Chapter 12 – The Field Where Shadows Watch

The morning sky was pale, touched with streaks of gray, as Rei stepped onto the festival grounds.

The entire field buzzed with life — banners waved, announcers tested mics, and students swarmed like ants in colored class jerseys. The annual Sports Festival had begun.

But for Rei… it was war.

He hadn't volunteered for anything. Yet somehow — like everything else lately — his name had appeared on the events list. Twice.

Once for the 800-meter race.

And once… for the Three-Legged Relay.

With Jun.

Yes. That Jun.

The prince of Class 1. Golden hair. Perfect grades. The kind of smile that made girls giggle and guys grit their teeth.

And worst of all… he hated Rei.

"Why am I tied to him?" Rei muttered, glaring at the event sheet pinned to the gym board.

Behind him, Kaito leaned over and whistled. "Oof. That's rough, bro. Jun doesn't like sharing the spotlight."

"Did I sign up for this?"

"Nope."

"Did I ask for this?"

"Still nope."

"…Then why—"

Kaito grinned and pointed behind Rei.

A group of girls whispered and giggled near the water station. One waved when Rei looked over. The other scribbled something in a notebook.

"…Don't tell me."

Kaito shrugged. "Welcome to popularity, Kurohara. You're a commodity now."

Rei sighed and looked at the cloudy sky. "Can I trade myself for store credit?"

[System Notification]

Event Chain Activated: Rivalry Unleashed

– Condition: Compete with Jun in at least two events– Hidden Trigger: Win one match.

– Bonus Trigger: Form alliance or grudge (Faction Path Unlock)

Reward (Initial): +200 CC | +0.5 Strength | +0.5 Agility

Rei groaned. "Oh, so now you're encouraging drama."

[System Response]

Jun's hostility is statistically attractive. Might as well monetize it.

At 10:00 AM sharp, the 800-meter race began.

Rei stood on the track, stretching his legs while trying not to pass out from nerves. Jun was in Lane 5. Rei in Lane 6.

Jun looked over, smile razor-sharp. "Didn't expect you to run, shadow boy."

"I didn't expect to be here."

"Oh? Got dragged into it by popularity again?"

"…You're bitter."

Jun smirked. "You're just a trend. It'll pass."

A whistle blew.

Rei clenched his fists. His heart pounded. For a brief second, he didn't care who was watching.

He just wanted to win.

Bang!

The gun fired.

The runners exploded from the starting line. Feet pounded the track. Breath surged through lungs.

Jun surged forward like a machine. Rei chased him, pain burning his calves by the 300-meter mark.

By 500, he was shoulder-to-shoulder with the golden boy.

Jun glanced sideways. "You're pushing too hard."

Rei didn't reply. He just ran harder.

600 meters.

Jun sped up. Rei followed.

700 meters.

Rei stumbled. But didn't stop.

The final stretch.

Rei saw the finish line blur ahead. His vision fogged from strain, but his body moved as if it remembered something older than effort—something deeper than pain.

They crossed.

Together.

Too close to call.

The crowd roared.

Whistles blew.

Rei collapsed onto the grass, gasping. Jun stood nearby, hands on his hips, sweating, glaring.

The scoreboard updated seconds later.

Result: Tie.

First Place: Rei Kurohara & Jun Sakamoto

"Are you kidding me?!" Jun shouted.

Rei blinked. "I… tied?"

"Fluke. That was a fluke."

But the crowd didn't care. Students from both classes cheered. A few chanted Rei's name.

Jun stormed off.

[System Notification]

✓ Rivalry Trigger Complete✓ Grudge Path Chosen

+200 CC | Strength +0.5 | Agility +0.5

Rei sat up, exhausted. "Grudge path? That sounds healthy."

[System Response]

Character development unlocked: Antagonist acquired. Please enjoy responsibly.

By noon, it was time for the Three-Legged Relay.

Jun stood with crossed arms while the gym teacher tied their inside legs together.

"This is a disaster," Jun muttered.

"You think I want this?"

"You're clumsy. You'll slow me down."

"You're rude. You'll break our leg."

The teacher clapped once. "Good teamwork, boys!"

Rei and Jun scowled.

The whistle blew.

Jun grabbed Rei's shoulder. "Left first."

"Got it."

"NOW!"

They started.

Step. Step. STUMBLE.

They almost faceplanted in the grass.

The crowd howled with laughter.

Behind them, Class 3's team overtook.

"You're not synchronizing!" Jun hissed.

"I know that!"

"Watch my rhythm!"

"You don't have rhythm!"

"I WILL MURDER YOU AFTER THIS."

Rei nearly fell again. "Not if we die first—"

Somehow, they reached the third turn. Still in the middle of the pack.

Rei gritted his teeth.

He hated this.

And yet—

Something clicked.

Their steps started matching.

Jun's breathing slowed.

Rei's body adjusted.

The last stretch.

They overtook two pairs.

The final line approached.

"NOW!" Jun yelled.

They lunged together.

Second place.

Barely.

Jun ripped the leg strap off and flung it. "I swear I'm suing this school."

Rei laughed for the first time that day. "You're just mad I didn't fall."

Later that evening, Rei sat under the stadium's bleachers, sipping juice from a vending machine and massaging his legs.

Kaito joined him with two bags of chips. "Bro. You trended. You know that?"

"Huh?"

"'Kurohara-sama' is being hashtagged."

"…Kill me."

"No can do. You're our class's hero now."

Rei exhaled.

His muscles burned, but somewhere deep inside, he felt proud. He didn't win every event, but he didn't fade into the background either.

He was no longer just another student.

[System Notification]

Day Summary – Sports Festival

• Rivalry Path: Unlocked

• Fanbase Initiated: Moderate

• Hidden Reaction: Sibling Jealousy Progressing…

• Social Analysis: +Popularity Gain

Stat Gains:

+0.5 Strength+0.5 Agility+100 CC

Suddenly—

A whisper.

Not a crowd. Not a system ping.

A real, physical whisper.

From behind the bleachers.

"…So that's the boy who's waking up."

Rei turned — but no one was there.

Only a cold gust of wind… and the faint trace of power in the air.

He stared for a long moment.

Then quietly whispered back:

"…I'm not asleep anymore."

The End - Chapter 12

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Name: Rei Kurohara

CC Balance: 2,955

Evolution Progress: 15.6%

— Stats —

• Strength: 7.8

• Agility: 6.9

• Endurance: 5.0

• Intelligence: 15.2

• Charm: 30.5 (Brand Aura active)

• Willpower: 5.5

• Business Sense: Tier 1.5

— Unique Passives —

• Trusted Vendor

• Brand Aura

• Rivalry (Jun) – Grudge Path Open

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