Five days after Yanami declared hostility, today is the last day of the third term.
Emotions and time tend to flutter as if in a dream on special days like this.
Reality hasn't sunk in for me yet, even after the closing ceremony and receiving our report cards in the classroom.
My grades have been dropping since the second term. I closed the report card and looked around the classroom.
The noisy classroom gradually quieted down even without the teacher saying a word.
Amanatsu-sensei began to speak once everyone had calmed down and took their seats.
"...So, spring break starts tomorrow. You will all be second-year students when you come back."
Amanatsu-sensei's unusually serious expression and the different vibe made me straighten my back without thinking.
"Second year means tracking into arts or sciences, and there will be class changes. This is the last homeroom with your current classmates along with me."
Sensei took her time looking over all of us as if memorizing the scene from the lectern.
"But classes disband every year, and new ones form every April. You might feel anxious, but once it starts, you'll manage somehow. Remember, if you're anxious, so is everyone else. If you show compassion, it will surely be reciprocated."
-A lot has happened this year.
I barely spoke to anyone in the first term, but before I knew it, there were people around me.
There were plenty of hassles, but also a lot of fun.
"I'll always remember Class 1-C, so you guys can forget it by tomorrow. That way all of you can move on to the next step without any worries."
Even this teacher, who never remembered my face at first, now recalls my name smoothly, and it wasn't long ago that she brought an advisor to supervise our Literature Club.
Though Konuki-sensei's involvement had its pros and cons, the balance was just about positive.
After apparently finishing her heartfelt talk, Amanatsu-sensei relaxed her shoulders.
"It's my fifth time sending off students like this, but it feels a bit lonely every time, ugh…"
Amanatsu-sensei sniffed and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
Is she crying…?
While sensei isn't exactly serious under normal circumstances, it seems that she does care about our class a lot.
Unexpectedly seeing our teacher's tears, the classroom was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere.
"Wait, this should be my sixth time, right? Or the fourth? The third year was when I left the report cards at home and got a serious lecture from the head of the year..."
Amanatsu-sensei's mutterings defused the somber mood.
Amanatsu-chan is still Amanatsu-chan in the end.
"Well, some of you will be in the same class next year, and we'll see each other in lessons, so take care of me next year too!"
With her usual energy, Amanatsu-sensei slapped the teacher's desk with the attendance book.
"Alright, that's it for homeroom! Class 1C, you are dismissed!"
*
It was only 11 AM when homeroom ended.
There's a class party today, so my classmates are leaving the classroom without lingering since they are not holding on to farewells.
Incidentally, I was invited. It's just that I said no. I'm being serious.
Alone in the quiet classroom, I gazed at the empty blackboard.
"It seems I've come a long way."
I blurted that out to myself.
Somehow, the once friendless me is now facing off in a handicapped 100 m race against the star of the girls' track team.
Beloved and popular, someone like her should never have any trouble with friends or boyfriends. Why did she entrust me with such a big decision?
It's a question I've pondered dozens, no, hundreds of times.
No matter how much I think about it, there's no answer, and I don't even know if there will be one at the end of a 100-meter sprint.
So, for now, all I can do is what I am able to do-
"As usual, huh, Nukumizu-kun."
Exhaustion immediately entered my body at the sound of that carefree voice.
Entering the classroom was Anna Yanami.
She looked around the classroom and then sat next to me.
"Weren't you supposed to miss the class meeting because you had something else to do, Nukumizu-kun?"
"Yeah, I have a meeting with Prez after this."
"...Hmph, you two sure look close."
Yanami's mood always sours a bit when it comes to Prez.
Well, Prez is both a scholar and a beauty, and she is admired for her dual talents. It's probably jealousy.
"Are you not going to the class meeting, Yanami-san?"
"Of course, I'm going. There's still some time left."
So she came to say goodbye in the classroom. Yanami sure has her sentimental moments.
She leaned back in her chair and stretched.
"This year went by in the blink of an eye, didn't it?"
"Yeah, it really did."
It felt long, but looking back, it passed in a flash.
Yanami lifted the front foot of the chair before speaking quietly.
"...I dreamed that everything would change when I became a high school student in Tsuwabuki, and I would live a youth like those in movies or dramas."
Her chair creaked.
"-But it doesn't always go as planned, does it?"
She said with a smile that seemed both self-mocking and resigned.
I wondered what kind of scenes Yanami had imagined for her high school life.
Probably with Hakamada by her side, studying, dating, and sometimes fighting.
"Sosuke and Karen-chan were in the same class, and at first, it was tough, but all my friends were kind, and as for you, Nukumizu-kun-"
"Eh, me?"
Suddenly, I heard a name that came up unexpectedly, and I couldn't help but ask again.
Yanami pressed on instead of answering.
"...Well, you aren't so bad, after all."
-I'm not so bad, after all.
Yanami attempted to end her first year in high school with those words, along with the tears in her eyes.
It's someone else's affair, but I can't help feeling a bit relieved.
Perhaps the tears Yanami shed weren't all for nothing.
Yanami scooted her chair closer with a clatter while I was thinking about this.
"Speaking of which, have you heard the rumor about class changes."
Rumor? I shook my head honestly, and Yanami continued with a knowing look.
“They say that couples end up in different classes."
“Oh, really?”
Yanami couldn't tell from my response that I didn't give a shit, and she kept talking.
"So, that means Sosuke and Karen-chan might end up in different classes. Those two, who have always been together, might be separated, and there's a chance I could end up in the same class as Sosuke. What do you think that means?"
"...You're not planning to steal Hakamada away, are you?"
Stop it. That's too reckless.
Unconcerned by my worries, Yanami waved her hand dismissively.
"No way, even I wouldn't do that. They're both my best friends, you know?"
"Do you really think that? Really?"
The more I hear about her "best friends" setup, the more dubious it gets…
"Listen carefully, Nukumizu-kun. I heard that 70% of high school couples break up within six months of dating."
"Eh, is that so?"
Yanami nodded seriously.
"I think those two are well-matched, and I hope it works out for them. But you know, the numbers don't lie, right? 70% do break up."
"Huh."
"Sosuke, heartbroken after splitting with his beloved. …It would be up to me, his childhood friend, to support him, right? From there, it's not impossible that a new love could bloom."
It sounds like she's considering him because he would be an easy catch when he's vulnerable.
Yanami does seem like she picks the easy targets, but now she's just looking up at the ceiling with a dreamy expression.
"But those two have been together for over half a year now. Shouldn't their relationship be stable by now?"
"...Yeah, I think it's best that the two of them remain as they are right now."
So, I guess a class change won't shake them up too much. But who knows?
Even if those two end up in different classes, it doesn't necessarily mean Yanami will be in the same class as Hakamada.
"...Right, I'm going to be switching classes too."
"Eh, you just realized?"
"No, I knew, but...lately, I've been so preoccupied with next week's challenge."
This will never end if I just pretend I don't see the problem.
Yet everyone else doesn't care about it at all as they continue moving forward.
Even Yakishio's worries will be swallowed up by the passage of time if left alone.
"...How's the training going?"
"Going well, of course. Remon-chan is in great shape."
Yanami beamed with pride as if it were her own achievement.
-2.5 seconds handicap. If I manage to finish at the average time for first-year boys, Yakishio won't win unless she beats her personal best.
Yanami's smile shows that she's confident that Yakishio will get a new best.
"As a member of Team Yakishio, I have no intention of losing."
Yanami thrusts her fist towards me.
With a wry smile, I gently bumped my fist against hers.
"Alright, please go easy on me."
*
The prefab by the side of the sports field has a complete set of old training equipment.
Usually, the sports teams take turns using it, but it seemed they had no plans to use it after the closing ceremony today, so Prez summoned me.
"Alright, five more times. Don't bend your knees."
"I can't lift my legs anymore."
"It's all about spirit in times like this. Your back's been floating up. Adding another three."
"Ehh…"
I laid back on the bench and lifted my legs straight.
It's a simple exercise, but it's pretty challenging because Prez adds pressure by holding down my thighs.
After finally finishing my quota and being completely worn out, Prez lightly patted my stomach.
"Okay, rest for five minutes. We'll push harder with machine training next."
Working out seriously like this is so much harder than lazily doing sit-ups at home…
According to Prez, this routine is supposedly aimed at middle-aged people who lack exercise.
I sat up on the bench and fanned my face with my hands.
"It's just as tough as when I started, but I wonder if I've gained some muscle strength."
"We've increased the load accordingly. Don't worry. The goal is to condition your body to keep it in good shape."
Prez said that while fiddling with her smartphone. She's tracking the completed exercises on an app.
My data is uploaded to the same app, so she will definitely know if I'm slacking off.
…I don't dislike this feeling of being managed.
"Thank you for arranging all of this training for me, Prez."
"Think nothing of it. I'm doing this because I like it."
Prez put away her phone and sat down next to me.
-She said she's doing this because she likes it.
She's not into me, right? That leaves one possibility.
"...Are you still worried about Yakishio, even as the student council president?"
Prez chuckled at my straightforward question.
"I won't deny it. Don't take it the wrong way, though."
"No, she is well-known in school. It would be a waste for her to quit track like this."
After a moment of silence, Prez turned to me and spoke up.
"-You've heard that I used to do track in middle school, right?"
"Ah, yeah. Basori-san told me."
"I competed with Yakishio-kun at a city tournament when I was in my second year. She was only a first-year student."
"Uh, and then…"
"If you're asking about the outcome, it goes without saying. I wasn't even a match for her."
