I Said I'd Crush You, So I'll Crush You

Class 1-B had no intention of winning this event.

Instead, they wanted Ryuen Kakeru to do something underhanded on stage to influence the contestants from their class.

Given Ryuen Kakeru's personality and methods, he is absolutely capable of doing something like this.

Mizowaki Sakuto is Miyabi Nagumo's right-hand man and the absolute mainstay of their Class 2-A in this Sports Festival. Together with Miyabi Nagumo, they form their class's most ace team sport: soccer.

[We absolutely cannot let Mizowaki play!]

Making a decision in an instant, Miyabi Nagumo quickly signaled to Mizowaki Sakuto was about to step into the ring, through her earpiece:

"We concede defeat in this match and will conserve our energy for the next class match."

Mizowaki Sakuto, of course, had no idea what Miyabi Nagumo had been thinking in those few minutes. Although he felt a little confused, he always listened to Miyabi Nagumo and raised his hand to signal to the referee that Class 2-A conceded defeat in this event, which caused another uproar in the audience.

"Don't worry about it. We'll concede the next two matches too. Our most important target this time is still Class 3-A."

Miyabi Nagumo took a deep breath, trying to calm her resentful feelings.

He finally calmed down; at this point, getting into a life-or-death struggle with Class 1-B wouldn't actually bring him any benefits.

The other party has only been enrolled for one semester, and I will have plenty of time to target Kitagawa Ryo afterward.

Class 3-A is their real goal for Class 2-A. Before taking over as Student Council President, Miyabi Nagumo will use this achievement to prove that he is definitely no worse than Horikita Manabu.

[Class 1-B defeated Class 2-A in the Karate event, winning 5-0]

"Oh, chickened out now?"

Kitagawa Ryo naturally understood the other party's thoughts. He smiled slightly and said in a low voice.

[Class 1-B defeated Class 2-A in the 30-person pole vault event, winning 6-0]

[Class 1-B defeated Class 2-A in the soccer competition, winning 7-0]

Having figured things out, Miyabi Nagumo cleanly and decisively abandoned all subsequent projects in one go. However, although she comforted herself by saying that it was for the greater good, she still couldn't help but grit her teeth when she saw the glaring zero on the screen, and her dislike for Class 1-B and Kitagawa Ryo reached its peak.

[Class B of Grade 1 gains 240 class points; Class A of Grade 2 loses 240 class points]

This was the first of the six class battles to end. Because the school rules prohibited challenging the same class consecutively, Class 1-B finally had some free time and ran off in groups of three or five to the Matoba other classes were competing.

While Kitagawa Ryo's Class 1-B was scoring points at the start, Karuizawa Kei's Class 1-D was struggling.

The students assigned to Class 1-D were from Class 2-B. Although they were officially Class 2-B, they were actually Class A when they first entered the school. It was only because Miyabi Nagumo led the rise of Class B that year that Class A was driven to its current position as Class B.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Commander Kiriyama of Class 2-B used his headset to offer words of encouragement to his students who had just finished their event. In the women's 200-meter swimming event, which had ended a minute earlier, this athletic star of his class easily left Onodera Kayano, sent by Class 1-D, behind. From start to finish, he gave her no chance to overtake him.

"It's nothing, it's all for the class."

As the girl emerged from the swimming pool, wiping the water off her face with a towel, she said modestly:

"The score is now 3-2. We just need to win one more game to secure the victory."

Kiriyama nodded and explained.

"But Class 1-D is really stronger than I expected; I've unexpectedly found myself in a tough battle."

The girls also let out a sigh of relief with bitter faces. In the four events that had already been held, Class 1-D defeated Class 2-B in the [Men's 100-meter race] and [Men's 1000-meter race], while Class 2-B fought back in the [Kyudo] and [Men's standing long jump] events. With their victory in the [Women's 200-meter swimming] event, Class 2-B finally got the match point.

"Those two boys are ridiculously strong."

Kiriyama also looked at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Ken Sudō in the Class 1-D formation with a wary expression. The two of them had defeated Class 2-B with almost no effort in their respective events, but fortunately, it seemed that the opposing class only had these two top students.

"If we could just win one more round, that would be great. I remember the next round is the men's 4x400m relay?"

