Beach
Kiyomi sat down in the sand.
"Kiyomi. What are you doing?"
"Building a sandcastle"
"Oh wow. That's really impressive."
The sandcastle was amazingly constructed with shocking detail. Kiyomi used a small stick to gently carve details into the walls of the castle.
'Is there nothing that she isn't good at?'
Kiyomi sighed.
"This is peaceful."
Suzuki smiled.
"It really is."
Nagumo stood up.
"The task has started!"
Kiyomi got up, walking to the task, leaving the sandcastle undefended.
'There's no way I can let this masterpiece get done in by the tides.'
He started making a moat as Kiyomi sighed.
"Stop getting distracted. Let's go."
"But..."
Kiyomi kicked her foot through the castle.
"It doesn't matter. Let's go."
Suzuki was shocked as Kiyomi dragged him to the event by the collar.
'She... didn't even hesitate.'
Suzuki looked downtrodden at the destruction of the castle, but relented as he got up and walked on his own. Kiyomi went through her rounds, winning each round until the final round started as Kiyomi was face to face with Asahina.
"Go easy on me okay Kiyomi-Chan?"
Kiyomi tilted her head.
"If you lost while I went easy wouldn't that be more embarrassing for you?"
"Eh? You're not really that strong are you..."
Kiyomi rushed in as Asahina tried to stop her, but got knocked to the ground as Kiyomi grabbed the flag.
"What just happened?"
Kiyomi walked over, helping Asahina up.
"Sorry Nazuna."
Asahina splashed water into her face.
"Take that! Revenge!"
Kiyomi didn't react. She then swung her leg back and kicked the water as which hit Asahina in the face, and she fell backward.
"Ugh."
She spat out the water.
"I felt like I was being lightly slapped in the face."
Suddenly, Kiyomi felt water hit the back of her head as Suzuki's back was facing her. She walked behind him, her skin inches from his as he breathed heavily.
'What the? Is she going to hug me? In front of everyone?'
He blushed when he felt something land on the top of his head as the water flowed onto his face.
'She tricked me.'
Kiyomi smiled slightly as Nagumo then drew everyone's attention.
"The boys round is starting now. Gather up."
After many rounds, Suzuki stepped up, coming face to face with Nagumo in the final round.
"So I wonder how strong you are little Horikita."
"You'll just have to find out then."
Nagumo made the first move as the two grabbed each other's hands as they tried to get past the other.
'What the!? He's stronger than I expected.'
He put some more force as some girls looked at the two in amazement.
"Horikita-Senpai and President Nagumo? Oh my god. So hot."
Asahina sweat dropped.
"Ah don't take it too seriously Kiyomi-Chan. They don't mean anything by it."
"I know. I don't mind at all."
Asahina paused for a second before smiling.
"The I gotta say. Your boyfriend is really cute. You're really lucky."
"Hm? Yeah he's really handsome."
"You're so bold sometimes, Kiyomi."
Suzuki, meanwhile, put a lot of effort in, eventually throwing Nagumo to the side by a bit.
'You're strong, but you've got no technique!'
Suzuki rushed towards the flag when he fell onto his face and looked behind him to see Nagumo grabbing his leg.
'Damn this guy!'
Suzuki got up, shaking him off as Nagumo grabbed his shoulder, as Suzuki tried to get free of Nagumo, as the girls from before began BL fantasising. Kiyomi got confused.
"Um... what are those girls doing?"
"Um... they're fantasising about your boyfriend and Nagumo being... you know."
"..."
"..."
"But they're not ga..."
"Doesn't matter to them."
"..."
"..."
"What is wrong with people?"
Asahina shrugs.
"It's kinda hot."
"Nazuna please not you too."
"I mean if you swapped Nagumo with someone else."
"You really hate him don't you?"
"Yep."
Kiyomi sighed as Suzuki grabbed the flag, and Nagumo sighed.
"You really are pretty strong. It's my loss. I admit it."
