Ibuki in the Woods (Revised)

"Um, sorry to interrupt, but I just overheard something. Horikita, you've been insisting on running the last leg. I'm sure you have your reasons. Could you tell us what they are?"

"Huh? You have a reason for wanting the last leg? Can I ask why? If that's what you want, I can give it to you."

Sudo immediately offered.

Horikita was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"I suspect my brother will run the last leg, so I want to compete against him in the final leg..."

After she said that, Horikita stole a discreet glance at Kiyotaka.

She had come up with the idea because Kiyotaka's image had gradually begun to push her brother's out of her mind. She wanted to use one of the few opportunities she had to finally put the past behind her. In a way, it was also a pledge of loyalty to Kiyotaka.

"Your brother? So... the student council president really is...?"

"Yes. He's my brother."

Everyone knew who the student council president was, but Horikita wasn't an unusual surname, so no one had made the connection.

Hirata and Sudo exchanged a glance.

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

Hirata asked. Since the change would affect everyone's results, he needed a reason in the interest of fairness.

But the reason wasn't convincing enough for Hirata, and the atmosphere grew awkward. Horikita had no intention of explaining further.

"She seems to have some issues with her brother. Maybe she wants a chance to make up with him?"

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

"If that's the case, and Sudo agrees, I don't think anyone in the class will object."

Hirata could tell it was just an excuse, but there was no way he could press the matter if the person involved wouldn't say more. He could only leave the decision to Sudo.

"If that's the reason, then... I still want to run the last leg, but I'll let you have it."

Sudo scratched his head as he considered it, then said.

"Thank you..."

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

This was a rare chance for Horikita to stand alongside her brother, but would things really go so smoothly?

At least, based on the information Kiyotaka had access to, there were plenty of obstacles...

At last, the day of the Sports Festival arrived. Once all the classes had entered in an orderly fashion, there were no lengthy speeches from the school administration. Fujimaki of Class 3-A simply delivered a brief opening declaration.

A white cabin, much like the one on the Uninhabited Island, had been set up beside the field. It could probably hold around twenty people. They must have prepared everything in advance, just as they had on the island.

Tents in red and white had been set up on either side of the field as the two teams' bases. Aside from when they were competing, the two sides would probably have little chance to interact.

"It's so hot today."

Kiyotaka sat in the tent, fanning himself with his shirt as he looked out at the scorching sun.

"Kiyotaka... I have cooling patches. If you put a couple on, you'll feel a lot better."

As if she'd heard Kiyotaka muttering to himself, Airi approached with two cooling patches in her hand.

"Thanks."

Kiyotaka took them without hesitation and stuck them on. Feeling the coolness seep into his skin, he let out a breath, as if he'd come back to life.

"You're welcome."

Airi smiled sweetly.

"They really came prepared. They even brought camera equipment to judge the results."

Airi sat down beside Kiyotaka and leaned forward to peer at the equipment.

"After all, the school has always insisted on absolute fairness."

Even a difference of a nose or a neck would be enough to decide the winner. That sounded just like the school.

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

"Heat seven, I think."

Kiyotaka glanced at the simple schedule and answered.

"I hope it goes well. I'll do my best to cheer you on!"

Airi instantly transformed into Kiyotaka's biggest fan. She clenched her fists and started warming up to cheer, as if Kiyotaka were about to take the track. She looked adorable.

Kiyotaka couldn't help laughing at her.

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

After Kiyotaka had set such an unambitious goal, the first-year boys began gathering for the race and heading toward the field.

Since Kiyotaka was in the seventh heat, he waited nearby. Sudo, who was running in the first heat, had already taken his place on the track.

They'd only found out the other classes' lineups that day, so everyone in Class D watched Sudo nervously, hoping he'd boost the class's morale by winning the first race.

"They all look like a bunch of nobodies. There are plenty of fat guys and bookworms, too. Sudo's pretty much guaranteed to win this one, right?"

Kiyotaka heard Ike's comment. He looked over and, sure enough, couldn't spot anyone from the other classes who stood out. The results would probably be just as Ike predicted.

But in a way, this was a loss for Class D. It was like Tian Ji's horse racing: the other classes had used their worst horses to take out Sudo, their best one. There was nothing they could do about it, though. That was just luck, and they had to accept it.

When the race was about to start, Sudo struck a highly professional starting pose, looking calm and confident.

At the sound of the whistle, Sudo launched himself forward with a perfect start. He quickly pulled a huge lead over the other runners and crushed the competition to take first place.

As expected, Doctor served as little more than a backdrop to the race and came in last.

