The final event of the sports festival is the 1200 Meters Relay Race. The rules for the final event require that boys and girls be mixed. From each class of all three school years, the runners must be evenly balanced between male and female.

" Hah, hah. Sorry, I kept you waiting! What's going on? " A breathless Sudou came back, with Suzune arriving soon after.

" Sudou-kun, you came back. " Yosuke state in surprise.

" ...Sorry, it took me some time to take a dump. " Sudou then awkwardly scratch the back of his neck. " Sorry. All because I snapped, I ended up almost hitting Akabane and Hirata and caused morale to plummet. It's also my fault that Class D is in such dire straits. "

Before anyone could blame him, Sudou said that and gave a deep bow. Hirata and Karma, after a brief moment of surprise, laughed happily.

Ike blink. " What's up with you, Ken? This is unlike you. "

" I have to admit I'm in the wrong if I have done something wrong. Please let me apologize to you too, Kanji. "

Ike laughed as he wave his hand back and forth. " It's not like it's your fault I lost or anything. I'm not good at sports...I'm sorry I wasn't of any use. "

One apology led to another. But then, Yamauchi, Ike and some students smirked, making Sudou and Suzune confused.

" But man, you missed the best part! " Ike enthusiast.

Suzune raise a brow. " The best part? "

Yamauchi smugly grin. " Yeah, you should've seen how Karma beat Ryuuen! "

After hearing that, Sudou and Suzune turned towards Karma with a dumbfounded expression.

" You've beaten Ryuuen. No way. " Sudou said with disbelief.

Karma smirk. " Yeah, after seeing you two get attacked by Class C like that, I thought that it would be nice to return the favor. So... "

Karma then held up his hands for a high five.

" Give it here. "

After a second, Sudou grins and gives Karma a big high five.

" Hell yeah! "

Karma then hissed as he retreat his hand. " Ouch. Man, you have a good right hook. "

" Karma-kun. "

Karma turn to Suzune. " What is it Suzu-chan- "

Suzune sighed. " I don't say that normally, but- "

Suzune then did something that Karma did not expect. She actually smiled and gave him a high five. " Good work. "

After staring at his hand for a moment, Karma turns to Suzune. " Are you okay, Suzun-chan? You don't look like- "

Suzune glared at Karma. " If you continue this line of thought, Karma-kun, I will punish you with my needle compass. "

Karma then quickly stopped talking, and looked at Suzune with a sweatdrop from his forehead. " Ok Ok, don't need to get violent here! "

' I better stop talking, or else I'll end like Ayano-kun. '

Sudou then turn towards Yosuke with a serious expression. " If you haven't decided on the substitute for the relay then please let me run. "

Yosuke looked thoughtful before speaking. " There isn't a single student other than Sudou-kun we could leave it to, right, everyone? "

Suddenly, Suzune raise her hand. " May I ask for a substitute runner...? I won't be able to produce satisfactory results with this leg. "

" Are you fine with that, Horikita? You tried so hard to be in this relay, right? " Sudou asked with concern.

The girl sighed. " ...it can't be helped. In this state, I'm not even sure I can win against Ike-kun. Sorry. "

In this somber and grim meeting, after Sudou had done so, Suzune also gave a deep bow.

Having heard that, Yosuke nodded and decided that Kikyo would be participating in her stead. Then, with Sudou as the first one on the list, there's Yosuke, Miyake, Maezono, Onodera. The five of them with Kikyo as Suzune's replacement took on the challenge with that lineup.

" Umm...sorry about the suddenness, but the truth is I— " Yosuke got cut off by Miyake.

" Please wait, I apologize but......would you let me withdraw too? Actually, I sprained my ankle during the 200 meter dash before noon...I thought it'd get better with some rest but it's still hurting. " Miyake confess.

Yosuke let out a worried smile. " In that case, it looks like we'll need a replacement from the boys as well. "

Kiyotaka then proclaimed. " Then would it be fine if I ran? Of course, I'll pay the points for the substitution. "

Ike looked unsure. " Ehh, you will, Ayanokouji? Speaking of which, you...are you fast? "

" I'm all for it. " Kiyotaka shortly said.

