Kiyotaka's Point of View

A FULL SCALE PREPARATIONS HAVE BEGUN, in anticipation of the sports festival that will be commencing in a month's time. The teachers said we could use the weekly two-hour homeroom period as we wished, and Hirata, who was the closest person we had to a leader, took the initiative.

Chabashira-sensei moved toward the back of the classroom and didn't say a word. She probably intended to watch.

There are two things which we must decide on in preparation for the actual event.

"Before we start practicing, we need to decide the order we'll participate in, and who will enter the recommended-participant competitions. I would like to make a proposal, if that's okay for you guys." Hirata said.

"Even if you say decide, how are we going to do that?" Sudo said, From Sudo's perspective, a rather uninteresting discussion is starting.

I heard a yawn from Axel. I sighed.

Sleepy head.

"Good question. For example, in the events for all participants, we–"

Perhaps to make it easier to understand than an explanation here, Hirata gripped the chalk and began writing on the blackboard. He put two headings on the board, "Raising Hands," and "Ability," then explained what those meant as he wrote down supplemental information.

"It's still a rough sketch but basically I think it boils down to these two. This is the 'Raising Hands' system where we'll listen to your desired order of participation. And this is the 'Ability' system where we'll ascertain your abilities to raise efficiency. Both approaches have their pros and cons, of course. The strength of the raising-hands system is, naturally, that everyone gets to voice their wishes. Well, the cons are that in the case that the desired orders overlap, not everyone can have it their way and the outcomes will become uneven." he continued.

Hmm. If we adopt the system where we let everyone have it their way in regards to the order, inevitably that would be the result. However, it can smoothly lower the emotional hurdles.

Hirata paused for a while before continuing. He was expecting someone to voice out their question or opinion but no one did.

"If there's no question, then we'll move to the next criteria, the 'Ability' system. This one is much simpler. The strength of the ability system is that we can expect a higher chance of victory than we would with the raising-hands system. However, because the ability system favors the most athletic people in the class, it reduces the other students' chances of winning at something. That's all I have to share. I've thought about it roughly but if you have any ideas other than these two please feel free to speak your opinion."

Even the least intelligent among us could understand each system's pros and cons. Most everyone was ready to go along with Hirata, especially since no other proposals had been made.

"No matter how you look at it, we should decide based on ability, right? You know yourself best, after all."

It seems Sudou has no intention of choosing anything other than that as he said those words.

"If I win then the chances of the class winning will also rise. That's a cause for celebration."

His words were confusing, but true. Sudou's athletic ability would be integral to winning the sports festival.

"Well.....it pisses me off but that may be so."

"I'm really not that great at sports. If Sudou's okay handling the recommended-participant events single-handedly, I'm fine with that."

Some of the classmates murmured in agreement with Sudou.

"Then it's decided, right? I'll be participating in all the events for recommended participants."

Sudou who fiercely declared that and the students who supported him. It covered for students who were unathletic and prioritized the class's victory both.

So Hirata raised his hand and smiled.

"If everyone's okay with that strategy, then I suppose the recommended participant in every category will be–"

"Wait."

Horikita cut in just before Hirata approved the proposal. Many students, surprised by the unexpected speaker, focused their attention on her including the grumpy Axel.

"If we have to choose between these two strategies we should go with the 'Ability' system like Sudou-kun said. I have no objections this far. However, that single tactic isn't guaranteed to carry us to victory."

"Of course. That's true enough." Hirata said, Horikita sighed and continue her statements.

"If so, then it's obvious that we should prioritize letting the most athletic ones participate in the events for recommended participants. But, even in events for all participants, we should have them form the best possible combinations for victory and compete as such. This will allow us to unlock their maximum potential. If I have to put it simply, the fast ones should team up."

Shinohara was the first to object to Horikita's opinion.

"Hold on a minute. That strategy also means our chances of winning will fall, right? I can't accept it. Just because you're unathletic, if you're forced to compete against someone stronger there's absolutely no winning. Privileges are given down to 3rd place so I don't want to throw aside that possibility, though."

"Your personal feelings are irrelevant. It's for the sake of the class."

"I know it's for the class's sake, but I don't want to lose out on private points."

"If the class wins, there will be a proportionate compensation. Are you dissatisfied with that?"

