Chapter 17: Tearful Long-Distance Run

The physical examination was followed by the fitness test.

There were three events: push-ups, sit-ups, and long-distance running.

Han Ruah, who wasn’t confident in any of them, inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and sat down at a desk prepared at one side of the field.

“Yes? Me too?”

“Yes, Ms. Han, you have to pass the test too. The official dispatched from the Education Office will measure and record, so you will run with the other teachers.”

The vice-principal’s announcement was like a bolt from the blue.

“I…I only do breathing exercises….”

“Well, you can’t skip the official fitness test, can you?”

The vice-principal tapped a part of the official document with his finger, the part that said,

“<Penalties may be incurred for non-participation>“.

“Ugh….”

“We don’t expect top-class records from you, Ms. Han. Just pass.”

With those words, the vice-principal disappeared back into the building.

‘He doesn’t do it himself….’

Ruah’s stomach churned, but there was nothing she could do. There was a decades-long difference in experience between the new teacher, Ruah, and the vice-principal.

“I really hate exercise….”

Muttering to herself, Ruah went to the nurse’s office, changed into her tracksuit, and came back out. It was the children’s tracksuit Suah had bought for her. It fit well, but it felt uncomfortable and awkward compared to her usual gown.

Remembering the PE classes from her school days when she always sat alone, Ruah shivered.

‘I just hope it ends quickly….’

The teachers were scattered on the field, warming up or chatting. Uncomfortable with this free atmosphere, Ruah looked for Himari, who usually stuck by her side.

“…Ah!”

Spotting Himari in her tracksuit, Ruah started to approach, but stopped abruptly.

“Ah, you’re first in the first-year class? Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, teacher. You are Mr. Kim Hyun-chul, the homeroom teacher of the third-year advanced class, right?”

“Wow, you know me?”

“I’ve heard you’re an expert in tanking skills. I look forward to learning from you.”

Himari was talking with several teachers gathered around her.

“How’s life in Korea? Are you settling in well?”

“Yes, Mr. Seo Dong-in. Thanks to you, I’m adapting well.”

With her polite attitude, appropriate compliments, and attractive appearance, Himari was very popular. In addition, the fact that she ranked first in her year and came from a prestigious family seemed to play a significant role.

‘Well, she can’t help but be popular.’

If Ruah were in the other teachers’ shoes, she would have paid more attention to the excellent student. The fact that Himari spoke so well only added to her appeal.

“…….”

Ruah watched Himari talking with the teachers from afar for a while, then went and sat on the stand at the edge of the field.

She was used to this kind of situation.

And, she had to get used to it.

Himari’s words about becoming Ruah’s “moon,” respecting her and wanting to learn from her, had been a little pleasing.

But Ruah knew she didn’t have that much to teach, at least not personally.

She could give tips on combat skills, but not on personal development.

Himari would realize that sooner or later and would be disappointed.

Still, it was a comfort that she had gained some favor now, so Himari probably wouldn’t refuse her request for help in the final battle.

‘Until then, I guess we’ll have a vague relationship that’s neither close nor distant.’

Ruah hugged her knees and smiled bitterly.

That’s why she didn’t approach Himari on her own.

So that she wouldn’t be hurt when she was alone again.

“Alright! Let’s begin! Everyone gather around, please!”

The instructor shouted, and the scattered teachers gathered. The vice-principal, who had gone inside earlier, came back out and explained the procedure.

“Uh, the order will be sit-ups, push-ups, and then long-distance running. This time, Hoshikawa Himari, a student from the first-year special class, will be running with us as a pacemaker. Everyone, applaud!”

—Clap, clap, clap.

Applause poured out for Himari, who stood next to the vice-principal and bowed deeply. Ruah clapped along.

“…….”

Himari waved her hand slightly when she made eye contact with Ruah. Ruah responded with an awkward smile.

“Now, now, let’s finish quickly and go inside!”

The sit-ups started, with the official from the Education Office doing the measurements.

‘Penalty for failing.’

Ruah clenched her fists inwardly. The penalty for failure was a one-month restriction from using school facilities like the cafeteria and lounge.

Unable to give up the snacks she bought during empty class periods, Ruah decided to pass quickly from the beginning.

She just had to do 30 sit-ups, 50 push-ups, and run for 12 minutes.

‘Okay, my body’s lighter now, so that much should be easy—’

—It wasn’t easy.

“Huff, puff, huff.”

Having finished the push-ups, Ruah collapsed onto the mat. Her muscles screamed, her breathing was ragged, and she felt like she was dying.

The results of her all-out effort in the two events: 7 sit-ups, 8 push-ups.

A failure.

‘This is hard.’

Her body had become lighter, but her muscle mass had also decreased, effectively making it a zero-sum game. As expected, she was terrible at anything physical.

As Ruah’s vision swam, the vice-principal’s face popped into view.

“Ms. Han, can you really treat the students well like this?”

“Haa, huff…I’m, I’m sorry.”

“Tsk, tsk, just get ready to run.”

The vice-principal sighed and walked away. The surrounding teachers didn’t say anything, but they looked at Ruah with subtly disparaging eyes.

Their records, as former professional Hunters, were in the three digits, so it was understandable.

“Teacher, cheer up.”

Himari said, placing a hand on Ruah’s shoulder.

“I’ll help you with the next one.”

“The running?”

—Nod, nod.

The last event—the flower of the fitness test, the long-distance run—required running five laps around the field, 3km, within 12 minutes to pass. Student helpers were stationed along the track for accurate measurement.

Even in perfect condition, Ruah knew she wouldn’t be able to do it, and now, exhausted from the previous two events, she had already given up.

“How?”

