Chapter 046: Useless Sakayanagi!
"Are you participating in the second scavenger hunt race?" Hachiman asked.
Kamuro shook her head. "No. For events related to speed like this, guys have the upper hand. Katsuragi-kun probably only let me on the field out of respect for Sakayanagi."
"I see." Hachiman nodded and asked again, "What about the co-ed three-legged race?"
"Not participating." Kamuro's reply was very fast, fast enough to seem like she was avoiding something. "I was assigned to the 1200-meter relay. Katsuragi-kun said my stamina is suited for long distances."
The half of the sentence that she didn't say out loud was—to participate in the co-ed three-legged race, she would have to train with a guy, tying their legs together, putting her hand on his shoulder, and running back and forth on the track. She didn't like getting too close to people. She especially didn't like getting too close to the opposite sex. So when Katsuragi asked her if she wanted to sign up for the co-ed three-legged race, she refused. She actively signed up for the 1200-meter relay instead.
Although the point value for the final anchor leg was three times that of other events, that was a single lap's distance; she wouldn't need to be tied together with anyone, nor would she need to lean too close to anyone.
Katsuragi respected her choice and didn't ask further. He wrote her name on the roster for the 1200-meter relay and then crossed her name off the co-ed three-legged race list.
Hachiman looked at her and fell silent for a second.
"For the upcoming co-ed three-legged race, I'll be participating. If you have time, you can come over and watch," Hachiman said.
Kamuro blanked for a moment. "With Ichinose?"
"No." Hachiman shook his head. "Ichinose's physical fitness won't cut it. Teaming up with her, we wouldn't be able to run very fast."
Kamuro's brow furrowed slightly. "Then... Karuizawa?"
"..." Hachiman fell silent for a second, then said speechlessly, "Karuizawa is in Class D."
Kamuro was stunned for a moment before she reacted.
Right, Karuizawa was in Class D.
The co-ed three-legged race was a grade-wide event following the Red versus White confrontation, and the Red Team and White Team competed separately. He was in Class A while Karuizawa was in Class D; they weren't in the same group, so it was impossible for them to run together.
It was just that lately, she always saw Hikigaya and Karuizawa moving together without bringing Ichinose along, so she had presumptuously and self-righteously assumed that the relationship between those two was actually better.
Though the two of them might just be busy with Student Council matters.
"..."
"Then who is your partner?" Kamuro asked.
"Himeno Yuki. She's from our class," Hachiman said. "But I'm only participating once. I'll let others take over for the remaining three times."
Himeno Yuki.
Oh.
Kamuro had actually gathered information on this student before. She was a girl in Class A who didn't have much of a presence and was slightly unsociable, but possessed good physical fitness. And the reason Kamuro paid attention to her was because the girl was similar to her—both carried an aura of loneliness and solitude.
And Hachiman choosing her as a partner wasn't because they had a good relationship, but because her stride frequency was very close to his. The two of them wouldn't need too much coordination to run a decent result.
"You're only participating once?" Kamuro asked.
"Yeah." Hachiman nodded. "It's the taking part that counts."
Kamuro looked at him, always feeling that when the words "it's the taking part that counts" came out of his mouth, it didn't sound quite right. He wasn't the type of person who cared about just "taking part." He definitely had his reasons for participating in the co-ed three-legged race. But she didn't press further.
"Right," Hachiman pulled a camera out of his pocket and handed it to her, "Before I join, help me take a few pictures. It's the sports festival after all, I want to keep some mementos."
Kamuro took the camera and looked down at it. A silver body with a black lens—it was a professional-grade DSLR. It was different from the one she had caught a glimpse of him holding before; clearly, this meant private points were more abundant, and thus the equipment was also much newer.
She turned it over and examined it.
"Is this newly bought?" Kamuro asked.
"No, this is a camera Sakura newly bought," Hachiman said. "I borrowed it from her."
Is that so.
Sakura Airi. Kamuro still had a bit of an impression of her. Because at school, she had also occasionally run into Sakura taking selfies. But this camera model was also different from the one she encountered before, clearly a new purchase, and then... she just lent a brand-new, expensive camera to Hikigaya.
Looking at it from this angle, Sakura had quite a good impression of Hikigaya, and... was quite proactive.
Looking at it this way, Kamuro once again felt that Sakayanagi was truly useless.
"What should I shoot?" Kamuro lifted the camera to her eyes and glanced at Hachiman through the viewfinder.
"Whatever," Hachiman said. "When I go on the field later, just snap a few pictures. You can figure out the rest yourself."
