CAUTION!
EXTRA LONG CHAPTER
『』『』『』『』『』
Heya, good afternoon, how did your summer vacation go, Kumagawa-kun?
This is your beloved Anshin'in-san speaking from beyond her grave.
Well, "beyond the grave" is not exactly accurate. I'm in a rather complicated state, but I prepared this recording so you do not have to worry.
I am someone whose purpose in life is to worry needlessly, so even if you suddenly change the topic to something completely unrelated, I probably have a recording about that somewhere.
By the way, Kumagawa-kun, I heard you became the Student Council Vice President for Advanced Nurturing High School? It seems like you finally have connections to the organization known as the Student Council once again.
Even though I already said it before, surprisingly enough, it suits you, doesn't it?
And by that, I mean the part where you stand above others—no, no, this isn't a joke. It's actually a rather serious hypothesis I'm making.
You might deny it yourself, but honestly, maybe someone who stands above others should be a Minus like you. Personally, I think standing above others is the same as supporting them from below.
Well, fine by me, but don't go too far, okay? With your tendency to never follow and abusing the rules, even if you try to exploit loopholes by destroying the school, I'll still count that as your loss. So don't be an idiot and pull that kind of stunt.
Also, please don't try to find a loophole in my words—destroying the school should be interpreted in the broadest sense of the term. In other words, any action that involve destroying the school should be considered cheating. This is the only rule about cheating there is, so I'd like it if you could follow at least this much.
Of course, you are free to refuse if you wish, but if you refuse when you have no right to, I will throw a temper tantrum. If you are going to be mean and not play along with my game, then I'll mess you up.
But there's no need to lose your peace of mind.
Just like my terminal—Uranaiya Urushione, once said, even if I call it a game, you're free to interpret it as one of my usual pranks.
Still, don't misunderstand this as a way for me to harass you. It's simply my way of asking you to clean up one of the mess I created. This is this, and that is that. You should make a clear distinction between the two.
Even so, it's not really a mess that you must clean up. Even someone like me understands your limits, so there's no need to worry about meeting my expectations.
But if there's one thing I want to declare in advance to stir up your curiosity, it's that right now, Kumagawa-kun, I'm being very serious.
So I have every intention of clearly differentiating between me as I am right now and the aforementioned "pranks I've played on you before"—and there's a huge difference. And this time, I truly want to see how the mess I've left behind will end.
Now then, after wasting so much of your time with this meaningless chatter, it seems the sun is about to rise. For my final words, I'll give you something important. Hm? You think I should have said this at the beginning? Hey, hey, if you don't let me put on airs and ramble a little, then all I'd have left are my twelve quadrillion skills.
Ahaha, it's fine even if that's all I have left?
You sure know what to say.
I wish you'd say those kinds of things more often.
Anyway, now that you've become a lot more motivated to not rig the game I've painstakingly created for you, allow me to tell you the important information I've withheld since our last meeting—
...
That's basically it.
Well, you're free to ignore this if you want. Sooner or later, you'll come across it anyway, with or without your consent. Still, this should help speed things up a little.
Of course, this is still a game.
In the end, we're just playing around.
Now then, Kumagawa-kun.
Why don't you wake up, do as you're told, and clean up the mess I've left behind?
『』『』『』『』『』
It was finally the end of summer vacation, and the students had returned to their usual high school routines. Some spent their time with friends, while others preferred being alone.
At the back of the crowded café, Pallet, Ayanokouji sat with a rather unusual group consist of Hirata, Karuizawa, and Horikita. The four of them were discussing the special exam that had taken place during their cruise.
"What do you think, Ayanokouji-kun?" Horikita asked.
"Hmm? About what?" Ayanokouji replied, his attention seemingly elsewhere.
"Class A's fall to Class C," Horikita continued. "Honestly, it reeks of conspiracy. Either Ryuen-kun or Sakayanagi-san must have been behind it."
"You mean Sakayanagi from Class A? Why would she sabotage her own class? Wouldn't it make more sense to suspect Ryuen? By the end of the exam, the one who benefited the most was his class after all," Ayanokouji said, curious about Horikita's line of reasoning.
As far as he knew, Sakayanagi had nothing to do with the last two special exams, and she hadn't even boarded the ship due to her condition. It seemed unlikely that she could have influenced the outcome in any way.
"I don't have concrete proof, but if Sakayanagi did sabotage her own class, then the aftermath would allow her to take control and eliminate Katsuragi's faction after their disastrous performance under his leadership. But what you said also makes sense, so don't take my theory too seriously." Horikita admitted
That was an interesting perspective, and Ayanokouji found himself slightly impressed. Still, even if it was possible, the outcome felt too extreme for a simple power grab. He didn't know how intelligent Sakayanagi truly was, but he doubted she would sacrifice hundreds of class points just to secure leadership.
"What about you, Ayanokouji-kun? What do you think?" Horikita asked again.
Both Hirata and Karuizawa turned their eyes toward him at the same time. Ayanokouji coughed lightly, unsettled by the sudden attention.
"Dunno. I honestly don't have a clue," he lied.
Horikita and Hirata looked away, losing interest almost immediately. Only Karuizawa's gaze lingered for a moment before she turned her eyes elsewhere when he met them.
"In any case, our first priority is to strengthen our cooperation. I'm glad we're discussing this, Horikita-san, Ayanokouji-kun," said Hirata.
Horikita had never truly worked with Hirata before, but after two consecutive special exams, her attitude had begun to change. Being pushed into a corner made her realize that she couldn't handle everything alone.
"I actually have a proposal. Want to hear it?" Hirata asked.
Horikita didn't respond, which was her way of telling him to continue.
"First, to bring our class together, I'd like to bring Kushida-san in as an ally. I think she'll complement our group and add qualities the four of us lack. She's one of the few who can probably unite a lot of the boys, starting with Ike-kun, Yamauchi-kun, and maybe even Kumagawa-kun."
True, Kushida was a suitable candidate to keep the class in check, especially Kumagawa. Lately, the two of them seemed rather close. However, Ayanokouji doubted that Horikita would agree so easily. Since the start of the school year, Horikita and Kushida had rarely spoken, and their relationship had always seemed strained.
Still, that wasn't what concerned Ayanokouji the most.
When Hirata mentioned Kumagawa's name, Horikita's expression turned slightly cold.
Given recent events, Ayanokouji could understand why. Kumagawa had become a source of unease for many, and Horikita was no exception.
"Unnecessary," Horikita replied. "I won't deny that she's capable of managing people, but we can handle things ourselves. That's why I chose you and Karuizawa-san. With your strengths combined, we can deal with any problem that comes our way. And even if we did bring Kushida-san to our side, I'd rather not involve Kumagawa at all."
"Um, Horikita-san, did something happen between you and Kumagawa-kun?" Karuizawa asked carefully. It seemed like an innocent question, but there was a hint of fear in her tone. Their last encounter with Kumagawa had clearly left an impression.
"It's none of your business," Horikita cut her off sharply.
"..."
Karuizawa frowned at her tone but didn't argue. After a brief silence, she averted her gaze and fell quiet.
After a while, the four of them continued their discussion. Although the conversation often drifted away from the original topic, it was still a productive meeting, especially for Horikita, who cared deeply about the class's future.
By the end, only Ayanokouji and Horikita remained at the table. Hirata and Karuizawa had already left.
"So? Do you have something you want to tell me?" Horikita asked, looking directly at him.
"I don't know. Do you have something you're curious about?" Ayanokouji replied casually.
"First of all, how did Kumagawa-kun end up as vice president? If you can't give me an answer that satisfies me, I'm not letting you leave."
"What an unreasonable demand..." Ayanokouji sighed in resignation.
