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Volume 5, 6: For Whose Sake? Part 1
Volume 5, 6: For Whose Sake? Part 1
Volume 5, Chapter 6: For Whose Sake? Part 1
When I returned, once again, to the infirmary, Chabashira-sensei was there inside the room. The teacher in charge of the infirmary opened her mouth.
"That's a relief, I was just about to say barely missed Horikita-san".
"I sent Kushida to go call you but it looks like she found you right away".
Standing beside me, Kushida-san was listening in on the teachers' conversation with a slightly uneasy look.
"What is this about?".
From the bed walled off by the curtain I saw earlier, I could hear a girl's sobbing. Chabashira-sensei parted the curtain slightly. Behind it was Kinoshita-san from Class C, who is lying on top of the bed. Immediately shutting the curtains again, I was called out into the corridor.
"Kinoshita-san ran into you during the morning's obstacle course race and fell. Do you recall that?".
"Of course. She ran into me and fell after all".
That incident ended up throwing a wrench into my sports festival.
"It's about that.....Kinoshita is saying that you, Horikita, deliberately caused her to fall".
For an instant, I couldn't comprehend what she was saying.
"No such thing. It was a coincidental accident. If not---".
"If not?".
I stopped short of saying that it's Ryuuen-kun's strategy like Ayanokouji-kun told me. I do feel like it's spot on but it's only speculation. There's no evidence after all.
"No......it's just a coincidence".
"I'd like to believe that as well but the situation isn't looking good.
Kinoshita has testified that during the middle of the race, you kept on repeatedly looking back at her. For verification, we checked the video footage and you indeed checked Kinoshita's position twice".
"That is because she's the one who repeatedly called out my name. That's why I looked back".
"She called your name, huh?.....I see. However, even if that happens to be the case, there's still a huge problem. She said you forcefully kicked her in the shin. In fact, she was absent from all subsequent contests and when we had a teacher take a look at Kinoshita's injuries, they seemed to be pretty severe ones. The injuries appear to have been intentionally inflicted is what we're thinking".
"It's also just as groundless if I claim the severe injuries were inflicted accidentally when we fell. I didn't do anything".
"Of course, I believe in your innocence. However, Japan happens to be a country with a bias towards uplifting the weak. This school is no different in that regard. As long as we cannot eliminate the possibility that it was intentional, it's natural for us to deliberate on it".
"That's stupid".
"But, this isn't the end of it. If you ignore this, the problem will grow. Obviously this has reached the ears of the other teachers as well, and the longer this drags out, even to the student council. If that happens, the aftermath will be disastrous. You haven't forgotten what happened when Sudou fought with Class C, have you?".
If this drags out, my brother will inevitably learn of this as well. It'll unmistakably be a foolish little sister bothering him. However as long as I'm innocent, I have no other choice but to continue making an appeal. Regardless of whether this is Ryuuen-kun's strategy or a coincidence, I cannot afford to utter lies.
"If your purpose in calling me is to confirm the truth, then I have said it. I'll repeat, I didn't do anything. I have some business to attend to from now, so would you mind if I excused myself?".
Right now, what I have to do is find Sudou-kun as quickly as possible and bring him back. As I turned my back, Chabashira-sensei called out to me from behind.
"Considering the current situation, it'll be more soothing to consider it intentional than a coincidence. Ever since the obstacle course race, Kinoshita's been absent for all subsequent contests and taking that into account, just as you've acquired your points, she can bid farewell to her participation in the Recommended Only Participation events. Well, with her leg in that state, participation would be impossible in the first place though.....Either way, Kinoshita's an athletic student. If we're talking about speed, she's about equal if not better than you. Matter of fact, it's hard to imagine Kinoshita's severe injuries are just the result of a coincidence".
Even if she says something like that, I'm still innocent so it can't be helped. It's easy to say I'm innocent but the clock's ticking. Right now, I cannot afford to waste time on something like this.
