."

Hirata said, his face always carrying a gentle smile.

Back in the tent, Sudo seemed unable to vent his pent-up anger, and everyone around tried to console him.

Only Ike, utterly captivated by the jiggling scenery of the girls' race, failed to notice this scene.

"Sudo, where'd you go? Your favorite match is about to start!"

A convenient outlet for his frustration presented itself, and Sudo didn't hesitate to deliver a headlock.