Third Person's Point of View

ON SATURDAY, KIYOTAKA, AXEL, KUSHIDA AND HORIKITA, meet in the lobby before heading out to scout out the various sports clubs practising that day.

They stop by the grounds where the soccer club is practicing. The figure of a tall man wearing the club's uniform walked past the spectators, namely the four of them.

Kushida recognized the male as she smiled.

"Good morning, Nagumo-senpai." Kushida called out to him. On the other hand, Horikita gave an almost imperceptible response.

It's because Nagumo's a candidate for the next student council president and someone whose abilities equal that of Horikita's brother after all.

Nagumo let out a grin. "Hmm? If I recall, you're Kikyo-chan right? You're on a date with a boy– no two boys on your day off. Not too shabby."

Kushida let out a nervous giggle. "Ahaha, it's not like that though. I got curious and came here to watch."

"Take it easy. My club doesn't know how to hold back so I think you're right on the mark if you've come to measure their skills."

Nagumo winked, and then headed down to the ground field for a meet up. The mood of the soccer club changed dramatically, starting with Hirata, when Nagumo joined them.

He seems to be on the team opposing Hirata and Shibata's. As the situation changed, Nagumo's play shone. Hirata challenged Nagumo to steal the ball away. His movements should have been just as sharp as before but almost as though dandling a baby, he ended up being splendidly passed by.

Right afterwards, Shibata also charged at Nagumo but Nagumo interwove several feints together and dazzled him before passing him too.

Passing one more person, he let loose a powerful shot from mid-distance. The ball which flew in a terrifying curve exceeded the keeper's prediction and quickly enough, he scored a goal.

"So the title of succeeding student council president isn't just for show." Axel said, looking at the field.

Horikita crossed her arms. "It's just athleticism though."

Axel sighed and wondered about the relationship between Horikita and Kushida, does Horikita know about Kushida completely, did Kushida have a connection between Horikita somehow?

"I quit. I'm starting to feel like just thinking about it is a waste of time." Horikita said with a sigh.

"That's right. Right now our priority is to conduct reconnaissance and gather information right?" Kushida asked.

"I suppose." Kiyotaka nods.

Kushida looked at Horikita. "Horikita-san is also properly keeping our class in mind that makes me happy."

"I intend to do what's necessary to rise up to Class A, so it can't be helped."

"I have to work harder so I can contribute to everyone else too." Kushida said with a giggled.

As the two boys watched the practice go on for a while, the players who had finished with their match started their break. As if to do the same thing, Nagumo calls Hirata over and talks to him.

Then, perhaps realizing that they had been watching the match, Hirata approached them. He looks glad to see them.

"Good morning. How unusual for you to be in a place like this."

Shibata, a Class 1-B student also came running over and an unusual 6-person group was formed. "Good morning, Kikyo-chan. And also—Ayanokouji, Ohhh Pretty Arison and Horikita-chan, was it? Are you on a double date?"

"Please don't call me pretty and we're not on a double date." Axel shakes his head while talking.

"What's up today? This is an unusual combination." Hirata comment.

"Reconnaissance. We've come to mark the students from the other classes that we ought to keep an eye on." Kiyotaka answered.

"Ohh. So that means right away Shibata man's been perfectly marked?" Shibata swiftly stepped forward to show off his speed.

"Ohhh Shibata you're fast!" Axel said while smiling, Shibata puffed his cheeks and put his hand on his chest like he was so proud of himself.

"Ah thank you Arison! You should join the Soccer Club, if you still don't have a club." Shibata suggested. Axel beamed. He really loves soccer! He wants to kick the ball and score.

"Ah I would love to but.."

"But?"

"I'm lazy... so passed!" Axel said while smiling. Shibata's jaw dropped on what Axel's said. Hirata just scratched the back of his head and laughed a little.

Having observed the soccer club's practice in general, they left that spot. And they decided to go around and watch the other clubs conduct their activities. But even so at the very most this is only the official story.

Suddenly, Horkita turned to Kushida and said, "Kushida-san. I have no interest in you. But right now there is something I must ask you. I wonder if you could answer me."

"What is it?" Kushida asked.

"Did you tell Ryuun-kun or Katsuragi-kun about you being the VIP? It's fine if you don't answer. Because it's meaningless to dig up the past. That's why I'll just ask one thing. Is it fine if I trust you as a comrade from the same class from now on?"

When Horikita said that Kushida frowned. "I want to aim for Class A along with everyone from Class D. I don't know why you said something like that to me but I want you to trust me."

She then smiles at Horikita even as she makes her appeal with a serious expression.

Kiyotaka let out a breath. "Then, we'll be heading back. We'll leave the remaining reconnaissance to the two of you."

"Huh? Hey, what are you talking about, Ayanokouji-kun, Arison-kun?" Horikita was suddenly confused.

Axel was dragged by Kiyotaka but he didn't protest, he turned his head to Horikita. "The one who thought of this strategy in the first place was you. It'll be enough if you have Kushida connections right?" Axel said with a grin.

