A river cuts through the city, separating one district from another. A massive bridge spans it, built for crossing.
The bridge is over 200 meters long, but its central section is completely destroyed, rendering it useless for its original purpose of transportation.
Even so, the bridge still serves a role, and people do stop by.
I observe one such person.
The woman throws something into the river with practiced motions, repeating the action several times.
Once she's finished discarding what she has, she disappears for a while, only to return carrying more of the same.
When she comes back, she's hauling several objects—each roughly the size of her own body or larger.
On average, they're about 1.6 meters long; some of the bigger ones approach two meters.
All the while, she works diligently, a creepy smile playing on her lips.
I stop watching from afar and approach.
"Who the hell're you?"
Her eyes—once black—are now bloodshot red from congestion, locking onto me.
Her honed muscles are visible beneath her bizarre outfit and a black sports bra paired with a jacket whose shoulders are torn, nothing more on her upper body. For the lower half, she wears only boxer shorts.
"Are those corpses… your handiwork?"
At my question, she glances at the body she'd been dragging by the scruff of its neck.
The corpse is covered in wounds, the most obvious being bruises from repeated beatings.
Dried blood clings to her crimson-stained hands.
"Nah. They were already dead."
"Then why are you moving them?"
"So they can stay together."
With that, she hurls the corpse off the ruined bridge.
She brushes her hands together as if discarding trash, then stares at her blood-soaked palms.
"This is the kinda world it's become. After you're dead, at least let 'em be together, yeah?"
Her gaze is detached, almost as if she's praying to some higher power—as though she herself were merely an onlooker.
"'Cause… when you're together, it's warm…"
Even if not every corpse she discarded was her own kill, her hands are undeniably stained.
She's someone who can no longer feel warmth. Her actions and words contradict each other.
"Corpses are cold. And once you throw them in the river, there's no warmth left."
"…What're you even saying?"
She growls low, threatening, and turns fully toward me.
Without warning, she charges, radiating killing intent.
She pours strength into her blood-smeared right fist.
Her form is perfect—she leaps high enough to clear ten vaulting boxes or more, then swings with unrelenting momentum.
Incredible athletic ability.
Yet despite the impressive speed and power I can analyze, her approach is riddled with openings.
I evade with the bare minimum of movement and bring a knife-hand strike down on her neck.
"Guh!?"
Her trajectory forcibly altered, her body skids across the ground, momentum finally bleeding away.
She collapses face-down, coughing up a mix of saliva and blood.
"…You're pretty strong, huh."
Once her breathing steadies, she mutters without looking at me.
"I'm weak. Always the one getting taken from. I try to protect everyone, but I can't do a damn thing."
She forces herself upright.
I have no interest in her sudden monologue, but I observe her actions all the same.
"That's why—weakness is wonderful."
The woman—the Ultimate Gymnast, a Remnant of Despair—fixes her gaze on me.
Her mouth twists into a disturbingly wide grin. Her eyes are a mess.
Not only her behavior but her speech—sentence fragments, complete lack of coherence—is utterly deranged.
"When you're weak, anything can happen to you. They take your underwear, force you to work—"
"Exposing weakness is fine. But someone who refuses to change after that is boring."
I cut across her words and look down at her.
Then—
"…Why would you say something so cruel?"
She starts crying.
Large tears stream down her face as she screams like a child throwing a tantrum.
Emotional instability. A common sight among those infected by despair.
"UWOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!"
A roar echoes from behind me.
The thick, masculine voice grows closer.
Seconds later, a man nearly two meters tall easily vaults over my head and lands in front of her.
He appears as if rushing to her aid at the sound of her cries. But this man is just as unhinged.
"…Old man."
He wears a white outfit reminiscent of a bōsōzoku uniform.
Like her, his eyes are red. Kneeling before her, he places both hands on her shoulders as if to reason with her.
"You're weak. But you did well. So next time, try breaking past your limits!"
"…I can't, old man."
At his encouragement, she only cries harder.
The man who inserted himself into the situation continues,
"Yeah, that's right. Since you won't do it, I'll break past the limits myself!
No need for athletes. This 'Manager' can handle it just fine!"
He slaps her cheek as he says this.
His eerie smile is steeped in madness.
The blow carries real force; she spins twice before collapsing.
