"...So, we finally meet face to face."
Kitagawa Ryo glanced sideways at Karuizawa Kei. The commanders of Class 1-B and Class 1-D, both choosing to personally participate in the final event, stepped out of the multipurpose room and headed toward the site for the last team competition: the three-legged race.
Karuizawa nodded. Unlike when they met that morning, she had undone the ribbon that always tied her high ponytail, letting her hair fall loosely over her shoulders. With her head hung low the entire time, her face was almost completely hidden.
"Choosing to submit the three-legged race must mean you've practiced with Suzune in private, right?"
"Honestly, in terms of physical compatibility, Suzune probably pairs best with your classmate Onodera. But you choosing to participate personally means you must be confident."
"The seventh match already..."
Kitagawa showed no signs of anger or reproach over Karuizawa's earlier betrayal. In fact, he analyzed the final match with a calm expression.
"So? How's it been... up to now?"
Karuizawa lifted her head. Her nose twitched, her voice thick with congestion despite her efforts to disguise it. The tear streaks on her pale cheeks were still visible.
"You okay?"
Kitagawa's chest tightened momentarily. He instinctively reached for a tissue from his pocket to wipe her tears but stopped mid-motion. Instead, he simply offered the tissue to her.
"The stands are going to be packed. The commander of Class 1-D can't show up looking like this, right?"
Karuizawa silently accepted the tissue, roughly fixing up her appearance. Still, she repeated her earlier question:
"So, how's it been?"
"If you're talking about the sports festival, I don't think there's anyone else in Class 1-D who could've done better than you."
"If I were to evaluate, your intel work was top-notch. You managed to gather data on every classmate, picked suitable events, and even secretly collected intelligence on us in Class 1-B."
"The archery event was clearly aimed at us, and it worked. You used Ayanokouji and Sudou effectively. Even negotiating with Kouenji in advance—rather than dropping out, he actually contributed."
"Keeping Suzune hidden until now was a smart move too. You used our strength to take on Class 2-B, then deployed Suzune against us."
"You even communicated with Class 1-A beforehand to monitor potential interference from Class 1-C. Even though they eventually showed up, it was outside your control."
"Class 1-B and Class 2-A both got swept 7–0. From that angle, maybe you should just run for student council president."
Kitagawa joked lightly, but this time, his praise wasn't from a teammate—it was recognition from a rival.
"So now, I can stand beside you."
Karuizawa didn't smile at the quip. She turned to face Kitagawa seriously.
Why did she choose Kitagawa as her opponent?
Defeating Nagumo Miyabi from Class 2-A and Kiriyama from Class 2-B would've been enough of an achievement.
But she still chose Class 1-B. She still chose Kitagawa Ryo.
Because all of her previous accomplishments had been with his help. Whether it was the Class B incident or the uninhabited island test, they had all followed his pre-planned script. She even doubted if swapping her out for someone like Horikita Suzune—so long as they followed his instructions—would yield the same results.
Having received Kitagawa's recognition, her tightly wound nerves suddenly slackened. All the words she had prepared vanished. She had wanted to show him her growth... yet now she found herself vulnerable again.
She hated that she had recalled all those memories today. She had already tried to let go—on the last day of summer break, she'd decided to let go. This sports festival betrayal was her way of rejecting the identity that Kitagawa had planted: the spy he embedded in Class 1-D. From now on, they would be pure rivals.
"Ryo's partner this time is Hiyori-chan. Looks like you two have practiced this event together."
Kitagawa nodded.
"Hiyori and I played this event before. You could call it a reunion."
"...Why didn't you ever tell me you knew each other before?"
Karuizawa's question caught Kitagawa off guard. He was momentarily at a loss before shaking his head and replying:
"Sorry."
"You don't have to apologize... I know I have no right to ask anything of you anymore—not how you treat me, or who you're with."
Karuizawa stopped walking, took two steps forward, and gently tugged on the hem of Kitagawa's shirt.
"But I've been trying... I get along with Hiyori, with Ichinose... I won't ruin your relationships."
Her voice quivered slightly.
Ever since Kitagawa started dating Shiina Hiyori, Karuizawa had avoided going to his room alone or doing anything ambiguous. She had genuinely accepted their relationship, never trying to interfere.
"You didn't have to go that far. I told you before, the past is the past."
Kitagawa had always believed that the more Karuizawa suppressed her past memories, the more likely he would complete his mission. That's why he had intentionally avoided bringing it up all semester.
Only now did he realize that this approach might've had the opposite effect.
Karuizawa, who had once given up, now dared to hope again.
What he should do now... was to shut the door on the past.
Karuizawa didn't know what he was thinking. She pulled on his right arm.
Thud.
The next second, he pinned her against the wall near the school building's exit.
The classic "kabe-don" gesture, inherently ambiguous, created an intimate scene.
But there was no joy in Karuizawa's heart. She had experienced this exact scene before—and had rewatched it many times on video.
She knew what it meant.
Footsteps approached. She spotted first-years arriving.
Both Class 1-B and 1-D had sent students to look for their missing representatives. Leading the groups were Shiina Hiyori and Horikita Suzune.
Her briefly racing heart fell again, weighted with numbness.