Suzuki sighed.
"You were pretty strong President Nagumo."
"Hey flattery won't get you anywhere on that issue with your girfriend you know."
"I know already."
Suzuki walked over to Kiyomi.
"Kiyomi. Are you going to be on the move soon?"
"I got to change first but yeah. I will."
Kiyomi turned to Nanase, who was sitting off to the side.
"Are going to join me Nanase-San?"
"Um, yes."
"Then I'll get changed and we can go."
Kiyomi went into the changing room, changing back into her uniform before heading off with Nanase.
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Pond
Kiyomi walked over to see Ryuen and Katsuragi.
"Oh it's you two."
"Oh Kiyomi."
"Hello Ryuen. Looks like you and Katsuragi teamed up."
"Yeah. So what are you up to?"
"Just completing the events."
"That guy Koenji. He's one of yours right?"
"... Why are you making it sound like he belongs to me."
"Hehe."
"I'm leaving."
"Hey. Wait a sec. That monster's already in the top 5. The hell is up with that?"
"I wouldn't know."
Kiyomi left as Katsuragi looked at Ryuen a bit exasperated.
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Tug Of War
Kiyomi walked over to see Koenji and sighed.
"So you're the one who made it here."
"Indeed Ayanokoji-Girl. Care for a competition?"
"Um. That's not really safe for me. I am a girl after all. I should compete with Nanase-San instead."
Nanase looked a bit surprised but nodded.
"If that's what you want Ayanokoji-Senpai."
Koenji laughed a little.
"Using the excuse of being a girl are you? That's not very beautiful Ayanokoji-Girl."
"I don't really care about that though."
"Come now. Are you not curious?"
Kiyomi sighed, stepping up to the rope as the teacher walked over.
"I'm not sure about this."
Kiyomi looked at him.
"It's fine, Sensei."
The teacher sighed and counted down from 3. The two began pulling as Kiyomi felt her feet close in on the centre. She planted her feet better and started pulling Koenji towards the centre. He responded in kind as the two were equally matched. Koenji chuckled.
"Very impressive, Ayanokoji-Girl."
She let go of the rope, effectively forfeiting the match as Koenji sighed.
"How disappointing. I was getting invested in that match too."
Kiyomi looked at him.
"That's another 50 points to you. One step closer to your goal of first place."
Koenji sighed.
"Competing with someone is far more satisfying to me since first place is a given."
Kiyomi sighed.
"I understand that but finding competition satisfying? I don't really get that at all."
Koenji sighed.
"You shouldn't think so highly of yourself, Ayanokoji-Girl."
"Think highly of myself? Not at all."
"I don't mistake confidence when I see it. You're certainly impressive after all. The one who's best suited for me."
Nanase blushed.
"Koenji-Senpai! That's taking it too..."
"Be quiet bystander."
Nanase's mouth shut in an instant as Koenji continued.
"You'll come to realise that fact eventually Ayanokoji-Girl."
"I have no intention of being with you in any way shape or form."
Kiyomi left with Nanase.
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Separate Area
Kiyomi was walking around when they climbed up and cliff, and when they reached the top when Nanase held a stronger stance.
"Nanase-San?"
"Ayanokoji-Senpai. It took a while to lead you here."
"I thought you were doing that. But it's about time to confront whatever you're hung up on."
"You've gained friends and a lover. You've gained an amazing life."
"And?"
"You don't belong here because you're from that place. The White Room."
Kiyomi sighed and then looked at Nanase darkly.
"Then I don't belong anywhere."
Nanase shivers a little as Kiyomi continued.
"You think you lead me here?"
"Huh?"
"If you seriously think you're in the advantageous position you're wrong."
Nanase and Kiyomi were both an equal distance from the cliff.
"You've made a miscalculation so what's going to happen from here Nanase-San?"
"Ayanokoji-Senpai. Do you know who Matsuo Echiro is?"
"Who?"
"The reason he died is because of you. How can you?"
