Earthside: The Festival of Red and White

Kael - Entry 2

After I told Hana of the possibility of Kazuki's return, she convinced—no, forced—me to keep writing in this diary, so he would know what has happened when he comes back.

Hana has been teaching me about this world every day after school. I'm starting to understand what "the internet" is… sort of. She also taught me to use a computer and a smartphone. In this world, they're the closest thing to magic I've seen. You can search for any knowledge through the "Giggle" application, speak with anyone no matter how far, capture a single moment or an entire event in something called a "camera" application.

Hana even uses it to listen to music and singing—whereas in my world, you would have to go to a tavern or a hall to hear someone sing or play a tune. And when you have nothing else to do, this magic box can keep you busy with stories, games, and more. It runs out of energy and needs to be charged, much like mana in my world.

Meanwhile, I've kept up with my training in the mornings. At first, this body was weak. I could tell Kazuki had never trained, because every muscle screamed in pain and soreness. But now, after weeks of work, I've gained what Hana called "newbie muscles." They're small, but they're mine, and they're growing.

Tomorrow the sports festival begins and Riku Ichijou has vowed to humiliate me for what I did to him.

Hana did explain the games: kendo, tug-of-war, ball toss, relay races, three-legged races, and the cavalry battle. These are the common ones. But this year, with the new gym teacher, two more events were added: wrestling and martial arts. At first, the school board refused, saying it was too dangerous for children. Then, suddenly, they reversed their decision. Kyotaro says someone must have paid them off. We can guess who.

Hana has taught me the rules, but I haven't told anyone about my morning training other than her. That will remain my ace in the hole. When an opponent thinks they know everything about you, they plan their attack. But when you reveal something unexpected, their entire plan falls apart. That is when victory comes.

He closed the diary, set it carefully on the desk, and lay back on the futon. Tomorrow would test both his body and his resolve. He let his breathing steady, and forced himself into sleep.

"Look after yourself, sweetie," his mother said the next morning, straightening his collar like she had when Kazuki was small. "Don't get hurt, okay? I'll come to school to watch you when I get off work early."

She kissed his forehead.

Kael smiled faintly. "Thanks, Mom."

The sun was still low when he stepped outside. Hana was waiting at the corner; hands folded behind her back. She looked more nervous than usual, her brows drawn tight.

"Hey, Hana."

"Hey, Kael."

The silence stretched between them as they walked. Finally, Kael glanced at her. "Something bothering you?"

She hesitated, then admitted, "I'm worried about the festival. If something happens and you fail… then Kazuki will have to live with the shame of it."

Kael's jaw tightened. "We don't even know when—or if—he's coming back."

"Even so," Hana pressed, her eyes sharp, "he's not someone who can take this kind of burden lightly."

Kael stopped, his voice calm but heavy. "I know you care about him. So do I. This is his world, his body… but I'm human too, Hana."

She blinked, startled.

He quickened his pace ahead of her. "Don't apologize," he cut in when she tried. "Just… don't."

The rest of the walk was quiet.

The Hoshinomiya High's schoolyard was alive when they arrived. Banners of red and white flapped in the morning wind, and students milled around in their colored headbands.

The school had been split clean down the middle: odd-numbered classes on Red Team, even-numbered classes on White Team. It kept things simple, and every year the rivalry ran hot.

Parents clustered near the gates, already filling the stands with chatter and the smell of bento lunches.

Kurogane-sensei's voice thundered over the chaos. "Listen up! Today is not just about games—it's about testing the body, the spirit, and the will. Win or lose, fight until you can't stand. That is the meaning of this festival!"

Students broke into cheers.

Kael adjusted his red headband, watching the students gather. Hana tugged on hers as well, still glancing at him like she wanted to say more, but couldn't. Kyotaro ran up, notebook in hand, eyes bright with excitement.

"Good luck, Kazuki! You'll need it. Riku's been spreading around that he's going to crush you today."

