The 1200-meter relay race has ended with the top five places confirmed.
The judges announce the results:
"First place: Class 3-A!"
"Second place: Class 1-A!"
"Third place: Class 1-C!"
"Fourth place: Class 2-A!"
"Fifth place: Class 3-B—"
The placing classes receive additional points as the Red and White team scores update. The giant LCD display in the center of the field shows the current standings:
Red Team (A&D Alliance): 17,985 points [185⇧]
White Team (B&C Alliance): 14,045 points [355⇩]
As expected, no miracle occurred — the White Team lost. But for Houtarou and his group on the Red Team, everything went according to plan.
At the finish line, Houtarou met Arisu, that adorably fierce little T-rex.
She wasn't in attack mode now, though. She had come to take photos, a camera hanging from her neck, and brought along a towel. It wasn't one of the class's standard white towels but her own light blue one.
Seeing Houtarou approach, Arisu held out the towel.
"Thank you." He said after a moment, taking it to wipe his face.
"Don't mention it. I got to see quite a spectacular scene, so consider it payment." Arisu said, her voice pleasant as ever.
But she wasn't alone — Manabu was there too. Despite winning first place, he seemed displeased.
"You were holding back, weren't you?"
"Why do you say that?" Houtarou asked, mindful of Arisu's presence, "I tried my best to keep up with the President, but I was still a bit too slow."
"That's not it." Manabu replied darkly, "Even when Class 1-B's Shibata fell and blocked the track, you maintained the same speed while jumping over him. You didn't even sprint at the end. Or rather, I didn't notice at first, but throughout the entire race, you maintained the exact same speed."
"..."
In other words, this was a race, a competition, yet you didn't even attempt a final sprint?
Manabu was indeed a dangerous person — his observational skills far surpassed his sister's.
And Houtarou had indeed been holding back. Not only had he avoided accelerating, but he had merely matched the speed he had observed from Rokusuke.
This speed already appeared terrifying to others, so no one would suspect he was taking it easy.
But Manabu, who led the entire class and was known as the most exceptional Student Council President in history, was like a character from a light novel or anime who exists to showcase the protagonist's true capabilities. No wonder he could see through it.
"Never mind." Seeing that Houtarou didn't respond, Manabu gave up pursuing the matter, and surprisingly, his usually stern face broke into a smile, "I acknowledge you this time. Though if I weren't busy with Student Council duties and had more time to train, I might not have lost to you."
His statement revealed that while he had given his all in the race, Houtarou hadn't — and he accepted this defeat.
Still, his words were just words, the typical excuses losers make.
"Also, tell Suzune that I'm allowing her to continue staying at this school. Though, tell her to work on improving her interpersonal relationships." Manabu added.
This revealed that he had originally wanted his sister to stay only while he was still at school to look after her. After his graduation, he might have required her to withdraw.
But now, he felt his sister had "grown". Perhaps she no longer needed his protection, and he could look forward to her continued development.
This was exactly what Houtarou had hoped he would misunderstand. So he agreed.
"Congratulations, President—"
Just as he said this, Manabu faced his own pressure, having to confront classmates who had seen his true abilities for the first time.
As for Houtarou's situation.
"..." Arisu pouted, her face expressionless.
Houtarou: "..."
He knew what she wanted.
"Our class earned 90 points for our total score, got first place, and won the Red vs White competition, which means we'll get 200 Class Points added. We've widened our lead over the other classes."
"Yes, as a member of Class A, I'm absolutely thrilled. Just look at my beaming face." Arisu said sarcastically.
As the leader of her own faction, she cared little for these few hundred points.
She had realized she'd been deceived — Houtarou hadn't shown his true ability at all. In fact, he had been seriously holding back.
But Houtarou himself felt trapped. A real competition would be no competition at all. He had merely matched Rokusuke's speed, while his own abilities had already surpassed human limits.
And those human limits?
They were something miraculous. He could cover 200 meters in less than 2 seconds.
However...
"By the way." Arisu said, "What the Student Council President said was rather strange. Your relationship with Suzune Horikita... are you two that close? He seemed to be genuinely entrusting his sister to you."
He wished she'd kept questioning his performance instead.
Houtarou wanted to avoid this topic entirely. His Precognitive Dreams had shown him Suzune's future triumph as a lawyer, though Arisu wouldn't exactly fade into obscurity either.
His emotional life troubled him deeply. He couldn't determine who he truly cared for most. But now wasn't the time for romantic drama.
Looking around, Houtarou spotted Masumi arriving at the finish line.
"You were amazing as the fifth runner, surpassing your limits and closing that 5-meter gap!" Houtarou said, "Kamuro-san, I'm seeing you differently now."
"?" Masumi looked puzzled.
After all, hadn't he said these exact words before?
Meanwhile, Arisu stood beside him, clearly displeased.
Just then, other classmates began approaching.
"I'm amazed and grateful, Oreki! Thanks for earning our class these crucial 90 points!" Kōhei said, "With the additional 100 Class Points, we've increased our lead over Class B!"
For Class A students, nothing was more reassuring than maintaining their absolute advantage.
"This was everyone's achievement." Houtarou said.
With their classmates gathering around, Arisu couldn't continue her questioning. Houtarou had escaped — for now.
⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟
Meanwhile, near Ken who had taken fourth place, Class C's atmosphere was upbeat.
"Sudō!"
"Well done!"
"First place went to a third-year, fourth and fifth to upper years, but you got third place — we really shone!"
⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟
And at Class D's base:
"First place was the Student Council President—"
"Second place was Oreki."
"If we'd gone up against those guys, we wouldn't have even gotten fourth or fifth place. Maybe forfeiting was actually the best choice."
"At least we got some points."
Kakeru had already arranged for Kondo to distribute 10,000 yen in living expenses to everyone. Everyone would be able to get by this month.
Class D's atmosphere was positive too.
⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟
You could say all the classes had great atmospheres — except for one. Their students weren't at the finish line or at their base, but on the track.
"Ugh... Because of my mistake... our class lost 100 points—"
Sō was still on the track.
"Shibata…"
His classmates gathered around to console him.
"It couldn't be helped — both the Student Council President and Class A's Oreki were overwhelming!"
"Actually, Oreki was even hiding his true ability. That's what's most surprising."
"He's like Class A's dark horse. We never could have predicted this."
Ryūji also joined in consoling Sō.
His words were insincere though, since he had already noticed Houtarou might be holding back during the men's hurdles event where they competed in the same group.
This explained why he had been anxiously watching to see if Houtarou would join the recommended mixed-gender three-legged race. He hadn't just discovered Houtarou's impressive speed — he had sensed it earlier.
But now he could only offer these consoling words. Shibata had been crying for five minutes, not just from fear, but because his mistake had cost Class B their chance at 100 Class Points.
After all, with Houtarou's second place finish, Class A earned 90 points, bringing their total to 1,831 points compared to Class B's 1,800.
If Sō had managed third place, Class B still had a chance — a good one, too. Miyabi ahead had been showing signs of fatigue, and Ken had momentarily faltered when overtaken.
If only Sō hadn't fallen. If only he had been able to get up. But what-ifs were just that — Class 1-B had once again fallen short in this Sports Festival.
⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟
Some rejoiced while others worried.
Twenty minutes after the competition ended, students were instructed to dismantle their class base camps and tents. The Sports Festival results and closing ceremony would follow in twenty minutes.
No one objected. The results were already visible on the massive LCD screen in the field's center.
The Red Team had won the Red and White Competition. Winner classes would receive +100 Class Points, while losing classes would lose 100 points.
"This was quite an extraordinary Sports Festival."
These words came from Tomonari, Class 1-A's homeroom teacher, as the four first-year teachers discussed the 1200-meter relay.
This reaction was natural — Class 1-A had won. The final sports points for the first-year classes stood at:
Class A: 1831 points [1st]
Class B: 1800 points [2nd]
Class C: 1250 points [3rd]
Class D: 1795 points [4th]
And so, the final Class Points would change as follows:
「Class A: 2001 Points」 [Winner Team + 100⇧] [First Place + 100⇧]
「Class B: 870 Points」 [Loser Team - 100⇩] [Second Place + 0⇧]
「Class C: 580 Points」 [Loser Team - 100⇩] [Fourth Place - 100⇩]
「Class D: 490 Points」 [Winner Team + 100⇧] [Third Place - 50⇩]
Class A had achieved an overwhelming advantage, opening up a nearly 1,200-point gap with Class B. Their position was now unassailable.
Unless the next Student Council President adjusted the exam point values, Class A's dominance would likely persist until graduation.
Given these circumstances, Tomonari was understandably elated. The 500,000-point hush money card from Houtarou in his possession only elevated his spirits further.
"Chabashira's class is facing elimination." Kazuma remarked, having gained little from this exam.
While the Kakeru group had suffered significant losses, Sae's class had fared the worst.
Despite having many capable students, their class had undeniably achieved the poorest results — a devastating loss of 200 Class Points.
"Class B has no hope of catching up to Class A now…" Kazuma said, deliberately trying to provoke Chie.
However, when she fixed him with an icy stare, the atmosphere turned frigid... and he fell silent.
Class B's struggle against Class A seemed insurmountable, much like his own class's repeated defeats. Yet Kazuma remained focused on his goal: if his class could rise to Class B status, his teacher's salary would increase — a very appealing prospect.
With only three hundred points separating his class from Class B, there was still a chance.
At that moment.
Beep—
"This is a microphone test. Student Council President Manabu Horikita will now speak—"
"I am Manabu Horikita. First, I'm pleased to announce the successful conclusion of this Sports Festival. Thank you all for your cooperation, and also..."
The closing ceremony had begun.
⍟⍟⍟
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