Chapter 80: Again and Again

The morning events proceeded under a subtle, tense atmosphere.

Although everyone except Xiao Chun Miura had their own events, Yui Hori and the others would immediately return to Xiao Chun Miura’s side whenever they were free, making sure no one caused her trouble.

With Yui Hori, Mio Sato, and Yuzuki Yasuda taking turns watching over her, Xiao Chun Miura’s movements were no longer disturbed.

However, throughout the morning, whether she went to the restroom or the concession stand, her friends followed her everywhere without question… which actually made Xiao Chun Miura uncomfortable.

“Are you guys… being a bit too much?”

She couldn’t help but complain.

“I feel like some rare animal.”

“So what if you are a rare animal? Rare animals need protection!”

Yui Hori puffed up her chest confidently.

“Who knows what those Class 1 guys are scheming in some corner! We’re preventing trouble before it happens!”

“That’s right.”

Mio Sato nodded seriously.

“We absolutely can’t let them get another chance to mess with you before your match with Kanzaki.”

Yuzuki Yasuda took a small bite of her popsicle and nodded in agreement.

Xiao Chun Miura sighed helplessly.

No matter how you looked at it, this level of protection was a bit much.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was lunchtime as usual.

“Ah, Xiao Chun, it’s about to start!”

Originally relaxed and idle, Yui Hori sprang up at the sound of the lunch bell.

“Kanzaki’s next event—”

“Let’s go cheer him on, but not in a crowded place.”

“Eh?”

Everyone was stunned.

“Yui, how do you know what Kanzaki’s next event is?”

Mio Sato voiced the question that Xiao Chun Miura and Yuzuki Yasuda also had.

“I’m completely clear on which events Kanzaki is joining now.”

Yui Hori tugged on Yuzuki Yasuda’s sleeve.

“This way, we don’t have to squeeze into the crowd and can claim a good spot ahead of time!”

“Eh… Maybe we shouldn’t go…”

Xiao Chun Miura instinctively wanted to refuse.

It felt like they might run into those Class 1 people.

“Let’s just go, let’s go,”

Yui Hori hooked her arm around her without waiting for an answer.

“I don’t believe those Class 1 people would dare do anything to you right under Kanzaki’s nose.”

“If you’re worried, we can just find a spot on the track where no one’s around?”

Yuzuki Yasuda suggested.

“…If Kanzaki can see you cheering at the sidelines, I think that’s a good thing.”

Mio Sato added.

“Ah, fine, let’s go then.”

So Xiao Chun Miura stopped being stubborn.

As the three of them stood up, the broadcast just happened to announce the check-in for the Men’s 1500m Race.

The four of them arrived early near the curved track for the 1500m race.

Compared to the crowded starting line and the soon-to-be-packed finish line, the curved track had a narrower field of view and thus fewer spectators…

On a normal day, it would be a lower seat, but with fewer people, it was a privilege for Xiao Chun Miura and the others.

They deliberately went to the outer side of the curve, facing the track, for a broader view… and it was easier for runners entering the bend to spot them.

“Hehe, this spot is perfect!”

Yui Hori said triumphantly, hands on her hips.

From this side of the curved track, they could see the starting line half a lap away, already packed with people, and the cheering was growing louder.

It looked like Kanzaki Sou had entered the field.

Xiao Chun Miura subconsciously clenched her fists.

At that moment, she keenly sensed a commotion behind them.

“Excuse me, make way~”

“Move, move~!”

“Ah~ Crowded here, can’t see anything~!”

A surge of people pressed from behind.

The approaching voices were female, exaggerated and affected, and came straight toward their position.

Without even turning around, Xiao Chun Miura had already identified them.

“Hey! What are you doing!”

Yui Hori was the first to react, spreading her arms to block them.

“Can’t you see people are here? We got here first!”

“So what if you got here first?”

A girl glanced at her with disdain.

“Whoever stands in front wins.”

“You—”

“Yeah, just squeeze, everyone’s classmates.”

The girls laughed, using their numbers to push.

It looked like they were pushing Yui Hori and the others, but it was obvious—these ten or so girls were pressing from behind, and the first to be knocked over would definitely be Xiao Chun Miura, who stood in the middle.

And they’d already started.

A few hands ‘accidentally’ pressed on Xiao Chun Miura’s shoulders and back.

This time, Xiao Chun Miura was prepared, but against their numbers, she was still shoved and stumbled.

“Ah, sorry~”

“Didn’t stand steadily? Didn’t fall, right?”

“Not on purpose, okay?”

Mocking laughter echoed by her ear.

“Xiao Chun!”

Yuzuki Yasuda and Mio Sato hurried to support her from both sides, shielding her.

“You guys are too much!”

Yui Hori was completely furious, shoving back hard.

“And you’re saying it wasn’t on purpose?!”

“Who said it was on purpose! I said it wasn’t! Can’t you stand straight?”

The girl who had been pushed staggered, then immediately shoved Yui Hori back.

Seeing the confrontation escalating, Xiao Chun Miura quickly grabbed Yui Hori’s arm.

“Yui, don’t.”

Her voice was quiet, but icy.

“But Xiao Chun! They’re bullying you again!”

Yui Hori’s eyes turned red with frustration.

“I’m fine—if they want to watch here, let them. No need to fight over it.”

Xiao Chun Miura shook her head.

“We can watch from the grandstand just the same.”

She glanced at the Class 1 girls, who now smugly occupied their original spot, laughing loudly as if it were their private domain and the earlier conflict had never happened.

Again.

Just like yesterday—organized, deliberate, using these ‘accidental’ pushes in public to exclude and isolate.

“They…”

Mio Sato’s face was equally unpleasant.

“Let’s go to the grandstand.”

Xiao Chun Miura pulled Yui Hori, turning to squeeze through the crowd.

“But you can’t cheer from the grandstand?!”

Yui Hori cried out, unwilling.

“What are you talking about, Yui.”

Xiao Chun Miura stopped.

She turned back, and the look on her face instantly froze Yui Hori’s angry feelings.

“—Of course you can cheer. It’s not like Kanzaki has to hear it.”

That calm voice held not a trace of resentment.

But Yui Hori felt a deep certainty.

She stared at the girl before her.

Calm, decisive, cold.

—This was Xiao Chun Miura when she was angry.