A Brother's Sacrifice

The slow breeze brushed my face and my black hair fluttered as my sight concentrated below. The whole student body was present in this huge spacious field.

By the sidelines, at a reasonable distance from the boisterous events that are happening, were parents and other relatives spectating their children.

Their children were quite hard to find but when a specific event would start and the commentators would give the names out of the participants, their parents would listen to it so that they would find their children.

I was watching all of this from the second floor of the school building, specifically from a third-year classroom. I did not read which exact class I entered because I randomly decided on which class door to open.

I was sitting on a chair as my head was partially stuck out through the window.

*Sigh*

The pain on my left hip and shoulder is still there but I felt that it was not as bad as the day I receive this injury.

One of the first events of the day was a 100-metre race for the freshmen this year. The organizer thought of starting this year's Sports Day with a bang.

Kinoshita was not going to be participating in this one because if I remember correctly, he is going to partake in the 200 metres and 500-metres race. Incidentally, I spotted Kinoshita who was stretching by himself, getting ready.

I thought that his event must be after the 100-metre race. The boys will start first as they got on the starting line.

And with a starting pistol, Sports Day began with the freshmen running as fast as they could. After that race finished, the girls were in the lineup.

I noticed that there were more onlookers who were excited to watch this event, especially the boys. Not only the first years, but second years and third years were interested in it.

Now that the majority was intrigued, I was curious as well.

However, that curiosity of mine was short-lived as I knew the reason right off the bat.

The centre of the mass attention was one of the first-year girls, that even when I was far from the actual place, I could feel the presence.

Nevertheless, neither I was not in awe of that presence nor was I surprised who that girl was.

After all, that was my sister. Catching every person's awareness, that is the kind of person she is. Even the parents were admiring her appearance.

The race started. All of the girls ran as fast as they could. Spectators cheered for the participants and it just riled them up more.

But in the end, there was going to be only one winner. In this case, the winner is Kaburagi Reika.

Many people clapped while the other participants alongside Reika appreciated all their efforts together. That was the spirit of this event.

When the winner, raised her hand to thank all the cheers she received, Reika then turned to one specific direction. It was in the crowd of onlookers. She was waving her hands more enthusiastic as she wore a grand smile.

I followed that line of sight of hers, and to my surprise, Mom was there.

In return to Reika's wave, Mom responded by doing the same action she was doing.

Watching all of this, I tried to avert my sight from this. But the single thought that crossed my mind over and over again, nagging me relentlessly caused me to click my tongue in disdain unintentionally.

'She did not inform me that she was going to be here.'

Well, since I took the time of what I blurted out in my mind, my calmness was back. I retorted myself for thinking like that because I knew the reason.

My sight was paused on Mom who was watching Reika, then I returned my eyes to the events.

The second batch of boys and girls that would be partaking in the 100-metre race was getting themselves ready. That would be the penultimate 100-metre race of the day for each gender.

The race is arranged like this. There would be a first batch and the second batch of participants. The 1st place to 4th place for each race, they would proceed to the final race.

It will go like this for the 2nd year and 3rd year also, separating the genders.

The second batch of 1st-year boys started as I took out a snack of chocolate bar that I bought before coming to school, using Miyamoto's money.

The boys finished faster than the girls. Maybe they were motivated and tried to impress the girls. Either way, the second batch for the girls were ready to get themselves on the starting lineup.

And there she was. Fujimoto Aki doing the last stretch of her legs as she got near the line. She was calm but the other girls that were close to here were nervous but they shrugged that feeling off to concentrate on the race.

The race began with a 'bang' noise by the starting pistol fired by a teacher. They all lifted their body and started to run. It all seemed normal.

However, there was something weird with Aki. She was not using her all to run this race. She got left behind but not by much.

I thought that she wanted to win every race yet what am I seeing. She ran and maintained the 3rd position as she 'jogged' with the other participants.

As she reached the end, I noticed another peculiarity. She slowed down and let another one slips up to her position and got 4th place as the race ended.

She was not panting that much as the other participants that got 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Nevertheless, Aki got qualified for the final race.

I noticed Ken approaching her and gave a bottle of water while chatting with her. They look happy together.

Now that I think about Aki.....

Don't tell me she was conserving her race for the final race...?

That gorilla, when did she become that smart? I only thought she only used her head academically but.....

I scoffed as I continued to eat the chocolate bar in my hands.

'What a really great asset.'

I noticed Ken approaches her and gave a bottle of water while chatting her. They look happy together.

The last 100 metres would be done in the latter half of the event alongside other final events. Saving the best for the last I presumed.

The 2nd years and 3rd years were preparing for their turn in this event. I spectated this but suddenly, I forgot to buy a drink.

Lazily, I got up went and into the direction of the vending machine. I got some orange juice can and that washed down all the remnants of the chocolate in my stomach.

I felt refreshed. I bought another drink for later since I had another snack that I bought.

I went back to that class and got in the same position and resumed watching the event.

.....

It was the 200-metre race and Ken was one of the participants. Well, it was over with Ken being third. Considering that there were other first years that were in an athletic-related club, he did well.

Aki did her other event later on, which is a long jump event.

In this one, the participants have 3 attempts at jumping. And like any other event, the 1st to 3rd place would qualify for the finals.

Just for the record, Aki came second in her batch.

They both are amazing physically, especially Aki needless to say that it was obvious.

The 2nd years followed after and it goes on. The selection of participants for each final event was over by around 11 p.m.

