Epilogue: Beginning of a New Era

The last event of the second half, the 1200 meter relay that would bring the sports festival to a close is about to begin. Tensions are running high for everyone other than Class D. 

"So this is the final event.....even for this one we'll have to prepare a substitute---".

"Hah, hah. Sorry, kept you waiting! What's going on?".

A breathless Sudou came back, with Horikita arriving soon after. 

"Sudou-kun, you came back".

".....sorry, it took me some time to take a dump".

He had a bright and cheerful look on his face. However, quite a lot of students turned to look at Sudou coldly. Sudou took their stares head-on. 

"Sorry. All because I snapped, I ended up hitting Hirata and caused morale to plummet. It's also my fault that Class D is in such dire straits".

Before anyone could blame him, Sudou said that and gave a deep bow. If Sudou had been the way he was just a while ago, he wouldn't have done such a thing even as an act. 

I feel like something must have definitely happened. 

Hirata, after a brief moment of surprise, laughed happily. 

His cheek, which had swollen up a bit, looked painful. But he doesn't even seem to care about that. 

"What's up with you, Ken? This is unlike you".

Ike unexpectedly cut in after seeing that. 

"I have to admit I'm in the wrong if I have done something wrong. Please let me apologize to you too, Kanji".

"It's not like it's your fault I lost or anything. I'm not good at sports.....I'm sorry I wasn't of any use".

One apology led to another. The students who were glaring at Sudou too, have been unable to produce results the way Sudou had. 

"If you haven't decided on the substitute for the relay then please let me run".

"There isn't a single student other than Sudou-kun we could leave it to. Right, everyone?".

The rules for the final event, the 1200 meter relay, requires that boys and girls be mixed. From each class, the runners must be evenly balanced between male and female. 

Three boys and three girls each must run 200 meters. 

"May I ask for a substitute runner...? I won't be able to produce satisfactory results with this leg".

After Sudou's case wrapped up, Horikita requested that with an apologetic look on her face. 

"Are you fine with that, Horikita? You tried so hard to be in this relay, right?".

"...it can't be helped. In this state, I'm not even sure I can win against Ike-kun. Sorry".

In this somber and grim meeting, after Sudou had done so, Horikita also gave a deep bow. 

I wonder if she's ever been this honest up until now. 

Both Horikita's heart and body have been thoroughly demolished by Ryuuen. The role of anchor she holds onto tightly, on this day at this time, is all because she had pictured herself by her brother's side. 

Her hands trembling in frustration, she fought desperately against the dream that couldn't possibly come true. 

If she forced the matter and participated in the contest anyways, then without a doubt, Class D would lose. Having heard that, Hirata nodded and decided that Kushida would be participating in her stead. 

Then, with Sudou as the first one on the list, there's Hirata, Miyake, Maezono, Onodera. The five of them with Kushida as Horikita's replacement took on the challenge with that lineup.

It's because there aren't any other sprinters in Class D aside from them capable of participating. The members were confirmed and as I made eye contact with him, Hirata simultaneously opened his mouth. 

"Umm...sorry about the suddenness, but the truth is I---".

But as though cutting him off, yet another male student started to speak. 

"Please wait, I apologize but.....would you let me withdraw too?".

The one who said so was Miyake, one of the boys slated to participate. He seemed to be dragging his right foot a bit. 

"Actually, I sprained my ankle during the 200 meter dash before noon...I thought it'd get better with some rest but it's still hurting".

Apparently even here we've got students who've sustained injuries. 

"In that case, looks like we'll need a replacement from the boys as well".

Having said that, Hirata closed his mouth and looked around. 

However, for this final contest, no student would want to participate unless they were absolutely confident in their speed. After a brief wait, there were no volunteers and so I decided to make an offer. 

"Then would it be fine if I ran? Of course, I'll pay the points for the substitution".

"Ehh, you will, Ayanokouji? Speaking of which, you.....are you fast?".

Of course, no one would have the impression that I'm a fast runner. 

"I'm all for it. I've been watching him up until now and I think he's the kind of person who'll make sure he produces results".

A word from Hirata was enough to shut down anything resembling an objection. This is the weight behind the words of the man who earns trust on a daily basis. It left everyone incapable of objecting. 

"Also, we can't say that Class D has its best members. That's why our strategy should be seizing the initiative and securing our lead. How about that, Sudou-kun? Considering the rules too, I think we'd secure predominance if we can run ahead. If we can get the start right and if it's Sudou-kun, who runs fast, doing the overtaking then we may be able to gain some distance in one stroke. I'll maintain that lead and hand it over to the next student".

The ultimate relay where 12, including senior students as well, would have to start simultaneously.

Since lanes cannot be prepared for all 12, we'll have to start side-by-side. 

The rule here is that you may take the inner lane from an opponent you have overtaken. In other words, the most crucial thing here is our initial positioning. If you can pull off a starting dash then you won't have to get caught up in a free-for-all. 

"...well, no helping it. There's no other way if we want to win".

Sudou will go first. Hirata, whose speed is assured, will be going second. 

After that, the three girls, including Kushida, will have their turn and in the end, it'll be my turn. We'll be going in this order. It appears even I have been given a higher evaluation compared to the girls since I was entrusted with the role of anchor. 

As for the reason, they probably wanted to sandwich me in between the slower students. It saves me the trouble. 

From across all school years and from across all classes, the chosen elites gather at the center of the grounds and amongst them the figures of the older Horikita as well as Nagumo of the 2nd years could be seen. 

