Chapter 030: The Opening of the Sports Festival!
On the evening before the Sports Festival, Hachiman stood by the window in the school corridor, holding a kraft paper envelope. Inside was Class A's participation list, detailing the names of his classmates and their assigned events.
He confirmed it once more, then folded the envelope and tucked it into his pocket.
The deadline for submitting the participation lists was 5:00 PM. It was currently 4:50 PM. He was turning it in at the last minute—not because of procrastination, but because he didn't want the list to sit in anyone's hands for too long. After all, confidentiality was crucial.
The corridor was quiet. Other classes had likely already finished their submissions, leaving only him and another person who seemed to be hesitating. Hachiman turned a corner and saw Katsuragi Kohei.
Katsuragi was standing at the office door, also holding a kraft paper envelope. His bald head shimmered under the lights, his expression steady, though his brow was slightly furrowed as if double-checking something. Totsuka Yahiko stood half a step behind him, looking at Hachiman with a hint of wariness.
Hearing footsteps, Katsuragi turned his head.
"Hikigaya," he nodded.
"Katsuragi," Hachiman replied. His gaze drifted past Katsuragi's shoulder to see two figures walking away at the other end of the hall. One had black hair, the other pale green; they were walking briskly as if in a hurry.
Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yousuke.
Hachiman withdrew his gaze. "Katsuragi, you're also turning it in at the last minute?"
"This exam is important," Katsuragi's voice was steady as always. "It requires careful handling."
Hachiman looked at him, silent for a second. "Class B is teamed with Class D this time. It won't be easy to win."
Katsuragi's brow furrowed slightly. He looked at Hachiman with a trace of suspicion.
"Do you think Class D will hold us back?" Katsuragi's voice dropped. "Our Class B has been training throughout the holidays. We are the physically strongest in the grade. Even if Class D doesn't score much, we can make up for it."
"Physical strength is indeed important," Hachiman leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets. "But it's not everything. The arrangement of the participation list, on-the-spot performance, the opponent's strategy—all of these can affect the outcome."
Katsuragi stared at him for two seconds. "What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing." Hachiman pushed himself off the wall. "I'm heading out."
He turned and walked toward the stairs at a leisurely pace.
Katsuragi stood there, watching his silhouette disappear around the corner. The hallway was silent for a few seconds, save for the faint hum of the fluorescent lights.
"Katsuragi-kun," Totsuka Yahiko's voice came from behind. "What did Hikigaya mean by that just now?"
Katsuragi didn't answer immediately. Totsuka waited for a moment, and seeing no reply, continued on his own. "Regardless of what he meant, Class B is ready. As for the third-year Class C, we spent six million points to bribe them into throwing their matches. They agreed. As long as they don't play seriously, the Red Team's total score will be dragged down."
Katsuragi nodded. "I know."
But his brow didn't unrelax. He felt that Hikigaya's comment about it "not being easy to win" wasn't meant to mock him or dampen his morale. Given Hikigaya's personality, there had to be a reason behind those words. What was it? Katsuragi's mind raced through the possibilities.
A leaked participation list? Impossible. Only he and Sakayanagi knew Class B's list. Although Sakayanagi was no longer making decisions, she wouldn't do such a thing. He trusted her that much. Then it must be Class D's list? But the only ones involved there were Hirata and Horikita. He didn't think they would leak it, as they would be directly responsible if things went wrong, and no one else in Class D knew the full details.
Then why did Hikigaya say that?
"Katsuragi-kun?" Totsuka's voice rang out again.
Katsuragi snapped out of it and shook his head. "It's nothing. Let's turn in the list first."
He pushed open the door and entered the office, followed by Totsuka.
After submitting the list, the two walked out of the school building. The setting sun dyed the walkway a warm orange, with a few scattered students still training on the field. Totsuka, walking beside Katsuragi, suddenly had a thought.
"Katsuragi-kun, do you think it would actually be a good thing for us if Class D's list was leaked?"
Katsuragi's pace faltered slightly.
Totsuka continued, "Ryuen's behavior has been strange. A man like him won't play fair in the Sports Festival. He'll definitely find a way to attack. If Class D's list is leaked, Ryuen will surely arrange his people to target their weaknesses. It's not good for us if Class D scores less, but if Ryuen uses underhanded methods—"
"You're saying if Ryuen cheats, we can report him," Katsuragi finished for him.
