COTE : There is Something Wrong With Hikigaya

The additional events in the sports festival were a bit like bonus questions at the end of a test. The mixed-gender three-legged race in front of them was exactly that. 

This event was set up very cleverly. It wasn't a track and field competition, so the most athletic students from each class couldn't dominate. It also largely neutralized the age gap between students. 

This was clear from the relay race earlier—upperclassmen had far superior physical abilities compared to first-years. If not for the anomaly that was Ayanokouji, the top five rankings would have been almost entirely taken by third and second-year students. 

On the other hand, the three-legged race focused more on teamwork and coordination between the two participants. 

It tested both class rivalry and cooperation. 

One notable point was that if a team consisted of students from different classes, both classes would earn 60 points each. In other words, if the first-place team had students from different classes, each class would receive 60 points! 

This additional event was already very fair. 

Some were excited, while others weren't so happy. When Nagumo heard it was a three-legged race, he looked completely uninterested, waving his hand as if he had no intention of participating. 

Since it was a mixed-gender event, the recommended pairings from earlier were already in place, making it easy to form strong teams. The real headache was choosing the third teammate. 

On Class D's side, Hirata and Kushida had worked together before, so there was no question about their pairing. That just left the choice of the third person... Hirata's gaze naturally landed on Hikigaya. 

"Hikigaya…" 

"Hirata, why are you so quick with this?!" 

As soon as Hirata spoke, Hikigaya already knew what he was going to say and couldn't help but complain. 

"Because you're someone I can really trust. And also, look…" 

Hirata suddenly pointed behind Hikigaya. A girl with long pink hair had already appeared at Class D's camp without anyone noticing. 

"Ichinose…" 

The moment Hikigaya saw Ichinose, he felt a headache coming. Her reason for showing up was obvious. 

"Since we did so well together before, I'll be counting on you again! Let's do our best!" 

Ichinose spoke with her usual cheerful energy. 

But I haven't even agreed yet! 

Hikigaya's face stiffened, but in the end, he had no choice but to go along with it and team up with Ichinose again for this extra event. 

"Hikigaya-kun, there's something I wanted to tell you." 

As they were preparing, Ichinose suddenly said, "I'm going to join the student council too." 

"Huh?" 

Hikigaya was slightly taken aback by her words. Ichinose quickly explained, a little embarrassed. 

"Well… even though I wasn't accepted into the student council at the start of the school year, I've been working hard. Not long ago, Nagumo-senpai from the second year approached me and said he could recommend me for the student council after the sports festival." 

Seeing Hikigaya stay silent, Ichinose hurriedly added, "I-I'm not trying to take a shortcut or anything! Nagumo-senpai invited me himself… I actually turned him down at first. But then I thought, since Hikigaya-kun is in the student council too, maybe I could grow as a person. Maybe I could become mature and reliable, just like you." 

"Nagumo invited you on his own? Did he ask for anything in return?" 

"Ask for something? No, not at all~! He's really nice. He even gives me advice through email to help me adjust from being a regular student to a student council member." 

Rather than easing his concerns, Ichinose's words only made Hikigaya frown even more. Looking at her—still completely unaware, even grateful—he couldn't help but think she was far too naive. 

The less someone asks for upfront, the bigger the favor they'll expect from you in the future. 

Ichinose soon noticed his reaction and asked cautiously, "Hikigaya-kun, do you have some kind of conflict with Nagumo-senpai?" 

"How should I put it…? Conflict exists all the time. The student council isn't as perfect as you imagine, Ichinose. Compared to a regular class, the conflicts in the student council are even more hidden—and much sharper." 

Hikigaya let out a sigh. 

Ichinose blinked, surprised to hear this side of things from him. This didn't quite match the "ideal student council" image Nagumo had painted for her. 

She wanted to ask more, but the three-legged race event was about to begin. She had no choice but to set the conversation aside and focus on the competition. 

The two of them linked arms again. This time, Hikigaya wasn't as flustered as before, but the soft sensation of her arm against his still filled him with guilt. 

Like a kid sneaking a piece of candy, afraid of getting caught. 

But more than that, he was afraid that this was just a dream. 

Could someone like him really get to "taste the candy"? 

That's why he hated fantasies. Hated false hope that made people think they had a chance. 

What he feared most was the version of himself that dared to have expectations, dared to hope. 

Ichinose was the bright, outgoing type—someone who belonged in the spotlight. Hikigaya feared that everything happening now was just an illusion. Just like how, once upon a time, Orimoto Kaori had given him a fleeting dream… only for him to wake up and realize it was all fake. 

So, he would rather never dream at all than get lost in something temporary. 

"Hikigaya-kun, are you okay?" 

Ichinose seemed to notice a change in his mood but couldn't quite figure out what was wrong. 

"I'm fine. I've snapped out of it." 

His voice was calm, but to Ichinose, it felt like there was a bit of coldness to it. 

The race began. 

Despite everything, their teamwork was still perfect. Even Hikigaya was surprised at how naturally they moved together—nothing felt forced at all. 

At first, they weren't particularly noticeable among the other teams, staying somewhere in the middle of the rankings. But as the race went on and obstacles increased, their cooperation became more and more apparent. 

Gradually, they climbed from mid-rank to third place… then second… 

Until they finally crossed the finish line in first place! 

Students from both Class A and Class D erupted in cheers. Ichinose was thrilled, beaming with excitement. 

But when she turned to Hikigaya to celebrate, she hesitated. 

He had a faint smile on his face, but for some reason, she felt a strange sense of distance between them. 

It was like… 

Like there had always been a thin, nearly invisible thread connecting them—fragile, yet unbroken. 

But the moment they crossed the finish line, it felt as if that thread had suddenly snapped. 

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