"I'll leave it to you, Sudou-kun!".

Hirata shouts and in the same vein, Kushida and the other runners also send shrill cheers flying Sudou's way. Sudou, looking determined, enters the course. It seems the 1st years have it good to a certain extent, since Class D is on the innermost lane. It's set up such that Class A of the 3rd years is on the outermost lane. 

Since there are three girls when it comes to the 3rd years, it can be said that we'll have an overwhelming starting advantage. 

As excitement peaked, the last relay finally began.

Of course, Class D no longer has any chance of winning the sports festival but if we can obtain victory here, it may alter future events drastically. They must have had such a premonition. 

Cheering voices came from our camp as well. 

"That was close. A bit longer and I would have withdrawn".

"I suppose so. Miyake being injured was unexpected".

From the start, the plan was for me to replace Hirata and participate in the last relay instead. Of course, no one other than Hirata knew of that. 

"This is fine, right? Ayanokouji-kun?".

"Yeah. Sorry about having you go around laying the groundwork".

"It's the natural thing for me to do as part of Class D. I'd rather we not keep getting beat by Ryuuen-kun too. It's alright if I assume he'll be slightly surprised by you running, right?".

"I'll do my best to not let you down. More importantly, for now let's cheer Sudou on".

Sudou made a good start the moment the starting signal rang out without so much as a hint of nervousness. 

A dash that had the best timing that I've seen so far. From the very first step, he had enough force to overtake 11 people. Wah! I could hear such cheers fly along with the sprinting students. 

"Amazing, fast".

Even Shibata, spectating from beside me, gave his praise. Sudou ran at an overwhelming pace. 

The 2nd year and 3rd year boys too, were supposed to have been fast, but they got caught up in a free-for-all and were left struggling to position themselves. 

Having overtaken them via that opening, Sudou maintained a lead of over 15 meters and came back. 

"I'll leave it to you, Hirata!".

Class D is in an uproar over that lead. The baton passes to the next runner: Hirata.

The hybrid type man who excelled at both studies and sports. He shone brilliantly even here. 

One after another, the other students followed in tow but the gap that had formed could not be bridged and our planned lead was maintained all the way up to Onodera, who would be running third. 

If there's a problem then it would be from this point. For a girl, Onodera is fast. However, the boys following her from behind were closing in on her. That lead will certainly be lost. 

By the time it passed to Maezono, who's running fourth, the lead was almost nonexistent and even as she ran, she was overtaken by a boy from Class A of the 2nd years. One after another, new students began to run. 

We participated whilst aiming for 1st place but as expected, the senior students are formidable. Furthermore, Onodera had been overtaken by someone from Class A of the 3rd years and one after another, they closed in on her. One from Class A of the 3rd years and one from Class A of the 2nd years each passed by her. 

As expected of the competition, huh? 

However, such happenings are an inherent part of the sports festival. A girl from Class A of the 3rd years who was fourth to be handed the baton, stumbled and fell about 50 meters before the next runner. 

She panicked and got back up but someone from Class A of the 2nd years immediately took top spot via that opening and a severe gap formed. 

By the time the baton passed to Kushida, fifth to run, Class D had already been overtaken by Class A of the same year and had fallen down to 7th place. As suspected, when it comes to overall capability, the other classes hold the advantage. 

I thought we'd at least aim for the winners' podium but the fight appears to have become a difficult one. 

In a situation where 1st years were unable to even compete, Class B of the 1st years alone managed to hold onto 3rd place with effort. 

The ace of Class B who could gather attention to himself in a single stroke, Shibata, seems to be acting the role of the anchor and just like me, he took up his position and awaited his turn.

As the fourth runner from Class A of the 3rd years fell, the situation between the men lined up beside one another as anchors changed entirely. 

"Looks like we win this fight, President Horikita. If possible, I'd have liked to run against you".

Glancing at the approaching top runner, a student from Class A of the 2nd years, Nagumo laughed. 

There's about a 30 meter gap from the 3rd year's Class A student running in 2nd place. A distance at which those equal to one another in ability can never win. 

"Even in overall points, we're likely to win. Looks like the dawn of a new era".

"Are you serious about changing it? The school, I mean".

"Up until now, there's been a lack of fun when it comes to the student council. It stubbornly stuck to protecting tradition. Even though you speak such harsh things you've never forgotten to leave behind a safety net. Soft rules that ensured expulsions won't occur. Such things are already unnecessary, aren't they? That's why all I'll be doing is creating new rules. For the ultimate meritocratic school system, that is".

Nagumo said so as he slowly started to walk forward. He started on an approach run to receive the baton closing in. 

The baton is passed onto the representative of the 2nd year's Class A: Nagumo. 

Not too long after, Shibata also received his baton under the ideal condition of being in 2nd place. 

"Alright, nice! Leave the rest to me!".

Shibata, with fiery eyes, started running as though chasing after Nagumo. 

Due to the students between us leaving, for just a moment, I made eye contact with the older Horikita. 

There's not much to be gleaned from a brief conversation but this man is fighting once again. 

"To think you're the anchor".

"I'm just replacing an injured man. Originally, your sister was slated to be in this position".

"I see. She's struggling in her own way then".

Even if it's only for this moment alone, Horikita has dreamed of standing alongside Horikita Manabu. 

Even if she couldn't exchange words with him, she had probably intended on conveying her own feelings to him. 