The president said this with a wry smile, crossing her legs.
"At that tournament, she was in about five different events. She stood on the top podium for all of them."
…First place for all of them. It reminded me of what I had heard from Ayano.
Prez continued as if she was searching through her memories.
"Especially in the 1500m, I remember it caused quite a stir."
"A stir?"
"The time she posted had beaten the existing prefectural record. It was good enough to compete nationally, and all from a first-year with no track record. Eventually, it was declared a measurement error and recorded as a reference."
So, that's how far Yakishio had gone in middle school.
"But Yakishio said she never competed nationally. Did something happen?"
"...She withdrew from every event except the 100 meters at the prefectural tournament."
Prez stood up and walked over to a machine by the wall.
"Though she placed in the 100 meters, she didn't reach the podium, and that was the end of it. I haven't heard of her advancing to the nationals since then."
While adjusting the weights on the machine, she gestured for me to come over.
"I remember her vividly. I was worried she might have been injured, but that doesn't seem to be the case."
"Well, she runs whenever she has free time."
"The fact that she chose you, someone from the Literature Club and not the Track and Field Club, makes this whole situation quite intriguing."
I helped to adjust the machine and got positioned on it.
"Alright, next up is leg curls."
Leg curls involve lying face down and lifting your legs from the knees, which mainly targets the hamstrings. It's tough, and frankly, I would rather not do it.
"That was really tough the last time we did it."
"Yeah, but being tough is what gets you to really feel it, right?"
I don't share that sentiment. Still, I'm not so dense as not to understand the appeal of being pushed to do strenuous workouts by a strikingly beautiful senpai.
I sorted through what I heard from Prez as I devastated my biceps femoris.
The girls' track team captain, Kurata. Mitsuki Ayano. And Prez Hokobaru.
The stories from these three connect, and that's probably where Yakishio's troubles lie.
But facing them is something only she can do…
"-Alright, 10 reps. Think you can keep going?"
Apparently, I had already met the quota without realizing it. I let my body slump over the machine exhaustedly.
"No, my legs are about to cramp."
"Then rest, and we'll do another set. Let's push through some sit-ups during the break."
What kind of break is that? I groaned as I sat up.
Prez then started massaging my ankles with both hands.
"I haven't asked yet today. How's your ankle pain?"
"Uh…"
Now that she mentioned it, I realize the discomfort in my ankle is gone. If the first day was a ten, then-
"Zero."
Pleased with my answer, Prez smiled in satisfaction.
"Good. Tomorrow morning at 7:00, let's meet on the field."
*
Not only was Prez there, wrapped in a bench coat, but Tiara-san and the student council treasurer, Sakurai-kun, were also there. And-
"Onii-sama! Please look this way!"
Somehow, even Kaju had heard about it.
Holding fans in both hands, she was jumping around, which was one thing, but the phrases on the fans, "Please look here" and "You make my heart skip a beat", were something else.
"Nukumizu-san, could you move a bit to the side? Aesthetically, it looks more natural for you to be on the left side next to Prez."
Then, Tiara-san, acting as the photographer, was pointing a DSLR camera with a lens as big as a club at us. Where did she even bring that from?
"...Is that lens really necessary? It looks like it could capture our pores."
"No, Prez is so beautiful that she doesn't have any pores."
Tiara-san stated this matter-of-factly. I didn't say anything since she gets scary upon being retorted.
Prez finished talking to the timer Sakurai-kun and waved me over.
"Nukumizu-kun, let's start if you have finished warming up. Begin whenever you're ready."
"Ah, yes."
My foot doesn't hurt, and my body feels lighter compared to 2 weeks ago.
Still, I wonder how much my time will improve after focusing on strength training…
I walked to the starting point and looked back at the student council group plus one.
Kaju waving her fan and Tiara-san with her huge lens stand out a lot.
...Right, she said I could start whenever I liked.
I took a deep breath, crouched down, and dashed forward.
Feeling their gazes, I sprinted across the finish line and then kneeled to catch my breath.
"What was the time...?"
I asked while gasping for breath, and Sakurai-kun showed the stopwatch with a smile.
"-15.2 seconds."
...That's a significant improvement from my personal best of 16.5 seconds! As I leaned in to get a better look at the stopwatch-
Kaju suddenly jumped on me with enthusiasm.
"Onii-sama, that was amazing!"
"Kaju will wipe your sweat! Are you thirsty? Kaju will give you a full body massage, and when we get home, Kaju shall join you in the bath and sing you a lullaby-"
"Kaju, let's calm down and take a deep breath. Okay, breathe in, breathe out-"
"Okay, breathe in, breathe out-"
After ensuring that she calmed down with deep breathing, I turned back to Prez, who was looking pleased with her arms crossed.
"...Uh, why did my record improve even though I haven't been running much?"
"It goes without saying. At the measurement half a month ago, you were running out of stamina mid-way. You were practically walking towards the end."
Eh, really? I thought I was running quite coolly in my mind.
"Today was the first time you've actually run the full 100 meters. You're like a newborn fawn. From now on, you'll get faster whether you like it or not."
Getting faster- Prez's words tightened my resolve.
From a man who couldn't even run 100 meters, I've evolved into a newborn fawn with no blind spots.
"Shall we measure another run right away?"
"No, this was the last time we'll time you."
...What? I froze in surprise, and Prez placed her hand on my shoulder reassuringly.
"Our goal is to have you in the best shape on the day of the competition. Getting too caught up in the numbers along the way can lead to unexpected downturns."
"But is it okay not to know how much I've improved?"
"Yes, I have a plan."
Prez slowly unzipped her bench coat and flung it off in one swift motion.
Tiara-san's scream-like cheer and the sound of camera shutters filled the air.
"Prez, that outfit is-"
Indeed, under her coat, Prez's wearing a separate track uniform.
"Next time, I'll run with you. Aim for a target time of 14.5 seconds."
Her white stomach showed faintly defined abs. I glanced away, momentarily mesmerized.
"Yakishio-kun will surely beat her best, so you have to surpass me to win."
"Ah, uh…"
Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer skin exposure, I took a step back, but Prez closed the distance with two steps.
She then poked my chest with her finger and said-
"This is the real test of whether the newborn fawn can outrun the cheetah."
*
Five days had passed since the start of my serious training.
After finishing the morning practice, I found myself a few minutes walk away from Toyohashi Station at a bakery called Bon Senga.
This place is known for its retro coffee corner, which apparently hasn't changed since my parents were kids.
Sitting in front of a buttercream bread and a cream soda, I reflected on today's intense training.
The first day, the president had far outstripped me, but after reviewing videos and photos to correct my form, I finally managed to almost catch up to her.
The afternoon is for independent practice. I should go over the strength training menu, then maybe go for a light run.
As I sipped the ice cream from my cream soda, planning the afternoon, Tsukinoki-senpai entered the shop.
Her outfit is simple- a knit sweater and a light jacket.
She sat opposite me, crossing her legs encased in slim pants.
"Sorry for the sudden call. Did you have something else planned?"
"It's okay. I was just heading home from school. Didn't you say Tamaki-senpai would be joining us?"
"He forgot to pick up his transfer notice and rushed off to the city office. He'll be here soon."
Tsukinoki-senpai ordered coffee and castella from a kind-looking waitress, then pulled a card from her pocket.
"Here, this is my new address. Come visit anytime."
"Thank you for going through the trouble. You could have just emailed."
"I wanted to tell everyone from the Literature Club directly."
Seemingly embarrassed by her own words, she deliberately removed her glasses and started wiping them.
"I thought about going to the club room, but it's surprisingly hard to enter the school once you've graduated."
"Is that so?"
"Because either standing out in casual clothes or wearing a uniform after graduating would be like cosplaying, right? Even I don't dare to cosplay and go back to my old school."
"...Yeah, well, maybe occasionally going back to school in uniform isn't so rare?"
"Under what circumstances would you go back to your school in cosplay unless you're shooting a sketchy video?"
I agree, but I've had my reasons during that whole incident in Momozono Middle School.
"Have you contacted the other first-years from the Literature Club?"
"You're the last one, Nukumizu-kun. I also met Yakishio-chan the other day."
She put her glasses back on and gave me a teasing look.
"...Are you curious?"
"Well, yes, considering the upcoming match."
The match with Yakishio is tomorrow, Saturday. She is in top form, according to Yanami.
"I'll be staying at Prez's house the night before. I don't quite understand it myself."
"Hokobaru's? Her place is in Ikobe, right? Why go all the way out there?"
"She wants to make final adjustments while monitoring my condition. It seems Sakurai-kun from the student council will also stay over."
"The match is on Saturday, right? Shintaro and I are leaving Toyohashi the day after that."
The conversation paused for a moment as the waitress brought us the coffee and castella.
I bowed my head in thanks as Tsukinoki-senpai took the desserts.
"I'm sorry. Things have been so hectic that I haven't even properly celebrated your new start."
"That's alright. I actually feel relieved. I'm going to be gone anyway-"
She said this as she poured milk into her coffee and stirred it silently with her spoon.
"It gives me a bit of peace to see your generation striving in places I can't reach."
Tsukinoki-senpai showed a fleeting, melancholic smile.
"Nukumizu-kun, you started as a ghost member, didn't you? And now you've taken on the role of club president. You've been supporting Komari-chan, and now, maybe, you're supporting Yakishio-chan, too?"
"I wonder. Maybe I'm just the right person because I have no ties to the track team."
Tsukinoki-senpai smiled mischievously as I tackled the melting cream soda.
