Chapter 15 : Sport Festival

Summer vacation is over, and the second semester starts today. As I open the classroom door, lively voices reach my ears. While it's likely that the start of the new semester contributes to the excitement, the main reason is probably the class promotion.

"Good morning, Ryuuen-san!"

As I head to my seat, Ishizaki and the others are greeting Ryūen as he enters. Initially, the class viewed this scene with skepticism, but now it's become the norm, and no one seems to pay it much attention.

At first, Ryūen was feared and intimidating. But now? Most of the looks directed at him are friendly, though they differ. It's not that he's no longer feared; rather, there's a spirit of wanting to follow Ryūen that wasn't present when he first enrolled. This is the result of Ryūen's actions up to this point.

He has left results in every exam and has brought success to the class. All of his achievements are beyond ordinary, and indeed the class has been promoted to Class B. After seeing such performance, it's only natural that Ryūen would gain support.

"Damn it… Why does someone like him…"

However, not everything has changed. There's still a disruptive element nearby, a student named Tokitō, who glares at Ryūen while grumbling. He's been opposing Ryūen since the beginning and seems to be gathering allies to end Ryūen's influence, though it appears to be failing since most students now follow Ryūen.

As I'm thinking about this, our homeroom teacher, Sakagami-sensei, enters the classroom.

"First of all, congratulations on being promoted to Class B. I'm proud that my class is the first in this grade to experience such a promotion."

Hearing Sakagami-sensei's cheerful tone, the class seems energized. It's not every day the homeroom teacher praises them to that extent, so it's understandable they're happy.

"That said, there's one more announcement. The sports festival is coming up soon, so physical education classes will be increased from now on."

At the mention of the sports festival, cheers rise from the students with good athletic ability, while those who struggle with sports groan in despair.

Sakagami-sensei then starts explaining about the sports festival. I look over the handouts that have been distributed about the festival.

"Regarding the sports festival, all grades will be divided into two teams to compete. Your Class B will be in the White Team. Similarly, Class C will also be in the White Team, so you will be competing against Class A and Class D."

Unlike previous exams, this will be the first time we'll be cooperating with other classes. …Well, I doubt our class will actually cooperate.

"Now, let me explain about the sports festival. I will only explain once, so listen carefully."

Regarding the sports festival details:

- **Outcome Based on the White Team's Performance**

 The team with the lowest total points across all grades will receive a penalty of -100 cp.

- **Results Based on Grade Rankings**

 1st place: +50 cp

 2nd place: No change

 3rd place: -50 cp

 4th place: -100 cp

- **Best Student Award**

 The student with the highest score in all events will receive 100,000 pp.

- **Best Student Award by Grade**

 The top three students in each grade with the highest scores will each receive 10,000 pp.

"There will also be rewards for individual events. However, after all events are finished, the bottom 10 students will have their scores deducted in the next written test, so be careful."

"Seriously...?"

For students who aren't confident in their performance, this will be hell. They'll need to score more than usual, and as expected, groans are heard from those who are worried about their results.

"Next, about the events, please look at the materials."

Sakagami-sensei then explains the details regarding alternatives and substitutions before moving on to the events. Looking at the materials, there are events that everyone participates in and recommended participation events.

- **Everyone Participates**

 100-meter dash

 Hurdles

 Pole toppling (for boys only)

 Ball toss (for girls only)

 Mixed-gender tug-of-war

 Obstacle course

 Three-legged race

 Cavalry battle

 200-meter dash

- **Recommended Participation**

 Borrowed Items Race

 Four-way Tug-of-War

 Mixed-gender Two-person Three-legged Race

 1200-meter Relay with all three grades

A total of 13 events—too many, and it seems to make the class a bit unsettled.

"Isn't this too much? I can't see how we'll finish this in one day."

"Regarding that, this sports festival measures athletic ability, and there are no cheering competitions, which saves time."

I see. It seems they're saving time by not including cheering competitions, something I was a bit looking forward to… It's a pity.

