Chapter 253

In some ways, she is very similar to Horikita.

"Suzune Horikita."

Mio Ibuki looked at Horikita, her eyes blazing with intense emotion.

She's at odds with Horikita.

She had also seen the physical test data of the students in Class B that Kushida had brought, and found that Suzune Horikita's data was very similar to hers, so she wanted to have a showdown with Horikita.

Moreover, this is an opportunity.

She was assigned to the same group as Horikita and they competed against each other.

"Mio Ibuki".

Suzune, however, showed no fear.

As someone who used to be quite proud and felt she shouldn't have been assigned to Class D, Suzune Horikita had reason to be proud, as she was talented in both Academic Ability and sports.

Although she faced setbacks several times after arriving at this school, she has still grown as a result.

Therefore, I am not afraid of Ibuki.

And.

Actually, she was quite unhappy about Ibuki's previous solo infiltration of the class as a spy. It was seen as a sign of being looked down upon; if someone was strong enough, other classes wouldn't be able to send spies in.

Afterwards, although the Ryuen's class failed, there was no follow-up to the fact that Ibuki had infiltrated the class as a spy.

So.

Here, Horikita hopes to defeat Ibuki.

She was the one to compete in this match; she was the second fastest girl in the class.

Horikita's personnel arrangements were intended to help Class B win first place in the first 100-meter Hachiman Hikigaya.

It can boost the confidence of Class B and also put pressure on other classes.

Then it also gave Ryuen, who wanted to target her, a great start.

And now.

As the gunshot rang out, all the players rushed out, with Ibuki the lead and Horikita reacting slightly slower.

Just like in the trade, Class C didn't send any seeded players, so now only Horikita and Ibuki a tense battle.

Although Horikita started slowly, she was still very fast. She continued to exert her strength during the acceleration process and gradually approached Ibuki.

Ibuki was very concerned about Horikita. During the run, she looked back to check the distance between Horikita and herself. It seems that because this move was a bit silly, she became nervous and slowed down, and then quickly lost her advantage and became even.

The two were instantly locked in a stalemate.

In the final sprint of the 100-meter race, both runners exerted their utmost effort, but at the last moment, Horikita's body leaned slightly forward, securing a narrow victory. The intense competition also excited the audience.

The cheers from the surrounding crowd grew louder.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Hachiman had reached the finish line, handed over two bottles of water.

One bottle of water was naturally for Horikita, and the other was for Ibuki.

"Huh?"

Horikita took the bottle of Jingtian mineral water and was momentarily stunned.

Because Hachiman wasn't speaking to her, but to Ibuki.

At the same time.

What's with this "Ibuki, you've worked hard" reaction? She's the classmate!

"Your start was really impressive. Did you do any special training?" Hachiman Ibuki.

"..."

"..."

Ibuki didn't know how to answer Hachiman.

Because.

This behavior is very unusual.

"What kind of things are put in mineral water? For example, laxatives or something like that?"

"This is prohibited during the Sports Festival!"

Ibuki didn't accept the bottled water, but instead questioned it, because it didn't seem like Hachiman was currying favor with his rival.

"What do you mean? Why do you say that? I just think you're very good." Hachiman said, "But Horikita is still better. If it were a 200-meter race, Horikita would win."

That's at least human language. It's a roundabout way of praising her.

Horikita then calmed herself down. Although she didn't particularly like hearing flattery.

"..." Ibuki really thought Hachiman Hikigaya was toxic. She didn't say anything.

"I'll be there again when you face Horikita in the 1200m relay," Hachiman said.

"... I won't run into her again." However, Ibuki left with a slightly disheartened remark, as if she didn't like spending too much time with the people from Class B.

But Hachiman was relieved.

He said all this to get Ibuki to say that.

Ryuen has two strategies for the Sports Festival: 1. targeting Sudō, and 2. targeting Horikita.

Regarding the news that Horikita was brought back by Kushida, it is uncertain whether Ryuen is actually targeting Horikita, as the information was obtained from Ryuen.

But looking at it now, Ryuen really is someone who trusts those he employs and doesn't employ those he doesn't trust.

The news is true.

Through the spy, Hachiman even learned that Ryuen had held a meeting in his own class to discuss the operation.

