(Third Person's POV)
The summer break drew to a close. On September 1st, the students of Class D found themselves back in the classroom, facing a new semester.
However, their usual routine was disrupted by Chabashira-sensei.
She announced a change in the schedule for September – more physical education classes.
This wasn't just random exercise; it was all in preparation for the upcoming school sports festival.
Once she finished outlining the rules and details of the event, Chabashira-sensei left the students of Class D to their discussions, the weight of the competition settling on their shoulders.
The bell signaled the end of class, and the students of Class D erupted in a flurry of activity. Discussions about the sports festival dominated the air, with Sudou leading the charge, brimming with his usual bravado about his athletic prowess honed through basketball.
Despite the chatter, no concrete decisions were reached. Thankfully, time wasn't a pressing issue. As the class emptied, students scattered in various directions – the cafes, the mall, club rooms, or their dorms.
Ayanokoji, unsurprisingly, headed towards his dorm building. This time, however, he deviated from his routine. Instead of entering, he stationed himself near a vending machine, his gaze fixed on the approaching students.
His reason became clear moments later when Kushida arrived.
Kushida had sent a text on his phone, requesting a private conversation near his dorm. The message assured him she'd be alone. Intrigued by this sudden development, Ayanokoji decided to play along.
(Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's POV)
Kushida approached, her usual cheerfulness replaced by a guarded expression. "Ayanokoji-kun," she greeted, her voice slightly strained.
"Kushida," I acknowledged, my tone neutral. "You wished to speak with me?"
She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Yes," she began, her voice regaining its usual confidence. "About the sports festival…"
Here it comes, I thought, a flicker of curiosity sparking in my chest despite my best efforts to remain impassive.
"I've decided to…" she paused, then continued in a hushed tone. "I've decided to form an alliance with Ryuen-kun."
Surprise wasn't on the agenda. "And your target?" I queried, my voice flat.
"Horikita Suzune," she declared, a glint of determination hardening her eyes. "I want to bring her down."
"Intriguing," I commented, my voice devoid of any emotion. "But why inform me?"
She blushed slightly, looking away for a moment. "Because… I don't want you to interfere."
A wry smile threatened to play on my lips. "Interfere, you say? Well, I guess I won't expose you."
Relief washed over her features. "That's all I ask," she replied, a hint of gratitude coloring her voice.
"However," I continued, my voice dropping a notch, "I have my own plans for the sports festival. Don't expect me to be your collaborator. If things go beyond a certain degree, I will take action to mold the situation in my favor."
Disappointment flickered across her face, quickly replaced by a resigned nod. "Of course," she mumbled. "I understand. It's a fair exchange."
Indeed, it was. She got her freedom to pursue her vendetta, while I maintained my own agenda. It was a win-win scenario, a testament to the unspoken pact that existed between us.
"Then," I said. "I believe this conversation has reached its conclusion."
"Yes," she agreed, her voice barely a whisper.
With a curt nod, I turned and walked away, leaving Kushida alone with her plotting and her ambitions.
~~
(Third Person's POV)
September was a whirlwind of planning and training for the upcoming sports festival. Class D found themselves paired with Class A under the banner of the Red Team, while Class B and C formed the opposing White Team.
As the competition unfolded, Ayanokoji couldn't help but notice the strategic composition of the teams. Class C, specifically, seemed to have an unfair advantage. Their group placements were meticulously designed for maximum success against not only Class D but Class A as well. This, Ayanokoji deduced, was likely thanks to Kushida's betrayal, her leaking of Class D's participation list to Ryuen of Class C.
However, Ayanokoji remained unfazed. He saw this as an opportunity – a chance to push Horikita Suzune to her absolute limit, to break her down before rebuilding her, forcing her to grow.
This festival, with its rigged playing field, was the perfect opportunity to achieve just that.
The Red Team's lead dwindled as Class D and Class A consistently fell short. It became painfully clear that Class C, with their meticulously planned tactics, was aiming to bury them both.
Ryuen's strategy was ruthless – targeting Horikita and Sudou, Class D's strongest players.
Horikita was injured during the obstacle race due to a "collision" with a Class C student, while Ryuen's relentless taunts and cunning tactics goaded Sudou into a frenzy.
As predicted, Sudou snapped, lashing out at Hirata who tried to calm him down. This outburst earned Sudou the scorn of his classmates, sending him storming back to his dorm room.
Ayanokoji seized the moment. He approached the injured Horikita and tore into her, mercilessly pointing out her shortcomings.
Somehow, he managed to exploit her vulnerability, convincing her to address Sudou and bring him back before the break ended.
With Horikita gone, Ayanokoji decided it was time for his own intervention. He gathered key players – Hirata, Sakura, and Karuizawa – for a crucial strategy meeting.
(Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's POV)
The weight of defeat hung heavy as I gathered Hirata, Sakura, and Karuizawa. Class D's morale was in shambles, and with Sudou gone, victory was an unreachable dream.
"Let's be realistic," I began, my voice devoid of any warmth. "Winning is out of the question. We're down a player and facing low spirits."
