Chapter 6: Things that Are Lost, Things that Aren’t Lost

It's early morning on the seventh day of the training camp. Our group will cease to exist after today. The exam will be held first thing tomorrow morning. Although Hashimoto's actions saved the group from total collapse, this united group and the relationships we've built as part of it will also end along with the exam. There are probably more than a few students feeling sad over it. The majority of the students in our group too, in spite of their antipathy towards Kouenji, are getting along well with each other.

Regarding Ishizaki, he probably hates me more than he hates Kouenji but he's doing his best not to let it show. To be honest, he probably wants to hound me but Ishizaki knows full well what will happen in that case. That rough demeanor of his may resemble Sudou but when it comes to reading the atmosphere, Ishizaki is far superior. I get the impression that he respects his opponents and acknowledges what cannot be denied. That's probably why Ryuuen kept him as his side too. But that doesn't necessarily mean Sudou is inferior to Ishizaki.

Sudou is far superior when it comes to the physical side of things and in all likelihood, Sudou surpasses him in academic ability as well. Since Horikita's guiding him, Sudou will probably continue to develop slowly. Even though they are a similar breed, the weapons each one of them possesses is fundamentally different.

"I'd like to go over the long-distance relay we'll be doing tomorrow. Please hear me out."

Everyone, while still on their respective beds, turn to look at Keisei.

"There's only 10 of us so each person needs to shoulder a huge burden but depending on the circumstances, that may turn out to be our advantage."

"What do you mean? Isn't it better to have more people? Because then the distance we have to run decreases."

"Certainly if we have 15 to evenly split the burden between then each person won't have to shoulder all that burden but there's also the high probability that you'll have slow students mixed in as well. You can count the number of students who excel at long distance in our school year on one hand."

"…that is true."

"In other words, this is our chance to bridge that gap."

"But that's assuming that our whole group is an athletic bunch, right?"

Ishizaki looked around.

He probably counts me as one of the athletic ones but as long as he doesn't count Kouenji, it leaves Hashimoto as the only other person we can count on to run well. You can't exactly call this a particularly athletic group. And most importantly… "This is pathetic but after talking big like that, I probably won't be of any use."

Keisei knows himself best. Because out of everyone in this group, Keisei's the one whose stamina and speed are uncertain. However, as the leader, he told us of his strategy.

"The long-distance relay will be about 18 kilometers. That would mean each person must run for at least a minimum of 1.2 kilometers so that means in a group of 15, everyone would have to run about the same length of 1.2 kilometers each. But in a group of 10, we can make significant changes to the length a person is allocated."

"But we can't just declare injury and have someone else run that length for you, right?"

"Any injuries or sickness on that day will be penalized so that would not only render our numbers disadvantageous but cost us more time as well. That's not ideal. And also, it's important to note that unless we're talking 1.2 kilometers, we may not be able to get any points for switching out."

The school is doing everything it can to shut down any loopholes.

Students have to do what is required of them. Keisei and Yahiko, who both have no confidence in their own speed, must at least run a minimum of 1.2 kilometers. We may have to include the three from Class B in that minimum category as well.

Albert's quite fast but he has problems with his stamina. If we have everyone else run only the bare minimum, that would mean the remaining four would have to run a length of 2.7 kilometers and more. If we're talking about a student whose stamina is his forte then they may very well be able to cover that distance. I told Keisei about my thoughts on this. The members of our group listened to what I had to say.

"In that case, I'll run 3 kilometers…no, I'll do 3.6 kilometers."

Ishizaki declared. There's no doubt he's one of those in our group capable of running that. And another person raised his hand as though following suit.

"Well then, I guess I've got no other choice either. I'm not bad at running long distance or anything too after all."

Hashimoto was the one who said that. The two representatives of our group eagerly swore to shoulder this large burden. This means we've covered 7.2 kilometers so far.

"Thank you."

Keisei lowered his head in gratitude and thanked them with honest words. Following suit, I suppose I should also cover at least a certain extent too.

"Then…I'll do what I can. I don't know the amount of time I can do it in though."

"Are you fine with that, Kiyotaka?"

"Please just don't expect too much."

But what's truly important is what comes after. It's the existence of the man with the highest potential of them all, Kouenji, who even Sudou cannot compare against despite him priding himself on his athleticism.

The more Kouenji runs, the easier it'll be for the other students. He'll probably run the minimum length of 1.2 kilometers but he has yet to promise that he'll run any more than that. Most importantly, there's no telling if he'll even run seriously or not. Even if the nine of us, including me, run our best, if Kouenji merely walks without taking it seriously then it'll still be hopeless.