"I've been watching your class and up until a while ago I thought of you guys as a hopeless class. But in this final relay, I don't feel any of that from you guys. What happened?".

"You sure are keeping an eye on us. Class D of the 1st years isn't really something you ought to be paying attention to, right?".

"I keep an eye on all classes. No exceptions".

"If something has changed then it'd be your sister".

"...I see".

No surprise. He only replied briefly with that usual, composed expression of his. 

"I'll ask you this. What about you? I can't feel any passion from you".

"I'm the usual me. I have no interest towards this sports festival. I can already tell the outcome".

The class's feelings.

Sudou's feelings.

Horikita's feelings. 

I have no strong interest in any of that. 

It's just, I had a single premonition. 

"You won't be able to see it after you graduate but...our class will become stronger".

"I have no interest in such an assumed future".

As the older Horikita glanced at his approaching teammate, I stopped him with my words.

"Then in that case, would you happen to be interested in seeing exactly what kind of person I am?".

"What?".

The timing's about right to start on an approach run. However, just as I expected, he stopped. 

"If you'd like me too, I don't mind racing against you".

"...you sure are a man who says the most fascinating things. Was it just my misunderstanding? Up until now, I thought you hated standing out and avoided taking any direct action. Even in this relay, I had thought you'd simply let things play out and end".

"If you'll abandon any possibility of making it to 2nd place in order to race me then I'll accept. It's not every day a 1st year and a 3rd year are lined up side-by-side to compete".

In response to my unexpected provocation, the older Horikita stopped entirely and turned to face me. 

"Interesting".

Replying briefly as such, he no longer made any move. The one most bewildered by this would have to be the fifth runner for Class A of the 3rd years. He had done his best to carry the baton to hand over yet the brother received the baton while standing still. 

"You did well".

"Ahh, ehh, ahh.....".

The 3rd year whose name I didn't know left while in shock at the attitude of the older Horikita who had received the baton. In all likelihood, this is an unprecedented baton relay. 

Naturally the spectators who had realized this bizarre situation turned their eyes towards the older Horikita. 

Class A of the 3rd years, once 3rd place, was overtaken one after another and at last, Class D's Kushida approached me. 

Kushida too, realized this bizarre situation but she ran over at full speed. A distance covered in a few more seconds.

"I'll just say this before the race".

"What?".

As the two of us started on our approach run, I said this one sentence.

"---run with everything you've got".

For just an instant, I felt that the older Horikita, who had disappeared behind my field of vision, laughed. 

At this very moment, the baton passed over to me. 

"Ayanokouji-kun!".

I accepted the baton Kushida handed over and as the opening act, I dashed forth at full throttle. 

In my whole life up until this moment, I've never once ran seriously in this wide, sprawling world. 

The situation is completely different compared to when I had continued running indifferently in that cold, inhuman room. 

It's still the start of October. The cool season is still far off. 

I basked in the cold wind. 

I don't care about catching up to and overtaking the runner in front. 

In this moment, all that matters is the race against the man running next to me.

As though cutting through the wind, at full speed, we closed the distance between us and the runner in front. 

"You've got to be kidding right?".

As he was overtaken, the student gave a dumbfounded shout but he was left in the dust. 

Also, I can no longer hear the cheers. 

Strategy and ingenuity have become irrelevant. 

All that remains is my one-on-one fight against Horikita Manabu, who is running next to me. 

Beyond the first curve, beyond the straight line and finally to the last curve. 

Alright---I'm going to accelerate even further---

Cheers that resembled angry bellows rang out throughout the grounds.

                                                                    1

"...that was super fast".

After the contest, Karuizawa said that to me while averting her eyes from me. 

"Isn't it just that my opponent happened to be slow?".

"No, no. Are you really saying that after seeing everyone's reactions?".

"Leaving jokes aside, ultimately I didn't beat the student council president, did I?".

"Well, there's no helping that. The person running in front of you fell".

As the two of us closed in on him at an astounding pace, the runner in front of me panicked and fell and ended up blocking my way. 

I dodged him but that slight delay proved to be significant and Horikita's older brother ended up overtaking me. 

I don't know what the result would've been without that accident but I don't really care for such things. At the very least, all that's certain is that I've gathered attention from all over the school with this final contest. 

A lot of the ones who had finished running looked at me inquisitively. 

"Ayanokouji! Aren't you a fast one! Have you been holding back until now!?".

Sudou, who came running over to me, forcefully slapped me on the back. Since he put all his strength into it, that hurt. 

"Running is about my only forte after all. But that was overdoing it. I guess this is what you'd call hysterical strength".

And not just Sudou, but also several students who were surprised by my run came over to me and called out. 

"That still doesn't explain it. That speed, I mean. You liar".

Slightly dragging her foot behind her, Horikita came over. She used her hand as though it were a blade and stabbed me in the abdomen. 

"You guys, this isn't the sort of treatment you should be giving a soldier who fought his best.....it hurts".

Since Horikita came over to me, Karuizawa took her distance from me so as to not be a disturbance. 

From afar, Sakura was also looking at me but since there's a crowd around me, she did not approach. 

"If you had run like this from the start, then things would've been different. But why did you suddenly get serious? Now you'll be basking in attention".

That's exactly it. Unlike Hirata or Shibata, students who were already recognized as being fast from way back or Sudou, who's been giving it his all since the very start of the sports festival, I've been half assing it up until now. 

