"Xiaoya, all the attention's been stolen from you by your seniors and juniors."
Miyabi Nagumo's childhood friend, Asahina, teased him.
"Don't say anything unnecessary!"
In a remote corner where nobody paid any attention, Miyabi Nagumo stood silently, like a loner forgotten by the world. He looked forlorn and lonely, a stark contrast to the lively, bustling scene around him.
Cheers and applause rose and fell across the field, but they seemed unable to pierce some invisible barrier and reach Nagumo's ears.
Even the announcer had merely called out in a flat voice during the competition, "Third place, Miyabi Nagumo of Class 2-A."
At that moment, his gaze turned of its own accord to Chang Shui Jing, radiant beneath the spotlight.
Chang Shui Jing was basking in the audience's thunderous applause and praise, his face lit up with a confident, dazzling smile. He was like a brilliant, shining star.
Nagumo watched Chang Shui Jing in silence, and a tangle of emotions welled up inside him.
He had always been the center of attention, but today someone else had stolen the spotlight. A line came to mind: The year I turned eighteen, I stood there like a nobody...
"All the events are over. Let's take a look at the big screen."
The final group scores were 9,851 points for the Red Team and 9,533 points for the White Team.
[Red Team Victory]
Next, the scores for every class in the entire grade began scrolling across the screen, combining the individual events and team competitions.
There were twelve classes in the grade. Class D didn't care about its overall standing; it was mainly worried about coming last among the first-years.
That was because the last-place class would have an additional 100 Class Points deducted.
First place: Class 1-D +50
Second place: Class 1-B +0
Third place: Class 1-C -50
Fourth place: Class 1-A -100
Failing to advance past the qualifying round of the relay race had left Class C in third place. The triple-point multiplier widened the gap between the four classes, whose scores had been close.
[Final Results]
Class A 890 Red Team
Class B 825 White Team
Class C 440 White Team
Class D 257 Red Team
"Tch, the school was so stingy with this Sports Festival. The Private Points they're giving out aren't even enough to pay for one substitute. Even though Class D came first, the score's still so pathetic."
"Ugh, the school administration sucks! We worked so hard at the Sports Festival, too."
"Kagami, did you hear me cheering for you? I... I was shouting with all my might!"
Ike jolted. His goddess, Kushida, had addressed Chang Shui so familiarly that his defenses crumbled completely.
"Boo-hoo-hoo~"
The announcement rang out: the outstanding first-year student of this Sports Festival was...
Chang Shui Jing of Class 1-D.
"Chang Shui really deserves his nickname, the Bloodthirsty Tiger!"
"Chang Shui's unstoppable now!"
"With Chang Shui, we'll be in Class A in no time."
The outstanding student of the entire grade at this Sports Festival was...
Horikita Manabu of Class 3-A.
"Just what you'd expect from the Student Council President."
"Long live the president!"
"Long live our senior!"
"Nii-san..."
From far away, Horikita Suzune watched her brother. She wanted to go up and congratulate him, but didn't dare.
"A brother-complex, huh..."
Ayanokoji muttered under his breath.
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"Ayanokoji, you did pretty well, too. I didn't know you could run so fast."
Sudo put an arm around Ayanokoji's neck, and the Three Idiots came over to join in the teasing.
"Ayanokoji, you were seriously amazing! Could you teach me how to run that fast?"
Ike asked admiringly, stars in his eyes.
"Must've been a sudden burst of adrenaline."
"Don't be modest. I'm counting on you as a key player in the next Sports Festival."
After Hirata finished speaking, the whole field was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
"Maybe a Class D like this really can fulfill my wish."
Chabashira Sae had once been a member of Class D at this school. But because of her own shortcomings, Class D had failed to rise to Class A, leaving her with a lifelong regret.
"Sae, you're pretty lucky. But I know Honami and Kagami have always been on good terms. If Kagami prefers Class B, that's not your fault."
"No need for unnecessary remarks. I'm going to take care of the cleanup."
Chabashira didn't argue with Hoshinomiya. Instead, she went off to find a quiet spot.
"Class D looks just like it did back then, but that class was ruined by my own hands. I can't help but resent it. I hope this year's students can achieve their goal. Maybe that'll make up for my past mistake."
Chabashira Sae walked to a corner, her heart full of conflicting emotions. She thought to herself, then took a deep breath to steady herself.
Hoshinomiya watched Chabashira walk away, resentment filling her heart. As a student from the same year, she knew how much regret Chabashira had carried all these years.
Hoshinomiya sighed softly and turned toward the group of cheering students.
Amid the crowd, she seemed to see her younger self, once so spirited and full of drive. The corners of her mouth lifted before she knew it, and she decided to join in the cheerful mood, if only to forget those tangled emotions for a while.
"Everyone in Class B, how should I reward you this time?"
"Are we going karaoke again, Hoshinomiya-sensei?"
"I think a barbecue would be nice, too."
"Objection. I think a movie would be a better deal."
One student after another offered their suggestions.
At the rest area, Ryuen's mood had gone from heaven to hell. As the loser, he could only quietly leave the field and return to the classroom to cool off.
"Tch, I let my guard down."
"Just you wait, Class D. Next time, I'll crush you completely."
In the distance, inside Building 1, a white-haired girl sipped her coffee and watched the screen elegantly.
Watching the results of the live broadcast, she couldn't help sighing.
"Even though Class A won the group event, judging by their performance, they were utterly defeated this time."
It seemed the school had selected students for Class A with only average athletic abilities. That put them at a particular disadvantage in outdoor events like the Special Exam. There was no denying that they had dragged the team down completely at this Sports Festival.
"Mashima, another cup of coffee."
"Of course, young lady."
Kamuro Mashima had now been thoroughly trained into Sakayanagi's servant, and her various serving motions were growing more and more practiced.
"I have an appointment with someone next. Help me over to Building 3."
"Of course, young lady."
"I don't think I'm used to instant coffee."
"Mashima, go find a coffee shop on Shopping Street and get a job there. You can learn how to make it properly."
"Huh! Please spare me, young lady."
Kamuro Mashima lowered her head helplessly, utterly drained of strength and means to resist.
"Just kidding, just kidding!"
Sakayanagi occasionally teased Mashima. That was one of her mischievous little habits.
"Class D is getting more and more interesting. First Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, then Chang Shui Jing. Don't disappoint me."
"I'll bury you one by one."
Sakayanagi Maki declared her intention to attack!
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