However, Hachiman needs to confirm it.

Ibuki gave him an answer.

The entry list shows that Ibuki is also participating in the 1200-meter relay race, and there is also a track and field Sports Festival in Class D called Kinoshita who runs faster than Ibuki, but she did not participate in the 1200-meter race, which is very strange.

From Ibuki's words, it can be confirmed that Kinoshita, who did not participate in the 1200m relay, was probably used as a pawn to attack Horikita.

This means that before the 1200m relay race, Ryuen will order Suzune Horikita to be eliminated. That's why... Mio Ibuki won't be going up against Horikita.

Will Hachiman's strange behavior make Ibuki realize that he's trying to trick me into revealing information?

So, will they report it to Ryuen and make Ryuen take notice?

Don't worry.

Ibuki simple-minded, which means she's rather slow-witted, a fact that was discovered during the VIP Exam.

"Get ready now," Hachiman said. "Ryuen should be proceeding according to plan."

"..." Suzune.

Suzune Horikita gripped the water bottle in her left hand. She knew that this was Hachiman informing her that her next move was to use her own self-inflicted suffering.

"The phone is ready."

She said she would record the conversation, and if Ryuen wanted to frame her, then she would prove her innocence.

"A cell phone might not be enough," Hachiman said. "Let's bring a voice recorder."

"A recording... pen?"

Suzune Horikita was taken aback, because Hachiman Hikigaya had actually prepared such a tool that resembled a real spy operation.

"Since we're going to act, we should naturally act it convincingly," Hachiman said.

I see.

Suzune took the recorder and put it in her pocket.

Just as Hachiman was about to continue talking to Horikita...

"Hachiman, something terrible has happened—"

A classmate suddenly ran over.

"Sudō went to find Kōenji!"

This is what the student said.

??

Did Sudō go to Kōenji?

Everyone could see the effort Sudō put into preparing for this Sports Festival.

Now, Koenji's arbitrary withdrawal from the competition, and his disregard for class unity, is infuriating to those who take it seriously.

Koenji's withdrawal from the competition was one thing, as that was already known, but the key point is Sudō.

Sudō has a fiery temper, and if he were to fight with Koenji, he might be forced to withdraw from the competition due to the brawl. The entire battle plan revolves around the fact that Sudō can gain a large number of points.

How terrible it would be if he quit.

"Koenji!" Sudō roared at Koenji, who was sitting in the small water room, combing his blond hair with a mirror in his hand.

But someone stopped him.

It seems there's still time.

Hachiman breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Ike and the others had subdued Sudō.

Because sudden fights are minor issues; what's truly worrying is that the situation could escalate to the point of suspending Sudō from the competition.

Sudō, we can't just throw our lives away here.

Ryuen hasn't been touched yet, so it would be a shame for Sudō to give it away now.

So, seeing that Sudō had been properly persuaded to calm down, Hachiman handed Sudō over to the trustworthy and all-powerful Hirata- kun, and then returned to the White team's rest area.

Each team in the 100-meter race was very fast, and by the time Hachiman returned, the girls were already preparing for the hurdles competition.

Only.

"H- Hachiman Hikigaya—— "

However, just as Hachiman returned to the rest area, a girl with a white headband running up to him, panting heavily. This was Airi Sakura.

Airi Sakura placed one hand on her left chest. "Hachiman... did you watch my match?"

Forehead.

Forehead.

Forehead.

You've already run? And you've finished running?

After the physical fitness test data from the Sports Festival came out, Hachiman Hikigaya discovered that Sakura's physical fitness was probably the worst.

Considering Sakura's help to him, he asked Kamuro, who was good at sports, for help.

Ask the other party to help Sakura with her training during the Sports Festival.

Kamuro was a cold-faced girl. Although she helped with the training, Sakura knew that she was only doing it Hachiman's favor.

And now, it's time to test the results of her training.

Therefore, we hope that Hachiman will confirm it with his own eyes.

But.

"..." Hachiman.

Has Sakura?

I was worried that Sudō would just give away free kills, so I went to check on Sudō. It turns out that Hachiman didn't see Sakura's match at all, or rather, he completely missed it.

Now, Sakura is looking over with a slightly nervous expression, as if she wants to receive a reward.

"Hmm—"