[Class 1-D vs. Class 1-B]
This was a matchup no one had expected. Based on how the morning had played out, the first-year classes appeared to have formed a united front. Besides, without Class 1-B's help, Class 1-D most likely would've lost to Class 2-B.
And yet, despite having been aided by Class 1-B, Class 1-D had now actively issued a challenge against them. Rumors even began to swirl: had the two classes coordinated beforehand to let Class 1-D hand over an easy win?
[Karui...zawa-san?]
Ichinose Honami from Class 1-C, utterly confused, tagged Karuizawa Kei in their small four-person group chat. But the message sank without a trace—there was no response.
Seeing Karuizawa remain silent, Ichinose tapped on Sakayanagi Arisu's icon and initiated a private message, hoping to ask if she knew what was going on.
After all, hadn't all the first-year classes agreed to avoid internal conflict?
[This was something Class 1-D decided long ago.]
Sakayanagi's response sent a chill through Ichinose's heart. But the next message hit her even harder:
[Class 1-A will also be joining Class 1-D's side in this match.]
Ichinose bit her lip. The morning's atmosphere of full-grade cooperation had almost made her forget that the four first-year classes were still technically rivals. She'd also overlooked the fact that Class 1-B had already amassed 240 class points in this Sports Festival, putting them dangerously close to overtaking Class A.
[Was this... something you planned from the start? Even Ryo doesn't know?]
Sakayanagi didn't reply. Though the message status switched from [unread] to [read], no answer followed.
"Class rep, what should we do next?"
A student from Class 1-C stepped forward and asked Ichinose about their next move. While no upperclassman class had challenged Class 1-C yet, they couldn't just sit around. Once all other classes picked their opponents, the remaining two would be forcibly matched.
Making the first move and seizing initiative was crucial.
"Let's go to Class 1-B's field and—"
Before Ichinose could finish her sentence, Shiranami Chihiro, Class 1-C's commander, urgently spoke through the earpiece:
"No good! Class 1-A still hasn't picked an opponent!"
Ichinose froze mid-step. She knew that as the emotional core of Class 1-C, she couldn't afford to leave right now. If they moved to aid Class 1-B, Class 1-A might immediately target Class 1-C. And if they lost, there was no way they could scrape together 20 million personal points to save Shiranami Chihiro from expulsion.
[You can calm down now, can't you?]
A new message popped up from Sakayanagi Arisu. Ichinose didn't know if it was just her imagination, but she could almost sense the playful smirk behind those casual words.
Gripping her phone tightly, Ichinose typed each word with deliberate force:
[What exactly are you trying to do?]
[You just need to stay put.]
[And watch as Class 1-B gets defeated... that's all.]
-------------------------------------
"A bit unexpected," Kitagawa Ryo murmured, sitting curled up in a spacious seat, arms wrapped around his knees. His black eyes reflected the glow of the screen in front of him.
[Class 1-D vs. Class 1-B]
Something almost no one had predicted before the Sports Festival had now materialized. Yet, Kitagawa Ryo wasn't too surprised.
During the morning matches, he had already noticed some oddities. Horikita Suzune hadn't participated in any events. As Class 1-D's top female athlete, it was inconceivable that her class wouldn't prepare a match for her. Now it was clear—they had saved her as one of their trump cards.
He moved his mouse with a flick of his finger. He had expected to face off against Karuizawa Kei eventually.
He just hadn't expected it to be so soon. It seemed what happened during the summer had truly provoked her.
In a way, Kitagawa Ryo was nearing his goal.
In same-grade matches, the challenged class could choose one event, while the remaining six were randomly selected by the school from twenty submitted by both classes.
Unlike inter-grade matches, same-grade matchups tested overall athletic ability—and involved a lot more luck.
As commander of the challenged class, Kitagawa selected an event. With that, the battle officially began.
[Now selecting the first individual event...]
[Selection complete.]
[First individual event: Wrestling, submitted by Class 1-B.]
[Both commanders, please confirm your participants.]
[Confirmation complete.]
[Participants, please proceed to the wrestling arena.]
"Their representative is likely to be Yamada Albert," someone reported. "I heard during training that he's been having lower back issues."
"Although it's called wrestling, Yamada is actually more skilled in judo," another voice added. "His wrestling style incorporates many judo techniques. Please be careful."
"Understood," Ayanokouji Kiyotaka replied as he listened to Karuizawa Kei's instructions through the earpiece.
"Though it may be strange for me to ask," Ayanokouji said, "why is Karuizawa-san attacking Class 1-B?"
From a rational standpoint, it made sense. Class 1-D had taken advantage of the united front to gather intel on Class 1-B, secretly secured support from Class 1-A, and now had a solid chance of winning. It was a calculated strike.
In the past, Ayanokouji would've accepted that logic.
But now, he wanted to understand the emotional side.
"Because I think we can win," Karuizawa answered firmly.
In a way, she was using Kitagawa Ryo's own methods to deceive and achieve her goal.
Only this time—he was the target.
"After losing in one area, it's only natural to want to win somewhere else, right?"
"I wouldn't know," Ayanokouji replied honestly, shaking his head. Emotions were too complicated. For someone from the White Room like him, these messy feelings were still hard to grasp.
"Put simply, it's like a person who can't swim jumping in to save someone who can. Absurd, right?"