"Yes, this is one of the two group projects chosen by Class 1-D."

Kiriyama carefully considered his words before speaking:

"Their idea is probably to use the strength of those two boys to win; we'd better pay close attention to the other two batters."

While Class 2-B was discussing their upcoming projects, Hirata Yosuke from Class 1-D also received instructions from Karuizawa Kei through his earpiece:

"Don't be nervous, just follow our previous instructions."

"Go find the referee right now and explain the situation. Remember to bring 100,000 Private Points."

"Um."

Hirata Yosuke nodded in agreement, and then secretly slipped out of the formation of Class 1-D.

[All participants in the 4x400m men's relay race from Class 1-D and Class 2-B, please assemble at the field.]

Kiriyama, who chose to personally intervene in order to secure victory, stood on the track and bent down to check his shoelaces one last time.

"Hey, Vice President Kiriyama, long time no see."

"Oh dear, I haven't had a chance to thank you for your help at the party last time."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Kiriyama stiffly raised his head.

Beside him, Kitagawa Ryo, dressed in sportswear, was stretching his arms in the sunlight. When he looked up, Kitagawa also flashed a bright smile, revealing his white teeth.

Let's cheer each other on!

[Due to an unexpected injury, Sotomura Hideo, a participant from Class 1-D, is unable to attend this event. According to the rules, Class 1-D will use 100,000 Private Points to temporarily substitute Kitagawa Ryo.]

The announcements on the premises quickly answered Kiriyama's question.

He turned his neck:

Kitagawa Ryo, Ken Sudō Ayanokoji Kiyotaka rubbed his hands together eagerly, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looked indifferent, Hirata Yosuke nodded to him in a friendly manner.

Ha?

Chapter 71: If I say I'll crush you, I'll crush you.

"Huh? Aren't you the Commander of Class 1-B? What are you doing here?"

Kiriyama, looking as if he'd seen a ghost, pointed at Kitagawa Ryo and shouted.

"Because my match against Class 2-A is over, I'm finally free."

Kitagawa Ryo swung his arm; since they were both the last batter, they still had time to chat for a bit.

"But then again, Class 2-A led by Nagumo isn't as strong as you described, is he?"

He patted Kiriyama on the shoulder familiarly, but the other man took a half step back and responded with a wary look:

"Don't try to get on my good side. Although I don't know about the later matches, I saw the first and second matches. Your Class B was just cheating."

Kitagawa Ryo, on the other hand, seemed indifferent, waving his hand and saying:

"I know, I know, senior, you're just afraid of Nagumo's revenge, right? But he's really angry right now. If he sees the two of us chatting and laughing like this... tsk tsk."

"Knowing you still came closer."

Kiriyama, looking somewhat nervous, whispered:

"Although Horikita-senpai asked me to cooperate with you, I dare not openly oppose Nagumo."

"I've given you the roster for the football team, so please don't come any closer, okay?"

Feeling as if he had suddenly been regarded as a jinx, Kitagawa Ryo shook his head and stopped talking to Kiriyama. Although it was just a test, he had vaguely sensed Kiriyama's personality traits. Even though Horikita Manabu had said that he could trust him, Kitagawa Ryo was not comfortable revealing important information to someone who was somewhat timid and whose stance was wavering.

And it was precisely at this moment that the relay race that would determine the Fate of Class 1-D and Class 2-B finally began.

The outcome of this project will determine whether Class 2-B can win 4-2 in one fell swoop. For Class 2-B, they have already suffered an unprecedented defeat in their first year since entering school, being overthrown from Class A by the class led by Miyabi Nagumo. The students' mentality is already very negative. If they can't even beat a mere Class D from the First Year in this Sports Festival...

Driven by this mindset, the first runner from Class 2-B ran a near-perfect start, with Hirata Yosuke slightly slower and trailing by about half a body length.

Running is the simplest sport, and also the most important and popular sport, just like the 100-meter race is regarded as the jewel in the crown of the sports kingdom.

Because it doesn't require complicated rules, only the most basic one—running fast.

Whether it was Class 1-D or Class 2-B, or even Class 1-B who came to join in the fun, they all held their breath for a moment when the competition really started, and then cheered and encouraged each other at the top of their lungs.

