The afterglow of the setting sun had completely spread across the entire campus, dyeing the once bustling sports field a warm yet slightly lonely orange-red.
From the broadcast, the Music for Closing Ceremony of the Sports Day was playing—a gentle piano piece, forming a sharp contrast with the rousing March from earlier, turning the whole field peaceful from top to bottom.
Xiao Chun Miura stepped out from the shadow of the school building with unsteady steps, returning to the field bathed in the sunset.
— It’s over.
Not just this exhausting Sports Day, but also the survival crisis that hung over her head like Damocles’ Sword.
The long-haired girl took a deep breath of air mixed with the scent of dust and sweat.
For the first time, she found this smell oddly comforting.
Although her body still felt unwell from excessive tension, she could feel an unprecedented sense of relief in her heart.
No longer needing to fear Kondo Haruka’s hidden attacks, no more anxiety over Kanzaki Sou’s fluctuating favorability, and no more tiptoeing in constant fear.
She’d survived.
And in a way she’d never imagined before—
Not by running away, not by scheming.
Maybe it could be called sincerity.
Hoo.
At last, she could take the next step.
She exhaled softly, adjusted her expression, and walked toward the resting area of Class (5).
In the distance, she saw the familiar Tent.
The Signboard that once stood in front of the Tent had already been taken down, and the colorful Cheering Banner had been rolled into a ball.
Several boys were struggling to dismantle the Tent’s frame, their heated energy no different from the other classes.
But there were some who didn’t fit in with this atmosphere.
In one corner under the Tent, Yui Hori, Mio Sato, and Yuzuki Yasuda were sitting together.
Normally, Yui Hori was always chattering with boundless energy, but now she hung her head dejectedly.
She held an unfinished sports drink bottle, unconsciously squeezing it, making a “kada kada” sound.
Mio Sato silently organized everyone’s towels and water bottles beside her, occasionally glancing at Yui Hori with worry, as if wanting to speak but stopping.
Even the usually carefree Yuzuki Yasuda was quiet, a lollipop in her mouth, staring blankly at the ground.
Xiao Chun Miura paused.
That heavy mood was clear even from several meters away.
“.. Everyone?”
She called out tentatively.
At the sound of her voice, the three of them jerked their heads up like they’d been shocked.
“Xiao Chun!”
“You’re back!”
“Where did you go!”
Seeing Xiao Chun Miura return, a flash of joy appeared in their eyes, but it was soon replaced by deeper guilt and dejection.
Yui Hori even stood up, opening her mouth as if to say something, but as if something blocked her throat, her eyes instantly turned red.
“.. I’m sorry.”
After a long moment, the girl who feared nothing finally squeezed out those three words.
Xiao Chun Miura was startled, then understood.
They still didn’t know what had happened in the Infirmary.
From their perspective, Yui Hori had participated in the Borrowed Item Relay to stand up for Xiao Chun Miura, but not only failed to beat Kondo Haruka, she ended up colliding with her, causing her injury—
Then, Kanzaki Sou went to the Infirmary with Kondo Haruka to look after her.
From their view, it had nothing to do with the Borrowed Item Relay anymore.
Kondo Haruka was hurt, Kanzaki Sou would obviously feel sorry for her.
And as the side that caused the accident, they didn’t have much justification—and even affected the relationship between Xiao Chun Miura and Kanzaki Sou.
The worst possible outcome.
— That’s probably what they were thinking.
Xiao Chun Miura smiled wryly.
“Yui, who are you apologizing to?”
“I messed up, didn’t I.”
Yui Hori tilted her head, studying Xiao Chun Miura’s expression.
“As a result, Kanzaki-kun and that person… became like this.”
“You just wanted to stand up for me, or even just wanted to win the race. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Xiao Chun Miura gently interrupted her, “It’s only natural to go all out in a competition. Besides, the collision at the end wasn’t just your fault.”
“But… but the result…”
“Kanzaki-kun… he must be angry. If he thinks we hurt Kondo Haruka on purpose…”
“Xiao Chun, did I ruin your romance?”
Hearing those words, warmth surged in Xiao Chun Miura’s heart, tinged with a trace of wry amusement.
So this is what friends are?
How long had it been since she’d felt this?
It really wasn’t bad at all.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“You’re all overthinking.”
“Overthinking… Anyone could see how anxious Kanzaki-kun was earlier…”
Yuzuki Yasuda spoke up.
“Yeah, it was pretty scary at the time.”
Xiao Chun Miura nodded, but her tone was light, “But I went over there just now.”
“Over there?”
Mio Sato picked up on the keyword sharply, “Where?”
“–I went to the Infirmary.”
— Eh ?!
All three widened their eyes, staring at her in shock.
“You went to the Infirmary?! What about Kanzaki-kun? Was he inside?!”
“Then, you two—?!”
“Nothing happened.”
Xiao Chun Miura shook her head.
“I just went to check the situation.”
