The Countless Moments We Shared

"I see."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka received a message from Karuizawa Kei through his earpiece:

"However, although it might sound strange from my perspective, why would Karuizawa target Class 1-B?"

From a rational perspective, this was indeed an opportunity for Class 1-D. Under the guise of a class alliance, they easily obtained all the information about Class 1-B and secretly won over the assistance of Class 1-A. If they were prepared and the enemy was not, their chances of winning were not small.

If we follow Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's previous way of thinking, he would probably agree with this.

But now he wanted to hear more from a sentimental perspective—no, to be precise, he wanted to know what kind of feelings Karuizawa Kei had when making this decision.

"Because I felt we would win."

Karuizawa Kei said this with absolute certainty.

In a sense, she is using Kitagawa Ryo's usual methods to achieve her goals through deception.

This time, however, his opponent is Kitagawa Ryo.

"After losing in one place, you'll want to win it back in another. That's a normal thought, isn't it?"

"I have no idea."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka honestly shook his head. The world of emotions was indeed too complicated. For someone like him, who came from the White Room, such messy feelings were indeed hard to understand for the time being.

Simply put, it's absurd for someone who can't swim to try and save someone who can.

"It's as absurd as a weak person declaring to the world that they will protect those a thousand times stronger than themselves."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded and turned his gaze to the enormous figure standing before him— Yamada Albert.

In terms of physique, he should be at a significant disadvantage.

"Ayanokoji- san!"

Turning my head, I saw a girl named Sato Maya waving in the Class 1-D formation below the stage.

In fact, since the start of this Sports Festival, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's performance has quickly made him a celebrity in his class. After all, compared to the equally famous Ken Sudō and Koenji Rokusuke, one has a scandalous past and the other has personality issues, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka seems much more approachable.

As for Taciturn and not fond of talking? With the filter of the Sports Festival applied, it's just that he has an introverted Aloof, and calm personality.

"I am Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from Class 1-D, Grade 1."

"Class 1-B, Yamada Albert."

After exchanging names, the two made their own preparations.

"The opponent is very strong in close combat. Try to overpower them with your physical abilities and defend your neck and chest."

"When the fighting starts, follow my orders."

Kitagawa Ryo also gave instructions to Yamada through the earpiece, having fought Ayanokoji Kiyotaka before, he was well aware of his opponent's abilities.

Aside from myself, who specializes in attacking Ayanokoji, there shouldn't be anyone in this grade who can surpass me in physical ability and combat skills.

Yamada is physically strong, but in a real fight, without his own instructions, he could easily be outmaneuvered by his opponent.

The two fighters on the ring quickly reached a stalemate, completely unexpected by the audience.

Even the students in Class 1-D didn't think Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had a chance of winning before the competition. After all, Yamada's imposing presence and the impression he left by easily defeating the students in Class 2-A in the previous round were too strong. Although Ayanokoji Kiyotaka showed his advantage of running fast in the morning's competition, this event was [wrestling], not [running].

Engage your core muscles and tense all the muscles in your body.

Although Yamada Albert had prepared himself mentally thanks to Kitagawa Ryo's reminder, he was still taken aback by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's power.

"Next!"

Subconsciously following Kitagawa Ryo's instructions, he made a defensive move, and the next Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's leg came flying up.

[A very troublesome opponent]

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was also frowning secretly. In wrestling, Yamada Albert had a huge physical advantage. If the goal was to defeat his opponent, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had several methods, but in wrestling, it would really take a lot of effort.

Their bodies remained entangled, but neither could truly pin the other to the ground.

"Hmm."

In a moment of carelessness, Yamada was struck in the Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's Yamada with remarkable stealth. Taking advantage of the slight lapse in force caused by the blow to a vital spot, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka finally found his opportunity, using both arms to forcefully slam Yamada's body to the ground.

However, Yamada quickly wrapped his two thick thighs around Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's waist, and the two of them fell to the ground together, rolling around continuously.

One moment Yamada had the upper hand, pinning Ayanokoji down, and the next moment Ayanokoji exerted his strength, cornering Yamada.

After several rounds of fighting, Yamada Albert finally ran out of energy and was restrained by the neck, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to win the opening victory on behalf of Class 1-D.

"It's alright, you've worked hard, go and rest."

Kitagawa Ryo interrupted the ashamed Yamada Albert's apology first. In fact, it was already quite difficult for Yamada to entangle with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka for so long. Although he knew Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's moves, judging from the situation in the match just now, Class 1-D also knew Yamada's moves inside and out. He was not superior in terms of moves, nor in terms of physical ability, so losing the match was inevitable.

[Impressive!]

Although he couldn't see the face of Karuizawa Kei, the Commander Class 1-D, Kitagawa Ryo still offered a sincere compliment.

Give me another surprise!

The faster Karuizawa Kei grows, the higher his score will be after completing this mission.

Therefore, Kitagawa Ryo felt no anger at all; instead, he was more like a teacher who appreciated his student's growth.

[Class 1-D defeated Class 1-B in wrestling and is currently leading 1-0]

The first victory of Class 1-D greatly boosted the morale of the class. Thinking about it carefully, this was the first time since Class 1-D entered the school that they had defeated Class 1-B led by Kitagawa Ryo in Special Exam. Even if it was just a small victory, it was enough for these students to cheer.

As soon as Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stepped off the ring, he was immediately surrounded by girls offering him water and towels, chattering and praising him. Ken Sudō also excitedly patted him on the shoulder, looking even happier than if he had won himself.

[The second individual item will now be selected.]

[Draw complete]

[The second individual event was the women's 100-meter race, submitted by Class 1-D]

[Both Commander please confirm the participating players]

[Confirmation complete]

[Please proceed to your designated areas and take your positions.]

