Chapter 6 Part II

All of this, because of my negligence. All because I challenged this sports festival while thinking only of myself. The fact that Ryuuen-kun got his hands on our participation table and that he had planned something, and that his aim was to make me fall. I failed to see any of it coming. I was not mentally prepared for it. 

That's why I became agitated and failed to come up with a solution and that's why I'm currently in a state of confusion. My gait feels heavier than before. 

"This is pathetic...".

That's right, I saw myself as being pathetic. As I approached the entrance, I noticed the presence of two people who walked into the school building. If they happened to be ordinary students, I wouldn't have even needed to pay attention to them. But that was not the case. 

"Nii-san---".

Perhaps he heard it, perhaps he didnt. That small whisper of mine that leaked out, disappeared with the silence. 

The student council president of this school as well as my older brother. Then also, one of the female students from the student council who works for my older brother. Secretary Tachibana. 

Secretary Tachibana noticed my presence and diverted her gaze towards me, but my brother did not even spare me a glance. 

I'm used to being ignored by him. Truthfully speaking, I'd like to call out to him and talk with him. However, as long as I'm floundering in Class D, I have neither the qualification nor the right to do so. 

I endured it with a downcast gaze. It's not like my brother would stop for me anyways. 

That was supposed to have been the case but---

"Do you understand exactly what sort of situation Class D is in right now in this exam?".

Those words were not directed at Secretary Tachibana, but words that Nii-san spoke while looking at me. 

".....I am currently realizing it".

I honestly said so. It was my mistake for not thinking that the participation table's list would be leaked and aimlessly spending my days. 

When it came to the details of the individual contests, I was brilliantly outsmarted by Class C. 

"But please do not worry---I won't be troubling you, Nii-san".

That's right, that alone is something I must absolutely avoid doing. This incident is caused entirely by my shortcomings. Fortunately, he's offered to settle things with a million points and a kowtow. 

Considering Chabashira-sensei is also a witness to that, it won't turn into a disaster at the last minute. If so, ultimately it may be for the better. Because now this could end without giving Nii-san any trouble. 

But not like this, I wanted to have a proper conversation with him. That thought was my only regret. 

Ideally, as I had set out to do, I would be able to do it in the final relay. But that dream of mine disappeared with the leg injury I received. But just by letting him see this wounded figure of mine, my brother won't be sparing any pity for me. 

That's why let's stay positive. Now that I've been beaten to this extent, I have nothing left to lose. Besides, I understand there's still something left in this sports festival that I'm capable of doing. 

"Please excuse me".

Saying that, I dashed through the entrance to the outside. Enduring the pain in my leg, I ran around the facility. To find Sudou-kun. 

But I won't be finding him that easily. On this large campus, it would take up a considerable amount of time just to look around. When the remaining time had ticked down to about 10 minutes, I returned to the ground. 

Due to the fact that the Recommended Only Participation events are drawing close, there's the possibility that Sudou-kun may have hurried back. Because he has always tried his best to take top place amongst our school year. 

I prayed for that to be so. 

"As I feared, he didn't come back...".

If there's still somewhere I hadn't been to, it would have to be Keyaki Mall or the dormitory. There's also the possibility that he could be somewhere in the school building. It's proving quite difficult to find him.

And before me, he...Ayanokouji-kun appeared. I wonder if he's just finished eating his lunch. 

"You're breathing quite heavily".

"I'm looking for Sudou-kun. He hasn't shown up even once here?".

"Yeah. So far. Are you finally in the mood to persuade him?".

"It's because he's a valuable asset for Class D. Besides, even if I didn't want to, I'd end up realizing it".

"And that means?".

He appears to be interested in the changes to my mental state but right now it's pointless to tell him about Ryuuen-kun. And besides, it's not like things will get better even if I tell him. 

Kushida-san and I, as well as Chabashira-sensei. It's best to resolve this between just us. 

The lunch break is already wrapping up but Sudou-kun has not yet shown up. Class D, already in dire straits for the afternoon's Recommended Only Participation events, reeled from the loss of Sudou-kun and defeat seems certain. 

"Do you have any idea where Sudou might be? Time's running out".

"No, not yet. But the places he could go to are limited. If he doesn't want to be seen, then the possibility that he's returned to the dormitory is high".

"Is your leg ok?".

"I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt, but it's not like I can't run. Will you come along?".

"I'll have to decline. Even if I act together with you, I'd only be getting in your way".

"I see.....".

That may be convenient for me as well. I thought so as I endured the pain and started walking.