After the Victory

The afterglow of the sunset spilled onto the sports field, dyeing the entire campus a warm orange-red. The Sports Festival was over, but the students of Class D were still immersed in the joy of victory, reluctant to leave for a long time.

"We really won!" Karuizawa Kei hugged Kushida Kikyo, jumping and skipping, her Golden Ponytail swinging behind her. "First place! We're first place!"

"Yeah, we won." Kushida replied with a smile, a smile that was no longer deliberately sweet, but warm from the heart.

Sudo Ken was carried by several boys, circling the sports field. He raised Both Hands high, his Red Hair like a flag fluttering in the wind: "See! This is Class D's strength!"

Hirata Yousuke smiled from the side, his blond hair Shining in the sunset. His eye sockets were still red, traces of excitement. Yukimura Teruhiko Adjusted Glasses, showing a rare smile, the statistics sheet in his hand crumpled from how tightly he gripped it.

Hasebe Haruka and Sakura Airi hugged each other. The two shy girls now disregarded their reserve, crying and laughing. Sotomura Hideo was pulled by Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, the three of them clumsily dancing a nonsensical dance.

Matsushita Chiaki stood at the edge of the crowd, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned. The usually calm Short-haired Girl also revealed a rare smile.

Hanyu Xiuyi stood a little further away, looking at the scene, a sense of indescribable satisfaction welling up in his heart.

"What are you thinking about?" Horikita Suzune walked over and stood beside him.

"Thinking about whether all of this was worth it," Hanyu said.

"Do you have an answer now?"

Hanyu looked at the laughing faces and nodded gently: "Yes."

Horikita followed his gaze, falling into Silence for a few seconds, then said: "I also found the answer."

"What answer?"

"A person's strength is ultimately limited," Horikita said. "But when a group of people are together, they can create miracles."

Hanyu turned to look at her. The sunset shone on her face, and on that always Indifferent Face, there was now a hint of a warm smile.

"You've changed, Horikita."

"Perhaps," Horikita said. "But I don't Hate this change."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Just then, a discordant figure appeared at the edge of the sports field.

Ryuen Sho. He stood there Alone, without any Followers behind him, his face devoid of its usual dangerous smile, leaving only Gloomy Fatigue. He looked at Class D's celebratory scene, his eyes complex.

Hanyu Noticed him. He hesitated for a moment, then walked over.

"Ryuen."

Ryuen turned his head, looking at him: "Here to flaunt your victory?"

"No," Hanyu shook his head. "I just wanted to ask you a question."

"What question?"

"Why did you do it that way? Why hurt others to achieve your goals?"

Ryuen froze for a moment, then he laughed. The smile was bitter.

"Hanyu Xiuyi, you are too naive," he said. "In this school, only the strong can survive. And I just chose the fastest path to become strong."

"But that path will make you lose all your companions."

Ryuen fell silent. He looked towards Class C—those students had already dispersed, not a single person remained waiting for him.

"Perhaps," he said in a low voice. "But so what? I am enough by myself."

Hanyu looked at him and suddenly felt this person was pathetic.

"Ryuen, do you know? True strength isn't about one person defeating everyone. It's about being able to make everyone willing to fight alongside you."

Ryuen stared at him for a long time, then turned and left.

After a few steps, he stopped and said without looking back, "Hanyu Xiuyi, you won this time. But next time... next time I won't lose."

He left, his back view appearing especially lonely under the sunset.

Hanyu stood in place, watching that back view disappear into the twilight.

Seven in the evening, in the Class D classroom.

Large characters reading "First Place" were written on the blackboard with colored chalk, surrounded by balloons and ribbons. This was a surprise prepared in advance by Hirata Yousuke and a few girls.

Students returned to the classroom one after another. Seeing the words on the blackboard, they erupted in cheers again.

"Everyone, please sit down!" Hirata stood at the lectern, maintaining order with a smile. "Chabashira-sensei will be here soon to announce the final results and rewards for the Sports Festival!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the classroom door was pushed open. Chabashira Sae walked in, holding a document. Her expression was still cold, but the gaze behind her lenses seemed gentler than usual as it swept across the class.

