Chapter 7

In the homeroom that day, when the order for the mixed-gender relay race was announced, the classroom erupted into even more chaos than during class.

"Isano-kun, you're not just handsome, but you can run fast too...!?"

"Isn't that amazing, even though you're not on a sports team!?"

"Huh? But you didn't get much attention at the first-year sports festival, right? Why?"

"More importantly, isn't Isano-kun just too cool? A handsome guy who's good at sports... I might fall for him..."

The girls were buzzing and glancing at me furtively.

This is quite awkward.

Some people really do fall in love based on such primitive instincts...

◇◇◇

"Isano-kun, you're getting attention again."

After homeroom, as I was getting ready to leave, Yukiyo-san said to me.

"Yukiyo-san... Well, this will probably be a passing thing. If I'm not aiming to be an athlete in the future, being fast isn't really a useful trait."

"Is that so? You're a hero in the school, though. I wish I had good athletic skills like Isano-kun..."

Yukiyo-san sighed heavily.

"Are you bad at sports?"

"Yeah... Especially running. That's why I'm really dreading the relay race. --Hey, Isano-kun, do you have any tips?"

"I'm not sure. There might be some, but I don't know them."

"I see... I thought if I got running tips from someone fast, it might help a little..."

That makes sense.

But you should probably ask someone who knows more about running, not me.

Yukiyo-san looked dejected and slumped over her desk.

Her fluffy hair was swaying in the breeze from the window.

...She looks like a pug lying on the floor, so cute.

It's a metaphor that girls probably wouldn't appreciate, but I can't help thinking it.

"...I don't want to participate in the sports festival..."

"Is it that bad?"

"It is that bad."

Yukiyo-san, echoing my words, lifted her head slightly and smiled mischievously.

Hmm.

I wish I could be of more help...

"Hey, Isano, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Suddenly, someone spoke, and Yukiyo-san and I turned to see who it was.

Standing in front of our desks was a classmate named Renchi Senju.

He was over 180 cm tall, with a sharp, hooded-eyed appearance that made him look tough.

He was on the track team and had recorded the second-best time in the class this morning, earning him the top spot in the relay race.

What does Renchi want with me?

I tilted my head slightly and waited for him to continue.

"---I have a question. How serious are you about the relay race?"

"Serious...?"

"Are you going to go all out to win?"

"No, I'm not going to die for it."

When I answered immediately, Renchi's frown deepened.

"...That's a problem."

This conversation is getting nowhere.

"Do you have something to say? Just go ahead."

"...Alright. I've been training to be the anchor in this relay, no matter what. But I was easily outpaced by Isano."

"Oh, you want me to give up the anchor position? If that's the case—"

"No. I admit I lost to you. I want you to take my place and go all out to beat the anchor of Class 2...!"

Yukiyo-san and I exchanged glances.

The words he's been using, like 'all out' and 'go all out,' are quite dramatic.

"Is there a reason you have to beat Class 2?"

"Not Class 2. I want to beat the anchor of Class 2, Kiriya Taiichi, at all costs..."

The way he's choosing his words...

Wait a minute.

"Is Kiriya Taiichi on the track team?"

"Yeah."

"Isn't he the handsome guy with the soft face?"

"Exactly! A womanizer with a sleazy face!"

Well, that's one way to put it.

But it seems the guy Renchi is talking about is the same person I've been thinking of.

The classmate I saw on the train platform this morning, who was with Hanabi, is Kiriya.

"Why do you want to beat Kiriya so badly? Is it because you're rivals on the track team?"

"That guy! He stole my girlfriend...!!"

"Stole your girlfriend...?"

A shocking word came out, and I quickly turned to Yukiyo-san.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes behind her glasses were wavering.

Of course, she's flustered.

This isn't something you'd talk about in a classroom during the day.

But Renchi, lost in his anger, didn't notice our confused gazes and was clenching his teeth in frustration.

Wait, that's strange.

Kiriya, who apparently stole Renchi's girlfriend, has been coming to school with Hanabi for a few days.

Since Hanabi has been clinging to Kiriya's arm, they're probably more than just friends.

So what happened to Renchi's girlfriend...?

As I was wondering, Renchi continued his explanation in a strained voice.

"...I'm not angry about her being stolen. It's my fault for being inadequate. If he treated her well, I would have stepped aside gracefully! But that bastard, after stealing my ex-girlfriend, dumped her and moved on to a first-year girl! I can't forgive him for that...!"

Ah... I see...

"...You've been through a lot, haven't you?"

Not knowing what else to say, I encouraged him, and Renchi, slamming his hand on my desk, leaned in close.

T-That's too close...

"Isano...! I'm asking you because I believe in your abilities! Please, take my place and teach that smug bastard a lesson...!"

"Hmm..."

It doesn't matter to me that Kiriya's new partner is Hanabi, but I felt a bit of sympathy for Renchi.

Maybe it's because he's suffering as a result of a relationship issue, I felt a sense of empathy.

"What exactly do you want me to do?"

"I'll teach you how to run. That way, you'll definitely improve your time. I want you to be in top form for the relay!"

Wait a minute.

Right.

He's on the track team, so he knows a lot about running.

"Alright. I'll help you, but I have one condition."

"Anything, just say it."

"Teach her how to run too. If you do that, I'll help you."

When I said this and looked at Yukiyo-san, she gasped and widened her eyes.

"I heard you say you wanted to learn how to run. What do you think?"

"But for my sake...?"

"Don't be shy. I really do feel sorry for Renchi, who lost his girlfriend."

"...I lost my girlfriend..."

Renchi, who had been listening to our conversation, slumped his shoulders.

"You said it yourself just now."

"It's even more real when someone else says it..."

Is that how it works?

"So, is it okay with both of you?"

When I asked, Yukiyo-san and Renchi nodded simultaneously.

"If you can help me, it would be a huge relief...!"

"I have no objections. Please, both of you, I'm counting on you."

"Likewise."

And so, in exchange for agreeing to coach Yukiyo-san, I ended up committing to doing my best to beat Hanabi's boyfriend in the relay race.

I wrote this story about my childhood friend getting her comeuppance.

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