Fuji, of course, had noticed Inui's absence as they boarded the bus, but hadn't had enough information to make a guess at that point. When they were let out at the bottom of the hill, however, the near future became clear; there was certainly no reason the bus couldn't have made it the rest of the way, and Seigaku has seen this movie before.

Was Inui's absence expected, then? Maybe it was, and maybe it wasn't.

His voice rings innocence and confusion as he asks, "Where's Inui?"

It's like watching a line of dominoes topple after just one little nudge. Anxiety blooms from the collective good spirit of his teammates until the only one left with it is Yukimura. He looks pleased.

Fuji begins running with the rest of them, keeping pace at first but gradually slipping as the climb progresses until he's in Akaya's group. None of them look especially thrilled about the chore of running up the hill. Fuji, for his part, wears an expression of liberal delight and refreshment.

"How nostalgic! I've missed these races."

"Shut up, Fuji!" Eiji grouses loudly between heaves for breath from a bit ahead. "Don't encourage them...!"

It will be interesting to see Rikkai subjected to the infamous terrors of Inui's recipes.