The day after the settlement, Class D's classroom had returned to quiet.
No one celebrated immediately.
The stage evaluations for all four classes, exchange results, and personal confirmation records had been uniformly archived by the school. Gu Heng's name appeared under administrator, Horikita's under submitter, while Hirata, Sudo, and the others were listed across the various responsibility records.
For the first time, Class D possessed a complete ledger that did not rely on one person's explanation.
Horikita placed the final version on the desk.
"We didn't win first place."
"And we didn't receive the highest evaluation," Hirata said.
Sudo rubbed his aching shoulder. "We also lost the chance to adjust the Relay event."
"But we didn't hand anyone's name over," Gu Heng replied.
"Does that count as winning?" Sudo asked.
Gu Heng looked at everyone and did not define it for them with a single sentence.
"You decide for yourselves."
Different answers emerged in the classroom.
Some believed this was necessary damage control. Some thought Class D had been too slow. Others believed Gu Heng had broken the choices down too finely, causing the class to lose its best opportunity.
None of those opinions were deleted, nor were they consolidated into "everyone agreed."
Hirata placed them in the long-term archives.
Horikita, meanwhile, walked up to Gu Heng.
"You left the administrator position open."
"I only accepted personal confirmation."
"Then remember this. Next time, I can still reject your audit classifications."
"I'll remember."
Their relationship had not become one of obedience, but the dual-core structure had officially taken shape.
Sudo handed his fatigue record to Hirata and voluntarily applied to reduce the amount of his next training session.
This was not weakness. It was the first time he had adjusted his task according to the physical cost.
Kushida sat by the