"Well then, Horikita- kun, thank you for your help."

"... I see."

Horikita Suzune listened to the methodical female voice coming through her earpiece, she felt momentarily disoriented.

Just six months ago, when they first entered school and entered Class 1-D together, Karuizawa Kei was just an ordinary girl with only a little influence in her small group. She was not outstanding in academics or sports, nor was she particularly good at thinking about or analyzing problems.

When exactly did they begin to be able to so easily control Class 1-D?

And it was directed towards Class 1-B, which was led by that person.

There is even a glimmer of hope for victory.

Horikita Suzune retied her shoelaces before the track, having been deliberately left behind by Karuizawa Kei, who hadn't participated in any events that morning, thus conserving all her energy.

Standing beside her was her opponent, Ibuki Mio, which was exactly what Karuizawa Kei had expected. Among the girls in Class 1-B, she was the most outstanding.

Seemingly aware of the importance of this match, even Ibuki Mio didn't seem inclined to say anything, simply continuing her warm-up exercises in silence.

"President Horikita is watching you from the audience behind you."

Karuizawa Kei said this into her earpiece.

Horikita Suzune turned her gaze forward.

Throw it toward the finish line.

She has made up her mind to move forward and will not look back.

Horikita Suzune knew very well that not only Horikita Manabu, but Kitagawa Ryo was also watching this place at this moment.

"Bump!"

The starting gun fired.

One hundred meters is a distance that passes in the blink of an eye.

Horikita Suzune crossed the finish line two body lengths ahead of Ibuki Mio.

"Sorry, Horikita Manabu didn't come. I was just kidding."

A slightly apologetic voice came through the earpiece from Karuizawa Megumi.

"No, it's alright."

Horikita Suzune's hands were still trembling slightly when she suddenly rushed to Ibuki Mio's side, who was stamping her feet in regret.

Speaking into the earpiece hanging next to Ibuki Mio's ear, she shouted like a child, without any Malice, simply as if showing off an award she had won:

"I won!"

Chapter 76: The Countless Moments We Spent Together

Class 1-D defeated Class 1-B in the women's 100-meter race and is currently leading 2-0.

[The third individual item will now be selected.]

[Draw complete]

[The third individual event was Freestyle Fighting, submitted by Class 1-B]

[Both Commander please confirm the participating players]

[Confirmation complete]

[Please proceed to your designated areas and take your positions.]

"Hey, you expected this to happen, didn't you, Liang?"

As a contestant, Ryuen Kakeru was preparing while communicating with Kitagawa Ryo through his earpiece, his tone tinged with impatience:

"Or are you planning to be betrayed by that woman again?"

"Betrayal...?"

Kitagawa Ryo responded lazily:

"Why do you think that? Ryuen, weren't you the one who was most opposed to cooperation at the beginning? You thought that our class alone could handle the second grade, and you treated the other three First Year classes as your hypothetical enemies in advance. Now, just as you wished, we really are facing off against Class 1-D."

"Tsk."

Seemingly dissatisfied with Kitagawa Ryo's attitude at this moment, Ryuen Kakeru Shiina Hiyori at the somewhat agitated class contingent due to the two consecutive losses. Ibuki Mio, who was still indignant and felt that she had just fallen short.

"I won't lose."

Ryuen Kakeru didn't waste any words. He even turned off his headset and walked straight onto the Freestyle Fighting ring.

"Class 1-B, Ryuen Kakeru."

"Class 1-D, Ken Sudō."

Ryuen Kakeru turned his gaze to his opponent, Sudo Ken, one of the absolute mainstays of Class 1-D. Ken Sudō had participated in no less than three events all day, but his opponent still maintained an extremely excited state of mind, rubbing his hands together and showing no signs of fatigue.

"Please, Sudo."

Karuizawa Kei earnestly stated in her headset that if Class 1-D could secure this point, they would directly gain control of four match points.

"If it weren't for Karuizawa using 100,000 points to save me, I would have dropped out of school long ago."

Ken Sudō nodded. It was hard to imagine that he, who had beaten up his senior over a mere argument at the beginning of the semester, could say such a thing. However, Sudo had experienced more in the past semester than he had in the previous few years. In terms of growth alone, he should be one of the fastest-improving students in Class 1-D.

"Therefore, I will try my best to win."

Putting on the boxing gloves provided by the referee, Ken Sudō punched hard with both hands.

After removing his shirt, he revealed his well-developed muscles. As the most formidable athlete in Class 1-D, Ken Sudō has always been very confident in his physical abilities.

In contrast, Ryuen Kakeru was undoubtedly thinner, but having spent years in street brawls, his fighting skills were superior.

Karuizawa Kei stared at the image displayed on the screen. Unlike the Commander that the students of Class 1-D imagined her to be, Karuizawa Kei seemed to be under tremendous pressure. Cold sweat beaded on her fair forehead, her jaw was clenched tightly, and she was in a state of extreme tension.

For some reason, Ryuen Kakeru seemed to have caught the camera's location. He just turned his head and glanced at it, and that violent yet resentful look in his eyes brought back all sorts of unpleasant memories of school bullying to Karuizawa Kei's mind.

However, she quickly regained her composure, took a few deep breaths, and, as if drawing strength from the photograph in her hand, Karuizawa Kei gripped it tightly before speaking again:

"Ryuen uses dirty tricks; be careful of their underhanded tactics."

Freestyle Fighting is a Western-style, full-contact, unarmed combat sport that has no set routines or sectarianism, emphasizes individual style, and focuses on winning through practical combat.