COTE: Sōsuke Aizen, The Poet Chapter 51 51

Late January.

In the bitter cold, where every breath turned white, we boarded several large buses and headed toward a mountain training facility outside the school grounds—the stage for the third sester's major event, the Mixed Training Camp.

Inside the heated bus, an atmosphere of nervous anticipation for the unknown special exam mingled with the excitent of what almost felt like a school trip.

Naturally, sitting beside was my beloved girlfriend, Hiyori Shiina.

"The scenery outside is completely covered in snow now. A world of pure white... it's very beautiful."

Hiyori gazed out at the snowy landscape and smiled happily.

"Indeed. Yet no matter how breathtaking a pure white vista may be, it cannot compare to the radiance of the one smiling beside ."

(Translation: It really is beautiful! But honestly, I'd rather look at you than the scenery.)

"Hehe... honestly, Sosuke-kun... But thank you."

A faint blush colored her cheeks as she leaned a little closer.

WOOOOOOAH!!

Her shoulder! Hiyori's delicate shoulder is touching mine!

She slls like shampoo!

(I want this bus ride to last forever!)

Internally I was screaming.

Externally, I maintained a perfectly cool expression and continued enjoying our peaceful conversation.

After the bus had traveled along the mountain roads for so ti, feedback suddenly echoed through the microphone.

Our horoom teacher, Hoshinomiya-sensei, stood from the instructor's seat.

"Okay, everyone, listen up! We're almost at our destination, so it's ti to explain the rules of this Mixed Training Camp!"

The chatter inside the bus imdiately died down.

Everyone's attention shifted to the front.

"Make sure you listen carefully. First, this exam will be conducted by academic year and separated by gender. You'll form six small groups among the first-year boys and six among the first-year girls."

She scanned the students as she continued.

"Each small group must have one designated leader. Also, every group must contain students from multiple classes. Single-class groups aren't allowed."

The students listened intently.

"Once you've ford your small groups, you'll combine with second-year and third-year small groups to create large groups spanning all three years. In the end, there will be six mixed-grade large groups for boys and six for girls."

"A group with students from all three years..."

Shibata swallowed audibly.

"So we're working together with upper classn."

"That's right. During the camp, you'll live and attend lessons according to your large groups. There will be four subjects: Zen ditation, written studies, relay races, and public speaking! On the final day, you'll take tests based on those activities, and the large groups will be ranked according to their total scores!"

At that point, Hoshinomiya's expression beca slightly more serious.

"Now cos the important part: rewards and penalties!"

"First, the basic rewards."

"First place receives three class points and 10,000 private points per student."

"Second place receives one class point and 5,000 private points per student."

"Third place receives 3,000 private points per student."

At first glance, the rewards didn't seem particularly extraordinary.

Then ca the next part.

"But that's only the base reward!"

The classroom atmosphere changed instantly.

"A multiplier equal to your small group's size divided by ten will be applied!"

"And if your small group contains students from all four first-year classes, the reward is multiplied by three!"

"If it contains students from three classes, it's multiplied by two!"

"And furthermore!"

"If the class of the small group's leader earns rewards, the final amount is doubled after rounding!"

"W-What!?"

Kanzaki's eyes widened.

I imdiately began calculating.

(A fourteen-person group... students from all four classes... first place...)

3 class points × 1.4 group-size multiplier × 3 class-mixing multiplier = 12.6.

Rounded to 13.

Then doubled because the leader belongs to that class.

Twenty-six class points per student.

If our class has eleven mbers in the group, that's 26 × 11 = 286 class points.

An absurd amount.

Enough to completely alter the balance of power between classes.

"But it's not all good news."

Hoshinomiya smiled.

"The penalties are severe too."

"Fourth place loses 5,000 private points per student."

"Fifth place loses three class points and 10,000 private points per student."

"And sixth place..."

She paused dramatically.

"Loses five class points and 20,000 private points per student."

The sound of soone swallowing echoed through the bus.

"But the truly scary part cos next."

"If a small group within the sixth-place large group falls below a certain performance threshold..."

"The leader of that small group will be imdiately expelled."

"E-Expelled!?"

Amikura nearly scread.

"Yep. Expelled."

"And if the leader is expelled, they may take one mber of their own small group down with them."

The bus fell silent.

"However, they must be able to prove that student clearly hindered the group."

"Okay! That's all! No questions!"

With that, Hoshinomiya sat back down.

The bus was engulfed in heavy silence and unease.

(Separate groups by gender. Mixed-class teams. Shared responsibility. Expulsion by association...)

I rapidly simulated possibilities.

(The key to this entire exam is the group leader.)

(They have the greatest chance at massive rewards, but they're also first in line for expulsion if things go wrong.)

(And the ability to drag soone down with them...)

(If soone wanted to deliberately target another student, this system would be incredibly convenient.)

I slowly turned toward Hiyori.