While Ayanokouji did expected this, it doesnt make the request anymore unreasnable.
"Stop wasting time and tell me what you know, I understand you might not know everything, but since you're on relatively good terms with Kumagawa-kun, you should know something."
"..."
Ayanokouji had no idea where Horikita got the impression that he and Kumagawa were close. It was true they often talked, but that didn't mean they were actually close. Still, she wasn't completely wrong. He did know a few things about it, and since it was clear she wouldn't let him leave otherwise, he decided it was best to just tell her what he knew.
"While I don't know much, I do know that the current student council president was looking for a suitable member to join," Ayanokouji said.
"How did you find out about that?" Horikita asked.
"Remember Kumagawa's case last semester? I served as a witness back then. After the hearing ended, I happened to overhear the president and Kumagawa talking. The president seemed interested in letting him join the student council, while I don't know about the details, it seems there was some kind of prerequisite Kumagawa had to fulfill first."
While Ayanokouji didn't lie, he also didn't tell her the full truth. He hadn't overheard the conversation. The president had actually asked for his opinion about whether letting Kumagawa join was the right choice.
At the time, Ayanokouji hadn't cared much. He simply wanted to avoid getting involved in anything that could disrupt his peaceful school life. While Ayanokouji didn't know the exact details, based on the circumstances, he guessed that Kumagawa must have had to meet a certain condition set by the president before being allowed to join.
"Prerequisite?" Horikita repeated.
"Ichinose mentioned that she once applied to the student council but was rejected by the president and instead accepted by the vice president. Considering Ichinose's ability, there's no reason for her to be turned down. So why do you think the president rejected someone like her, yet accepted Kumagawa as vice president, even though she's clearly more capable than him?"
Horikita thought for a moment before giving her answer. "You mean she wasn't a suitable candidate?"
"That's right. I don't know what criteria the president uses, but in his eyes, Kumagawa seems to be the better choice than Ichinose," Ayanokouji explained.
Horikita fell silent, lost in thought.
Ayanokouji didn't pay much attention to it, but if things kept going like this, it would eventually become troublesome. At this rate, he might end up as Horikita's errand boy or emotional outlet—something he wanted to avoid at all costs.
He would have to find a way to deal with this situation sooner or later.
『』『』『』『』『』
"What's wrong with you?" Kushida asked the listless Kumagawa, who was quietly flipping through the pages of his usual Shounen Jump magazine.
They were spending time together before the afternoon class began.
By now, the rumor that Kushida and Kumagawa were childhood friends had already taken root in the school. Seeing them together was no longer unusual to anyone.
Of course, because of how often they were seen together, there were still whispers that the two might be dating, but Kushida always denied those rumors without hesitation. In the end, their frequent hangouts no longer stood out or caused unpleasant talk among the students, which was a relief for Kushida.
『What should I do, Kushida-chan? I'm in trouble again. 』
"....."
The moment she heard that, Kushida's first instinct was to stand up and leave before she got dragged into whatever mess Kumagawa was talking about. But for some reason, she couldn't move.
Maybe, deep down, she already knew that no matter what she did, she would get involved anyway. She had learned that from experience, and perhaps that was why her body refused to move. Her subconscious already knew how this would end.
"...What kind of problem did you cause this time, Kumagawa-kun?"
If she was going to be dragged into it regardless, then it was better to at least know what kind of problem it was. It was simply choosing the lesser of two evils.
『What kind of person do you think I am? It's a case of someone being harassed! 』
"You're harassing someone?"
『Why do you always assume I'm the one causing trouble? Anyway, no. This time, I'm the one being harassed. 』
"You? Being harassed?"
Isn't that a rare sight?
Normally, he was the one harassing others, not the other way around. Kushida couldn't help but wonder who in their right mind would pick a fight with Kumagawa of all people.
"Did you do something to someone that would make them harass you?"
『Mm...』
Kumagawa-kun avoided giving a clear answer.
Apparently, he did do something that earned him that treatment. But knowing his personality, Kushida wasn't surprised. Right now, he looked like a mischievous child who had broken a vase and was trying to come up with an excuse before his parents found out.
The sight made her smile a little.
"If it bothers you that much, maybe you should just apologize? It's probably your fault anyway, right? If you apologize, they might stop harassing you."
Kushida smiled softly as she said that. Offering a kind piece of advice to Kumagawa once in a while made her feel almost saintly.
But true to his nature, Kumagawa was there to trample on that kindness without hesitation.
『There's no way I'm doing that, 』 he said, shaking his head at her considerate suggestion. 『Besides, technically, I haven't done anything that deserves being harassed. It was just a thought I had. So it's not my fault.』
So he was being harassed over a thought? Then what kind of thought could be so vile that someone would actually go that far?
"What did you even plan to do?" Kushida asked. That question was the core of the entire issue. It made her just a little curious.
『Destroying this school. 』
".....What?"
『Funny thing, the person who harassed me somehow knew what I was thinking before I could even act on it. She stomped all over my plans and made it clear she'd make a mess out of me if I really did destroy the school. So now, I'm being harassed in my dreams again. 』
That somehow sounded oddly familiar. Kushida felt like she had seen—or rather, heard something like this before. After thinking for a moment, a certain name surfaced in her mind.
"Is it that Anshin'in-san?"
『That's right. Well, it can't be helped. She's the kind of person who always sticks to her words, especially if it means inconveniencing someone else. So, I had no choice but to give up on my plan, just like she told me to. 』
"What are you saying, really? Kumagawa-kun, please stop joking around."
『I'm not joking. According to what Anshin'in-san told me in my dream, there's absolutely no burning the school down. So don't worry, and rest assured, Kushida-chan. Not even I spend all year stylishly fighting a losing battle, you know. 』
"..."
He was saying things she no longer knew how to react to, let alone understand.
Still, at the very least, it sounded like he had given up on the idea of destroying the school. Whether he had ever been serious was another question, but for her sanity, she hoped it had been a joke.
Even she didn't want the school to be destroyed. This place practically guaranteed success after graduation, whether it meant employment or a top university. It was far too valuable to lose.
"Anyway, Kumagawa-kun, about this Anshin'in-san, how did she—"
"Kushida-san! Kumagawa-kun!"
Before Kushida could finish her sentence, a familiar voice called out to them. A girl with light brown hair approached from the opposite direction.
"Matsushita-san?" Kushida said, blinking in surprise.
"Hmm... it seems you two are getting along quite well lately," Matsushita remarked with a teasing smile as she took a seat beside them. Her gaze shifted between the two. "You didn't tell me you were childhood friends, Kushida-san."
"Ahahaha..." Kushida laughed nervously.
She didn't know what to say at that moment.
The situation with Matsushita was a little tricky, to be honest.
Ever since the cruise exam, she and Matsushita had gotten a lot closer. There were even times when Matsushita tagged along when she hung out with Kumagawa. And back then, when Matsushita asked why she and Kumagawa were close, Kushida never once mentioned anything about being childhood friends.
But after the rumor started spreading, Kushida tried to tone it down by saying they were just childhood friends. Most people didn't think much of it—but Matsushita wasn't most people. After spending time together on the cruise, Kushida had a feeling that Matsushita wasn't as oblivious as she pretended to be.
While she wasn't exactly a threat, something about it left a bitter taste in Kushida's mouth.
On that note, she had noticed something about herself lately.
Maybe because she spent so much time with Kumagawa constantly trying to read his constant mood swings, only to fail over and over, she'd somehow sharpened that skill. It wasn't something she intended, but now, she found it much easier to read people.
It wasn't a huge change, but she could tell she was improving.
And right now, she could clearly feel that Matsushita was hiding her ability.
If it were the old her, she probably wouldn't have noticed it at all.