Totsuka nodded. "Exactly. Then Class C would lose points or even be disqualified. The Red Team's total score would drop, and our White Team's chances of winning would increase."
Katsuragi was silent for a few seconds. He had thought of this angle himself, but he hadn't said it out loud because it felt somewhat dishonorable. In this school where merit is everything, methods don't matter—only results. But admitting he wanted to profit from an opponent's violation felt uncomfortable.
"Let's not think about that for now," Katsuragi finally said. "Let's focus on our own work. We'll see about the rest when the time comes."
Totsuka nodded. "Understood."
They continued walking.
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Elsewhere, as Hachiman walked out of the school building, he pulled his phone from his pocket. Seeing Katsuragi reminded him of the point card the third-year Class C had given him. He pulled it out and scanned it.
With a beep, a number popped up on the screen—two million.
Hachiman stared at the number for two seconds.
'Two million.
Huh.'
Katsuragi and the others had likely put up over 5 million points, and since third-year Class C had to share with Nagumo, it was surprising they gave him such a large cut.
Putting his phone away, Hachiman noticed Ichinose Honami standing on the steps of the school building entrance. She was leaning against a pillar, head down, looking as if she were waiting for someone. Her strawberry-blonde hair had a soft luster in the sunset, making her look like a character from a painting.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up and smiled at him.
"Finished turning it in?" Ichinose asked.
"Yeah," Hachiman stopped in front of her. "Katsuragi just finished, too."
Ichinose nodded and didn't press further. The two walked toward the sports field side-by-side. The setting sun cast their shadows on the ground—one in front, one behind—following them quietly. Hachiman pulled out the black point card and handed it over.
Ichinose took it and glanced down. "What's this?"
"Given by third-year Class C. They were bribed by the first-year Class B to throw matches for points. They gave me a share. Unless something unexpected happens, our class will soon be facing the risk of students being expelled, so I don't plan on keeping this money."
Ichinose's fingers gently pinched the point card. "How much?"
"Two million."
Ichinose was silent for a second before slipping the card into her pocket. "I'll add it to the class funds."
"Mhm," Hachiman said.
The two continued walking. Ichinose walked beside Hachiman, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. The sun shone from behind them, stretching her shadow very long and casting it over Hachiman's; their shadows overlapped, separated, and overlapped again.
"Hikigaya-kun," Ichinose suddenly spoke.
"Yeah?"
"Two million is not a small amount," Ichinose paused. "Is third-year Class C that afraid of you?"
Hachiman didn't answer immediately. Does Ichinose think so, too? Was he really that scary? Hachiman felt he had only set up Class C in a relatively standard way, followed by his maneuvers in the Deserted Island test and winning the VIP test.
But the third-year Class C students likely saw him as a monster—someone who could earn nearly a hundred million points in a single exam, make Katsuragi and Ryuen both suffer setbacks, and make Sakayanagi herself fly in by helicopter to deal with him.
"Maybe," Hachiman said.
Ichinose looked at him, the corners of her mouth curving.
"I don't think you're scary."
Hachiman glanced at her. Meeting his gaze, Ichinose added:
"Hikigaya-kun is strong. I know that better than anyone. But you're not strong because you're scary; it's because of what you do—leading Class B up to Class A, giving everyone a sense of security, and making everyone feel they can live well in this school. That kind of strength isn't scary."
Hachiman was silent for two seconds.
"Are you praising me?"
"Mhm," Ichinose smiled. "Is it that obvious?"
'Was it ever not?'
"Ichinose," Hachiman suddenly said.
"Yeah?"
"Good luck tomorrow."
Ichinose was stunned for a moment, then gave a soft laugh.
"Mhm. You too."
Tomorrow was the day of the Sports Festival. For Ichinose, it was a challenge to test her physical limits and avoid dragging down the class score as much as possible. For Hachiman, it was an occasion to safeguard Class A and maintain their status.
Indeed, they both needed to work hard!