" Also, we can't say that Class D has its best members. " Yosuke instructed. " That's why our strategy should be seizing the initiative and securing our lead. How about that, Sudou-kun? Considering the rules too, I think we'd secure predominance if we can run ahead. If we can get the start right and if it's Sudou-kun, who runs fast, doing the overtaking then we may be able to gain some distance in one stroke. I'll maintain that lead and hand it over to the next student. "

Sudou nod as he roll his shoulders. " ...Well, no helping it. There's no other way if we want to win. "

Sudou will go first. Yosuke, whose speed is assured, will be going second. After that, the three girls, including Kikyo, will have their turn and in the end, it'll be Kiyotaka's turn.

From across all school years and from across all classes, the chosen elites gather at the center of the grounds and amongst them the figures of the older Horikita as well as Nagumo of the 2nd years could be seen.

" I'll leave it to you, Sudou-kun! "

Yosuke shouts and in the same vein, Kikyo and the other runners also send shrill cheers flying Sudou's way.

Sudou, looking determined, enters the course. Class D is on the innermost lane. It's set up such that Class A of the 3rd year is on the outermost lane.

Karma smiled as he watch Kiyotaka. ' Now then, I better watch Ayano-kun, because I have a feeling that he will do something interesting. '

As excitement peaked, the last relay finally began.

___________________________

Sudō makes a good start and manages to take the lead.

The baton is then passed to Yosuke who continues to maintain the lead. However, the girls can't keep up their pace with the boys and seniors from other classes and Class D start losing positions.

" Looks like we won this fight, President Horikita. If possible, I'd have liked to run against you. "

Glancing at the approaching top runner, a student from Class A of the 2nd year, Nagumo laughed. " Even in overall points, we're likely to win. Looks like the dawn of a new era. "

Manabu just push his glasses. " Are you serious about changing it? The school, I mean. "

" Up until now, there's been a lack of fun when it comes to the student council. It stubbornly stuck to protecting tradition. Such things are already unnecessary, aren't they? That's why all I'll be doing is creating new rules. For the ultimate meritocratic school system, that is. "

Nagumo slowly started to walk forward.

The baton is passed onto the representative of the 2nd year's Class A: Nagumo. Shibata follows not too long later in 2nd place.

" Alright, nice! Leave the rest to me! " Shibata exclaimed. Shibata, with fiery eyes, started running as though chasing after Nagumo.

Manabu turn to Kiyotaka who's standby. " To think you're the anchor. "

Kiyotaka didn't manage to look at the school president. " I'm just replacing an injured man. Originally, your sister was slated to be in this position. "

" I see. " Manabu's voice stays indifferent. " She's struggling in her own way then. I've been watching your class and up until a while ago I thought of you guys as a hopeless class. But in this final relay, I don't feel any of that from you guys. What happened? "

" You sure are keeping an eye on us. Class D of the 1st year isn't really something you ought to be paying attention to, right? "

" I keep an eye on all classes. No exceptions. "

Kiyotaka scroll his pupils at Manabu. " If something has changed then it'd be your sister. "

" ...I see. I'll ask you this. What about you? I can't feel any passion from you, the complete opposite from Akabane. "

Kiyotaka let out a small shrug. " I'm the usual me. I have no interest in this sports festival. I can already tell the outcome. And I think Karma was fired up because he could fight Ryuuen. You won't be able to see it after you graduate but...our class will become stronger. "

Manabu scoffed. " I have no interest in such an assumed future. "

As the older Horikita glanced at his approaching teammate, Ayanokoji stopped him with his words.

" Then in that case, would you happen to be interested in seeing exactly what kind of person I am? "

Karma, who was close to them and could hear their conversation, was dumbfounded. ' What? '

" What? " Manabu looked incredulous.

The timing's about right to start on an approach run. However he stopped.

" If you'd like me too, I don't mind racing against you. " Kiyotaka said.

Karma was even more shocked by this, but then he smirked. ' Ayano-kun always makes things interesting for me. '

Manabu smirk. " ...You sure are a man who says the most fascinating things. Was it just my misunderstanding? Up until now, I thought you hated standing out and avoided taking any direct action. Even in this relay, I had thought you'd simply let things play out and end. "

" If you'll abandon any possibility of making it to 2nd place in order to race me then I'll accept. It's not every day a 1st year and a 3rd year are lined up side-by-side to compete. "

In response to this unexpected provocation, the older Horikita stopped entirely and turned to face him.

