Chapter 2 Part IV

PE classes are held in the afternoon, or rather, I should say that basic physical conditioning takes place in the afternoon. According to the briefing, the main focus will be on marathon training and it also looks like a long-distance relay race is scheduled for the last day. It'll probably be one of the things tested. It seems we'll be practicing outdoors for a few days and then on the race track.

"Hah, haah."

Keisei is panting.

There were many tasks, going back all the way to the morning, that exhausted us physically and so he's struggling. If it had been something like studying, which is more knowledge oriented, then I may have been able to offer him some advice but when it comes to something like basic physical conditioning, there's not much I can do but watch. On the other hand, Ishizaki and Albert aren't really the cigarette smoking delinquent type and they're physically stronger than the average student so they're able to perform these tasks without much trouble.

"…I've only been analyzing things since morning."

Somehow, I feel like I'm getting tired of my current state. Leaving aside whether or not I'm going to take any action, it's probably because I feel that I should at least raise the group's standards so that we don't end up becoming candidates for expulsion. If we come in at last place and fall below the borderline established by the school then Keisei will be expelled. The probability of me being dragged down along with him is extremely low but that still isn't a guarantee.

Because I may yet incur his resentment for not extending a helping hand despite knowing of his struggle.

Should I provide the minimum backup required to keep him from receiving a red card? Or should I take a certain degree of action to send this group skyrocketing? Or perhaps I should just hope that this problem resolves itself and keep on observing? I quickly ruled out the option of observing inside my head.

The presence of Kouenji will probably cause anxieties in the future as well. I suppose I should hurry up and make a move. I slowed down and joined Kouenji, who's running nonchalantly behind me. Even as I approached him, Kouenji did not so much as spare me a glance. Looks like he won't take a single step outside of his own world unless I give him a knock.

"Hey, Kouenji. Would you mind treating them a little more mildly?"

"By them, are you referring to the group, Ayanokouji Boy?"

"Yeah. The other students are in a state of confusion. Not everyone's as incredible as you are."

"Ha. Ha. Ha. Certainly I am a one and only unique existence. However, don't you think it's the height of stupidity for me to slow down just so the masses can keep up?"

"Well…I don't know what's right and what's not..."

"What are you thinking of doing?"

"I'm thinking it'd be great if the group's able to achieve a relatively good score. I'd like to avoid expulsion."

"If you desire that then you'll have no other choice but to work for it, right?"

"For the record, I'm talking to you now because I intend on working for it."

Our feet. I could hear the sound of them stomping down on the ground. Kouenji seems to have immediately returned to his own world and so he didn't respond. As I thought, it's impossible.

When it comes to Kouenji, half-assed threats and appeals are meaningless. Looking back on our school life until now, that much is clear. Even if all the students, or perhaps the teachers, were to try persuading him, if his answer to that is a 'No' then that's a definite 'No'. He's just that type.