That gap will definitely have an influence but that depends on the way you think about it. 

It's not particularly difficult to make it look like tampering with the list on the participation table, keeping me in reserve until now and all the manipulations behind the scenes were all part of Hirata and Horikita's strategy. 

It's particularly effective against someone like Ryuuen, who likes to outplay people. 

"Looks like they're going to be announcing the results soon. Let's go".

It appears the results will be announced at the same time as the closing ceremony. All the students turned towards the giant electronic notice board. 

"Now then, we will be announcing the results for this year's sports festival---".

On the electronic notice board, we were divided up between the Red Team and the White Team and the tallying of the numbers began. The numbers began to rise. 

The total acquired points from all 13 events. The winning team is....

"The Red Team wins".

The points were displayed alongside those letters. It truly was a hard-won battle but the Red Team, composed of the DA coalition, appears to have won. 

"Next up, we will announce the overall points for each class".

Dividing up the 12 classes into three categories on the display, the overall points for each class were displayed all at once. 

For us, the breakdown for the 2nd and 3rd years mean nothing. What's important is what position Class D is in.

1st Place: 1st year Class B

2nd Place: 1st year Class C

3rd Place: 1st year Class A

4th Place: 1st year Class D

"Ugyaah! As I thought! We've lost!".

"...well, I guess it'd end up like this".

It's great that the Red Team won but apparently we 1st years have been quite a liability. 

I suppose it's an inevitability, having two absentees in the form of Kouenji and Sakayanagi ended up being a major factor in it. 

For both the 2nd and 3rd years, Class A took 1st place with an overwhelming difference in points. Class D too, took 2nd and 3rd place and that displayed a high level of stability.

However sadly enough, despite having won as part of the Red Team, Class A only placed 3rd in terms of overall points and so that's a minus 50 points for them.

Since Class D is the lowest ranking one, that would be a minus 100 points. 

Due to the White Team having lost, Class C will also have 100 points subtracted. As Class B is 1st place in terms of overall points, they'd gain 50 points and lose 50 points due to the White Team's loss and so it ended as a step back for all the classes. 

Now that it turned out like this, I feel like everyone's overwhelmed and exhausted. Even after they've tried their best, their class points still decreased so it felt like it didn't pay off. 

Of course, students who won out individually will be able to supplement any future exams with this so I won't go as far as to say it was all pointless. 

"Lastly, we will be announcing the MVP for each school year".

This is the part Sudou's looking forward to the most in all likelihood. 

If he can take 1st place, Sudou would be over the moon from having gained permission to call Horikita by her first name. 

However---

The MVP for the 1st years is Class B - Shibata Sou. 

That was displayed on the electronic notice board. 

"Guaaaah! So that's how it is after all!".

Having lost his last hope, Sudou screams out. Shibata has consistently taken either 1st or 2nd place repeatedly. Sudou had placed 1st in all individual competitions but as expected, being absent had a significant effect. 

The fact that he had also lost the relay that would've awarded him a high score was the final nail in the coffin. 

He continued to stare at the electronic notice board in frustration even after the closing ceremony had ended. 

"Sudou-kun, you didn't place first in our school year. You do remember the promise right?".

"...yeah, it's regrettable though. But a promise is a promise. I'll call you Horikita from now on".

"That's some impressive dedication".

Horikita laughed in a slightly teasing manner. 

"I forgot to tell you this but I just remembered that you onesidedly pushed those conditions onto me and I haven't made any requests in turn yet".

"What's that mean?".

"If you take 1st place, then you'll call me by my first name. You proposed such selfish terms to me so isn't it natural that I make a request in turn now that you've failed to achieve that?".

"Well, that's, right.....".

"That's why I will punish you for not being able to achieve your objective. Never again will you use violence without a justifiable reason. I forbid it. Can you promise me that?".

"...it's a punishment, right? I'll keep that promise".

"Of course, don't forget that you're not the one who gets to decide what a justifiable reason is. That's either up to me or a third party".

Sudou obediently abided by that as well. 

From this incident, he may have realized his own foolishness and may have decided to act more mature. 

Horikita slowly turned her back and started to walk off. 

"That's right...during this sports festival, much like you, I was unable to live up to everyone's expectations".

"Ahh? It can't be helped, right? Since you got injured and all".

"Even so, I cannot forgive myself. That's why I also need to be punished".

Horikita said so as she turned around and then, she said this. 

"That's why if you wish to do so, I don't mind allowing you to call me by my first name".

"Hah? O-Oi?".

"That is my punishment".

It's Horikita's own way of making a compromise, it's what they call 'finding common ground'. 

"Although we're in last place, thanks to that I was able to gain hope for the fights to come. I am truly grateful".

"...o-oh".

Sudou shyly rubbed the bottom of his nose and looked in the other direction, blaming the setting sun for his reddened cheeks.

"Uoooooooooooohhhhh, alriiiiiiiiiiight!".

Sudou shouted loudly as though to blow away all fatigue and raised both his hands to the sky. 

"This sports festival is awesome! It's awesome, Suzune!".

"Good for you, Sudou".

"Yeah!".

"Sorry about butting in while you're celebrating but do you have some time to spare?".

Just as we decided to wrap it up and approached the school building, someone called out like that. The one who said that was a composed looking girl. 

I don't know her name and I don't know her personality either but the only thing I could tell was that she's a student from Class A that I noticed during the cavalry battle. 

