On the third day of the Nine Schools Competition, the climax of the first half unfolds with the finals of the Men's and Women's Pillars Break and Battle Board.
Tatsuya scans the matchup chart, a slight frown creasing his brow. "Hattori's in the men's first race, Watanabe in the women's second, Chiyoda in the women's first match, and Juumonji in the men's third." He's set on cheering for Chiyoda, but as a student council member, Miyuki skipping Hattori's race feels like a misstep.
"Hey, Tatsuya-kun!" A voice cuts through his thoughts.
"President, what's up?" Tatsuya turns to Mayumi, who's already closing the distance.
"Need your help with something. You free?"
"More or less."
"Great, follow me!" Mayumi grabs his hand, dragging him along with a grin. Whether Tatsuya feels more escorted than invited is anyone's guess.
Mayumi's errand stretches until the women's second race is about to start. She even teased, "You're coming to watch my race, right?" Missing even a moment could spell trouble.
"Onii-sama, over here," Miyuki calls.
"Cutting it close. What happened?" she asks.
"President had a task. Not too tough, but she was… insistent."
Mayumi's interruptions stretched the job longer than needed. As Tatsuya sits, the starting buzzer blares. The semifinals trim competitors to three, making targeted attacks easier.
"They're sticking close to Watanabe-senpai," Tatsuya notes.
"As expected of 'Nanakou of the Sea,'" Miyuki adds.
"Last year's final matchup, right?" someone nearby chimes in.
The crowd buzzes as a Seventh High runner shadows Mori closely, her expression calm against the opponent's strained effort. Tatsuya muses, (Is Watanabe-senpai… enjoying this?)
A corner obscures the live view, so the screen projects the race. Something odd flickers in the footage, catching Tatsuya's eye. A scream erupts from the stands. He snaps back to the race, where the Seventh High runner has lost balance.
"Overspeed?!" someone shouts.
It looks plausible. Unable to steer, the Seventh High runner barrels toward the fence—unless someone intervenes. Mori, close behind, hits the corner too. Last year's final rematch means their lap times are near identical.
"Danger!" a voice cries.
Mori slows to brace the Seventh High runner, but her body dips unnaturally, throwing her off balance. Both crash into the fence, tangled. The race halts as Tatsuya bolts from his seat.
"Onii-sama!" Miyuki calls.
"I'm going. Stay here," he orders, weaving through the crowd at breakneck speed. Miyuki restrains a friend from following, her face pale as she watches.
An unfamiliar ceiling greets Mori's eyes as she wakes.
"Where…?" she murmurs.
"Mori, you okay? Do you know who I am?" Mayumi's worried face hovers above.
"Mayumi? What're you—" A sharp pain in her head cuts her off.
"You're in the hospital at Susono Base," Mayumi says. "Good, your consciousness seems fine."
"How long was I out?"
"You know it was unconsciousness, not sleep," Mayumi notes, recognizing Mori's awareness of her condition. "It's just past noon. Don't move—your ribs are broken."
"How long until I can move?"
"Daily life? A day or so. But no intense exercise for ten days."
"Then…" Mori's voice trails off.
"You'll have to forfeit Mirage Pad," Mayumi says regretfully. "Seventh High was disqualified for dangerous racing. The final's between Third and Ninth High. We're in the third-place match against Second High. Kobayakawa's filling in for you, so we should secure third."
"And the Seventh High runner?"
"You shielded her. She's fine, thanks to you."
"Hmph. Big help, getting myself banged up," Mori mutters.
"But you were right to act," Mayumi insists. "Without you, her magic career could've ended. Tatsuya agrees."
"Why's his name coming up?" Mori snaps.
"He carried you here," Mayumi says with a teasing smile.
"What?!" Mori's face flushes.
"He got here as fast as the medics, spotted your broken ribs instantly, and directed first aid."
"Who is that guy?" Mori mutters.
"He seemed used to handling injuries," Mayumi says, her tone shifting. "Mori, did you feel any magical interference during the crash?"
"What do you mean?" Mori asks, startled by the sudden seriousness.
"Your body sank unnaturally. No one from Third High used magic, and the stands can't cast spells. Tatsuya thinks it might've been sabotage. He's analyzing footage with the committee."
"A first-year can do that?" Mori scoffs. "Why would anyone—"
"No idea," Mayumi admits. "But if it's true, this isn't just our problem anymore. Tatsuya will dig into it."
Mayumi leaves, and Mori stares at the ceiling, frustration gnawing at her. She thought it was over, but the possibility of a larger threat lingers, leaving her powerless on the hospital bed.
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