You Will Regret This Ichinose! [139]

With the start of the 1200-meter mixed relay, the sports festival finally entered its final countdown. As the starting gun fired, Class A’s first runner, Shibata Sō, and Class D’s first runner, Sudō Ken, took their first steps almost simultaneously, immediately competing for the inner lane position…

“Come to think of it, this might be our first conversation, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka.”

At the final baton position for the 1200-meter mixed relay, Uesugi Gen stretched lazily and spoke with interest. “Why did you choose to run the last leg? That doesn’t seem like your usual style.”

Ayanokōji Kiyotaka responded flatly, “The original last runner got injured, so they had no choice but to put me in. I’m just an average substitute.”

“Talking to someone like you is really boring—there’s no fun in this conversation at all.”

Uesugi Gen placed a hand over his forehead, shielding his eyes from the sunlight as he scanned the surroundings. Up ahead, Ichinose Honami was smiling and waving at him.

“How you live your life is your own business, as long as you don’t get in my way…”

“Oh, my sincerest apologies then. I’m just really bad at socializing.”

Ayanokōji Kiyotaka’s tone remained unchanged.

The duel between Shibata Sō and Sudō Ken ended with both reaching the handoff point nearly simultaneously. Class A’s baton was passed to Andō Sayo for the second leg. Although she demonstrated considerable speed, Hirata still managed to widen the gap.

“This is quite rare. You, of all people, actually putting in effort for the sports festival.”

A voice joined the conversation uninvited—Student Council President Horikita Manabu. Glancing at Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, he remarked, “And you… the one who scored exactly 50 in every subject during the entrance exam. I assumed you would continue hiding your abilities. Are you finally planning to show your true strength?”

Ayanokōji replied, “It’s just a coincidence, nothing more than a series of random occurrences.”

Uesugi Gen turned to look at the former Class B’s camp. “Well, those guys are putting in so much effort. Every now and then, I have to meet their expectations.”

At the Class B camp, Hoshinomiya Chie had taken the lead in cheering, accompanied by a group of classmates waving flags and shouting, their voices echoing across the field, reaching Uesugi Gen’s ears.

Horikita Manabu gave a slight nod. “Judging by your class’s atmosphere, it’s clear that your group is one of the strongest in the school.”

“…And one more thing.”

Horikita Manabu’s gaze deepened as he looked at Uesugi Gen. “Nagumo’s proposal for an early student council election was rejected by the school.”

“That has nothing to do with me.”

Uesugi Gen responded indifferently, his attention shifting elsewhere.

Miss Phantom Thief and Miss Accomplice were preparing to run on the track…

Sakayanagi, Shiina, and Horikita Suzune were all looking this way…

“Uesugi, I don’t believe you’re unaware of what the school is planning.”

Skipping over the second-year entirely to appoint Uesugi Gen as student council president? Standing silently to the side, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka mused.

This wouldn’t be unprecedented—the current student council president had been elected while still in his first year.

“They can do whatever they want. Whether I acknowledge it or not is up to me. In the end, isn’t it just that Nagumo is too weak?”

“I disagree with that assessment.”

Another voice chimed in—Nagumo Miyabi, standing at the last baton position, had finally lost his patience after hearing Uesugi Gen’s remark, veins bulging in frustration.

“Oh? You’re still here? I thought you’d be at the infirmary keeping your beloved Ryūen company.”

“For the last time, I’m not in that kind of relationship with Ryūen Kakeru!”

Nagumo Miyabi shouted at Uesugi Gen.

“Look at that—he’s getting flustered.”

“#%!”

Nagumo took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. “But you’re right about one thing—no matter what the school is planning, this institution ultimately values strength. If I defeat you here and prove my abilities, that position will naturally return to me.”

“You…”

Uesugi Gen glanced at Nagumo Miyabi and sneered, “Forget it. Beating you would only lower my standards.”

“Your arrogance is meaningless. Soon, I’ll show you a speed that will leave you in despair.”

Nagumo’s chest rose and fell sharply. “There’s one thing you don’t know—I’m faster than your class’s Shibata Sō.”