"After this, after you've finished changing that is, would you accompany me for a bit?".

".....why me?".

"Because I have something to tell you. 5 o'clock. Come to the front gate".

"O-Oi, Ayanokouji. What's up with that, what's up with that? What's up with that kind of situation!?".

For a moment, I too imagined something along the lines of a confession but I can't sense anything like that from this girl.

"Oi. What do you mean by having something to tell---".

I tried to stop her but without even paying any further attention to me, the girl left. 

"What's up with that? Has the springtime of youth come for you as well?".

"It doesn't seem like that's the case though.....".

"There's still the possibility that the girl, after seeing you show off as the anchor, fell in love with you at first sight".

"...good grief...".

Still, my heart isn't strong enough to ignore her when I've been called for a meeting.

After seeing off that unfamiliar girl, I changed clothes in the locker room and then returned to the classroom. 

Since they were instructed to disperse at the closing ceremony, half of the students were already on their way back. 

When Horikita, now in her uniform, came back to take her seat beside me a while later, I called out to her. 

"This round was a complete defeat. Truly".

Horikita, who replied as such, showed not a hint of gloom on her face. 

"But as for me, I feel like I was able to mature during this sports festival. I never thought the day would come when I'd use the words 'using failure as fuel' but.....truly, that's what I feel".

"That's right. If you feel like you were able to mature then isn't that just fine?".

"This class will become stronger. And we will definitely ascend to the upper classes".

"That doesn't suit you. It's sending shivers down my spine".

"...I suppose so. That is unlike me".

Perhaps she herself was bewildered by this as Horikita shyly averted her eyes. 

"But there are still tons of problems before we can do so. There's a domestic problem we have to clean up too. But firstly, in order to do so, I'm going to need to kowtow".

"Kowtow?".

That word which suddenly came out concerned me but Horikita didn't really try to expand on that. 

"It's something that has nothing to do with you. Thank you for today".

                                                                    2

Having exhausted themselves in the sports festival, the students began leaving the classroom one after another, looking spent. 

Since there doesn't seem to be any club activities today, Sudou-kun left while chatting with Ike-kun and the others. 

My neighbour, Ayanokouji-kun, also appears to be leaving, as he hurriedly got up from his seat. 

Perhaps he became curious about me, since I had yet to get up from my seat, as he looked towards me. 

"You're not going back yet?".

"Yes, you see.....I have some business to take care of".

"Even though you usually always go back early, this is rather unusual".

"Such things do happen sometimes. Well then, that's enough for today".

"Yeah. I'll see you the day after tomorrow then".

Then, one after another they all left and in no time I was the only person left in the classroom. 

As for why I've stayed behind, I don't even need to say the reason. 

To respond to Ryuuen-kun's summons. 

Throughout this sports festival, I had been made to dance in the palm of Ryuuen-kun's hand the entire time. It was too late by the time I had become convinced of that.

I was unable to take any countermeasures against it and I just kept on being beaten. 

But---

Somehow, I felt refreshed. I am aware that I was completely and thoroughly crushed. 

I was able to understand the fact that I am far, far weaker and more pathetic a person than I had imagined myself to be. 

I feel like I need to thank him if only for teaching me that. 

Nevertheless, the debt he's after isn't a light one by any measure. Because it's not just me, but a lot of other students who have been made to bear that burden. The fact that a million private points will be transferred to Class C means that I need to keep the possibility of a future struggle to myself all the more. 

"Sorry I've kept you waiting, Horikita-san. I just got caught up in a conversation with my friends, sorry".

Kushida-san, who left the classroom with her friends once, came back while putting her hands together. 

"No mind, looks like there's still some time left until the appointed time. Shall we go then?".

                                                                    3

"Yo. So you didn't run away after all, Suzune".

"I'll be damned if I run away here. Of course I'd come".

"Your heart's in the right place. You've become a finer woman than you were before".

I'm not pleased one bit even if he praises me in such a manner. 

"But before I talk with you...let's put an end to this farce already, shall we? Kushida-san".

"Ehh? Farce? What do you mean by that?".

In the school building bathed in evening light, I stared straight at Kushida-san. 

"I don't really mind you playing the good guy here but that's not what you're after right? This sports festival. You leaked the information. That's why Class C was able to pull it off so brilliantly. The fact that I'm here like this now with Ryuuen-kun is also for that sake...am I wrong?".

"...come on, where did you hear something like that from? Hirata-kun? Ayanokouji-kun?".

"No. These are my own thoughts. I couldn't shake off that sense of unease. He's the only one here right now. Isn't it about time we confront one another?".

"Confront each other? What do you mean?".

"At the very beginning, I saw you on that bus trying to convince Kouenji-kun to give up his seat. To be honest with you, I didn't recognize you back then. But I immediately remembered you afterwards.....".

I looked Kushida-san in the eye. If she is indeed colluding with Ryuuen-kun, then she'll interfere. 

Up until now, she hadn't done so because she didn't see a need to. 

"Kushida Kikyo-san. I remembered that a student like you had attended my 'middle school'".

Even she wouldn't be able to keep up her constant smile if I revealed something like that. 

Right in front of my eyes, for the first time, I saw her change expressions. 

But that led to yet another smile. 

"Of course you'd remember immediately. I was quite a 'problem child'".

After saying that, Kushida-san stopped speaking and simply lowered her eyes in silence. 

"I don't believe that phrase is quite accurate. You were not a problem child, just like how you are in Class D right now, you were a student everybody trusted in. But---".

