The Night Before the Sports Festival

On Thursday evening, the setting sun dyed the entire campus a golden yellow. With only one day left until the Sports Festival, the whole school was immersed in an atmosphere of tension and excitement.

On the sports field, several classes were still conducting their final training sessions. Class A was doing warm-up exercises in unison, Class B was practicing relays under Ichinose's leadership, and Class C was rehearsing the obstacle course under Ryuen's command. Only Class D had finished their training early, with everyone gathered in the classroom.

This was Hanyu Xiuyi's decision. On the last day, rather than training while exhausted, it was better to let everyone rest well and adjust their condition.

"Is everyone here?" Hanyu stood on the lectern, surveying the entire class.

Hirata Yousuke took a headcount. "Everyone is here."

"Good," Hanyu nodded. "Before tomorrow's Sports Festival, I have a few words I want to say to everyone."

The classroom quieted down, and everyone looked at him.

"First, I want to say, thank you all for your hard work this past month," Hanyu's voice was calm and powerful. "From the Special Exam until now, we've been through a lot. Some of us wavered, some were lost, but in the end, we all got through it."

His gaze swept over Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, who lowered their heads somewhat sheepishly. He swept over Karuizawa Kei, who smiled at him. He swept over Kushida Kikyo, who gave a slight nod.

"Tomorrow's Sports Festival is another opportunity for us to prove ourselves," Hanyu continued. "But it's not the only opportunity. It's great if we win, but it's okay if we lose. What's important is that we are a team, and we will face it together."

Sudo Ken raised his hand. "Hanyu, we're going to win, right?"

Hanyu looked at him, the corner of his mouth curving up slightly. "Yes. We will win."

A cheer erupted in the classroom. Some people banged on their desks, some whistled, and the atmosphere instantly became lively.

"Alright, alright, quiet down," Hirata said with a smile, maintaining order. "Hanyu-kun isn't finished yet."

Hanyu waited for everyone to quiet down and continued, "In tomorrow's competition, unexpected things might happen. Someone might get injured, someone might make a mistake, someone might encounter unfair treatment. But no matter what happens, I hope everyone remembers – don't panic, don't be afraid, trust the people around you."

He looked at Sudo. "Sudo, you're a Key Player in the obstacle race. You might encounter some... special circumstances tomorrow. But remember, do as we practiced, and don't be distracted."

Sudo nodded solemnly. "Understood!"

He looked at Hirata. "Hirata, during the tug-of-war, pay attention to Class C's actions. If they try to Play Tricks, call a halt immediately."

"Okay," Hirata replied.

He looked at Kushida. "Kushida, you..."

Kushida stood up and said proactively, "I know what to do. Don't worry."

Hanyu nodded, then looked at everyone. "Tomorrow's competition is not a battle for one person. It's a battle for forty people. No matter what happens, we are in this together."

The classroom was silent for a few seconds, then erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Chabashira Sae was standing at the doorway at some point. She watched the scene, her gaze behind her lens twinkling for a moment, then she turned to leave. But after taking two steps, she turned back and left one sentence:

"Don't disgrace Class D."

Then (she) disappeared down the corridor.

The classroom was silent for a moment, then laughter erupted.

"Chabashira-sensei says things like that too!" Sudo roared with laughter.

"She's actually worried about us, isn't she?" Kushida said softly.

Hanyu looked in the direction of the door, lost in thought.

After school, Hanyu Xiuyi walked alone on the road back to the dormitory. The sunset had already sunk below the horizon, leaving only the last trace of afterglow in the sky.

"Hanyu."

A voice came from behind (him). (He) turned around and saw Kushida Kikyo jogging to catch up. (Her) shoulder-length short hair was somewhat messy from the wind, and (she) had a faint smile on (her) face.

"Kushida? What's up?"

Kushida walked up to (him), walking side-by-side: "It's nothing, I just wanted to talk to you."

The two walked in silence for a while. The afterglow of the sunset shone on them, casting long shadows on the ground.

"Hanyu," Kushida suddenly spoke, "Do you think tomorrow's plan will succeed?"

"It will," Hanyu said, "because we've prepared thoroughly."

"But..." Kushida's voice was somewhat hesitant, "I'm still a little scared. What if Ryuen finds out about me..."

"He won't find out," Hanyu interrupted (her), "because you are different now."

Kushida froze for a moment: "Different?"

"Yeah." Hanyu looked at (her), "The old you was always acting. Acting like a perfect self. But now, you are real. The real you is stronger than the acted you."

