Real teaching, hypocritical gray life

"I don't agree with letting Class Leader Ichinose be the last one. At least...it should be a boy."

However, whenever they asked who would take the last baton, everyone fell silent.

Thus, the confrontation in the class passed meaninglessly amid Ichinose's persistence and everyone else's resistance.

Ichinose's persistence attracted most people's attention, so Kanzaki, as the person being questioned, cleverly concealed his presence in the confrontation. In addition, Shiratori, one of the male contestants in the relay race, also remained silent.

We don’t know what the two were thinking, we only know that the obviously unreasonable proposal can only be regarded as reasonable now.

So after a long confrontation, we welcomed the arrival of the [2000m mixed relay race for the whole school year]. In other words, there is no time left for us to hesitate, and we must make a decision immediately.

Just as Ichinose was about to take a photo of the last runner despite the class's objection, Kanzaki spoke up.

"I still have the stamina to finish the 1000m race, and my speed is also guaranteed..."

When these words came out of Kanzaki's mouth, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but his following remarks made our nerves tense again.

"Having said that, I don't intend to take over the last baton."

"If you ask why, it's very simple."

Without waiting for anyone to ask questions, Kanzaki decided to explain himself, and all of our attention was focused on Kanzaki.

"First, let's analyze the current situation. Wakayama-san and Shibata-san, who were supposed to be participating in the relay, have withdrawn due to injuries. In other words, our class's participants are not the best."

"Under the circumstances, even if we make substitutions, I don't think we can guarantee a win over Class C. No matter what, the substitutions can't make up for the loss of Class A's combat power."

"Although the C class led by Ryuen has suffered some loss of physical strength, their arrangement of contestants has not been affected. Obviously, we are at a disadvantage."

"In fact, I am more inclined to believe that we have no chance of winning. We have no chance of winning against Class C."

“It’s a losing race.”

"........."

Kanzaki pointed out the key point thoroughly, which was the clearest he had seen since he started taking action.

"On the other hand, if I don't play as the last baton and let Captain Ichinose take over, then our chances of winning will be even lower."

"Since we will lose this relay race whether I am the last runner or not, I think what we need to do is to minimize the losses after the class fails."

"Assuming we will lose no matter what, our class will definitely be ranked second in the overall ranking for the school year. Next, we just need to ensure that the Red Team wins over the White Team in terms of competitive points, and we won't be punished in any way."

"And the competitive points awarded for the last event [2000m mixed relay race for the whole school year] have tripled. The White Team is likely to overtake the Red Team through this. In order to ensure the Red Team's victory, we must have substitutes for the two vacancies in the relay race, and they cannot be absent."

"It costs 100,000 personal points to replace a student, and we have already spent 200,000 personal points for this. The positions of the players are decided in advance. On the [Entry Form], I am the first runner and am tasked with keeping as much distance as possible from my opponent. If I change positions, I will also need to pay 100,000 points. If I do, the cost will rise to 300,000."

"I don't think there is a chance that we can win by taking a big gamble, so minimizing the losses is the best option. That's why I didn't say I would be the last one."

"Even though Class C succeeded, there is no need for us to insist on defeating Ryuuen."

"In summary, I think Captain Ichinose's proposal is the best solution at the moment. This is also my personal opinion."

"........."

After listening to Kanzaki's speech, everyone fell silent.

It's cruel, but it's undoubtedly true.

The current competitive points score between the Red Group and the White Group is:

9581:9393

Although the Red Team was ahead by 188 points in terms of competitive points, there was still a risk of being overtaken. The reason was that the competitive points for the final [Full-year 2000m Mixed Coed Relay] were three times the recommended points for the regular competition. The original 50 points for the first place would become 150 points, so it was not difficult to close the gap in an instant.

The last part is a competition between students' physical fitness and speed.

The students in Class C are inferior to us in academic ability, but the average athletic ability of the students in the class is, on the contrary, higher than ours.

What's more, the only jokers in our class are now both down.

No matter from which angle we analyze it, Class A will undoubtedly lose.

Kanzaki's direct point also made everyone feel powerless.

We have been aware of it for a long time, but we just subconsciously ignore it and don't face it.

Ichinose also smiled bitterly upon hearing this, as if he felt that Kanzaki shouldn't have said this directly. However, it didn't matter whether he retained the little fighting spirit he had.

The goal has been achieved, at least Kanzaki has acquired a certain degree of self-determination.

"Also, in terms of selecting people... we don't have stability either."

Kanzaki did not directly tell the fact that there was a traitor in the class, and Ichinose also understood that no matter what he did now, it would be useless to reverse the situation.

".......Since we have no chance of winning, let's just enjoy the last sports festival."

Even though things have developed to this point, Ichinose still faces it with an optimistic attitude. From the outside, this is undoubtedly a good thing, but the heaviness in the heart cannot be shaken off no matter what.

Tired, worried.....this is the information that can be instantly gathered from Ichinose's eyes.

"Then do as I say. I'll be the last runner in this relay race. Who wants to run the easier 200m—"

"Um, excuse me."

Under everyone’s puzzled gazes, I forcibly interrupted Ichinose’s speech.

"What's wrong.............Luo?"

"If possible, can you let me be the last one?"

"Would you like the remaining stick? Sure."

It seems that because of his emotional loss, Ichinose misunderstood what I said.

"I mean the last leg. Can I run?"

"Sure, eh........!?"

Even though my performance at the sports festival changed people's impression of me to a certain extent, my trouble-averse personality has been engraved in their minds as my nature.

Of course, grip strength is not equivalent to speed, and no one would have the impression that I run fast, let alone that I represent strong willpower.