The sound instantly swept across the entire playground, even startling the other two classes that were engaged in a battle on the other side, who curiously looked over at the Matoba.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood at the center of this commotion, turning his head to look at Hirata Yosuke, who was rushing towards him.

The gap between him and his opponents was almost negligible. This man, who was ostensibly the most academically and athletically gifted in Class 1-D, successfully made up for his initial disadvantage in the 400-meter race.

"It's up to you, Ayanokoji!"

Despite having practiced the baton exchange countless times, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka surprisingly nodded as he received the baton from Hirata Yosuke, seemingly in response to his words.

The next second, the second runners from both classes sprinted off simultaneously.

In his life so far, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka has never seriously run in the vast world.

He savored the trembling of Hirata Yosuke's arm as he passed the baton, and the thunderous heartbeat he heard as they brushed past each other.

This situation was completely different from when he calmly ran around in an emotionless room.

It's almost early October, almost autumn.

The sun wasn't very strong today, and the wind was pleasant.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka ran at full speed, like cutting through the wind, gradually widening the gap between himself and his opponents.

The cheers and shouts of encouragement from Class 1-D resounded through the sky, and the remaining thirty-odd students managed to create a surround sound effect.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka ran past the first bend, then the straight, and then headed towards the final bend.

He's still accelerating.

By the time he reached Ken Sudō's side, he had already left his opponents behind by almost fifty meters.

"Well done, Ayanokoji!"

Ken Sudō noticed the excellent situation, but since it wasn't halfway through and time to pop the champagne, he simply shouted a message and continued running forward with the baton.

"Oh, it seems that even if I don't participate, your Class 2-B still won't be able to win."

Kitagawa Ryo also looked at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was no longer hiding his strength, with some surprise. He was quite curious about what kind of changes the other's mentality had undergone.

"Tsk."

On the other side, Kiriyama clicked his tongue helplessly. He originally thought Class 1-D was an easy target, but he had misjudged them.

"Don't get too cocky. Even if Class 1-D wins this match, it will only be a 3-3 tie between the two classes."

But Kiriyama quickly composed himself, appearing confident and composed.

"Then I'll wait."

Kitagawa Ryo smiled casually. Ken Sudō had already run to his position. At this point, the gap between the two classes had widened to nearly eighty meters, a gap that was now irreversible.

"Bye-Bye."

Although it was the first time Kitagawa Ryo had partnered with Ken Sudō to exchange batons, both of them were among the top athletes in the entire school. Therefore, there were no issues with the baton being exchanged too early or too late, or the baton slipping from their hands. Kitagawa Ryo easily received the baton and inherited the advantages of the previous three runners, running to the finish line with ease.

The moment Kitagawa Ryo crossed the finish line, Class 1-D rushed onto the field and surrounded Hirata Yosuke, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and Ken Sudō, celebrating loudly. After all, just as Kitagawa Ryo said, the victory in this event was entirely based on the students of Class D, and had nothing to do with him, the temporary substitute.

"Hey, isn't that Suzune?"

Kitagawa Ryo, who was happy to have some peace and quiet, returned to the stands. Since everyone else had run to the playground, Horikita Suzune, who was sitting there all alone, stood out.

"... Well."

Unlike her previous cold and hard attitude towards Kitagawa Ryo, Horikita Kitagawa Ryo felt that their relationship had undergone a subtle change after Horikita Suzune witnessed his conversation with Horikita Manabu.

However, it is definitely not positive.

"Didn't Suzune say she wanted Horikita-senpai to watch her at the Sports Festival?"

"Why haven't I seen Suzune participating in any projects?"

Horikita Suzune glared fiercely at Kitagawa Ryo, realizing that the other party would only use this incident to mock her.

"This is just our strategy for Class 1-D."

However, after being criticized so much, Horikita Suzune was able to adjust her mindset well. She gently exhaled and placed her hands on her thighs as she spoke.

"Oh..."

However, Kitagawa Ryo's meaningful interjection and playful look made Horikita Suzune clench her fists again.

It's as if his anger level is more easily maxed out in front of Kitagawa Ryo.

"Come on."