“After all, Kondo-san was injured during the race with us, so it was only right to check on her, right?”
“And then? And then? Kanzaki-kun was there, right? What did he say?”
Yui Hori asked urgently.
“He—wasn’t there when I arrived.”
“I spoke with Kondo-san for a while.”
“Really?”
Yui Hori looked skeptical, “…You didn’t fight?”
“No.”
Xiao Chun Miura was exasperated.
Fighting would have been too much.
“Actually…I had a little talk with Kondo-san.”
“Huh?!”
Even the usually composed Mio Sato almost had her glasses slide off in shock, “You and Kondo Haruka? Like, a real conversation?”
“I can’t even imagine that…”
Yuzuki Yasuda murmured.
“Yeah, we talked.”
Xiao Chun Miura nodded, looking toward the orange-tinted sky in the distance.
“How should I put it… We cleared the air. It felt much better.”
“She admitted she had some issues with me before, and I shared my feelings too. I can’t say our relationship improved, but at least—”
She paused, recalling Kondo Haruka’s last words.
“At least, we reached some kind of understanding.”
“In the future, I doubt we’ll be at odds like before.”
A long silence.
“Eh——?!”
A few seconds later, all three let out a long gasp in unison—the sound was so loud that even the boys dismantling the Tent next to them were startled.
“Seriously? Kondo Haruka actually made up with you?”
Yui Hori wore a “you’ve got to be kidding me” expression.
“Xiao Chun, you weren’t… threatened, were you?”
Yuzuki Yasuda squinted.
“No, you have to believe what I’m saying!”
Xiao Chun Miura couldn’t help but sigh dramatically, “We’re all the same age, why would I make up something that doesn’t even sound real to mess with you?”
“The main thing is… it’s just too unbelievable.”
Mio Sato still found it hard to accept. “She was so intense before.”
“…Maybe getting hurt makes people a bit more vulnerable?”
Xiao Chun Miura glossed over it lightly, not revealing any details.
“–Anyway, it’s been resolved.”
She looked at her friends with sincere eyes, “Kanzaki-kun isn’t angry, and Kondo-san won’t target me anymore. Our Class (5) didn’t lose face, and Yui Hori even ran a great race.”
“So really, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“R-Really, it’s all okay?”
Yui Hori double-checked anxiously.
“Really, it’s fine.”
Xiao Chun Miura nodded firmly, “I’m in a great mood right now.”
Looking at Xiao Chun Miura’s relaxed expression—so unlike a forced smile—Yui Hori and the others finally started to relax.
“Haa… that’s good, that’s good…”
Yui Hori let out a long breath, collapsing into her chair like a puddle of mud.
“I thought I’d become an eternal sinner and ruined your happiness…”
“Don’t exaggerate.”
“But now that you mention it,” Yuzuki Yasuda suddenly remembered something, her brow creasing, “even if Kondo Haruka isn’t targeting you anymore, what about those who pushed you before?”
“Ah! Right!”
Yui Hori sat up straight, her face indignant again.
“I almost forgot! Those Class 1 girls who pushed you over, and those guys who always shoved us at Kanzaki-kun’s games! We haven’t settled that yet!”
“Even if Kondo Haruka reconciled, that’s between her and you—what about what her followers did? Are we just letting it go?”
“True.”
Mio Sato frowned, “That could have caused real injuries. It’s not something to just overlook.”
“–Xiao Chun, should we tell the teacher?”
“No, reporting it is a bit…”
“…”
“Don’t be afraid! Let’s go report it!”
“It’s not about being afraid—”
The noisy debate, devoid of logic and full of impulsive resolve, continued for a while.
after story. If I’m still me, that’s good enough.
The Sports Day was over.
The first life-or-death crisis had also ended.
Though there were still some mysteries left unsolved, for now Xiao Chun Miura only wanted to relax and not think about anything.
It was true that those girls from Class 1 had pushed her over, but fortunately she hadn’t been seriously hurt.
If it were the old her, she probably would have either swallowed her anger or kept it in her heart and avoided them in the future.
But now—
Xiao Chun Miura looked at her friends before her, listened to the lively noise around her, and yet, in her mind, it was Kanzaki Sou’s face she saw.
She didn’t care what Kondo Haruka might be doing behind her back anymore.
Anyway, the misunderstanding between her and Kanzaki Sou had already been cleared up by herself… For now, it was impossible for her to be with Kanzaki Sou.
She’d just chalk it up as her own revenge and write it off.
“–Let’s leave it alone, there’s no need to discuss it anymore.”
While her friends continued to argue about whether to tell the teacher, Xiao Chun Miura listened for a while, then gently shook her head, her tone calm.
“I wasn’t seriously hurt, was I?”
“That’s exactly why we can’t just let it go! What if you get seriously hurt next time? If we don’t warn them, they’ll just get worse—Xiao Chun, you’re too easygoing! You’ll get bullied your whole life!”
