Capítulo 16: Chapter 16: Ryuen’s Plan
Finally, the day of the sports festival has arrived.
After finishing the entrance procession and opening declaration, the events begin immediately. The red and white teams are set up in opposing tents, so it seems we can't interact except during the competitions. I am supposed to participate in every event. This was an arbitrary decision by Ryūen, so I thought there might be complaints from those who have better grades in physical education than me…
It seems I had somehow come to be seen as Ryūen's right-hand man.
I didn't understand why this was the case, but when I inquired in detail, it turned out that Ryūen had been keeping an eye on me, often speaking to me himself, and most notably, during the shipboard test. It seems that various pieces of information had circulated after I was seen preventing a clash with a guy named Yahiko at the restaurant, which led to this perception.
In other words, I was unofficially recognized as the strongest person in the class after Ryūen.
I really wish it wasn't like this. Well, whatever. I'm going to win first place, so it's probably better to be seen this way.
"Do your best, okay? …Hachiman-kun."
As I was redirecting my thoughts positively, I received encouragement from Shii... Hiyori, who was about to compete in the 100-meter dash. I call her by her name because, before the sports festival started, she asked me to call her by her name since we're friends. Who could refuse such a request from someone looking up at you?
"Yeah, you do your best too, Hiyori."
Responding to Hiyori's cheer, I took my place on the 100-meter lane. Around me, due to my limited social circles, I didn't recognize anyone, but from Class D, there was a well-built and seemingly highly athletic individual.
It seems that Ryūen had orchestrated a scheme to betray someone from Class D and obtained their participation list. Thus, we were set to face lower-performing individuals with our more capable ones, ensuring we would beat Class D with certainty. Since it was thought I could win against anyone, it seems I was matched against a highly athletic individual from Class D…
The signal for the start sounded, and we all dashed off simultaneously. I maintained second place and, with about 10 meters remaining, overtook the Class D student who had been in the lead, successfully winning by a narrow margin as per Ryūen's instructions.
Soon after, students who were about to participate in the next event started coming toward us. With so many events, it was necessary to act quickly.
"Awesome, Hikigaya! The guy in your lane was incredibly fast, a member of the soccer club!"
"That was amazing, Hikigaya-kun! You looked so cool!"
"As expected of Ryūen's right-hand man."
Returning to the tent, I heard voices of praise from my class. I might have made a small mistake. I didn't expect the last person I overtook to be that fast, but I didn't feel bad hearing the cheers. …Ishizaki and Hiyori were pleased, but I felt a hint of malice in Ibuki's words.
"Heh. Seems like you took first place."
As I chatted with Ishizaki and Hiyori until the next event, Ryūen, who must have finished his own competition, walked over to us.
"You took first place too, didn't you? That's impressive."
"When you say it, it just sounds like sarcasm."
"Oh, by the way, Ryūen-san. I noticed that one person was missing during your event. What happened?"
Ishizaki, who had been cheering until his voice was hoarse, asked.
"That."
Ryūen pointed towards the red team's tent. Looking over, it seemed that Koenji from Class D was lounging around while looking at a hand mirror.
"That weirdo decided to skip out, it seems. Sudo got pretty angry and confronted him earlier."
Koenji, huh… While his abilities are certainly remarkable, his personality is likely a troubling factor for Class D. The problem is his high level of skill; if he didn't have any ability, it would be different, but he's undeniably competent.
The most impressive performances were by Horikita and Ibuki. It was a very close match, but it seemed Horikita was slightly faster. Ibuki looked disappointed after losing, but was there any connection between those two? The only thing I can recall is the deserted island exam. Ibuki was apparently infiltrating Class D as a spy, so there might have been some issue.
As I pondered this, it seemed the time for the next event had arrived.
The next event was the hurdle race. There are 10 hurdles spread over a distance of about 100 meters. In official track events, knocking down hurdles is not allowed, but since this is a sports festival competition, it seems it's permissible. However, there are penalties for such actions, so one must be careful.
My opponents were mostly from the middle-tier classes, but one of them was someone I knew.
"…Hikigaya?."
Standing next to me was Kito Hayato from Class A, a subordinate of Arisu.
"Kito, nice to meet you."
"…Yeah, let's both do our best."
Though I only knew Kito slightly from the pool event, his physical abilities are impressive. He has a somewhat tough-looking face, but from our conversation, it's clear he's a really good guy.
Before I could think more about it, it was already our turn, and I nervously lined up in my lane. At that moment, Kito looked at me strangely...
The start signal sounded, and we all began running. Most of the competitors couldn't clear the hurdles and lost some time, but Kito and I moved straight through without stopping, and I managed to overtake him by a slight margin on the final stretch, winning first place.
"...As expected of the man Ryūen holds in high regard. I lost fair and square."
"No, I was barely ahead. You were fast too, Kito."
I hadn't done much hurdling before, so I initially struggled, but I got used to it and managed to pull through. If there had been a few more hurdles, the outcome might have been different.
After talking with Kito a bit and as the next race was about to start, I left the area promptly.
…..
The next event was the first group competition for the boys: the "Bō-taoshi" (pole-toppling) game.
After discussions with Class C, it was decided that our Class B would be the attackers, while Class C would defend. Ryūen stepped forward to discuss the strategy.
"Hey, you guys. You can do pretty much anything, as long as it's not visible. You get the meaning of this, right?"
I see, so he means to use any means necessary as long as it's discreet. The message conveyed by Ryūen, especially to the martial artists like Ishizaki, had everyone fired up.
"Wow, it's amazing over there. It would have been the worst if they were our enemies, but it's great they're on our side now."