"And you, Kumagawa-kun!" Matsushita suddenly pointed her index finger at him.
『...? 』
"Why didn't you tell me that you became the student council vice president? Everyone in the school is already talking about it, you know?"
The news of Kumagawa's appointment had spread through the school surprisingly fast. Kushida, who already knew the truth, was aware that he had been chosen during the summer break, but the president had decided to make it official only after the new semester began.
『Eh? Is there something wrong with that? 』
Hearing that kind of response, Matsushita crossed her arms and sighed, taking on the tone of a teacher lecturing a student.
"Kumagawa-kun, listen, when something big like that happens, you're supposed to tell your friends first. That's what people usually do. It's called basic decency, you know? Communication, sharing secrets, those are kind of important."
Kushida listened quietly, watching Matsushita with a strange expression. Her view on friendship was rather naive, and to be honest, Kushida found it somewhat unpleasant.
There was no such thing as friends who didn't keep secrets from each other. In fact, a relationship where people talked about everything and anything felt far more suspicious, or simply distasteful to her.
But it's not her place to speak, since she have done something quite distateful herself in the past, and because of that she didn't object to Matsushita's opinion,
But rather, during all of this, Kushida couldn't help but think that she'd made one fatal mistake.
Trying to reason with Kumagawa was pointless.
Not only would he never understand this kind of sentiment, he'd probably trample all over her innocent explanation without hesitation.
『Ahaha. What a passionate type friendship. Passionate to the point that I want to make the boring media these days learn from you. 』
"...."
Matsushita wasn't entirely sure, but she had a strong suspicion he was mocking her. Because she couldn't be certain, she glanced at Kushida for confirmation. Kushida looked back at her with a tired expression.
"You already know what kind of person Kumagawa-kun is, so I don't know what sort of response you expected from him."
Normally, Kushida would have used this opportunity to strengthen her persona as everyone's friend. But when it came to things involving Kumagawa, she had long since abandoned that approach.
If she forced herself to keep acting like an angel around him, there was a chance her mask would slip. And that was a risk she absolutely did not want to take.
So she continued bluntly, "He's someone with a screw loose. If you expect a decent answer from him, I'm sorry, but all you'll get is him stepping all over your conscience."
Matsushita glanced at Kumagawa again, then returned her eyes to Kushida.
"Speaking from experience?"
Kushida shook her head. "Rather than speaking from experience... I think I've just given up on that part."
『You two sure are getting good at badmouthing me. Have you been practicing behind my back? Good grief. 』
Even with Kumagawa saying that, neither girl seemed concerned about talking like this in front of him.
In fact, it felt like the two of them had somehow built a strange sense of camaraderie through moments like this. But because of Kushida's own flawed personality, forming a genuine friendship with anyone was still difficult in its own way.
Still, it wasn't a complete lie either.
After all, whenever you talk with someone, whenever you talk to someone, you're always gonna make yourself sound a little better, and you're always gonna wear a disguise when talking to others. There's no one that doesn't do that.
So maybe the more accurate way to describe it was a sense of quiet kinship between people who somehow ended up associated with Kumagawa. That sounded about right.
After that, the three of them chatted for a while before heading back to class, since the afternoon lessons were about to start.
All in all, it turned into a surprisingly pleasant time for everyone involved.
『』『』『』『』『』
When Kumagawa and the others finally stepped into the classroom, the usual noisy atmosphere suddenly went quiet. Everyone turned to look at him with a strange expression.
Even Horikita, who usually stayed aloof and uninterested in her surroundings, turned to look at Kumagawa with a sharp, almost hostile glare.
Probably only Hirata greeted him normally. Though it wasn't as warm as how he usually greeted others, since his relationship with Kumagawa was still somewhat awkward.
『...What's going on? The classroom is full of memories, but I've only been here a few months, so nothing really comes to mind. Maybe I should ask someone?』Kumagawa then turned his attention to the girl beside him. 『Kushida-chan, Kushida-chan, did someone die here recently? 』
"That's not it, Kumagawa-kun," Kushida whispered from his side.
『Eh? Then what's wrong?』 Kumagawa asked as if there was nothing remotely strange about what he had just said.
This time, it was Matsushita who answered his question.
"It's because of your appointment as the new vice president, Kumagawa-kun," Matsushita said quietly, almost like a whisper. "I'll be blunt. With your reputation... people are naturally a bit on guard."
Basically, Kumagawa becoming vice president had turned into one of the hottest topics in the school.
While it wasn't exactly his fault, it didn't stop the rumors surrounding him. His bad reputation had already reached every year group, and even some of the staff for some reason.
『What's wrong with that? I mean, Goku can fire a Kamehameha with his feet, so why can't I screw my way to the top, to the vice president position?』
He wasn't exactly wrong, but convincing Kumagawa while he was saying things like that was an esoteric task in itself.
『Well, I don't really get complicated stuff like that, but to put it simply, all these weird looks I'm getting would disappear if I just expelled everyone and ruined their lives, right? 』
Just then, the classroom door slid open, and Chabashira-sensei walked in to begin the afternoon class.
The students moved back to their seats as if nothing strange had happened. Kushida also returned to her seat, though her expression held a complicated mix of thoughts.
The other students hadn't heard Kumagawa's last line. Only Kushida and Matsushita caught it. But in Matsushita's case, she lacked the context to understand why those words were terrifying.
Kushida, on the other hand, couldn't stop remembering the plan Kumagawa casually mentioned before about destroying the school. She didn't take it fully seriously at the time, but hearing something like this again... coming from Kumagawa... was worrying.
Destroying the school might not be realistic, but expelling students was a completely different story. And now that he was the vice president, it wasn't impossible. With his personality, nothing felt impossible. Especially expelling someone.
While Kushida was trying to settle her tangled thoughts, the usual Class D afternoon lesson somehow turned into a two-hour homeroom period.
When Class D's teacher, Chabashira-sensei, arrived, she began to instruct them in a detached, matter-of-fact manner.
"Starting today, classes resume. However, from September to early October, we will increase the number of physical education classes to prepare for the school sports festival. We'll distribute the new weekly schedules, so review them carefully. Along with the schedule, you will also receive materials related to the festival. Students in the front row, pass the handouts to the rows behind you."
The moment the words "sports festival" left her mouth, the classroom immediately broke into uproar. Some students were excited at the idea, but just as many were groaning at the thought of more physical activity.
"The details on the handouts are also available on the school homepage. Check them if needed."
"Sensei, is this festival another special exam?" asked the class representative, Hirata.
He expected Chabashira-sensei to answer with a simple "Yes," but instead she replied with something vague.
"You're free to interpret it however you like. What I can say is that this event will have a major impact on every class."
The students who disliked exercise continued to grumble. In an ordinary school you could get away with sitting out, but if this festival affected the class's outcome, then even the least athletic student had no way to avoid it.
"Yeah!"
Meanwhile, some students were clearly fired up. Especially those like Sudou, who were confident in their athletic ability. This was probably the first exam where they could contribute in a straightforward way.
While the others were busy reading through the handout, Kumagawa found something interesting written on it. After staring at it for a moment, he raised his hand. Chabashira-sensei, noticing the gesture, looked directly at him.
"What do you want to ask, Kumagawa?"
『Are we really going to do team battle arc with our senior? 』
"That's right, on this year's festival, we're going to divide all the students across all grade levels into two groups and have them compete against each other. You in Class D are assigned to the Red Team. Class A is also assigned to the Red Team, so they will compete alongside you. That means they'll be your allies this time around," Chabashira explained
『While I have no objection to that fact, but is it possible for us juniors to let our seniors handle the heavy lifting? Since they're allies, they can deal with half the burden, right? 』
"Well, you can think that way if you want, Kumagawa. But as I said before, this event will have a major impact on every class. So think howerver you want."