"I was planning on withdrawing from the Recommended Only Participation events either way. Ever since the obstacle course race, my ranking hasn't been satisfactory. If I will be considered absent just like Kinoshita-san, I do not mind accepting that as well. However, allow me to emphasize that I did not intentionally make her fall for the sake of injuring her".
I wonder if this is alright? I asked that of Chabashira-sensei. However---
"But it doesn't seem like Kinoshita's going to listen, she's saying she'll report this to the school. Judging from her testimony and the footage, it doesn't seem like we'll be able to close this case. Looking at it from her perspective, it's as though she had been forced into accepting this situation after all. It'll also put Class C through a tough time since they'd have lost Kinoshita. You do understand what this means, right?".
"...probatio diabolica, right?".
Chabashira-sensei did not deny it but rather, crossed her arms silently. To prove that there are aliens on earth, all you'd have to do is capture one alien from somewhere on the planet but to prove that there are no aliens on earth, you'd have to search every nook and cranny of the earth which is something impossible to pull off. That's the devil's proof. What Chabashira-sensei wants to say is that unless I can prove my innocence, then it's necessary to take measures to prevent unfairness...
"How did you happen to hear of this, Chabashira-sensei? Who else knows of this currently?".
"Kushida consulted me on the matter. She said she didn't want to make a big deal out of it but didn't know what to do".
"Sorry, Horikita-san. Kinoshita-san insisted that I consult a teacher on this no matter what.....".
"Thank you for your concern. Because if it had been a teacher from another class, this would have escalated into a big deal. But I have my doubts. Where exactly did you hear this from Kinoshita-san?".
Kushida-san anxiously looked at the entrance to the infirmary.
"Because I'm good friends with Kinoshita-san.....when I checked in on her during the break, she told me about this".
"So that's how it is".
It isn't strange if this is Kushida-san we're talking about since she has a large social network. Either way, the only ones who know of this right now are the parties concerned: Kinoshita-san and myself. As well as Kushida-san and Chabashira-sensei. If possible, I'd like to keep it at this and resolve this problem but.....
"Would you like to speak with Kinoshita-san?".
"I don't know. Right now she seems a bit frightened so she might be emotionally unstable.......".
"Please. I don't want to aggravate things either".
I bowed my head and Kushida-san also similarly bowed her head.
"I'm begging you too, sensei".
"Alright, then let's try talking to her a bit".
Just as we received permission from Chabashira-sensei, I could hear footsteps from beyond the corridor. That person made a beeline for the infirmary. Putting his hands in both pockets, he acted like he owned the place.
"Looks like it's become quite a big problem".
"Ryuuen-kun......".
Why is he here right now?
Shaking away my confusion, I feigned calmness. But as though he had seen through it, he laughed sneeringly and stopped in front of us.
"I came here after Kinoshita asked for me. To think someone would have deliberately caused that injury of hers".
Saying that, he passed by us and entered the infirmary. We too, panickedly followed him. Entering the infirmary, Ryuuen brushed off the teacher's attempts at stopping him and opened the curtain veiling the bed in which Kinoshita-san is receiving treatment.
"Hey, Kinoshita. You ok? Looks like you've been through some tough times".
Seeing Ryuuen-kun, Kinoshita-san openly trembled in fear.
"I hear you've injured your leg? Show me".
He said that before he pulled Kinoshita-san's leg out from beneath the sheets.
"This is bad. Not half bad all things considered......".
Under Ryuuen-kun's hand was Kinoshita-san's painful-looking leg wrapped up in bandages.
"Sorry.....I tried to hang in there and participate in the next contest too but.....my leg just wouldn't listen.....that's why.....ahh!".
"Don't blame yourself, Kinoshita. I know you tried to participate in the three-legged race".
"...it was an accidental collision. Kinoshita-san, what exactly are you trying to accomplish by saying I made you fall?".
"!".
When I questioned her with a slight glare, Kinoshita-san averted her eyes. Ryuuen-kun then stood in front of her.
"According to what Kinoshita's been saying, you fully intended on making her fall. You deliberately did it, didn't you?".