“Oh, wow, how impressive.”

Uesugi Gen responded, completely uninterested.

He then turned toward the spectator stands and waved. Horikita Manabu followed his gaze, only to see his sister stubbornly turning her head away. In that moment, Horikita Manabu suddenly understood Nagumo Miyabi’s frustration—the overwhelming urge to punch Uesugi Gen.

The relay had already reached the fifth baton handoff. Kanzaki Ryūji had widened the gap significantly, securing first place before handing the baton to Ichinose Honami.

In the spectator area, Horikita Suzune’s expression changed.

Back when Uesugi Gen said he would help her defeat her brother, she had been too dazed to consider something crucial—what exactly counted as defeating him in a 1200-meter mixed relay?

Could it be… that bastard…?

Horikita Suzune, despite her injured leg, staggered to her feet and waved urgently.

Uesugi, you idiot, run!!

In response to Horikita Suzune’s frantic call, Uesugi Gen simply smiled and flashed an "OK" gesture, his lips moving soundlessly.

【Don’t worry. I’ll win for you.】

“…You insufferable… bastard…”

Horikita Suzune sat back down, biting her lip in frustration.

“Gen-kun… good luck… eh?”

As Ichinose Honami gasped for breath and handed over the baton, Uesugi Gen didn’t immediately start running. Instead, he bent slightly and wiped the sweat from Ichinose’s forehead.

“You did great, my little Honami. Go rest—I’ll take it from here.”

“Huh…? Oh! Okay, I got it!”

Though she didn’t fully understand the situation, Ichinose instinctively chose to trust Uesugi Gen.

The final leg of the 1200-meter relay was the most crucial moment, and Uesugi Gen’s unusual behavior had drawn everyone’s attention.

Horikita Manabu instantly grasped his intent. “I see… a one-on-one duel? Interesting.”

At that moment, Nagumo Miyabi, now in second place, also received the baton. He, too, came to a stop, looking toward Horikita Manabu and Uesugi Gen.

“I underestimated you. But this actually works better for me. Let’s settle this—who is truly the best student council president?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea—I’ve never considered any of you my opponents. I’m simply keeping a promise to a stubborn girl—to help her defeat her brother.”

At those words, Horikita Manabu turned toward the audience stands again, his emotions complicated.

So that’s how it is…

The little sister who had once cheered him on in every competition had, at some unknown point, started cheering for another boy instead…

“…Enough talk. Let’s do this, Uesugi Gen.”

“Time for you to see why I’m the student council’s vice president.”

At that moment, Horikita Manabu took the baton. He and Nagumo Miyabi began running simultaneously, quickly distancing themselves from Uesugi Gen.

The rhythmic sound of their footsteps echoed rapidly, then gradually faded into the wind.

Watching their backs, Uesugi Gen took a step forward.

One step.

Then another.

Gradually picking up speed, his jog turned into a run.

Then a sprint.

Then something even faster.

The cheers, screams, and applause from the surrounding crowd fused into an earth-shaking roar, surging like ocean waves, rising and falling in endless waves, shaking the very sky above Advanced Nurturing High School.

The two runners ahead, who had once seemed as fast as arrows, were overtaken in an instant—mercilessly left behind in the dust.

Nagumo Miyabi’s expression twisted in shock as Uesugi Gen sped past him. No matter how much he pumped his arms or quickened his stride, the gap only widened.

At that moment, he finally noticed the deafening cheers.

Are they cheering for me?

He thought of the applause he had received after scoring goals in soccer.

No… They’re celebrating my defeat.

Just a weak blond…
Beating you would lower my standards…
I never considered you my rival…

Uesugi Gen’s words echoed endlessly in Nagumo Miyabi’s mind.

His legs suddenly felt weak.

And in the next moment—he stumbled, crashing to the ground.

As he tumbled, he caught one final glimpse of Uesugi Gen crossing the finish line.

To him… we were never even worth considering.

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T/N: HAHAHA HE TRIPPED NOW WAYTYYY

This is a fan translation of 人在实教，一之濑你会后悔的 by 作者：白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!