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That evening, Hachiman headed to the shopping district for dinner. Although he didn't date Karuizawa much, he had to consider the possibility of proactively inviting her somewhere, so he needed to confirm some dining spots. He generally preferred to taste the food himself first.
He chose a Western restaurant this time. The lighting inside was dim and amber, casting a soft, quiet glow over every table. The air was thick with the aroma of food and grilled fat.
However, as Hachiman pushed open the door, his footsteps faltered. He saw something he shouldn't have seen.
At the far window seat sat two women. One had black hair, the other chestnut. The black-haired one held a cup of tea, her posture quiet as she gazed out the window. The chestnut-haired one held a beer mug; most of the liquid was already gone, and she was tilting her head back to gulp it down—glug, glug, glug—completely disregarding her image.
He knew them very well. It was Hoshinomiya Chie and Chabashira Sae—his homeroom teacher and the homeroom teacher of Class D.
Hachiman stood at the door, hesitating for exactly half a second. Then he turned around, preparing to find a different place.
"Hikigaya-kun—!"
However, Hoshinomiya's voice came from behind, filled with a slightly tipsy joy that rang loudly in the quiet restaurant. Hachiman's footsteps stopped. It wasn't that he wanted to stop, but Hoshinomiya's voice was too piercing; if he pretended not to hear and left, she would
definitely say in her airy tone in front of the whole class tomorrow: "Oh my, Hikigaya-kun saw me at the restaurant yesterday and didn't even say hello."
No doubt about it, she would definitely do that.
He turned around. Hoshinomiya was waving her beer mug at him, her long chestnut hair slightly messy, with a few strands falling beside her cheeks which were flushed from drinking. Her eyes were sparkling, and her mouth held that unguarded smile that only appeared when she was drunk. Chabashira sat opposite her, holding a cup of tea and not looking at him. Her expression was the same as usual, but Hachiman noticed her lips were slightly pursed.
Hachiman walked over and sat in an empty seat next to them.
"Why are the teachers here?" he asked.
"Eating, of course," Hoshinomiya said as if it were obvious, taking another gulp of beer. "Sae-chan's treat."
Hachiman glanced at Chabashira. She didn't speak, only raised her teacup and took a light sip. She didn't deny it, meaning it was indeed her treat—or rather, she had been forced into it by Hoshinomiya. Hachiman looked at the empty bottles on the table. One was already empty, and the second was more than halfway gone. Hoshinomiya had drunk them all alone. Chabashira's cup held tea, and it had been tea from the start.
"Don't you have classes tomorrow, Sensei?" Hachiman asked.
"We do," Hoshinomiya blinked. "That's exactly why I have to drink! Tomorrow is the Sports Festival, so there aren't any actual lessons. Hehe. Besides, we don't need to do anything tomorrow; at most, we'll be in the stands cheering for you."
Hachiman looked at her, silent for a second. "Even so, you shouldn't drink this much."
"I'm happy," Hoshinomiya put the beer mug down, resting her chin in her hands and tilting her head to look at him, her smile deepening. "Our class moved up to Class A, the Sports Festival is about to start, Hikigaya-kun led everyone to get so many points... Can't Sensei be happy?"
Hachiman said nothing. Because not a single word of that was believable.
However, the fact that Hoshinomiya was in a bad mood was likely true. Hachiman felt that Hoshinomiya was the type of person who hid all her emotions behind a smile. She smiled when she was happy, and she smiled when she wasn't. Only after drinking would those hidden things peek out a little. Especially after wasting years following Chabashira back to this school as a teacher, only to realize now that everything of hers was empty.
So her mood was definitely bad. Especially since she still hadn't found the person who "changed Chabashira." One could say she was in a total deadlock.
"Hikigaya-kun." Hoshinomiya suddenly let go of her chin and leaned forward slightly, her large eyes looking straight at him. "Do you have confidence in this exam?"
Hachiman leaned back in his chair and thought. "Class A's position won't change."
Hoshinomiya's eyes lit up. She turned to look at Chabashira opposite her, her smile widening. "See?" her tone held the pride of a child showing off a toy. "This is the student in my class."
Chabashira held her teacup, quietly listening to Hoshinomiya finish, then glanced at Hachiman. Her gaze stayed on his face for a second, and her mouth moved slightly.