"What do you mean by that."
"When you escaped the facility."
"Escaped? My father was against it but he allowed me to come here."
"He... what..."
"I think you've been misinformed. Your anger is misplaced."
"That man."
Nanase was fuming as she thought of Tsukishiro.
"I don't recommend fighting Tsukishiro. It's a terrible idea."
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
"Let go. You don't have the strength to create any change or punish their actions."
"How can you?"
"I don't either."
Nanase gritted her teeth.
"If you can't, then..."
"Live your life. You still have one."
Kiyomi walked away as Nanase called out to her.
"Senpai... Is there really no way to win?"
"There isn't. Apart from dumb luck."
Nanase sighed with a depressed expression, and Kiyomi offered her hand to her.
"Nanase-San. If you sit like that, then you're going to waste your life. There's no point to that. Get up."
Nanase looked up at Kiyomi and slowly grabbed her hand, pulling herself up. They walked away from the cliff and travelled for a bit before taking a rest as Kiyomi walked away to find firewood, but she came across a girl with purple hair.
"Amasawa-San?"
"Hey Ayanokoji-Senpai."
"What do you want?'
"I wanted to talk to you."
"Why?"
"Because you're the one I most admire Senpai."
"Oh so you're from he White Room."
"Eh you knew?"
"Yes, I did."
Ichika pouted.
"You've been observing me and Suzuki a lot. What do you think?"
"I think he's quite lucky. That Senpai. Still he treats you well so I have no complaints."
"And all those attempts to tempt him?"
"I was just testing his loyalty. He passed, so I really am glad."
Ichika kicked a rock off to the side.
"Senpai why are you even with him? Do you actually love him?"
"I do."
"What triggered those feelings?"
"It just happened. I can't really explain it. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel a slight redness in my cheeks.
Ichika looked dumbfounded.
"Redness in your cheeks?"
"Yes. I don't really get it but... for the first time in my life, I don't need to get it. I can just enjoy it."
"Enjoy it huh?"
"Why are you saying it like that?"
Ichika smirked.
"By the way how is Horikita-Senpai in bed?"
"That's really none of your business."
"I just want to know for reference and to know if it's worth it."
"Figure that out for yourself. I'm not divulging my private life with Suzuki to you."
Ichika sighed.
"I'm only joking."
Ichika sat down and started kicking her legs in the air a little as she looked to Kiyomi with a more relaxed expression.
"Are you happy Senpai?"
"Why do you care?"
"Because we're from the same place so if you can be happy maybe I can."
Kiyomi sighed.
"Is that why you care so much?"
Ichika nodded.
"Very well. I understand that reasoning so I'll tell you."
Kiyomi sat down next to her, leaving a small space between them. Ichika then looked to her.
"Are you happy, Senpai?"
Kiyomi nodded with a soft expression.
"I am."
"Even though you know it won't last forever."
"Yes, I am."
"Senpai. I kind of feel bad for you. Falling in love after coming here."
"Hm?"
"For people like us falling in love is the cruelest thing."
Kiyomi sighed.
"Maybe you're right."
Ichika leaned on Kiyomi, put her hand on her head and patted her.
"You're more friendly than expected."
"I just know you're the Senpai I looked up to so I..."
"It's alright. I don't mind it. I think it's nice."
Ichika's eyes slowly closed as she slept.
"You're such a handful of a Kohai but... I don't really mind that."
The next morning, Ichika woke up, getting up from the ground as she saw that Kiyomi and Nanase were gone, and she pouted.
"Senpai left without me huh?"
Ichika sighed.
"Still. It was nice being able to be so close to Senpai."
Ichika stretched her arms, yawning.
"Huh? I slept really well last night. That's weird."
Ichika looked around.
"Like I had something I'd been missing my entire life."
Ichika thought about it for a second, but couldn't figure it out. She sighed.
"Well there's no way to know right now."
She started walking into the forest.
"I can't be standing here like this. I have things to do."
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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