"Cut the jokes. Are you saying I'd do something like that?".
"You can never tell what someone will do. Besides, look at the facts. Kinoshita, who happens to be better than you at sports, sustained serious injuries and had to withdraw. On top of that, she was planning on participating in all the Recommended Only Participation events later. In contrast, you continued participating in the contests in spite of your injury. You're asking the impossible if you want me to not be suspicious of that".
I too, understand the significance of losing a member from a complete roster. But from the loquacious explanation he gave, my misgivings of him rose further. Was having Kinoshita-san run into me his goal, as I suspected?
Was having her in particular collide with me a sacrifice to throw off suspicion, since she's more athletic than I am?
But.....that would lead to further doubt. What does he stand to gain from having Kinoshita-san collide with me when she is far likelier to earn points than I am? Furthermore, if she truly had been planning on participating in all the Recommended Participation Only events then that means Class C stands to lose as many as 400,000 points. Is this all solely for the sake of crushing me and basking in victory?
For just that, does he mean to injure his own classmate, pay the price for that and lower their chances of winning?
At the very least, from what I've experienced in my life this far, I couldn't glean any meaning from such an act of inefficiency.
"What are you thinking about so quietly?".
Ryuuen-kun bends forward as though peering at me while keeping his hands inside his pocket.
"Well, even if we have our little back-and-forth it won't do us any good. Right, Kinoshita?".
In the middle of it, Ryuuen-kun forcefully urges Kinoshita-san to speak.
"Horikita-san.....you told me after I fell.....that I definitely won't win.....".
"I said no such thing. Are you even aware that you're spouting lies?".
"Horikita, you were only looking back during the incident with Kinoshita. Why exactly is that?".
Chabashira-sensei again asks me the same question.
"I admit I was looking back. However, it's only because she called out my name many times over from behind me. At first, I ignored her. But clearly things seemed strange and so I looked back".
"Is that so, Kinoshita?".
This time, Chabashira-sensei asks Kinoshita-san rather than me.
"I never called you, not even once".
When Chabashira-sensei tried to confirm it, rather than admit it, Kinoshita-san denied it.
"The person in question herself is denying it, sensei. Besides, even if Kinoshita happened to call Suzune's name, what's wrong with that? Just calling a name doesn't amount to foul play. On top of that, it was probably a desperate cry that stemmed from a desire to win. Kinoshita is second to none when it comes to having a competitive spirit after all. If you keep reacting to things like that each and every time, there'll be no end to this".
This argument is going to endless if this keeps up. There's no mistaking the fact that these two must have conspired together.
"Umm....Kinoshita-san, Ryuuen-kun. I think it's unfortunate that things turned out like this but I don't think Horikita-san is the type of person to deliberately injure her opponent like this".
Having listened to both sides, Kushida-san spoke up as though shielding me.
"But Horikita-san told me.....that she absolutely won't let me win.....!".
"That's probably just your desire to not lose getting to your head, is it not? I think Horikita-san was also surprised by the fall, I think she was desperate too".
I did not say it. I did not say even a single word to Kinoshita-san.
But I endured it. However, Kinoshita-san continued.
"But---I can't forgive her.....now I have to take a break from even track and field practice...".
"...don't you feel any shame? Painting lies and ensnaring someone, is that fun for you? Or could it be that Ryuuen-kun set everything up? I doubt that it's mere coincidence you conveniently showed up here".
I cannot afford to accept the legitimacy of her claim just because she cried.
Because it is a lie.
That's why I decided to take a drastic measure. If he's here then rather than a turn for the worse, I need to carry this situation and turn it into a more favourable one.
"So you're blind to your own shortcomings and now it's the injured Kinoshita's fault as well as mine, huh? You're quite a terrible woman".
"Don't make me laugh. You provoked Sudou-kun a while back, I won't let you say you forgot. You're trying to use that same trick this time around as well, aren't you?".
"That incident had nothing to do with me. It's absurd to tie this matter into that".
