Can't Handle Losing, Huh?

Kitagawa Ryo didn't have time to chat much with Horikita Suzune. After all, although the four classes had established a cooperative relationship, the team projects for each class were selected by the Commander based on the specific circumstances of each class. Horikita Suzune might just be the trump card.

"You don't need to worry about it."

Horikita Suzune also gave a dismissive snort, as if that could cover up the fact that she had awkwardly tugged at his clothes a month ago, trying to stop him from leaving.

Class 1-D defeated Class 2-B in the boys' 4x400m relay, bringing the score to 3-3.

[Next, we will move on to the seventh item: Football]

[Both Commander please confirm the participating players]

"Nagumo! Is the agreement we made before still in effect?"

Kiriyama, from Class 2-B, hurriedly found Miyabi Nagumo sitting on a lawn, chewing on a blade of grass and gazing at the sky.

Noticing the somewhat intimidating and displeased look in the other person's eyes, Kiriyama hurriedly spoke again:

"I'm sorry, I was too hasty."

"But now Class 2-B is tied 3-3 with Class 1-D. According to your previous promise, we will lend our best students to your Class A as temporary substitutes, Nagumo, for free. But at the same time, when our three classes are in danger, Class A should also lend a hand."

Just as Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Manabu had guessed, Miyabi Nagumo, who led the entire second year, could use the rule of temporary substitutes in team projects to build an elite lineup for the entire year. However, this was a big gift he had prepared for Horikita Manabu of Class 3-A, so Miyabi Nagumo was not keen to reveal it in advance.

"If Class 2-A doesn't offer assistance..."

Seeing that Miyabi Nagumo remained silent, Kiriyama gritted his teeth and decided to utter some harsh words.

However, before Kiriyama could utter the harsh statement that "Class 2-B will not cooperate with Class 2-A," he was startled by the fierce gaze of Miyabi Nagumo, who had stood up, and the words stuck in his throat.

"We, Class 2-B, had no choice but to... we had to figure it out ourselves."

"Alright."

Miyabi Nagumo watched the man's performance with amusement. Having personally defeated him countless times, he was well aware of Kiriyama's character.

What was their last project?

"Football!"

Seeing that Miyabi Nagumo was willing to fulfill her promise and help, Kiriyama's eyes lit up and he quickly replied.

"Soccer... I remember Hirata Yosuke from the soccer club was in their class, right?"

Miyabi Nagumo gave a disdainful smile.

"Yes, Class D chose soccer as their decisive event probably because they were hoping to have Hirata as their main attacker. I heard he's been a soccer pro since middle school..."

Before Kiriyama could finish speaking, Miyabi Nagumo interrupted him impatiently:

"Of course I know. I've thrashed him countless times in training matches at the soccer club. He's got talent, but that's about it."

"Perfect timing, I'm going to clear my head and score a couple of goals for you guys."

Having just been thrashed 7-0, Miyabi Nagumo was naturally furious and decided to vent her anger on Class 1-D.

After all, in Miyabi Nagumo's opinion, apart from Hirata Yosuke, the rest of Class 1-D combined probably couldn't stop his attack. He could easily score a few goals for Class 2-B, which would save the other three classes in the second year from gossiping about him behind his back.

After all, it would take the combined efforts of all four classes to defeat Class 3-A.

"That's wonderful! I'll immediately submit your name as a temporary substitute, Nagumo."

Kiriyama didn't care at all about Miyabi Nagumo's arrogant words. After all, after the previous six matches, Class 2-B couldn't really say that they could easily beat Class 1-D. If Miyabi Nagumo could come on as a temporary substitute, their class's winning percentage would rise to an astonishing level.

As a student who entered Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School in the same year as Miyabi Nagumo, Kiriyama was the one who had the deepest understanding of Miyabi Nagumo's strength and power. Therefore, he not only did not think that Miyabi Nagumo's words were too exaggerated, but also went to the referee to explain with great excitement.

"Hello, Honami, how's it going?"

Strolling over to the battlefield where Class 1-C was fighting, Kitagawa Ryo immediately spotted Ichinose Honami in the crowd.

"It's cool... but it's alright."

The usually polite Ichinose Honami unusually didn't turn around to look directly into Kitagawa Ryo's eyes when she spoke; she was currently focused on the running track on the playground.

As planned, Class 1-C drew Class 2-D of Grade 2, which was the weakest class in Grade 2, but the battle still looked quite intense.

