Higashi bellowed, "Anji Seiji!"
Anji, daydreaming about whether to become a soulful enka singer or a cool backstage composer, snapped to attention. "Here!"
"Run ten laps around the field!" Higashi commanded.
"Huh?" Anji froze, dumbfounded.
"…Huh?" Higashi mirrored, equally stunned. They locked eyes, big and small. "You're Anji Seiji?"
"I'm Anji Seiji."
"I was gonna say you're not!" Higashi nearly blurted, then paused, realization dawning. His narrow, vicious gaze swept over Class F's lineup, landing on a tall, languid figure.
"Oh." Satoru clasped his hands, muttering, Anji, the Party won't forget your sacrifice for the Chairman…
Their eyes met.
"Who the hell are you?!" Higashi snarled, baring his teeth. He'd pegged this kid as his nemesis, itching to tear him apart, only to realize he got the name wrong. Betraying your classmate? Nice move!
To be fair, Higashi's assumption was a bit unfair—Satoru was just covering his bases against that incident…
"Oh, Coach Higashi, that's Kobayashi Satoru," Yamamoto Sento piped up first.
"Kobayashi…" Higashi's small eyes widened, glaring. Satoru just smiled faintly, tilting his head in mock innocence.
"What's up?"
"You…" Playing me?! Higashi couldn't say it—admitting it would expose the sports storage room fiasco. He swallowed his shattered pride, forcing a grin.
Heard of a scheming villain's smirk?
Swapping classes with Mikage Yuki was genius. This kid—Anji, Kobayashi, whatever—was in his grasp now, ripe for torment. Speaking of Mikage… sure, she was a bit of a tomboy, but that body was fire. Thirty-something, still single, untouched. Gotta find a way to snag her…
Higashi licked his dry lips, refocusing on Satoru.
"You! Run ten laps—no, fifteen!" He jabbed at the field. A little punishment to teach this punk what happens when you cross a teacher!
"Um…" A timid girl raised her hand. "What did Kobayashi-kun do wrong?"
Satoru recognized her—the hair-tie girl from earlier. What's her name? …Nope, drawing a blank.
"Hm?" Higashi glared at her.
She was the quiet type, shrinking under his gorilla-like stare, stepping back slightly.
Sento panicked. Oh no. He'd blurted Satoru's name to show off, but now Higashi was targeting him for no reason. Regret hit hard. Will Kobayashi pin this on me? He hasn't forgiven me for the Kurashiki thing! If old and new grudges stack… Sento shivered, picturing Kurashiki's boyfriend's "terrifying contacts" sending a yakuza to ruin him!
"Y-Yeah!" To protect his chrysanthemum's honor, Sento spoke up after the girl retreated. "Even if you're a teacher, you can't just punish students randomly! That's abuse!"
Classmates gaped at Sento, recalling yesterday's heartfelt classroom scene between him and Satoru. Kobayashi's so forgiving, and Sento's repaying the favor! True student camaraderie!
"Right! That's abuse!"
"I'm with Yamamoto-kun!"
"Coach Higashi, you're too much!"
"No way!"
"Careful, or Yamamoto's ancestors will haunt you!"
Anji watched, touched. So many standing up for Kobayashi…
He nearly cried. So why didn't you bastards speak up when Higashi targeted me?!
The sudden uproar threw Higashi off. Normally, his authority in class or the baseball club was absolute—no one dared defy his punishments. Why was it failing now? This kid's popular just 'cause he's hot? Damn it!
Higashi gritted his yellow teeth. Backing down would mean losing to this punk again. "Didn't you see the morning assembly? The principal said to boost physical fitness! Kobayashi looks weak as hell, so he needs extra training. Anyone disagree? Join him!"
Cheering was one thing, but when it came to their own interests, the students clammed up.
"I'll do it!" Sento raised his hand. Screw it, fifteen laps is better than losing my dignity! He'll forgive me, please forgive me!
"…Me too." The hair-tie girl hesitantly raised her hand.
Satoru gently pushed it down, smiling. "Guys, don't think so badly of Coach Higashi. He's just looking out for my health, not trying to hurt me. Right, Coach?"
Higashi, caught off guard, blustered, "Obviously!"
"I'll run then. Fifteen laps, yeah?" Satoru asked.
"Exactly." Higashi flashed a toothy grin.
That grin was something else—almost artistic in its creepiness. Satoru turned away, repulsed by the man's chiseled ugliness.
With confirmation, he jogged toward the track.
"I'll be watching!" Higashi shouted after him.
Satoru, back turned, rolled his eyes, silent.
Let's see how long you last… Fifteen laps is just the start. More 'fun sports' await.
Higashi thought cruelly.
Then, under everyone's gaze, Satoru—barely half a lap in, about 200 meters—tilted his neck and thud, collapsed on the rubber track.
The class, including Higashi, froze.
"Kobayashi—!!"
Anji sprinted at Olympic speed to Satoru's side, trying to lift him.
Satoru's eyes were dazed. "I-I can still run… cough, cough… I can keep going… Let me run…"
…
…