"Can you cut it out? Stop reminiscing about the past".

"That's right. No point in talking about the past now".

Ryuuen-kun listened to our conversation with a smile as though he were enjoying it. 

"If we're on the same page then you understand, don't you? What I'm thinking about doing?".

"Yes. I've already realized it. That you want me out of this school. But aren't you also taking a big risk? If I reveal the truth, you'll lose your current standing, no?".

"Me. Or Horikita-san. It's clear who's trusted more. I guess it's what you'd call hedging risk".

"But if it were revealed, wouldn't you be in trouble too? For instance, even if no one believes what I have to say, they will still harbor doubts. At the very least, you cannot deny the fact that we did attend the same middle school".

"You're right. But...if by any chance, you happen to tell someone else about me, I will thoroughly hunt you down. That is to say, I'll drag the brother you love so dearly into this".

Those words caused me to tense up. 

It's precisely because I've heard about the past of the student named Kushida Kikyo that I know there's a danger that she'll really get Nii-san involved if I incur her wrath. 

You could almost say that's the perfect defense against me, without so much as a single opening in it. 

But it's not like it's easy for Kushida-san to take action either. Because there's a danger in the notion that if she blatantly gets my brother involved, I might then resort to desperate measures. 

That's why she's devised this strategy to chase me out openly without letting it get to that.

"Then wouldn't it have been just fine to ignore me? You know full well I don't involve myself with other people and that I don't stick my nose where it doesn't belong, don't you?".

"For now. But there's no guarantee that'll still be the case in the future. In order for me to be me, I need to make everyone who knows about my past disappear".

"In that case, now that I'm privy to this, does that mean I'm also your prey?".

"Depending on the circumstances, that may be so".

Even as she colluded with him, Kushida-san still said so boldly. 

"Kuku. You're a foxy woman. Well, it's precisely because I like that part of you that I decided to cooperate though".

"Let me just say this, Horikita-san. I will expel you. To do so, I'll collude with even the devil himself".

Kushida-san said so as she left my side to stand alongside Ryuuen-kun. 

"What a shame, Suzune. Betrayed by a promising ally".

"You were a step ahead of me this time, Ryuuen-kun. No.....I suppose it's been this way for a while now. During the exam on the cruise, on the uninhabited island, during Sudou-kun's incident too. I've only kept on losing".

By acknowledging that once, the words came out easily. 

"Let's wrap this up then. Points and the kowtow, I mean. That's what you 'two' are after".

"I'll go ahead and clear this up but Kinoshita running into you was a complete accident. There were no ulterior motives or malicious intentions behind that. It's the way the world works, right? If there's an accident sometimes you just settle it out of court. It's something like that".

"...yes. There's no evidence after all, it's obvious I'll be framed as the culprit".

To prove your innocence, you'll need a fair amount of resolve and power. In this case, I just need to admit it honestly. 

"But I'll also add this. That this incident was something you masterminded. You instructed Kinoshita-san to ensure I collapsed. I'm sure of that".

"That's your persecution complex speaking".

"I don't care even if it's just my delusion. But I'd at least like to hear about it. What kind of trap did you set for this sports festival?".

"You're going out of your way to kowtow, if I had to imagine what your delusions are like it'd be something like this".

Ryuuen-kun laughed enjoyingly as he began talking about it as though it were a delusion. 

"Before the sports festival, I had Kushida get her hands on Class D's participation table, and I acquired it that way. Then I simply put the right people in the right places and won. Of course, that's not all, I had also thoroughly researched Class D on top of that too".

"Brilliant leadership. As a matter of fact, you lot did win against Class D and Class A".

Although they didn't measure up to Class B in terms of overall strength, there's no doubt that they fought well. 

"But couldn't you have won more efficiently? In order to crush me, you utilized two of your aces and one of them even had to withdraw after being injured. That's baffling".

"Kuku. To crush you. That's reason enough. I had no interest in winning in terms of overall points from the beginning this time around".

"But your strategy relied on luck. Good for you, when you ordered Kinoshita-san to make me fall and she acted on it, you were saved by two coincidences. That I was too injured to continue and that Kinoshita-san was severely injured after she fell on her own. Both of those aren't things you can simply aim to pull off".

What caused the gears to fall apart inside me was that part. 

Because if she had only received a light injury, then things wouldn't have gotten this serious.

"Certainly the extent of your injury was a product of coincidence. It would've been obvious if I had aimed to injure you. If she messes up while making contact with you, it's Kinoshita who'll suffer a painful experience. That's why I had Kinoshita thoroughly practice a single thing. To make contact with her opponent and make the fall look natural".

If one were to be given such an order, they'd normally rebel against it. What exactly needed to be done to make her so obedient? 

"Also...about Kinoshita's injury...do you really think it was an accident?".

"Ehh....".

"Sure, she fell down. But of course, serious injuries aren't so easily sustained. That's why I had her pretend to be in pain and drop out of the sports festival. After that, it's a simple matter. Before she received treatment, I injured her myself. Like this".

He said that as he stomped on the floor of the corridor with all his strength. 

Ban! A terrifying, eerie sound echoed through the corridor. 

"You did it...? To her.....?".

"She gave her consent when I offered to give her 500,000 points, you know? It sure is scary, the power of money".

It meant then that from the very start, it was also determined that she'd be sustaining serious injuries.....