"Is that all? Maybe there's a chance, you know?"
"No way, we're talking about Yakishio and me here."
"No, no, unexpected pairings happen. Why would she ask you out on a date if she has zero interest? Sometimes people don't even realize their own feelings."
Typical of her, always the same. I sipped from the straw and chuckled.
The idea of Yakishio, a top figure in the school social hierarchy, having romantic feelings for me seems too far removed from reality.
Tamaki-senpai also talked about me having a popular phase, but he's pretty shit when it comes to romance.
...Wait. Though her insides are utterly rotten, Tsukinoki-senpai is indeed the same gender as Yakishio.
Maybe she sees things from a girl's perspective, different from me or Tamaki-senpai.
"Are you serious? That Yakishio has, I mean, that-"
"Ah, uh…"
Tsukinoki-senpai, who had been deep in thought, clasped her hands together and bowed her head seriously.
"No, sorry, I was just speaking offhand. Yakishio-chan is kind of hard for me to figure out, too."
"...Ah, got it."
Right. I decided to focus on my cream soda in silence.
-The senpais will leave Toyohashi and start new lives this weekend.
Although Nagoya is in the same prefecture, it's not a distance where you can casually drop by.
I'm definitely going to miss them. But at the same time, I realize how much the future beyond this farewell is growing inside me.
Yakishio's choice, the future of the Literature Club, and myself as a second-year student-
Why am I going to such lengths to challenge Yakishio? Or why did I order a cream soda, which isn't really my style-
Various thoughts swirled through my mind, and I continued to stare at the fine bubbles in the soda, feeling somewhat restless.
*
On Friday afternoon, with the competition looming the next day, I found myself on the grounds of a middle school to which I had no connection.
Prez Hokobaru's old school, Municipal Sasayuri Middle School, is surrounded by fields of cabbages.
The scent of the sea mixed with the wind unmistakably signaled that I was in a different environment.
I seem to have quite the connections to middle schools lately.
A young woman in a tracksuit is chatting with Prez. It must be one of the school's teachers.
Sakurai-kun stood next to me as I went through the second set of radio exercises.
"Sorry for dragging you all the way out here today. Hiba-nee doesn't listen once she's made up her mind."
"It's okay. I'm used to it with the Literature Club."
We exchanged a wry smile, and Prez walked over to us as she removed her bench coat.
"Alright, that's enough bad-mouthing me. Let's just check our movements today without overdoing it."
"Well, if that's the case, there's something I would like to try."
"Oh? Do tell."
Prez listened quietly to my suggestion and nodded emphatically.
"Then, let's give it a try. Hiroto, please record the action near the goal."
"Got it. Good luck, Nukumizu-kun."
With that, Sakurai-kun ran towards the goal area.
He's a good guy. Maybe the only normal one around me.
...Seriously, why do I only get a bunch of weirdos around me?
I feel like only the weird ones are left now that the relatively normal Tamaki-senpai has graduated.
"What's up? You're staring at my face."
"Oh, nothing. Let's just start running."
...Yeah, I suppose Prez could be considered on the "normal side" comparatively.
*
We headed to Prez's house after two hours of "light adjustments".
I was surprised at how little fatigue I felt.
Prez's house was a large, old Japanese-style single-story building with several storage sheds scattered throughout the spacious yard.
I walked across the yard while following Prez and looking around curiously.
"What does your family do?"
"We manage a few small fields and also work with the cooperative. My parents are at work right now, so I apologize for not being able to host properly."
As Prez slid open the front door, several pairs of shoes were lined up in the spacious entryway.
I knew she lived with her parents, but I wondered if there might be another young woman living here, too.
"Welcome back, Prez!"
Tiara-san, wearing an apron, came bustling from the back of the house with her slippers flapping.
"Eh, why are you here?"
My honest question slipped out. But instead of scolding me, Tiara-san puffed out her chest with pride.
"As vice president, it's only natural that I support the president. Come on in, everyone."
"Don't be shy. Come inside. Hiroto, can you show Nukumizu-kun around?"
"Yeah. Nukumizu-kun, this way."
Sakurai-kun led me to a Japanese-style room about ten tatami mats in size.
It connected to a veranda by the window, old but maintained a clean and calm atmosphere.
"Is it okay to use such a big room?"
"My grandparents moved downtown, so we have spare rooms now."
"Come to think of it, Prez and you are cousins, right?"
Sakurai-kun nodded as he set down his belongings.
"However, the other rooms are full of stuff, so this is the only one that's tidy."
I see. Sakurai-kun is also staying in this room. I have trouble sleeping with others around…
Well, I can't be too fussy. I put down my bag and stepped out onto the veranda.
The view from the window revealed a garden with a persimmon tree.
I always dreamed of spending my retirement sitting on a veranda, soaking up the sun, and sipping tea…
Lost in thought, I stepped forward and suddenly felt a squishy, raw meat-like sensation under my foot.
"Shikiya-san!?"
Indeed, what I had stepped on was not raw meat but Shikiya-san.
Shikiya-san, who had been lying on the veranda, rubbed her eyes and sat up.
"Sorry! I didn't expect anyone to be here."
"...It's okay. …Veranda, …warm."
Shikiya-san looked up at me curiously as she slowly stood up.
"Nukumizu-kun...? Why…are you here?"
"I'm here for a training camp to prepare for tomorrow's match. But what are you and Basori-san doing here?"
"A camp...sounds fun, right…?"
Yeah, the conversation is still a bit off. As I was wondering how to respond-
"Hiba-nee loves it when lots of people gather around. She gets really excited during Obon or anything like that." [TL: A festival dedicated to honoring the spirit of one's ancestors.]
Sakurai-kun came to my rescue, explaining things.
To put it simply, Prez liked having people around and ended up calling the entire student council.
Shikiya-san, still swaying slightly, pinched the hem of my tracksuit.
"Cook…food…together?"
Huh, food? Oh, right-
"I saw Basori-san in an apron earlier. Isn't she cooking?"
"Her food…subtly not delicious..."
Is that so? I had a feeling, anyway.
"But Prez's with her as well, right? Her cooking's-"
Crash! A noise came from the back of the house.
Sakurai-kun silently left the room following Tiara-san's scream.
...Come to think of it, isn't Prez a bit of a klutz in everyday life?
Wasn't this supposed to be a training and rest camp in preparation for tomorrow…?
I sighed and followed Sakurai-kun while still being pinched by Shikiya-san's grip on my tracksuit.
*
Dinner was over by 6 PM. Now I'm doing the dishes.
Tiara-san's wiping the washed dishes dry next to me.
Unusually quiet, Tiara-san hesitantly started a conversation.
"...Nukumizu-san, you're pretty good at cooking, aren't you?"
"Not really, but I cook a bit since both my parents work."
The initial plan was a hotpot, but Prez ended up tipping everything over, so we had to start from scratch.
Thankfully, we had a lot of cabbage, so I made some quick pickles and used the ground meat from the freezer to make "unstuffed" cabbage rolls.
"Just a bit, huh? You were also making kinpira with carrot peels in between the main dishes."
"There was time while waiting for things to heat up."
Kaju would have made at least two more main dishes in the same amount of time and even prepared dessert for after the meal. I still have much to learn.
"The miso soup Basori-san made was, well, tasty too."
"...Usually, I can make it a bit tastier."
"Well, aside from forgetting to make the soup stock, it was pretty good, wasn't it?"
"...I usually make it properly."
Yeah, I should stop rubbing salt in her wound.
Tiara-san took the dishes I handed to her silently.
Prez entered the kitchen after we finished doing the dishes and wiping down the sink.
"Alright, let's get the bath done before my parents return. You should go first since you're our guest today."
"Is it really okay for me to go first?"
"You're our most important guest today, but could you go in with Hiroto? Sorry, we have a lot of people today."
"Eh!?"
For some reason, Tiara-san was the one who screamed in surprise.
Trembling, she inched closer to Prez.
"I-Isn't that somewhat against public morals!?"
"Why?"
Tiara-san's face turned bright red at Prez's simple question.
"But, is it really okay? The two of them, in their birth suits, in a closed space!"
"That's absurd. Of course, they will be naked. They are taking a bath, you know?"
That's a total shutdown. I chimed in awkwardly.
"Well, I don't really mind…"
"Nukumizu-san!? No, but-"
Tiara-san, who was shivering with wide eyes, seemed to make up her mind and nodded.
"Then I'll join too!"
…What is she even saying?
Even I was dumbfounded by the absurdity of it all, and it seemed the others had overheard the commotion. Sakurai-kun, who had been there unnoticed, placed a hand on Tiara-san's shoulder.
"Calm down, Basori-chan. You can't go in with us, you know?"
"B-But I want to see- I mean, something serious will happen if I don't supervise, right?"
Hey, how about we just tie up this woman and throw her into a locker?
Sakurai-kun, the embodiment of patience, continued without changing his expression.
"It's okay, Basori-chan. You can go in with Hiba-nee. Is that okay with you, Hiba-nee?"
"Eek!? B-Bathing with- Prez!?"
Tiara-san's eyes widened even further, and Prez put her arm around her.
"So you wanted to take a bath with me, huh? Alright, Basori-kun, let's go together."
"What! Wha...?"
Sakurai-kun whispered to me softly as Tiara-san began to tremble again.
"Now's our chance. Let's go quickly."
"Eh? Ah, yeah…"
So this is how you handle Tiara-san. Sakurai-kun is impressive.
I marveled at him as I made my escape from the situation.
