Chapter 77: The So-Called Self-Proclaimed Victor

Kanzaki Sou, just like when he arrived, hid his face in the shadows with his cap and hood, then left Miura Koharu’s side, walking down from the stands.

After his figure disappeared beneath the bleachers, Miura Koharu was left alone atop the high platform.

The breeze lifted her long hair, but couldn’t blow away the frustration in her heart.

She gazed at the Rest Area for Class (1) across the field, her mind a whirl of confusion.

“…… She’ll definitely make you look bad.”

Kanzaki Sou’s kind warning hung over her like a dark cloud.

Miura Koharu had no doubt that Kondo Haruka would do as she said. She had already experienced that girl’s ability to take action.

What would she do?

What could she do?

She couldn’t imagine it.

Their events were on different days; if they weren’t present at the same time, Kondo Haruka shouldn’t be able to do anything to her.

Even if she tried to interfere with the event, the staff responsible for order and safety would stop her.

It was precisely because she couldn’t figure out what the other party was planning to do to embarrass her that an unshakable chill crept over Miura Koharu.

It was just like those days in school—knowing you’d be the target of a prank, knowing you’d be bullied, but never knowing when or how it would come.

That kind of feeling.

A cold shiver ran down her spine.

“Ugh……”

Miura Koharu nearly hugged her arms to herself.

But she bit her lip, holding back the impulse.

“Protect yourself first……”

It was Kanzaki Sou’s warning echoing in her ears.

She couldn’t back down.

If she backed down now, what would all her previous efforts mean?

Kondo Haruka said that precisely because she knew she’d be afraid.

She had always treated her like an easy target—scolding, yelling, threatening whenever she wanted.

If it wasn’t for caring about Kanzaki Sou’s impression of her, Kondo Haruka’s attitude would probably be even worse.

It’s not her fault.

She was the intruder—there was no doubt.

But.

Miura Koharu unclenched her fists.

They weren’t even dating.

Just thinking about that made her guilt dissipate.

Kanzaki Sou said it himself—he and Kondo Haruka were just childhood friends.

He didn’t agree with her actions either.

That information, which she had just learned, gave Miura Koharu a bit more courage.

Since Kanzaki Sou had always considered Kondo Haruka only a childhood friend, then, at worst, she herself was just fair competition.

There was nothing to feel guilty about.

Looking at the Goodwill Interface she didn’t remember summoning, Miura Koharu saw that the Favorability Value from Kanzaki Sou toward Kondo Haruka had dropped to 38.

Her resolve solidified more than ever.

Kanzaki Sou……

He knew Kondo Haruka would be angry, knew she was targeting her, but still chose to warn her from the standpoint of a “partner.”

She couldn’t betray that concern.

Miura Koharu took a deep breath, forcing down her chaotic thoughts.

No matter what trap Kondo Haruka had prepared, she had to push through.

The girl stood up, following the path Kanzaki Sou had taken, descended the stands, and returned to Class (5)’s Rest Area.

Naturally, as soon as Miura Koharu sat down, Yui Hori, Yuzuki Yasuda, and Mio Sato immediately closed in on her, their eyes blazing with gossip.

“Koharu!”

Yui Hori’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she grabbed Miura Koharu’s arm and lowered her voice.

“What happened? He called you out alone—what did he say?!”

“Tell us, tell us!”

Yuzuki Yasuda leaned in, her face red.

“Did he…… did he confess to you?!”

“Ah~—”

“No way~!”

“Wow, could it really be?!”

“Pfft–“

Miura Koharu, throat dry and having just taken a sip of water, nearly choked.

“What are you even talking about?! What’s going on in your heads?!”

“What else could it be?”

Yui Hori pressed on.

“A boy and a girl, alone, secluded bleachers, deep eye contact—it’s the classic confession setup!”

“Yui…… You’ve read too many manga.”

Mio Sato muttered, but the curiosity in her eyes was no less than the other two.

“But seriously, Koharu, you two really talked for a long time!”

Faced with three faces practically shouting, “Tell us!”, Miura Koharu felt her head spinning.

How was she supposed to explain?

Should she say, “Kanzaki-kun came to warn me that his childhood friend is planning to use the event to get revenge and embarrass me”?

That would only make her friends, who already disliked Kondo Haruka, even angrier—and might make them rush over to Class (1) for an explanation on the spot.

“…… It’s nothing.”

Miura Koharu forced a smile.

“We were just confirming the Borrowed Item Relay registration details.”

“Since we were recommended by the Committee, the process is a bit different from class sign-ups……”

“Eh–? That’s it?”

Yui Hori clearly didn’t believe her, dragging out her voice.

“–Yeah, that’s it.”

Miura Koharu nodded firmly.

“Ugh–“

Yui Hori and Yuzuki Yasuda let out disappointed sighs.

Only Mio Sato looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before speaking softly.

“Koharu, your face seems a little pale.”

“Does it?”

Miura Koharu’s heart skipped, but she touched her cheek calmly.

“Maybe…… I’m just nervous. It’s my first time participating in a sports event, after all.”

She lowered her gaze, hiding the flicker of unease in her eyes.

“Nervous?! Come on!”

Yui Hori perked up again.

“What’s there to be nervous about? This is the best stage!”

“Exactly!”

Yuzuki Yasuda ignored Mio Sato’s expression and joined in.

“This isn’t a competition—it’s a date! A sports day date!”

“You two……”

Mio Sato sighed helplessly, but couldn’t help smiling.

“Alright, don’t pressure Koharu. Still, Koharu, it’s natural to be nervous. You’ll be in the spotlight, after all.”

Miura Koharu could only force a smile uglier than crying.

In the spotlight…… Just imagining the scene made her feel like she couldn’t breathe.

Especially since, within that “spotlight,” there was also a poisonous gaze directed her way.

“– All male 400-meter final participants, please report to the check-in area immediately! Repeat, any male 400-meter finalists not yet checked in…”

The broadcast saved her at just the right moment.

“Ah! It’s Kanzaki-kun’s event!”

Yui Hori jumped up, pulling Miura Koharu toward the track.

“Come on, come on! Let’s get the best spot to watch!”

“Hey! Yui! Slow down!”

Mio Sato and Yuzuki Yasuda quickly grabbed water and towels, chasing after them.

Surrounded once more by the roar of the crowd, Miura Koharu’s feelings were completely different from when she’d watched the preliminaries that morning.

She was no longer just a spectator.

Kanzaki Sou’s earlier warning felt like an invisible thread, tying the two of them tightly together.

Looking at the figure preparing at the starting line, what rose in her heart was no longer just admiration or awe—but something more complex and hard to describe.

Worry.

He came to warn her—did that mean he himself was also caught up in some kind of trouble?