Over the next twenty minutes, the students in the class discussed the list for the upcoming sports festival.
"Even though I don't know how to handle everyone participating, I'll join all the recommended events—that way, we'll win!"
Sudō Ken's face lit up with excitement as he spoke loudly.
For Sudō, the sports festival was his paradise.
"Sudō perfectly fits the description of 'all brawn, no brain.' The sports festival is a great stage for him."
Saiki Kusuo glanced at Sudō.
"I'd love for Sudō to participate in all the individual events. That way, the rest of us only need to join the team events."
Sudō's physical abilities were among the best in the entire grade. If he participated in all the events, they could secure a decent result.
After Sudō's suggestion, the class's reactions varied.
["If Sudō competes, we probably won't need to do much."]
["Wait, why should he participate in all the events? The top finishers get points and rewards!"]
["How can we let Sudō take all the benefits?"]
Some strongly agreed with Sudō's idea, believing it would boost their class's performance and allow weaker athletes to avoid point deductions.
Others disagreed, seeing it as an opportunity to earn points themselves, especially for those with poorer grades.
"This plan is feasible. Your athletic skills far surpass the rest of the class. Participating in all individual events isn't a bad idea, and the rules allow one person to join multiple events."
Horikita Suzune nodded in agreement. For the class's overall score, Sudō's proposal made sense.
"But we want a chance too! After all, the top three get points!"
Ike Kanji chimed in, his earlier camaraderie with Sudō now showing cracks.
"That would lower our class's chances of winning."
"No, but still… I just want more opportunities…"
"You can't handle it, Kanji."
Sudō bluntly dismissed Kanji's idea.
"I considered letting you participate in all events, but we can't just let you do everything without any plan."
Horikita, who had initially agreed with Sudō, now voiced her opposition.
"Why?"
Sudō looked confused, unsure why Horikita was against him.
"Because stamina is limited. Participating in multiple events will drain your energy, making it hard to maintain a winning streak."
"Even so, it's better than relying on athletic duds! Even if I get tired, I'll contribute more than these guys."
Sudō sneered at the other boys, including Saiki.
"Yare yare, I've been labeled an athletic dud."
Saiki wasn't surprised; he saw it as a good thing, hoping it would help him avoid more events.
Kanji and others were annoyed by Sudō's words but couldn't argue. Horikita, seeing no consensus, gave up on the debate.
...
In the second period, the class headed to the gymnasium for the first meeting of all three grades.
The gym was vast, but the crowded students made it feel noisy, like a marketplace.
Saiki could faintly hear a few thoughts around him:
["Brother... are you there?"]
["I'll show everyone my skills at the sports festival."]
["I don't want to participate... I don't want to participate..."]
At that moment, a boy stepped onto the stage and announced loudly:
"I'm Fujimaki from 3rd Year Class A, the commander of the Red Team."
"To the first-year students, some may find this unnecessary, but remember: the sports festival is crucial. The experience you gain here will be useful elsewhere. Many upcoming exams seem like games, but each is a critical battle for survival in this school."
"You might not feel it now, but since you're participating, aim to win. Keep this mindset—it's essential for all of us."
Fujimaki's speech wasn't very inspiring.
"Survival in high school? Really?"
Saiki shook his head.
"The only event involving all grades is the 1200-meter relay. Everything else is separated by grade. From now on, students from the same grade and team should gather to discuss."
As Fujimaki finished, 1st Year Class A students approached Class B.
Katsuragi Kōhei and Hirata Yōsuke briefly exchanged words, confirming their cooperation.
Classes A and B were the top point-earning classes, thanks to previous exams, but sports festival results were unrelated.
More importantly, the point gap between A and B was shrinking, making them rivals.
Cooperation was also a chance to gather intel.
Meanwhile, Ryūen Kakeru led Class D out of the gym, ignoring Class C, led by Ichinose Honami.
Despite this, Ryūen smiled confidently, as if victory was assured.
