Chapter 8: The Math Relay Race
---
[Scene: School Gymnasium - Morning Assembly]
(The entire student body is gathered in the gymnasium. Murmurs of confusion ripple through the crowd.)
Student 1: "Why are we here? Isn't this usually for sports events?"
Student 2: "I heard Professor Hayashi organized something."
Student 3: "The mechanical engineering guy?! He never does school-wide events!"
(On stage, Professor Hayashi stands behind a podium, adjusting his glasses. He looks... excited. Which is terrifying.)
Professor Hayashi: (tapping microphone) "Testing, testing. Good morning, students."
(The gym falls silent.)
Professor Hayashi: "Today, we're doing something different. No classes. No lectures. Instead..." (he grins) "A MATH RELAY RACE!"
(Groans and cheers mix together.)
Professor Hayashi: "Each class will form a team of five students. They will race to solve problems. The problems are Grade 8 level—simple factorization, basic algebra. Nothing too advanced."
Student 4: (relieved) "Oh, Grade 8? That's easy!"
Professor Hayashi: (smiling dangerously) "But there's a catch. You solve them while running. Each correct answer lets your next teammate advance. First team to complete all five problems wins."
Student 5: "Running AND math?!"
Professor Hayashi: "Welcome to the Mathematical Rays Competition!"
---
[Scene: Class 1-A - Forming the Team]
(Takahashi Kenji immediately grabs Kenta's shoulder.)
Takahashi Kenji: "YOU. You're on the team."
Kenta: "I have problems to solve."
Takahashi Kenji: "These ARE problems! Grade 8 factorization! You can do them in your sleep!"
Kenta: (sighing) "Fine."
Sato Haruki: "I'll join!"
Watanabe Yuto: "Me too!"
Ito Rena: "I'm decent at math!"
Takahashi Kenji: "Perfect! Kenta, you're anchor leg. Last position. We'll get you the baton with a lead!"
Kenta: "Anchor leg?"
Takahashi Kenji: "The final runner! You solve the last problem and win it for us!"
Kenta: (nodding) "Understood."
---
[Scene: Gymnasium - The Track Set Up]
(A makeshift track has been set up around the gym. Five stations, each with a desk and a problem sheet. Students warm up nervously.)
Sui: (appearing beside Kenta) "KENTA-KUN! You're competing?!"
Yui: (also appearing) "We heard! Class 1-B has a team too!"
Sui: "But we're not on it. Too many math geniuses in our class apparently."
Yui: "So we're here to cheer for YOU!"
Kenta: "You don't have to—"
Sui: (grabbing his arm) "WE WANT TO!"
Yui: (grabbing his other arm) "CHEER SQUAD ASSEMBLED!"
Kenta: (sandwiched) "It's just math."
Sui: "It's OUR math boy doing math! That's exciting!"
Yui: "Very exciting!"
Takahashi Kenji: (passing by) "Keep him motivated, girls! We need his genius!"
Sui: (saluting) "Sir yes sir!"
Kenta: (sighing) "This is ridiculous."
---
[Scene: The Competition Begins]
(Professor Hayashi stands at the starting line, whistle in hand.)
Professor Hayashi: "Runners ready! First problem is at Station 1. Solve it, run back, tag your teammate. Simple!"
(The whistle blows. Teams explode into action.)
---
[Station 1 Problems - Easy Warm-up]
Class 1-A's First Runner (Sato Haruki) faces:
Problem 1: Factorize: x² + 5x + 6
Answer: (x + 2)(x + 3)
(Sato solves it in 10 seconds. Runs back. Tags Watanabe.)
---
[Station 2 - Slightly Harder]
Watanabe Yuto faces:
Problem 2: Factorize: 2x² - 5x - 3
Answer: (2x + 1)(x - 3)
(Watanabe hesitates for 15 seconds, then solves it. Tags Ito Rena.)
---
[Station 3 - Getting Tricky]
Ito Rena faces:
Problem 3: Factorize: x³ - 6x² + 11x - 6
Answer: (x - 1)(x - 2)(x - 3)
(Ito Rena's eyes widen. She mutters to herself.)
Ito Rena: "Cubic... need to find roots... try x=1... yes! Then divide..."
(She takes 45 seconds. The crowd cheers as she solves it and runs back.)
---
[Station 4 - The Bottleneck]
Takahashi Kenji faces:
Problem 4: Factorize: x⁴ - 5x² + 4
Answer: (x² - 1)(x² - 4) = (x - 1)(x + 1)(x - 2)(x + 2)
Takahashi Kenji: (staring) "Quadratic in disguise? Let u = x²... then u² - 5u + 4 = (u - 1)(u - 4)..."
