Chapter 129: Hikigaya and Karuizawa Stir Public Outrage
The two-person three-legged race demanded perfect coordination. As a mixed-gender event, when Hikigaya Hachiman and Karuizawa Kei stepped onto the track, they noticed a glaring issue.
Karuizawa: "Hikigaya, they… they're all couples, aren't they?"
Hikigaya: "Oh? Are they?"
Isn't it obvious…
Karuizawa, unfazed, grabbed his shoulder. "Since everyone's a couple, we can loosen up too. Otherwise, we'll stick out, right, Hikigaya?"
"Uh… yeah, sure."
With no resistance from Hikigaya, Karuizawa grew bolder. He was helpless against this domineering girl.
He didn't even remind her their closeness was excessive, but she'd just laugh and say, "This distance isn't enough. We'll be tied together soon, so we need to build more chemistry!"
Fine, her words left him speechless. She'd completely let loose.
Karuizawa's morning events were mostly bottom-tier, occasionally fifth if lucky, but usually costing the class points. This wasn't good news, her poor performance risked their overall score.
For the afternoon, though, she was confident. She might not run fast, but she trusted their synergy.
In the stands…
Kushida Kikyo: "What are those two doing? Flirting in public like we don't exist?"
Sakura Airi, anxious, wanted to rush to Hikigaya and warn him, "Karuizawa-san is dangerous…"
Oddly, while most pairs were couples, only these two were chatting lovey-dovey, with Hikigaya being teased one-sidedly.
Horikita Suzune: "Those two idiots are embarrassing our class."
Sudo Ken: "That's my bro, pulling this off in front of the whole school. Aiming for fame?"
Sudo felt the terrifying glares of three girls.
Kanzaki Ryuji: "Have those two… forgotten they're in a race?"
Ichinose Honami lost her usual smile, unable to even force one or respond to Kanzaki.
Ryuen Kakeru's side clapped mockingly.
"Is this guy treating the sports festival like a game? Or has that woman completely messed with his head?"
Ibuki Mio: "Doing this in front of everyone, won't it cause a riot?"
Shiina Hiyori, sharp-eyed, spotted what others missed. "He seems reluctant… Why's that girl acting like this toward him?"
Ibuki and Ryuen were stumped by Hiyori's question. This naïve girl really didn't fit their class's vibe.
Kamuro Masumi: "What's the referee doing? This behavior on the track is affecting others! Disqualify them!"
Kito Hayato: "Kamuro, they're our allies now. With the Red and White teams so close, their withdrawal would ruin us."
Kamuro, undeterred: "Kito, are you insane? What about sportsmanship? They've got none!"
Sakayanagi Arisu, unusually agreeing: "True. We'll need to improve referee quality in the future."
Kito fell silent when the Princess spoke.
[Chat Room…]
[Isshiki Iroha: "Ah, senpai's being teased again!"]
[Hikigaya: "Idiot, you know it, so don't say it out loud."]
[Yuigahama Yui: "Feels like Hikki's completely trapped."]
[Yukinoshita Yukino: "Now that you mention it, what's Hikigaya-kun's weakness?"]
[Hikigaya: "Don't ask about someone's secrets so casually, okay?"]
[Yukinoshita smirked, pinching a chunk of his thigh hard.]
[The sting was indescribable.]
Not just first-years, but second- and third-years joined the jeering. The stands cursed the couple flaunting affection on the sacred track.
"Couples, go die!"
"Can we ban couples from this event next time?"
"I hope you trip, fall, and break up on the spot!"
Karuizawa, grinning mischievously: "Hear that? They're calling us a couple."
Hikigaya's eyes darted away, mind blank.
"Why'd you have to be so obvious and do that?"
Expecting an apology, he got none. She leaned closer, flashing an innocent smile. "Why care? We've already kissed…"
Hikigaya was speechless, her words shutting him up.
There was nothing Karuizawa wouldn't say or do.
He realized this fully now.
Amid the boos, the legendary two-person three-legged race began.
A 100-meter track might take a single runner seconds, but for two, it took over twice as long.
At the gun, everyone exhaled and surged like tigers.
Hikigaya and Karuizawa reacted slowly, dazed by the jeers.
Still, they adjusted quickly, moving forward step by step.
In a three-legged race, besides synergy, steady pacing was key. Seconds in, pairs fell from rushing.
Seeing their regretful looks, Hikigaya knew their daily training was solid, but competition changed things.
By mid-race, they reached third. As others tired, Karuizawa's breathing grew ragged, her focus wavering.