*
A drop of water fell from the ceiling, hitting my shoulder and making me shiver involuntarily.
The Hokobaru family's bath is a traditional tiled one. The tub is large enough for two people to stretch out their legs.
I washed myself first, then switched with Sakurai-kun to soak in the bathtub.
...I felt unnecessarily tired. I submerged myself up to my shoulders in the warm water.
I casually observed Sakurai-kun washing himself. His body seems unusually delicate.
I often get called thin (primarily by Yanami), but Sakurai-kun's frame is just- not quite like the average guy's. Surely, there's no chance he's actually a flat-chested girl, right…?
Sakurai-kun looked over his shoulder as I recalled various light novels I had read.
"Nukumizu-kun, you're the president of the Literature Club, right? Things seem tough for you."
"Does it? I think looking after the student council members is harder."
My sincere response made Sakurai-kun smile wryly in the reflection.
"Everyone's nice, they just need a bit of support."
I wonder if that support is really just a bit, especially in Prez's case. It seems to go beyond mere support.
They apparently went to the same middle school, and I wonder how she managed the year before Sakurai-kun entered Tsuwabuki.
"Prez used to do track and field until middle school, right? Is it okay to ask why she quit?"
"Yeah, it wasn't because of an injury or anything. She had just completed three years of track and field and decided to focus on the student council in high school. That's all."
Sakurai-kun poured water from a washbasin over himself.
"Of course, various things were going on for her personally. At some point, you have to draw the line, and for Hiba-nee, that was entering high school."
After rinsing off the suds, Sakurai-kun also settled next to me in the spacious bathtub.
"Are you interested in Hiba-nee?"
"It's not just that I'm interested in her- it's that I don't understand why she goes to such lengths, even though I know she pays much attention to Yakishio."
"I used to hear a lot about Yakishio-san from Hiba-nee back in the day."
Sakurai-kun said as he stretched, interlocking his fingers.
"Thinking about it now, maybe Yakishio-san was one of those turning points for Hiba-nee. Of course, it's not her fault."
-A turning point, huh?
Club activities are significant to an individual, but there comes a time when one has to retire. For many, graduation is that moment, but some people have futures beyond that.
I don't know how far Yakishio will go as an athlete, but from what people say, she might be one of those with a future…
Lost in thought, I watched as Sakurai-kun pushed back the hair sticking to his forehead.
"I'm really grateful to you, Nukumizu-kun. Hiba-nee seems happier these days, almost like she's back in her club days."
"Knowing that makes me feel a bit better. I was worried if everyone staying over tonight would be a bother."
Sakurai-kun smiled softly.
"Despite her look, she's pretty excited about it, you know? Hiba-nee usually doesn't even cook."
I see, so the pots that usually get turned over every day weren't a thing. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Listening to you, it seems like you really care about Prez."
"We're cousins and have been close for a long time. If you say that, then you, Nukumizu-kun, also really care about the Literature Club. I couldn't do as much for my club members if I were in your place."
"Trying to manage the student council while looking after three people seems even worse."
Sakurai-kun's expression turned amused at my lighthearted remark.
"Shall we switch roles for once?"
"Eh? You mean I would handle the student council duties, and you would-"
"Be the president of the Literature Club. Let's see, there are three other first-year students, right?"
…Hmm, me as a student council member.
Let's see, managing Tiara-san's antics and Shikiya-san's quirkiness while taking care of Prez…
After imagining it for a while, we looked at each other and said in unison-
"Let's not." (x2)
*
The strategy meeting for tomorrow's main event began.
The atmosphere in the ten-tatami mat room where the meeting was held was filled with a sense of tension and the fragrance of freshness from the bath.
Prez Hokobaru, in her pajamas with her hair tied back, had her cheeks faintly flushed with a pink hue.
Yeah, she's really a striking beauty…
Realizing it's rude to stare, I looked away, only to see Tiara-san lying flat on her back.
"...Uh, what happened to Tiara-san?"
"It seems she got a little overheated in the bath. Are you okay, Tiara-kun?"
"Please don't call me by my first name..."
Tiara-san responded weakly.
Given the tissue stuffed up her nose, it seems the Chinese medicine was no match for the bath she took with Prez.
Tiara-san and Sakurai-kun were also in pajamas, making it feel almost like a pajama party. I regretted not changing into pajamas instead of staying in my sweats…
While I was regretting it, the sliding door was slightly ajar, and I had not noticed it before.
Looking towards it, a pair of white eyes flickered in the gap.
"I…wanted to join the bath too…"
Without a sound, Shikiya-san entered through the sliding door in her nightwear.
What she was wearing seemed to be a lace nightgown with a plunging neckline- no, could it actually be underwear!?
It resembled a negligee but was slightly different. According to what I learned from a gacha game recently, it's called a babydoll, a type of lingerie-
"Senpai, what kind of outfit is that!?"
Tiara-san suddenly jumped up and tried to cover Shikiya-san's chest.
But she picked the wrong opponent. Shikiya-san deftly dodged and then embraced Tiara-san tightly.
"...Tiara-chan, so…bold…"
"Hey, hey, it's touching my face! It's really touching!"
...Uh, this is definitely a scene I shouldn't be watching. I'm a F2P, after all.
Prez brought out a projector as Sakurai-kun and I averted our eyes,
"Now, let's review what we've covered up to today. Hiroto, could you turn off the lights?"
Are we really starting in this situation? But if Prez says it's okay, then I guess it's alright. Whatever…
As Sakurai turned off the lights, a video of me running was projected onto the white sliding door.
"This is your run from yesterday. Changing to a standing start has allowed you to accelerate smoothly, and your upper body stability has improved compared to the beginning. However-"
Prez switched the video to slow motion on her smartphone.
My image, floundering as I ran towards the finish line, was hardly flattering.
"The final stretch remains a challenge. You're overthinking the last sprint and losing your form. Your stamina is also lacking."
"Yes, so today what I tried was-"
"Holding your breath during the last sprint, right? Indeed, it stabilized your sprint, and your time improved slightly."
"Yes, so I was thinking of trying that in the actual race."
While I was somewhat excited, Prez looked thoughtful and concerned.
"I've held my breath at the start before, but always with proper guidance and in tune with my body. Doing it haphazardly without understanding your body's limits can lead to injury."
"...Uh, so it's better not to do it, right?"
Okay, let's give up on that. Despite my looks, I tend to yield to authority easily.
"No, out of the five runs today, you were on par with me in two where you held your breath. The actual event is a single run. It's worth a try."
"Eh, are you sure?"
Prez Hokobaru nodded firmly.
"However, only hold your breath for the last 5 meters. Run through to the finish, even if it means a sprain or a heart attack."
That's quite a jump from a sprain.
We then spent some time reviewing the video and performing mental training.
While sipping tea that Sakurai-kun had prepared, I glanced over and saw that Tiara-san had already given up fighting back.
She was lying exhausted in Shikiya-san's embrace.
"We've done everything we could. Just go all out tomorrow."
Prez Hokobaru smiled casually as she sipped her tea.
I returned the smile awkwardly while drinking my tea.
"But I still couldn't surpass you in the end, Prez. It's disappointing that I didn't beat the target time."
"What, you didn't notice? I increased my pace whenever you nearly caught up."
What? I hadn't noticed that at all.
"Wait a minute. So does that mean I-"
"Yes, you've already surpassed the target time. The rest depends on how far Yakishio-kun can push herself."
Prez downed her tea in one gulp.
"Alright, we have an early start tomorrow. Let's get some sleep to prepare. Feel free to use the futons in the closet."
"Okay. Then I'll get the futons-"
I glanced at the wall clock; it was just past 8 PM. ...That's early.
I didn't say anything, though. I have a weakness for authority, after all.
*
An unfamiliar ceiling appeared in the darkness.
Despite having gone to bed just after 8 PM, I fell asleep immediately.
...Only to wake up just after 2 AM.
Next to me, Sakurai-kun is breathing quietly in his futon. There had been a bit of a commotion (involving Tiara-san) about us sharing a room, but it was such a hassle I would rather forget it.
I could hear the low hum of insects from beyond the sliding doors.
I wanted to let my drowsiness take over, but the rest from earlier left me wide awake.
Thinking about tomorrow's match made me restless.
Giving up on sleep, I used the light from my phone to head to the bathroom.
"-In our house, we don't lock the doors. Never."
And her mysteriously proud expression was followed by Sakurai-kun's wry smile.
I hadn't understood what she meant at the time, but it meant the front door was unlocked…
After a moment's thought, I put on my shoes and slowly opened the front door.
*
A midnight stroll. Especially in a land I'm visiting for the first time, it's understandable to feel a bit excited.
As a result, I found myself standing on a sandy beach.
The southern tip of Toyohashi faces the Pacific Ocean, part of a ridiculously long stretch of sand that extends from Hamamatsu in the neighboring prefecture to the tip of the Mihama Peninsula. This area, just a 15-minute walk from the Hokobaru residence, is known as Omotehama Beach.
I recalled the sandy beach I had raced along last summer, pulled by Yakishio, as I walked along the deserted shore, overwhelmed by a night sky filled with stars all the way to the horizon.
The path down to the beach was a steep descent, and I thought about turning back five times, but I'm glad I didn't give up…
I approached a white object at the back of the beach.
It's a white, wall-like structure over three meters high, resembling a stylish, upright slice of bread placed on the ground. Distinctively, it has cloud-shaped holes like those in manga speech bubbles, allowing one to peek through to the other side.
