"Help… help me up." Satoru grabbed Anji's arm, looking tragically heroic. "I… I can still run…"
"D-Don't run, man!" Anji urged. "You're in no shape…" He knew his bro's stamina sucked, but this bad? Two hundred meters—casual stroll distance!
"What?"
Satoru gasped. "How can you say Coach Higashi's targeting me? He's got no beef with me. Stop seeing people through tinted glasses…"
Anji: ?
He hadn't said a word.
Higashi froze too, cursing internally. This punk's faking it… but damn, collapsing in front of everyone? Shameless!
"Let go!"
Satoru shoved Anji. "I said I can run…"
Anji barely released him before Satoru wobbled a few steps, teetering again.
Anji rushed back, yelling, "Matsubara, help hold him!"
Hold him? Oh, hold him.
Ayumu jogged over, letting Satoru's trembling arm drape over his shoulder. "You okay?" he asked.
"Hospital? That was ages ago. Coach Higashi doesn't know, don't blame him!" Satoru shouted.
Ayumu: ?
I didn't say anything!
"Hospital…?" The hair-tie girl joined, concerned. "What happened?"
"Oh, Kobayashi-kun was hospitalized for heatstroke a few days ago…" Ayumu explained.
The class pondered. Spring weather wasn't exactly balmy—chilly, even. Heatstroke? Hospitalized? How frail is this guy?
"Come to think of it, Kobayashi's always looked sickly."
"Face pale as paper…"
"Hope Higashi's training doesn't leave sequels, yikes."
Sympathetic murmurs rose, but a rational voice cut in: "Coach Higashi's just subbing. He didn't know Kobayashi's condition…"
"What?!" Satoru shot a reproachful look at the silent Anji. "How can you say that about Coach Higashi? 'No prep,' not checking our class's health before subbing and ramping up training… He's just busy! If he weren't, I'm sure he'd plan perfectly."
"So he didn't prep…"
"Total lack of responsibility!"
Subbing for PE rarely involved "prep," but saying it aloud? Oof. Gossip snowballed: Higashi didn't prep → irresponsible → bad teacher → Japanese education's doomed! → The system's broken!
Higashi clenched his fists, hulking frame trembling.
Whispers pricked his back like needles. He'd used words to bully girls before—never thought he'd be word-screwed like this…
"Kobayashi—" His knuckles cracked, itching to end this kid.
Satoru glanced at Ayumu, feigning shock. "Apologize? I don't think Coach Higashi needs to apologize to me!"
Gasps rippled.
The class buzzed louder.
"Yeah, shouldn't Higashi apologize?"
"Can't take this… Let's petition the principal!"
"Will they listen?"
"Duh, get Miyajima-senpai!"
"You just wanna get close to her!"
"Beast! I'm just… cough… Miyajima-senpai's tight with Kobayashi…"
"He wants Kobayashi…"
Murmurs grew deafening. Higashi caught every word. Miyajima? The kendo club's untouchable flower. He had a shady record—White Hill kept him for baseball potential. The club was thriving but paled against kendo's dominance. Against Sakura? No chance.
He gripped his fists. Live to fight another day!
Forcing a stiff grin, he said, "Kobayashi… sorry, teacher didn't think it through…"
"Huh? What was that, Coach?" Satoru smiled innocently.
This bastard's doing it on purpose. Higashi seethed but enunciated, "Sorry. Teacher. Wasn't. Intentional!"
Satoru gave a frail smile.
Everyone expected a forgiving "It's okay" like with Sento. Instead, Satoru's head lolled onto Ayumu's shoulder—out cold.
"Kobayashi—!!" Anji yelled. "Health room, now!!"
"Y-Yeah!" Ayumu tried to hoist Satoru, but the guy was tall, if skinny. Ayumu nearly buckled.
"Useless," Anji muttered. "Yamamoto, help!"
"On it." Sento, desperate to save his virtue, rushed over.
Mid-lift, a fragrant breeze hit. "What happened?" A poised, lovely voice asked.
Sento turned, nearly swooning. M-Miyajima-senpai?!
Why was she here?! In her sailor uniform, not PE gear—probably student council business.
"Kobayashi fainted," Anji said, too panicked for formalities.
"How…" Sakura gasped, then grabbed Satoru's wrist, yanking him to her side. A quick check, and she hoisted him piggyback-style, his head on her fragrant shoulder, hands under his thighs. "You guys continue class. I'm taking Kobayashi-kun to the health room!"
Sakura bolted, leaving the boys stunned.
Damn, Miyajima-senpai's got boyfriend energy!
Satoru, faking unconsciousness: ?
Where'd YOU come from?!
…
…