Yet her body still responded to her thoughts.
"So you blocked me here just for this childish stunt?"
She shoved his arm away and crossed hers in front of her chest, tapping her foot impatiently.
"I just thought betrayal wasn't very commander-like."
Kitagawa's voice remained steady, as if unaware of the approaching crowd.
"If anyone has the right to say that, it's Ichinose from Class 1-C. You guys in Class 1-B are in no place to talk, not after what you pulled on the island."
Karuizawa's retort was sharp and cold. Despite her smaller frame, her presence was unshaken.
"Afraid of losing to us, Kitagawa?"
"Tch."
Kitagawa clicked his tongue, clearly irritated.
"If it weren't for our help, Class 1-D would've lost to the second-years long ago."
"And didn't we contribute too?"
Karuizawa wiped her eye discreetly, raising an unbothered smile.
"Seems like you're worried about expulsion, Kitagawa."
"That's none of your concern."
His expression darkened.
"Even if Class 1-D pulled a fast one this time, Class 1-B hasn't lost yet."
"Then stop talking and meet me on the field for the final match, instead of playing games in the hallway."
Karuizawa's glare was unwavering.
"So you've lost faith in your tricks, huh? You and Ryuuen only know how to play dirty. Class 1-D will surpass Class 1-B sooner or later."
"Looking forward to it."
Kitagawa gave a cold smile, turning at just the right moment to "notice" the arriving students.
"Hiyori, let's go."
Back at Shiina Hiyori's side, Kitagawa ignored the glaring Class 1-D students and called out to his team:
"Let's win the last round."
"Mm."
Shiina Hiyori didn't say anything flashy. She just nodded and quietly took his hand.
Karuizawa turned her back.
Class 1-B and Class 1-D split paths, heading to the competition field through the east and west gates, respectively.
-------------------------------------
"Class 3-A won, huh? Took down Class 2-A. Nagumo must be fuming right now."
Because the match involved her older brother, Horikita Manabu, Horikita Suzune's tone was more animated than usual. While Class 1-B and Class 1-D prepared for their final showdown, the battle between Class 3-A and Class 2-A had already concluded.
"Yeah, and I saw him too," Karuizawa Kei said as she crouched down to tie the red ribbon around her right leg and Horikita's left, carefully adjusting the tightness. "Sixth row from the left, center seats."
Following Kei's gaze, Horikita spotted Manabu's upright figure in the crowd. Despite sitting down, he stood out among the spectators.
With most of the matches concluded, students from various classes shifted their attention to the final clash between Class 1-B and Class 1-D.
Kitagawa Ryo had already made a name for himself across the school—first by defeating Nagumo Miyabi twice, and then by being publicly acknowledged by Horikita Manabu. So when he and Shiina Hiyori arrived at the starting point for the three-legged race, quite a few upperclassmen looked on with mixed feelings. Many girls, noticing how close the two were, whispered curiously about their relationship.
They soon learned the two were dating, and that the drone confession on the last day of summer vacation had been their big moment.
Envying glances fell on Shiina Hiyori, and the crowd buzzed with excited chatter about how this couple would perform in the three-legged race.
The event itself was a staple of past sports festivals at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, but rarely did mixed-gender pairs participate. Differences in height and the inherently intimate nature of the race kept most people from signing up with someone of the opposite sex.
But that intimacy made couples the ideal partners.
There was even a legend about a couple whose relationship fell apart after arguing during the race over their lack of coordination. So seeing a couple compete in this event again stirred anticipation among the upperclassmen.
And this was no ordinary race—it was the final match, the one to decide it all. The stakes and drama couldn't be higher.
"We won't lose!"
Sudou Ken shouted, pumping his fist into the air. "Class 1-D will win this!"
Following his lead, all of Class 1-D joined in the chant. They were desperate for a victory over Class 1-B.
To them, Kitagawa Ryo was the symbol of all their frustrations since enrollment. Beating him would be more than a win—it would be liberation.
Even the usually composed Hirata Yousuke was visibly stirred. The team spirit Class 1-D had built throughout this festival moved him deeply.
"Class 1-B for the win!"
"Kitagawa-san is unbeatable!"
"Backstabbing Class 1-D better brace for defeat!"
Not to be outdone, Class 1-B hurled their cheers back with even more volume. As the match involved points and possible expulsions, morning camaraderie was replaced by full-blown rivalry.
"Let's win this. Beat him."
Karuizawa looked at Horikita. She knew Horikita's strong desire to defeat Kitagawa could turn the tide.
"We will win," Horikita nodded.
They had every reason to believe so. This event was selected by Class 1-D. They had practiced relentlessly for the past month. Their coordination was flawless.
Bang!
The starting pistol fired. Karuizawa Kei and Horikita Suzune lunged forward, bound at the ankle.
Why did she want so badly to beat Kitagawa Ryo?
As the starting line blurred behind her, Kei found her answer.
It was a thought so ridiculous it almost made her laugh.
She wanted to become stronger than him.
So she could protect him.
Just like he had once protected her.
It was laughable.
Kitagawa Ryo didn't need her protection.
But maybe, just maybe, one day he might.
And if that day ever came, she would be the one standing in front of him.
Not behind.
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