The sun beating down on the sports field showed no sign of weakening even in the afternoon. If anything, it seed to respond to the students' growing excitent, continuing to radiate a scorching heat that burned against the skin.
After finishing the morning events and realizing that the White Team was carrying out a strategy involving the leak of Class D's participation list behind the scenes, I kept that information to myself as I headed into the afternoon competitions.
The first event after lunch was the star attraction of the sports festival:
The Cavalry Battle.
First ca the girls' division.
From Class A's tent on the Red Team side, I quietly observed the fierce clashes unfolding in the center of the field.
It was an all-out battle between the Red and White Teams.
But looking at the field as a whole, it wouldn't have been an exaggeration to say the outco had already been decided.
"Class B's third cavalry, move three steps to the right. Coordinate with Class C's second cavalry and surround the isolated Class D unit."
From outside the white boundary lines, Arisu Sakayanagi calmly issued orders through a gaphone.
Because of her physical handicap, she couldn't participate directly.
However, with her extraordinary intellect and overwhelming command ability, she manipulated the girls of the White Team as though she were moving pieces across a chessboard.
"Yes!"
The girls from Class B moved smoothly according to Sakayanagi's instructions, displaying perfect coordination with the martial-minded girls of Class C as they systematically tore apart the poorly coordinated cavalry units of Class D.
"Kh…! We're surrounded! Run!"
"Kyaaah!"
With Horikita injured and unable to perform properly, the girls of Class D had beco a complete disorganized mob. Against the White Team's refined encirclent tactics, they were helpless, losing their headbands one after another and retiring from the match.
Ichinose, the leader of our Class A, fought desperately at the front lines and displayed excellent teamwork with her classmates.
(Ichinose is really giving it everything she's got. She's covered in dirt, shouting herself hoarse… And the girls in our class are desperately following her lead. Even Hiyori's doing her best as a rider. That girl normally spends all her ti quietly reading in the library, but now she's making that serious face trying not to fall off… It's admirable, but please don't get hurt…!)
I watched with the anxious feelings of a father observing his daughter's first sports festival while sincerely praising Class A's efforts.
But under Sakayanagi's brilliant command, even Class A's cavalry units gradually found themselves cornered.
(…Impressive. Sakayanagi's command ability is the real deal.)
Even as an enemy, I couldn't help admiring her flawless leadership.
She instantly coordinated completely different classes and efficiently targeted the enemy's weaknesses with precision.
She truly possessed the talent of a military strategist.
As a result, the girls' cavalry battle ended in an overwhelming victory for the White Team.
---
Next ca the boys' cavalry battle.
(Beforehand, I'd tried to suggest, "I'm tall, so I'll be part of the base," but—)
"—You are ant to stand at the heavens, Aizen. We shall beco the unshakable foundation beneath you."
(Kanzaki suddenly started saying stylish nonsense, and before I knew it the entire class agreed, so I ended up becoming the rider instead.)
I sat majestically atop the cavalry ford by Kanzaki and three others.
(…I'm definitely heavy. Sorry, Kanzaki, everyone! I'm tall, so there's no way this isn't destroying your shoulders and backs! Seriously, I'm sorry!!)
Even while internally apologizing profusely, outwardly I maintained the dignified composure of a king.
"—Piii!!"
The whistle signaling the start rang out.
I quietly surveyed the battlefield in order to guide Class A.
However—
"Heh… Don't touch that monster at all. Focus on steadily picking off the weaklings around him."
Ryuuen's cold instructions echoed from afar.
The White Team cavalry units were wary of my overwhelming presence, and not a single one approached my cavalry.
Instead, all their hostility was directed toward Class D.
After being relentlessly crushed by Classes B and C throughout the earlier events, the students of Class D had already reached their frustration limit.
"The hell with you, Class C!! I'll kill you bastards!!"
"Sudo-kun! Stop! Don't run off on your own!"
Hirata desperately tried to stop him, but the enraged Sudo couldn't hear a thing.
Led by Sudo, the furious Class D cavalry units completely ignored their pre-arranged strategy and formation and launched reckless charges.
But that was exactly the trap Ryuuen had prepared.
The mont Sudo's group charged in alone, they were surrounded by multiple White Team cavalry units lying in wait. Their balance was instantly destroyed, and their headbands were snatched away one after another.
