I headed towards the infirmary inside the school alone, feeling a sense of loss after Ayanokouji-kun verbally demolished me. Since he usually follows his self-proclaimed mature policy of non-interference, I didn't expect him to act in that manner and speak out. Having been surprised by that, I wasn't able to answer satisfactorily.

"...that's not it".

It's because he was right, because he hit the mark, that I wasn't able to retort.

"........".

Either way, what I ought to be doing right now is to do something about this leg of mine that I can't move the way I want. Treatment is necessary if I am to go after Sudou-kun.

There were emergency first aid personnel stationed on the grounds but wanting to avoid standing out to the best of my ability, I had chosen the infirmary inside the school. However, when I checked the infirmary, it appears there's someone who arrived before me. Out of the three beds inside, one of them is shrouded by a curtain and I couldn't see the situation. It appears someone's resting on that bed.

"Sensei, what's the condition?".

During the intermission before the lunch break, I had the emergency first aid personnel apply taping but its effects were minimal. After inspecting the condition of my leg, the teacher raised her face.

"Let's see......I've said this earlier too but participating in any further competition will be difficult".

Although it was diagnosed as a sprain, it's neither getting worse nor better. Currently I'm capable of barely running. But at the very most, I can only manage running. I cannot muster up the strength needed to win in a contest.

I desperately tried and overcame the individual competitions but the Recommended Only Participation contests will likely prove to be even more difficult. If I participate in them, I will surely stray far from victory. That alone, I absolutely cannot allow.

"Do you plan on participating in the Recommended Only Participation events?".

"Yes. That was the plan. But I think I'll be bidding farewell to any participation. Because I can see if I participate with my leg in this condition, I'll only be liability for the class".

"That is a wise decision".

Fortunately, I have a great sum of points I obtained from earlier exams. Even if I abstained, by paying compensation, I can make up for it. Even if I prepare a substitute for all three contests I had been planning on participating in, the total sum would add up to 300,000 points. It's not cheap at all, but if this raises the class's chance of victory even a little, then I'll have to make a clean decision on this. My dream of running alongside my brother will be cut short though.........

At this point, fretting over personal matters like that is meaningless. The important thing is who to entrust the substitute role to.

"Thank you very much".

Having received treatment, I gave my thanks and left the infirmary behind. I headed towards the main entrance so as to return to the grounds.

The window glass reflected me as I dragged my leg behind me and feeling pathetic, I tightened my lips. I do harbor suspicions towards Kinoshita-san, who called out my name but I have no one to blame but myself for falling and getting injured.

There's no changing that fact.

I tried my best to project a calm front so no one would notice and continued walking. When I was about to leave through the main entrance, Kushida-san panickedly ran over.

"I'm glad I was able to find you, Horikita-san. Umm, there's something I'd like to talk about......".

".....what is it? I have business to attend to later so I'd like you to keep it short".

"Yep. Sorry, but this isn't a good place. Would you please hear me out? It looks like it's going to be problematic"

"Can you please explain here? I'll make my decision after hearing what this problematic thing is".

After looking around, Kushida-san whispered to me.

".....umm you see, it seems Kinoshita-san, who ran into you and collapsed, suffered a serious injury. Right now, it looks like it's bad enough that she can't even get up, that's why.....umm, Kinoshita-san is saying she'd like you to go see her".

Hearing those words, I couldn't conceal my surprise. Certainly she did seem injured but to think such a thing happened.....

"Where is she right now?".

"This way".

After that back-and-forth, Kushida-san led me in the direction of the infirmary.