The Sports Festival Season

I barely make it to class on time, sliding into my seat just as the bell rings. There's no point in arriving early; it's not like I have anyone to chat with, and showing up too soon would just make it obvious that I'm awkwardly waiting for something to do. As usual, no one talks to me this morning either.

There was a time when I used to be somewhat popular, back when I earned the nickname "Mr. Iron Ball." For about two days after defeating Kisaragi-zaka, people would refer to me as "the guy who took down Kisaragi-zaka," and I was the talk of the class. But school life moves fast, and the buzz around me faded quickly. Unless you have something that keeps you in the spotlight, people move on to the next big thing. Unfortunately, I lacked anything lasting.

Just because a class outcast like me gets some attention doesn't mean I'll suddenly become popular and surrounded by friends the next day. That's just fiction.