The next day at school, a hurdling championship was being held.
But Tiger didn't know about it — he came wearing his normal outfit, not the competition uniform.
As he entered the ground, everyone whispered,
"Tiger looks so hot and handsome, even without the sports dress!"
Tiger's teacher noticed and said,
"Tiger, you came in your normal clothes?"
Tiger replied,
"Sir… was I supposed to wear the sports uniform today?"
The teacher sighed,
"Yes, you forgot? Today's the hurdling championship."
Tiger scratched his head and said softly,
"Sorry sir, I should've remembered."
The teacher smiled,
"It's okay. Just be careful next time. Now go — the race is about to begin."
Tiger nodded.
"Okay, sir."
It wasn't like him to forget important days. That small mistake stayed in his mind longer than it should have.
Why did this feel… unfamiliar?
The announcement echoed through the mic:
"First, all boys will participate in the hurdling championship. After that, it'll be the girls' turn.
Everyone, take your positions! When I count to three and fire the gun, the race begins!
One… Two… Three… Fire!"
The boys jumped over the hurdles normally —
but Tiger flipped frontwards like a ninja, His body moved before he even thought about it.
For a second, it felt like he had done this many times before.
The wind against his face felt strangely familiar.
gracefully leaping over each obstacle.
The entire school gasped in shock.
"How is he doing front flips so easily!?"
While others struggled with basic jumps, Tiger moved like a pro, landing perfectly after every flip.
Moments later — he crossed the finish line first!
He wasn't even breathing hard.
Why does winning feel… expected?
It didn't feel like a victory. It felt like something repeating.
Everyone was stunned.
"He won… with stunts!"
The silence after his finish felt heavier than the cheers.
He could feel eyes on him — not admiration, but curiosity.
The other boys ran up to him, amazed.
"Bro, how did you do those front flips? Teach us too!"
"Please man, we wanna learn!"
Tiger awkwardly smiled, sweating a little — then quietly walked away.
The teacher said sternly,
"Don't bother Tiger right now."
Just then, the next announcement came:
"Now, it's time for the girls' championship! Girls, take your positions!"
Everyone whispered again —
"This time, Icchi's definitely gonna win!"
"Yeah, no one can beat her."
Some boys blushed and whispered to each other,
"Icchi looks so beautiful today."
"Bro, are you in love with her?"
"I already was."
Girls were also talking among themselves,
"Icchi looks as stunning as ever."
"Yeah, she's always beautiful."
Meanwhile, a few girls couldn't stop staring at Tiger,
and he noticed it.
He thought to himself,
"Why do they keep looking at me like that? What's so special about me?"
Then, when Tiger accidentally glanced at one of them, all the girls started shouting:
A few girls froze when he glanced their way.
One of them quickly looked down, pretending not to stare.
The announcer interrupted the chaos:
"Okay! I'll count to three. This time, no gunfire. Ready?
One… Two… Three… Start!"
Icchi sprinted ahead — leaving every girl behind.
The crowd cheered,
"As expected of Icchi!"
She crossed the finish line with elegance and confidence.
The other girls said,
"Icchi, you were amazing!"
Tiger was watching everything silently from afar.
She runs like she knows she'll win.
There's discipline in her movements… not pride.
She doesn't waste energy. Interesting.
Then suddenly,
another announcement came:
"I forgot to mention earlier — now there will be one special race... between Icchi and Tiger!"
Everyone — even Tiger and Icchi — were shocked.
"What!?"
Why me?
This feels intentional.
Almost… arranged.
The announcer continued,
"The winner won't get any prize… but this will help us measure your true abilities."
The teachers nodded in agreement,
"That's actually a great idea."
The crowd roared with excitement.
"Let's begin the final race — Tiger vs. Icchi!"
Both took their positions.
"One… Two… Three…"
Tiger exploded forward, doing his signature flips again — Icchi was stunned.
For a moment, their eyes met mid-air over a hurdle.
She's fast… but she's watching me more than the track.
He pushed just a little harder — not to win, but to see her limit.
She hadn't seen the boys' race earlier, so this was her first time watching Tiger's moves.
"What… he's flipping over every hurdle!?"
She gave it her all, but Tiger's acrobatic speed was too much.
They raced neck and neck — until finally, Tiger crossed the finish line first!
Tiger landed stylishly at the finish line.
The crowd fell silent — then gasped.
"Icchi lost… for the first time ever!"
"No one's ever beaten her before!"
This is the first time someone has outrun me.
He wasn't even struggling…
Who exactly are you, Tiger?
Tiger:Why did that feel… too easy?
Icchi reached moments later and, slightly annoyed, picked up a small pebble —
She picked up a small pebble and tossed it lightly toward him.
Tiger moved aside without even looking.
It wasn't anger. It was testing.
She wanted to see if he was paying attention.
but Tiger dodged easily.
He smirked, then walked away toward the school.
Later, when Icchi went swimming to cool down,
Tiger came out of the shower nearby.
A girl walking past him giggled,
"You smell really good, Tiger."
As Tiger passed through the hall, some boys approached him.
"Bro, how'd you beat Icchi?"
Then another guy stared at Icchi swimming and said,
"Tiger, look at Icchi — she's so hot! Don't you feel anything?"
Tiger replied coolly,
"No."
Why does everyone measure people by attraction?
He looked at Icchi differently — not with desire, but with calculation.
He walked off.
A few moments later, as Tiger was leaving the pool area — Icchi appeared.
"Hey, Tiger."
He turned.
"Yeah?"
Icchi smiled mysteriously.
"Would you like to work with my friend?"
She wasn't smiling like before. This was serious.
She doesn't just want a teammate for her friend.
She wants answers.
Tiger frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Icchi replied softly,
"You'll find out soon."
Then Icchi turned away.
"You won't need long."
She walked off.
Tiger remained standing there.
For the first time today —
He felt uncertain.
And that bothered him more than the race.
Scene fades.