At the very least he doesn't seem like he's going to admit to anything.
"It's clear to everyone. That you collided with Kinoshita in a self-destructive act. That clinches it. There is no room for further discussion. Let's go over this with the superiors already, shall we?".
"That's---would you let me talk this over for a little bit more with Horikita-san.....can I?".
Kushida-san begged Ryuuen-kun as though making an appeal. I'd like to tell her that's unnecessary concern but as for me, I'd rather not help out with anything that could cause this story to spread.
Even though I feel like I'm trapped in a spider's web right now, I can't help but struggle desperately.
Ryuuen-kun seemed to be slightly in thought, then he made this proposal.
"I don't have time to leisurely talk this out. Once the lunch break ends, I've got a Recommended Participation Only event starting. I'll be participating as well so I'd like to round things up here. Letting the bigwigs make the judgement would be best though".
After looking at me, Kushida-san and Kinoshita-san once, Ryuuen-kun spoke again.
"I don't mind if we can strike a quick and easy deal".
"Strike a deal?".
"I'm talking about you shouldering any losses incurred by Kinoshita and Class C".
"That's not funny, I don't even have to listen to this".
If so, the amount of recompensation to be paid won't be cheap. Besides, I'd end things on a bad note.
"Then we're done. You won't strike a deal but you're telling us to not report this to the bigwigs. That's too selfish of you, Suzune. This won't fly".
"Wait. What exactly should we do.....?".
Interrupting me, Kushida-san listens to Ryuuen-kun's proposal.
"You seem to understand things well. That's right.....if you'll fork over 1 million points then I'll have Kinoshita withdraw her complaint. That way we'll be able to prepare a substitute for the Recommended Only Participation events and Kinoshita will be able to acquire a 'special income' thanks to me as well. Simple enough right?".
"Don't be ridiculous. I haven't done anything. I don't need to hand a single point over".
"Then go ahead and prove it, Suzune. Let's make a clear distinction between black and white. Ok?".
"You all seem to be very confident in yourselves. You think your lies won't be exposed?".
"We're going to prove that we aren't lying. Let's have the Student Council President-sama deliver his judgement".
Ryuuen-kun knows about me and the student council president.....in other words, he's provoking me with a tone that implies he's figured out Nii-san. As for me, I absolutely cannot do something that would cause Nii-san any trouble.
The sister of the student council president committed disruptive acts and deliberately caused injuries. If such a rumor were to spread, the damage Nii-san receives would be immeasurable. It's the same trick as before but unlike that time, there are no openings for escape.
In Sudou-kun's case, they pretended to be victims based on the premise that 'nobody would be watching'. But this is different.
He made "the entire student body into witnesses" and played the victim. He has the advantage. Furthermore, there's the fact that Kinoshita-san is a student who is as athletic as I am if not more.
Then there's the fact that there's video footage of me turning around, a suspicious point.
The fact that Kinoshita-san had been planning on participating in all the Recommended Only Participation events.
Then finally, the fact that she sustained injuries severe enough to prevent her from continuing. There are no factors in play for me to recover with. And best of all, is the timing with which they sprung the trap.
Not immediately after Kinoshita-san injured herself but rather the fact that they had her lie down made it seem more truthful. It means they did not file a complaint immediately after falling but challenged the next contest as well.
In other words, she tried to endure it, that she tried to bear with it made it seem more truthful.
But ultimately unable to cope with the pain, she withdrew and afterwards, she quietly opened up about me having intentionally made her fall before feigning fear at further retribution from me.
Now I'm certain. That this is an encircling net meant to be used against me. And also---that this situation has already crossed the point of no return. That it's a mistake I made the moment I decided to carefreely approach this sports festival.
I keenly realized that while still leaving behind several unknowns.
"Umm....would it be no good with just my points alone......Ryuuen-kun?".
"Ahh?".
"I don't think Horikita-san's the kind of person to deliberately do something like this. That's why I don't want to make a big deal out of this. But.....I don't think Kinoshita-san's the type of person to lie too.....an unfortunate coincidence, couldn't it be just that.....that's why.......".