Xiao Chun Miura smiled, “If that’s what you’re worried about… I don’t think it’ll be a problem anymore, Yui.”
“Kondo-san already told me she’ll compete fairly from now on.”
“With her pride, if she said that, she definitely won’t let those around her do that again.”
“Since it’s settled, digging up old matters would just make us seem petty.”
“We finally got a bit of good news, let’s not dwell on past bad things.”
“And besides…”
She paused.
“The Sports Day is already over.”
“Who took first on the track, who fell on the field, who did what for whom…”
“Good things and bad, they’re like the things we’re cleaning up now.”
“–Soon to be left behind.”
“Rather than dwell on the past and agonize over unhappy things… at this school, we still have so much more time and so many more days ahead of us.”
“I want to treasure the last moments of this Sports Day with everyone.”
“–After all, it’s our first high school Sports Day, isn’t it?”
The girl’s voice sounded unexpectedly gentle yet carried a sincere and unshakable truth.
Hearing this, Yui Hori, Mio Sato, and Yuzuki Yasuda were all stunned.
…Was Xiao Chun always the kind of girl to say things like this?
Looking at Xiao Chun Miura, they suddenly felt she seemed a little different from before.
She’d always given off a literary vibe, but…
So she could talk like this, too.
The old Xiao Chun Miura always seemed timid about Kanzaki Sou, to the point where it seemed like she’d even avoid him in the hallways.
–But now, this resolute expression made it impossible to look away.
Like a flower blossoming after the spring rain.
“Sounds like poetry.”
Yuzuki Yasuda said out of nowhere.
“Huh?”
“.Fine.”
Yui Hori grumbled, brushing off Xiao Chun Miura’s confusion at Yuzuki Yasuda’s sudden comment.
Though a bit frustrated, she was convinced.
After all, Xiao Chun Miura was the one actually involved.
She’d always worried that her collision with Kondo Haruka might have ruined Xiao Chun Miura’s romance, or inadvertently pushed Kanzaki Sou toward Kondo Haruka. Of the three, Yui Hori was the most concerned for her.
After they’d split up following the end of the competition and returned to the Class (5) area to find Xiao Chun Miura missing, Yui Hori had been the most restless.
So, now, she was also the most determined to help Xiao Chun Miura resolve all her problems.
“Since the person herself says so, let’s go with your wishes, Xiao Chun.”
“But!”
Yui Hori held up a finger, “If someone bullies you again, you have to tell us! Don’t think it’s better to keep things to yourself because of what happened this time.”
“We’re friends— the three of us are your friends!”
“…Do you really have to put it that way?”
“Eh, aren’t the four of us friends, too? I thought you’d say all four of us are friends.”
Mio Sato and Yuzuki Yasuda chimed in from their sides.
“–My mouth just isn’t good at this, you know what I mean.”
Watching her friends get noisy again, Xiao Chun Miura couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yeah, I get it. Stop arguing.”
She intervened.
“If there’s ever a time I need your help, I’ll definitely tell you.”
“–Yes! It’s a promise, then.”
“Alright, since that’s settled, let’s not just sit here.”
Yuzuki Yasuda jumped up from her chair and clapped her hands, “Let’s finish up and go home. I want to go back to that shop from last time and keep playing—”
“Oh, I still haven’t spent all my vouchers.”
Yui Hori’s eyes sparkled, “Hey, Xiao Chun, want to come with us? We found a new game center last time!
“…Huh? Game center?”
“We have to finish cleaning first, though.”
Mio Sato also stood up, “Xiao Chun, want to help?”
“Ah, sure.”
Xiao Chun Miura instinctively took the empty garbage bag and plastic-handled tongs Mio Sato handed her.
“Let’s see who can pick up the most trash!”
“Wait, why are we competing over such a dirty task?”
“Mio, you’re ruining the mood.”
“–Huh?”
As her friends’ voices echoed around her, Xiao Chun Miura felt a comforting peace.
The afterglow of the sunset stretched her shadow long across the ground.
She turned, glancing in the direction of Class 1.
Her gaze swept over the now empty field, her eyes filled with a hint of release.
The students of Class 1 had already left—Kanzaki Sou and Kondo Haruka were probably still in the Infirmary, or had left early.
But that didn’t matter anymore.
What mattered was that, at this moment, she was here.
Unharmed, and at least safe for a while.
Just like this, as Xiao Chun Miura, together with her friends.
“Yui, that desk is too heavy. Let me help you lift it.”
“I’ll help too.”
“Ugh~~~ Thanks, but can you use a little more strength?!”
“No, both of us are holding it, you just need to let go…”
Listening to the lively chatter, Xiao Chun Miura bent down, picked up an empty bottle on the ground, and tossed it into the trash bag.
Enjoying the noise around her, she felt at ease.
The future was still uncertain, and she knew more crises awaited.
But at least for now—
She was just an ordinary first-year high school girl, who had finished Sports Day and was cleaning up with her friends.
And that was enough.