" I don't want to miss out on individual rewards, like earning test points!"

Both of them were insistent and showed no signs of yielding. Supporting voices rose throughout the classroom, all in favor of Horikita's logic. However, Shinohara still looked annoyed, and she probably wasn't the only one. Some students who supported Shinohara raised their voice as well. In an instant, the commotion between two different ideas started. However, it seems that a conclusion is rapidly drawing close in Horikita's favor.

"Honestly, what a pain."

She said and she glared at Axel and me. I began to grab my phone and started texting. Axel who is currently sleeping while me is currently tapping on my phone.

"Yeah?" I innocently asked.

"You two are not even paying attention. Instead of messing around on your phone and you Axel stop sleeping. How about you two try coming up with ways for us to win?"

She walked towards us and pinched her cheek making Axel hurt. I grabbed her hand, removing his hand on Axel's cheeks.

"You're hurting him, fine. And Let me go too..."

"Horikita meanie... thanks I'm awake now."

Horikita rolled her eyes. "You're welcome."

And she stared at me angrily. I reluctantly put my phone inside my pocket.

"Who are you chatting with?" she asked. Axel noticed this and looked also to his phone. I know he rolled his eyes...I just know it.

'Wait, did she really notice just now?' I gulped nervously as she crossed her arms and her glaring pierced right through me.

"I'm–"

When I was thinking of an excuse, someone stood up and attracted Horikita's attention. Boy, I'm glad that I'm saved, for now.

"Can I have a moment? I object to this, too."

Horikita turned away from me and looked at Karuizawa. Their eyes met.

"Like Shinohara said, what's up with getting the rest of the students in trouble? Are you saying that by doing that, you can bring the class together as one?"

Karuizawa spoke up, supporting Shinohara as well as saving me from trouble. She glared at Horikita.

"I've said as much. Do you understand my logic?"

"Not at all. I don't understand. Hey, what do you think, Kushida-san?"

Kushida had been strangely quiet during the meeting. She seemed slightly surprised, but spoke after a moment.

"It's a difficult problem. I was thinking I understand the feelings of both sides. Like Horikita-san, I'd like to win as a class. Like Shinohara-san said, I also want to leave behind the possibility of everyone winning too, I guess. If there were some kind of middle-ground solution, that would be ideal. A strategy we could all get behind"

As she answered like that, I could hear a lot of consenting voices from within the class. Horikita seemed to have anticipated this idea.

"Of course I've thought of it. A way that both sides could accept. Students who place at the top, and don't need to boost their test scores, will use the private points they win to boost the test scores of students who place at the bottom. The entire class will share the rise and fall. I trust there will be no complaints?" Horikita said.

Huh. A plan which, in exchange for lowering the possibility of victory, offsets the risk in case of defeat. Still, the bottom ten students across each grade level would still be in trouble, though.

"Oh, that'll do fine right? There'll be no loss no matter how much we cut corners this way.

Sudou said that and scornfully laughed as if to say 'What a pathetic bunch.'

"But that's just for points. We're still losing out on chances to win the big prize."

Even in that situation, Karuizawa still voiced her disagreement. And then, one after another, the girls following Karuizawa's lead began to show their opposition. Both sides were unwilling to back down.

However, the influence of Karuizawa, who has united the girls, was strong and support for the plan that prioritized the class's victory that Horikita advocated ceased to exist.

"Now, now. Calm down, both of you. If we cannot agree on our opinions then we have no choice but to take a majority vote." Hirata suggested.

It was inevitable it'd end up like this. To ameliorate the stalemate situation, Hirata cut in like that.

"If Yousuke-kun says so, then I agree..."

"Fine by me. This isn't the time to fight amongst ourselves." Horikita said and she sat down in frustration.

She could not hide her irritation towards Karuizawa who could not provide a basis and the girls who changed their opinions based on their feelings.

"Now then, the thorough ability focused on the plan that Horikita-san wove and the plan that emphasizes the individual that includes Karuizawa-san's opinion. How about we decide which plan we prefer by a show of hands? If anyone finds choosing a side difficult, they can abstain." Hirata said.