(He solves it in 30 seconds. Grins. Runs back to tag Kenta.)
Takahashi Kenji: (panting) "KENTA! IT'S YOU! FINISH STRONG!"
(Kenta catches the baton. Walks calmly to Station 5 as other teams' anchors rush past him.)
Crowd: "He's walking! Why is he walking?!"
Sui: (screaming) "KENTA-KUN! YOU CAN DO IT!"
Yui: (also screaming) "EVEN WALKING! HE'S COOL!"
---
[Station 5 - The Final Problem]
(Kenta arrives at the desk. Other anchors are already writing furiously. He looks at the problem.)
---
[The Final Problem - Grade 8 "Challenge"]
Factorize completely:
x⁸ - 16
Note: This is a Grade 8 challenge problem. Take your time.
---
Kenta: (reading) "x⁸ - 16..."
(He blinks. Processes. Smiles slightly.)
Kenta: "Difference of squares. Then difference of squares again. Then sum of squares with irrationals."
(He picks up the chalk.)
Kenta's Solution:
Step 1: x⁸ - 16 = (x⁴ - 4)(x⁴ + 4)
Step 2: x⁴ - 4 = (x² - 2)(x² + 2)
Step 3: x² - 2 = (x - √2)(x + √2)
Step 4: x⁴ + 4 = (x⁴ + 4x² + 4) - 4x² = (x² + 2)² - (2x)² = (x² + 2x + 2)(x² - 2x + 2)
Final Answer:
(x - √2)(x + √2)(x² + 2)(x² + 2x + 2)(x² - 2x + 2)
---
(He writes the entire solution in 20 seconds. The other anchors are still on Step 1.)
Kenta: (turning around) "Done."
Professor Hayashi: (checking his stopwatch) "Two hours?! The race started two hours ago, but you—you solved that in 20 seconds?!"
Kenta: "The running took longer than the math."
Crowd: (stunned silence) (then EXPLODING cheers)
Sui: "KENTA-KUN WON!"
Yui: "OUR KENTA-KUN!"
Takahashi Kenji: (tearing up) "ANCHOR LEG GENIUS!"
---
[Scene: Victory Platform]
(Kenta stands on the makeshift winner's platform. First place medal around his neck. He looks... uncomfortable.)
Professor Hayashi: (handing him a trophy) "Kenta Morik! Fastest solver in the competition! Twenty seconds for a problem that stumped everyone else!"
Kenta: (quietly) "It was Grade 8."
Professor Hayashi: (laughing) "Yes, but the pressure! The crowd! The running! Most students freeze!"
Kenta: (looking at the other competitors) "Sorry, everyone."
Other Competitor 1: (confused) "Sorry for what?"
Kenta: "For... winning too fast? I made the race look short."
Other Competitor 2: (laughing) "Dude, you're a genius! Don't apologize!"
Other Competitor 3: "Yeah! We're honored to lose to YOU!"
Kenta: (uncomfortable) "That's... weirdly nice."
---
[Scene: Aftermath - Sui and Yui Attack]
(Kenta steps down from the platform. Immediately, two missiles launch at him.)
Sui: (jumping) "KENTA-KUN!"
Yui: (also jumping) "YOU WON!"
(They crash into him, hugging from both sides.)
Kenta: (stumbling) "I—won—yes—"
Sui: (beaming) "We're so proud!"
Yui: (also beaming) "Our genius!"
Kenta: (ears red) "It was just Grade 8 math."
Sui: "It was PERFECT Grade 8 math!"
Yui: "With STYLE!"
Takahashi Kenji: (appearing) "Team photo! Everyone gather!"
(The team huddles together. Sui and Yui refuse to let go of Kenta's arms.)
Photographer: "Say math!"
Team: "MATH!"
(Click. Forever captured: Kenta with two girls clinging to him, ears red, medal around neck, small smile on his face.)
---
[Scene: Class 1-A - Afternoon]
(Kenta sits at his desk. The medal hangs on his chair. Students keep coming by to congratulate him.)
Student 1: "Great job, Morik!"
Student 2: "You crushed it!"
Student 3: "That last factorization was insane!"
Kenta: (nodding to each) "Thank you. It was nothing."
Takahashi Kenji: (leaning over) "Dude. You're a hero now."
Kenta: "I solved one problem."
Takahashi Kenji: "In TWENTY SECONDS! While everyone else was struggling!"