"That's good," Chabashira said. Just three words. Not too much, not too little, and a bit cold.
Hoshinomiya took another gulp of beer, put the mug down, and wiped her mouth. "By the way," her tone suddenly shifted from bragging to a casual probe, "Class D's situation doesn't look very optimistic. Sae-chan, aren't you nervous?"
Hoshinomiya said this nonchalantly, as if talking about a trivial matter. But Hachiman knew she wasn't just making small talk. If Chabashira was the grown-up Horikita, then the grown-up Kushida would be someone like Hoshinomiya.
Inversely, if Kushida was skilled at socializing to gain information, Hoshinomiya was the same. Therefore, she likely already knew certain pieces of information.
Chabashira didn't answer. She just held her teacup, quietly looking at the night outside. Her profile was reflected in the glass window, overlapping with the dim streetlights outside, making it hard to see her expression.
Looking at these two teachers, Hachiman suddenly felt he should say something. Not to brag or to probe, but because he felt they would find out sooner or later anyway.
"Class D's participation list," he spoke, "even though it was only submitted this afternoon, it was leaked many days ago."
Chabashira's fingers paused on her teacup. Hoshinomiya's smile also froze. Then, both their gazes turned toward him simultaneously. The look was one of scrutiny, with a hint of an indescribable, subtle emotion. Hachiman felt a bit uncomfortable under their gaze.
"What's with those expressions?" he asked.
Hoshinomiya put down her beer mug and clasped her hands on the table, leaning forward. The drunkenness in her large eyes had mostly vanished, replaced by a look of defiance. Because she had only found out yesterday that Class D's list had been leaked, and now he was saying it had been leaked for days? Was the information she collected actually outdated?
"Did you do it?" Hoshinomiya said directly.
"...No," Hachiman replied, speechless.
Chabashira put down her teacup and looked at him. "Then who was it?"
Hachiman was silent for a second. "I just received a copy of the list."
Hoshinomiya's eyebrows shot up. "Where did you get it from?"
"Class C."
"..." x2
The atmosphere paused in a moment of stunned silence.
"Wh-Why Class C? Logically, it should have been from Class D!" Hoshinomiya asked in bewilderment, and even Chabashira's eyes showed surprise.
"..." Hachiman.
Hachiman understood instantly. These two seemed to think he had arranged a spy in Class D to do it. And given Hachiman's connections with the girls of Class D... probably no one wouldn't believe that, so their deduction was technically correct.
"Even though Class C leaked it to me, the person who leaked the information to Class C's Ryuen was actually someone very special," Hachiman continued. "And this person has nothing to do with me."
"Oh?" Hoshinomiya was curious.
But Chabashira was sharp. Frowning slightly, she said, "You're trying to say the person who leaked Class D's list is very special."
"Yes." Hachiman nodded. "The one who leaked that info is Ayanokouji."
Hoshinomiya's gaze swept back and forth between Hachiman and Chabashira. She was waiting for Chabashira to say something, but Chabashira just sat there quietly, her expression not changing much.
"And?" Chabashira finally asked.
"You're not surprised?" Hachiman asked.
Chabashira raised her tea and took a sip. The bitterness spread on her tongue. Then she spoke: "There's nothing to be surprised about." She put the cup down. "I... no longer have expectations for Ayanokouji."
Hachiman looked at her and didn't speak. Hoshinomiya was also silent. She put down her beer mug and leaned back, looking at Chabashira. The drunkenness in her large eyes had completely vanished, replaced by a seriousness Hachiman rarely saw on her face.
"Sae-chan..." Hoshinomiya began but stopped halfway. She didn't know what to say.
Hachiman withdrew his gaze and also took a sip from his water glass. Chabashira's current appearance was completely different from when he first saw her on the rooftop. If the old Chabashira wanted to lead Class D to Class A as her unfulfilled wish, back then, she was like a drowning person desperately grabbing at every piece of driftwood she could reach. Now she sat here with a cup of tea, saying "nothing to be surprised about" and "no longer have expectations."
It was a complete release. Even hearing news about moving up classes, she had moved on from that obsession. Hachiman remembered how he had threatened her with a recording pen and how she had said she would "resign after teaching this grade." Back then, he thought she had only been forced into a compromise, and even though she later gave him a gift and seemed at peace, he now knew—she had truly let it go.