"And this is the most important point. Here is a participation form. You need to fill out how you will participate in each event and submit it to me."

"When's the deadline?"

Ryūen, who usually doesn't ask the teacher questions, raises his hand to ask.

"The deadline is one week before the sports festival. If you miss the deadline, you'll be randomly assigned, so be careful. Also, once the deadline passes, no substitutions will be allowed for any reason, so be cautious."

"That's all for the explanation. For the next period, move to the First Gymnasium for a meeting with other classes and upperclassmen, so don't be late."

With that, Sakagami-sensei left the classroom.

….

On the way to the gym, Shiina approaches me and asks:

"Are you confident about the sports festival, Hikigaya-kun?"

"I'm average at sports, so I can't really say."

"I'm a bit anxious since I'm not good at sports. I hope I don't end up in the bottom 10..."

Shiina is indeed not very athletic, but in terms of grades, she's usually among the top, just behind Kaneda in our class. Even if she ends up in the bottom 10, she probably won't be expelled.

As we're chatting, we turn the corner towards the gym and encounter the student council president, Horikita Manabu , who is walking towards us at the same time. Beside him is a person from the early days, Tachibana.

"Hikigaya, right? I believe you're in the White Team."

"Isn't the student council president on the Red Team?"

Horikita Manabu exudes a distinct aura typical of a student council president. Since I'm not using honorifics, Shiina seems surprised, and Tachibana, who is beside him, glares at me, possibly annoyed by my tone.

"...Are you seriously going to compete this time?"

Horikita Manabu looks at me with a scrutinizing gaze, seemingly trying to gauge me.

"I always compete seriously."

"When I first met you, the strength you displayed was not ordinary. The same goes for Ayanokouji who was there at the time."

He seems to remember the incident and is analyzing my physical abilities, as expected from the student council president.

Then, for some reason, Horikita Manabu pushes me against the wall and slams his right hand down next to me.

"Just once, show me your strength in this sports festival. Of course, it won't be for free. If your abilities exceed my expectations, I'll grant you one wish."

He offers me an exceptional condition with a direct, assessing gaze. His voice is lowered, so it seems that Tachibana and Shiina can't hear him.

...It's appealing to have a chance to request something from the student council president. Even aside from that, I'm interested in understanding more about Horikita Manabu . This is a good opportunity to learn about him.

"I don't know. Why are you so concerned about me? Honestly, it doesn't seem like something a student council president should be involved in."

"This isn't about my role as student council president. It's based on my personal philosophy."

He says it's based on his personal philosophy, but whether that's true or not is unclear. However, this deal seems advantageous for me.

"...Just one event. I'll leave it to you to determine if I'm truly giving it my all."

When I say this, Manabu looks at me again to assess my sincerity, but unfortunately, my facial expressions are not easy to read.

"...Tachibana, let's go."

"…Huh? Y-yes!"

Tachibana, who had been staring blankly, snaps back to reality at Manabu's command and follows him as he leaves. Finally free from being pushed against the wall, I think of an excuse for the still-dazed Shiina and continue on to the gym.

…

When we arrive at the gym, all the students in the school are gathered. I spot Ryūen nearby, and he seems frustrated by the crowd, with visible veins on his forehead. …I should avoid approaching him for now. Oh, and Ishizaki just got kicked.

"Hey there. Long time no see, Hikigaya-kun."

Feeling sorry for Ishizaki, I'm just idly wandering around since there's nothing to do when I'm suddenly pulled from behind. Turning around, I see Matsushita, whom I met recently.

"Matsushita, how's your class doing?"

"Yeah, we're fine. Right now, Katsuragi-kun and Horikita-san are having a discussion, so I'm a bit idle."

As I chat with Matsushita, a senior, presumably an upperclassman, approaches us from the back. 

"Hey, Matsushita. Even though we're in different teams, let's both do our best."

"Ah, senpai. Yes, let's do our best…"

The upperclassman is ignoring me and focusing solely on Matsushita. It seems they're not particularly close.

"How about going somewhere after this?"