While Kumagawa's thoughts went in a strange direction, most of the class didn't care much about his question. Only a few students who caught on quickly reacted, and one of them spoke up.
"Are you planning something, Kumagawa-kun...?" Because the earlier uproar had died down, Horikita's quiet question was overheard by almost everyone in Class D, turning their attention toward him.
Horikita, who already had her share of problems with Kumagawa, didn't mince words. This sports festival required a very different kind of strategy compared to the cruise exam. It demanded cooperation across different grades. And when cooperation between class was already difficult, cooperation involving Kumagawa felt nearly impossible.
For someone like Horikita, who cared about Class D's advancement, Kumagawa was a variable that needed to be addressed quickly.
『Yup... If I get bored, I'm gonna quit. Who knows how long an unnaturally unmotivated contrarian guy like me can stay motivated during the sports festival, so that's also something to worry about. 』
Bang!
The loud sound of a hard object striking a desk echoed through the classroom.
Sudou shot to his feet, his chair scraping back as he slammed both hands on his desk.
"Oi, Kumagawa! Cut that crap already!" he shouted, a vein rising on his forehead. "I don't care how unmotivated you are, but if you screw around and quit halfway and make us lose points, I'll make sure you regret it!"
Following Sudou's outburst, several students immediately chimed in, voicing their displeasure and throwing complaints at Kumagawa. The class erupted again, but this time with a very different kind of uproar.
And with just a few remarks, Kumagawa had once again managed to turn most of Class D against him.
The person in question, however, looked completely unbothered.
Bam!
"Silence!"
Chabashira slammed her palm against the front desk. The room fell quiet at once, and everyone's attention shifted back to her.
Chabashira then turned her gaze toward Kumagawa. "I don't know what kind of antics you're planning this time, but before anything else, we're going to review the sports festival's potential outcomes. I don't want to repeat myself, so listen carefully."
She tapped the printout sharply, pointing to the section she wanted them to read.
Sports Festival Rules and Team Division
The sports festival divides all students, across all grade levels, into two teams: Red and White. The breakdown goes as follows: Classes A and D are on the Red Team, Classes B and C are on the White Team.
Point Allocation for All Competitors (Individual Competitions)
Points will be allocated as follows: first place will be awarded fifteen points, second place will be awarded twelve points, third place will be awarded ten points, and fourth place will be awarded eight points. One point will be deducted for coming in fifth place, and one additional point will be subtracted for each place below that. (During a team competition, the winning team will be awarded 500 points.)
Point Allocation for Recommended Competitors
Points will be allocated as follows: first place will be awarded fifty points, second place will be awarded thirty points, third place will be awarded fifteen points, and fourth place will be awarded ten points. Two points will be deducted for coming in fifth place, and two additional points will be subtracted for each place below that. (The final competition, the relay race, will offer three times the point values.)
Red Team vs. White Team Outcome
After reviewing the combined overall scores for each class, 100 class points will be deducted from the first-, second-, and third-year batches of the two classes on the losing team.
The Effect of Ranking by Grade Level
Fifty class points will be awarded to the class that scores highest in each of the three grade levels. Classes that achieve second place in their grade level will not see any changes to their class point totals. Classes that achieve third place in their grade level will have fifty class points deducted, and classes that achieve fourth place will have 100 class points deducted.
Having read the hands out, Hirata, the class representative once again raised his hand, and asked the question that most of the student wondering about, "Um, sensei, how many points does the winning team get? That doesn't appear to be written anywhere,
But the responds to that naïve question was cruel and brief.
"None. Their reward will be not having any points deducted."
"Ugh, are you kidding me?! That doesn't sound good, like, at all!"
Cries of agony sprang up all over the classroom. It was complete pandemonium. Of course, that was hardly surprising. Up until then, whenever there was an enormous risk, there had been an enormous reward to spur them on. However, that hardly seemed the case in this sports festival.
"Please keep in mind that points are awarded and subtracted, not just by team, but on a class-by-class basis. So, even if the Red Tyou'll still be hit by the 100-point penalty if Class D holds the lowest combined overall score," added Chabashira-sensei.
In other words, they'd end of losing unless all of them took this seriously. This system definitely required a "give it all you got" mentality. In that regard, this test was definitely stricter than the rest, but there were some real bonuses too.
Individual Competition Rewards (may be applied to the next midterm exam)
Students who achieve first place in an individual competition will be awarded either 5000 private points, or the score equivalent of three points on a written test. (In the event that a student accepts the test points, they will not be allowed to give those test points to another student.)
Students who achieve second place in an individual competition will be awarded either 3000 private points, or the score equivalent of two points on a written test. (In the event that a student accepts the test points, they will not be allowed to give those test points to another student.)
Students who achieve third place in an individual competition will be awarded either 1000 private points, or the score equivalent of one point on a written test. (In the event that a student accepts the test points, they will not be allowed to give those test points to another student.)
Students who score lowest in an individual competition will have 1000 private points deducted from their total. (In the event that a student has less than 1000 points, they will instead receive a one-point penalty on a written exam.)
Regarding Rule Violations/Foul Play
Read and comply with every competition's rules. Those who violate the rules will be disqualified. Anyone engaging in foul play may be forced to withdraw from the festival. In such cases, the school may render all previously awarded points invalid.
MVP Reward
The student who receives the highest total score across all competitions will be awarded 100,000 private points.
MVP Rewards for Each Individual Grade Level
The three students from each grade level who receive their grade's highest total score across all competitions will be awarded 10,000 private points.
"S-sensei, sensei! What are the perks we get for first or second place or whatever? What does it mean that we can receive points for written tests?" Ike shouted, hungry for details.
Perhaps because the situation had already become strange, Chabashira-sensei let out a small laugh, something rarely seen from her.
"It's exactly what you think it is, Ike. During the sports festival, you can earn test points as a reward, which can be applied to your written exams. In other words, you're free to use the points however you like. You struggle with English and mathematics, don't you? Extra points would help a great deal in the next test."
The class erupted into cheers. The athletic students looked especially thrilled. If they performed well, they could secure enough points to save themselves even if they failed academically. For students constantly living under the threat of expulsion, this was almost a miracle.
It wouldn't mean much for excellent students like Hirata or Horikita, but private points were still a strong incentive. No matter how you looked at it, it was a reward worth fighting for.
But just as always, there was no such thing as a free lunch.
"Sensei, what kind of penalty do we get?" one of the students asked.
The printout detailed a certain line under the penalty section for the ten lowest scorers in each grade:
'After all competitions end, the school will calculate each student's point total and assign penalties to the ten lowest-scoring students in each year. The exact nature of the penalties will vary depending on grade level, so please consult the homeroom instructor in charge.'
That was a major red flag.
"For you first-years, the penalty will be a deduction on your next written exam. The ten students with the lowest scores in the festival will each receive a deduction of ten points. I can't give you any more details until the exam period comes, but the same rule applies to the bottom ten." Chabashira-sensei explained calmly.
She then shifted her gaze to Kumagawa, who was only half-listening. On the outside, it looked like he was reading the handout seriously. But behind it, a Weekly Shounen Jump was very obviously poking out. The handout wasn't even big enough to hide it.
"So with that said, Kumagawa, try not to mess around this time. Your written test scores are already atrocious, and if you end up among the lowest scorers, it could very well lead to your expulsion."
『... 』
Kumagawa simply shrugged. He didn't seem concerned at all about penalties or expulsion.
Chabashira, on the other hand, didn't comment further. At this point, she was only doing her job as a teacher by giving advice. Whether Kumagawa listened or not wasn't something she needed to worry about anymore.