"Just like it's absurd for someone weak to proclaim they'll protect someone a thousand times stronger than them."
Ayanokouji nodded and turned his eyes to the massive figure before him—Yamada Albert.
Physically, he was definitely outmatched.
"Good luck, Ayanokouji-kun!"
He turned to see a girl named Satou Maya waving enthusiastically from the Class 1-D section.
Since the Sports Festival began, Ayanokouji had quickly become a class celebrity. Sudou Ken had a dark past, and Kouenji Rokusuke had... personality issues. Compared to them, Ayanokouji seemed much more approachable.
As for his quiet demeanor? During the Sports Festival, it just looked like calmness and mystery.
"I'm Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Class 1-D."
"Yamada Albert, Class 1-B."
They exchanged names and prepared for the match.
"Your opponent has strong close-combat skills. Use your physical strength to overpower him. Protect your neck and chest."
"During the match, follow my instructions," Kitagawa said through Yamada's earpiece. Having fought Ayanokouji himself, he knew how dangerous the opponent was.
Besides himself, no one in their year could beat Ayanokouji in both strength and combat.
Yamada was strong—but without guidance, he might get toyed with.
The two clashed quickly, locking into a stalemate—something the audience hadn't expected.
Even Class 1-D students hadn't believed Ayanokouji could win. Yamada's presence and his previous easy win over a Class 2-A student were too intimidating.
Ayanokouji had run fast in the morning, but this was wrestling—not a foot race.
Tensing his core, all of Yamada's muscles flexed.
Though Kitagawa had warned him, Yamada was still shocked by Ayanokouji's strength.
"Watch your stance!"
He instinctively defended as Ayanokouji's leg swung toward him.
[Troublesome opponent,] Ayanokouji thought. Yamada's physical advantage was overwhelming. If it were just a takedown match, Ayanokouji had many ways to win. But in wrestling, it required much more effort.
They continued to grapple. Neither could pin the other down.
Then—
A subtle elbow strike to Yamada's throat.
Yamada flinched, and in that moment, Ayanokouji seized his chance—using both arms to slam him down.
But Yamada quickly wrapped his strong legs around Ayanokouji's waist, and the two tumbled, rolling across the mat.
Yamada took the upper hand, pinning Ayanokouji. Then Ayanokouji reversed, shoving Yamada to the corner.
After several intense rounds, Yamada finally ran out of stamina. Ayanokouji locked him by the neck and secured the win.
Class 1-D had claimed the first victory.
"It's fine. You did well. Go rest," Kitagawa cut off Yamada's apology.
The truth was, Yamada had done admirably. While Kitagawa knew Ayanokouji's skills, it was clear Class 1-D had also studied Yamada thoroughly. With neither technical nor physical advantages, a loss was inevitable.
[Impressive,] Kitagawa thought, unable to see Karuizawa's face but genuinely praising her.
[Show me a few more surprises,] he added.
The faster Karuizawa grew, the higher his score for completing this mission would be.
He wasn't angry—instead, he watched like a teacher proud of his student's progress.
[Class 1-D wins the wrestling match. The score is now 1–0.]
This first win fired up Class 1-D. It was the first time since enrollment they had won a special exam match against Kitagawa's Class 1-B. Even a small victory was enough to send them into celebration.
As Ayanokouji stepped off the stage, he was instantly surrounded by girls handing him water and towels, chattering praise. Sudo patted his shoulder excitedly, looking even more thrilled than if he'd won himself.
[Now selecting the second individual event...]
[Selection complete.]
[Second individual event: Girls' 100-meter sprint, submitted by Class 1-D.]
[Both commanders, please confirm your participants.]
[Confirmation complete.]
[Participants, please proceed to the sprint track.]
"Horikita-san, it's your turn."
"...Got it."
Hearing the composed female voice through the earpiece, Horikita Suzune felt momentarily dazed.
Just half a year ago, when they entered Class 1-D together, Karuizawa Kei had been just another girl—only influential in her small clique, and unremarkable in academics, athletics, or strategic thinking.
When had she become someone who could so confidently lead Class 1-D forward?
And now—facing the class led by that person, Class 1-B.
She could even see a chance of victory.
At the starting line, Horikita retied her shoelaces. Karuizawa had deliberately kept her from any morning events, preserving her stamina.
Her opponent: Ibuki Mio—just as Karuizawa had anticipated. Among the girls of Class 1-B, Ibuki was the strongest.
Even Ibuki, sensing the importance of this match, remained silent, warming up without a word.
"Horikita-senpai is watching you from the stands," Karuizawa said through the earpiece.
Horikita looked forward.
Toward the finish line.
She had made up her mind to move forward—and wouldn't look back.
She knew. Not just Horikita Manabu—Kitagawa Ryo was surely watching too.
Bang!
The starting pistol fired.
A hundred meters—a fleeting instant.
Horikita crossed the finish line two body lengths ahead of Ibuki Mio.
"Sorry, Horikita-senpai didn't actually come. That was a lie," Karuizawa's slightly apologetic voice came through.
"No, it's fine."
Her hands still trembling, Horikita ran over to the stomping, frustrated Ibuki.
She leaned toward Ibuki's earpiece, grinning like a child showing off a trophy:
"I. Won!"
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