"Ayanokouji leaking Class D's list," Chabashira's voice was calm. "What is the goal?"
"To attack Horikita," Hachiman said.
Hoshinomiya's brow furrowed.
"Horikita Suzune?" As a homeroom teacher skilled at gathering info, she knew Horikita Suzune was the younger sister of the student council president, Horikita Manabu. In Hoshinomiya's view, this Ayanokouji guy was going to attack the president's sister?
'Huh?'
"Mhm. If the list is leaked, someone has to take responsibility. Horikita was one of the people in Class D involved in making the list. Hirata was also involved, but he has a good reputation; no one would suspect him. Katsuragi is from Class B and gave his all for this exam, so he has no motive. Therefore, if the list is leaked, everyone will suspect Horikita. At that point, Ayanokouji only needs to fan the flames to basically ruin Horikita's reputation and make her lose the chance to 'advise' the class."
Hoshinomiya opened her mouth to say something but eventually just shook her head.
"That Ayanokouji..." even her tone held a hint of complex emotion, "is really..." She didn't finish the sentence.
But everyone understood. She probably thought she was a terrible person, but it turned out there were other "talents" out there. And the other person was just a student, not a rotten adult like them.
"Did you tell Horikita?" Chabashira asked quickly.
"I did," Hachiman said. "She knows what's going on."
Chabashira nodded and said no more. Hoshinomiya sat nearby, her gaze scanning between Hachiman and Chabashira. She suddenly remembered something, her mouth curving slightly.
"So," her tone held a hint of mischief, "this is a Class A student helping a Class D student? Sae-chan, you used to find Hikigaya-kun scary. What about now? One is helping, one is framing. Who's scary?"
Chabashira glanced at her and didn't speak. She raised her tea and took another sip. The tea was completely cold; she frowned and put the cup down.
"Hikigaya-kun," Chabashira spoke.
"Yeah?"
"If Class D's list is in Class C's hands, then Ryuen will very likely arrange people to target Class D's weaknesses. Class D's score will be dragged down, and the White Team's total score will drop. The Red Team's chances of winning will increase."
Hachiman looked at her and didn't deny it.
"At the opening ceremony of the Sports Festival, you didn't stop Ryuen from Class C when he led his people away. It was because of this, wasn't it? You predicted Ayanokouji would do this from the start. So you're also using this," Chabashira said.
Hachiman was silent for a second. One had to admit she was indeed one of the people in this school who had climbed from Class D to Class B over three years and ultimately received a school recommendation. Chabashira was indeed sharp. She had already guessed Hachiman would use Ryuen. But whether she guessed Hachiman was using Ryuen's actions or that the fact of Ayanokouji leaking the list was within his control was hard to say.
Hachiman said, "I won't deny it."
Chabashira looked at him and then nodded. "That's good. Only that way can you adapt to this school. You are very excellent."
"..." Hoshinomiya.
Hoshinomiya leaned back and looked at Chabashira, then at Hachiman, and gave a soft sigh. "Talking to you two is... exhausting." She picked up her beer mug and found it empty. She set it down and crossed her arms. "So, what will happen at the Sports Festival tomorrow?"
"The Red Team will win," Hachiman said.
"So certain?" Hoshinomiya raised an eyebrow.
"Class A's position won't change."
Hoshinomiya stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly laughed. "Fine." She stood up. "With those words from you, I'm at ease." She looked at Chabashira. "Sae-chan, shall we go?"
Chabashira nodded and stood up. Hoshinomiya was about to leave, but then, as if remembering something, she pulled her wallet from her pocket, took out a point card, and placed it on the table before heading for the door.
"Sae-chan already paid for my meal." Hoshinomiya winked at Hachiman. "Sensei is treating you for yours."
With that, she ushered Chabashira out together. Hachiman looked at the point card on the table. He took out his phone and scanned it.
Beep!
"Card balance: 5000 points."
"..." Hachiman.
Well. He usually dealt with points in the millions; this was a normal number. He quickly ordered his food.
And tomorrow, the Sports Festival would officially begin.
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