With the rules explained, the students went back to checking the list of events for the sports festival. They were divided into two categories: all participants and recommended participants. "All participants" was exactly what it sounded like, an event every student in the class had to join.
Meanwhile, only select students would take part in the recommended participant events. The word suggested nominations, but anyone could volunteer as long as the class approved. One person could even cover an event meant for multiple people if needed.
Point gains and losses were decided entirely by the results, making the rules simple on the surface. Still, the mix of team and individual competitions made things more complicated than expected.
"Details of the events are in your handouts. There will be no changes," said Chabashira-sensei.
"Ugh, this is way too hard! This isn't anything like junior high!" complained one of the boys, sounding overwhelmed.
Events for All Participants
100-Meter Dash
Hurdle Race
Capture the Flag (boys only)
Ball Toss (girls only)
Tug-of-War (separate events for boys and girls)
Obstacle Course Race
Three-Legged Race
Cavalry Battle
200-Meter Dash
Events for Recommended Participants
Scavenger Hunt
Four-Way Tug-of-War
Three-Legged Race (mixed boys and girls)
1200-Meter Relay Race (mixed grade level, all three years)
"Another important thing to note is the participation table. Fill it out with the order you'll participate in, and I will submit it to the school on your behalf. I don't imagine any junior high has used a system like this, so be careful not to make mistakes."
"Wait. So we can decide the order ourselves? Exactly how much freedom do we have?" asked Hirata.
It was an obvious question, and Chabashira-sensei answered without pause.
"Your class must come to a consensus on every decision related to the sports festival, including who participates in each event. No changes will be allowed after the deadline, no matter the reason. This is the most important rule. The submission window opens one week before the festival and closes at 5:00 pm the day before it starts. If you fail to submit it in time, your placements will be assigned randomly. So be careful."
This meant the class had to come up with a plan on their own. The participation table was, in every sense, the class's lifeline.
"Excuse me, but I have a question. Is that all right, Chabashira-sensei?" Horikita raised her hand.
"Go ahead. Now is the time," replied Chabashira-sensei with a thin smile.
Hirata, Horikita, and the sharper students already understood how the school operated. Asking questions now would save them trouble later. They wouldn't lose points for asking, and waiting until the day of the festival would only make things harder.
"I understand that no changes will be accepted after the submission window closes," said Horikita. "But what happens in the event of someone's absence? For individual competitions, I assume it simply counts as an absence. But in group competitions, like the cavalry battle or the three-legged race, we might not be able to participate if a key member is missing."
"If you fall short of the minimum required number in the all-participant events, your class will be disqualified. Using your example, a missing person in the cavalry battle would make your formation incomplete, but you would still have to perform. The same applies to the three-legged race. It would be wise to choose a healthy, reliable partner."
With that explanation, their fates became linked. They had to choose athletic students who were also healthy and free from injuries.
"For recommended-participant events, however, you may select a substitute," continued Chabashira-sensei. "But don't think you can cheat your way through it. We have measures in place. To establish a substitute, you must offer points as compensation."
In other words, if they wanted to cheat, they had to pay a cost to prove they weren't cheating.
This time, Kumagawa raised his hand.
『While we're on the subject of health, there could be other reasons too, but fundamentally, even if someone is hurt, they can still move, right? So if I get injured during the festival, can I keep participating if I want to? Or will I be forced to stop and get checked because it'll cause trouble for the school later? 』
"Cause trouble for the school? Why would your injuries cause trouble?" asked Chabashira.
While it was true that pushing an injury too far could cause complications, it was more accurate to say it would cause problems for the class, not the school itself. Because of that, Chabashira didn't understand the real intent behind Kumagawa's question.
『That's obvious, isn't it? I don't want to get expelled from this school I love so much that I'd even come on Sundays. So I have to keep playing this game. I have to join this sports festival. And I'd like to ask something just for reference, Chabashira-sensei. 』
"What is it...."
It didn't seem like Chabashira-sensei planned to object or complain any further, as she acknowledged Kumagawa's question.
『You said this sports festival has a major impact on every class, right? 』
"Yes, that's correct..."
『Then what would happen if I stubbornly kept participating even after getting injured? Injured badly enough to leave permanent damage to my body? 』
"..."
Almost every student turned toward Kumagawa at once. Their expressions varied, from shock, irritation, discomfort, even concern.
If that were to happen, it would definitely create a serious problem for the school. Legal issues aside, this institution was a government project. A student suffering permanent injury during a mandatory school event would become a major scandal.
Even if guardians signed contracts upon admission, an injury that severe would still escalate into a legal dispute and put the school's entire system at risk. It would harm the school's image, and by extension, the government's reputation.
"...Kumagawa. I'm going to say this as clearly as I can."
She looked straight at him. Her expression carried concern, but also the quiet resignation of someone who had already half given up on him as a student.
"We allow students to judge their own limits because that's a skill you'll need in the future. But a permanent injury is not something the school will allow under any circumstance. If you push yourself past your limit and end up with lasting damage, the responsibility won't fall only on your class. It will fall on the school itself. That is unacceptable."
She couldn't help remembering how destructive Kumagawa had been during the island exam. It was clear he lacked something fundamental—basic self-preservation. Forget permanent damage, Kumagawa didn't even seem to fear death.
"So even if personal responsibility can outweigh personal comfort, it cannot outweigh personal well-being. Do you understand, Kumagawa?"
Even if she had partially given up on him as a student—or as a normal person, her empathy as a human being still remained. She didn't want to see someone his age get hurt. It was her conscience speaking.
But that conscience was inevitably trampled by the human being named Kumagawa.
『Huhu. Well, there's no point thinking about what comes after. Since, of course, I need to clear the sports festival first. 』
"....."
The classroom fell completely silent after the exchange between Kumagawa and Chabashira.
It was the natural reaction. Their conversation had been abnormal from the start, and the way Kumagawa casually talked about his own well-being as if it barely mattered, was unsettling.
Essentially, Kumagawa was suggesting a rather terrifying future.
『Anyway, next question, Chabashira-sensei. 』 he said, smoothly pushing the conversation forward. 『How many points do we need to assign a substitute? If there's no substitute, some events won't ever end or be cleared, right? 』
"A substitute requires 100,000 private points per competition. Whether that's expensive or cheap depends on the situation," Chabashira replied. "As for events that don't allow substitutes, if the participant can't compete, the entry is simply disqualified. I have no idea where this idea of an event going on endlessly came from."
『So, anything else? 』
"There is nothing else," she declared.
It was a definitive statement with no room for interpretation and no opportunity for late throws.
"If there are no more questions, we'll wrap up," said Chabashira-sensei.
She scanned the room. Students exchanged uneasy glances and whispered among themselves, but no one raised a hand. After everything that had just happened, no one felt comfortable speaking up anymore.
"Next period's location will move to Gymnasium 1, where you'll meet with students from other classes and grade levels. That is all," she said flatly. She checked her watch. "You have twenty minutes of homeroom remaining. Use the time freely, chat, rest, or discuss strategy as you see fit."
With the teacher's permission, the previously silent classroom burst into chaos. Students immediately clustered into groups, each one loudly discussing the sports festival in their own circles.
Hirata, Karuizawa, and Kushida naturally gathered around Horikita. Their group drew the most attention, not only because of their roles in the class but also because Horikita was the one expected to organize everything.
Other groups formed too, but the important one was clearly the one centered around Horikita and the others. Sudou joined without needing an invitation, as he was the most athletic in the class and effectively their main weapon for the sports festival.
"So? What's the plan, Horikita? I'm not sure about the 'all participant' stuff, but you know I'll enter the recommended-participant competitions. If I do that, we'll win." Sudou crossed his arms, already fired up.