(Whoa… Sudo's reckless rampage completely destroyed the Red Team's formation. …Though honestly, if I could properly command the whole battlefield, I could probably recover this situation. …But without Hiyori nearby, I can't coordinate properly at all…!)
While I lanted our communication breakdown, the situation worsened further.
Starting with Class D's collapse, the Red Team's defensive line completely broke apart. Even the other cavalry units from Class A were overwheld by sheer numbers and eliminated one after another.
In the end, only my cavalry remained standing.
Against the swarm of White Team cavalry units charging us, Kanzaki and the others stubbornly held the line while I used my agility to fiercely defend our headband.
But—
We ultimately couldn't overturn the overwhelming difference in remaining units, and the boys' cavalry battle also ended in victory for the White Team.
---
After the cavalry battle ended and the students began returning to their tents, a furious roar suddenly tore through the noise from the neighboring Class D tent.
"You bastards kidding !? Why the hell didn't you follow !?"
The voice belonged to Sudo.
He kicked over a folding chair and scread at his classmates with a bright red face.
"When I charge, you're supposed to follow ! We lost because you idiots chickened out and dragged your feet! Useless trash!!"
The frustration he had built up from repeated unreasonable defeats had finally exploded.
Terrified by his violent outburst, the Class D students backed away.
"S-Sudo… Isn't this your fault for rushing in alone…?"
"Haaah!? What'd you say, bastard!? Say that again!!"
Sudo grabbed the student by the collar, looking ready to punch him.
"Stop it, Sudo-kun!"
At that mont, Hirata Yousuke—the de facto leader of Class D—stepped in.
"Everyone's exhausted. Blaming each other won't improve the situation. Let's calm down and prepare for the next event."
Hirata placed a hand on Sudo's shoulder, desperately trying to resolve things peacefully.
But in Sudo's rage-filled eyes, even Hirata's kindness looked like hostility.
"Shut the hell up, you self-righteous bastard!! Don't order around!!"
—DOGOO!!
A dull explosive sound rang through the tent.
Sudo's right fist smashed directly into Hirata's handso face.
"Gah…!"
Hirata was sent flying helplessly onto the ground.
"Hii!?!"
"Kyaaaaa!!"
The girls of Class D scread as the tent descended into panic.
"Tch… Screw this! I'm going ho!!"
Spitting out those words, Sudo walked off toward the dorms without even glancing at the collapsed Hirata.
I quietly watched the entire scene from the edge of Class A's tent while internally staring in utter disbelief.
(No way… That idiot just punched his own ally full force in the face and left.)
The sheer absurdity was enough to give a headache.
(Didn't this guy already get a two-week suspension last sester after starting violence with a Class C student!? I personally handed down that punishnt! So why is he doing the exact sa thing in broad daylight in the middle of the sports field!? He hasn't reflected at all!!)
I turned toward our own tent.
Several students from Class A were calmly recording the entire scene on tablets in order to monitor other classes.
(See!? My competent classmates got the whole thing on video! How little foresight does that single-celled moron have!?)
Although exasperated by Sudo's stupidity, I also couldn't help feeling overwheld by the school's insane rules.
(Sigh… After reviewing past disciplinary records as vice president of the student council, I already know this school rarely hands out severe punishnts like expulsion unless the victim personally files a complaint, even when there's third-party evidence.)
Normally, such blatant violence should result in imdiate expulsion.
Yet the school seed content to overlook it under the excuse of "student autonomy."
…What exactly was this school trying to accomplish with such twisted rules?
In any case, unless Hirata himself reported the incident, there was no guarantee Sudo could be removed even if we submitted the footage. And given Hirata's personality, there was no way he'd ever betray a classmate or do sothing harmful to his class.
(More importantly, this happened during an exam! Teachers are obviously monitoring things sowhere, right!? Why are they just leaving it alone under the excuse of "student autonomy"!? A teacher should absolutely step in!!)
Controlling the board from the outside and provoking the enemy into self-destruction—
That was the White Team's strategy.
And Class D had fallen into the trap perfectly, collapsing from within.
I sighed deeply as I reassessed the overall battlefield.
(Class D's ace among the girls, Horikita, was taken out by a suspicious accident. And now Sudo, their ace among the boys, has completely self-destructed. On top of their participation list leak causing the Red Team to hemorrhage points… Even with high-value recomnded events remaining, the Red Team has already crossed the point where they can realistically recover.)
