Chapter 23 - Failures and Triumphs

—I'm sorry, Horikita-san. We apologize for the poor performance —said some students from Class C, bowing in apology to Horikita Suzune, the class leader.—It's alright, it's no big deal—Horikita replied calmly. However, inside, she felt frustrated. Her class hadn't performed well, not because they lacked physical skills, but because there was one class that was dominating most of the events.—At this rate, we'll end up in last place—Horikita commented, holding her head as she pondered what to do. She didn't have many options, as this exam was more about physical skills than strategies.—It seems like our class is being crushed—said a student approaching Horikita. It was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, a young man who was usually quite close to her.—And not just ours—replied Horikita, as another event, the Tamaire, ended with Kayden Osawa from Class A winning.—It looks like Osawa has taken first place again. How many is that now?—asked Ayanokouji.—I don't know, maybe around six already. At this point, it's better to assume that as long as Osawa-kun participates, others don't have a chance to win—said Horikita as she watched Osawa.—What do you think of Osawa, Horikita?—asked Ayanokouji.—He's exceptional in every area. I've even come to think that his presence is quite unfair—Horikita admitted.—Apparently, Osawa is good at everything he does—commented Ayanokouji. At that moment, an announcement interrupted them.—Attention! The women's 200-meter sprint is about to begin. Participants, please head to the track—announced the professor over the loudspeakers.—It seems like it's my turn—said Horikita as she got up.—Good luck. I think you'll need it—said Ayanokouji, looking at Ibuki Mio from Class D, who was very outstanding in physical tests....Horikita lined up on the track, her heart pounding and determination burning in her eyes. The starting signal sounded, and the runners surged forward in a burst of movement. Horikita struggled to maintain a steady pace, her breathing growing heavy, but her mind was focused on a single goal: improving her class's position.Beside her, Ibuki Mio from Class D ran with impressive speed, a formidable rival who seemed to defy the laws of physics with each stride. The competition was fierce, and Horikita felt it in every fiber of her being. As they neared the finish line, both athletes were almost neck and neck, their breaths synchronized with the frenzied rhythm of their steps. The noise from the crowd mixed with the dull sound of their feet hitting the track, creating a cacophony of support and encouragement.In the final stretch of the race, when the finish line was within reach, a student from Class D, visibly exhausted but with a fierce determination in her gaze, made an unexpected move. In a moment that seemed to slow down, the student lunged at Horikita with a rough collision, as if her sole intention was to destabilize her. The impact was brutal, shaking Horikita with unexpected violence. Both runners fell to the ground in a confusing tangle of arms and legs, the dust raised by the collision enveloping them in a cloud of chaos.Horikita was stunned, her mind clouded by surprise and pain. Despite the confusing whirlwind around her, she managed to quickly compose herself. She felt a sharp pang in her ankle, a piercing sensation she tried to ignore with all her might. The lost time and pain became an unbearable weight, but she knew she couldn't afford to give up now.With a titanic effort, Horikita got up, swaying slightly as the pain in her ankle intensified with each step. The track seemed to stretch endlessly before her, and each stride became a monumental challenge. However, the finish line was in sight, and with unyielding determination, Horikita fought to regain the lost pace. Each step was a battle against fatigue and frustration.Finally, she crossed the finish line, her body exhausted and her mind overwhelmed. She looked at the results with a mix of exhaustion and disappointment, feeling a stinging frustration for not having been able to give her best. The race had been tough, and despite her effort, the result seemed distant and elusive. Horikita allowed herself a brief moment to take a deep breath, the weight of the competition and the pain in her ankle reflected in her expression. Despite the tremendous effort, she felt she had failed to meet her own and her class's expectations.When the race ended, Horikita collapsed in the cooling area, trying to catch her breath. It was then that the pain in her ankle became more acute. She looked down and realized that her ankle was swollen and hurt intensely.Ayanokouji, who had been watching the race closely, approached Horikita with his usual impassive expression. — Horikita, are you okay? I noticed you struggled a lot after the collision—he said, examining Horikita's swollen ankle.Horikita tried to hide it, but the discomfort was evident. — It's just a bit of pain—she said, trying to stay calm.—You should get that checked. It looks like you injured yourself more than you thought—Ayanokouji commented, pointing to the swollen ankle. — Let me help you find someone who can attend to you.—Thank you, Ayanokouji-kun. I'm worried that this might affect the rest of the competition—Horikita said, frustrated. — But I still have to keep going.—What's important is that you recover. The rest of the competition still has a lot to offer, and you can contribute to the class in other ways—Ayanokouji encouraged her, helping her to stand up carefully.Horikita nodded, feeling the weight of frustration and pain. Although the hit to her ankle and the fall had left her disheartened, she knew she had to maintain her composure and keep fighting. She looked toward the sports field with renewed determination, knowing there was still time to help her class improve.The sports festival continued, and Horikita was determined to recover and contribute in any way she could, despite the adversities and pain....Meanwhile, in Class B, the situation wasn't much better than in Class C.