Before the Sports Festival's Dust Settles, the Cultural Festival Begins

"You probably know, Kitagawa, that there are people, or groups, at school trying to manipulate the results of matches by underhanded tactics Shibata from Class A and Hirata from our class were both targeted like this once."

"Actually, I talked to Hirata myself later, so I can roughly judge their thoughts and logic. This kind of pre-competition sabotage is against school rules, so they can't be too rampant. They have to try to achieve twice the result with half the effort. From this point of view, it seems that they will only target the favorites in the individual events, just like Hirata and Shibata."

At this point, Katsuragi Kohei paused slightly.

"But something just occurred to me: there are also situations in team projects where things can be much more efficient... like Cavalry Battle, or situations like the girls' group in Class B with so many people."

As soon as Katsuragi Kohei finished speaking, Kitagawa Ryo understood what he meant. Since the rules of Cavalry Battle are to round down to the nearest whole number to form a group, the number of people divisible by four seems particularly advantageous at first glance, and no one would actually come out in large numbers.

But precisely because of this, if even one of these people has a problem, the entire group will be rendered useless.

Just like what Katsuragi Kohei said about the girls' group in their Class 1-B, if even one person suddenly has an emergency and can't participate before the competition, the situation of Cavalry Battle will immediately become an awkward situation where only three groups can participate and three people are left out. It's like taking down one person and dragging three others down with you, which can be said to be twice as effective with half the effort.

"You don't need to worry about this, Katsuragi. Our class has already made the necessary arrangements."

Before Kitagawa Ryo could reply, Sakayanagi Arisu, who had somehow appeared nearby, spoke first with a charming smile:

"Of course, I also thank Katsuragi for his kindness."

The specific command of the class was originally entrusted to Sakayanagi Arisu. Seeing that the other party seemed completely unconcerned, Kitagawa Ryo nodded his thanks and reached out to pat Katsuragi Kohei on the shoulder.

"You guys in Class D should be careful too."

"Alright, then I'll take my leave now."

Although it seemed like he had made a wasted trip, Katsuragi Kohei showed no embarrassment and turned to leave with steady steps.

"Hey, I didn't expect him to be such a nice guy."

As soon as Katsuragi Kohei left, Sakayanagi Arisu watched his retreating figure and made a teasing remark, which Kitagawa Ryo echoed in agreement:

"A brother who is good to his sister can't be a bad person."

"..."

Faced with this sudden and assertive statement, Sakayanagi Arisu sighed helplessly, resting her chin on her hand. She felt that she really couldn't understand the thought process and way of thinking of these two siscon individuals.

"Speaking of which, Ryo, would you be interested in learning about Honami now...?"

Looking at Sakayanagi Arisu, Kitagawa Ryo simply reached out and tapped her head with his finger.

"You still have so much free time and energy after just finishing training? Why don't you run a couple more laps with me? Don't forget that the original purpose of this Sports Festival was to test the results of your training over the past two months. There aren't any particularly strong runners in your group this time, and I'm waiting for Arisu to come in first at the finish line."

Seeing Kitagawa Ryo bring up serious sports topics, Sakayanagi Arisu also suppressed her distractions and nodded earnestly:

"I've done my best, and I do feel much healthier lately, but I still feel like I don't have enough motivation."

As she spoke, Sakayanagi Arisu winked at Kitagawa Ryo again:

"If I win first place in any event, Liang, would you like to give me an extra reward?"

Through repeated training day after day, Sakayanagi Arisu no longer feels her heart pumping uncomfortably in her chest like a broken engine when she runs, and her lungs no longer roar painfully like an old bellows.

Even without testing it, just by watching her practice the harmonica she brought back from the cruise ship every night after returning to her dormitory, Sakayanagi Arisu could clearly feel that her lung capacity was improving.

So--

Sakayanagi Arisu teasingly tilted her head slightly, as if she couldn't wait for Kitagawa Ryo to come and inspect her progress.