After that the Duo then moved to leave the place.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

CLASS D CONTINUES TO PRACTICE FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH. With one week left until the sports festival, they finalize the participants for each event.

For the 1200 meter relay at the end, the anchor will be Sudou. Right after the discussion ended smoothly, Horikita stood up from her seat. She headed towards Sudou's seat.

Sudou sees Horikita and says, "What's up?"

Horikita let out a breath before she replied. "There's something I want to talk about. Can you come with me?"

Sudou blushed, probably thinking of a confession. "S-Sure." He said and hurriedly stood up.

Horikita notices Hirata walking towards the rear of the classroom. "Also Hirata-kun, may I have some of your time as well?"

Sudou quickly became disappointed.

Kiyotaka stands up from his seat and pokes Axel's cheeks. Axellooked towards Horikita and they both agreed to eavesdrop a little bit of their conversation.

Horikita crosses her arms at Hirata and Sudou. "It's about the 1200 meter relay that will take place at the end of the sports festival. I'd like you to hand over the anchor position to me."

As she declared, Sudou immediately rejected.

"No, but...The anchor is usually handled by the fastest one right? Or are you uneasy with having me as the anchor?"

"No that's not it, based on your practice, you're extremely fast." Horikita said making Sudou became confused.

"Then isn't it better if me as the 5th runner–"

"You're good with the starting dash too, Sudou-kun. In that case, I thought having you be the 1st runner and cast aside our opponents would be a viable strategy." Horikita continued on to the second runner to other positions.

"But... The anchor is usually left to the guy who's fastest in the team right?"

Horikita didn't listen. "This is a meritocratic school. It's no good to decide based on assumptions and preconceptions. The other classes should also be thinking of various strategies."

It's more of a reason to refuse, Sudou furrowed his brow. "It's not like you, Horikita."

Suddenly, a squeaky voice interrupts.

"Umm...can I say something? Ahh, sorry. I overheard a bit. And that's why I thought maybe there's some other reason why Horikita-san wants to be the anchor."

Horikita turns her head to see Kushida looking in her direction.

Hirata then faced Horikita. "If that's the case then would you mind telling us?"

Sudou leaned forward as Horikita made a complicated face.

"Because I think my brother...is the anchor." Horikita explains shyly as she awkwardly shifts her eyes away from the two boys.

Hirata's eyes widened from realization.

"Your brother, that's the student council president."

Horikita nodded her head. "Yes. He's my brother."

All three of them showed surprised expressions at that fact.

"You want to compete with your brother as the anchor?" Kushida specified.

Kiyotaka turned his head away from the group.

"A lot of things happened and they're currently estranged. "

"You're right, A lot of things happened and they're currently antagonising." Axel said with interest.

For a moment, Horikita glared at them but immediately turned back towards Sudou and the others.

"We're spotted." Axel chuckled, Kiyotaka just sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

Sudou scratches his nape as clench his jaw. "I still want to be the anchor even now but if that's the case then I don't mind handing it over to you."

"I think it's also fine. If Sudou-kun's satisfied." Kushida agreed.

"Got it, then I'll submit it after swapping Horikita-san and Sudou-kun. Will that be fine?" Horikita asks for confirmation.

"Thank you.." Horikita quietly answered.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

THE FIRST DAY OF THE SPORTS FESTIVAL ARRIVES. All the students gather for the opening ceremony. The preparations for the festival include medical staff, tents for each of the teams, and cameras set up to help with judgement calls for every event.

The first event is the 100-Metre Dash. Out of a total of ten groups, Kiyotaka and Axel will be running in the seventh group.

Sudou runs in the first group and easily takes first place. When it's the seventh group's turn, Kiyotaka comes in fifth and Axel in third, while Hirata comes in first.

Afterwards, Kiyotaka and Axel notice Sudou's absence and see him approaching Koenji. Hirata notices as well and moves to intervene.

Kiyotaka and Axel looked at each other and followed.

"You bastard, being absent and all, don't fuck around with me!"

As they opened the door, they could hear Sudou's intimidating voice from inside. Sudou had closed the distance to the point it seemed as though he was about to take a swing, but it almost seems as though Kouenji has not even noticed his existence yet.

He's looking bold as he admired his reflection in the glass of the window. But that attitude of his only ended up adding fuel to the fire and stocking Sudou's anger.

"Looks like you won't understand unless I beat you up, Kouenji." Sudou threatened as he tightened his fist.

"Sudou-kun. If the teachers found out—" Hirata scolded.

"Shut up. This problem is our class's internal affair, right? Doesn't matter even if I beat him up."

Koenji let out an unintimidated chuckle.

"As usual, you are an unsavoury man. I came here because I wanted to quietly spend time alone though. As you can see, today I'm feeling ill. I declined so I wouldn't be a bother."

Sudou stepped forward, almost losing his control.

"Don't lie to me! Leaving aside practice, you're skipping out even on the actual event!"

"No, Sudou-kun!" Hirata yelled at him when Sudou throw a punch,

Before Hirata could draw near, Sudou could no longer stand it and raised his fist. However, Kouenji caught the powerful punch in the palm of his hand.