—Sakayanagi, it seems like our class is going to lose—commented Kamuro Masumi, a student with purple hair, with a tone of frustration in her voice.Sakayanagi, who was sitting in a corner watching the festival, replied with her characteristic calm and enigmatic smile:—It seems so, Masumi-san.Kamuro frowned and asked her:—Aren't you worried that our class is losing?Sakayanagi shrugged, her expression serene and impassive:—It's not about whether I'm worried or not, but whether there's anything that can be done about it. Unfortunately, in these kinds of events, there's little that can be changed.Kamuro sighed, acknowledging the truth in Sakayanagi's words:—I guess you're right. Class A seems unbeatable. So far, none of their participants have finished in fourth place in any event.Sakayanagi nodded, her smile remaining unchanged:—It seems that when they said their class could face any situation, they weren't exaggerating. With someone like Osawa-kun on their team, it's hard to imagine a defeat. He has won every event so far.Hashimoto Masayoshi, a blonde student from the same class, joined the conversation with a tone of admiration:—With a competitor like Osawa on their team, there's no doubt they have an overwhelming advantage. His skill is truly astounding, to the point of seeming unfair. — he said, looking at Kayden who was now preparing to participate in the treasure hunt event.The conversation among the members of Class B reflected a mix of admiration and resignation, as they watched Class A continue to dominate the sports festival with apparent ease....The sports field buzzed with the energy of the event, and the participants of the "Treasure Hunt" awaited expectantly at the starting line. Kayden observed his surroundings with serenity, while other students murmured among themselves, nervous about the upcoming test. He knew that the key was not just speed but also the ability to think quickly and react to the unexpected.The sound of a whistle cut through the air, signaling the start. Event officials quickly approached each participant, handing them a small paper with the description of what they needed to find. Kayden took it calmly, unfolding the paper to read his first task: "A blue object that is not your own."He looked around, quickly assessing the environment. He couldn't waste time on unnecessary details, but he also didn't want to make mistakes. His eyes focused on a blue backpack forgotten near one of the bleachers. He moved towards it with agility, while other competitors began running in all directions.When he reached the backpack, he picked it up swiftly and headed towards one of the event officials, who nodded and handed him a new paper: "A shoe that is not yours."Kayden frowned. It was not an easy task, but not impossible either. He looked around, searching for a clue. In the distance, he saw a small pile of personal items in a corner where students usually left their belongings before competing. With quick steps, he headed there, not wasting any time. Fortunately, he found an abandoned athletic shoe next to a towel.With the shoe in hand, he returned to the official, who this time handed him a more complicated challenge: "An object related to music."Kayden paused for a moment, reflecting. He knew there were no nearby offices where he could search for something so specific, but he remembered seeing a portable speaker near the sound table, which controlled the event's background music. Without hesitation, he ran towards it, hoping no one else had thought of the same.Upon arriving, he found the speaker just as he had remembered. He took it carefully, making sure not to disconnect any unnecessary cables, and brought it back to the event official. The official looked at it with curiosity but eventually nodded and handed him his final task: "An object that has personal significance to you."This challenge left him thoughtful. It was not something physical, nor something he could find among other people's items. It was a more symbolic challenge. Kayden looked into his own pockets, where he kept a small keychain he had had since childhood. He knew it wasn't ideal, but it was the only thing that truly had personal meaning at that moment.He took out the keychain and handed it to the official, who looked at it and smiled before signaling that Kayden had completed the task.The official, with a playful expression, handed Kayden the final paper with a series of instructions. "Here you go, your final challenge: 'Bring someone you're interested in.'"Kayden looked at the paper, perplexed. This challenge was not about finding objects, but about people, and the interpretation of this task was more complicated. He looked around, considering who might be the best option. The girls from his class were busy participating in other events, which limited his choices.Suddenly, his eyes landed on Kikyou, who was near the spectator area, watching the event with an expression of disinterest. Although Kikyou was not from his class, and their relationship was marked by a dynamic of teasing and provocations, Kayden realized she was the perfect choice. Even though his interest in her was not clearly romantic, he enjoyed their interactions and found it entertaining to see her reactions.Kayden approached Kikyou with a determined expression. He found her surrounded by a group of girls, who were chatting animatedly while watching the festival. The group's attention made Kikyou raise an eyebrow when she saw Kayden approaching.—Hi, Kikyou,— Kayden greeted with a mischievous smile. —I need you for something.Kikyou looked at him with curiosity but also with a hint of exasperation. —What do you want, Osawa-kun?—It's part of the treasure hunt. I need you to come with me,— Kayden said, without going into details. —I don't have much time, so... Without waiting for a response, he picked her up in his arms, carrying her as if she were a princess.The gesture did not go unnoticed by other students, who looked on with surprise and murmurs as Kayden headed to the delivery area. Kikyou, surprised by the action, tried to stay calm but couldn't help blushing slightly as she observed the reactions of others.When they reached the event official, Kayden gently set Kikyou down on the ground. The official looked at both of them with an approving smile and confirmed that Kayden had completed the challenge.Kikyou, still in Kayden's arms, turned to him with a mix of curiosity and annoyance. —And what was the task, exactly?Kayden leaned towards her and whispered in her ear, —It was to bring someone you're interested in.Kikyou's face turned red, and her eyes widened in surprise. —What?!...The official, a girl with a playful air, looked at Kikyou and added with a smile: "Seems like you're lucky that someone as handsome as him is interested in you."Kikyou, still blushing, tried to find words but could only smile nervously. Kayden, with a smirk on his face, leaned slightly and walked away, leaving Kikyou with a mix of surprise and embarrassment as the situation settled.The festival continued its course, but the small incident had added an unexpected touch of entertainment to the day, as Kayden walked away with visible satisfaction.