The commentators announced that it was time for a break. During this time, they had to rest or eat some light food. But there were also some students who approached the onlookers of parents.

One of them was Reika who happily jogged to Mom.

Before they even got closer, I retracted my head back off the opened window. I dropped my body lower while still sitting on the chair.

It is like I have lost all energy in my body as I was drooping down and hanging onto the chair. I took out another snack that I kept in my pocket to replenish my energy.

I drank the orange juice from the can I placed on the table.

Just when I felt refreshed, the door to the classroom opened.

"....."

"....."

"Well hello, Kaburagi."

"....."

What the hell is Mr Kimura doing here?

He was carrying a plastic wrapping in his hand which contained rice balls. He closed the door behind him and approached me.

"Hello, Mr Kimura. What are you doing here?"

"Taking a break. And you? I assume that you have been taking a break this whole time."

"You are not wrong."

He took one of the nearby chair and placed it near the table. He sat across me as he took out the rice ball from the plastic wrapping.

"Do you want one?"

From the 4 rice balls he got, he stretches his arm and beckoned me to savour this one rice ball.

"Sure, why not."

Since he went out of the way to give up one of his lunch food, I accepted his offer.

I munched down on the rice ball and it was delicious. I continued taking another bite off the food and Mr Kimura watched.

He also started to eat the rice balls as he rested his back on the chair.

"It's delicious, right?"

"Yea.....sure."

"My daughter made it."

He took another bite and chew the content. A few seconds later and I munched the entire rice ball.

"Want another?"

"No."

I refused and drank the orange juice. I watched him silently as he proceeded to finish the entire meal. Mr Kimura was now laid back in his chair, approximately the same posture that I was maintaining.

He took out a small packet of cigarette from his trouser's pocket. I was astounded when he revealed what he took out.

"You smoke, Mr Kimura?"

"...Do you mind?"

He did get a little angry at me. I shrugged him off letting him get the go-ahead.

He took out a lighter and lit the cigarette. He puffed out a large gust of smoke and he seemingly seemed more relaxed than ever.

I guess that every person has a flaw or two. I envisioned him as a good teacher with no shortcomings. We cannot judge only what people do in front of someone.

But with me, he is not that bothered with my presence.

"...Is it alright to smoke in here? The classroom will stink and some students might get blamed for it."

"Worry not. I always carry perfumes to reduce the smell."

".....Does Aoi know you smoke?"

"....No."

I stayed quiet and discontinued the conversation between us two.

Different people have different ways of enjoying their peaked relaxation time. So I understand that Mr Kimura was smoking for that sake even if he was concealing that fact to her daughter

I mean, someone has to cut him some slack, no?

After a few minutes of silence, Mr Kimura was the one who struck another conversation to a different topic. But it was a rather deep one.

"I don't know why the Principal would accept you as a student of this Aomori High School."

He puffed out another smoke as he rested his sight towards me.

"Is there something else that I should know?"

"....Are you curious?"

"Might be."

I finished the orange juice from the table as I changed my posture.

"Then, I am going to tell you if you can confirm what I'm about to say. Is it okay for you?"

"Depends."

I straightened my upper body and rested my arms on the table. I concentrated on Mr Kimura and spoke with a serious tone.

"Apart from you and the Principal, is there anyone else that really knows me?"

He paused as he glanced outside to the crowd of students.

"Well, there is your sister."

"...Apart from her."

"No one."

He reassured me as he threw his cigarette b.u.t.t in a small plastic. He then also changed his posture and stared at me right in the eye.

"My turn now."

I lightly sighed as I reinstated in my normal state. I explained to him everything that he wanted to know.

"You see, my Dad and the Principal are childhood friends."

From the first sentence I blurted out, he was a little surprised. I continued my explanation.

"Originally, my dad and the Principal was born here in Aomori. They have a great connection and they both figured something out to make me enroll here without much complications."

".....Despite knowing all of what happened to you, the Principal accepted you?"

"Even I was baffled. In the end, they must have sorted out some things that the Principal could do such a thing. Maybe it was my Dad who persistently persuaded him into enrolling me."

"....."

Mr Kimura sighed as he looked at me as I finished explaining.

"It must have been hard for the Principal. After all, anyone would really consider thrice to even let you near a school."

I stayed quiet. After a few seconds of silence, Mr Kimura scoffed and glanced at me.

"Do you not feel any guilt about what you did? Any remorse? Sympathy?.....Pity?"

I gritted my teeth in response to what Mr Kimura said. I replied to him with a low voice that contained a tinge of furiousness.

"All I have are excuses, excuses and f.u.c.k.i.n.g excuses!"

"...."

I calmed down a bit from my little outburst. I stared at the table and continued to speak to Mr Kimura.

"I always blame someone because I wanted to affirm that I was not the one at fault."

"..."

"I blamed the teachers. I blamed that Principal. I blamed that school. I blamed the upperclassmen. I blamed my classmates. I blamed my parents....."

"...."

"I blamed myself too but.....I just don't know why but my mind really refute my accusations..."

The first time Mr Kimura opened his mouth after that little outburst of mine, he asked with caution.

"What about your sister, Kaburagi Reika? Did you blame her?"

To that, I slowly veered my outside the window. The wind brushed my black hair and Mr Kimura's black hair lightly. Mr Kimura too followed my line of sight and it befell on the person of interest.

A beautiful girl that attracted the attention of many people.

Kaburagi Reika.

The words that I blurted, were neither intentional nor unintentional. Just words of doubt that exited as if it was naturally suitable in this situation

".....I hope that is not the case..."