6.1

After finishing their morning training, the two were out of breath for a while, but they couldn't sit there forever. 

"It's getting brighter. Should we head back soon?" 

"You say that so casually. How can your body not be tired after all that action?" 

"Are you a cyborg or something?" 

I had to correct their misunderstanding.

"I'm tired too. I just don't show it on my face." 

"You say that, but you're not even breathing heavily. It's not convincing at all." 

Despite her complaints, Horikita stood up, brushing off the sand. 

"We do need to go back soon." 

Seeing this, Ibuki also stood up immediately, even giving a high jump. 

She seemed to be competing, but her efforts were not reciprocated. 

"By the way, Ibuki-san, what are you planning to do today?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"The exchange meeting game. Is your group planning to fight to the end?" 

Ibuki's group was already at a hopeless two wins and ten losses. 

"Oh, that? I don't know. I haven't participated even once." 

"Then your stamp card must be blank." 

Ibuki snorted and crossed her arms. She probably wanted the reward, but she seemed more likely to skip the troublesome work than gain a mere 1000 points. 

"I'm free, so I might as well go with you, Horikita." 

"...Why would you do that?" 

"I might get to see you lose at the exchange meeting or something." 

Ibuki's motivation was clear, or rather, she never wavered. 

Just like Kushida, did she really want to see Horikita lose that much? 

"Eh? Are you actually going to stick around?" 

"Of course." 

"Even if you were sure to lose, would you obey the third-years if they tell you to participate?" 

"I won't obey. I'll just have someone else do it." 

I wouldn't be surprised if Ibuki pushed that role onto a first-year. 

Each group had its own circumstances, so Horikita had no right to dismiss Ibuki's thoughts. 

"Whatever... do as you like, but why not go with Ayanokōji-kun? You might get to see him lose too." 

"Didn't he lose twice yesterday?" 

My information was undoubtedly shared within Nagumo's group. 

"Speaking of which, Nagumo-senpai was really happy. He sarcastically said it was a disappointing end to a winning streak, losing at cards, of all things. Did you lose another game after that?" 

She didn't seem to know much. Perhaps Nagumo didn't share my individual results with the entire group, but only with a select few students? 

"I was completely beaten by Inogashira in 'Patchwork.'" 

"Normally, a comeback like that would never happen. I just wanted to witness where you could be defeated, regardless of the game." 

"So you're no different from Ibuki." 

At that retort, she seemed a little disgruntled, but eventually laughed and nodded. 

In other words, she couldn't help but want to see someone she disliked lose. 

"He doesn't seem to mind losing, does he? He might even lose on purpose." 

"I don't know about 'on purpose,' but he does seem to regret it. At least, judging by his current state, those two defeats were genuine. Right, Red Panda-kun?" 

"Are you still going with that joke..." 

I wish she wouldn't arbitrarily nickname me 'Red Panda.'

"Well, I guess I'll go with Horikita. I'd like to keep an eye on Amasawa too."

"I see, that might not be a bad idea. If she's even slightly aware of you, it might put pressure on her for tomorrow."

Horikita had found merit in Ibuki accompanying her.

"Can you hurry up and get back? It's getting cold."

Naturally, a body that had warmed up from exercise would cool down if it remained still for too long.

"Just don't get in the way."

"I can't promise that."

She couldn't help but sense Ibuki's eagerness to interfere.