(…Also, what the hell is Nagumo doing!? He's always bragging in the student council room about "controlling the entire second year," yet the White Team is leading overall even among the second years!)
(…Wait. Did he secretly contact Ryuuen or Sakayanagi beforehand? If the Red Team wins and Class A secures first place in the grade, we could widen the gap against Class B by as much as 250 class points. Did he misunderstand and think I'm trying to dominate the first years? Is he intentionally helping the White Team win just to protect his identity as the guy who "controls the entire grade" while still keeping his own class at the top?)
(I'm not trying to control the grade at all!! I just want to live peacefully!! …But honestly, Nagumo totally seems like the type who'd do sothing like that just to annoy . Petty controlling rulers are the worst…)
(…Wait a second. If the Red Team loses, then part of the reason is because I kept provoking Nagumo in the student council room and building up too much resentnt!! Crap, I'm totally one of the war criminals here!! Class A, and President Horikita too… I'm seriously gonna have to apologize in my heart later…)
Because of the sports festival's structure, even if Class A ranked first among the first years, the collapse of Class D combined with Nagumo's underhanded interference made a Red Team victory nearly impossible.
(But… even if the Red Team loses, Class B on the White Team side will probably only place around third overall. As long as our Class A takes first among the first years, they won't close the class point gap. …Good.)
After finishing my internal prostration and apologies, I shifted my mindset and calmly prepared for my next event.
(…I'll simply do my job and lead Class A firmly to first place.)
---
The next event was the all-participant individual competition:
The 200-ter Dash.
Once again, I displayed overwhelming speed that literally left the other students behind and claid first place with ease.
At the starting signal, I exploded forward with incredible acceleration and glided smoothly through the curve without losing any speed.
Because my center of gravity shifts and muscle usage were perfectly optimized, I could run as though I were sliding across the ground.
(Aizen specs are seriously terrifying…! My body is just automatically executing "the fastest possible way to run" regardless of my own intentions, but everyone else sees as so superhuman monster.)
Without even losing my breath, I crossed the finish line to a flood of cheers from my classmates.
"Aizen-kun is amazing!!"
"That was way too cool!!"
With the 200-ter race complete, all the mandatory events had concluded.
From here onward, the festival moved into the selected "recomnded participation" events.
The next event I was participating in was the recomndation event:
Borrowed Object Race.
Contestants would draw a slip of paper from a box placed on the field and bring back a person or object matching the written prompt.
"On your marks, ready, go!"
At the pistol shot, representatives from every class dashed toward the boxes in the center of the field.
I also reached the box first with efficient movent and drew a slip.
The prompt written on it was simple, yet oddly difficult.
"Soone you respect."
(…Hmm. Soone I respect, huh.)
As I ran, I pondered the answer.
(Ichinose is our reliable leader, and Hiyori is my precious best friend. But "respect" feels a little different from that. And if I choose Kanzaki, he'll probably start acting extra stylish lately since he's infected with chuuni poetry…)
Then two people ca to mind.
(Soone I can genuinely respect… those people are perfect!)
Without hesitation, I reversed direction on the track and sprinted straight toward the third-year tent.
When I arrived, Student Council President Horikita Manabu looked at sharply with his arms crossed.
I respected him for his ability as student council president and his strict principles.
And beside him stood a petite girl—
Student Council Secretary Tachibana Akane.
I deeply respected her as well for her sincerity and hard work.
Maintaining my composed outward deanor, I turned toward Tachibana-senpai.
"—Tachibana. I would ask that you accompany for a mont."
"Eh? M-!?"
Caught off guard, Tachibana widened her eyes in surprise.
"W-Why ? What exactly was the prompt?"
"—I rely ca to borrow the guiding star that illuminates the night sky, lest I lose sight of the path I should walk. …Co."
(Translation: The prompt said "soone you respect." You always help with student council work, and I genuinely respect you, so please co with .)
As I extended my hand with maximum stylish-poetry energy, Tachibana-senpai blanked out montarily before peeking at the prompt on my paper.
Her face instantly brightened.
"'Soone you respect'…!?"
Her cheeks rapidly turned red as she desperately tried to suppress the grin spreading across her lips.
(Fufu! Even though Aizen-kun usually acts arrogant and spouts dramatic poetry, he actually respects properly as his senior on the student council! He always does his work perfectly too… honestly, if only he were a bit more straightforward. What a cute junior!)
