Deduction

The library was quiet. He found the files related to the Sports Festival—past event schedules, rulebooks, and results.

[Tactical Deduction (Intermediate)] activated. Analyzing data.

The results came quickly: according to the scoring rules from previous years, the relay race points were distributed as follows—100 points for first place, 80 for second, 60 for third, and 40 for fourth.

But there had been adjustments this year, and the specific details hadn't been announced yet.

What could the "hidden loophole" Sakayanagi had mentioned be?

As Ayanokoji thought it over, a possibility suddenly occurred to him: what if points were awarded based on time differences rather than finishing places?

For example, the winner's time could serve as the benchmark, with a certain number of points deducted for every second slower. That way, if a class deliberately entered slower runners to lower its overall time, then made up the difference with high scores in other events...

No, that would be too obvious.

Or... could it be a limit on the number of participants? The rules said, "Each class must enter ten students, five boys and five girls," but what if someone was unable to compete at the last minute? Could they be replaced? Were there any restrictions on replacements?

That might be a loophole.

Or... maybe the rules for passing the baton? Could someone exploit a botched handoff to interfere with another class?

Possibilities flashed through his mind.

Ayanokoji wrote down every point that came to mind, then continued looking for more information.

An hour later, he left the library.

He still hadn't figured out exactly what the loophole was, but he had a few leads to investigate.

Now he needed to verify them.

That evening, in Class D's classroom.

Yosuke Hirata gathered everyone who might take part in the Sports Festival to discuss how to assign the events.

"The event schedule is mostly set." Hirata handed out the printed sheets. "You can sign up for individual events, but the team events require tryouts. The main one is the Class Relay Race, which requires five boys and five girls."

Ken Sudō immediately raised his hand. "I'm in! I'm good at relay races!"

"I'll sign up too," Suzune Horikita said calmly.

Kei Karuizawa hesitated. "I'm an average runner, but if you need to fill the roster, I can join."

Before long, more than a dozen people had signed up.

Hirata checked the list, then looked at Ayanokoji. "What about you?"

"I'll sign up," Ayanokoji said. "Also, I need to look into the relay race rules in detail. Does the Student Council have a more comprehensive version?"

"They should," Hirata said. "I'll ask tomorrow."

"I'll come with you."

After the meeting, Mio Ibuki stopped Ayanokoji.

"Something wrong?"

"Ryuen's making a move." Ibuki lowered her voice. "He talked privately with Albert and a few of the athletic students from Class C today. I don't know what they discussed, but it definitely had something to do with the Sports Festival."

Albert. The foreign student from Class C, nearly two meters tall and impressively athletic. He was Class C's star competitor in sports events.

"Also," Ibuki continued, "Daichi Ishizaki's been asking about our class's relay roster. He didn't say why, but I get the feeling he's up to no good."

"Got it." Ayanokoji nodded. "Keep an eye on things. Tell me right away if anything unusual happens."

"Understood."

After Ibuki left, Ayanokoji stayed alone in the classroom.

He opened the System Interface and checked the newly unlocked [Situation Insight (Beginner)].

Its description read: "Analyzes the shifting relationships and potential points of conflict among the factions in the current environment."

Activate.

[Analyzing...]

[Current major faction relationships:]

Class A (Sakayanagi Arisu): Highly interested in the host, making arrangements. Objectives unknown.

Class B (Honami Ichinose): Alliance with Class D remains firm, but faces pressure from Class A to join them.

Class C (Ryuen Kakeru): Openly hostile and planning retaliation, possibly through physical means.

Within Class D: Cohesion has improved, but concerns remain (such as Kushida Kikyo's underlying discontent).

[Potential points of conflict: Sports Festival relay race (85% probability), accidents in individual events (60% probability), scoring disputes (45% probability)]

More or less what he'd expected.

The relay race was the key.

The next morning, in the Student Council Office.

Hirata and Ayanokoji met with Akane Tachibana.

"The detailed relay race rules?" Tachibana adjusted her glasses. "The specifics aren't finalized yet, but the basic framework is ready. Here."

She handed him a document.

