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.