Out of everyone in the class, Sudou was the most energetic. The sports festival was his stage. He knew he wasn't the brightest academically, and he understood he was basically deadweight when it came to exams.
But in athletics, he was unmatched. This was where he could finally prove himself and contribute to the class. That confidence was why he was so spirited.
"Within our class, you stand out as someone with superior athletic skill. It wouldn't be a bad idea for you to participate in all the recommended-participant competitions," Horikita said, looking directly at Sudou. "It's not as though it goes against the rules."
The others seemed to agree, but Karuizawa looked dissatisfied.
"Wait a second. That's not good at all," she said, frowning. "If Sudou takes every recommended slot, what happens to everyone else? Especially the ones barely hanging on? This festival is a chance for them too. Some people might be able to save themselves from expulsion if they perform well."
Sudou looked confused.
"Huh? Why's that a problem? If I win, the class wins."
"That's not the point. Not everyone is athletic. Actually, most of the class isn't. If Sudou monopolizes those events, the rest won't have any chance to earn points."
"Hah? When it comes to the recommended-participant competitions, you want people who are good at sports. The athletic students can participate as much as they want. That's the first thing, right? Let's not be naïve, Karuizawa," Sudou replied, scratching his head.
Horikita remained silent, listening to both sides. She understood that having Sudou participate in as many events as possible was strategically sound. With his grades always on the verge of failing, no one would complain if he earned the class a large number of points here.
But at the same time, the rewards for winning were tempting for the weaker students. For those constantly at risk of expulsion, this festival might be their only real chance.
"What do you think, Kumagawa-kun?" Kushida asked.
The question made the group fall silent. All eyes shifted toward Kumagawa, who looked like he couldn't care less about the sports festival.
『Sports festival, huh? I don't particularly like them. And unfortunately, I don't put effort into things I dislike. It's kind of a pain. So I was thinking of giving up and spending the rest of my time doing something I enjoy. Which is why it's better if I refrain from saying anything like I will give up here. 』
"If you're going to refrain from saying it, then it's best if you just shut up in the first place." Horikita shut him up immediately.
While they were talking about various things, the time had continued to elapse until it was time to gathered at the gymnasium 1.
"We're not coming to any decisions right now. Let's talk more in our next homeroom period," said Horikita, quickly bringing our discussion to an end.
『』『』『』『』『』
Class D students then went to the gymnasium together, though everyone stayed within their own circles.
Most of the girls gathered around Hirata and Karuizawa, the social pillars who held the class together.
Kushida, who had previously been part of that group, quietly slipped away. She made her way toward Kumagawa, who walked alone at the back. Unlike the others, he didn't have a circle of his own; most people naturally kept their distance from him.
Sometimes Ayanokouji or the three idiots could be seen around him, but they weren't particularly close. Only Ayanokouji interacted with him from time to time, though even he had been dragged away by Horikita today.
Walking beside him, Kushida lowered her voice, unable to hide her curiosity.
"Are you really planning on completely giving up on the school festival? Do you really not have any plan at all?"
『What do you mean by completely giving up, Kushida-chan? 』
"Eh? Didn't you say something about quitting earlier?"
『Haha, I was wondering what you meant, but it turns out it was just the same useless assumption as always, Kushida-chan. In the first place, if you're going to bring that up, then what we're doing right now is the exact opposite. If I were really giving up, I wouldn't bother showing up at the gymnasium. 』
"Can you not completely trample over my innocent question? It's not like everyone can read what you're thinking."
Even though she had been improving in reading people, she still couldn't predict even one step of his actions.
『So? What's the point of asking me that kind of useless question? Are you planning to do something in the sports festival later? 』
"....A-ahaha, I don't know what you're talking about, Kumagawa-kun. It was just a completely useless assumption, just like your existence," Kushida replied cheerfully, brushing off his suspicion.
『..... 』
She had been in a pretty bad mood earlier, so she didn't bother softening her words toward him. It wasn't unusual for her to let out her frustration on Kumagawa anyway. Normally she kept it hidden, but her mood today didn't allow that.
『...Huhuhu. 』
His mentality was really hard to read.
There wasn't even the slightest sign that he felt anything about being insulted so casually
『Well, if you want to put it that way, then go ahead. As for me, I'm going to continue clearing the event I was assigned to. 』
"Continue to... you mean the sports festival?"
『If that's what you want to think, then go ahead. 』
"...."
...Why is he talking in such a roundabout way?
If she argued back, he'd just respond with "If that's what you want to think, then go ahead" again. So she let it go and steered the conversation forward.
"Kumagawa-kun, this is just a hypothetical question without any ulterior motive whatsoever, okay? Just a pure hypothetical."
『Right... 』
"What if I decided to do something to screw someone over? Or, well... if something happened and I made a move. Would you intervene or would you help me?"
They were walking at the very back, a little away from the others, so no one could overhear. She also noticed that Kumagawa's pace had slowed down once she approached him—maybe so she could speak more freely. It was something she secretly appreciated.
She wished he could be this sensible all the time, but she knew that was impossible.
That aside, she wondered what kind of answer he would give. Despite being a constant source of trouble, Kumagawa usually sided with her. So, she was curious what stance he would take if she hypothetically decided to do something during the sports festival.
『Hey, now. Aren't you the one who made me your emotional outlet, Kushida-chan? 』
"Don't make it like I was some kind of pervert...."
『Ahaha, that's the only role that suited me, just like the only place that suited me, only place that's suited for me, the only place I can settle down in, is my own bed at home. 』
In the end, Kumagawa evaded her question in such a manner—it almost sounded like he was saying something incredibly pretentious, but "your bed being the only place you can settle down in" applied to most people.
After a while, they finally arrived at the gathering place.
Inside Gymnasium 1, they saw a crowd of over four hundred people, including instructors and the entire student body, gathered during the second homeroom period. Students from every grade level were divided cleanly into the Red Team and the White Team.
Class D students scanned their surroundings carefully.
After settling in, several students approached friends from Class A and began chatting. Among the first-years, Class D had a somewhat harmonious relationship with Class A in particular. As for Class B led by Ryuen, there was nothing harmonious to speak of. And the new Class C... their relationship with Class D was ambiguous at best.
Meanwhile, the supposed leader of Class D, Horikita Suzune, was scanning the area restlessly. She was probably looking for her older brother, Horikita Manabu, the student council president. But with this many people packed together, it was unlikely she'd spot him so easily.
Those without anything in particular to do gathered together and sat down on the floor. As they did, several upperclassmen stepped forward. The students immediately focused their attention on them.
"I'm Fujimaki, from third-year Class A. I'll be taking command of the Red Team."
Apparently, Horikita's older brother wouldn't be leading. It was surprising, but also reasonable. As the student council president, taking charge of a mixed-grade event like this would put unnecessary pressure on both the first-years and the upperclassmen.
"I'd like to give the first-year students one piece of advice. It goes without saying, but the sports festival is extremely important. Your experience here will absolutely carry over to real life. In fact, many of your future exams may look like games at first glance. However, each and every one of them is a crucial battle where you stake your survival at this school," Fujimaki said.
His words were somewhat vague, yet still helpful.
"You may not feel motivated right now since you're still getting used to things, but we're aiming to win. I want you to keep that feeling with you," he continued. "All of us need to."
He looked around the assembled Red Team members again before adding, "The only competition where all classes and grade levels participate together is the final event—the 1200-meter relay. Everything else is divided by year. So, please begin gathering and discussing strategies with your respective groups."
In response to Fujimaki's words, the first-year students from Class A, led by Ichinose, began walking toward Class D. Her warm smile and easygoing presence made her feel approachable, and thanks to the good relationship between the two classes, many Class D students felt a sense of relief.