Shibata from Class C said, sounding relieved. That's understandable. With Ishizaki and the others, including Albert and Ryūen, attacking, it would indeed be a nightmare for them.
Since the winner would be the first to win two rounds, the first match was crucial for the class's motivation, so we wanted to win it.
"We're going to crush you guys. Get pumped up!"
Ryūen's motivational shout further increased the class's enthusiasm, and the whistle for the first match blew.
At the signal, everyone surged forward. The first to come from the red team was Sudo. Although this had been communicated by Ryūen, Sudo seemed a bit shaken but managed to hold his ground.
"Who the hell just hit me!?"
With Sudo's movement halted, our Class B surged towards the opponent's pole. At the front, Alberto was causing chaos, and the defenders from Class A seemed bewildered, while Ryūen and Ishizaki pressed the attack on the pole.
"This is bad! Stop Yamada!"
"They've got Ryūen on their side!?"
It was a chaotic scene. Ryūen and his group at the front were hitting and kicking where it couldn't be seen, making me sympathize with Class A.
Despite Class A's struggle, Albert finally used his massive physique to topple the pole, and the whistle signaling the end of the first round blew.
"Yessssss! We won!!"
"Just as expected from Albert!"
Everyone was thrilled with our victory. Looking back, it seemed that the defending Class C led by Kanzaki was also barely holding on, making it a close match.
"Ugh, you guys are clearly cheating..."
Sudo, who had been subdued, directed his frustration at Ryūen, but Ryūen only taunted him further in response. His malice was evident.
In the second round, we were attacking again, so we returned to our original positions. Albert, Ryūen, Ishizaki, and the other strongest martial artists from Class B took the front again.
The whistle for the second round blew, and everyone rushed out simultaneously. I had no choice but to leave my usual spot in the back and move to the front lines. This time, Class D was defending, and their guard on the pole was much stronger than before.
Even so, it seemed they couldn't match our class's martial prowess, and we won the second round as well. Although I wouldn't say they were pathetic, Sudo was visibly frustrated by Class D's loss, and it was striking to see Hirata and Katsuragi trying to calm him down.
….
The next event was the girls' game of "Tama-ire" (ball toss).
Although we had won the previous group competition, the red team had managed to get revenge for their earlier defeat in the ball toss event. The red team now seemed relieved and satisfied.
"We lost…"
"I'm sorry, we lost."
When the girls returned to the tent, Hiyori and Ibuki expressed their disappointment.
"No, you two did great. It was a close match against the red team."
I said this while gently patting their heads. For some reason, I felt this was the best way to comfort them.
When I patted their heads lightly, both seemed a bit surprised. Hiyori's face turned bright red, but she smiled happily, while Ibuki looked away, seemingly embarrassed. After a few moments, I moved on to the next event for us boys.
The next event was the boys' tug-of-war.
We approached the area where the rope was placed and received an explanation from the referee. The rules for tug-of-war were straightforward: the first team to win two rounds would be the victor.
"I have a plan for this one. Listen up."
Ryūen, who had also spoken to Classes B and C, got their attention.
"Make them underestimate us in the first round. In the second round, we'll definitely aim for victory. And if it goes to a third round, release the rope the moment I give the signal."
This aggressive strategy caused some unease among the class, but Class B, accustomed to such tactics, quickly agreed. However, Class C seemed hesitant.
"Wait, that means conceding a win. You can't decide that unilaterally."
Kanzaki, considering the situation, spoke to Ryūen, but Ryūen just smiled and replied.
"That's only if we win the first round. If we can't win the first round, our chances of victory are slim anyway. So, it's better to inflict some damage on them."
Kanzaki, who disapproved of such tactics, still seemed unconvinced, but with little time left before the competition began, it was decided that if we won the first round, we would aim for victory, otherwise, Ryūen's strategy would be put into action.
When the match began, both teams started pulling the rope with full force.
Both sides shouted encouragements to each other while pulling with all their might. Gradually, we were being pushed back, and the red team won the first round.
"Alright, line up from the smallest."
Since we lost the first round, Ryūen's strategy was now in effect. We rearranged the rope as instructed, and the whistle for the second round blew.
As the second round began, the red team seemed a bit unsettled by the different resistance. However, we were still slightly losing.
"Hang in there! If you lose easily, it's the death penalty!"
Ryūen's harsh words seemed to boost our strength, and we managed to win the second round. Ryūen's power was impressive.
"Not bad for you guys. Keep it up in the next round. Show those scum who think they can win what's what."
"Yes!"
The response from Ishizaki and the other supporters of Ryūen echoed. Finally, the third round began. With the signal, both teams pulled the rope with all their strength. Unlike before, it wasn't settled immediately, and both sides were evenly matched, with the rope stuck in the middle.
Then, as the red team was about to put in extra effort…
"!?!"
At Ryūen's signal, the rope was suddenly pulled forcefully towards the red team, causing most of them to fall backward from the momentum.
"You bastard! Are you kidding me!?"
Sudo, who had put in the most effort and was covered in sand, tried to confront Ryūen, but Hirata, from the same class, stopped him.
"Calm down, Sudo! This is Ryūen's strategy! Don't fall for the provocation!"
"But…!"
"This is part of Ryūen's plan. Although I don't approve of the method, it's not technically against the rules."
Hirata and Katsuragi were also trying to calm Sudo. This was probably Ryūen's intent all along. Realizing there was no point in pushing further, Ryūen gave a final word to the class and returned to the white team's tent.
================================
Want to support me?
You can join as member in my P4TR30N
p4treon.com/ShirooYuki ( Change 4 to a)
See ya!!
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
ShirooYuki
ShirooYuki Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder