“Now that summer break is over and the second term has begun, physical education classes will increase as we prepare for the sports festival. Check the new timetable yourselves. As for the sports festival, I’ll distribute separate materials. Make sure you read those carefully as well.”

As Chabashira finished speaking, the documents were handed out.

I flip through the materials and start checking the contents.

I don’t plan to get deeply involved this time, but it looks like we’ll be paired with Class A.

After two consecutive special exam failures, it’s fair to say Katsuragi has lost his standing, but an event like the sports festival is one where physical ability really matters.

Sakayanagi was absent during the deserted island exam, but what does she plan to do this time?

“Sensei, is this sports festival considered a special exam?”

“You can interpret it however you like. Either way, it will affect CP.”

Chabashira’s answer to Horikita’s question is vague.

She’s been evasive plenty of times before, but considering that she clearly stated ‘special exam’ when it actually was one, this probably means the sports festival is not a special exam.

The reason she kept it vague might be because of the restriction that I go all out during special exams.

“For the sports festival, all grades will be divided into two teams, red and white and compete. As a result of the draw, this year the red team will consist of Classes A and D and the white team will be Classes B and C.”

Our grade’s Class D has improved quite a bit, but setting that aside, it’s a fact that the upper-year Class D is still mocked as defective.

Since the school assigns Classes A through D based on ability order (supposedly), I’d think AD versus BC is the only way to keep things balanced.

If they really did a random draw and ended up with AB versus CD, it would be a disaster.

Do they really do a draw?

Thinking about trivial things like that, I continue reading.

In the red vs white match, the losing side’s classes all lose 100 CP
Additionally, by grade ranking: 1st place gains 50 CP, 2nd is ±0, 3rd loses 50 CP and 4th loses 100 CP
There is a chance to gain PP, but it’s negligible and only applies to very few people
The bottom ten students in grade rankings will receive a penalty

To be blunt, this doesn’t inspire motivation for the majority.

There’s almost no way to gain CP.

Even winning the red vs white match doesn’t increase CP.

You have to win red vs white and then place first in the grade just to gain 50 CP.

As for PP, unless you’re the top performer, it’s pocket change.

Even the 100,000 PP for first place means little to me.

The bonus of written test points for high performers might matter to some.

For people like Ken, who aren’t great academically but are athletic, this is actually a good event.

But Class D has plenty of students who are bad at both sports and studying.

“Sensei, about this penalty…”

“For first-year students, the penalty is a 10-point deduction on a written exam. We won’t answer questions about how the deduction is applied. You’ll be notified together with the bottom ten students at exam time.”

“No way!”

Ike’s despairing voice rings out.

A 10-point deduction on a written test is hell for someone barely avoiding failing grades.

“There are way too many events where everyone has to participate!”

“And this really ends in one day!?”

“The sports festival is meant to test physical ability. There will be no cheering contests or group gymnastics. This is the school’s consideration.”

If they really wanted to be considerate, they’d make it two days.

The events this time are:

Events with full participation

100-meter dash
60-meter hurdles
Boys’ pole-toppling
Girls’ ball toss
Tug-of-war (separate for boys and girls)
Obstacle race
Three-legged race
Cavalry battle
200-meter dash

Recommended participation events

Borrowed item race
Four-direction tug-of-war
Mixed-gender three-legged race
Three-grade joint 1200-meter relay

What the president mentioned must be the final relay.

That would let me face him directly.

“Now, I’m going to say something very important. For this sports festival, you will decide the participation order yourselves. Fill everything out on this participation sheet and submit it to me. The deadline is from one week before the festival until 5 p.m. the day before. No submissions will be accepted outside that window. If you miss the deadline, assignments will be randomized.”

This participation sheet is a critical item.

If the details leak to other classes early, they’ll counter us with tailored lineups.

At that point, we’d have almost no chance of winning.

“Sensei, what if someone can’t participate on the day due to absence or an accident? Especially for team events, the competition might not even be possible.”

“If the minimum required number for full-participation events isn’t met, it’s a disqualification. In cavalry battle, one horse will be missing; in three-legged races, one pair will be missing. However, for recommended participation events, there is a relief measure. It costs 100,000 PP per event.”

Is that even realistic?

Class D did receive a fair amount of PP at the start of the month, but paying 100,000 PP would almost certainly be impossible.