"No, I—"

Matsushita looks confused and is trembling slightly, unsure of how to respond. …I guess I'll have to step in.

"Chiaki, you're going to the café later, right? Haven't you decided where to go yet?"

"Huh?"

"...Huh?"

Both the upperclassman and Matsushita are caught off guard by my sudden question. I try to give a subtle signal with my eyes, indicating "follow my lead," and Matsushita seems to understand. She clings to my arm.

"...Oh, right. Hikigaya-kun. Then let's decide where to go. Well, senpai, I need to plan with my boyfriend, so I'll excuse myself now."

Still clinging to my arm and looking dazed, Matsushita quickly leaves with me.

"Sorry for the sudden intervention."

"No, you really helped me out. That senpai was being persistent, so thank you."

It seems my actions were not a bother, which is a relief. But…

"...How long are you going to keep clinging to my arm?"

"Huh? Aren't you happy to be hugged by a beautiful girl like me?"

Clinging to my arm and looking up with a slightly flushed face, Matsushita makes me feel awkward, so I turn my gaze away. It seems she still remembers what happened at the pool.

"I'd prefer if you didn't bring that up."

"...Are you embarrassed?"

It seems she still wants to tease me...

"Hehe, sorry, sorry. But really, I appreciate it. And..."

She finally lets go of my arm but then closes in on me.

"You were really cool."

It seems like she's being called back by the upperclassmen from the Red Team, as she waves to me and returns to her class. When I glanced back at her, I could have sworn her ears were bright red.

Afterward, the upperclassmen from the White Team gather us, and a leader-like figure from the third year gives us some ambiguous advice, which most people don't seem to understand.

The speech was unclear but not particularly concerning. Looking around, many classes are discussing strategies with their cooperative classes.

"Alright, let's move quickly."

I knew it... I expected our class wouldn't hold any strategy meetings. Ryūen starts to head out, and the entire class follows him. Meanwhile, Class C is approaching us from behind.

"Are you not planning to discuss strategies?"

Ichinose from Class C steps forward and asks us.

"We're trying to leave here out of goodwill. Sorry, but I'm not interested in wasting time."

"So, you're trying to lessen our burden, then?"

"Exactly. Be grateful."

Class C doesn't seem satisfied, but Ichinose backs off, and Ryūen, feeling that further interaction would be futile, leaves the gym.

…

As the physical education class begins, we're set to undergo tests to measure our physical abilities in preparation for the sports festival.

"Albert's grip strength is 92!? That's insane!"

Among the various tests, Ishizaki is shouting in amazement during the grip strength measurement. It seems Albert's record is impressive, causing cheers, and Albert himself looks quite proud.

"What are you staring at?"

As I'm pondering which test to take, Ryūen calls out to me from behind.

"Well, I'm not sure which one I should do."

"Just pick any. You're going to participate in all the events anyway."

"Wait, what?"

Participate in all the events? This is the first I'm hearing of it, and I don't remember agreeing to that.

"...I haven't heard anything about that, and I didn't agree to it."

"I didn't say anything, and I didn't ask for permission. You're my pawn, right?"

Hearing that, I suddenly remember. After the commotion over the violence incident, I had said...

"I'm not going to be in the spotlight for now, so use me as your pawn."

Oh no. I completely forgot about that. I really want to punch the me from back then. What was I thinking saying that?

"What? Did you forget? Well, it was your own suggestion. You'd better work as my pawn."

Ryūen gives me a sinister smile. Does he really want to make me suffer that much...

"I'm not telling you to dominate or anything. Just aim to barely win. That way, you won't stand out too much."

He's at least giving me some consideration by suggesting a way to handle it.

"...But the others won't be satisfied with that. Someone with better athletic abilities than me won't stay quiet."

I try to argue with reason, as if making one last stand...

"Just shut them up and get it over with."

Reason and common sense have no effect on him.

The sports festival suddenly seems daunting, but Ryūen says he'll take me to a good restaurant if I cooperate, which makes me realize how easily motivated I am by simple incentives.

=================================

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