As I approached, the object seemed larger than expected. The cloud-shaped holes were positioned somewhat high, naturally drawing my gaze upward.
Through the cloud-shaped cutouts, the stars seemed to melt into the night sky.
...It felt a bit wasteful to gaze at this sky alone.
An unusual thought crossed my mind, but a night this lonely was just about right-
As I surrendered to the quiet solitude-
Pat.
A white hand reached up to the edge of the hole from the other side of the object.
"Huh!?"
Pat. Another white hand grasped the edge.
Frozen in fear, I watched as the hands weakly slipped back to the other side.
"...Too…high. I can't…"
That feeble voice was unmistakable. As I walked around to the other side of the object, I saw a girl sitting with her knees pulled up against the wall.
Wavy long hair. Pale skin floating in the darkness- it's Shikiya-san.
"What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't climb over it..."
That was definitely impossible for her. But more importantly, why is she here at this hour?
As I pondered, Shikiya-san patted the ground beside her.
"Don't just…stand. Sit…with me…"
"Eh? Ah, yes."
I sat down about a meter away, and then Shikiya-san patted the ground again.
I hesitated before moving and sitting next to her.
"So, why are you here, senpai?"
"I was…wondering…where you might go…"
So- she followed me here.
"Sorry, did I wake you up by any chance?"
"It's…okay. I have…a lot of energy…at night…"
Unusually convincing. Shikiya-san slowly looked up at the starry sky.
In her typically expressionless face, her lips parted slightly in surprise.
"...Amazing, isn't it…? Did you come out here to see this?"
"I woke up and just started wandering-"
I followed Shikiya-san's gaze up to the night sky.
"It kind of feels like I got something just by sitting here."
"...Yeah, me…too…"
We continued sitting without much conversation.
I don't know anything about constellations, but being surrounded by a different night sky than usual is…
It felt like stepping out of everyday life, imagining traveling to some unknown town.
I glanced at Shikiya-san's side profile. Her long eyelashes fluttered in the sea breeze, and her eyes, usually different, gave off a new impression. It took me a while to figure out why.
-She isn't wearing her usual white contact lenses.
It was dark, but her lightly pigmented eyes shimmered with the light of the stars and the flickering waves.
She must have noticed me staring. Before I knew it, I could see my reflection in her eyes.
"What's wrong…?"
"Ah, no, just noticed you're not wearing contacts today, senpai."
"I was…about to…go to sleep…"
Shikiya-san covered her eyes with her bangs.
"It's embarrassing…when you keep staring…at me like that…"
"Ah, sorry!"
I messed up. Staring at a girl without makeup is basically sexual harassment.
As I hung my head in guilt, a whisper-like voice reached my ears.
"...Nukumizu-kun, can I ask you…something…?"
"Ah, yes! Anything!"
"Why are you…trying so hard…?"
...Huh? This doesn't seem to be about my blunder. Uh-
"Are you talking about the competition with Yakishio?"
She nodded slightly.
"Do you...like Yakishio-san...?"
"Heh!? No, it's not like that."
I cleared my throat, ready to dispel any misunderstandings, and explained.
"Well, it's common for people to misunderstand relationships between guys and girls, but Yakishio and I are purely friends, nothing more. The competition was meant to support her decision-making about continuing with the club, not because I wanted to start a relationship or get closer to her-"
I paused to catch my breath.
"I'm her friend and the president of the Literature Club."
Shikiya-san stared at my handsome expression with a puzzled look.
"...You're so kind…to everyone."
Kind? Uh, is that a compliment...?
"Uh, well, not really that much."
"You…tried very hard…for me that time…too…"
Shikiya-san started to say something but then fell silent.
"Hmm? What's wrong, senpai?"
"I'm…going home…"
Shikiya-san wobbled to her feet.
"Oh, then I'll come with you."
"It's…fine. I can…go back alone…"
She said that while staggering off. Did I say something wrong?
I hurried after her, and she was gazing absentmindedly at the road leading to the beach.
Indeed, the path here was a steep downhill. Which meant that, on the way back, it would turn steeply uphill.
"Uh, do you think you can make it up?"
After a moment of silence, Shikiya-san suddenly turned around and said-
"...Carry me."
She reached her hands out.
"Huh!? Uh, carrying might be tricky. I mean, the most I can manage in terms of arm strength is, like, my little sister-"
As I stumbled over my words, Shikiya-san made a noise and reached out her hands again.
"...Uh, how about a piggyback ride?"
My greatest concession seemed to make her think for a while, but eventually, she seemed to agree, albeit with an aura of dissatisfaction and nodded sharply.
...Needless to say, the accidental strength-training event ensured I slept soundly until morning.
*
-March 27th, Saturday. 8:00 AM. Tsuwabuki High School Playground.
After about 20 days, the time for the decisive match had finally arrived.
Facing me are the three members of Team Yakishio.
For some reason, Yanami, standing in the middle, was giving me a challenging look.
"Nukumizu-kun, you came alone? Isn't Prez with you?"
"This is strictly a match between Yakishio and me. I'm the only one in the competition. Yakishio, today let's-"
Yanami interrupted just when I was about to talk to Yakishio.
"Oh, for all that talk, you were pretty cozy with Prez, weren't you? What was that, proving that 'nu' in Nukumizu stands for 'sneaking ahead', huh? If the Literature Club's president is like that, we can't really feel secure going into our second year-"
Yanami's words just kept coming. Can you quit being a pain in the ass…?
Komari forcefully pulled Yanami back just as I contemplated whether I should roast her with something.
"Y-Yanami, you're in the w-way."
"Wait, Komari-chan. I haven't finished telling Nukumizu-kun-"
"A-Alright, get to the s-starting line. Y-Yanami, you're in charge of the s-start, right?"
"Okay, okay, I get it, Komari-chan."
Komari dragged Yanami's ass away. Komari, you're getting stronger.
I faced Yakishio directly once again while being lost in thought.
She's dressed in the track team's uniform. Steam is coming off her body, and it looks like she has already finished warming up.
"I won't lose today, Nukkun."
"Me neither. Don't regret giving me that much of a handicap."
Yanami waved her hand at the starting point. Yakishio and I headed towards her.
"I never thought you would take this so seriously."
"Of course, I have no intention of letting you quit the Literature Club."
"Oh, that's some confidence there."
Walking side by side, Yakishio bumped her shoulder against mine.
"I was thinking maybe I was too rash to challenge you like that, but now that it's come to this, I won't hold back."
Yakishio wanted to tease me again, but then she suddenly looked away and asked.
"...Nukkun, did you stay somewhere else last night?"
"Ha!? Eh, uh, why did you ask?"
Flustered, I faced Yakishio's piercing gaze.
"I saw you this morning getting off the Atsumi Line toward the Toyohashi side. You usually come from the opposite direction."
Did she see me taking the train from Prez's house?
But there's nothing shady about it. True, I carried Shikiya-san on my back in the middle of the night, but that was more like caregiving, and the softness on my back was a different matter.
"It doesn't mean anything significant, and…nothing weird happened either."
"Hmph…"
Yakishio bumped her shoulder against mine a bit harder and quickened her pace.
"You're going to tell me all about it if I win."
The stakes of losing seem to have increased suddenly.
Yanami showed us her phone screen as we reached the starting point.
"We'll use an app for the starting signal. When the app says 'On your marks', get ready- huh? What's 'set'? When do we start?"
Yanami, with a floating question mark above her head, looked confused until Yakishio interjected.
"Yanami-chan, 'on your marks' means 'get set', 'set' is like 'ready', and the pistol sound means 'go', okay?"
"Exactly."
Yanami gave me a smug look for some reason.
"The first pistol sound is for Nukumizu-kun to start, and when the second pistol sounds 2.5 seconds later, Remon-chan starts. Whoever reaches the goal first wins."
Yanami pointed towards the finish line, where Komari was ready with her smartphone.
"Okay, are we all set? Then, both of you, please get to the starting line."
There's a sprinter's starting block at Yakishio's feet, signaling her seriousness.
"Alright, I'm ready anytime."
Yakishio loosened her limbs. Yanami looked at her phone and spoke up.
"Hey, Remon-chan, are you sure you don't want to cheat? We could secretly change the settings, and Nukumizu-kun wouldn't notice."
"Yanami-san, can you not say that in front of me?"
Oof, that was close. This must also be a kind of off-the-board tactic. A strange behavior to wear down the enemy's concentration and tilt the competition in her favor. That's Yanami's specialty.
That's why Yanami's pulling out dried sardines from her pocket to eat from time to time is part of her strategy. Probably.
"Hmm, do you want some, Nukumizu-kun?"
...It's an off-the-board tactic. I shook my head and did a few squats.
"I'm good to go. Ready whenever you-"
-On your mark.
Huh!? A native-sounding female voice flowed from Yanami's smartphone. What timing is that?
"Oops, I think I pressed it. Get ready, both of you!"
Yakishio and I quickly got into position.
-Set.
The native voice followed in quick succession.
I crouched down and took a deep breath, and the sound of the pistol rang out.
There was no time to think. I just kicked off the ground without a thought.
Strangely, all the unnecessary tension had left my body, and I could feel myself accelerating smoothly.
It might not be an exaggeration to say this was the best condition I had ever been in.
I can do it- and then the second pistol fired.
There were tens of meters between me and the newly-started Yakishio. I shouldn't be able to sense her yet.
I pushed the pressure at my back aside and propelled my body forward as I practiced.
By the time I passed the 50-meter mark, it wasn't just my imagination. I definitely felt pressure from behind.