"A beautiful friendship. But that's no good. As a member of Class C, I think Suzune did this out of malevolence. If I think about Kinoshita, I feel it'll be meaningless unless I get money out of Suzune. Of course, I won't stop you if you're willing to pay up too though".
If we continue struggling here, it'll just get out of hand. But I cannot afford to break.
"I've decided. Kinoshita, we're going to complain about this to the teachers and then to the student council too".
As though to wake her up, Ryuuen-kun issues orders to Kinoshita-san.
While distorting her face in pain, Kinoshita-san raised her upper body.
"If they look at this situation, the school should understand too that this is a serious matter. They won't stand for this vicious stance that would do anything if it's for the sake of an inferior person's victory".
I have to choose.
The path where I pursue the truth and clash with Ryuuen-kun. The other is to make a compromise here.
Obviously I'd have chosen the former. But, there's nothing in the world that can unravel that truth. In other words, I'd just be wasting time and trust.
If so---striking a deal with him here would be.....
I desperately squeezed out my voice and called out to stop the two of them from leaving.
"Wait.....".
That word clearly reached Ryuuen-kun. They stopped walking.
"What is it, Suzune? You have no intention of responding to discussion, right?".
"If I pay, then you'll make it so that this never happened right......?".
"So you're admitting that you committed foul play in order to win?".
"I won't admit that......because I'm not lying".
"Then this is strange. What exactly will you be paying for then?".
"This time, I lost to your strategy. That's why I'll be paying for that, is what I mean".
It's humiliating, but I couldn't say anything except that.
"Did you hear that, Kinoshita? She doesn't think she's done anything wrong at all. Can you forgive her?".
".....I won't forgive her......".
"Hear that? Unless you acknowledge your fault sincerely, we have no intention of responding".
"..........".
"Is what I would like to say but you have your pride too I guess. I understand you don't want to call yourself the bad guy in front of your teacher and your friend. That's why I'll give my response since I have a generous heart. However, it's a different story whether or not Kinoshita will accept that".
He gave a devilish smile while manipulating the situation back and forth alone as though to play with my heart.
I want to be released from this situation as soon as possible.
"If I pay a million points, you'll make it so that nothing happened, that's what you said. There are no other conditions, right?".
"Certainly. But that was only the case a while ago. You declined once right? The same conditions won't apply now. If this is to be the second round of negotiations, then naturally the conditions will change".
How far does Ryuuen-kun intend to attack while provoking me?
"That's right. Try kneeling and begging right here. Maybe Kinoshita's feelings and my own might change".
"Wait, Ryuuen. This is too much".
In response to Ryuuen-kun who requested I kowtow, Chabashira-sensei, who had been a spectator, opened her mouth.
"Teachers shouldn't butt into this. This is a problem between us students".
Ryuuen-kun, who showed no fear even against teachers, said so as a follow up.
"Well, I won't force you to make a decision right away. A teacher's eye is also on us. That's why I'll hear your answer once the sports festival ends. Will you end this with a million points and a kowtow or will you revive this matter and have the school deliberate on it? Which one will you choose?".
Then he added this as well.
"Don't think this problem will be over just because the sports festival ends, ok? I'll dig this matter back up thoroughly no matter what and fight against you. After school, you bring Suzune to me".
Saying that to Kushida-san, Ryuuen-kun and Kinoshita-san both left the infirmary. Having been left behind, I stood while feeling a sense of loss.
"Are you ok? Horikita-san......".
"I'm fine.....more importantly, how many minutes has it been. Sensei, how much longer is the lunch break?".
"It'll still be going on for about 20 minutes. You haven't eaten yet right? Better get it over with quickly".
It's already such a time.......it's not that extreme but I don't have time to be eating lunch right now.
Because I have to find Sudou-kun as quickly as possible.
"Excuse me".
Hurriedly, I left the two of them behind as I left the infirmary.