"The key to the sports festival isn't the events themselves, but how personnel are assigned."
Saiki faintly heard Ryūen's thoughts.
After Ryūen left, Katsuragi shook his head and pointed to a girl beside him:
"This is Sakayanagi Arisu. Due to her physical condition, she can only sit in a chair. Please understand."
"So, she's Sakayanagi Arisu?"
Saiki turned to her. From rumors and Ryūen's thoughts, she was a key figure.
Class A was split into two factions, led by Sakayanagi and Katsuragi.
Sakayanagi sat in a chair, wearing a hat with silver hair cascading down. Her doll-like face and petite figure made her adorable.
["So cute!"]
Everyone's thoughts aligned at the sight of her.
Saiki narrowed his eyes, knowing her inner self differed from her appearance.
"I'm sorry I can't contribute as a competitor. I'll lose all events without a fight, causing trouble for both classes. I apologize in advance."
Sakayanagi quickly apologized.
"It's okay!"
"The school's so harsh, not accommodating her condition."
"Don't worry about it!"
No one blamed her.
Even Sudō, who had criticized weak athletes, smiled and comforted her.
"Yare yare, being cute lets you do as you please?"
Saiki sighed. If he or others refused the festival for the same reason, they'd face criticism, no matter how sincere their apology.
Saiki noticed Class A was divided: some stood behind Katsuragi, others beside Sakayanagi.
Sakayanagi's group was much larger.
Class A's balance was already broken.
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and Horikita Suzune whispered nearby, but Saiki ignored them, thinking only of leaving.
.....
After forty minutes of discussion, the afternoon session ended. Students left the gym for their plans.
As Saiki headed to a café, Ayanokōji stopped him.
"Saiki, can we talk?"
Ayanokōji's expression remained unchanged.
"Sorry, I'm busy."
Saiki replied.
"It's the first day of school, and there's limited-edition pudding. Students will probably rush to buy it."
"Are you going to the café for the new pudding? I already asked a classmate to buy it for you."
Ayanokōji responded.
["Saiki seems to value sweets, possibly a deliberate persona. When Class D left early, I had Manabe 'help' buy it and placed it somewhere in school. To avoid detection, I asked Yamauchi to retrieve it."]
"Using blackmail on Manabe to buy pudding... and Yamauchi to fetch it?"
Saiki sighed, pitying their fates. Since Ayanokōji helped, it was a good deed.
"Fine."
"Saiki, who do you think is our class's mole?"
"Kushida, probably."
Saiki answered instinctively.
["As expected, Saiki already knows about the mole, maybe even earlier than me."]
"Yare yare, I forgot to tell everyone about the mole."
Saiki realized he hadn't shared this information.
"Because of the special exam results?"
Ayanokōji asked.
"Yeah."
Saiki nodded.
"I knew last semester."
"The sports festival isn't just about physical ability; it's about team assignments.
Ayanokōji continued,
"Knowing other classes' assignments gives us a huge advantage."
"True."
"Ryūen said the next exam would target our class. His early departure likely means he's already planned. But Horikita hasn't noticed. Her focus is too narrow. She's grown, but not enough for Class A. She's still not a useful tool, and you probably agree, right?"
"Your misunderstanding of me grows..."
Saiki thought but replied calmly,
"Yeah..."
"I want Horikita to grow. She needs a setback to realize her flaws. I have an idea and need your help." "Help?"
"I want to borrow Karuizawa. During the next class meeting..."
Ayanokōji explained his plan.
["Karuizawa should obey Saiki now."]
"My Karuizawa? What does that mean?"
Saiki frowned but shook his head.
"Your plans are none of my business. If you want Karuizawa's help, ask her yourself. No need to involve me."
Saiki didn't want more trouble and felt Ayanokōji's plan was flawed.
"Is that so?"
Ayanokōji seemed surprised, his mind racing.
["Did Saiki reject my plan? Is it flawed? Or does he have a better idea?"]