"We're currently leading 3-2; if we win this game, we'll have won the game."

On the playground, the boys' three-legged race, selected by Class 1-C, was underway. The pair of Kanzaki Ryuji and Shibata Sō finally gained the upper hand at a turn, causing Ichinose Honami's tense face to break into a smile as she explained in a relaxed tone.

The four First Year classes selected team projects based on their own strengths. Although they established cooperative relationships, they believed that it was better to rely on themselves than others, and they would not actively seek help from other classes unless it was an extremely urgent situation.

The most advantageous weapon of Class 1-C is the unparalleled unity and tacit understanding among the students, which is why Ichinose Honami chose the [Three-Legged Race for Men], which is a great test of teamwork, as the competition event.

"Looks like we're going to win."

Just as Ichinose Honami said, thanks to their superb teamwork, Kanzaki Ryuji and Shibata Sō's speed increased, and in the last stretch they ran almost in sync, leaving their opponents far behind and easily crossing the finish line.

Congratulations!

"Phew, we also have to thank Ryo for proposing the all -First Year- on-second-years strategy back then."

Ichinose Honami breathed a sigh of relief. The intensity of Class 2-D was actually much lower than that of the other three classes in the First Year. Moreover, as a lower-grade Class 1-C had the privilege of choosing the projects. If Class 1-C were to compete with the three classes of the same grade, the outcome would probably be quite tragic.

It was precisely because Ichinose Honami realized this that she thanked Kitagawa Ryo.

Just as Kitagawa Ryo was about to smile and say it was nothing, his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket, and on the other side, Ichinose Honami's phone also started vibrating at the same time.

In preparation for the Sports Festival, the Leader of the four classes secretly created a small group chat of four people.

The message was sent by Karuizawa Kei from Class 1-D.

[Class 2-B used a temporary substitute from Class A]

The statement was quite concise, something the group had anticipated.

Just as Kitagawa Ryo was about to make a joke, Karuizawa Kei's next words made him frown and put away his joking thoughts.

I'm coming right away.

While replying to messages, Kitagawa Ryo pulled Shibata Sō, who had just finished a three-legged race on the playground, along with him:

"Come with me to Class D."

"Huh?"

Shibata Sō, still unaware of the situation, looked completely bewildered. However, seeing Ichinose Honami in agreement, he didn't resist and followed Kitagawa Ryo towards the other side of the Matoba.

"What happened?"

"Are you still fit enough stamina for a quarter of a football match?"

Kitagawa Ryo didn't answer, but instead asked Shibata Sō a question.

This year's Sports Festival has made changes to the rules for basketball and soccer, mainly to shorten the time. For example, in soccer, each half is now only half the original length.

"It's just a three-legged race, stamina isn't a problem."

As the strongest athlete in Class 1-C, Shibata Sō answered with considerable confidence.

"Good."

Kitagawa Ryo affirmed succinctly.

Miyabi Nagumo was surrounded by students from Class 2-B. It was halftime after the first half of the final [soccer] match between Class 1-D and Class 2-B.

He took the water from Kiriyama, but instead of drinking it, he spit it out heavily on the ground and stomped on it a few times.

After making this rather provocative gesture, Miyabi Nagumo extended her right hand toward the rest area of Class 1-D players, gave them a thumbs up, and then cleanly flipped her palm downwards.

This was the first time he had ever made such an arrogant gesture in public, after all, Miyabi Nagumo had always cultivated a more upright image.

The reason was that he saw that damned cat that had insulted him several times in the formation of Class 1-D.

It was lying lazily next to a young girl.

"Hirata, are you alright?"

In the class's final competition, Karuizawa Kei also chose to intervene directly on the field. However, she did not play on the field but instead took on the role of team leader and support staff off the field. After the first half ended, she quickly handed towels and water to the players.

"Fine."

Hirata Yosuke took a deep breath. He had just been heavily marked by Miyabi Nagumo on the court, and the opponent had even smacked him a few times when the referee wasn't looking.

"These people have gone too far!"

"He doesn't act like a senior at all."

The girls in Class 1-D who felt sorry for Hirata Yosuke also complained.

But even this complaint seemed somewhat unconvincing at this point.

Hirata Yosuke looked at the scoreboard with a wry smile; it was glaringly displayed on the screen.

