The sports field began to stir.
Although Kobayashi Ayaka and Hiiragi Sohuya had just exchanged fierce words, it had only been a verbal skirmish. With the sports field already noisy, many hadn't caught their words clearly and assumed it was just a "friendly exchange" between two clubs.
But Kase Masafumi's kick had changed everything.
"What the heck is going on?"
"Are they… fighting?"
"What is this about? The Baseball Club… and the Kendo Club?"
Word spread quickly.
All the other clubs that had been doing physical training turned their attention toward the commotion in the center.
Kushiro Arisa, who stood among them, blinked her eyes.
Arisa didn't belong to any club. The only reason she was here today was because she felt a little guilty—yesterday her boyfriend had given up his club practice to accompany her and Nanao Akane to the police station. So today, she made the rare decision to come watch him, saying it was her way of "rewarding him."
Of course, in reality, it just meant she came to school a bit earlier to see Ochi Tsubasa at his club activities.
But for a boy like Ochi Tsubasa, who was easily satisfied, this was already on the level of "thank you for the hospitality."
"Oh no, oh no!"
Kushiro Arisa immediately rushed back to her boyfriend's side, her voice ringing sweetly.
Ochi Tsubasa was Baiqiu High School Soccer Team's "Number 10"—the soul and ace of the team.
Naturally, the other team members were also extremely polite to their ace's girlfriend.
"What's wrong, sister-in-law?"
"Did someone bully you?"
"Let me, your junior, get revenge for you!"
Normally, Arisa might have laughed and bantered with these boys. But this time, she rushed straight to Ochi Tsubasa and grabbed his arm.
"Arisa, what happened?" Tsubasa asked, still wiping sweat from his forehead.
"The Baseball Club and the Kendo Club are fighting," she said anxiously.
Tsubasa looked puzzled. The Baseball and Kendo Clubs had no grudges or close ties with the Soccer Team, so he simply smiled.
"If you want to watch the excitement, go by yourself—and be careful."
"Holy cow, I gotta go check that out," one of the Soccer Team members said. "Maybe I'll even see Miyajima-senpai make a move."
"Miyajima-senpai probably wouldn't show her swordsmanship in a situation like this…" another replied, believing in Miyajima Sakura's martial virtue.
"No." Arisa choked on a couple gulps of water before blurting out: "Hayato is from the Kendo Club!"
"Nani!?" Ochi Tsubasa's expression changed instantly. He threw his towel aside. "Quick, take me there!"
The rest of the Soccer Team began murmuring.
"Hayato… huh? Is it that Hayato?"
"Holy crap, that's sister-in-law's benefactor! Sister-in-law's benefactor is Brother Tsubasa's benefactor. Which means Brother Tsubasa's benefactor is our benefactor!"
"Let's go, brothers! Let's show those bat-swinging brats how strong the Soccer Team is!"
Tsubasa was never stingy with his praise for others.
It had only been a few days since the subway incident, yet he had already spoken highly of Hayato's character and deeds to his teammates—of course, keeping the details light so as not to embarrass Arisa. Even though the Soccer Team members had never met Hayato, they already admired him greatly.
And now, to think he was actually from the Kendo Club! Anyone accepted into the Kendo Club was surely no ordinary person.
As Arisa led Tsubasa forward, a dozen or so players followed, heading toward the heart of the disturbance.
"I'm fine."
Hayato replied to Kase Masafumi, then turned to look at the Baseball Club.
The group of players behind—tall or short, fat or thin—were already closing in, their faces hostile, some even waving bats threateningly.
"Hey, do you really want to fight the Kendo Club?" Kobayashi Ayaka narrowed her eyes and spoke sharply.
Baseball Club versus Kendo Club.
In theory, the Kendo Club should have the advantage. But it was early morning, and most of the main force—Ayaka-senpai and the second- and third-year male members—were absent. Aside from Hayato and the club president, the only ones present were new students who had just joined.
They hadn't even been in school long. Where had they ever seen a scene like this?
Except for one or two who tried to look brave, most of the new members stood nervously, glancing at each other in confusion.
Even though Ayaka's words were sharp and her tone calm, she couldn't mask the lack of momentum from her side.
Hiiragi Sohuya, who had been kicked aside by Kase Masafumi earlier, clutched his chest with a dark expression.
That bastard… one Hayato, and now another new brat dares to act against me!? Fine, I'll teach you both a lesson!
After all, this was all Hayato's fault to begin with!
Hayato noticed Hiiragi's hateful glare and knew the guy wouldn't give up easily.
He quietly said to Masafumi, "Go get my sword."
"Got it!" Masafumi immediately darted off.
But before he could get far, a clear voice cut through the air.
"Such a big temper so early in the morning?"
A girl strode in, leading a squad of burly athletes. The one speaking was clearly their leader.
At first glance, he looked ordinary—but on closer inspection, his body revealed the discipline of an athlete. His biceps and hamstrings were well developed, his broad shoulders stretched the seams of his shirt, and the sculpted muscles of his abdomen and back were impossible to ignore.
"Not afraid of being disqualified, are you?" Ochi Tsubasa raised an eyebrow.
"Soccer Team?" Hiiragi Sohuya frowned, snapping back: "This has nothing to do with you guys, right!?"
"Who says it has nothing to do with us?" Kushiro Arisa countered. "Anyone who wants to bully Hayato has to get past me first!"
"And anyone who wants to bully Arisa has to get past me," Ochi Tsubasa added coolly from behind her, his unfriendly gaze sweeping over the Baseball Club.
"Anyone who wants to bully Ochi Tsubasa will have to get past me!"
"Then anyone who wants to bully Yamashita will have to get past me!"
"Alright then! Since that's the case, anyone who wants to bully Satō… ah, forget it. You can bully him however you like."
"Oi!?"
In any case, if the Kendo Club wants to pick a fight with anyone today, the Soccer Team will stand right by their side!
As that last declaration echoed across the field, the Soccer Team members glared sharply at the Baseball Club.
The Baseball Club, who had been brimming with confidence while staring down the inexperienced Kendo Club recruits, suddenly faltered. Under the intimidating stares of the muscular Soccer Team, several of them shrank their necks like frightened turtles.
The tide of the confrontation shifted instantly.
But just as the tension reached its peak, another voice cut in.
This time, it was a gentle female voice:
"Why are you quarreling?"
Though soft, it carried a sweetness that was impossible to ignore, drawing countless heads to turn.
Miyajima Sakura, the captain of the Kendo Club, stepped into the center of the field, holding a carton of milk in one hand.
She first glanced at Ochi Tsubasa, who smiled politely at her. In return, she gave him a small nod of acknowledgment.
Her gaze then shifted to Hiiragi Sohuya, whose expression darkened instantly—he knew well that dealing with this minister would not be easy.
Yet Miyajima Sakura ignored him completely. She walked straight toward Hayato.
"Milk. Do you want plain or strawberry?" she asked casually.
"…Plain, please," Hayato replied after a beat.
Sakura set the strawberry carton aside, deftly unwrapped the straw, poked it in, and handed the drink to Hayato.
"Drink slowly. Don't choke," she said softly, her tone as gentle as spring sunlight.
And as she finished, she even flashed him a sweet smile.
Then, with a sudden shift in demeanor, Sakura turned on her heel.
Her beautiful face now carried a chilling sharpness.
"What do you all think you're doing, gathering here like this? Do you intend to fight!?"