She looked so delighted that I could practically hear her thoughts.
And honestly, I was glad the healing presence of the student council was so happy.
"Yes, yes! If my junior is in trouble, then I, Student Council Secretary Tachibana Akane, shall lend a hand! Co now, Aizen-kun!"
Her excitent rising, Tachibana practically grabbed my arm and ran with toward the field.
As a result, since I had brought back a student council officer—a universally unquestionable "person worthy of respect"—the judges unanimously approved it, and I successfully crossed the finish line in first place.
"Well done, Aizen-kun! Continue striving with as your goal!"
"Fuh. I shall endeavor to do so."
After escorting the proudly smiling Tachibana back to her tent, I returned to Class A's tent.
There, near the entrance, Hiyori was waiting with her cheeks slightly puffed out.
"Sousuke-kun, good work."
"Yeah, I'm back."
"…That was an impressive first place. By the way, what was your prompt? You seed awfully happy bringing Tachibana-senpai along."
(Hm…? Hiyori seems slightly upset…? Did I do sothing wrong?)
Puzzled, I answered honestly.
"—One would never mistake the radiance of a distant star for a flower blooming upon the earth. It was rely a ritual to better understand those who walked ahead of ."
(Translation: The prompt was "soone you respect.")
"..."
Hiyori blinked blankly for a mont before relaxing her shoulders and returning to her usual gentle smile.
"Fufu… 'soone you respect,' huh? So that was it."
She looked visibly relieved.
"…There is no reason for to wander elsewhere when the place I belong is where you wait."
(Waaah! My mouth automatically pulled another stylish move! But Hiyori's mood improved, so I guess it worked out!!)
Internally, I celebrated the return of my best friend's smile.
Then, suddenly, Kanzaki ca sprinting into the tent during his own borrowed object race.
"Aizen, lend your aid for a mont. …To overco this crisis, I require your 'abnormal vessel.'"
(Eh!? W-What's wrong, Kanzaki!? Why are you suddenly grabbing my arm!?)
Breathing heavily yet maintaining a serious expression tinged with stylish phrasing, Kanzaki dragged onto the field.
"…Kanzaki. What 'answer' have you arrived at?"
(Translation: What was your prompt?)
"This. …No man besides you ca to mind as worthy of this throne."
Kanzaki dramatically unfolded the paper before .
Written across it in huge letters was:
"Soone who looks like they could beco the boss of an evil organization in the future."
(Pffft!! Boss of an evil organization!? I an, sure, my appearance totally screams final boss, but Kanzaki seriously chose for this prompt with a straight face!? THAT'S what you ant by 'throne'!?)
Internally I nearly exploded laughing while simultaneously wanting to cry over the fact that Kanzaki genuinely viewed as an evil overlord.
Yet outwardly, my mighty ego didn't waver in the slightest. I rely gave a fearless smile.
"…I see."
"You're a lifesaver…! Co, Aizen!"
Kanzaki dragged to the finish line while remaining completely serious.
And the judging teachers, the mont they saw my imposing aura and overwhelming presence, imdiately responded:
"Ah… yeah. Unanimous approval."
Thus Kanzaki also claid first place.
(Oi, teachers, don't instantly agree!! Do I seriously look THAT much like an evil mastermind!?)
Ignoring my internal despair, the sports festival continued relentlessly amidst rising excitent.
The next recomnded event was:
Four-Way Tug-of-War.
Four classes simultaneously pulled thick ropes tied together in a cross formation—a brutal contest of pure strength and teamwork.
Standing at the very rear, I firmly gripped the rope while calmly activating my full cheat-level strength to pull with trendous force.
(Alright! I'll beco the foundation so nobody's efforts go to waste! I absolutely won't let us get dragged backward!)
Amid the White Team's interference and Class D's chaos, Class A displayed perfect unity thanks to our teamwork and my absolute support.
And so, we claid yet another victory in the four-way tug-of-war.
On the battlefield, the White Team's sches continued to wreak havoc while Class D teetered on the brink of internal collapse.
But far removed from that muddy conflict, our Class A simply kept looking forward, trusting in one another, and steadily accumulating points toward victory.
The conclusion of the sports festival was now drawing ever closer.
User Comments
0 comments from readers