Kenta: (sighing) "The problem was designed to be solved in steps. Difference of squares twice, then sum of squares factorization. It's standard."
Takahashi Kenji: (staring) "Standard for YOU. Not for mortals."
---
[Scene: School Gate - Evening]
(Sui and Yui wait for him, as always.)
Sui: (holding a small gift bag) "Kenta-kun! We got you something!"
Yui: (holding another bag) "To celebrate your victory!"
Kenta: "You didn't have to—"
Sui: (pushing her bag into his hands) "OPEN!"
(He opens it. Inside: a small notebook with "KENTA-KUN'S GENIUS THOUGHTS" written on the cover in cute handwriting.)
Kenta: "...You made me a notebook?"
Sui: (nodding proudly) "For all your genius ideas!"
Yui: (pushing her bag) "Now open mine!"
(He opens it. Inside: a keychain shaped like a tiny chalkboard that says "World's Okayest Mathematician" with a winky face.)
Kenta: (almost laughing) "This is sarcastic."
Yui: (grinning) "A little! But also true! You're more than okay—you're the BEST!"
Kenta: (looking at both gifts) "Thank you. Both of you."
Sui: (blushing) "You're welcome!"
Yui: (also blushing) "Anything for our Kenta-kun!"
---
[Scene: The Walk Home]
(They walk together, Sui and Yui on either side as always.)
Sui: "So Kenta-kun... that last problem. Was it really easy for you?"
Kenta: "It had layers. Most people see x⁸ - 16 and think 'too big.' But it's just difference of squares hiding inside difference of squares."
Yui: (pretending to understand) "Ah yes. Squares. Inside squares. Obviously."
Sui: (also pretending) "I totally get it. Squares are... square."
Kenta: (glancing at them) "You don't understand at all, do you?"
Sui & Yui: (in unison) "NOT A BIT!"
Kenta: (almost smiling) "At least you're honest."
Sui: (grinning) "We're honest fans!"
Yui: (nodding) "The honestest!"
(They reach the junction.)
Sui: "Same time tomorrow, Kenta-kun?"
Yui: "Library?"
Kenta: "I'll be there."
Sui: (standing on tiptoes) "Victory kiss?"
Yui: (also on tiptoes) "For winning?"
Kenta: (ears red) "You don't have to—"
(They kiss his cheeks. Both at once. Again.)
Sui: (pulling back) "There! Victory kisses!"
Yui: (also pulling back) "Now you have TWO reasons to remember today!"
Kenta: (touching his cheeks) "I... will remember."
Sui: (waving) "Bye bye, genius!"
Yui: (also waving) "See you tomorrow, champ!"
(They run off, laughing.)
Kenta: (standing there) (muttering) "Two victory kisses. From two chaos agents."
(He touches his cheeks again.)
Kenta: "...I definitely remember this time."
(He walks home, smiling.)
---
[Scene: Kenta's Room - Night]
(He places the notebook and keychain on his desk. Looks at them.)
Kenta: (thinking) "They made me gifts. For solving one problem."
(He opens the notebook. On the first page, Sui has written:)
"Kenta-kun! You're the smartest person I know! But also the kindest! Keep being you! - Sui"
(He flips to the last page. Yui has written:)
"My prince~ You solved problems in seconds that would take me hours! But you never make anyone feel stupid. That's why we love you! - Yui"
Kenta: (staring at the messages) "Love... they wrote love."
(His ears burn. He closes the notebook carefully.)
Kenta: (muttering) "They're going to be the death of me."
(He lies in bed. Stares at the ceiling.)
Kenta: (thinking) "But... a good death. Probably."
(His phone buzzes. Two messages.)
Sui: "Kenta-kun! Today was so fun! Watching you win was amazing! Sleep well, genius! "
Yui: "Our champion~ rest those beautiful genius brains! Tomorrow we study! Or watch you study! Same thing! "Goodnight!"
Kenta: (typing back to both) "Goodnight. Thank you for the gifts. And the kisses. I remember."
(Immediate replies:)
Sui: "AHHH HE REMEMBERS THE KISSES! "
Yui: "HE SAID HE REMEMBERS! PROGRESS! "
Sui: "SWEET DREAMS KENTA-KUN!"
Yui: "DREAM OF US! (BUT NOT TOO WILD!)"
Kenta: (putting down the phone) (smiling) "Chaos."
(He closes his eyes.)
Kenta: (thinking) "My chaos."
End of Chapter 8
Ready for Chapter 9? 😊