" Interesting. " Manabu murmured.

Kiyotaka's face turned cold. ' Normally, I wouldn't make such a challenge, if not for two facts. The first one is that I want to face Horikita Manabu, who stands at the top of this school. And the second one is... '

Ayanokoji then glanced at Karma, but there was an excited gleam in his eyes.

' Is that I want to accept Karma's challenge. After the fight with Ryuuen, he made me, a being with no emotions and a poker face, feel excited and smirk. And he wasn't even serious, but yet, when we made eye contact, it felt as if he challenged me. And as he excited me, I will show him my strength and respond to his challenge. '

Manabu no longer made any move. The one most bewildered by this would have to be the fifth runner for Class A of the 3rd years.

" You did well. " Manabu said to the 3rd year.

" Ahh, ehh, ahh... "

The 3rd year left while in shock at the attitude of the older Horikita who had received the baton.

Naturally the spectators who had realized this bizarre situation turned their eyes towards the older Horikita.

Class A of the 3rd year, once 3rd place, was overtaken one after another and at last, Class D's Kikyo approached Kiyotaka.

Kikyo too, realized this bizarre situation but she ran over at full speed. A distance covered in a few more seconds.

" I'll just say this before the race. " Kiyotaka said making Manabu look back to him.

" What? "

As the two of them started on their approach run, Kiyotaka said this one sentence. Just one sentence made the hair on the back of Karma's neck stand up and he smirked fully.

" —run with everything you've got. "

For an instant, the older Horikita laughed. At this very moment, the baton passed over to Ayanokoji.

" Ayanokouji-kun! " Kikyo yelled.

Kiyotaka dashes forth with full throttle. The two runners quickly close the distance and overtake the runner in front. Both of them head to the last curve.

' Alright—I'm going to accelerate even further— '

Cheers rang out throughout the grounds, but Karma didn't care about them, he was only watching the runners, and then he thought about his friend, while sweat was dripping from his forehead.

' Man, he's truly a ... ' But then Karma smirked and there was an excited gleam in his eyes. '

Kei let out an breath of air, flabbergasted. " ...That was super-fast. "

//////////

After the contest, Kei said that to Kiyotaka while averting her eyes from him. Karma was also walking beside them.

" Isn't it just that my opponent happened to be slow? " Kiyotaka once again, tried to lay it low.

" Maybe so, but you really should've seen everyone's reactions. " Karma said the last part with a smirk.

Kiyotaka wave Karma's comment away. " Leaving jokes aside, ultimately I didn't beat the student council president, did I? "

Kei sighed helplessly. " Well, there's no helping that. "

" The person running in front of you fell. " Karma said. ' Although, if it wasn't for him, I would've bet all my money that Ayano-kun would have won. '

Kiyotaka ended up finishing behind Manabu because a runner in front of him fell and blocked his way, enabling Manabu to overtake him.

The performance still gathers attention from all over the school including his classmates.

Sudou stomped over to Kiyotaka. " Ayanokouji! Aren't you a fast one! Have you been holding back until now!? "

Sudou forcefully slapped Ayanokoji on the back. Karma cringed, because he knew that it's painful.

Karma rub Kiyotaka's back as kiyotaka stands up straight.

" Running is about my only forte after all. But that was overdoing it. I guess this is what you'd call hysterical strength. "

" That still doesn't explain it. That speed, I mean. You liar. " Slightly dragging her foot behind her, Suzune came over. She used her hand as though it were a blade and stabbed Kiyotaka in the abdomen.

Karma chuckled as he support Kiyotaka. " You guys, this isn't the sort of treatment you should be giving a soldier who fought his best. "

" Why are you taking his side? " Suzune looked at Karma with a little glare.

Karma let Kiyotaka's arm wrap around his neck. ' I hope you're glad now Ayano-kun, because by trying to help you, I inquired the wrath of a ! '

Kiyotaka groan slightly. " It hurts. "

Since Suzune came over to them, Kei took her distance so as to not be a disturbance.