Hirata's shoulders slumped, and a flicker of despair crossed his features. "I… I suppose you're right, Ayanokoji-kun," he mumbled.
Sakura nodded in agreement, her usual cheerfulness replaced by a worried frown. "We're definitely at a disadvantage," she admitted.
Karuizawa, however, remained her usual brash self, a scowl etched on her face. "So what's the plan, then?" she demanded, her voice laced with frustration.
"Focus shifts," I declared, my voice flat. "We can't win, but avoiding last place is still within reach."
Surprise flickered across Hirata's face. "Avoiding last? But how?"
A hint of a smile played on my lips. "The upcoming events are the recommended competitions," I explained. "There's potential for higher point yields compared to the previous ones."
Hirata's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. "So, we can still make a comeback?"
"Not a comeback," I corrected, the smile vanishing from my face. "We're simply aiming not to finish last."
"But how do we stop Class C or B from crushing us?" Hirata asked, a hint of worry returning to his voice.
"Let go of the idea of beating them," I commanded, my voice firm. "Instead, focus on securing a better position than Class A."
Hirata's brow furrowed in confusion. "Better than Class A? But how?"
I leaned forward, my gaze unwavering. "Hirata," I began, my voice dropping a notch. "You'll be responsible for substitutions during the recommended events."
A spark of understanding ignited in his eyes. "So, you want me to…"
"Replace Class D participants with those who have a higher chance of scoring points," I finished, my voice neutral. "Even if it means losing to Class B or C, as long as we beat Class A in terms of ranking, we secure second-to-last place."
Hirata mulled over my plan, his face a mixture of comprehension and concern. "But wouldn't that cause… friction within the class?"
"Some discontent is inevitable," I conceded. "However, explain our current situation and the potential benefits of this strategy. They'll understand the necessity."
He nodded slowly. "I can do that, Ayanokoji-kun."
I turned my gaze towards Sakura, her face reflecting a mix of curiosity and excitement. "Sakura," I began, my voice flat, "you'll be responsible for gathering Class D's private points."
A delighted smile bloomed on her face. "Private points? You want me to collect them?"
"Indeed," I confirmed. "Karuizawa, you as well."
Karuizawa let out a frustrated groan. "Seriously? You couldn't choose someone else?"
I ignored her complaint. "Once gathered," I continued, "you'll hand them over to Hirata. The points will be used to facilitate the substitutions during the recommended events."
Sakura bounced in her seat, her enthusiasm infectious. "This sounds like fun! I'm in!"
Hirata, however, remained slightly apprehensive. "Are you sure this will work, Ayanokoji-kun?"
"It's our best chance," I replied, my voice devoid of any doubt. "This isn't about glory, Hirata. It's about minimizing damage and securing a strategic advantage in the long run."
He seemed to accept my reasoning, a resolute expression settling on his face. "Alright, Ayanokoji-kun. I'll do my best to make it work."
With the plan laid out, a sense of purpose filled the air. The competition was far from over, and Class D wasn't going down without a fight. This was an unconventional strategy, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
~~
(Third Person's POV)
Ayanokoji's gamble paid off, to a degree. Hirata's intimate knowledge of Class A's students proved valuable.
He strategically swapped out Class D participants, securing narrow victories over their counterparts.
Remarkably, despite spending nearly 700,000 private points on substitutions, Class D's overall ranking remained tied with Class A.
This wasn't a complete loss – the point gap between them was significantly narrowed.
The final event, the 1200-meter relay race, loomed large. Worth triple the points of a standard event, it held the potential to drastically alter the standings.
In a surprising move, Ayanokoji stepped up as Class D's anchor.
Here, he unleashed his true athletic prowess, going head-to-head with none other than Student Council President Horikita Manabu.
This wasn't just about securing points for Class D. Ayanokoji had another motive – Ryuen.
Throughout the festival, Ryuen had been actively searching for the mastermind behind Class D's unexpected strategies.
Ayanokoji had skillfully manipulated the situation, leading Ryuen to believe the mastermind preferred operating from the shadows.
Now, by showcasing his exceptional speed, Ayanokoji effectively removed himself from Ryuen's list of suspects.
After all, in Ryuen's mind, the true mastermind wouldn't risk exposure in this way.
This calculated move served two purposes – securing a better position for Class D and maintaining his hidden role as the strategist.
As he crossed the finish line, Ayanokoji couldn't help but feel a flicker of satisfaction.
The dust settled on the sports festival, and the final rankings revealed the point tallies:
Fourth Place: Class A - 824 points (-100)
First Place: Class B - 769 points (-50)
Second Place: Class C - 542 points (-100)
Third Place: Class D - 362 points (-50)
Class D may not have secured a top spot, but they avoided the ignominy of last place, a testament to Ayanokoji's unorthodox strategy.
The final act of Ayanokoji's strategy unfolded. He forwarded a recording to Ryuen. This move aimed to sever the web of deceit Ryuen had spun around Horikita, freeing her from his clutches.