"Is everyone here?" she asked.

"Everyone is here!" the students answered in unison.

Chabashira Sae walked to the lectern and opened the document.

"Final results of the Sports Festival." She paused. "Class D, total score 487 points, ranking first."

Although they already knew the outcome, hearing the teacher announce it personally caused enthusiastic cheers to erupt in the classroom.

"Quiet," Chabashira Sae said. "I'm not finished yet."

The students immediately quieted down.

"The reward for first place is 500 Class Points," Chabashira Sae said. "Additionally, individual event winners will receive extra rewards."

She read out a list of names: "Sudo Ken, Men's 100m first place, personal reward of 300,000 points. Matsushita Chiaki, Women's 100m second place, personal reward of 200,000 points. Sotomura Hideo, Men's High Jump third place, personal reward of 100,000 points. Hasebe Haruka, Women's Long Jump second place, personal reward of 200,000 points. Obstacle Race team first place, each person receives 100,000 points. Tug of War Competition team first place, each person receives 100,000 points."

Gasps of amazement erupted from the classroom. Adding up the points, everyone would receive at least over 200,000 points.

"Also," Chabashira Sae looked at Hanyu Xiuyi. "Hanyu Xiuyi, winner of the Sports Festival Best Commander Award, personal reward of 500,000 points."

Hanyu was stunned. He hadn't expected this award.

"Furthermore," Chabashira Sae closed the document and scanned the entire class. "Given the performance of certain individuals during the Sports Festival, the school has decided to add another reward."

She looked at Kushida Kikyo. "Kushida Kikyo, for meritorious service in reporting violations, personal reward of 300,000 points."

The classroom fell silent for a second, then erupted into even more enthusiastic applause.

Kushida was stunned. She hadn't expected the school to publicly commend her. She looked at Hanyu, and he gave her a slight nod.

At that moment, her tears finally flowed.

Not from sadness, but from emotion.

At 9 PM, after the celebration party, Hanyu Xiuyi walked alone on the path back to his dormitory.

The moonlight sprinkled across the campus, making everything seem so quiet and peaceful. He recalled everything that had happened today—Sudo's victory, Kushida's bravery, Ryuen's defeat, and all the smiling faces.

"Hanyu."

A voice came from behind him. He turned around and saw Ayanokoji Kiyonaga standing there, holding a can of coffee.

"Not asleep yet?"

"Can't sleep," Ayanokoji walked to his side. "Wanted to take a walk."

The two walked side by side, the moonlight stretching their shadows long.

"What do you think about what happened today?" Hanyu asked.

Ayanokoji took a sip of coffee and said plainly, "We won."

"And then?"

"Then, Ryuen won't give up," Ayanokoji said. "People like him only use failure as new motivation."

"I know," Hanyu said. "So we need to keep preparing."

Ayanokoji nodded and said nothing more.

The two walked to the dormitory building, and Ayanokoji stopped.

"Hanyu, there's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

Ayanokoji looked at him, his eyes especially deep under the moonlight.

"I might have to leave for a while."

Hanyu was stunned. "Leave?"

"There's something going on at home," Ayanokoji said. "I need to go back and handle it. About a week."

Hanyu stared at him for a few seconds. He knew Ayanokoji's background was a mystery, but he never pried.

"Do you need any help?"

"No," Ayanokoji shook his head. "Just letting you know."

He turned to leave, then looked back and said, "This week, be careful. Ryuen might cause trouble while I'm gone."

"I know."

Ayanokoji nodded and disappeared into the night.

Hanyu stood in place, gazing in the direction he had vanished, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.

Ayanokoji Kiyonaga, who exactly are you?

Saturday morning, the sun was shining brightly.

Hanyu Xiuyi slept in, only getting up at eight. After washing up, he was about to go out for breakfast when his mobile phone vibrated.

It was a mass email, sent by Kushida Kikyo:

"Today at 2 PM, School Back Mountain. I have something I want to say to everyone. I hope everyone who was on the rooftop that day can come. --Kushida"

Hanyu looked at the message, lost in thought.