Kushida stared at (him) for a few seconds, (her) eye sockets gradually reddening. But (she) quickly smiled, a smile that was warm and genuine.

"Hanyu, do you know? You're the first person who made me feel that being myself is also pretty good."

Hanyu didn't speak, just continued walking forward.

Kushida followed, the two walking side-by-side in the twilight. In the distance, lights in the dormitory buildings lit up one by one, as if welcoming them back.

When they reached the girls' dormitory building, Kushida stopped.

"We'll stop here," (she) said. "See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Kushida took two steps, then turned back and said, "Hanyu, thank you."

Then she ran into the dormitory building and disappeared behind the door.

Hanyu stood in place, looking at her back view, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly.

At the same time, on the third floor of the boys' dormitory, in Ryuen Sho's room.

The room was dark, with only moonlight filtering in through the window. Ryuen sat by the window, holding the notebook he always carried, flipping through its pages.

A knock came from the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Ibuki Mio walked in. Her expression was as cold as ever, her eyes holding a hint of wariness.

"What do you want me for?"

Ryuen closed the notebook and looked at her, "Confirm tomorrow's mission."

Ibuki nodded, "The third stage of the obstacle course, I will trigger the mechanism when the Class D Key Player passes. That mechanism will make the Single Plank Bridge shake, causing him to fall into the water."

"What happens after falling into the water?"

"According to the rules, you can restart after falling into the water, but you will lose a lot of time," Ibuki said. "With Sudo Ken's strength, after falling into the water once, it will be basically impossible for him to get first place."

Ryuen nodded with satisfaction, "Very good. What about Kushida?"

"She has already obtained the medicine," Ibuki said. "Tomorrow, before the competition, she will drug the Class D Key Player. The medicine will make them drowsy and slow to react during the competition."

Ryuen smiled, a smile that looked especially sinister in the moonlight.

"Hanyu Xiuyi, let's see how you win this time."

He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the campus. Moonlight spilled onto his face, which now looked somewhat distorted.

"Ibuki, do you think Hanyu will expect us to make a move during the Sports Festival?"

Ibuki was silent for a second, then said, "He probably won't. He thinks everything is fine after winning the last Special Exam."

"Right," Ryuen turned around. "He thinks he can track my Trends by bribing Ike and Yamauchi. But he doesn't know that I've already given up on those two useless people. The real Chess Pieces are you and Kushida."

He walked closer to Ibuki and patted her shoulder, "Do a good job. After this is done, you'll be the vice-class representative of Class C."

Ibuki lowered her head, her expression unreadable, "Thank you, Ryuen."

"Go. See you tomorrow."

Ibuki turned and left. After walking out of the room, her expression changed instantly. Beneath that indifferent mask were eyes burning with rage.

She quickly walked to the corner of the stairs, took out her mobile phone, and quickly sent a message:

"Plan confirmed. Tomorrow's obstacle course, third stage, single plank bridge. Hanyu, be careful."

After sending it, she deleted the message and walked downstairs as if nothing had happened.

Nine in the evening, Hanyu Xiuyi's dormitory.

He looked at the message Ibuki sent on his mobile phone, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly.

"Single plank bridge..." he murmured.

Ayanokoji Kiyonaga sat by the window, drinking coffee. "Trap confirmed?"

"Mm." Hanyu handed him his phone to look.

Ayanokoji glanced at it and nodded. "Third stage. Can Sudo handle it?"

"He can," Hanyu said. "We've been practicing the single plank bridge these past few days. Moreover, we've prepared a backup plan."

Ayanokoji took a sip of coffee and said nothing.

The two were silent for a few seconds. Outside the window, moonlight spilled onto the campus, and everything seemed so quiet.

"Hanyu." Ayanokoji suddenly spoke.

"Mm?"

"What do you think, will Ryuen give up just like that?"

Hanyu thought for a moment and said, "No. He failed this time, he'll definitely try again."

"Then what do you plan to do?"

"Keep winning," Hanyu said. "Until he admits defeat."

Ayanokoji looked at him, a barely perceptible glint flashing in his eyes. Then he stood up and walked towards the door.

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

The door closed, leaving Hanyu alone in the room. He walked to the window and gazed at the night outside.

Tomorrow was the Sports Festival.

Tomorrow is the day the victory or defeat will be decided.

He clenched his fists, a determined light flashing in his eyes.

"Come at me, Ryuen. Show me, what else you've got."

Moonlight spilled onto his face, that young face filled with resolve.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

But Dawn was about to arrive.