…Wait, isn't she too fast? Is she an animal?
The sound of footsteps was unmistakably getting closer. Sweat was pouring out of my entire body.
-How much am I leading by? Can I keep up this pace until the finish?
The remaining 20 meters approached as I thought.
The footsteps were right behind me. I could even hear Yakishio's breathing.
-Hold your breath at the last 5 meters.
Prez's words crossed my mind.
The moment I saw the 10-meter line- I held my breath and put all my remaining strength into my legs.
I clenched my teeth and kept driving my legs forward. My body's sensations were fading.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Yakishio's shadow flash by. She was pulling up alongside me.
The finish line was in sight, but it felt incredibly far.
The moment my vision began to blur white- the finish line passed from my view.
Almost simultaneously, Yakishio sped past me, and a moment later, a gust of wind hit my body-
…………
…Who won?
My legs gave out, and I collapsed on the spot.
As my vision blurred, I looked around to see Yakishio breathing heavily and peering into Komari's smartphone.
Yakishio scratched the hell out of her hair and then took deep breaths from an oxygen can.
"W…W…Who…won…?"
I could hardly breathe, my voice faltering. I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn't cooperate.
Yakishio looked at me, her expression shocked.
"You look really pale, Nukkun!? Here, take some oxygen!"
Yakishio carelessly tossed the oxygen can my way.
The can slipped through my outstretched hand- and struck me right on the forehead.
And then my vision turned completely white.
*
-A dimly lit room. The familiar stains on the ceiling.
It took me a while to understand my own situation.
This is Tsuwabuki High School's infirmary. I'm lying on a bed, staring at the ceiling.
I don't remember anything after the race with Yakishio. The last thing I recall is the final blow from the oxygen can she threw-
"Nukkun, are you awake?"
A voice full of concern. Just as I reflexively tried to sit up-
"Ouch!?"
I involuntarily cried out from the pain all over my body.
Then, Yakishio, who was sitting on a round stool beside the bed, placed her hand on my back.
"Are you okay? Does your head hurt?"
"My head's fine. It's just my forehead that hurts, and my whole body feels sore from-"
I started to say, turning to face Yakishio again.
She had already changed back into her uniform and was smiling, relieved, hand on her chest.
"I'm glad. I would have been really sad if you had died from the oxygen can I threw."
Right, I'm glad I didn't die and make Yakishio feel bad.
"Uh, more importantly, how did the match go...?"
I asked tentatively, and Yakishio puckered her mouth as if to complain.
"It was a mess. Thankfully, Konuki-sensei was there for the match, but everyone ended up carrying you to the infirmary."
"Eh? You mean Konuki-sensei's here? Where?"
Yakishio flicked my forehead as I looked around anxiously. It hurts.
"Calm down. She stepped out for a bit."
Yakishio crossed her slender legs and gave me a stern look.
"Make sure to thank Komari-chan and Yana-chan later, okay? Komari-chan was so flustered that she threw her phone away, and Yana-chan got so confused that she tried to feed you dried sardines. It was tough stopping them."
It seems a lot happened while I was unconscious, and thank goodness in Christ, you stopped Yanami.
"Where are those two now?"
"Who knows, they went off somewhere. Maybe they left us alone on purpose?"
There she goes, teasing me again.
I noticed the serious look in Yakishio's eyes as I was about to protest.
"...So, who won?"
I remember crossing the finish line in a tangle at the end of the 100m.
Yakishio propped her cheek on her hand with a weary expression.
"Honestly, I thought it would end up more of a mess, almost expecting a no-contest victory for me."
She muttered, maintaining a facade of annoyance.
"-I missed joining the going home club."
"So, that means-"
Yakishio, giving up her pretense of annoyance, grinned mischievously.
"Nukkun, you'll have to take responsibility, you know?"
This meant Yakishio would continue with both the track team and the Literature Club, putting in more effort than ever.
It was what I had hoped for, but the burden Yakishio would carry wouldn't be small.
That's why, now that the competition is over, I can ask a question that is only possible at this moment.
"...Were you really going to quit the club had I lost?"
"I was serious about it."
Yakishio answered lightly, her gaze drifting off to somewhere distant.
"I thought about quitting the club and living out my high school days like something out of a drama or manga. Hanging out with friends after class, talking about love, and studying for tests at a family restaurant-"
She murmured as if talking to herself, eyes closed.
"...and finding someone I love someday, even if not right away."
A calm silence fell like a gentle lull in the wind.
-In a world where Yakishio made a different choice, she would fret over test scores instead of race times and chat about boys with friends.
And she would courageously reach out her hand to hold someone else's, someone I didn't know.
An ordinary yet extraordinary, drama-like adolescence.
Yakishio quietly opened her eyes.
"Besides, if I quit the club, I wouldn't get a university recommendation, so I'd have to join a tutoring school or something. Maybe I would go to the one Chiha and Mitsuki go to."
...Why would you do that? This girl must have a masochistic kink.
"Those two are dating, right? Wouldn't it be awkward for you to join them?"
"Of course, that's why I need you there too, Nukkun."
"Eh, I'm going to tutoring too?"
Yakishio shrugged as if it were obvious.
"That's what would have happened if I had won, of course. We would be in the going home club together."
"I didn't know that was a rule of the going home club..."
Despite its casual name, the going home club is pretty intense.
"I wouldn't just be squeezed in between them if it's you and me together, right? It wouldn't be as weird."
"They don't care if we're there, you know. They just get all lovey-dovey."
Yakishio smiled, showing her white teeth.
"Then we can just complain about it a lot together."
"So I'm just supposed to listen to you?"
"I'll listen to your complaints, too, Nukkun."
Why do we have to go to the same tutoring school as those two?
The four of us together, always with those two getting cozy.
Yakishio and I would form a victims' club, complaining to each other on the way home-
"...That actually sounds kind of fun."
Just an ordinary, everyday youth.
Yakishio's eyes lit up, and leaned toward me at my casual remark.
"Right? The four of us together, and we having to watch them show off their love."
"Uwah, that hurts."
"We would have so much to say that there wouldn't be any way for us to pay attention in class."
"Please pay attention to your classes."
We looked at each other and laughed.
Just because of that seemingly possible yet never-realized routine.
"You want to have a normal youth and fall in love and all that stuff, right? You can't find a boyfriend if you're always with me, Yakishio."
"Hmm, it's not like I'm in a rush to get a boyfriend."
Yakishio seemed to be choosing her words carefully. Her gaze drifted.
"Mitsuki is special to me, and that hasn't changed. So, until I find someone I can love more than him- I guess I'm fine without a boyfriend."
"But that doesn't mean you have to stick with me."
"...But, you know. We still have two more years of high school."
Suddenly, Yakishio rose from her chair and sat on the edge of the bed.
The bed creaked loudly under her weight, and a subtle mix of deodorant and perfume tickled my nose.
Playing with the hair by her ear, she said.
"I have 2 years left, right? Maybe my hair will have grown out too."
She looked down shyly.
Every breath Yakishio took made the ribbon at her chest flutter, and the bed creaked.
"Hmm? The track team's captain wears a ponytail, so growing your hair out should be fine, right?"
My casual remark made Yakishio freeze.
She let out a long sigh after a moment of stillness.
"...That's why I don't like this part of you, Nukkun."
Yakishio got off the bed and stretched her arms, interlocking her fingers.
"What do you mean-"
"Thinking about studying for exams, maybe getting a boyfriend someday. I guess that kind of future was possible, too. That's what I meant."
Yakishio walked lightly towards the window and flung the curtains wide open.
"I promise, though. I won't quit the track team or the Literature Club."
The clear morning sunlight illuminated the side of her face, making it sparkle.
Then, turning to me with a child-like bright smile, she said-
"So, you know- I'm going to quit sprinting and switch to middle-distance running."
"But you-"
Yakishio shook her head when I tried to respond.
"I've always moved with consideration for others, but now I'm going to be completely selfish. I'll win on my terms, and no one will have any complaints. And if they do, I'll crush them."
With a smile, Yakishio declared her resolve.
"I don't need any other kind of youth. I don't want it."
It wasn't self-destructive or defiant.
The light of uncertainty that used to flicker in Yakishio's deep brown eyes was completely gone.
"So, you're seriously aiming for nationals now?"
"Nope. I didn't say I was aiming for nationals."
Yakishio chuckled through her nose.
"Eh? Then-"
"I'm going to take nationals. Because I can."
Does she mean she's aiming to be number one in the country? The very top?
Caught off-guard by her grand ambition, I was met with Yakishio pointing straight at me.
"That's why, Nukkun, don't take your eyes off me, okay?"
*
Literature Club Report - Special Edition
<I Choose You> by Anna Yanami
I'm standing in front of the usual convenience store.
But I can't go inside. The sign is down, and the windows are covered with sheets.
Someone spoke to me when I stared at the building.
"Hey, Ako-san. Did this convenience store close down?"
The clueless interloper is XX-kun. Oh dear, he knows nothing.
I saw them bringing new shelves into this building yesterday evening.
That means the convenience store will open again once the renovations are complete.
I took out 3 different types of boneless chicken from my bag after giving him a half-assed response.
XX-kun widened his eyes. My my, I know you won't understand.
The large sign along the road was also taken down, so a different chain store might move in once renovations are done.
That's why I got up early and bought boneless chicken from three different chains.
I plan to compare them and predict which chain will move in next.
Let's start with the first one.