“Just follow me.”

Himari was next to her, wearing a fluorescent vest over her tracksuit.

‘Right, Himari said she was the pacemaker.’

“I can’t stay by your side while you’re running, but I’m supposed to run at exactly 12 minutes.”

“Then….”

“Yes, if you just keep pace with me, you’ll pass.”

Himari said, holding out her handkerchief. Grateful for the consideration, Ruah nodded, saying words she didn’t mean.

“Yeah, I’ll definitely do it.”

“Fighting!”

—Beep!

As soon as the instructor blew the whistle, the other teachers passed Ruah and ran ahead. Whether male or female, they all showed off their toned leg muscles.

Himari started running slowly, not speeding up. It was natural, since her role was to set the passing pace, but even that was too fast for Ruah.

“Teacher!”

“Go, go ahead….”

Himari glanced back at Ruah with a worried look and continued moving her legs. She couldn’t wait for just Ruah.

“Huff, puff, huff.”

Himari was getting further away, and Ruah had to fight her lonely battle.

“Heave-ho!”

“Don’t give up, Mr. Jeong!”

Already more than a lap behind the leaders, fellow teachers began to pass Ruah.

“Gasp, pant.”

Short legs with no visible muscles and stamina lost from always sitting down. The leaders passed Ruah several times, and soon people started crossing the finish line.

“Mr. Kim Hyun-chul, 8 minutes 12 seconds, Mr. Jeong Si-hyun, 8 minutes 13 seconds.”

“Argh! One second difference!”

“Haha, you’ll have to buy us drinks today!”

Laughter filled the air around the finish line, but it didn’t apply to Ruah.

Ruah just ran the track alone. The gazes of the student helpers stationed on both sides were naturally focused on her.

At this moment, she felt ashamed of the fact that she was smaller and had less stamina than others.

“Pant, pant.”

Even Himari, the pacemaker, had crossed the finish line.

The only one who hadn’t passed, with three laps still to go, was Ruah. Ruah was about to cross the finish line with slumped shoulders, but—

“—You still have some left. We’re still measuring the time for those who haven’t passed, so keep running.”

“Ugh….”

At the words of the Education Office official, she had to turn back to the track.

—Thud, thud.

Stamina wasn’t the problem anymore. The fact that she was the only one who couldn’t keep up and was lagging behind became a subtly heavy burden on Ruah’s shoulders.

“Hahaha….”

“No, after this, I have work….”

The teachers were chatting at the finish line. The Education Office official crossed his arms with an indifferent expression, looking at Ruah. The student helpers fiddled with their phones, seemingly uninterested.

“Hey, isn’t it over? Aren’t they going to call us?”

“The nurse is still running.”

“Ugh, this is annoying. Why are they being so by-the-book? They should just wrap it up….”

The students’ whispers happened to reach Ruah’s ears as she passed by.

“Ugh.”

Her face flushed. She was ashamed and mortified that she was being a nuisance, and that everyone knew it but pretended not to.

It was longer and more painful than when she was the center of attention at the entrance ceremony.

“One lap left!”

Tears blurred her vision. Ruah stumbled, struggling towards the finish line.

“Ugh, just end it already.”

“How long are we waiting?”

The teachers murmured. She wanted to pass by as quickly as possible, but her exhausted body wouldn’t allow it.

“Seriously, she should’ve exercised regularly….”

Hearing those words, Ruah wiped her tears with her sleeve—

“—Teacher, please refrain from saying such things.”

Himari’s clear voice rang out. Having taken off her fluorescent vest, Himari approached the second-year tank position teacher who had just spoken and looked directly at him.

“Ms. Han Ruah is doing her best.”

“So?”

The teacher’s face twisted, even though he was much taller than Himari.

“As a colleague, you should be supporting her, not saying such things. It’s disappointing.”

“What?”

“Just because you’re good at running, because you have good stamina, doesn’t give you the right to look down on Ms. Han Ruah.”

“Hey, hey, Hoshikawa Himari, stop it.”

“How dare a student….”

Fellow teachers stepped in and separated the two, but Himari glared at them sharply.

“You emphasize the importance of camaraderie in a party to us. However, it seems you have no intention of setting an example yourselves.”

“No, what I meant was….”

“I was just saying it’s a shame Ms. Han failed, that’s all…”

The teachers averted their eyes and made excuses, flustered by Himari’s confident attitude and righteous words.

“Please applaud Ms. Han when she comes in.”

“Oh, right….”

“Then, I’ll be going.”

Leaving those words behind, Himari stepped onto the track. With her long legs and toned muscles, she quickly caught up with Ruah and matched her pace for the final half lap.

“Teacher, the finish line is right there!”

“Huff, puff, huff.”

Too exhausted to answer, Ruah just barely managed to nod.

“I’ll go with you. Come on!”

“……!”

Tears welled up in Ruah’s eyes.

Tears of a different kind than before.

“…Y-Yeah!”

Ruah wiped her eyes with her sleeve and squeezed out the last of her strength. Matching the rhythm of Himari running next to her, slowly but steadily.

Finally, as she crossed the finish line, the applause of her fellow teachers erupted.

—Clap, clap, clap….

“Y-Yeah! Ms. Ruah! G-Good job!”

“Good work….”

“Huff, puff.”

Briefly resting her hands on her knees to catch her breath, Ruah realized a towel had been draped over her shoulders.

It was Himari.

“You did well, teacher.”

“…….”

“That was a great run.”

Ruah didn’t answer. She simply buried her sweaty face in Himari’s sweaty clothes and hugged her “moon” tightly. Himari seemed a little surprised, but then smiled and hugged Ruah back.

“…Thank you.”