"Stop it. Someone like you cannot beat me." Koenji states calmly.

Sudou grit his teeth.

"Then bring it on. I'll break that pride of yours."

"Both you and her, it sounds like you both want to tell me I'm unreliable."

"Her? Do you mean Horikita?"

"Yeah Sudou, That Cool Girl that you're so passionate about. She's been emphasizing it quite a bit until today, to make sure I participate seriously in the sports festival."

"You mean?"

"In any case, leave. I am not feeling well."

"You bastard!"

To prevent it from happening again, Hirata got in between Sudou and Koenji.

"I think it's better to calm down a bit. Koenji-kun's attitude is also a problem but since he's saying he's not feeling well, he should have the right to rest. " Hirata then turned to Sudou.

"Also, violence is obviously prohibited."

"That's definitely a lie. He said the same thing back." Sudou exclaimed.

"A baseless accusation. It's just that my bad health doesn't show up well in my attitude." Koenji spoke between them.

"You're planning on skipping the rest of the contests? Huh?!" Sudo yelled.

Koenji just smirks.

"Of course, I will participate if I make a recovery."

Sudou gritted his teeth, Hirata quickly said, "The next contest is going to be starting soon, Sudou-kun. If you're absent as our leader, it'll affect our morale too."

Sudou's shoulders finally came to his senses again and answered.

"I get it."

As if accompanying him, Hirata left the cottage together with Sudou. And the two boys also leave at the scene.

Axel and Kiyotaka then also followed their classmates. Grumpily returning to Class D's tent, Sudou sat down on a pipe chair.

"Shit! Next time I'll seriously send that bastard flying! Shit!"

Sudou unleashed his wrath on anyone approaching him by snapping at them, making the students from other classes cower.

Suddenly, one of the first-year girls' groups for the 100-Metre Dash has just finished. Horikita entered the course as the last round of the 1st year girls was at hand.

Sudou watches the black-haired girl. "At least there's healing in watching Horikita I guess."

As the duo watched Sudou in turn, Sakura breathlessly came back to their side.

"HW–Were you watching me, Ayanokouji-kun? " She said while panting and looked up at him with sparkling eyes from behind her glasses.

"You did well." Kiyotaka plainly answered.

That alone made Sakura blush.

"T–Thank you! This is the first time I wasn't in last place."

"Be careful not to push yourself. If you get in over your head, you might fall and hurt yourself.'' Kiyotaka advised.

"O-Ok!"

Axel on the other hand watching the two, he puffed his cheeks and looked away. He felt a pang on his heart. He shook his head.

'I-I-I'm not jealous or an-anything.'

'If Kiyotaka likes s-someone...of c-course I'll support them.' Axel's thoughts. He shakes his head in disappointment. Thinking of Kiyotaka getting a girlfriend, making his heart hurt.

Kiyotaka looked at Axel and he noticed the absence of his mind so he poked Axel's cheek.

"Uwah! Don't do that!" Axel whisper-shouted to Kiyotaka. Kiyotaka just chuckled.

"You okay?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine don't worry." Axel said, Kiyotaka just nodded and after that the three of them focused on the other girls who would be running against Horikita. On the third course was Ibuki Mio. Their race ends with Horikita winning by a small margin.

They approached Horikita, who had returned, and called out to her.

"That was close, Horikita." Axel stated, Horikita looked at them and took a breath.

"That's right. I was surprised. Ibuki-san was faster than I had expected."

Kiyotaka looks at Horikita.

"We understand you've been reaching out to Kouenji."

Horikita looked a bit perplexed how he knew before she relaxed.

"It seems to have been meaningless from the start though."

For just a brief moment, Horikita looked at Kouenji, who's elegantly spending time inside the cottage.

"I had misgivings about him skipping out but ultimately it ended up that way." Horikita explained.

"In a certain sense, more than anyone else, he's maybe the one most disinterested in Class A." Axel said with an uninterested tone.

"If I were like Kushida-san, a person well-liked by the class, I wonder if I could've moved him into action."

Kiyotaka started. "I wonder. I don't think he's the type to comply with Kushida or Hirata's persuasion though."

"To think you'd say something like 'if I were like Kushida'." Axel said with a tone of joking.

"I never hated her or anything in the first place." Horikita realized she had made a verbal slip and sealed her lips tight.

"Pretend you didn't hear that just now." With that she ended the conversation. Then she turned to look at the 3rd year contests that will be starting soon.

They watch Manabu Horikita take first place in his group for this event, and once all the groups are finished, the total points for each team are announced, and the Red Team comes out ahead.

The Hurdle Race is the next event. Kiyotaka was quite pleased with these sports events because he and Axel were always in the same group. They are in the same group as Ryuji Kanzaki this time.

"We're up against each other right away it seems." Ryuji trailed off.

Kiyotaka looks at Ryuji.

"Go easy on me."

Axel chuckled and mimicked Kiyotaka's tone.

"Please go easy on us~"