Night fell, and the entire dormitory building was brightly lit.
In Room 403, Natsukawa Sosuke's phone, placed on the corner of his desk, suddenly vibrated. The name "Megumi" flashed on the screen.
The moment he answered the call, the girl's slightly triumphant voice came through.
"Moshi moshi, Sōsuke-kun. The mission was completed perfectly."
Karuizawa's voice carried the implicit meaning of "Hurry up and praise me."
"The entry form has been smoothly delivered into Kushida-san's hands."
"Well done."
"Thank you for your hard work. How are the injuries on your foot? Even though it was for acting, that fall shouldn't have been light."
Hearing his concern, Karuizawa's voice on the other end immediately softened, even carrying a hint of grievance.
"It hurts so much... it really hurts. Back then, to make it look realistic, I genuinely didn't hold back and hit the threshold directly. My ankle is swollen now, and I have to limp when I walk. I made a huge sacrifice for Sōsuke-kun's plan."
This perfectly timed display of suffering was her unique way of flirting.
"Is that so? Then it is indeed my fault," Natsukawa said, playing along. "Since you've achieved merit and were injured on the job, compensation is necessary. You can make one request, and I will try my best to fulfill anything within my capabilities."
"Really?!"
Karuizawa cried out in surprise, then fell silent, seemingly thinking seriously about what reward to ask for.
After a long while, she said, sounding conflicted, "Um... I haven't decided yet. Can I save this opportunity for later? I'll tell you when I've thought about it."
"You can. It remains valid anytime."
Having received the promise, Karuizawa was clearly in a better mood. The two chatted on the phone like an ordinary couple, discussing class trivialities and girl gossip.
As they talked, Karuizawa suddenly changed the subject, a hint of curiosity entering her tone.
"Um... Sōsuke-kun. I've actually never quite understood something."
"Hm?"
"Why go through so much trouble?" she asked, puzzled. "You could have just handed the entry form directly to the teacher, so why design a plan to have Kushida-san pass it on? And... that miniature camera. You made me set those things up in advance in the dead corners and vents of that corridor—what exactly are you trying to film?"
Natsukawa Sosuke looked at the pitch-black night sky outside the window, lightly tapping his fingers on the desk.
"Megumi, do you want to move up to Class A?"
"Huh? Of course I do," Karuizawa replied without hesitation. "After all, graduating from Class A grants you the right to freely choose your future. Who wouldn't want to be in Class A?"
"Then, considering the current state of Class D, even if you were lucky enough to move up to Class A, would you deserve that status?"
"That..."
Karuizawa was speechless.
Although she usually didn't pay much attention to class management, she was well aware of Class D's current state.
"That is the problem."
"False prosperity is meaningless. If we don't squeeze out the internal festering sores, if we don't make them realize their incompetence and weakness, this class will forever remain a disorganized mess."
"Therefore, this time at the Sports Festival, Class D will suffer a devastating defeat."
"A devastating—a devastating defeat?!" Karuizawa's voice instantly rose, carrying clear panic. "Does that mean we'll lose terribly? But... if we lose, the points will..."
"This is necessary pain," Natsukawa interrupted her panic. "Rather than letting this bomb explode at some point in the future, I would rather detonate it myself now, keeping the impact within a controllable range. Only after experiencing certain things will some people learn to obey, and only then will some truly awaken and willingly accept the reins."
His tone was too composed, as if the impending defeat was merely a predetermined move on his chessboard.
This absolute confidence gradually calmed the panic in Karuizawa's heart.
Since it's Sōsuke-kun's plan... then it must be fine.
"I understand." Karuizawa's voice became firm again. "I will support any decision Sōsuke-kun makes. Anyway... no matter what happens to Class D, as long as Sōsuke-kun is here, I'm not afraid."
"Good girl. Go to sleep early and rest your injury."
"Mhm! Good night, Sōsuke-kun."
...As the date of the Sports Festival approached, the atmosphere on campus grew increasingly tense.
On the school grounds after school, the students of Class D were conducting voluntary training.
Predictably, this type of open training inevitably attracted scrutiny from other classes.
"Look over there, it's Class B again."
Ike Kanji gasped, pointing at several students on the edge of the field who were writing in notebooks.
"Tch, these guys are really bored, coming to spy on us every day."
Not only Class B, but occasionally a few Class A students could be seen mixed in the crowd, observing Class D's training situation and calculating Class D's approximate athletic ability.
Horikita Suzune, resting nearby, slightly frowned.
"Class A and Class B are both active... that's normal. But..."
Her gaze swept across the entire field, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.
"There isn't a single person from Class C."
As Class C, who are supposed to be "enemies" in the Red and White Competition, they should logically be the most active in interfering or scouting through various means. Yet now, they seem to have completely vanished, eerily quiet.
This abnormal silence made Horikita feel an inexplicable unease.
Meanwhile, on another corner of the school grounds.
Natsukawa was still leading Sakura Airi through her exclusive endurance training.
"Breathing, pay attention to your breathing rhythm." Natsukawa corrected the girl beside him while jogging slowly. "Don't rush, stabilize your center of gravity."
"Y-yes!"
Sakura Airi's face was flushed red. Although she was utterly exhausted, her eyes were full of happiness as she looked at Natsukawa beside her.
As the two ran past the curve of the track, they happened to pass Sudo Ken and Horikita Suzune, who were resting.
"Hey, Suzune! How was my start just now? Wasn't it fast?"
Sudo Ken circled Horikita like a large Golden Retriever begging for praise.
"It's acceptable. Also, don't call me by my given name," Horikita responded coldly, without even looking at him. "If you want to take first place, this level is still far from enough."
"You're too strict..." Sudo was somewhat disheartened, but immediately cheered up. "How about this! If I get first place in the class during this Sports Festival, will you agree to do something for me?"
"I have no reason to agree to your terms."
"Oh, come on, it's just a small request! If I get first place, will you let me call you by your given name? Suzune, hehe..."
Horikita Suzune frowned, seemingly annoyed by his persistence, or perhaps intending to motivate the only ace the class currently had.
"...Fine," she sighed. "But first place in the class is not enough. If you can truly take first place in the entire grade, then I might agree to such a trivial thing."
"Yosh! That's great! Just you wait and see!"
Sudo was instantly filled with motivation and rushed back to the track, shouting excitedly.
Natsukawa, passing by, took the whole scene in and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
'It's good to be young.'
...
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