Now's the moment!
Hikigaya switched his left and right foot rhythm. Simultaneously, Karuizawa instinctively adjusted for her clumsy stride.
Miraculously, they didn't fall, instead, they sped up.
Second place, they hit second.
Under disbelieving gazes, as others fell behind, they surged to second.
Sudo: "Those two are doing great."
He felt the terrifying glares again, knowing one more word would get his mouth torn apart by the three girls behind.
Kamuro, though they represented the White team, desperately wanted them to fall and lose. To her, the race's outcome didn't matter.
But after that critical moment of coordination, their synergy soared. Their speed and synchronized steps were astonishing.
As if entrusting themselves to each other, they became one. In the final 10 meters, 9, 8, 7…
"They fell!"
"They actually fell!"
Yes, the pair in front tripped at the crucial moment. Without even a glance, Hikigaya and Karuizawa accelerated in sync.
It was a desperate move. Staying steady guaranteed second, but speeding up risked a fall, dropping them out of the top three.
Yet…
Lady Luck favored them. They crossed the finish line before losing balance. To protect Karuizawa, Hikigaya shielded her as they fell.
"Hiss…"
"Hikigaya! You okay?"
"Fine, just a scrape."
"First! We got first!"
They chatted, one atop the other, ignoring the stands ready to storm past security.
"Yeah, we got first."
Overjoyed, Karuizawa didn't bother untying their strap, hugging the fallen Hikigaya and sneaking another kiss before he could react.
"You…"
"What? I'm happy!"
"…"
The crowd erupted in unprecedented uproar and anger, a school-wide outrage against one person.
Hoshinomiya Chie: "Sae-chan, your students are like this, and you're doing nothing?"
Mashima Tomonari: "Exactly. This is unacceptable."
Sakagami Kazuma: "The school rules need an update."
Chabashira Sae, dropping her usual cold demeanor, gave a rare faint smile. "That's my student."
Sakura, stunned, her mind chaotic: "Hachi… Hachiman got kissed… His first kiss… first kiss…"
Horikita: "Those two have shamed our class. They'll face severe punishment when they return!"
Sudo: "Bro, impressive… Where's Kushida?"
At his words, they noticed Kushida was gone.
Her face was cold, exuding a terrifying pressure that chilled those nearby.
"This can't go on."
She'd drag them back immediately and separate them.
Kamuro, though outwardly furious, was secretly pleased.
She'd ignored that earlier accident, but now it was different. To her, it took her first kiss, and Hikigaya's.
If she knew his first kiss was already gone, she'd probably lose it.
Sakayanagi: "Karuizawa is such a wild girl."
Kito: "Shouldn't we focus on the win? The White team won, pretty good."
Sakayanagi: "?"
Kamuro: "?"
Katsuragi Kohei: "?"
Ibuki: "Aren't they embarrassed doing this?"
Ryuen: "I thought I was crazy, but I can't compete with a woman."
Kinoshita Minori: "Ryuen, don't put yourself down…"
She feared their leader taking another hit.
Ichinose, speechless, utterly speechless.
[Chat Room…]
[Yukinoshita: "Alright, Hikigaya-kun, your chances are used up. Prepare for punishment."]
[Hikigaya: "I was forced, okay? Don't be so unreasonable!"]
[Yukinoshita, pondering: "What's a good punishment?"]
[Hikigaya: "Hey, are you listening? Don't just sentence me to death, idiot!"]
[Isshiki tugged his sleeve, shaking her head helplessly. "Senpai, give up. She's not listening. It's too late."]
[Yuigahama nodded, aggrieved, agreeing with Isshiki. Yukinoshita, like a deranged girl, said, "How about you can't close your eyes for an hour?"]
["Come up with a punishment humans can endure! Yukinoshita … what are you doing… ah!"]
[Amid a pained cry, Hikigaya Hachiman's thigh was thoroughly wrecked. Yukinoshita Yukino didn't hold back, using both hands to pinch not just his thigh but other spots in a venting frenzy.]
[Others shook their heads and consciously closed their eyes.]
[Cruel, just too cruel.]
Hikigaya and Karuizawa Kei maintained their position, with Karuizawa finally having her fun and slowly untying the tape binding their legs.
The race ended. Unlike them, other couples bickered, blaming each other's faults without self-reflection.
Amid the crowd's curses, most couples parted ways, while the non-couple duo flashed victorious smiles.
"Hey, isn't anyone going to stop them?"
"Too arrogant, way too arrogant!"