"Hiyori."

"Yes, Sosuke-kun?"

"The shadow I warned you about before has finally taken shape. The man obsessed with claiming a new throne will likely use this mire to drag down the forr king's most trusted right hand."

"..."

"Should countless poisonous moths conspire and fold their wings, even your light may be unable to prevent a fall into the depths."

"Therefore, let the stars divide in two. One shall build an impregnable fortress that reaches for the heavens, while the other descends into the abyss to serve as a shield protecting her. I believe only you can repel this unjust blade."

Hiyori blinked once.

Then she nodded firmly.

"Just as we discussed before."

"There's a high chance that Nagumo-senpai will use the 'companion expulsion' rule to target Tachibana-senpai."

"If the upper classn deliberately cooperate and hold back, her group could end up last."

"So Honami-chan and I should divide our roles."

"One of us should join a group capable of aiming for the top, while the other should enter the sa group as Tachibana-senpai and protect her."

Then she smiled brightly.

"Thank you for trusting us. I'll discuss it with Honami-chan, and we'll definitely make it work."

(She understood everything perfectly!)

(My archangel is amazing!)

(Still...)

(Even Nagumo probably can't afford to spend points rescuing multiple expelled students.)

(But there's also the possibility that he targets Hiyori just to get at .)

I looked at her seriously.

"But do not forget. The malice lurking in the mud may turn its blade toward the silver lily blooming beside rely to spite . If you sense even the slightest disturbance, tell imdiately."

"You an, 'Nagumo-senpai might target to get at you, so let you know if anything happens.'"

"Yes."

"I understand. If anything seems strange, I'll tell you right away."

(Good.)

(If anyone can notice danger early, it's Hiyori.)

Just after our private discussion ended, Ichinose and Kanzaki switched seats with nearby students and joined us.

The usual four-mber leadership eting had begun.

"You heard the rules, right?" Ichinose whispered.

"The risks are huge, but so are the rewards."

"Agreed."

Kanzaki folded his arms.

"The composition of the small groups will determine everything. We need to consider the movents of the other classes carefully."

I nodded inwardly and presented my thoughts in my usual dramatic style.

"Fear not. No force exists that can surpass us. Since each group acts independently, teamwork becos our greatest weapon. There is no need for timid formations."

"However, the board upon which the delicate flowers stand differs. Seven nights of trials may scatter even the most beautiful petals. Only by dispersing the stars and allowing them to support one another can disaster be held at bay."

Both Kanzaki and Ichinose listened seriously.

Neither seed entirely sure what I ant.

Naturally, Hiyori translated.

"He's saying that the boys should create the strongest possible groups and aim for victory through teamwork."

"But the girls face greater stamina concerns during an eight-day camp, so rather than concentrating all the strongest students in one group, it would be safer to spread them out."

"Oh!"

Ichinose's eyes lit up.

"That makes sense! If soone collapses from exhaustion, the other groups can compensate."

"I agree," Kanzaki said.

"But what about the boys' groups? Should we minimize risk by only taking one student from another class?"

I shook my head.

"The scales do not always balance equally. If one desires the greatest result, one must invite every uncertainty onto the board. The solution we reach will inevitably be reached by others. The board shall divide itself into four balanced powers and two collections of remnants."

(Translation: No. Since including students from every class greatly increases rewards, we should do it. Other classes will think the sa way, so we'll probably end up with four mixed groups built around each class's strongest mbers, and two groups made from whoever is left over.)

Hiyori translated smoothly.

Both Ichinose and Kanzaki nodded in understanding.

With the strategy settled, Ichinose addressed the nearby classmates.

"Everyone! We can't finalize the groups until we arrive and negotiate with the other classes, but I'd like to handle the rewards and penalties the sa way we did during the Sports Festival."

The class listened carefully.

"Any private points earned during this exam will go into the class savings fund."

"And if soone loses private points because of penalties, the class savings fund will fully compensate them."

"That way nobody has to bear the burden alone."

"And everyone can compete without fear."

"That's brilliant!"

"Agreed!"

"I'm all for it!"

Nobody objected.

Ichinose really is the perfect leader.

(This will raise morale even further.)

Eventually, the buses arrived at the mountain facility.

Outside stretched an endless snowy landscape, accompanied by a massive gymnasium and dormitory buildings.

As soon as we got off the bus, the boys and girls were separated.

I called out to Hiyori as she joined the girls' line.

"Hiyori."

She turned around.

"Though the path before us may be buried beneath cold snow, beyond it lies a spring we shall surely seize together. Let us make the brightest stars shine within our respective skies."

(Translation: Take care, Hiyori! Let's both do our best!)

"Hehe. Yes, Sosuke-kun. Let's both work hard."

She flashed a beautiful smile and waved before running off toward the girls.

(She's adorable!)

Hiyori standing in the snow looks like a fairy!

(Alright! Ti for to give this everything I've got too!)