Kamuro lowered the camera and gave him a look. "Are you treating me as your photographer?"
"Aren't you not participating in the co-ed three-legged race?" Hachiman said. "Since you're free anyway."
The corner of Kamuro's mouth twitched slightly. She didn't agree, nor did she refuse. She just stood there, holding the camera in her hand, looking at Hachiman. Because she took back her previous evaluation of Sakayanagi—this fellow Hikigaya was also incredibly wicked, far too good at bossing people around.
Looking at it this way, Sakayanagi, who loved to torment her, and Hikigaya were actually a perfect match.
Except.
"Fine." She hung the camera around her neck, turned around, and walked toward her own class's tent. "I'm going back first. When it's time for the three-legged race, I'll go to the field."
Right now it was only the first scavenger hunt race; there were still three more races before reaching the co-ed three-legged race, so there were still more than 20 minutes of free time.
Hachiman looked at her back, the corner of his mouth moving slightly.
"Thanks," he said.
But Kamuro didn't turn back, only waving her hand. From her back profile, it was actually a bit cool.
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When the co-ed three-legged race came around, Kamuro did indeed arrive on time.
And Hachiman's side had also made preparations. Although it truly was a case of... "it's the taking part that counts," he still didn't want to run too horribly.
When Kamuro arrived, she quickly found Hachiman as well as that girl named Himeno Yuki he had mentioned. The two of them had already tied one of their legs together with a red band and were standing obediently at the starting position, waiting.
However, Kamuro noticed that apart from the spectator stands, there were also some students cheering around the vicinity here.
And Kamuro instantly spotted Ichinose Honami, who had pinkish-blonde hair. However, it wasn't surprising that Ichinose would come to watch Hikigaya's match; rather, it would be strange if she didn't come.
Seeing Kamuro walking over, Ichinose raised her head.
"Kamuro-san?" Ichinose's tone carried a hint of surprise. "Why did you come?"
"Hikigaya asked me to come." Kamuro shook the camera on her neck. "To help him take photos."
Ichinose looked at the camera in her hand and fell silent for a second. "Take photos of what?"
"He said to keep as a memento." Kamuro leaned against the pillar of the tent, lifting the camera to her eyes and looking toward the sports field through the viewfinder. On the starting line, several contestants were making preparations. And Kamuro also quickly confirmed Hachiman's figure through the lens.
"Kamuro-san and Hikigaya-kun's relationship is really good." Ichinose followed her gaze.
"It's not that good, I was forced by him," Kamuro said in a stiff tone. "But fortunately, he said he's only participating once."
Hehe.
In other words, if Hikigaya-kun participated in more events, then Kamuro-san would need to take more photos. Ichinose instantly felt that Kamuro-san was actually quite down-to-earth.
Meanwhile, Kamuro looked at Hachiman and Himeno Yuki through the viewfinder. Because it hadn't started yet, the two of them trained a bit.
The two were trying to take a few steps. Their stride frequencies were inconsistent, making it a bit awkward at first, but they adjusted very quickly. Himeno Yuki said something, Hachiman nodded, and the two tried again. This time it was much better, going from walking to jogging, and from jogging to running fast.
And soon, the race began.
Kamuro also pressed the shutter.
Click.
Inside the viewfinder, Hachiman and Himeno Yuki ran side-by-side on the red track.
Kamuro lowered the camera, looking at that image.
"Actually, he isn't an excessive person," Ichinose's voice came from beside her. "He is the type of person who will make the people around him become better without them even realizing it."
Oh.
Kamuro's finger paused on the camera for a moment. She didn't speak, nor did she argue. She just stood there, looking at that person on the sports field through the viewfinder.
Click.
Another photo.
But what did that have to do with making her work? She felt like she was the one being ordered around. She didn't think there was anything good about this.
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When Kamuro Masumi walked back to the Class B tent, she was still holding Sakura's camera; because it needed to be handled, she didn't return the camera to Hikigaya immediately.
However, when she came back, there was some sand stuck to her sportswear, but this was a common state for everyone, so it wasn't strange.
On the other hand, Sakayanagi was very leisurely. After all, she was banned from all events.
Inside the tent, Sakayanagi Arisu was sitting on a folding chair, still elegantly drinking black tea. Hearing the footsteps, she raised her head.
"You're back?" Sakayanagi's tone was very flat. "Thinking about it, I still have to praise you. First place in the scavenger hunt race. Nice running. You could say you brought 50 points to the class."
Kamuro sat down on the chair next to her.