The moment the race ended, the runners in the second heat took their places. It was like a well-oiled assembly line, leaving the spectators no time to savor what they'd just seen.

"As expected of Sudo."

Hirata, who was in Kiyotaka's heat, remarked.

"Yeah. I think the other classes were shocked by his speed."

Sudo's speed had undoubtedly been a spectacular sight. Quietly, many of the classes had marked him down as a formidable opponent.

In the third heat, Kiyotaka finally saw some familiar names: Katsuragi from Class A and Kanzaki from Class B. On the other hand, Koenji, who should have been in this heat and was bound to attract attention, was nowhere to be seen.

"Ah, I thought Koenji would actually cooperate for once."

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

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

Only after the race was over did Koenji saunter out of the white cabin.

He must have gone in with some excuse about a sore foot or a headache.

Before long, it was time for Kiyotaka's heat. According to their plan, Kiyotaka was meant to be used up like Doctor, while Hirata was supposed to compete for a high ranking.

Amid the cheers from Class D, Kiyotaka keenly noticed Airi, her cheeks flushed, putting all her strength into cheering for him.

That was unusual for Airi. Normally, she was quiet and rarely expressed herself in class. Now, she'd become the focus of everyone in Class D, but she seemed not to notice, cheering Kiyotaka on with all her might.

"I should try a little harder, so I don't disappoint her."

Kiyotaka took it all in and murmured to himself.

His relaxed muscles began to tense slightly. After a brief adjustment, he settled into his starting position.

The whistle blew, and Kiyotaka began to accelerate gradually at a steady pace, holding his position between third and fourth. Hirata slowly pulled ahead, joining the battle for first.

Perhaps because none of them had a major advantage in running ability, they charged forward in a tight pack. Near the finish line, Kiyotaka put in a little effort and edged into third place by the slimmest of margins. Hirata also claimed first by a hair.

"You're surprisingly fast, Ayanokoji."

Hirata walked over with a smile to congratulate him.

"I guess I just had a lucky burst of energy."

Kiyotaka replied listlessly.

That result was a pleasant surprise and somewhat made up for Koenji's absence. The lineup had been arranged on the assumption that Kiyotaka would come in last.

The two hurried off the track and headed back to the tent.

"Kiyotaka, great job!"

Airi blinked her starry eyes as she approached with water and a towel.

"I only came in third."

Kiyotaka smiled.

"That's still amazing!"

Airi was always like that. She admired everything Kiyotaka did, following him like an adoring fan, almost as if he were her idol.

"Where's Koenji?"

Kiyotaka looked around and asked.

"I don't know."

Airi answered blankly.

Kiyotaka and Hirata exchanged a look. They both sensed something was wrong, so they immediately hurried toward the infirmary, hoping things hadn't gone the way they suspected.

"You! Don't look down on me! You skipped the actual competition!"

By the time they arrived, the situation was almost out of control. Sudo glared furiously at Koenji, his fists clenched.

Koenji acted as if he hadn't heard. He gazed at his reflection in the glass, absorbed in himself.

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

"Looks like you won't understand unless I beat you up, Koenji!"

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

Koenji said as he swept his hair back.

"Quit lying, bastard!"

Unable to hold back any longer, Sudo raised his fist and swung it at Koenji.

But the expected scene of Koenji being sent flying never happened. The eccentric man caught Sudo's fist firmly, and it landed with a crisp smack.

"Honestly, I told you not to do that. You can't beat me, boy. Why do you and her both act as if you can't get by without me?"

"Her? Who are you talking about?"

"That cool, aloof girl you like. She came and told me to take the competition seriously, too. Has my charm really become that irresistible?"

Chapter 69: Ibuki in the Woods (Revised)

It seemed Horikita had known from the start that Koenji wouldn't take the competition seriously.

That made sense. After his performance on the Uninhabited Island, it was only natural to expect as much.

Sudo struggled with all his might before finally wrenching his fist free from Koenji's grip.

Seeing this, Hirata hurried between them.

"Sudo, the next event is about to start. As our leader, you can't miss it."

Hirata tried to persuade him by appealing to him as the leader.

"...All right, I get it. I'll go back."

Sudo agreed reluctantly.

"Thanks."

Hirata said, his face still wearing a gentle smile.

Back at the tent, Sudo seemed unable to vent his anger. The others saw how he was feeling and tried to cheer him up.

Only Ike hadn't noticed anything. He was too engrossed in the girls' race, captivated by the tempting sight of their swaying bodies.

"Sudo, where have you been? The race you're looking forward to is about to start!"

With a perfect target for his anger presenting itself, Sudo wasted no time in landing a punch to Ike's head.