The mont all first-year boys gathered in the gymnasium, the first person to act was Kohei Katsuragi.

"Listen up!"

"The boys of Class B will form a group consisting of these thirteen mbers, including myself!"

"We'll then recruit one student from another class to complete the group!"

The declaration echoed through the gym.

"Huh!? You don't get to decide that yourself, Baldy!"

"We're still figuring out our groups too!"

"Yeah! You can't hog all the advantages!"

Students from Classes C and D imdiately protested.

Katsuragi remained completely calm.

"Relax."

"If soone joins our group, they will never be made the leader."

"And even if we finish last and I gain the authority to choose a companion for expulsion, I swear I will never select that person."

"In other words..."

"I guarantee they will never be expelled."

The complaints instantly stopped.

A guaranteed safe zone.

In this exam, that was an incredibly attractive offer.

"M-! Pick !"

"I swear I won't drag anyone down!"

The first to volunteer was Haruki Yamauchi from Class D.

Katsuragi accepted him, completing his group imdiately.

(Typical Katsuragi.)

(A safe, reliable strategy.)

(He sacrifices reward multipliers in exchange for complete control and minimal betrayal risk.)

(But that's not what interests .)

I observed the room.

Ryuen...

(Why isn't he interfering?)

Normally he'd be rampaging through the room and seizing control.

Instead, he was leaning quietly against a wall.

Watching.

(Did he step down as Class C's leader?)

(If so, sobody must have beaten him in a straightforward power struggle.)

(But who?)

(Among first-years, only Kiyotaka and Koenji could realistically defeat him physically besides .)

(And Koenji would never bother with class politics.)

(Which leaves Kiyotaka.)

Then another thought occurred.

(Seriously though!)

(You're high school students! Stop solving everything with fistfights!)

(Just because there aren't caras doesn't make it okay!)

(This isn't a delinquent manga! Talk things out peacefully!)

Ignoring my internal complaints, negotiations between the classes began.

Representing Class D were Hirata and Yukimura.

Class C sent Kaneda and Ishizaki.

Class A was represented by Kanzaki and .

"Basically, I think the ideal arrangent is to create four-class groups," Hirata suggested.

"The rewards beco much larger."

"I agree."

Kaneda adjusted his glasses.

"The penalty risks increase, but mutual oversight can help prevent betrayal."

Just as I had predicted, the group formation proceeded accordingly.

Eventually there was:

Katsuragi's conservative group.

Three mixed groups containing students from all four classes.

Two leftover mixed groups ford from remaining students.

The leaders of the leftover groups beca Yukimura and Miyake from Class D.

The remaining issue was deciding the leader of our Class A-centered group.

As Kanzaki and I exchanged glances, he stepped forward.

"I'll do it."

Everyone looked at him.

"Kanzaki... are you sure?" Shibata asked.

"If we finish last, you could be expelled."

"I don't mind."

Kanzaki's voice held no hesitation.

"We cannot expose Aizen, the cornerstone of our class, to that risk."

"If the worst happens, it's most rational for to serve as the breakwater."

(Kanzaki...!)

I felt genuinely moved.

(You're really the kind of guy who puts his friends first.)

(Don't worry.)

(I won't let us finish last.)

I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Kanzaki. There is no need to prepare yourself for collapse. No shadow called defeat shall ever fall upon our path. As long as I stand here, only absolute victory awaits behind you."

Kanzaki smiled.

"Then your words shall beco my truth. Any obstacle before us is no more significant than dust."

(...He's still not completely cured of the dramatic disease.)

(But honestly, that was pretty cool.)

Thus our group was finalized.

Kanzaki beca leader.

The core consisted of eleven capable Class A students, including myself and Shibata.

Added to that were:

Yoshida from Class B

Tokito from Class C

Ike from Class D

Fourteen mbers total.

Our small group was complete.

After the sorting ended, I surveyed the gymnasium once more.

One leftover group contained Ryuen.

The other contained Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.

(So they ended up in separate leftover groups.)

(I still can't read Kiyotaka's intentions.)

I thought back.

(During the Uninhabited Island Exam, he secretly maneuvered to help Horikita lead the class to victory.)

(During the Sports Festival, he noticed the existence of a traitor and deliberately allowed the class to lose.)

(And now he's quietly joined a leftover group without drawing attention.)

(Maybe he's no longer focused solely on winning.)

(Perhaps he's deliberately placing himself in difficult situations to strengthen Class D as a whole.)

I watched my childhood friend blend into the crowd with his usual expressionless face.

(He's ridiculously competitive underneath that calm exterior.)

(There's no way he's sitting still.)

(He's definitely planning sothing.)

(But I'm not going to lose either.)

(Whatever Kiyotaka is aiming for, I'm going to crush this training camp through the power of Class A.)

And so, amid hidden malice and intertwined sches, the turbulent Mixed Training Camp began.