"Kouenji. I'd like for you to run as well."

It's precisely because he's aware of the weak link in the chain that Keisei went over to Kouenji with a disarming attitude and lowered his head. Said Kouenji was busy admiring his fingernails while grinning on top of his bed.

"Kouenji."

Keisei calmly called his name one more time.

"Of course I'll run too. But unlike them, I do not care much about running long distances."

I suppose there's no way he'd agree to do so with an immediate reply.

Ishizaki glared at Kouenji but did not do much else. After spending a few days with him, he had begun to understand that most of Kouenji's actions have no meaning behind them.

"I'd like to avoid running the risk of having our group be dead last."

"That's right. I know what you want to say, Glasses-kun."

Taking his eyes off his fingernails, Kouenji looked down at Keisei.

"Even if long distance is impossible, I'd like you to run at least 1.2 kilometers seriously."

Everyone in our group looked towards Kouenji.

"I can't make any promises. Even if our group is dead last overall, it's not like that means I'll be expelled. Only you, the leader, will be expelled. And you surely won't do something inhuman such as dragging down a fellow classmate like me, will you?"

If the leader hadn't been Keisei but rather someone like Ishizaki or Yahiko then perhaps Kouenji would have run.

But since we're talking about Keisei, a fellow classmate, he figured he wouldn't be dragged down. Perhaps if we threatened to drag him down right now then we might get Kouenji to run but in exchange, we will never again be able to obtain cooperation from Kouenji.

"…then please tell me. What do we have to do to get you to cooperate? If giving you private points gets you to run then I don't mind paying up."

It's precisely because Keisei knows he's going to be a liability that he intends to compensate for it at his own expense.

"Don't carry that burden alone, Yukimura. It's not much, but I've got points too."

"I'll pay too."

Ishizaki and Hashimoto after him, then Yahiko and the others also supported him. Many a little makes a mickle. If the nine of us pool together our private points then we'd end up with a relatively large sum. In response to the pressure of the group's collective demand, Kouenji— "Unfortunately, I don't have any problems as far as private points are concerned. Besides, even if I don't have any points I can still lead a fulfilling school life, you see."

Even the feelings of a united group failed to reach him one bit. As I feared, Kouenji won't move just by offering him a paltry sum. Still, telling him to do it for the sake of the class would be even less effective. For the past few days, me and the rest of the group pooled out wits to try and force Kouenji into action. Beyond the boundaries of school years. And all of them ended in failure.

"Then are you telling us you won't run?"

"That's exactly right."

Looking as though he had given it some thought, Kouenji said that.

"It doesn't seem like I will become an asset to you lot."

After saying that, Kouenji declined. No longer able to bear it, Ishizaki tried to stand up but Keisei stopped him.

"However, you may relax. I don't intend on doing anything more than is required of me but I will do the bare minimum required. I too, have my own way of doing things."

"In other words...you'll at least produce average results?"

"That's exactly right. In the first place, when it comes to me, I'll probably end up producing a relatively excellent result even if I'm only doing the bare minimum. Well, this is good news for you lot, isn't it?"

In all likelihood, all nine of us comprehended Kouenji's words. Even if it's only a little, we became conscious of the fact that we're a group and began to look out for one another. But in practice that's not the case at all. My analysis of Kouenji is that he will only act for his own sake. In all the exams leading up to now, Kouenji repeatedly acted in an unprecedented manner. However, none of those actions could be used to expel Kouenji either. Kouenji is 99% sure Keisei won't drag him down but there is still the possibility of it happening. Obviously, if he produces bad results then the school will be sure to point that out as well. And it's also clear that once he's been chosen as the target to be dragged down, there's no longer room for him to escape. This man won't make that sort of mistake.

"What excellent result? Can someone like you who struggles with the likes of Zazen even do something like that?"

"Fu. Fu. Fu. That's because I already mastered mere Zazen as a child. It's No Problem."

"What kind of childhood is that?"

Even after having that pointed out, Kouenji continued laughing pleasantly. Still, this may be good enough for Keisei. Kouenji has no intention of cooperating but he did promise to do the bare minimum. This is significant in itself. It's precisely because we're classmates that I am aware of just how high Kouenji's potential is.

There are some unknown factors like Zazen and the written exam but I can trust him as far as physical fitness and endurance goes.