From the bottom of my heart, I found his thoughts and his execution of them to be terrifying. If it's for the sake of winning, then there's nothing he wouldn't do. 

But, I didn't expect him to be this frank with me. 

"Is it fine to go on and on about this just because I asked?".

"What?".

"If I happened to be recording your confession, what would you do then?".

I said so as I brought out my phone. 

"You thought about that just now, didn't you?".

"As my final gambit, I'll try to manipulate you at least. But I'm shocked that you'd unexpectedly tell me all that".

I fiddled with my phone and played it back from a specific point. 

"Before the sports festival, I had Kushida get her hands on Class D's---".

"If you file a complaint against me, or demand points and a kowtow, then I'll fight back with this evidence. If that happens, I wonder which one of us will be in trouble?".

"Ku....!".

For the first time, Ryuuen-kun's smile disappeared and he stopped speaking as well. 

"Suzune...you.....".

"I'm not looking for trouble either. That's why let's settle it with---".

"Kukuku.....kuhahaha!".

Suddenly, Ryuuen-kun burst out in laughter again. 

"You really are an entertaining woman. I said so at the very start, didn't I? That the contents of our discussion are, at most, fictitious. I was only humoring your persecution complex. I only imagined the made up story you onesidedly crafted inside your head".

"Even so, is there even a way to ascertain whether or not that delusion is real? I could delete only the part where you said it's a delusion and edit the recording, you know?".

If the first half of it gets cut out, there's no way to ascertain if it's a lie or not. 

"Of course, in that case, I'll just have to hand in the original. No problem".

Laughing fearlessly, Ryuuen retrieved his phone from his pocket. 

"Do you know what this is? The full recording...no, it's visual footage".

He said so as he pointed the camera on the back of the phone at me. Insurance that's more reliable than audio. 

It means Ryuuen-kun's already assumed I'd attempt a final gambit. 

It means things won't go that easily....is what it is. 

If I submitted the audio data to the school with the inconvenient first half of it cut out then there'll be an investigation. 

And Ryuuen-kun and the others would be under suspicion.

But it's impossible to declare them guilty with just that. 

If I tried to pass off his words, which he spoke on the premise that it's a delusion, as truth then I'd be condemned for it. 

"Do you admit it, Suzune? The reality of your utter defeat, that is".

Kushida-san is also laughing boldly. 

I realize keenly all the more that I was a fool. 

He's not the type of enemy on who the strategies I could think of would work. The last resistance I had also misfired. 

"Throw away that pride of yours and give me a kowtow, Suzune".

Having received that death sentence, I decided to quietly get down on my knees. 

"I understand---I admit---".

Piron. A sound unbecoming of this place rang out. It's because Ryuuen-kun's phone rang right in front of my eyes. 

I don't think he himself paid that much attention to it. But for some reason or another, he lowered his eyes to the screen to figure out the source of the sound. 

However, Ryuuen-kun's expression hardened for a moment despite him having kept a constant smile all this time. 

He started to fiddle with his phone without sparing me a glance. 

And from that phone, I could hear what seemed like a recording made somewhere with a variety of noises mixed up in it. 

"Listen up, you lot. To set a trap for Class D's Horikita Suzune. What we need to do to crush her. I'm going to offer you that strategy. I'll show you something interesting".

It was Ryuuen-kun's voice. 

Is it a conversation from back when he was planning the strategy he would execute in the sports festival? 

He was explaining in detail what he had so proudly told me a while ago. 

"I don't plan on going against your strategy but give me a chance to fight against Horikita---".

In the middle of that, as though interrupting him, Ibuki-san's voice came up. 

"In the obstacle course race, you run against Suzune and make contact with her. Do whatever it takes to make her fall. Afterwards, I'll take responsibility for your injury and plunder some money for you".

That voice was saying that. I have no idea what exactly is going on. 

"What is the meaning of this, Ryuuen-kun? What's up with that audio?".

Kushida-san too, seemed unable to comprehend the situation and so she requested an explanation from Ryuuen-kun.

"I see, I see, I see. I see now. Kuku, now isn't this interesting? Do you know what this means? It means there's a traitor in Class C as well. And they made not only you guys, but also me, dance in the palm of their hand. Kikyo's betrayal as well as the fact that Suzune would fall apart before me. They had it all calculated. Kuhahaha! This is interesting! Interesting, I say! The one pulling the strings behind you is awesome!".

Calling it a masterpiece, Ryuuen-kun swept his hair back and gave a belly laugh. 

"You got played, Kikyo. They'd already predicted that you'd turn traitor and hand over the information on the participation table's list to us. They had already predicted each and every little thing".

"The betrayal was already assumed from the start.....? Who could possibly be capable of something like that? Could it be Ayanokouji-kun? I didn't know he was that fast after all.....".

"Well, he's one of the candidates. But I won't draw that conclusion. It's a different story whether or not someone capable of pulling off a recording like this would leave behind a trace this easily. Suzune, and also Ayanokouji and depending on the circumstances, even Hirata may have someone pulling their strings. I'm going to slowly take my time smoking them out. I've failed to get the points and the kowtow from Suzune but I'll satisfy myself with just this outcome".

There's no mistaking it. I don't know how he did it, but he used someone from Class C in order to record Ryuuen-kun's strategy. That alone, I'm sure of. 

During the relay, him competing against my brother is also extremely inexplicable. It's unlike him since he prefers to remain inconspicuous. 