My speed is mediocre, but I choose to take responsibility for my mediocrity.

So, please show an expression of disbelief, that will bring the only comfort to my heart.

Since this class has grown a little bit in the face of adversity, I might as well give everyone some rewards, or at least let everyone put all the pressure of the last baton on me and let me bear it.

"Can Luo Jun hold on physically? If it's for me..."

"I'm not being stubborn."

"I was lucky in the previous few games, so I didn't encounter many tough opponents. I still have some energy left. Also, I run 1000 meters faster than Ichinose, so maybe I can move up in the overall ranking of the whole school year."

"But, but——"

"I understand. Then the last baton will be passed to Luo, and Class Leader Ichinose will take over Wakayama-san's position as originally planned."

Before Ichinose could open his mouth to refuse, Kanzaki suppressed all objections.

For a moment, the camp was in an uproar.

"Hey, hey, hey, is this true? Are you sure you're not blinded by love?"

Takashima questioned quietly in my ear, but there was nothing I could do about it.

No matter how much I explain, in this world full of trends, rumors, and lies, my actions will be seen as an attempt to avoid making Ichinose suffer.

But this can be a good excuse, at least it can justify my actions.

It doesn't matter what people fight for.

[All participants of the [Full-year 2000m mixed relay race] are requested to gather in the center of the playground. The referee will explain the rules of the following competition. ]

At the same time as the broadcast sounded, Kanzaki also completed the arrangements for the substitute players with Mr. Hoshinomiya.

"Is this really okay, Luo?"

Ichinose stood beside me and squeezed my arm with concern. I put my hand on it to reassure her.

"As an energy conservationist, I always maintain my physical strength. I have accumulated excess energy that I haven't used yet."

Such a joking statement did not put Ichinose at ease, but this was the only assurance I could give in words.

I still don’t have a clear understanding of how much despair and hardship I’ve experienced. I just know that since then, I don’t want those situations to happen to me again, so I will pay more attention to my words and actions.

"Leave it to you, okay?"

After Ichinose was taken to the gathering place by the girls first, Kanzaki walked silently to my side.

"Are you expecting something?"

"Even if you normally have some reserve in your athletic ability, it's almost reaching its limit now."

"If that's how you understand it, that's great. After all, I'm not good at performing... But I can still finish the race."

"That's enough."

Kanzaki is so beautiful. I praised him from the bottom of my heart.

"........the shoelaces seem to be a little loose."

I sat on the bench and thought about my untied shoelaces.

"The competition instructions are about to begin."

".............I understand. Please at least give me some time to prepare myself mentally."

"Weren't you ready when it came time to take the last baton?"

While Kanzaki was speaking, I bent down to tie my shoelaces and slightly refreshed my relaxed body.

"...........Well, if a person has this or that ability but does nothing, then do you think that the bad things that happen afterwards are his responsibility?"

"..........What?"

What is wrong and what is right, the orientation of things often does not have such an understanding.

It may serve as an indirect hint, but it is by no means an excuse for me to cover up personally.

As for the reason, that's all.

"I think if Kanzaki had taken action earlier, maybe the class wouldn't have been in such a difficult battle."

“…Perhaps.”

This time Kanzaki didn't go directly to me.

"Sorry, I was just complaining."

I tied a headscarf on my head, which symbolizes the Red Team.

Chapter 174: Turning Point of the Times

——Everything in the world is destined.

At least when we are in the prime of our lives, we choose to believe.

That was a kind of youthful frivolity.

In other words, even a sunflower that is about to bloom will still face the sun. It will do so before it blooms, before it has passed that growth stage.

This principle also applies to this competition.

From the perspective of our class A, the finale of the sports festival - the [2000m mixed boys and girls relay race for the entire school year] - is a battle that is bound to be lost.

Class A was so short of contestants that Ichinose, who was in very poor physical condition, almost became the last one. In a battle that was bound to be lost, the generals joined the battle without hesitation. Although their spirit was admirable, in the end, it was no less tragic than a moth that flies into the fire despite knowing that it will die.

But even so, Ichinose still encouraged us to run as hard as we could at the end of the explanation, not to worry about the results, and to just enjoy it wholeheartedly.

Although it is a bit disappointing, the ending will most likely develop in this direction. It is also because of the defeat that the personnel changes are only replacements, and we have minimized the losses of the class.

After the adjustment, this [full-year 2000m mixed men's and women's relay race] will have Ryuji Kanzaki as the first runner, followed by Naoto Shiratori, Sayori Ando, ​​Kozue Minami, Ichinose Honami, and me as the last runner of the 1000m race, in this order.

In this battle, winning or losing is not a big deal, and the person in front should try to get as far as possible from the opponent. The leading advantage is inherited by Shiratori until the next leg, and it is best to maintain the gap and hand over the leading advantage to the girls behind.

As for me in the end, I just left it to fate.

The goal is to complete the 1000m race, so there is actually not much pressure.

After everyone cheered together, the referee asked us to go to our respective preparation areas. Before leaving, all the contestants in our class A, except Kanzaki, showed their last concern for me. After responding to them one by one, I walked to my preparation area.

This is an ultimate relay race with 3 people from 12 grades and 12 classes running together. It should be a situation where each of the 12 people runs in one lane, but because there are not so many tracks on the school playground, the 12 people line up in a row, and the fastest runner can take the inner lane. In other words, the focus is not on the starting position on the track, but the position that the first runner can get when running as hard as possible.

This rule arrangement has flaws when it comes to baton switching. First, the buffer space is crowded, and there is a high probability of physical friction and other unexpected changes during the run; also, because of the uncertainty of the standing position, the running contestant needs to connect with the next baton takeover.