The effect wasn’t good.
It seemed like some rather unpleasant thoughts had surfaced.
Xiao Chun Miura clutched her chest.
Was it because of the bullying situation, making her recall something from the past?
She unconsciously clenched her fists.
— I can’t let the past affect me.
Time flew by, and the second day of the Sports Day ended.
On the third day, also the penultimate day, the sky was even bluer than the previous two, as if pouring all its light and heat without reservation into this grand festival of youth.
The heat on the field was even more intense than yesterday.
The finals of each event and the most anticipated fun activities would all begin today.
Xiao Chun Miura arrived early at the Class (5) Rest Area tent.
But from the moment she woke up that morning, she felt restless.
A strange, cold anxiety lingered in her chest.
— Ever since she realized yesterday that her thoughts seemed to be straying, this anxiety had been affecting her.
It wasn’t pre-competition nerves, nor was it worry about the upcoming Borrowed Item Relay.
It was hard to explain what had happened. Xiao Chun Miura only felt a deeper, more primal unease enveloping her, as if some invisible shadow was quietly creeping over.
It was what people often called a “bad feeling.”
She reviewed her plan over and over in her mind.
Kondo Haruka would definitely come.
She would definitely carry out her “make Xiao Chun Miura look foolish” declaration.
Kanzaki Sou had already been warned. He was on her side.
As long as Kondo Haruka made a move—whether it was pushing, verbal humiliation, or tampering with props—Kanzaki Sou would witness it all.
His already dwindling favorability would completely collapse.
The plan was perfect.
The logic was sound.
But why
Why did this ominous feeling keep tightening around her like vines, almost suffocating her?
She couldn’t explain the source of this anxiety.
“Xiao Chun! Morning!”
Yui Hori’s energetic voice broke her thoughts.
She, Mio Sato, and Yuzuki Yasuda arrived almost at the same time, immediately surrounding Xiao Chun Miura.
“How is it, how is it? Did you sleep well last night? The competition is today!”
Yui Hori put down her backpack as she spoke, glancing warily around as if guarding against Class 1 students.
“I…I’m okay.”
Xiao Chun Miura managed a strained smile.
“Xiao Chun, you look terrible.”
Yuzuki Yasuda said vaguely, a snack hanging from her mouth as usual.
“Your dark circles are so heavy.”
“Are you too nervous?”
Mio Sato leaned in worriedly.
“–Don’t worry, the three of us will stick with you all day. We absolutely won’t let those Class 1 people get close to you again.”
“Right! We’re Xiao Chun’s steel wall!”
Yui Hori patted her chest in assurance.
“Today is the day of decisive battle! We have to show Kondo Haruka that Class (5) is not to be underestimated!”
The concern and support from her friends warmed Xiao Chun Miura’s heart, but that inexplicable anxiety didn’t lessen at all.
“Thank you all
.. I’m fine, really.”
She could only repeat that.
The morning passed quickly.
Yui Hori and the others kept their promise, sticking to her like glue.
Even when Xiao Chun Miura went to the restroom, the three had to play rock-paper-scissors to decide who would stand guard outside.
What happened after that made her even more tense.
Just as Xiao Chun Miura returned to a corner of the tent, trying to calm her inexplicable panic, a figure quietly slipped through the crowd to the outside of the Class (5) tent.
As before, he wore a cap pulled low and a zipped-up hoodie, making his face hard to see.
“….. Miura-san?”
A familiar voice sounded behind Xiao Chun Miura.
” –!!”
Xiao Chun Miura jerked her head up.
Kanzaki Sou stood in the shadow of the tent, his hat and hoodie covering most of his face, only his sharply defined chin and those eyes—now filled with apology and concern—visible.
“K-Kanzaki-san?”
Xiao Chun Miura turned in surprise.
“Wah –! ”
“It’s Kanzaki — mmph!”
Yui Hori and Yuzuki Yasuda’s exclamations were instantly muffled by Mio Sato, who covered their mouths with both hands in a flash.
“Shh –! ”
Mio Sato made a silencing gesture at her friends, eyes shining as she glanced between Kanzaki Sou and Xiao Chun Miura.
“Sorry for dressing like this again. Did I scare you?”
Kanzaki Sou seemed a little embarrassed, tugging at the brim of his hat.
“No choice, there are too many people.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice and focusing intently on Xiao Chun Miura.
“I was just a bit worried, so I came to check on you.”
His gaze had a calming power.
“The competition is in the afternoon… are you okay?”
Xiao Chun Miura’s heart trembled. She shook her head.
“I’m fine.”
“That’s good.”
Kanzaki Sou seemed relieved. Seeing her still tense, pale face, his tone softened further.
“About today’s competition…
Do you remember what I said before?”
Xiao Chun Miura nodded.
“Don’t be nervous.” He said softly.
“Don’t think about Kondo-san, and don’t worry about winning or losing.”
“As long as we finish the race together, that’s victory.”
His voice was calm and gentle, carrying a strange, steadying power.
Looking at him, Xiao Chun Miura felt the cold anxiety in her chest ease just a little.
“Mm.”
She replied quietly.
“He… he actually came all this way
Yui Hori whispered excitedly to Mio Sato with her mouth covered.
“Just to cheer for Xiao Chun.
Wow, that’s so sweet!”
“Xiao Chun’s face…”
Yuzuki Yasuda whispered too.
“It’s so red..”
Xiao Chun Miura’s cheeks were indeed burning.
But it wasn’t from embarrassment.
The more gentle, considerate, and attentive Kanzaki Sou was, the heavier her guilt for “using” him became.
But more importantly…
His appearance and comfort didn’t make that ominous premonition disappear.
It was still there.
Like a giant beast lurking in the deep sea, its fangs only temporarily hidden.
Kanzaki Sou’s kindness felt like bait tossed to the beast, making it even harder to predict.
She could feel her nerves—relaxed for a moment by his concern—tighten again under the inexplicable anxiety.
“Then… I’ll go back now.”
Kanzaki Sou seemed to realize staying too long was inappropriate.
“Good luck in the afternoon competition.”
Okay.“
He gave her a final encouraging smile from under the brim of his hat, then turned and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
As soon as he left, Yui Hori and Yuzuki Yasuda pounced.
“Waaaah Xiao Chun!! ”
“‘Good luck’! He said it himself!”
“Look at you! Your face is red as a tomato! Are you too embarrassed to speak?!”
Yui Hori shook her shoulders excitedly.
“It’s not embarrassment…”
Xiao Chun Miura weakly protested.
“Don’t deny it!”
Yuzuki Yasuda declared.
“Your heart must be about to jump out! This is absolutely the feeling of a girl in love!”
Xiao Chun Miura gave up on explaining.