Trouble

In the infirmary.

Kanji Ike's ankle had swollen. The doctor diagnosed a mild sprain and said he needed three days of rest.

"Three days..." Hirata's expression darkened. "The Sports Festival is in five days. Even if he recovers, it'll affect his condition."

Kanji Ike lowered his head. "I'm sorry..."

"It's not your fault," Ayanokoji said. "Someone tampered with the track. They were trying to reduce our numbers."

"Was it Class C?" Sudo clenched his fists. "I'll go settle the score with them!"

"Calm down." Ayanokoji stopped him. "We don't have any evidence. Besides, this doesn't seem like Ryuen's style. He prefers direct, violent methods, not sneaky little tricks like this."

"Then who could it be?"

"Possibly Sakayanagi," Ayanokoji said. "A warning, or a test. To see how we'd react."

"What should we do?"

"First, tighten security during training," Ayanokoji said. "Second, prepare a substitute. Third..."

He paused. "It's time we started hitting back, too."

"How do we hit back?"

"We start by finding out what happened," Ayanokoji said. "There are cameras on the field. They might not have caught anything, but we can check. Also, see whether there have been similar incidents in other classes."

After dividing up the tasks, everyone went their separate ways.

Ayanokoji returned to the field alone and stood where Kanji Ike had fallen.

[Tactical Deduction (Intermediate)] activated once more.

Simulation scenario: If Ike could not compete, who would be the best substitute?

Option one: Haruki Yamauchi. Average speed, but decent stamina. The problem was that he was inconsistent and easily got nervous.

Option two: Ryotaro Hondo. Good endurance, but lacked explosive power.

Option three: ...

Simulation result: The best substitute was—Ayanokoji could move himself to a later position in the order, allowing a relatively weaker runner to take the short-distance leg.

But that would throw the entire strategy into disarray.

What a hassle.

Just then, his phone vibrated. A new message had arrived from Sakayanagi Arisu.

"Looks like I scored the first point in round one."

As expected, it was her.

Ayanokoji replied, "The competition hasn't even started. It's too early to call that a point."

A few seconds later, she replied, "Then I look forward to seeing what you do next. Also, a friendly tip: the real loophole isn't in the track, but in the rules. Here's another clue—'substitute.'"

Substitute?

Ayanokoji frowned. Did the rules allow substitutes? He didn't remember the regulations saying anything specific...

He immediately messaged Akane Tachibana. "Are temporary substitutions allowed in the Relay Race? What happens if a competitor gets injured?"

A few minutes later, she replied. "In principle, substitutions aren't allowed, except in the case of an injury certified by a doctor. But the application has to be submitted at least an hour before the event and approved by the judges."

Substitutions were generally prohibited, but exceptions were possible.

That might be the loophole.

If a class deliberately had one of its star competitors "get injured" and then put in a stronger substitute, it could disrupt the other team's strategy.

But it would require a doctor's certificate, and the application had to be submitted in advance.

What would Sakayanagi do? Forge a certificate? Or exploit some other loophole in the rules?

Ayanokoji considered it, then made a decision.

He needed to see someone.

That evening, in the Class A section of the special teaching building.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood outside Sakayanagi Arisu's classroom. The door was open. She was alone inside, reading a book.

"Come in," Sakayanagi said without looking up.

Ayanokoji entered and closed the door.

"You got here faster than I expected." Sakayanagi set down her book and smiled. "Figured it out?"

"The loophole involving 'substitutes,'" Ayanokoji said. "The rules allow replacements for injuries, but require a certificate. How are you planning to get around that restriction?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because if I don't play along, your game won't be as much fun."

Sakayanagi laughed, clearly delighted. "How interesting. You really are interesting, Ayanokoji."

She stood and walked to the window, leaning on her cane. "It's quite simple, actually. The rules only say that a doctor's certificate is required. They don't specify that the doctor has to be the school physician. What if the certificate comes from a doctor outside the school?"

"The school wouldn't accept an outside doctor's certificate."

"Not under normal circumstances." Sakayanagi turned around. "But what if the doctor were a private physician to one of the school board members? And what if that board member happened to be rather interested in the outcome of this Sports Festival?"

Intervention from the higher-ups.

That went beyond the students' game.

"You're using your family's connections?"

"A little." Sakayanagi shrugged. "After all, games are more fun when they're fair. If you can't handle even this level of 'outside interference,' then you're not qualified to be my opponent."

It was cruel, but realistic.

"So you'll have one of Class A's star competitors 'get injured,' then put in a stronger substitute?"

"Maybe." Sakayanagi gave nothing away. "Maybe not. Perhaps it's just a feint, and the real killing move lies elsewhere. Who knows?"

A psychological game.

"Thanks for the warning," Ayanokoji said. "I'll be ready."

"Good." Sakayanagi sat down again. "Round two officially begins. I look forward to seeing how you perform at the Sports Festival, Ayanokoji."

Ayanokoji left the Class A classroom.

The hallway was quiet. He walked along, thinking.

The information Sakayanagi had revealed might be true, or it might be a misdirection. Either way, he now had a direction to investigate.

Doctor's certificates, school board members, outside interference...

This game was more complicated than he'd expected.

But that was fine.

He had cards of his own to play.

[ Ding! The host has partially uncovered the opponent's strategy. Hidden mission "Game of the Wise" progress updated.]

[Current progress: Clue collection (2/3)]

[Hint: The remaining key clue is related to "scoring weights."]

Scoring weights?

Ayanokoji stopped in his tracks.

So that was it... The loophole might not be in the substitution rules themselves, but in how points were calculated after a substitution.

If the substitute's "performance rating" differed from that of the original competitor, would it affect the class's overall scoring weight?

He needed to check.

He quickened his pace and headed for the library.

The prelude to the Sports Festival had begun.