Perhaps she could have a longer, more passionate French kiss with him.

Or perhaps it's a new way to play?

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka is jogging.

It wasn't just for the preparation for the Sports Festival and the recovery of his physical functions; more importantly, it was because, in the process of competing with Kitagawa Ryo, he gradually began to enjoy the process.

When his body started running and endorphins began to be released, it was as if he unconsciously shed all the labels attached to him, no longer being anyone's child or the only success story of some mysterious organization, but returning to the basics of being a human being in a biological sense.

In this respect, this might be considered his process of becoming human.

Just like the primitive humans who lived in the forests three million years ago, practicing slash-and-burn agriculture and chasing prey, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quietly felt every inch of his hair and skin, every breath and heartbeat as he ran and walked.

The oncoming wind, the clouds on the horizon, and the blurry faces of the students brushing past on either side all became irrelevant.

As he ran forward, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka gradually and clearly felt the freedom that belonged only to him and the whole world to him, as if he were truly living.

However, as my steps gradually came to a stop and my breathing slowly calmed down, that feeling receded like the tide.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who had walked out of the track, sat down in a nearby seat and continued to gaze at Sakayanagi Arisu on the other side of the stands.

The other person had also just completed two laps on the 400-meter track. Although 800 meters was insignificant for Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, it was a moderately difficult challenge for Sakayanagi Arisu. Even from a distance, one could hear the other person's slightly rapid breathing.

After a brief wait, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka saw Amasawa Ichika again. She nimbly leaped up a few stone steps of the stands and sat down next to Sakayanagi Arisu.

Having confirmed this, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, whose strength had recovered, got up and left the playground without hesitation. However, he had only taken a few steps when his phone vibrated in his pocket. The caller was Ishikura from Class 3-B.

Without any intention of exchanging pleasantries, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka spoke calmly:

"That's why I said before that we would suspend our cooperation with Nagumo during the Sports Festival. We're just focusing on Class 3-A right now."

After receiving a promise from the other party that they would learn from their mistake, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka finally hung up the phone. He strolled leisurely from the playground back to his dormitory building, his usually calm eyes showing a noticeable change only when he saw the person waiting there.

"Would you like to talk, Ayanokoji?"

It's Kitagawa Ryo.

Chapter 297: The Sports Festival is Over, and the Cultural Festival is Another Wave (5k)

After Ayanokoji Kiyotaka approached, Kitagawa Ryo added:

"But to be precise, someone wants to have a talk with the two of us."

"The newly appointed Acting Chairman of the Tsukishiro?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, quick-witted, immediately recited the other person's name, and Kitagawa Ryo nodded in affirmation:

"Yes, I ran into him this afternoon. He asked me to tell you to go to the Chairman's Office at six o'clock tonight to talk to him."

"I see."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka glanced at the time on his phone; it was already around 5:40.

"Shall we go now?"

"Can."

The conversation between the two was quite brief, and they quickly reached a consensus. Without stopping, they went straight to the top floor of the faculty and staff building, politely knocked on the door of the Chairman's Office, and were greeted by the Chairman's secretary.

"Chairman Tsukishiro is currently in a meeting. Please wait a moment in the reception room. He will be here as soon as Chairman has finished his business."

The secretary explained the situation to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Kitagawa Ryo, then led them to the reception room and brought them two cups of hot tea, demonstrating impeccable manners.

As the two sipped their tea and quietly waited for six o'clock to arrive, the faculty and staff meeting in the next conference room was also coming to an end.

"That concludes the First Year second-semester Final Exam content. Regarding the implementation of the new OAA system, Student Council Vice President Nagumo has submitted a relevant report, which I have also approved. Implementation will begin after the Sports Festival."

Dressed in a suit, Tsukishiro smiled and delivered his first formal work assignment since taking office in front of all the teachers from the three grades.

The reason it's called the first time is mainly because this prediction contest at the Sports Festival was entirely his own decision, catching even the teachers off guard.

After Tsukishiro finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the room.