When I bit into it, the aroma of spices filled my mouth. But the taste doesn't lose out, either. After the fragrance escaped through the nose, the meat's flavor spread throughout my mouth. Yes, this is the one I've decided on.
Though it's decided already, to be fair, I must also evaluate the second one.
The crunchiness upon the first bite is exhilarating. The juicy meat further boosted my already skyrocketing mood. This is it. It's decided.
But having said that, I must not let the third option cool down.
Despite its crunchy appearance, the finely textured breading danced on my tongue.
Each chew changes the texture and fragrance. It's bewitching, to be honest. This one is also a definite choice.
...Well, it seems I've decided on all of them.
Since I had no choice, I began planning a second round of evaluation, but XX-kun was staring at me.
Perhaps he wants some, too? How greedy of him.
However, since he always shares his food with me, I guess I should be kind occasionally.
XX-kun shook his head when I said he could take a bite.
"I'm not a fan of eating after someone else. I'll pass."
What's with this guy? So rude.
Annoyed, I stacked the three pieces of chicken and took a big bite.
He's still watching me as I savor the feast fit for a king.
"Ako-san, where will you eat breakfast once this place closes?"
I'll eat at home.
Because the only reason I started coming here was to go to school with OO-kun, but now that he has started going out with Jko-chan, there's no reason for me to come here anymore.
But I kept feeling better and better upon seeing XX-kun's anxious look.
I ignored him and shoved the rest of the chicken in my mouth.
Let him be anxious. He'll understand everything once the new store opens.
*
The day after the race is the last Sunday of March.
I stood alone in front of the south gate of Tsuwabuki High School, watching the clouds drift by.
The air already feels like spring.
There was no trace of winter left. The season was relentlessly moving forward.
I pushed my aching body to come here for no other reason than that Tamaki-senpai and Tsukinoki-senpai planned to show up before leaving Toyohashi.
"Hey, you're early, Nukumizu-kun."
As Yanami lined up next to me, she was nibbling on a small strip of kelp, possibly entering another phase of her diet with pacifier kelp-
"Isn't that kelp for making broth? You'll hurt your teeth, you know?"
"It's fried chicken."
…Ha? I did a double-take, but Yanami was unmistakably munching on kelp.
"Uh, do you ever hear voices from the walls at night? Are you okay with that?"
"I don't hear anything. Nukumizu-kun, people can get burnt by a cold spoon if they believe it's hot enough. Kelp can be fried chicken or even beef jerky if you believe hard enough."
By that logic, you could also gain weight from eating kelp out of sheer belief, right?
Yanami glared at me sharply while gnawing on her kelp.
"...What did you talk about with Remon-chan in the infirmary yesterday?"
"Didn't I tell you on the phone yesterday? She's switching to middle-distance running and aiming high."
"I heard about that, Nukumizu-kun. But that's not what I'm asking."
It seems that wasn't the conversation she was referring to.
Yanami bit off a piece of kelp with her front teeth.
"Remon-chan asked us to leave you two alone, and you're telling me that's all you two talked about?"
"We just made normal small talk. Nothing worth mentioning."
"You can tell me if it's nothing, right? Nukumizu-kun, you can't sneak ahead of me, okay?"
…Why are you being such a pain in the ass this time?
I recalled my conversation with Yakishio in the infirmary as I answered Yanami half-heartedly.
She was slightly different than usual. But that's also a part of her.
What I touched that day was just a fraction of her.
If I had reached out just a bit more, what would I have seen?
I still know nothing about the girl named Remon Yakishio-
"...Hey, something must have happened, right?"
Yanami was staring at my face while I was lost in thought.
"I told you, nothing happened. Isn't Yakishio supposed to come today? Wonder where she is."
"That's exactly what someone who's hiding something would say!"
Ignoring the troublesome girl, I saw a petite Tsuwabuki girl walking toward us from the school building. It's Komari.
"W-What are you two making a f-fuss about?"
"Hear me out, Komari-chan! Nukumizu-kun is definitely hiding something that happened yesterday!"
Komari snorted dismissively at the clingy Yanami.
"R-Relax. N-Nukumizu ain't got b-balls."
"...That's true. It's Nukumizu, after all."
Yanami, being suddenly convinced, left me feeling somewhat unsettled.
"Komari, have you seen Yakishio?"
Trying to change the subject, I asked, and Komari nodded.
"Y-Yakishio's binding the magazine. S-She'll be here when it's d-done."
"Remon-chan finished her manuscript!"
Yanami clasped her hands together, relieved.
Indeed, Yakishio had agreed to contribute to the club magazine being prepared for the senpais, and we had been waiting for her to finish her manuscript.
It seems like she'll make it just in time.
"Hey, the senpais are here!"
Yanami waved her hands energetically.
Following her gaze, I saw a minivan pull up in front of us and stop.
"Thanks for the send-off, everyone!"
Tsukinoki-senpai left the driver's seat excited and greeted us.
She's dressed in straight jeans and a plain collared shirt, with a towel draped around her neck.
"Koto, make sure to thank everyone properly. Thanks for gathering, everyone."
Tamaki-senpai stepped out from the passenger side, rolling his eyes as if weary. The very picture of a boyfriend burdened.
Komari and Yanami hugged Tsukinoki-senpai while I exchanged a quick handshake with Tamaki-senpai.
"I heard it, Nukumizu. You managed to beat Yakishio."
"It was with a handicap. It was more of a mercy than anything."
Tamaki-senpai glanced over at the girls and leaned closer to me.
"I won't ask what happened between you two-"
"Nothing happened, okay?"
"Well, it's all good if you two are fine with it. I won't ask what happened."
"I said nothing happened."
…Fine with it, huh? I don't know what Yakishio gained through our competition.
In a world where winning and losing matter, you can't avoid hurting or taking from someone.
Sometimes, that someone might be a person you care about.
And yet, she chose to continue.
"Nukumizu, take care of everyone, okay?"
Tamaki-senpai patted my back as he said that. It made a loud noise, but it didn't hurt.
"You too, senpai. Please keep your girlfriend at bay."
"I don't know if I can do that."
We smiled at each other.
I'll probably continue to see the senpais around.
But the time we spent together in high school is over, and we'll meet again as individuals.
Rebuilding our relationships from a different standpoint is unsettling, but I'm also looking forward to it.
"By the way, is Yakishio-san not here yet?"
"Uh, she had something to take care of and is running a bit late..."
I saw sparrows flying off the building as I looked around.
Yakishio burst from behind the school building just as I thought another group had taken flight.
She ran up to us quickly, presenting a stapled booklet.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! I made this club magazine just for you two!"
Sweat streamed down her forehead, outshone only by her radiant smile.
"You guys made this just for us?"
Tsukinoki-senpai seemed incredulous as she hesitantly accepted the magazine.
"Please take one as well, Tamaki-senpai!"
"Thanks. Wow, this actually means a lot."
As Tsukinoki-senpai opened the magazine, she removed her glasses and wiped her eyes.
"Ah, man, I was trying not to cry. You got me at the very end."
Tsukinoki-senpai browsed the content with wet eyes, and then her expression immediately disappeared.
"Komari-chan, you didn't write another Dazai reverse pairing, did you?"
"E-Ehehe, I just had to w-write it…"
Komari blushed with a shy smile. Tsukinoki-senpai smirked devilishly.
"Komari-chan, let's have a nice, long talk about your story next time, okay?"
"O-Of course."
Komari responded with the same evil grin as Tsukinoki-senpai.
Tsukinoki-senpai glanced at her watch and then turned back to me.
"Well, I'm counting on you to look after the Literature Club, Prez Nukumizu. I'm about to start my trembling days, fearing repeating a year in a new place."
"Putting the repeating part aside, I hope you're looking forward to your new life."
Tsukinoki-senpai made a lightly troubled face at my offhand remark.
"Honestly, I'm more anxious than excited. It wasn't until autumn that I decided to leave Toyohashi, after all."
"Eh, really?"
"Yeah, I actually love my hometown. I thought it would be nice to keep hanging out here forever, having people say 'oh, there she is again' as I walked into the clubroom-"
Tsukinoki-senpai slowly looked around at all of our faces.
"I felt motivated to strive toward my goals after seeing everyone. I wanted to set a good example as a senpai."
Tsukinoki-senpai tried to laugh it off jokingly but soon looked down with a serious expression.
Tamaki-senpai placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's time to go, Koto. We'll enjoy the club magazine later, everyone."
"Right, we don't have much time left. Thanks, everyone. I'll read it thoroughly once I'm settled in after moving."
Tsukinoki-senpai lifted her head, her face breaking into her usual sly smile.
As she waved and moved to get into the minivan, she turned back and pointed sharply at us.
"Everyone, graduation comes in the blink of an eye! So live without regrets and do what you love!"
We watched the minivan drive off hurriedly, and we stood silently, rooted to the spot.
They were here for less than 10 minutes.
But it felt like everything wrapped up neatly with their departure.
"Alright, I'll go for a quick run. Wanna join, Yana-chan?"
Yakishio broke the silence with her abrupt suggestion.
Yanami's eyes bulged as she munched on the second piece of kelp.
"Why me!?"
"You're eating kelp, so you must be dieting, right? Running is the best way to lose weight."
"Running? No way, my knees have been hurting lately."
Is Yanami so heavy that her kneecaps have begun to buckle under her weight?
As the two bickered, I subtly moved away, noticing Komari, who had already distanced herself.
I approached her discreetly and handed her a wrapped gift.
"W-What…?"
"It's your birthday tomorrow, right? You gave me something on my birthday, after all."
