Rendo opens his eyes for the first time since the tragic incident. Only a few minutes have passed. He lies on bed, inside a mobile clinic which was actually a tent set up just outside the stadium. To cool him down was a small electric fan and cold compress on his head. His wounds still hurt, but these are already applied with first aid. Among these would be a lot of bandages and povidone-iodine, locally known as Betadine, spread on his wounds. He hears a conversation. It must be the doctor talking to his parents. As he listens, he closed his eyes again.

"His wounds are not as serious as first thought," the doctor said, "They will heal soon enough, although scars may remain. You could begin buying medicine for him, as well as a walking aid."

"Crutches, doctor?" his mother asked.

"Oh, no, ma'am. Not necessarily. Luckily for him, his body is quite tough. Must have been genetic. Anyway, a wooden or metal walking rod may do."

His parents just nodded and left. The doctor accompanied them out. Then, he felt a hand grasping his. Whether by instinct or by decision, he quickly draws his left hand away. When he looked at who touched him, it was a woman of fair complexion, clad with their school shirt, wearing glasses, with hair flowing down to shoulder level. He realized that it was his girlfriend, Alisse.

She smiles a little before speaking, "Oh, Rendo... Always the suspicious man..."

"I... sorry," he answered so soft, it was almost drowned by the noise outside the tent.

Alisse holds his hand once more and tightens her grip a little.

"Are you alright now?"

"I lost, right?"

She pauses for a moment, and then nods.

"But..."

"I see... So, why are you still here?"

"You just woke up, and then you crack up like that?"

He looked away. Meanwhile, she took his cold compress and changed it with another.

She said, "The towel is slipping, and judging from this used compress, no wonder you're quite hot."

"..."

"Look, Ren... Champion or not, you will always be a winner in my heart," she said before caressing his head.

He then looked back at her.

"Ali..."

"Yes?"

"Um... Is this... when the romantic background music plays?"

She chuckled before saying, "Now that's my boyfriend. Welcome back."

He smiled, which made her smile back. Then, they held hands again.

"You know... it's been a while since I was covered in bandages..."

They paused for a moment. Alisse blushes, and then she slaps him lightly.

"You and your dirty mind!"

"What the...! I was talking about the time I was Shishio Makoto in our class cosplay!"

He meant the time when their class had to make a play about Egypt during the time of the pharaohs. He played the role of an immobile mummy.

Meanwhile, back in the stadium, the officials and the commentator Goryo Unida finished their review. The audience was then murmuring with each other. The podium for placing competitors is filled, but no medals were given yet. As the officials came out of the stands, even the smallest chat among the audience was silenced.

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One official was given the microphone and then he said, "After carefully reviewing the tape, and analyzing our interview with the unfortunate competitor, we have come to a conclusion."

The athletes were nervous, especially those who are about to receive medals, even if there might have been no inch of evidence against him.

"We... the officials of the NCR Palaro, hereby disqualify number three, Mr. Elton John Manhik Manaog, for his unsportsmanlike behavior during the race!"

Elton John was furious. He stepped down from the podium while the medals are being given and complained to the other officials, but the announcement continued.

"Mr. Manaog's silver medal shall be given to the third placer. Also, he will be barred to participate in the regionals for his entire term of secondary studies."

It was as if the entire audience was fired up in anger against Elton John, save for the delegates from the division he represents, who remained quiet. The people started throwing their trash, among other things, to his position, even though the rest of the players and officials were also in the area. Meanwhile, before the official can continue his announcement, the accused competitor leaped with all his might and punched him hard on the face. The other officials tried to catch him but he seemed to be quicker than any of them. The punched official collapsed on the ground, his glasses broken from the fall. As this apparent madness went on, one competitor marched into the stadium.

It was Rendo, who was clinging to Alisse's shoulders in order to walk. His elbow, hand, and knee were bandaged. It was as if the angel of quietness passed by and order was relatively restored.

Rendo said, "It's alright... Let him have the honor he deserves..."

As the announcer was being moved away from the scene, one official approached the wounded runner. He whispered, "Boy, we are giving you vengeance here. If you will not get a medal, then at least bring someone else with you to hell... you know all that, right?"

Rendo turned to the official, "Sir. I thank you for your concern, but this man here has his own dreams. I don't want to be a hindrance to his imminent success."

Upon hearing Rendo's words, Elton John stopped from his rampage. Then, he burst into tears. All who have witnessed the event was at awe.

He wailed, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"

"No, no. I'm not the one you should ask forgiveness from."

"What do you mean? Clearly, it was I who helped you fall!"

"Sadly, yes... But there is someone else who forgives..."

"Who...?"

"Jesus Christ."

"... You're joking now?"

"Of course not!"

"You know I can hurt you again, right? You see this fist here?"

While Elton John's fist is still clenched in front of him, Rendo put his left hand over his fellow runner and uttered a prayer of forgiveness for him. After the prayer, he fell on his knees, first looking down, and then he looked up. He seemed like speaking, but no intelligible sound came from his mouth. With this sight, even some of the audience cried, even though they did not necessarily hear the prayer. Meanwhile, the other competitors simply cannot believe what they are seeing. The stadium felt like it was paused for a few seconds.

Rendo then turned to the remaining official, "Sir, I believe we should get going?"

"Oh! Um, yes. Of course?" The official seemed to have come out of a spell.

Still, it was probably no spell which the fallen runner has cast on everyone in the stadium. Besides, it is about time they move on to the next event. The official had Goryo commentate once more. As the field was cleared for the next race, which would be the 400 meters, the competitors congratulated each other in the sidelines. As Rendo was leaving the stadium, he was called by one of the athletes.

"Yes?"

It was the first placer, who said after shaking hands with Rendo, "Fermi Nakarag. And you are?"

"Oh. It doesn't matter. Congratulations on your win."

Rendo looked away. At that moment, Alisse pulled Rendo's hand. She looked at him intently, as if conveying a message. Soon enough, he seemed to have received it.

"Um...?"

"No, no. That's nothing, uh, Mr. Nakarag?"

"Just call me Fermi."

"I see. But... what else can I say to Metro Manila's fastest?"

"A lot, my man. Had it not been for this accident, you could've won!"

"You're quite fast, too."

"Aww. Stop pulling my leg."

"Hmm. Well then. Go for it in the nationals. I'd be counting on you."

"Really now? Um... Seriously?"

"Of course, Fermi. A while ago, we're rivals. Now, we're allies. Carry our banner to victory!"

After that statement, they smiled at each other and bumped their fists. Then, Rendo and Alisse left the stadium.

"Wait a minute... I didn't get to know his name! Come on," Fermi said to himself as he retreated to the locker rooms. Although, he can just ask the officials about the name of Number Four.

As the sun sets, the day ends. Rendo and his parents got home, having a late dinner. Alisse also ate with them. She then bade goodbye to her boyfriend and went on her way. After that, he was allowed to sleep in his room, which is only separated by plywood from the other rooms. However, Rendo was sleepless throughout the night. It was not because of the pain from his wounds. Despite his demeanor during the day, leaving everyone in awe, he felt empty and worthless. He began blaming only himself. He seemed like light losing its shine.  He was searching himself, as if going into a time warp... He looked back... Far back. The clock ticks as every second, then every minute, passed.

As a saying, attributed to one of the nation's heroes, goes, "He who does not look back does not reach his destination." Indeed, Rendo did not get to the goal, and this time, he seemed determined to apply this saying tonight. But what is there exactly in his past?