Everyone who was on the rooftop that day—it referred to the people who appeared on the rooftop after the Karuizawa Incident. Hirata, Sudo, Sakura, Ike, Yamauchi, Horikita, Ayanokoji... and him.

Ayanokoji wasn't here, but the others should all go.

What did she want to say?

2 PM, School Back Mountain.

This was a quiet patch of woods, far from the Teaching Building and Sports Field, rarely visited by anyone. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow, while the sound of birdsong echoed gently in their ears.

By the time Hanyu arrived, everyone else was already there. Hirata Yousuke, Sudo Ken, Sakura Airi, Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, Horikita Suzune—only Ayanokoji Kiyonaga was missing.

"Where's Ayanokoji?" Kushida asked.

"He took a leave of absence," Hanyu replied. "Family Matter."

Kushida nodded, then took a deep breath, looking at the people before her.

"Thank you all for coming," her voice trembled slightly, but was firm. "There's something I want to say to everyone."

Everyone fell silent, looking at her.

Kushida lowered her head, remained silent for a few seconds, then looked up, her eyes glistening with tears.

"I... I betrayed you all before."

The air seemed to freeze.

"Ryuen found me and threatened me with my past. I was scared, so I helped him do things. I gave him the Class List, I told him everyone's information, I..." Her voice choked, "I almost ruined the class."

Hirata Yousuke started to say something, but Kushida raised her hand to stop him.

"Let me finish," she wiped her tears. "Later, Hanyu found out. I thought it was all over, I thought everyone would hate me, abandon me. But..."

She looked at the people before her.

"But you didn't. You forgave me, accepted me, and let me come back. Hanyu said that the True Self is stronger than the one I pretended to be. Karuizawa said she'd experienced that kind of Fear too, so she believed me. Hirata said I'm Not Fundamentally Bad. Sudo said he believed me. Sakura, Ike, Yamauchi... you've all been so good to me."

Tears flowed down her cheeks.

"So I thought, I have to tell you everything. Not to ask for forgiveness, but... but to let you know the Real Self. The Selfish, Hypocritical me, who betrayed everyone before."

She took a deep breath and looked into each person's eyes.

"If you think I'm Unworthy to be in Class D, I will leave on my own. But if... if you are still willing to Accept me, I Vow, I will use the Rest of my Life to Make Amends. I will become the true Kushida Kikyo, not the one who acted, but my Real Self."

After she finished, she bowed deeply and remained that way for a long time.

The woods were utterly silent. Only the Rustling Leaves could be heard.

Then, a hand gently landed on her shoulder.

She looked up and saw Karuizawa Kei standing before her, a warm smile on her face.

"Fool," Karuizawa said. "Who said we were kicking you out?"

Kushida was stunned.

Hirata Yousuke walked over, his blond hair shining in the sunlight. "Kushida, you've become the real Kushida Kikyo. You have been since the moment you took out your mobile phone in front of the judge."

Sudo Ken walked over, scratching his head. "Hey, if you have any problems in the future, don't carry them alone. Aren't we friends?"

Sakura Airi timidly walked over and said in a small voice, "Kushida... you've helped me many times before... this time, it's my turn to help you..."

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki exchanged a look and walked over together. Ike said, "Um... we've made mistakes too. But everyone forgave us, so..."

Yamauchi continued, "So we'll forgive you too!"

Horikita Suzune leaned against a tree, her expression still cold, but her tone was much gentler than usual. "Kushida, a person's worth isn't measured by how many mistakes she's made, but by how much she's willing to effort to correct them. You've proven yourself."

Finally, Hanyu Xiuyi walked up to her.

"Kushida, welcome back," he extended his hand. "This time, it's a true return."

Kushida looked at that hand, and tears welled up in her eyes again. But she smiled, a smile that was warm and real, one she had never had before.

She reached out and grasped it tightly.

"Thank you... thank you, everyone..."

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, illuminating the young people's faces. In everyone's eyes, the same glow twinkled – the glow of trust, the glow of unity, the glow of home.

In the distance, the school bell rang, announcing that a new day was about to begin.

But for Kushida Kikyo, the true "new day" had just arrived.