"Haha, I didn't expect we'd be cooperating this soon. I'm really glad we're teaming up with Class D. The circumstances are a little unusual, but I'm looking forward to working with you. Let's do our best together, Horikita-san, Hirata-kun." Ichinose extended her hand.
"I feel the same way, Ichinose-san. We're happy to work with you," Hirata said with a relieved nod.
Horikita stepped forward and shook Ichinose's hand.
"We will cooperate as agreed."
The two classes had openly expressed their desire to work together. It was simple, but enough to confirm their partnership for the sports festival. Unlike the previous Class A, the new Class A led by Ichinose was unexpectedly fortunate for Class D. They were easy to work with and had a balanced group of students.
As they chatted, Ichinose soon noticed that one familiar face was missing.
"Where's Kumagawa-kun? I don't see him."
Her relationship with Kumagawa was ambiguous. She held no ill will toward him—if anything, she respected him, but she never fully relaxed around him. To her, Kumagawa was a dangerous variable, whether as an ally or an opponent.
If he knew she thought that way, he would definitely laugh. She still had a bit of naivety left, but she had grown. Compared to her past self, she wasn't nearly as soft anymore.
"Kumagawa-kun said he was going to visit a friend, so he left our group earlier," Kushida replied with a bright smile.
"That idiot... honestly, what is he thinking at a time like this?" Horikita muttered, unable to hide her irritation.
"Let's calm down, Horikita-san," Hirata said with a gentle tone. "He's just visiting someone. It's not that serious. Do you know where he went?" he asked, turning to Kushida.
"Um..."
Kushida scanned the gymnasium. She didn't actually want to track him down, but it didn't take long before she spotted a familiar figure.
"Ah—there he is." She pointed toward the opposite side of the gym.
Horikita, Hirata, Ayanokouji, and Ichinose turned to look. There, Kumagawa was chatting with a cute lilac-haired girl. Horikita and Ayanokouji didn't recognize her, but Hirata seemed to, and Ichinose clearly did.
"Sakayanagi-san?"
"Sakayanagi?" Horikita repeated, glancing at Ichinose.
"That's Sakayanagi Arisu. She's one of... well, the leader of Class C now," Ichinose said, correcting herself halfway. She seemed to know Class C's internal situation well. "She has a condition that prevents her from doing strenuous physical activity, so please be mindful of that."
"So that's Sakayanagi..." Horikita murmured.
She was the rumored other leader of Class C, the one who had split the class into two factions with Katsuragi. She was thin enough that her condition was obvious, and it explained why she wasn't present during the uninhabited island test.
After Class C's collapse in the cruise exam, Katsuragi had been dethroned, leaving Sakayanagi in full control.
Ayanokouji quietly noted Ichinose's explanation. It seemed the school even prepared a chair for her, likely because moving around was difficult.
"Dude, she's super cute!"
The Class D boys' reaction was predictable. Sakayanagi was as cute as Kushida, with a delicate, dreamlike aura that made people want to protect her.
While many boys admired her beauty, others didn't praise her at all. Instead, they grumbled with clear frustration—not at her, but at the boy standing beside her.
"...Seriously?"
"Of all people, it had to be him...?"
"Damn it, it should've been me."
On the other side however, Kumagawa, who was chatting with Sakayanagi, casually pointed toward the area where Class D and Class A were gathered.
『Hey, hey, Sakayanagi-chan, look at that. They're already talking about you behind your back. Doesn't it bother you at all? Don't you feel offended? 』
"Hmm?"
Sakayanagi followed the direction he pointed at. Seeing the commotion, she smiled softly and lifted her hand in a small wave. She was clearly aware of the stir she had caused.
"They must have noticed my condition. I would be lying if I said I wasn't offended, but it's a fact that I won't be very useful in this competition." She spoke calmly, as if she had long accepted her own limitations.
"So, what are you doing here, Mr. Vice President Kumagawa Misogi-kun? Did you come to mock me or something?"
Although she didn't say it directly, she was clearly referring to the disastrous results of the last two special exams where Class A had fallen all the way to Class C.
『Are you going to participate in the sports festival later? 』
"..."
Sakayanagi stared at him with an expression that said, 'Is he seriously asking that?' She held in her irritation, taking a slow breath before looking at him again.
"Kumagawa-kun."
『Hmm? What is it?』
"Look at my condition. How am I supposed to participate in something like a sports festival?"
She tapped her cane lightly, as if to illustrate her point.
Sakayanagi Arisu had a physical condition that limited her stamina and movement. She wasn't completely unable to walk, but the cane supported her greatly, and strenuous activity was out of the question.
『From what I can see, it's not like it prevents you from joining the festival, right? Even paraplegic athletes win gold medals sometimes. 』
"...Kumagawa-kun, I think you just said something completely stupid."
Kumagawa, of course, ignored her and kept going.
『Besides, didn't the teachers say you can't just take a day off because you have a fever or something? Where's your sense of responsibility toward your class? Don't you want to climb back from the lowly Class C to the elite Class A? Isn't it your duty as a leader to turn things around? 』
"And whose fault do you think it is that I'm in this situation?"
『It does seem like someone put you in that situation, but unfortunately, I've never met nor even heard of such a dreadful person in my entire life. 』
Another unbelievable statement.
Words that weren't even meant to be provocative somehow became unpleasant the moment they came out of Kumagawa's mouth. Sakayanagi couldn't help but feel the urge to smack him.
『Eh? Why are you looking at me like that? Are you implying the dreadful person you're talking about is me? Hey now, throwing around baseless accusations like that might really damage my reputation. 』
"If you're that worried about your reputation, you should start by fixing your personality."
In a situation like this, Sakayanagi could only grit her teeth and hold back her emotions.
"So you don't intend to cooperate with us?"
Just then, a male voice echoed near them. Even with the gymnasium crowded with students, the distinct voice drew the attention of several people nearby. The speaker was Katsuragi Kohei, and in front of him, nearly an entire class was in the middle of leaving the gymnasium. Among those students, Ryuen Kakeru, the leader of Class B, turned around with his hands in his pockets.
"You understand that I'm leaving out of goodwill, right? Even if I tried to cooperate, I doubt you would believe me after everything that has happened. In the end, you would just question me to see if I can be trusted. It is a waste of time," Ryuen said.
"Whether you are to be trusted or not remains to be seen. However, this is a team battle. Personal grudges and past incidents cannot take precedence over the White Team's overall performance. If cooperating with you would increase our chances of winning, then I will cooperate within the boundaries of what I deem necessary."
"What you deem necessary? Hahaha."
"...."
It was clear what Ryuen was alluding to, and it was easy to understand why he found it amusing. For someone who knew about the deep split within Class C, hearing Katsuragi talk about doing only what he deemed necessary sounded ridiculous. Ryuen could only laugh.
"Is there anything funny about what I said?"
Ryuen simply sneered and continued walking, with all the Class B students trailing behind him. The scene only confirmed Class B's current state as a dictatorship.
『Hey, Sakayanagi-chan. It looks like you got pretty unlucky. It's what they called 'catching the short end of the stick', right? 』
"...It seems so."
For the current exam, Class B and Class C were assigned to the same team, the white team. For the entire first year, aside from Kumagawa, anything involving Class B was something they wanted to avoid.
But there was an advantage in cooperating with Ryuen, especially for their opponents.
Ryuen was the type of person who would use anything, legal or illegal, as long as it gave him results. For Class D and A, facing him was troublesome. He could use any kind of underhanded trick to win.
However, cooperating with Class B also came with obvious disadvantages, especially when the class was led by Ryuen. Even if you worked with him, there was always a high chance he would stab you in the back, even when you were on the same team.
