On the morning the second phase of the competition officially began, a brand-new matchup chart was posted on the bulletin board on the first floor of the Academic Building. It was not a cross-class collaboration group list, but a schedule for class-versus-class matches. Class A versus Class D, Class B versus Class C. Each class would send five starters and two substitutes to compete in four events. The event names and rules would only be announced two hours before the matches—physical confrontation, strategic game theory, collaboration efficiency assessment, and the final event. The final event's title was covered by a blank seal bearing four words: "To Be Revealed On-site."
Kanzaki Toru stood before the bulletin board, his gaze moving down the schedule line by line. The first name on Class D's starter list was Sudo Ken, the second Horikita Suzune, and the third his own. Shiina Hiyori was listed as a substitute strategy consultant behind Horikita, while Karuizawa Kei was in charge of logistical coordination for the collaboration efficiency assessment. His eyes continued downward before stopping at the final entry—Class D physical confrontation substitute: Ishizaki Daichi.
"I only handed the cross-class collaboration supply list back to the gym yesterday. This morning, Chabashira-sensei stopped me in the hallway and had me sign the substitute confirmation form." Ishizaki had appeared beside him at some point, holding a folded substitute confirmation form. The buttons on his uniform collar were neatly fastened up to the second one, making him look completely unlike the man from that night at the Old School Building, collar open and ready at any moment to take a beating or give one. "She said someone in Class C's independent task group had withdrawn at the last minute, leaving an extra substitute spot. She didn't tell me who withdrew, but..." He