"I'm hiding in the bathroom next time this event comes up. No way I'm dealing with this. What's that guy's name? Hikigaya, Hikigaya Penguin, right? I'll remember you!"
Even after the race, the jeers persisted, showing the psychological shadow they cast.
…
After that historic two-person three-legged race, Kushida Kikyo forcibly separated them. They likely wouldn't meet again until the sports festival ended.
Of course, Horikita Suzune's interrogation and Sakura Airi's "concern" followed. After enduring it all, Hikigaya finally regained his freedom.
The final event was about to begin.
The 1200-meter mixed relay, the festival's climax, drew all eyes to the track.
After discussions with Hirata Yosuke and others, the lineup was set: Class C's strongest.
Onodera Kayano, Sudo Ken, Kushida Kikyo, Hirata Yosuke, Horikita Suzune, and the final leg, Koenji Rokusuke.
This was Class C's elite, their fastest runners. Just hearing the names gave the class confidence in victory.
However…
Other classes weren't pushovers, especially their opponents: Class 2-A and Class 3-A. Even this unbeatable lineup wasn't guaranteed to win.
They could only trust them.
As a non-participant, Hikigaya glanced at the scoreboard. The Red and White teams were 15 points apart. If the White team won the relay, they'd overtake the Red team.
Since when had he started pinning hopes on his teammates? In the past, he'd never join a sports festival or have any expectations.
While walking, a familiar voice called out.
"Hikigaya-kun, looks like this sports festival is about to wrap up."
At Sakayanagi Arisu's invitation, they sat shoulder-to-shoulder, alone, their gazes fixed on the upcoming race.
"This is the most relaxing special exam I've had in a while."
Sakayanagi said this, but Hikigaya teased, "You always win so easily. I thought you never felt pressure."
She shook her head, calmly saying, "No pressure and handling things easily are different. I didn't compete this time, but I'm genuinely happy."
Hikigaya: "You're a weird one…"
Sakayanagi: "And you?"
Hikigaya: "Pretty happy."
Sakayanagi: "You're a weird one too."
Hikigaya: "Can't deny that."
They chatted idly. With Kamuro Masumi, Hashimoto Masayoshi, and Kito Hayato competing in Class B's relay, no one disturbed them.
Sakayanagi: "Though our cooperation was brief, this happiness feels real."
Hikigaya: "Sounds like you're saying we won't work together again. If possible, I'd rather not see you as an enemy."
Sakayanagi muttered, head lowered, "I don't want that either…"
Hikigaya: "The race is starting."
On the track, amid roaring cheers, Class 1-C's runners took their places under everyone's gaze.
The 1200-meter mixed relay began with the referee's gunshot. Onodera Kayano's sprint started it off, her speed unattainable for most girls.
Class C's stands erupted. This was their last chance to turn the tide, and their advantage sparked hope.
But second- and third-year students were fast, overtaking Onodera in the latter half, showing comparable strength.
The second leg, Sudo, unleashed his terrifying athletic talent. Even against upperclassmen, he closed a 10-meter gap with ease.
With the second leg's lead, the baton passed to Kushida for the third.
Kushida's athletic ability was above average for girls, but against second- and third-year girls, it seemed ordinary.
The second leg's advantage was quickly erased.
By the fourth leg, Hirata was over 10 meters behind. Just when it seemed tough enough…
For some reason, the usually reliable Hirata fell.
A simple stumble, but those few seconds widened Class C's gap drastically.
Class C's students grew anxious. The baton passed to Horikita for the fifth leg.
After handing off, Hirata was overwhelmed with guilt. If they lost, he'd blame himself entirely.
Horikita Manabu, at the sixth leg's starting point, faced Koenji.
"Didn't expect it to be you."
Koenji: "No surprise needed. If you're shocked now, you'll be baffled later, beautiful student president."
Horikita Manabu glanced at his sprinting sister, sighing softly. "She's really changed… no longer chasing my shadow."
"Hikigaya, that guy, is surprising. Even someone like you works for him."
Koenji: "No, no, no, you're wrong, president. We're equal partners."
Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, preparing to take the baton. "Whatever the relationship, his ability to move you means he's no ordinary person."
Koenji smiled, saying no more.
Meanwhile, Class 2-A's Nagumo Miyabi took the baton.
"Senpai, this marks the dawn of a new era!"
He sped off without looking back.
Horikita Manabu smirked, watching Nagumo. "Such grand ambitions, but it's too early for a new era."
He took the baton and chased.
(End of this chapter)