Welcome to Paradise of Freedom

After the boys finished their tests, they passed the grip strength device to the girls. Hirata assigned the four best performers—Sudo, Kiyotaka, Hirata, and Miyake—to the tug-of-war and four-way tug-of-war events based on their scores. Seeing himself conspicuously among them, Kiyotaka let out a helpless sigh.

"Ugh, so that means we don't have a chance?"

Ike said disappointedly, looking at the names filled in on the registration form.

"Not quite. There are still events like the obstacle course race that require brains and luck—those still offer opportunities."

"Then how do we pick the people for those?"

"Simple, rock-paper-scissors. Leave luck-based activities to luck."

Hirata made a rare statement that lacked solid reasoning, but for this kind of event, it actually made some sense. Luck really is something no one can predict.

Kiyotaka kept praying in his heart that he'd lose at rock-paper-scissors due to bad luck, even deliberately throwing scissors to throw the game. But what left him speechless was that he managed to secure a spot with nothing but scissors. Ike watched him enviously from the side and said, "I'm so jealous of you, getting picked for two events."

Deep down, Kiyotaka really wanted to say, "I'll give it to you," but worried about being criticized by those around him, he stayed silent and brooded alone.

"You don't look so good?"

After the girls finished their grip strength tests, Horikita approached Kiyotaka and asked.

"I'm not like you, exceptionally good at sports, yet I got picked for two events. Do you know how tragic that is?"

Kiyotaka stated the cruel fact calmly, his tone as flat as if he were narrating someone else's story.

"Oh? That's unfortunate indeed."

Horikita naturally caught the helplessness in Kiyotaka's voice and, for once, smiled as she teased him.

Kiyotaka didn't want to reply anymore. Fortunately, this wasn't the final selection—if better candidates came along later, substitutions could still be made. He resolved to pass on the opportunity the first chance he got.

Soon, the list of participants was roughly finalized. Aside from his chosen individual events, Sudo was also signed up for most of the team events, raising concerns about whether his stamina could keep up. On the girls' side, Horikita led a few athletically gifted girls in participating in most events, while the remaining spots were filled by other girls.

After the general list was decided, Hirata proposed conducting coordinated training during the next PE class to optimize adjustments. Naturally, no one objected to Hirata's suggestion. For Kiyotaka, the painful class finally came to an end.

Chapter 64: Horikita Trying to See Through Kiyotaka

Since the homeroom period was also being used to prepare for the Sports Festival, Hirata directly set aside the self-directed practice time for it. Kiyotaka had already changed his clothes and was standing blankly on the field when Ike walked up beside him, glanced toward the school building, and said with disgust, "Whoa, Kiyotaka, look over there."

Snapping out of his daze, Kiyotaka followed Ike's gaze and saw a row of scrutinizing eyes at the windows on the first-year floor of the school building. There were quite a few people—some from Class B, and even allies from Class A.

"They're not even trying to hide it."

Horikita, having changed her clothes, immediately noticed those slightly burning gazes and came over to Kiyotaka to say.

But to Kiyotaka, it seemed normal. In a situation where you could openly gather intel on enemy strength, only a fool would skip it, right? Besides, this self-directed practice was specifically held to prepare for the Sports Festival; holding back to conceal one's strength would be counterproductive.

Horikita naturally understood this too, but what bothered her was Class C. Although there were clearly people moving around in Class C's area, not a single person had looked over at Class D.

Kiyotaka also noticed Horikita's gaze.

"Are you concerned about Ryuen's movements?"

"Sort of, I guess. Still, I can't believe he wouldn't think to scout other classes' strength. After all, he outright refused to cooperate with Class B. Does he not plan to devise any strategy at all?"

Horikita glanced at Kiyotaka's indifferent expression, then pursed her lips and said, "I know! Without your advice, I would have thought that way. But you said before that Ryuen already has his own signature strategy. Isn't Class C's current behavior showing that guess is gradually becoming reality? So he doesn't care about other classes' performances at all, right?"

"Who knows..."

Kiyotaka gave a vague answer.

Horikita stared intently at Kiyotaka, as if trying to see through him.

"I've noticed you're deeply hidden. Your insight is terrifying—I only catch these things after you point them out. But you seem to know from the start. You're a scary person."

Kiyotaka seemed unwilling to continue this topic, so he smiled and said, "Scary? Where? Want to come over tonight and tell me?"

Horikita knew Kiyotaka was changing the subject, but she couldn't help blushing. To avoid being seen, she snorted coldly and walked away.

Not long after Horikita left, Sudo approached her. The two seemed to have a bit of an argument, but by the end, Sudo left with an eager, determined look on his face.

Kiyotaka didn't know what they argued about; he only caught scattered words like "top of the grade." But he wasn't curious, silently feeling sorry for Sudo instead.

During this training session, although Hirata didn't force anyone to train, thanks to his approach, everyone seemed to share a common goal. Most students gave their best effort in their performances.

"Haah, haah."

Airi, burdened by her heavy chest, finished last at the finish line. Feeling completely drained, she braced her hands on her knees and gasped for air.

"Airi, good work. You ran the whole course with effort."

Kiyotaka said as he handed her a towel.

"Ah, Kiyotaka, how... how are you here?"

Airi looked up to see Kiyotaka, took the towel, and barely straightened up to speak.

Due to the intense exercise, Airi couldn't even speak in complete sentences. Between breaths, her chest heaved with the rhythm, looking unsteady, and with her sweat-drenched appearance, she presented a completely tempting sight to Kiyotaka.

Airi naturally noticed the change in Kiyotaka's gaze. The flush on her face, already red from exercise, deepened, and she said with a hint of reproach.

"Kiyotaka, you should take this a bit more seriously. Don't you still have events to participate in?"