"Ueh!? T-That's…"
I looked away to hide my embarrassment after pushing the wrapped gift into her hands.
"Even though it's just a keychain, it has star sand inside. Don't open the bottle, okay?"
"T-Thank you…"
Komari muttered quietly and then froze in place.
I can't tell for sure, but I hope she's pleased about it.
Feeling awkward about the moment, I turned to leave, but Komari caught the hem of my jacket with her fingers.
"...What's wrong?"
"U-U-Uh, I-I'm mad at you, y-you know?"
Maybe it wasn't the best idea to give her a souvenir from a date with Yakishio for her birthday.
Komari tightened her grip on my jacket hem and plopped her head down as I mentally reviewed the choice of the gift.
"M-Making weird bets on your own, saying y-you would quit the club if you l-lost..."
Oh, that.
"But I won- alright, yeah, I'm sorry."
I can't argue with her being upset this time.
I apologized sincerely, and Komari muttered sulkingly.
"M-Make sure this is the only time you c-cheat, okay?"
I think it was more of a failed attempt. I didn't join the going home club, after all.
But silence is gold in times like this. While quietly letting her hold onto my jacket, I notice a piercing gaze fixed on us.
"What are you two whispering about? What do you mean by cheating?"
"We're talking about the Literature Club. Right, Komari?"
I smoothly passed the ball to Komari.
We won't be under any suspicion if she just snaps at me as usual-
"I-It's not something I-I can tell others…"
For some reason, Komari fiddled with her fingers embarrassingly.
Hey, why are you acting so suggestively?
Yanami's expression made a 180-degree turn, and Yakishio hugged her from behind.
"Did Nukkun cheat? With me? So what happened yesterday counts as cheating!?"
"Huh!? What are you talking about, Yakishio!?"
Yakishio's BS made Yanami's face even more messed up.
"You did something in the infirmary, didn't you!? You cheated, Nukumizu-kun!"
"I keep telling you nothing happened! Right, Yakishio?"
-I realized my defeat the moment I turned to her for confirmation.
Yakishio wore a mischievous expression over Yanami's shoulder.
"Well, I think it's not something to tell others. Should we keep it our little secret?"
Yakishio grinned slyly.
Komari gripped the hem of my jacket even harder upon hearing that.
"...G-Go die."
What do these girls have against me?
Yanami thrust a piece of kelp toward my face.
"You still have time to confess your mistakes now, Nukumizu-kun."
"C-Confess your sins a-and die."
"Nukkun, I'll carry our secret to the grave. Please relax."
I couldn't help but stare at the sky upon being encircled by three troublesome girls.
The cotton-like clouds are looking down upon the hustle-and-bustle on the ground with leisure.
I stared at the floating clouds and sighed quietly.
…Do I really have to take care of these girls alone from now on?
Perhaps I should've lost the race.
*
Literature Club Report - Special Edition
<Run, Run, Run> by Remon Yakishio
Run, run, run
I run fast.
Faster than my friends, faster than Dad, I am the fastest.
When I look back, I see Mom smiling a lot.
I was so happy that I ran even faster and became even faster.
Run, run, run
To make her smile more, I ran with everyone in town.
There were many fast people, but I was the fastest.
When I looked back, everyone was smiling, so I was happy and tried even harder.
Run, run, run
Wanting even more people to smile, I ran in a big city.
But in the big city, there were so many people who ran faster than me.
I didn't want to lose, so I ran a lot, but everyone kept passing me.
No matter how hard I tried, everyone just kept overtaking me.
I became so scared that I couldn't look back.
What if everyone isn't smiling anymore?
Thinking about this scared me so much that I couldn't run, and tears started falling.
Crying under a tree, a turtle challenged me to a race.
Much slower than me, Turtle-san kept challenging me.
I asked him if he wasn't afraid of losing because he kept challenging me even though he lost every time.
"It's scary, but I run because you are crying." He said.
Running with Turtle-san over and over, my tears dried up completely.
Before I knew it, I could run alone again.
I stopped looking back.
Not because I was scared, but because I knew without looking-
Everyone had always been pushing me forward.
So now, I just run straight ahead.
Run, run, run
Epilogue: Second Year at Tsuwabuki High School
The first weekday of April. The brief spring break is almost over.
I'm walking down the hallway of Tsuwabuki High School's west building, heading to the clubroom.
We are scheduled to have a meeting to prepare for the new student orientation.
First, we are preparing for the club introduction event early in the new term. We will have to stand on stage in the gymnasium and make our appeal in front of the first-year students. It will be an absolute disaster with just Komari and me.
The remaining are the two at the top level of the school caste, but Yakishio has returned to the track team and officially switched to middle-distance running.
She even said she's aiming for the national championships. However, she won't have time to show her face at the Literature Club, and it wouldn't be alright to use her as a selling point for the club under those circumstances.
As I was thinking about all this, I arrived at the clubroom. I braced myself and opened the door-
"Why are you drinking my protein shake, Yana-chan!?"
"Doesn't this make you lose weight? It was chocolate-flavored and tasty."
"Drinking it won't make you lose weight, you know!?"
…Yakishio is there, just as usual.
Somehow, Yakishio and Yanami are fighting over a bottle of protein shake.
"Uh, what are you two doing?"
“Yana-chan is drinking my protein shake! Say something to her, Nukkun!"
"Yakishio, you can't keep food in the club room. Yanami-san will devour and consume everything."
Komari, who had been reading a book in the corner, nodded in agreement.
"Wait, do you think I'm some kind of club room monster? I won't eat it all. I'll leave a bit behind."
It's not about eating everything or not.
"Besides, doesn't the track team have a clubroom? You should just keep your protein shake there."
Yakishio stood up and knocked over a chair.
"Listen, Nukkun! Everyone in the track team is so mean!"
Eh, what's going on? Is she being bullied for skipping practices?
Yakishio pouted and started to complain as I tensed up.
"There's a rule in the track team that if you leave a protein shake without your name on it, anyone can drink it. I just bought this, and it's already half gone!"
"Why don't you just write your name on it and keep it in a locker...?"
My sensible suggestion made Yakishio cross her arms and frown.
"That's not the point. Protein intake should be more free-spirited, taken as the body desires-"
"Ah, there's vanilla too. The powder itself is actually pretty good."
"You can't eat it just as powder, you know!?"
We have a free spirit right here…
I waited for the powder commotion to settle down and looked at the three of them.
"Uh, moving on quickly, can we discuss the new student welcome? I have an idea for the club introduction."
With her face still dusted with powder, Yanami blinked in surprise.
"Are we doing something special?"
"Yeah, I have a plan. Uh, it should be right here..."
I pulled out a paper bag and handed it to Yanami.
"What's this?"
"Yanami-san, could you put this on first?"
"Why?"
She asked why, but I had anticipated that response as well.
I placed a pack of chicken salad in front of Yanami.
Yanami nodded, stashed the chicken salad in her pocket, and then put on the paper bag. Surprisingly, it suited her.
"...So, what's this all about?"
"I thought you could wear this during the club introduction, Yanami-san. What do you think, everyone?"
Komari and Yakishio stared at the paper bag.
"M-Maybe add a ribbon?"
"How about decorating it with messages like a signed shirt?"
"Those are good ideas. Let's use both."
As I noted down the ideas, Yanami abruptly ripped off the paper bag.
"Wait, why do I have to wear this!? Am I being censored or something!?"
"Literature clubs usually only attract introverts, right? Yanami-san, if you show your face-"
"And then?"
…She'll get carried away if I say it. I cleared my throat to buy some time.
"You see, Yanami-san, you're like the Literature Club's secret weapon. It's more intriguing if we don't show you."
"I wouldn't go near a club like that..."
"People who want to join the Literature Club are like that. Could you keep it on during the entire welcoming period?"
"No way!"
My attempt at persuasion failed. Inevitably, as the club president, I guess I should be the one to-
"But actually, it's not that uncomfortable to wear. Ahaha, I can't see anything, though."
Yakishio put on the paper bag for some reason.
Wait a minute, if Yakishio's hiding her identity by wearing the paper bag, people won't know she's neglecting her track team duties, right?
"Then, Yakishio, could you wear that and represent us? Yanami-san can play the castanets on stage or something."
"...Wait, I'm wearing it too."
Eh, why? Yanami quickly took the paper bag off Yakishio and put it on Komari.
'Una!?"
"Since this is getting so complicated, let's just all wear paper bags and go out like that. Yeah, let's do that."
No, isn't that too weird? Even though I'm not in a position to talk.
Another equally whimsical girl clapped her hands in agreement.
"That sounds fun! Let's become the Masked Literature Club next year, then!"
"M-Masked Literature Club m-my ass- kya!"
Komari, still wearing the paper bag, stood up and immediately tripped.
Her screams are pretty cute, as usual. I calmed myself and sat on a chair.
Starting in April, the Literature Club would begin anew with only second-year students.
It was a club handed down from our senpais.
I feel a bit anxious about whether it will go well, but we have managed somehow so far.
Surely, in our own way, we would manage somehow.
If only we can hand it over to the next years smoothly-
Suddenly, my vision was engulfed in darkness.
"Hey, Nukumizu-kun, it actually suits you."
"Yeah, Nukkun, it's almost like it's made for you."
"S-Stay in it forever."
…I see. Wearing a paper bag is surprisingly comforting.
While listening to the voices of the Literature Club girls starting to take photos around me, I secretly sighed.
I have a feeling the looming days of being a second-year student seem like they will be more challenging than ever-
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