From afar, Sakura was also looking at them, mainly Kiyotaka but since there's a crowd around them, she did not approach.

Suzune the start scolding the two boys. " If you had run like this from the start, then things would've been different. But why did you suddenly get serious? Now you'll be basking in attention. Same thing could be said about you, Karma-kun, as you beat the Ryuuen-kun, the leader and the dictator of Class C. "

" Sorry. " Both boys said.

Karma then look to the side and beamed. " Looks like they're going to be announcing the results soon. Let's go. "

___________________

The sports festival concludes and results are announced.

The Red Team wins the competition, defeating White Team. For the first year classes, Class B gets 1st place, followed by Class C in 2nd, Class A in 3rd and Class D in 4th.

Sō Shibata of Class B is the MVP of the first years, ahead of Sudō.

" Guaaaah! So that's how it is after all! "

Having lost his last hope, Sudou screams out. He continued to stare at the electronic notice board in frustration even after the closing ceremony had ended.

Yosuke chuckled lightly. " Sudou-kun, you didn't place first in our school year. You do remember the promise right? "

Sudou sighed as he scratch the nape of his neck. " ...Yeah, it's regrettable though. But a promise is a promise. I'll call you Horikita from now on. "

" That's some impressive dedication. " Suzune laughed in a slightly teasing manner.

' No way... ' Karma gasped before grinning. ' Is Suzu-chan teasing him?! '

" I forgot to tell you this but I just remembered that you one-sidedly pushed those conditions onto me and I haven't made any requests in turn yet. " Suzune said giving Sudou back his hope.

" What's that mean? "

" If you take 1st place, then you'll call me by my first name. You proposed such selfish terms to me so isn't it natural that I make a request in turn now that you've failed to achieve that? "

Sudou look down. " Well, that's right... "

Suzune cross her arms. " That's why I will punish you for not being able to achieve your objective. Never again will you use violence without a justifiable reason. I forbid it. Can you promise me that? "

" ...It's a punishment, right? I'll keep that promise. " Sudou said with a determined nod.

Suzune add. " Of course, don't forget that you're not the one who gets to decide what a justifiable reason is. That's either up to me or a third party. "

Sudou obediently abided by that as well.

Suzune slowly turned her back and started to walk off. " That's right...during this sports festival, much like you, I was unable to live up to everyone's expectations. "

Sudou awkwardly look to the side. " Ahh? It can't be helped, right? Since you got injured and all. "

" Even so, I cannot forgive myself. That's why I also need to be punished. " Suzune said so as she turned around and then- " That's why if you wish to do so, I don't mind allowing you to call me by my first name. "

Sudou looked shock. " Hah? O-Oi? "

" That is my punishment. Although we're in last place, thanks to that I was able to gain hope for the fights to come. I am truly grateful. " Suzune said with a small smile.

" ...O-Oh. " Sudou rubbed the bottom of his nose and looked in the other direction. " Oooooooohhhhhhh, riiiiiiight! "

Sudou shouted loudly as though to blow away all fatigue and raised both his hands to the sky. " This sports festival is awesome! It's awesome, Suzune! "

Karma pat Sudou's shoulder. " Good for you, Sudou. "

" Yeah! "

" Sorry about butting in while you're celebrating but do you have some time to spare? "

Just as they decided to wrap it up and approached the school building, someone called out like that. The one who said that was a composed looking girl. She was a student from Class A, Kamuro Masumi.

" After this, after you've finished changing that is, would you accompany me for a bit? " Kamuro ask towards Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka turn to the female. " ...Why me? "

" Because I have something to tell you. 5 o'clock. Come to the front gate. "

The three boys looked speechless. Sudou the first one to recover looked accusingly at Kiyotaka.

" O-Oi, Ayanokouji. What's up with that, what's up with that? What's up with that kind of situation!? "

Karma place a hand on his chin. ' Is this a confession-no I can't sense anything like that from this girl. '

Kiyotaka ignore Sudou as he's focus on someone else. " Oi. What do you mean by having something to tell— "

Kiyotaka tried to stop her but the girl simply left.

" What's up with that? Has the springtime of youth come for you as well? " Sudou ask as he nudge Kiyotaka's side.