Former VIPs could pay, but they wouldn’t want that exposed.

I could easily pay with the PP I extorted from upperclassmen in clubs, but being labeled a VIP again or having people dig into where my PP came from would be annoying.

If no one is absent and no accidents happen, there’s no need to use the relief measure, but even if the situation arises, whether it’ll actually be used is questionable.

“Alright, Ayanokōji-sensei! How do you plan to get through this sports festival!?”

“Based on what Chabashira just said, the benefits are honestly too small. More importantly, I’m planning to let someone else lead this time. And don’t call me sensei.”

Since this isn’t a special exam, it doesn’t violate my agreement with Chabashira.

This is their chance to grow.

“I mean, then who’s gonna lead!? There’s no one better than you, bro!”

“…I’ll say this clearly since you don’t seem to realize it. This time, Ken will be the leader.”

“Huh!?”

“I’ll say this first since I know what you’ll say next. Horikita will be the strategist and Hirata will handle overall support. The three of you make it work.”

Ken and Horikita are like a general and a tactician.

Their compatibility isn’t bad and given Horikita’s current personality, Ken isn’t a poor match either.

With Hirata as the coordinator, things should be fine.

“Oh! Then we might actually manage! I’m bad at thinking stuff through, so this works for me! Counting on you, Horikita and Hirata!”

“Yes. I’m counting on you too, Sudō-kun. Horikita-san as well.”

“…Yes. If I’m doing this, I’ll give it everything I have.”

“…This sports festival. You probably have intentions I can’t even imagine, but I’ll definitely produce results. And then you’ll call me by my given name.”

Horikita whispers so others can’t hear.

“…I see. Like I said earlier, do it well. And you know this already, but be careful with the participation sheet.”

“I’ll keep it in mind. Of course, we can’t let other classes find out.”

“That’s all from me. I think this is an event you can handle on your own.”

Assuming things go smoothly.

* * *

After that, we moved to the gym for a meeting with other grades, but there wasn’t much to gain.

It was slightly surprising that the president wasn’t leading the red team.

Since the only interaction with other grades is the relay, the meeting itself isn’t that meaningful.

Ultimately, it’s still mainly a fight within the same grade.

“Normally, we’re enemies, but this time we’re allies. It’s a strange arrangement, but I’d like us to cooperate. Nice to meet you, Ayanokōji.”

Katsuragi speaks up.

Despite taking losses to me twice in a row, this attitude isn’t easy to maintain.

Some of the Class A students behind him are clearly glaring at me.

“…Sorry to say this right after you greeted me, but I’m not planning to lead this time. If you have business, talk to Ken—Sudō—or Horikita, or Hirata.”

“…What? What are you planning? You’re the leader, aren’t you? Don’t tell me you’re not trying to win.”

“It’s the opposite. I’m probably being marked. That’s exactly why it’s better if someone else leads.”

“I see. That man is dangerous. As a fellow red team member, I’ll warn you.”

I already know Ryūen is dangerous.

That’s exactly why it’s interesting.

* * *

I separated from the rest of the class and went to talk with Sakayanagi.

“Already making your move, huh. As expected of you, Ryūen-kun.”

“…Sakayanagi. Wasn’t it better for you to take command?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Someone who skips every event and only harms their class can’t give orders, can they?”

Even with Katsuragi’s decline, Sakayanagi avoiding command in a physical event makes sense.

“But I won’t forgive you for enjoying your vacation with those girls. So I played a little prank.”

“Huh?”

Where is she getting this information?

“Hashimoto? Seriously, that guy…”

“I punished him properly for sending me such mail while I was living alone. You’re free to do whatever you want as well.”

Poor Hashimoto.

Knowing her, she probably crushed him mentally.

“But I planned to take a break this time. You stirring things up wasn’t part of the plan.”

“I’m terribly sorry. But it may already be too late.”

A very bad feeling creeps in.

If my suspicion is right…

Well, maybe that level of hardship is just right.

“You probably won’t be able to rest, but I think it’ll be a sports festival you’ll find enjoyable.”

* * *

“Looks like you get it, Ayanokōji. I’ll make sure I keep you marked no matter what. Put it bluntly, everyone except you is just a bunch of small fry. If some goldfish follower of yours is the one calling the shots, then we can handle that however we want.”

tap

“…What is it, Horikita?”

“I’m imitating a goldfish follower.”

“…”