The instructions for second and third graders are the same as usual, but only the instructions for First Year are different.

"If any teacher has any questions, please ask."

In this somewhat nervous atmosphere, Tsukishiro rested his hands on his desk, surveying the listening teachers with an unquestionable air.

"May I say something, Acting Chairman Tsukishiro?"

The silent meeting room remained quiet for a few more seconds, but the silence was finally broken by Mashima Tomoya homeroom teacher of Class 1-B.

He raised his hand to speak with a serious expression, and the homeroom teachers of the other three classes sitting next to him also looked at Mashima Tomoya.

Tsukishiro seemed unsurprised by the question, and didn't even seem to care that Mashima Tomoya deliberately used the full title 'Acting Chairman,' and still gave his reply with great poise:

"Of course, so what's your question? Mashima, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-B."

Facing the smiling Tsukishiro, Mashima Tomoya could only try his best to express his thoughts:

"With the Special Exam standards for second- and third-year students remaining the same as in previous years, the exam standards for First Year students have already far exceeded the annual average. In fact, this Sports Festival already showed signs of overreaching, but after all, all three grades can participate... However, the content of the Special Exam is just too outrageous. There has never been a precedent of a first-year student dropping out due to the First Year Final Exam, has there?"

Not just for the sake of his own class, Mashima Tomoya, as the teacher in charge of First Year English, showed no fear of his position Acting Chairman and proactively protested to Tsukishiro, his tone so stern it could almost be described as criticism:

"I know it's rude of me to say this, but Acting Chairman Tsukishiro, you've only just taken office at this school. While I don't deny your abilities, some things can't be rushed. Students need time to grow, and I personally find it very difficult to agree to conduct an exam with such a high risk of expulsion."

As soon as Mashima Tomoya voiced his protest, Tsukishiro Tsunehiro smiled and responded proactively:

"While it is Mashima said, that I have just taken office as the Acting Chairman of this school, I have also observed the operation of the Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School system closely during the previous semester. Ms. Mashima just said that the risk of students dropping out is high, but in fact, students in this school are at risk of dropping out at any time, right?"

"For example, the simplest rule here is that failing a test once will result in expulsion. Several students in Mashima's class were expelled because they failed the Midterm Exam in the first semester, weren't they? Ordinary high schools don't usually have such a strict system, so I think the students should have gotten used to it by now."

"No, this is clearly different from the current policy, and it's also different from the Midterm Exam example you mentioned. The Special Exam you proposed is essentially creating dropouts, but everyone can pass the Midterm Exam if they study hard."

While the other teachers remained silent, Mashima Tomoya persisted relentlessly, openly challenging Tsukishiro.

"Furthermore, the sudden decision to introduce a new system midway through an academic year is unprecedented, and there has been absolutely no explanation for it."

"It seems that Mashima is a bit stubborn. Indeed, the current time seems like the middle of an incongruous academic year, but it is actually a crucial point for the Student Council election. All I did was approve the proposal submitted by the next Student Council President Miyabi Nagumo."

The faculty office was filled with the ongoing debate between Tsukishiro and Mashima, but compared to Mashima Tomoya, who was merely a teacher, Tsukishiro Tsuneaki, who had spent years in politics, was far superior in both status and eloquence.

"I hope you, Ms. Mashima, can realize that Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School has been under high expectations from the government since its founding. It can be said to be a new testing ground for experimental attempts. That's why I think we should try more new things."

"If we follow Acting Chairman Tsukishiro's meaning, does that mean I can also interpret it as using the current First Year as experimental subjects? As the homeroom teacher of Class 1-B, I find this extremely difficult to allow."

Seeing Mashima Tomoya still stubbornly sticking to his own opinions for the sake of the students, Tsukishiro remained silent for a moment, somewhat helplessly, before speaking in a serious tone:

"Although in Mashima- sensei's eyes I may just be someone who flaunts his power as acting Chairman, arbitrarily using the power in his hands to interfere with various rules, perhaps even the position of Chairman is actually a puppet. I myself am just someone employed by my superiors, by a corporation supported by the government, just like you, Mashima- sensei."