[0 to 4]

In the first half, which was shortened by half, Miyabi Nagumo led Class 2-B to score four goals.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sipped his water slowly; it was his first time participating in such a group activity, and it was quite a novel experience for him.

Theoretically speaking, given Class D' s roster strength, they shouldn't have lost so decisively. However, considering that Ken Sudō's only outstanding achievement is in basketball, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka has barely played team soccer since birth, Koenji Rokusuke only likes one-on-one situations and never cooperates, Hirata Yosuke wants to lead but lacks the ability...

This result is not surprising.

"Now..."

Just as Hirata Yosuke was about to ask Karuizawa Kei for her next plan, he saw Kitagawa Ryo and Shibata Sō walking over together.

"The temporary substitute has arrived."

Kitagawa Ryo unceremoniously pulled a jersey from his seat and put it on, then patted Hirata Yosuke on the shoulder:

"It's okay, we'll play together in the second half—"

With his exceptional eyesight, he was one of the very few people in Class D who noticed Miyabi Nagumo's actions.

Hotaru noticed Kitagawa Ryo's arrival and lightly jumped onto Kitagawa Ryo shoulder, stretching out her paws to rub against Kitagawa Ryo neck. Karuizawa Kei quickly pulled her off and tossed her to Kitagawa Ryo.

"Crush him."

Chapter 72: You can't accept defeat, can you?

The final event between Class 1-D and Class 2-B, [soccer], was in the second half. Class 2-B, who had already taken a four-goal lead, couldn't wait to show off to the opposing Class 1-D after halftime. The excited students created wave after wave of cheers.

In this match filled with the atmosphere of home advantage, the students of Class 2-B were also in high spirits, chatting and laughing as they returned to the field. Their eyes were always drawn to Miyabi Nagumo in the front row, revealing a deep sense of awe and respect.

Although I had heard long ago that Nagumo was once the ace player of the soccer club and that he had not neglected his training even after joining the Student Council, rumors are just rumors. It was only when the students of Class 2-B actually fought Miyabi Nagumo in the first half that they could truly appreciate the weight of this ace player.

Class 1-D did have a few students with ridiculously strong physical abilities, but under Miyabi Nagumo's command and flanking maneuvers, the opponents always seemed to punch cotton and couldn't exert any force. On the contrary, Class 2-B was able to score every time, Miyabi Nagumo even contributed an excellent record of three shots and one pass.

"It seems the other party has changed."

Kiriyama walked up to Miyabi Nagumo, who was playing center forward, and said that this [soccer] event was related to whether his class could win smoothly. Therefore, compared to Miyabi Nagumo, who was having a lot of fun, Kiriyama noticed the change of formation of Class 1-D earlier.

"I saw it."

Miyabi Nagumo smiled dismissively:

"The system we used in second grade can naturally be used by them in First Year too."

"They've brought on Shibata Sō Hayate from Class C, from the soccer club. He's at best on par with Hirata Yosuke."

"As for the other person..."

Miyabi Nagumo squinted and smoothed her golden hair from her forehead with her hand:

"I've never seen Kitagawa Ryo from Class C on the soccer field."

"Does he think that as long as he's physically fit and fast enough, he can easily play football?"

For Miyabi Nagumo, who has been an absolute main player in the soccer club since childhood, he certainly has the right to be arrogant. Hirata Yosuke is already considered one of the best among his peers, was completely outmaneuvered by him in the first half.

He originally planned to finish the first half and build a large enough advantage for Class 2-B before returning to the field, but upon seeing Kitagawa Ryo enter the game, Miyabi Nagumo ultimately decided to go back on.

In his view, the reason why Class 2-A was so easily defeated by Class 1-B was simply because the other side exploited loopholes in the rules and used underhanded tactics. Moreover, it was also because he considered the overall situation and did not fight to the death with Class 1-B in the last three rounds, essentially giving up the final three points.

"Just play normally, I'll go get past him."

Nagumo licked his dry lips. Rationally, he should conserve his energy for a surprise attack on Class 3-A in the afternoon, but emotionally, he really needed to defeat Kitagawa Ryo, at least to show the other second-year students that the opponent's victory was nothing more than a trick.

Unlike traditional center forwards, Miyabi Nagumo prefers to use his exceptional individual skills to actively link up the midfield and forward teams' attacks outside the opponent's penalty area, and then forcefully enter the opponent's penalty area to score through continuous passing and movement.