But it's precisely because I know this that the only person who came to mind was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka-kun. 

In a situation where he's already being investigated, he still daringly acted conspicuously. 

If the man who had been ruling over the class from behind the scenes up until now suddenly took to the front, then naturally it'd be suspicious. He'd be suspected of being an impostor.

Seeing how Ryuuen-kun was unable to narrow it down to Ayanokouji-kun alone, it would mean he's been setting traps behind my back.

"This is it for now then. The sender of this mail probably won't hound us any further".

"Is that really fine? What if they threaten you with the recording?".

"If they had intended on submitting it to the school, then they would've done so later. Doing so after we've already filed our complaint would be most effective. I wasn't able to make her kowtow but as for me, I've accomplished half of my objectives. Not bad".

                                                                    4

After changing into my uniform I went to the front gate as promised and just as she said she would, the girl was waiting for me. 

"You said you had something to tell me.....?".

"Follow me".

"Follow, where exactly.....".

"A special building".

That too, turned out to be quite the bizarre place. 

The girl, without offering me a detailed explanation, started walking off and so we reached the 3rd floor of the special building. 

This floor is one of the few places in the school where there are no surveillance cameras installed. 

"---What exactly---".

When I tried to ask her, the girl told me to wait and then walked off alone. 

She then went over to a corner in the corridor and quietly whispered.

"Can I go back already?".

"Yes. You did well, Masumi-san. I'll be counting on you again".

".....sure".

The girl named Masumi quietly nodded and left. 

The person behind the voice slowly revealed herself. 

Carrying a cane in one hand, she looked at me with a cold smile. 

1st year. Class A. Sakayanagi. 

"You called me?".

I asked Sakayanagi but she did not reply. 

Then for a brief while, Sakayanagi and I ended up staring at one another.

In a school building at dusk, the lone girl stood before my eyes with a cane in her hand. 

"That last relay drew quite a bit of attention, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka-kun".

Just when I had thought she'd finally opened her mouth, it ended up being merely that. 

"Yeah sorry but can I send a mail first? I've got someone waiting".

"Please go ahead".

Sakayanagi did not react with displeasure but rather, she smiled at me. 

I sent what I had prepared.

"So.....may I assume that it's you? The one who called me out here, that is".

"Yes".

An immediate reply, eh?.

"So what's the matter? If at all possible I'd like to wrap this up quickly".

"After seeing you run, I remembered something. I called you here so I can share with you the shock I felt at that moment. It's almost like this is the lead up to a confession, don't you think so?".

"I have no idea what you're talking about...".

Clonk. Clonk. Propping herself up with a cane, Sakayanagi stood right next to me. 

"It's been a long time, Ayanokouji-kun. Approximately 8 years and 243 days".

"You're kidding, right? I don't know you".

"Fufu. I suppose so. After all, our acquaintance isn't a mutual one".

Clonk.

Clonk.

The tapping receded bit by bit. 

What exactly is this about? 

I decided to wrap things up and started to walk in the opposite direction. 

"White Room".

When those words pierced through my ears and reached my brain I unconsciously stopped walking. 

It chipped away at my rationality and I started questioning 'why' and 'how'. 

"It's unpleasant, isn't it? To be swept about by information that only the enemy possesses".

"...you...".

"This is a nostalgic reunion and so I thought I just had to greet you".

Reunion? 

I looked back at Sakayanagi while still keeping my back turned on her. I definitely haven't seen her before, she truly is a girl who doesn't have a place in my memories. 

I haven't lost any memories in the past either. 

I met this girl, Sakayanagi, at this school. 

There's no mistaking that fact. 

"Understandable. Because you don't know me after all. But I do know you. This must be a strange twist of fate. To be reunited with you in a place like this. To be honest, I never thought I'd see you again. But with this, all mysteries have been solved. The uninhabited island, the cruise and Class D's brush with expulsion. I just couldn't bring myself to believe all of those were Horikita Suzune's strategies. So you were pulling the strings behind the scenes during all that".

"Whatever do you mean by that? We have quite a few strategists, you know".

First of all, analysis. I need to stay composed without panicking. I can afford to think about it later.

"By strategist, would you happen to mean Horikita Suzune-san? Or perhaps you meant Hirata Yousuke-kun? Either way, now that your existence has come to light, it doesn't matter who it is anymore".

.....she's not lying. Apparently she really knows me.

"Please relax. First of all, I have no intention of telling anyone else about you".

"Wouldn't it be easier if you did?".

"I don't want to be interrupted. I'm the only one worthy of burying the false genius".

Clonk. The thin cane tapped on the floor. 

"I've found some slight enjoyment in this boring school life".

"Can I ask you one thing?".

"I'm honored to be questioned by you. Please ask away. If you'd like to know why I know you then I don't mind giving you an answer, you know?".

"No, I'm not interested in that. I just want to know one thing".

Sakayanagi and I make eye contact. 

"Can you bury me?".

Was what I asked. 

".....fufu".

Sakayanagi laughed a bit and then laughed yet again. 

"Fufufu. I apologize for laughing. But I did not intend on insulting the statement you made. I know very well just how awe-inspiring a person you are. I've just begun to enjoy this. Beacuse I will be fulfilling my life's wish by destroying the greatest masterpiece your father has made".

I'd like to wish for that.

My defeat would mean that man's defeat too after all. 

I thought from the bottom of my heart that I wanted this sad contradiction I carry to be destroyed.