That one sentence immediately drained Kiyotaka's enthusiasm, his whole body going limp and listless. He shot Airi a displeased glance before walking away.

All that remained behind him was Airi's stifled laughter.

Elsewhere, after Sudo sprinted at a speed no one could match, Kikyo didn't hold back on the praise.

"As expected of Sudo-kun. No matter the sport, you always take first place. That's amazing!"

"Hehe, it's nothing."

Sudo spoke modest words in a thoroughly immodest tone, the contrast looking quite jarring.

"There's no need to be modest, Sudo-kun. I really think you're incredible. I feel like you're the natural choice for leader of the Sports Festival."

"Leader? Me?"

Sudo pointed at himself in shock.

"I agree. The Sports Festival is the time for students who excel at athletics to shine. I think Sudo-kun is more than deserving of that role. For the sake of our class, would you mind taking on that responsibility?"

Hirata, who had been keeping records, also strongly agreed with Kikyo's opinion and addressed Sudo.

"But... I'm not cut out to be a leader..."

Despite the praise making him feel quite elated, Sudo had the self-awareness that he was one of the less sociable members of the class—usually only hanging out with the trio plus Kiyotaka. His gaze unconsciously drifted toward Horikita.

"In theory, you really do lack any talent for leadership. But the Sports Festival only requires you to fully display your own abilities and serve as a solid support for the class. I have no objection to that."

Horikita had also been observing. After catching Sudo's glance, she spoke coldly.

"What a merciless critique... Alright! I'll lead Class D to victory!"

Sudo scratched the back of his head and accepted with soaring spirits.

Once appointed, Sudo immediately threw himself into coaching the group events, focusing on power output and rhythm. Surprisingly, he managed to teach quite competently. Even the girls, seeing the results of his guidance, began seeking his help.

Just as Kiyotaka was feeling impressed by this, he noticed Sudo repeatedly flinging sand at Ike and the others for their poor form, drawing complaints left and right. He couldn't help but shake his head.

A coach and a performer must be perfectly separated in their roles. Resorting to brute force alone would never make progress.

For example, Hirata was currently instructing the girls on the basics of the cavalry battle event. After giving them gentle, targeted guidance on their power output and stability, the girls not only understood but also accepted it very well.

And that was the difference between the two as instructors.

Chapter 65: Horikita and Kiyotaka's Bet

"Are you going to just space out until class ends?"

Horikita walked over and looked at Kiyotaka with displeasure.

"I'm already trying."

Kiyotaka shrugged nonchalantly.

"Didn't you promise to help me get promoted to Class A?"

Horikita's obsession with that goal ran deep.

"I think the fact that I'm participating in the Sports Festival is already helping you."

Kiyotaka tentatively stretched his joints, producing a series of cracks.

"...Are you serious? Do you plan to slack off during the Sports Festival like you did in the other exams?"

Horikita stared at the lazy Kiyotaka, who was stretching like a sluggish insect, and asked in disbelief.

"Half and half. Half of me is serious, and the other half—unfortunately—is that this is my true level."

"But didn't you say the Sports Festival was a pure clash of abilities?"

Kiyotaka looked toward the figure approaching them and murmured.

"Sometimes, ability isn't everything. You might find out soon enough."

Horikita looked at him with confusion, but before she could speak, she was interrupted.

"Horikita-san, the two-person three-legged race practice is up for us now."

"Alright, I'm coming."

Onodera walked up and spoke to Horikita.

So they were partners, huh. Onodera was also highly athletic—rumored to be a fairly strong short-distance swimmer in the Swimming Club.

Since it was a pre-competition warm-up, the two-person three-legged practice was conducted as a race. The girls tied their legs together and lined up on the track. Among the pairs, Horikita and Onodera's team was considered the most capable, so their results drew a lot of attention.

But when the race actually started, their speed wasn't slow, but it wasn't fast either. They finished in third place.

Neither Horikita nor Onodera was satisfied with that result, yet after several attempts, their performance showed no improvement.

"Those two are way slower than I expected."

Because they were under so much scrutiny, Sudo, who was watching from the sidelines, commented when their results fell short.

After finishing their test, the two immediately untied the rope and faced each other, their expressions less than pleasant.

"Horikita-san, can we cooperate a little more? Your steps are all over the place!"

Onodera spoke with a hint of dissatisfaction and impatience.

"Hmm, the rhythm really didn't match, but what does that have to do with me? Isn't it because you were running too slowly?"

Horikita asked, puzzled.

"What?"

"It's only natural to match the pace of the faster runner, right? Otherwise, how do you pick up speed? Don't you think it's strange to expect me to adjust to you?"

Sure enough, things unfolded just as Kiyotaka had predicted. Horikita had no idea how to coordinate, fixated solely on sprinting at top speed, leaving no room for teamwork between them.

Kiyotaka stepped forward and said to Onodera, "Onodera, you've worked hard. Why don't you take a break? I'll run a lap with her."

Onodera looked at Kiyotaka, nodded, and sat down nearby to rest.

"What do you mean by that?"

Horikita glared at Kiyotaka, annoyed by his sudden interference.

"Didn't you say it's only natural to match the faster runner? Let's give it a try. If you can keep up, you're right. If you can't, then you'll talk to Onodera properly, and tonight you'll come to my room. Lately, you've been getting a bit full of yourself."

Kiyotaka spoke in a slightly provocative tone, his voice low for Horikita alone.

"Oh? You're saying you're faster than me? Fine, let's do it!"

Horikita took the bait immediately, tying the rope between them with a defiant look.

"Hirata, could you trouble us with a starting signal?"

Kiyotaka turned to Hirata, who was standing nearby.

Hirata gave a wry smile.