"Therefore, if we can reach a consensus through mutual understanding, we would be extremely grateful."

Seeing that Tsukishiro had already made his point, the other teachers nearby also began to dissuade Mashima Tomoya:

"... Mr Mashima, that's enough for now."

"I also think it would be good to inject some new vitality into ANHS every now and then."

"If something really happens, we can discuss and make changes together."

In this group atmosphere, Mashima Tomoya could only sit back down in his seat, feeling dejected. The words he wanted to say swirled in his throat, but he finally muttered them softly:

"So, even if students keep dropping out because of the strict rules, the school doesn't seem to care?"

However, Mashima Tomoya, Tsukishiro, keenly caught his complaint and immediately replied:

"Unsuitable individuals will be excluded; this is simply a social mechanism—or rather, a law of nature. Besides, haven't I already conceded and agreed to introduce the concept of [Protection Point]?"

The Protection Point that Tsukishiro mentioned were a newly proposed mechanism: students who held these points could be exempted from one expulsion penalty.

Upon hearing the other party mention the Protection Point, Mashima Tomoya could only shake his head and remain silent. As he fell silent, the tense atmosphere in the room gradually relaxed, and the meeting finally drew to a close.

However, at this final moment, Tsukishiro suddenly clapped his hands, looked around at all the teachers, and said:

"Oh, by the way, I also have some new ideas about the Cultural Festival that will be held in a month, such as further opening up to guests. I will probably ask the teachers for their opinions later, and I look forward to hearing from them then."

"Cultural Festival? In principle, our school should postpone any events that are open to the general public."

Since the Cultural Festival also involves all three grades, as soon as Tsukishiro uttered those words, the homeroom teachers of the second and third years, who had been keeping their eyes down and remaining silent, spoke up for the first time to express their doubts.

"These outdated parts should have been replaced in the first place. In order for this school to gain more recognition from the country and the government, I think it is necessary to seize this opportunity to showcase itself to the outside world."

"Of course, we will strictly select the invitees, so teachers don't need to worry about that. Ultimately, it will not be open to ordinary parents; we will only strictly select people familiar with the school, such as those in the financial sector. In doing so, we will not disclose any unnecessary information to the outside world. In short, I hope everyone will actively study and consider my proposal."

"Above."

After delivering his final summary, Acting Chairman Tsukishiro finally announced the formal adjournment of the meeting. He then ignored the teachers with their varied expressions and walked straight out of the meeting room. After tidying himself up a bit, he walked with a smile into the reception room at the other end of the corridor.

"I apologize for keeping you both waiting. I am the Acting Chairman, Tsukishiro."

Kitagawa Ryo was actually quite familiar with Tsukishiro. He had crossed paths with him during Sakayanagi Arisu's second simulation, and Tsukishiro had even played a part in Ayanokoji Atsuomi's eventual downfall in that timeline.

In short, he is a typical political creature who only cares about interests, so no matter how gentle and kind the other party may be in front of him at this moment, Kitagawa Ryo remains unmoved and highly vigilant.

After standing up with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and introducing themselves to Tsukishiro, the three of them sat back down on the sofa in the reception room.

Since the person who invited this conversation was Tsukishiro, neither Kitagawa Ryo nor Ayanokoji Kiyotaka intended to speak first, but instead waited quietly for Tsukishiro to speak.

"I've invited you two here today to clarify my personal stance, though you've probably already guessed as to that."

Tsukishiro Tsunehira diligently refilled the teacups of Kitagawa Ryo and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who had only drunk half of their tea. He was completely different from the domineering person he had been in the conference room earlier, and his tone was as amiable as that of a middle-aged or elderly man you could see anywhere on the street.

"As you can see, I became the Acting Chairman of this school entirely because of the bet you made. So no matter how long I stay in this position, I'm here to do one thing."