Ayanokoji skimmed it. The rules were detailed: each class had ten runners, five boys and five girls, each running 200 meters for a total distance of 2,000 meters. The baton handoff zones had strict limits, and false starts or other infractions would result in point deductions.

The scoring... was based on finishing place.

But one note caught his attention: "In the event of extreme weather or other circumstances beyond our control, the judges may adjust the scoring method and award points based on the difference in completion times."

Extreme weather?

Ayanokoji looked up. "How do you define 'extreme weather'?"

"Conditions that affect the competition, such as heavy rain, strong winds, or lightning," Tachibana said. "But the forecast says it'll be sunny on the day of the Sports Festival, so this probably won't come into play."

Not necessarily.

What if someone created "extreme conditions" on purpose?

For example... pouring water on the track? Or causing some other kind of disruption?

That could be the loophole Sakayanagi had mentioned. Or it could be something Ryuen would try.

"Also," Tachibana added, "we've introduced a 'sportsmanship score' this year. If anyone commits a deliberate foul or injures someone during an event, not only will the individual be disqualified, but their class will also lose points."

It was a precaution aimed at Class C.

But there was always someone ready to outwit the safeguards.

"Thank you." Ayanokoji returned the document to Tachibana.

After leaving the Student Council Office, Hirata asked, "Did you find anything?"

"Possibly," Ayanokoji said, "but I'm not sure yet. We need to prepare for all kinds of unexpected incidents."

"Do you think someone's going to cause trouble?"

"Definitely," Ayanokoji said. "Especially Ryuen."

Hirata's expression turned serious. "Then we need to step up security. We should assign someone to keep an eye on each relay runner to prevent anyone from interfering before the race."

"That works." Ayanokoji nodded. "We should also have substitutes ready. If someone can't compete at the last minute, we need to be able to replace them immediately."

"Understood."

That afternoon, on the sports field.

The Class D relay team was training.

Ken Sudō was the fastest, finishing 200 meters in around 23 seconds—close to a professional athlete's time. Suzune Horikita was pretty good too, at around 30 seconds. The others varied, with the slowest taking over 40 seconds.

Ayanokoji tested himself too: 25 seconds. He deliberately held back and didn't give it his all.

During a break, Kei Karuizawa came over. "Ayanokoji, have you heard about Class A?"

"What about it?"

"Sakayanagi Arisu seems to be approaching Kushida Kikyo from our class," Karuizawa said. "Someone saw them talking in the hallway."

Kushida Kikyo?

That girl who seemed like an angel on the outside but was dark inside. She had always been hostile toward Ayanokoji, but for now, she'd kept her distance out of fear of his abilities.

What did Sakayanagi want with her?

"Do you know what they talked about?"

"I'm not sure." Karuizawa shook her head. "But when Kushida came back, she looked a little strange. I couldn't tell whether she was happy or nervous."

Ayanokoji pondered.

Sakayanagi might be trying to get information about Class D from Kushida. Or... she might want to use Kushida to stir up trouble within Class D.

That could be a problem.

"Keep an eye on them," Ayanokoji said, "but don't let them know we're watching."

"Okay."

Training resumed.

An hour later, an accident occurred.

It wasn't a training mishap. Kanji Ike suddenly slipped and fell while running around the bend.

"Ike!" Hirata hurried over.

Ike clutched his ankle, his face twisted in pain. "My foot... I think I twisted it."

"Take him to the infirmary."

A few people helped Ike to his feet and headed for the infirmary.

Ayanokoji crouched down and checked the spot where Ike had fallen. The track was clean. There were no pebbles or wet patches.

But on closer inspection, there was a little... oil on the ground?

It was faint. He wouldn't have noticed it without looking carefully.

He touched it with his finger. A little clear liquid clung to his skin. He sniffed it, but it didn't have much of a smell.

"What's wrong?" Horikita came over.

"There's something on the track," Ayanokoji said. "Someone might have spread oil on it."

"Sabotage?"

"Possibly."

Ayanokoji stood and surveyed the sports field. Students from other classes were training too. Class C was on the track on the other side, while Classes A and B were on the courts in the distance.

Who had done it? And when?

[Insight (Beginner)] scanned the area but found no one suspicious.

But the incident itself was already a warning.

Someone had started making a move.