![Selection_186.png][1] Meat-Stick and Yamanko-hou met on the single-log bridge. “I won’t let you pass!” Meat-Stick-kun struck a fighting pose, glaring at Yamanko-hou with open hostility. “Why must humans always fight?” Yamanko-hou shrugged. “If we just worked together, we could finish all of this.” “Because I hate you!” Meat-Stick-kun roared. “On a log bridge, it’s kill or be killed! Take this!” Meat-Stick-kun, flushed red with rage from head to toe, charged at Yamanko-hou. The nimble Yamanko-hou sidestepped, then reached back and caught Meat-Stick-kun in an embrace. “Wha—what are you doing?” Meat-Stick-kun couldn’t move. “Heh. You say you hate me with your mouth, but your body’s honest.” Yamanko-hou’s calm yet faintly provoking tone sounded right by Meat-Stick-kun’s ear. “Then… I’ll take it slow…” Meat-Stick-kun couldn’t resist—could only stay frozen and let Yamanko-hou do as they pleased. Yamanko-hou gently yet a little forcefully lifted Meat-Stick-kun, until Meat-Stick-kun had completely lost the will to resist. Deprived of the ground, spinning in the air. Meat-Stick-kun knew they had lost, closed their eyes, feet already off the ground, awaiting an unknown fate. Suddenly… Meat-Stick-kun touched down again. Impossible! Meat-Stick-kun opened their eyes and saw only that Yamanko-hou had swapped positions with them. “Why must humans always fight? When we could solve things so gently.” Yamanko-hou gave a wistful smile. That smile moved Meat-Stick-kun. … “Hey, hey, teacher… does this count?” asked the classmate holding the scorebook, turning to the female judge-slash-teacher beside them. The judge just stared silently at the two embracing on the log bridge. “Hey, hey~ teacher, what’s wrong, teacher! Teacher, are you okay, teacher, why is your nose bleeding! Hey, call the school nurse! Somebody call the school nurse!”