Horikita's plan that gives preferential treatment to the capable ones. Karuizawa's plan that respects the individual and cares for the whole. It appears the class's future and the impact on the exam will depend on which one of those the class leans towards. Of course it's not like I have any interest in that, though.

"All right. All those in favor of Horikita-san's plan?"

"Yeah. I agree with Horikita's plan, of course."

Sudou took the initiative and raised his hand. And following him were students like Yukimura and Sakura, the students who had no confidence in their athleticism gave their approval. On the other hand, the students who cannot win against the talented but are still capable to an extent, or Karuizawa's group, did not raise their hands.

After counting out the votes, the result was–

"16 votes. Thank you. You can put your hands down." Hirata said as he planning to list down the number but he got cut off–

"Hold on a minute." Horikita said as she looked at us.

"Hey Arison-kun and Ayanokouji-kun. Do the two of you agree with Karuizawa-san's plan?"

"Relax. I'm abstaining from voting."

"Hmm..Well..I'm neutral."

"If that's the case, wouldn't it have been fine to go along with my plan?" she said to us. Axel looked at her, clearly observing her.

"We decided to stay out of this. Your plan isn't necessarily the only one that is correct."

Horikita crossed her arms and looked at Axel. I also nod my head as an agreement.

"I don't understand, Axel. Choosing the option that gives the class the best possibility of winning, ultimately results in–"

"I didn't say that you were wrong. I'm just saying that's not the only answer." Axel cut her off and that caught her by surprise. Axel paused for a moment while looking ahead.

"Not everyone is as ambitious as you."

She was clearly irritated, as expected. I grinned at Axel, good job baby.

"Alright... Next, we have Karuizawa-san's plan. Win where we have to, and have fun where we can. People in favor of this plan please raise your hands."

Other than the Karuizawa group, scattered hands began to rise. There were several votes. However, just by Karuizawa having raised her hand, one after another girls followed her example.

"The results of the majority vote... are 16 votes for Horikita-san's plan, and 13 votes for Karuizawa-san's. Can I assume the rest are non-voters?"

The total count was completed without any objections. It can be said that the votes Karuizawa had gathered weren't due to the contents of her plan but rather because they were instructed to do so.

Apparently, most students believed that Horikita's plan was realistic and efficient. Class D's strategy would be, not to participate as individuals, but to win as a class.

Since it was approved by a majority vote, she couldn't complain now.

"This concludes it then. Now then, Hirata-kun, I'll leave the rest up to you."

I didn't think we'd necessarily made a bad choice. Unathletic students wouldn't be taking the initiative in the first place. Inevitably, those asked to fill the recommended-participant positions would be jocks like Sudou and Hirata.

"So, regarding the number of participants for recommended-participant events..."

Then, self-declarations and recommendations happened side by side and one after another the recommended participants were decided.

Sudou would compete in every competition, just as he'd declared.Other students who were good at sports, like Kushida and Onodera, also offered to participate, in addition to Horikita and Hirata. However, we had only filled about a third of the events for all participants.

On the other hand, Axel said that if I participate in any of the events he will join me. I smiled at his suggestion so I just nodded at him.

It seemed that Kouenji was proven to be not cooperating with us as usual. And it ticked Sudou off. If Kouenji participates seriously, at the very least in individual competitions the top spot is already promised to him.

"At the very least, we've decided what the class's strategy will be, and who wants to participate in individual competitions. I think we can afford to decide the rest carefully."

With that, the discussion came to an end.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

AFTER SCHOOL, HAVING SOME FREE TIME I decided to send a letter I had written addressed to a certain individual and right after, as I finished it up I made eye contact with Karuizawa, she also looked at Axel.

She must not have understood our intentions, because she left the classroom with two of her friends.

Axel and I looked at each other and we both shrugged our shoulders and started to head back to our dorm as well.

"Kiyo, I think Horikita is irritating to us now. Her expression is the best you know." He said while grinning. I shook my head and put my hands in my pocket.

"Can you cook for me..I'm quite hungry." I said with my monotone voice. He chuckled and nodded.

"Of course, anything for my Kiyo." He said without a stutter as he walked to the door.

I smirked.

'My kiyo huh?'

I realize that I'm relying on Axel, I always ask his opinion first before I decide. I always ask him if he was okay, hurt or having a nightmare. I don't know how I feel about this.