『But for someone who got the short end of the stick, you don't seem very troubled. 』
"What are you saying, Kumagawa-kun? Of course I'm troubled by the current situation."
『Ahaha, it's still a thousand days too early for you to deceive me. Are you trying to prove that I'm an idiot for not seeing through your lie? If that's the case, you're completely off the mark. So stop acting all proud and just tell me what you're hiding. 』
"Fufufu, I am not acting proud at all. And I have nothing to hide from you. Do you not believe me, Kumagawa-kun?" Sakayanagi looked at him calmly.
『Believe you? Why wouldn't I believe you?』He spread his hands, and the gentle smile on his face made Sakayanagi's heart twist. 『I believe every word you say, Sakayanagi-chan. 』
He seemed to be mocking her, as if he had already seen the truth behind her lie. From Sakayanagi's perspective, his smile was far too punchable.
『』『』『』『』『』
"What do you think, Ayanokouji-kun? What is Ichinose playing at?" Horikita asked Ayanokouji.
Currently, Hirata was chatting with Ichinose and her classmates. When it came to socializing, it was best to leave everything to Hirata or Kushida, even if Horikita was somewhat the leader of Class D.
Thanks to Ichinose's friendly nature, Class D had no trouble cooperating with Class A during the sports festival. They quickly reached a simple agreement not to disclose their participation tables, which worked well for both sides.
Even though they were allies for this exam, the fact that they were still competing never changed.
"I don't think you need to doubt Ichinose that much. The main point of the sports festival is to prepare properly and then get results once it starts. That's really all there is to it. Simple is best," Ayanokouji said. "But it does look like she's a little wary of us."
"Isn't that obvious?" Horikita replied bluntly.
"While it's true she's wary of 'us,' it doesn't necessarily mean our class as a whole. What I mean by 'us' is a specific person who makes her cautious." Ayanokouji shifted his gaze toward that person. The boy simply waved back with a dubious smile.
"Kumagawa-kun?" Horikita asked, her brows slightly furrowed.
"That's right. Instead of Class D, Ichinose is more wary of Kumagawa."
"That.... makes sense. With his reputation, it's no wonder Ichinose would be cautious around us," Horikita muttered. It was unusual for her to agree so quickly, but considering how far Kumagawa's reputation had spread, she couldn't deny it.
Ayanokouji didn't deny her words, but he didn't confirm them either. Her reasoning wasn't wrong, but it wasn't entirely right.
What Ayanokouji was alluding to was another reason for Ichinose's reaction.
He didn't know the details, but Ichinose seemed to have some kind of obscure connection to Kumagawa, something that made her specifically wary of him. So it wasn't just a matter of reputation. There was something else between Ichinose and Kumagawa that he didn't understand yet.
But that didn't really matter in this situation. While it would be useful to know what happened between the two of them, Ayanokouji had no intention of prying too much, especially if it involved Kumagawa.
"So instead of doubting your allies, it's best to prepare for the sports festival first," Ayanokouji said.
"I already said that I want us to prepare. I definitely want Class D to win," Horikita replied.
"Wrong. You're not talking about preparation. You're trying to find a crafty strategy and look for loopholes."
"What's the difference?" she shot back.
"When I say 'preparation', I mean figuring out who will participate and in what order, knowing which students in other classes are athletic or unathletic, and making sure they don't learn the same things about us. On the other hand, 'looking for loopholes' means trying to force someone to withdraw or bow out. Look, you want to gain an advantage, right?"
"So you're saying that we need to fight clean and fight hard to win?"
Ayanokouji had no intention of confirming or denying whichever answer she leaned toward. The reason was simple. A strategy to win was never one-sided. Whether it was the uninhabited island, the cruise ship, or this sports festival, there were always two approaches. You could win by attacking 'head-on' or by 'exploiting a loophole'. What mattered was choosing the method that suited the person.
Right now, Horikita didn't lean toward either side. She wasn't heads or tails. At this stage, she could still become either. If Katsuragi and Ichinose were heads, and Ryuen and Kumagawa were tails, which side would she choose?
Judging from her recent thoughts, she seemed to be considering tails, since the people who had won so far were those who used tricks.
However, Ayanokouji was warning her precisely because choosing tails in the sports festival would be extremely difficult. It wasn't that he doubted her abilities, but with her pride, dealing with people like Kumagawa or Ryuen would be a challenge.
"What you do is entirely up to you. What advantage do you think Class D has right now, Horikita?"
"Well, a dispute between Classes B and C will probably help us."
Ayanokouji thought about letting it slide, but he had to address the real problem. Horikita Suzune lived her life in such solitude that her perspective was often narrow.
"You're not thinking big enough," he said. "Do you think we should ignore the fact that Ryuen refused to cooperate with Class C? Do you really think that?"
"Well, they might still reconcile and work together. Katsuragi-kun doesn't exactly like Ryuen-kun, but for the sake of victory, he might put aside his feelings. Can't we at least consider this a good sign for now?"
"That's exactly what I mean by not thinking big enough."
"That's rude. Fine, enlighten me."
"What do you know about Ryuen? He's always looking to win. No matter how he behaves or how polite he acts, he's constantly planning something. So why did he suddenly refuse to cooperate with Class C? Do you really think he never considered it?"
"Wait. Are you saying Classes B and C are working together behind the scenes?"
She was close, but he had to make the main point clear.
"The situation with Class C is very different now. After Katsuragi was dethroned because of the disastrous results he brought, he basically lost his authority over class decisions. Even so, he's still acting as the front of the class while Sakayanagi is the real leader. Don't they have conflicting opinions? So why would Sakayanagi let Katsuragi lead again when most of the class no longer trusts him?"
"Well, isn't it because Sakayanagi-san can't participate in the sports festival?" Horikita replied.
"So because earthquakes and fires are unlikely, we don't need emergency measures? I don't think you understand how important it is to prepare for worst-case scenarios. Just because she isn't participating doesn't mean she isn't involved. There's a difference."
"That's—"
If nothing happened, then nothing would come of it. But if something did happen, they'd be completely unprepared if they assumed everything would be fine.
"I think that Ryuen has, at the very least, one or more tactics in mind."
"But if that's true, it's crazy. We only just learned about the festival. To already have a full plan prepared..."
"That's why we need to understand his kind of crazy. What would a frontal attack from Ryuen look like? What loopholes could he find? Can we come up with something similar? Are there precautions we can take? We have to think like that if we want to reach Class A's level." he said.
If she thought about what winning strategies Ryuen had assembled by this stage, she would naturally narrow down the possibilities. But Horikita still wasn't quite there yet.
For him, this was something he had begun to see clearly after understanding Ryuen's methods during the incident that almost got Kumagawa expelled. Could Horikita still not see that?
"Well, I suppose it's fine as long as we do what we can. Let's make a plan in case someone makes a mess and we have to clean it up," Horikita said.
"Can you not jump to the conclusion that someone is going to make a mess?" Ayanokouji replied.
He was looking forward to seeing just how far ahead she could think.
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『END』
Here you go peasants, another chapter.
This one ended up being longer than usual. It was originally planned as two separate chapters, but the ending of the first one didn't feel strong enough on its own, so I decided to merge them. You can basically treat this as two chapters in one.
So, what do you think of the story so far? If you have any criticism or feedback, feel free to share it. I can't promise I won't feel a bit embarrassed reading it, but I'll appreciate it all the same.
Anyway, that's it for today's chapter.
Hope you enjoyed it.
[Thanks for reading!]
P.S. Just a reminder: there won't be any superpowers, skills, or abilities in this story. Even if Anshin'in-san shows up and disappears in unusual ways, you can treat her as a plot device... probably. I'll let you guess, though I do have a habit of lying to my readers, hehe.