Kael smirked, the corner of his lips twitching upward. "Let him try."

He glanced at the red headband tied around Kyotaro's forehead.

"So, you're in an odd-numbered class too."

Kyotaro nodded. "Yeah. And I've been preparing with information to help our team win."

"Well done," Kael replied simply. "What's the first event?"

Kyotaro pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "The festival starts with the kendo matches, then freestyle wrestling. After that, it's tug of war, the ball-toss, relay race, the cavalry battle, and the three-legged race. It all ends with judo."

Kael hummed. "Alright. Who's fighting in the kendo match?"

"Hana Shimizu, of course," Kyotaro said. "She's a kendo champion—she's even competed at the national level. You're her friend, Kazuki. Didn't you know?"

"Of course I knew. I didn't know she'd want to participate." Kael answered quickly, though his mind faltered. Why didn't Kazuki write about this? No wonder he never saw himself that way—never brave enough to ask her out…

They moved to the edge of the court to watch. Hana stepped forward, armor strapped in, shinai resting in her grip with confidence.

Kael's eyes widened as he watched her stance, the way she moved.

"That style… it reminds me of Zephy. The same sharpness, the same fire. If this were my world, Hana would have been a warrior standing tall on the battlefield."

The matches played out swift and fierce, but Hana's strikes were cleaner, sharper. The match ended with her shinai finding its mark before her opponents could react.

"Winner of the kendo matches: Red Team!" the announcer declared.

The crowd roared.

Kael felt a flicker of pride stir in his chest. But there was no time to dwell on it as the next event was already being prepared.

Freestyle wrestling.

They moved closer to the front, the crowd buzzing as the next event loomed. The wrestling ring had been set up in the center of the field, mats laid flat and marked off with white tape. Students pushed for position, eager to see who would face who.

At the judge's table, the leader of the Red Team—a tall, broad-shouldered third-year—was handing a paper to the festival staff. Names. Match-ups.

On his way back, he stopped. His gaze flicked to Kael, and then he turned to Riku, Takumi, and Daichi. A grin spread across his face as he held Riku's hand firmly. He said something low, then jabbed his thumb toward Kael.

Hana's expression darkened. "That… can't be good."

The announcer's voice rang across the field.

"First match of the Freestyle Wrestling Tournament—representing First Grade Red Team: Hasunuma Kazuki! And representing First Grade White Team: Tanaka Daichi!"

The air buzzed. A ripple of shock ran through the students and parents.

"No way—look at the size of him!"

"Daichi's huge—he's going to crush him!"

"Poor Hasunuma, he doesn't stand a chance!"

The announcer, clearly hearing the murmurs, raised a hand. "Remember, the pairs are chosen at random! Luck of the draw, everyone."

Hana clenched her fists at her side, her voice low and sharp. "Those pricks rigged it."

Sure enough, Takumi smirked as he patted Daichi's back. The big brute lumbered toward the ring with a grin that promised pain.

Hana stepped close to Kael, her voice urgent. "Remember what I taught you about the rules."

Beside her, Kyotaro adjusted his glasses, eyes locked on Daichi's massive frame. "Kazuki… how good are your reflexes?"

Kael tilted his head slightly, calm despite the storm around him. "Good enough. Got a plan?"

Kyotaro leaned in, whispering quickly, his voice steady. Kael listened in silence, then smirked faintly.

"That's pretty smart, Kyotaro," he said.

Then, without hesitation, Kael stepped into the ring.

Daichi was already waiting, cracking his neck and knuckles. The crowd chanted his name, a wave of sound against Kael's quiet steps.

Kael stretched his arms once, rolling his shoulders loose. His gaze met Daichi's—steady, calm, unreadable.

The referee raised his hand. "Both wrestlers, to your marks!"

The crowd leaned in, the field hushed.

And as Kael lowered into stance, his lips curled into the faintest grin.

The whistle cut through the air, and for a moment, they all saw a him as David facing Goliath.