"Yeah," Kamuro responded.
"Shouldn't you thank me?" Sakayanagi picked up her black tea and took a gentle sip. "If I hadn't lent you my cane, you wouldn't have gotten first place."
Kamuro looked at her and fell silent for a second.
Kamuro's tone was stiff, "That was for the class, it can't be counted as a personal favor to me."
The corner of Sakayanagi's mouth curved slightly. "Well, but it's undeniable. You brought it to the finish line, the referee approved it, so that is my credit."
The corner of Kamuro's mouth twitched. So to speak, Sakayanagi was demanding credit?
But it was indeed Sakayanagi who lent her the cane she carried everywhere, and only then was Kamuro able to win. One must know, her group had Hikigaya, Ryuen, and Ayanokouji. It could be said they were all monsters from other classes, yet she was still able to get first place. To a certain extent, it really was something to brag about.
Kamuro stared at Sakayanagi, and Sakayanagi looked back at her; the two exchanged glances for two seconds. Kamuro turned her head away, pulled out the camera, and clicked through it for a few glances.
"You guys really are the same kind of people," Kamuro's voice was very low, low enough to seem like she was talking to herself.
Sakayanagi didn't hear clearly. "What?"
"Nothing." Kamuro put the camera back onto her lap.
The tent fell quiet for a while. From afar came the referee's whistle and the sound of results being broadcasted over the PA system, mixing together intermittently. Sakayanagi picked up her black tea to take another sip, set down the cup, and looked at Kamuro.
"Where did you go just now?" Sakayanagi asked. "After the scavenger hunt race ended, you didn't come back."
Kamuro's finger paused on the camera.
"Went to take photos," Kamuro said.
"Take photos?" Sakayanagi's brow moved slightly. "Of what?"
Kamuro glanced at her. "Hikigaya's co-ed three-legged race. He asked me to help him take a few photos to keep as a memento."
The hand Sakayanagi used to hold her teacup paused for a moment. Her expression didn't change, but a trace of dissatisfaction flashed through those violet-blue eyes.
"He asked you to go, and you went?" Sakayanagi set down her teacup. "You are my puppy, after all."
"......" Kamuro.
"I was free anyway," Kamuro maintained her tone and said. "And what he said wasn't wrong either. Since I'm not participating in the co-ed three-legged race, I'd just be sitting around in the tent anyway."
Sakayanagi stared at her for two seconds. "Then did you take them?"
"I did."
"...."
Sakayanagi fell silent for a few seconds.
"Why didn't you call me along?" Sakayanagi's voice was a bit lower than before, carrying a trace of complaint that Kamuro could understand the moment she heard it.
Kamuro looked at her and blanked for a moment.
"Call you?" Kamuro frowned. "Aren't you not participating in the events? Is it not good to stay in the tent?"
Sakayanagi turned her head away, not looking at her. "I was just asking."
Staring at her side profile, Kamuro suddenly understood something. Sakayanagi didn't actually want to go take photos; she wanted to go "watch." To watch Hikigaya Hachiman.
However, going to watch would mean watching him tied together with another girl, running back and forth on the track.
"..."
Kamuro recalled how she had internally complained about Sakayanagi being "useless" just now, and now she was even more certain of it.
"You wouldn't want to watch it," Kamuro withdrew her gaze, her tone carrying a hint of advisement. "In the co-ed three-legged race, he teamed up with a girl in the class named Himeno Yuki. The two tied their legs together and ran on the track. Even if you went, you'd just be watching him together with another girl."
Sakayanagi's finger tapped gently against her teacup.
"I know," Sakayanagi's voice restored its calmness. "So I'm not going."
Kamuro looked at her and didn't speak further. She lifted the camera from her lap, opened the screen, and flipped through the photos she had just taken. Flipping through them one by one, her movements were very slow. Sakayanagi's peripheral vision fell onto the camera screen, catching some blurry silhouettes—the red track, the white sportswear, and that familiar, slightly hunched figure.
"How do you plan to handle the photos?" Sakayanagi asked.
"Send them to him," Kamuro said. "He asked me to send them to him after shooting."
Sakayanagi fell silent for a second. "How many did you take?"
"A dozen or so." Kamuro flipped through them. "There are group photos, and also individual ones."
Sakayanagi's finger paused on the teacup. "Individual ones?"
"Yeah." Kamuro nodded. "When he was warming up, I took a few. And also after he finished running, standing at the finish line catching his breath."
Sakayanagi picked up her teacup, and then, set it down again.
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