The sunlight stretched the shadows of the two of them long and thin, overlapping on the track as if they were embracing.
But this evocative scene did not last long.
“—Sou!”
A familiar voice called out, shattering the peaceful atmosphere that seemed to exist just for the two of them.
Hearing that voice, Xiao Chun Miura’s heart jumped.
Because Kondo Haruka sounded so angry.
It was on the same level as the hostility she’d felt the first time she met Kanzaki Sou and fell into his arms.
The oppressive feeling she hadn’t felt in a long time surged back in an instant.
Xiao Chun Miura instinctively lifted her head, looking toward the source of the voice.
Not far away, Kondo Haruka was running over with a fierce momentum.
She had just finished enjoying the joy of victory, her face still flushed and sweaty—but in her eyes, irritation was plainly visible.
It was directed at Xiao Chun Miura.
That gaze locked onto Xiao Chun Miura, who was crouching beside Kanzaki Sou, as if she was ready to storm over and slap her.
Judging by her aura, it wouldn’t be surprising if she did.
“Haruka…”
Kanzaki Sou, who also heard the voice, naturally turned around.
He faced his approaching childhood friend, his expression hidden from Xiao Chun Miura’s view.
His eyebrows tightened slightly, and his smile faded a bit, returning to his usual gentle but slightly distant demeanor.
Xiao Chun Miura followed Kanzaki Sou’s gaze in the same direction.
Suddenly, Kanzaki Sou shouted at Kondo Haruka.
“Watch out!”
The chestnut-haired girl stopped just in time before crossing the track; the next second, a few rowdy boys ran past in front of her.
She patted her chest, then continued across the track toward Kanzaki Sou and Xiao Chun Miura.
“Sou! What are you doing here!”
After reaching them, Kondo Haruka rushed over and grabbed Kanzaki Sou’s arm without hesitation.
She pulled so hard that Kanzaki Sou couldn’t control his expression for a moment.
“Haruka?! Why are you so rough…?”
“Sou, why are you here alone instead of with me, basking in praise?”
Strangely, as she ran over, Kondo Haruka’s eyes remained fixed on Xiao Chun Miura, making her avert her gaze to feel a little more at ease.
But after crossing the track, Kondo Haruka ignored Xiao Chun Miura altogether.
Standing next to Kanzaki Sou, she didn’t even glance at Xiao Chun Miura—completely disregarding her existence, focusing all her attention and words on Kanzaki Sou.
“Haruka, congratulations on getting first place.”
“Come on, it’s not like you met me yesterday.”
Kondo Haruka beamed.
“Isn’t it only natural for me to take first place?”
“In this kind of competition, I should be the victor.”
“…Yes, you’ve always been strong.”
Kanzaki Sou smiled a little as well.
“Alright, the competition’s over! Everyone in the class is waiting for you! We’re about to take a group photo!”
The moment he heard this, the smile on Kanzaki Sou’s face froze.
“Haruka, you’re the one who finished the race, not me. Why would I be in the photo?”
“Huh?”
Kondo Haruka gave him a “are you kidding me?” look.
“—What are you saying? My victory is your victory too.”
“This is a victory we nurtured together. Are you really going to claim you had nothing to do with my win?”
She declared as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“I don’t think I helped much—”
“If I say you did, then you did.”
She spoke in an indisputable tone, even raising her voice before continuing.
“This is a victory only you and I achieved together. I won’t allow you to say you didn’t participate.”
Kondo Haruka’s voice was loud, as if declaring that Kanzaki Sou was her personal property.
“If everyone wants to take a photo with me, then you, who won first place with me, should be with me too.”
“—And not standing here with someone from another class.”
“Hurry up and come back!”
Before the words could even be fully processed, Kondo Haruka was already dragging Kanzaki Sou by the arm.
She pulled him firmly toward Class 1’s rest area, and even turned back to stick her tongue out at Xiao Chun Miura.
“Haruka, don’t pull me—I’m not a child…”
Kanzaki Sou tried to break free with some exasperation, but Kondo Haruka just gripped tighter, pressing her entire body against him so that his outstretched hand shrank back.
Like that, Kondo Haruka pinned Kanzaki Sou in place and dragged him away.
“—Miura-san, sorry, we’ll talk later—!”
Realizing there was no way to stay, Kanzaki Sou looked over his shoulder at Xiao Chun Miura, apologizing as he raised his hand in a ‘call me’ gesture, avoiding Kondo Haruka’s gaze.
“Alright, alright! Let’s go! Miura-san, Ganebai Bai Don! There, I said it for you. Now come on, let’s go back… If we miss photo time, it’ll be bad, Sou!”
“How can the main character not stand in the c position during a group photo?”
Kanzaki Sou was dragged several more steps.
He looked back at Xiao Chun Miura, still standing where she was.
His eyes were full of concern, his lips moving as if to say something, but under Kondo Haruka’s forceful pull, he couldn’t speak.
He could only send her a helpless look, silently bidding farewell.
Xiao Chun Miura stood quietly.
She watched as Kanzaki Sou was pulled away by Kondo Haruka, and saw the chestnut-haired girl clinging to him like she was staking her claim.
A bitter feeling welled up inside her.
The warmth of a moment ago felt like stolen time, fading instantly.
Kondo Haruka was like a battering ram, charging at Kanzaki Sou’s defenses without hesitation.
—As for the surroundings and what was happening… Kondo Haruka didn’t seem to care much.
Unless someone tried to claim the same gate as her.
“Xiao Chun.”
Ever since Kanzaki Sou started talking to Xiao Chun Miura, Mio Sato had stood silently nearby.
Now, she quietly stepped forward, raising her hand before letting it fall.
“It’s okay.”
The voice of the girl with the high ponytail was soft, but carried a reassuring strength.
“Kanzaki-kun didn’t want to go with her. You could tell, right?”
Xiao Chun Miura turned, meeting her friend’s caring gaze, her eyes trembling.
It was true.
Kanzaki Sou had been dragged away.
His final look was full of helplessness and apology.
He wasn’t standing with Kondo Haruka.
“Yeah…”
Xiao Chun Miura took a deep breath, trying to expel the suffocating feeling in her chest.
“I’m okay, Mio.”
She managed a smile.
It was still a little bitter, but much better than before.
“Let’s go back, too.”
“Yui and the others are still waiting for us.”