Ken was tall and athletic — anyone who had seen his performance in the 100m, 200m, and hurdles knew he was exceptional at sports.
Running the final leg alongside him was intimidating.
"Isn't this distance quite inspiring?" Miyabi said, though he was actually quite displeased.
If Ken had been in the first leg, it wouldn't have mattered if Miyabi couldn't outrun him. They wouldn't be running together, so there would be no embarrassment.
But now his opponent was also running the final leg, creating the possibility that Miyabi couldn't match his speed. Just thinking about this made him lose face.
With some time still remaining, perhaps he could convince this powerhouse to switch to the first leg.
"Oh, about that—" Ken, who had no scheming nature, answered directly when asked, "Hirata thought of it, and asked the fastest runner in our class. He's starting us off. His speed... is even faster than mine."
Miyabi: "..."
Someone faster than you? Is he some kind of monster?
By now, all the spectators had taken their positions, with the stands filling up.
Since almost all events were finished, students had moved to the stands for a better view than the base camp could offer.
From the final leg position, they could see the finish line 200 meters ahead.
Miyabi looked forward. Several students gathered near the finish line, likely hoping to witness the champion's glory.
Then he noticed a girl with silver-white short hair using a cane as she made her way toward the finish line. Her health appeared fragile, necessitating the walking aid.
But undeniably, she was cute — no, she was absolutely beautiful.
Miyabi knew this girl. She was the Class A student who couldn't join Houtarou's group for the island exam due to poor health and had to stay behind: Arisu Sakayanagi.
He noticed she had a camera hanging around her neck.
A camera, huh. Was she planning to take photos?
Well, looks like he really couldn't lose.
Despite Miyabi's ambition to become the next Student Council President, he couldn't help being drawn to pretty girls. Making a good impression on Arisu seemed like a natural first step.
He wanted to catch her attention.
"Horikita-senpai—" Miyabi called out to Manabu, who stood waiting nearby.
"Hmm?" Manabu turned to face him.
Like Miyabi, Manabu was running the final leg — just as they had last year when Manabu had lost to him.
Though Manabu was technically the stronger runner.
Miyabi knew he might lose to the President, but victory wasn't impossible. After all, being Student Council President left little time for training, and running skills could deteriorate without regular practice.
Feeling confident, Miyabi prepared to make a bold declaration about the dawn of a new era.
At that moment, the judge at the starting position readied themselves.
With the crack of the starting gun, a tall figure with golden hair exploded from the blocks at an inhuman pace, leaving mere mortals in his wake.
This was Rokusuke Kōenji, Class C's first-year student, well-known among his peers.
Especially among Class B first-years.
"Wow... Class C's first runner is Kōenji — can Kanzaki keep up?" Sō called from his position at the final leg.
Sō would run as Class B's anchor, while Ryūji took the first leg.
This race was crucial for Class B — a first-place finish, or even second or third, could secure them the overall points lead.
That's why they'd positioned Ryūji at the start — to set a strong pace and lift the team's spirits.
Now that Class C has Rokusuke... this is truly terrifying.
He's an athletic prodigy among the first-years. Within seconds, he's created an enormous gap between himself and the other first runners — the difference is like heaven and earth.
While spectators were impressed by Ken's 10-meter lead in individual events, Rokusuke has achieved something far more remarkable: a 25-meter gap against the best runners from all classes.
The feat is simply superhuman.
Houtarou turned to Manabu.
"Can President Horikita match such performance?"
"..." Manabu paused, "Barely."
Miyabi: "..."
These people are on another level entirely.
To Miyabi, Rokusuke seemed more machine than human. And Manabu — had he been holding back this kind of speed all along?
"Nagumo, what were you going to say?" Manabu, ever courteous, remembered Miyabi's unfinished question.
"...Nothing, just thinking about how incredible this year's freshmen are."
"Yes." Manabu nodded, "Indeed they are."
Miyabi fell silent.
Anxiety was creeping in. What kind of phenomenon was this first runner?
As the first leg continued, his class's runner remained in fourth place while Rokusuke maintained nearly a 30-meter lead. Despite his casual claim about not wanting to dominate the competition, he was doing exactly that.
"I've got plenty of stamina left, but for now... I leave it to you!"
Rokusuke smoothly passed the baton to Yōsuke, who began his leg with remarkable precision.
Running with perfect form and steady breathing, he preserved their 25-meter lead until passing to the third runner.
When Kayano from the swimming club took over as Class C's third runner, she seemed overwhelmed by their unprecedented lead. Her momentary hesitation proved costly.
The baton slipped from her grasp, giving the other classes their chance to close the gap.
By the end of the third leg, Class C Year 1's lead — initially created by Rokusuke — had dwindled to 10 meters.
Houtarou turned his attention to the fourth runner.
Class C Year 1's fourth runner was another girl with long black hair and fox-like eyes. For the relay, she had tied her hair into a ponytail, creating a striking image.
Miyabi couldn't help but notice her beauty.
"Looks like things aren't going so well for your class." He remarked.
Though Class C Year 1's opening had been impressive enough to capture everyone's attention, maintaining such an advantage seemed impossible.
After all, each class had specifically selected their best athletes for this competition.
Class A should have had the advantage, but something had gone wrong in their first leg. When Rokusuke burst ahead, Class A Year 1's first runner — Masayoshi Hashimoto — had fallen.
"Probably got scared." Houtarou observed.
The Class A students were typically well-rounded elites, but none had expected to compete against such a monster. That moment of fear had cost them.
Masayoshi, known for his ability to adapt and align himself with whoever could help him maintain the Class A, had wanted to show off. Instead, he'd stumbled badly. Though he'd quickly recovered and continued running, the damage was done.
Class A's advantage had evaporated.
Now, with Class D having forfeited, the standings by the fourth leg were, in order:
Class 1-C [1st]
Class 2-A [2nd]
Class 1-B [3rd]
Class 3-A [4th]
Class 1-A [5th]
"I'm counting on you!" Suzune said.
Her fourth leg was finished, leaving only a one-meter advantage.
Next came the fifth runner, Kikyō.
She felt utterly defeated, knowing she would inevitably be overtaken.
What choice did she have? Among the fifth runners, she was one of only three girls — the rest were boys. There was no way she could match their speed!
Everyone would blame her for losing Rokusuke's hard-earned lead!
With these thoughts weighing on her, Kikyō pushed forward with everything she had.
But...
"Looks like I'll be winning this race." Miyabi said.
He could see his class's fifth runner had taken the lead, which meant, as the sixth runner, he would start first.
"Well then, Nagumo-senpai, you run first. I don't want to bully anyone." Houtarou said.
Let him run first? Don't want to bully him?
The nerve of what he was saying!
⍟⍟⍟
T/N: Hey! Liked what you read? Support your friendly neighborhood translator on Patreon! Think of it as buying me a coffee... or ten!
For just $1.50 (that's less than your daily meme budget), get extra chapters! Want more? $2 gets you bonus content, $5 unlocks premium stories, and $10 makes you my hero (and gets you everything I have, including earlier acess to new books)!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
https://www.patreon.com/collection/827204