Is it because I'm attached to him?

Is it because we rely both on each other?

Is it because he is the only person I trust?

Is there another meaning of this feeling?

I'm quite not sure. Is this love? Like? To be honest..I want more. I want more of his touch, care..or even love.

Everything on him.

I want him.

When we sleep together I always want to touch him. Making him mine. But... It's so frustrating that I can't ask him for more. He is way too good.

He is perfect.

I don't want to do that without his permission.

This feeling around him is not annoying...it feels great and somehow I want to express or to tell him what I'm feeling. Ha.

Let's just finish this Sport Festival first.

Going back, We headed towards the main entrance. We were stopped by Karuizawa who was alone for some reason.

"Oh Karuizawa Hmm? Didn't you go back with your friends?" I asked him. She waved her hand at us.

"I thought you two had something I wanted to talk about, so I waited." she said while crossing her arms. Axel chuckled and nodded his head.

"We suppose."

"Well, I also have something to tell you anyway. Do you mind hearing me out briefly?"

"Ask away." We nod.

"The mail you sent me, Ayanokouji. I'd like to hear about your true intentions."

Saying that, she opened her phone and showed me the mail.

"No matter what, object to Horikita's plan. Then ask Kushida for her opinion."

That was what I had instructed Karuizawa to do in the middle of class.

I smirked as I replied.

"As far as improvisation goes, you have a way of spinning a good story. In that situation, you did well objecting."

" Really? If I had to say, I agree with Horikita-san's opinion. On the other hand, Arison-kun also sent me an additional message, I don't quite understand calling out to Kushida-san either. So, what's the meaning behind that order?" She said while looking at both of us.

"There'll be no end to it if you worry over the meaning behind each and every one of our actions. Besides, we have no obligation to answer your questions." I said.

Karuizawa didn't seem pleased, but didn't object further.

We stood there silently for a minute.

"Is there anything else? Karuizawa?" Axel asked him and she nod her head

"One more thing. You two didn't raise your hand. Which choice did you two think was right?"

I then answered without giving it much thought.

"Both could be right, I guess. I just have a policy of basically not thinking in terms of 'which' one is correct."

"I don't understand. What do you want to do? Are you aiming to throw the other classes into chaos? Or are you seriously thinking about raising up Class D to Class A?"

"If I had to say, I have no interest in climbing up to Class A."

"Then, why..." I planned to answer that but Axel cut me off.

"You could say that climbing up to Class A might benefit us Karuizawa-san."

Karuizawa tilted her head and gave us a quizzical look. I decided not to mention our bargain with Chabashira-sensei. Regarding that 'certain' person.

"Even if we put it into words now, you won't believe me and kiyo. Besides, we have no way to prove it." Axel continued.

"He's right, That's why I'll affix a protective line so that you'll believe us many times over." I finished the sentence.

I then looked at her with a straight face and said.

"One of our classmates will betray us during this sports festival. They'll leak internal information from our class."

"Wait, what?! Are you being serious right now?!" Karuizawa panicked immediately after hearing what I said.

She looked at Axel. "Is that true?"

"Yeah, If that time comes, you'll believe us too. What we're seeing, what we have seen, that is."

"Huh? Can you guys just tell me? What's going on?!

"No. Definitely not right now." I said with a serious tone. She then took a step closer and asked.

"What's the–"

"Karuizawa..wait for a little longer. Besides, we're standing out too much here. I think you should go."

She stopped her track and returned to her usual position where she stood.

"By any chance even if a traitor appears, it'll be fine right?" Making Axel smirked and looked at me.

"Of course."

Looking dissatisfied, Karuizawa turned and left. She glanced back at me one more time before disappearing around the corner. I saw her off and breathed a sigh. Class D's strategy was in motion, as was my own personal plan and maybe I asked Axel.

'Now then, I wonder what Class A has in mind?'

Considering Katsuragi's personality, they'll probably be executing a solid plan. But Sakayanagi would be good for the White Team, of course, and also for Class D. Just because Sakayanagi wasn't physically active didn't mean she was harmless.

I felt a head on my shoulder.

'He is sleeping again.' I sighed. I grabbed his waist and gently put him on my back.

Let's prepare for this, I think something will happen. So I better prepare...or not.