"The Ultimate Team Manager knows the human body inside and out—trains athletes beyond necessity, breaks them beyond necessity—"
"Boring."
I pour power into my legs and move at top speed.
The burly man, slow to react, can't even raise a guard.
I physically end this tiresome farce.
"I had an unpleasant dream."
I clutch my head and sit up in bed.
Two people who had fallen into Ultimate Despair.
Both possessed exceptional physical ability. Yet they abused that power, destroying everything in their path.
Talent is defined by how it is used.
I could do the same things they did, but I won't.
I will use talent correctly.
I don't fully understand it yet, but it's something I must come to know.
If I factor in what Hajime Hinata once said, then what I'm doing with Kikyou Kushida is much the same.
—To understand emotions.
For that, I need to involve myself with far more people.
...
Summer vacation had ended, and classes were back in session.
The difficulty had stepped up a notch, and things were starting to get genuinely challenging. The morning lessons made that clear enough in everyone's reactions.
Students who had diligently finished their assignments and reviewed ahead of time launched into the new term without a hitch, while those who had spent the entire break playing around were now screaming internally, clinging desperately to the lessons just to keep up.
In this school, each class functions as its own complete society.
You can't simply leave your weaknesses unaddressed if you're bad at studying.
One person's mistake becomes the entire class's mistake. "I can't do it, so I'll quit" isn't an option. By imposing collective responsibility, the system ensures no one can escape their shortcomings.
This approach has both merits and drawbacks, but I won't bother commenting on them.
"Please take your seats."
The chime signaling the start of afternoon classes rang out, and Sakagami-sensei walked in.
The students followed his instruction and settled into their seats.
The classroom was air-conditioned, so the windows stayed closed, but the oppressive summer heat had begun to ease lately, and pleasant autumn breezes were starting to blow.
It was the turning of the seasons.
Glancing around the room, some students were still wearing the summer uniform shirts, while others had already switched to the winter ones early.
Summer uniforms still seemed to be in the majority.
"Classes resume today, and I know many of you aren't fully adjusted yet, but from September through the end of October, second semester will see an increase in physical education classes to prepare for the upcoming sports festival."
The moment "sports festival" left his mouth, groans rose from several parts of the room.
Most students look forward to events like this, but there's always a certain percentage who absolutely dread them.
"To that end, I'll be distributing the new timetable along with materials about the sports festival. Detailed information is also available on the school's website, so please refer to it if necessary."
Sakagami-sensei handed a stack of printouts to the student at the front of each row, and they quickly took their copy before passing the rest back.
Once he confirmed everyone had received theirs, he continued.
"I'll go over the details now, so please follow along in the materials."
I was already reading through them while listening, so I didn't particularly need the in-depth explanation, but I paid attention anyway.
"The sports festival divides all three grade levels into two teams for competition.
Your class has been assigned to the White Team. Class 1-B will also be competing on the White Team."
A competition mixing all grades.
Within each grade, the four classes are split between Red and White, creating a six-class showdown per grade.
Class C is paired with Class B. Class A with Class D. The second- and third-years are divided the same way.
Pairing the highest and lowest classes together is clearly meant to balance things out.
In other words, Class B—who we've been at odds with until now—will be our allies this time.
"Next, I'll explain the outcomes brought about by the sports festival. I will only go over this once, so listen carefully."
Sakagami-sensei elaborated verbally on what was written in the materials.
I cross-referenced as I listened.
The explanation went as follows...
---
Sports Festival Rules
[Point Distribution for All-Participation Events (Individual Events):
- 1st place: 15 points
- 2nd: 12 points
- 3rd: 10 points
- 4th: 8 points awarded to the team.
- 5th place and below decrease by 2 points each. In team events, the winning team receives 500 points.]
[Point Distribution for Recommended Participation Events:
- 1st place: 50 points
- 2nd: 30 points
- 3rd: 15 points
- 4th: 10 points awarded to the team.
- 5th place and below decrease by 2 points each. (However, the final relay event awards triple points.)]
[Effects of Red Team vs. White Team Results:
The losing team in overall points across all grades will have 100 Class Points deducted equally from every grade.]
[Effects of Per-Grade Rankings:
- The class with 1st place in overall points receives 50 Class Points.
- 2nd place: no change.
- 3rd place: 50 Class Points deducted.
- 4th place: 100 Class Points deducted.]
---
"Since there's a penalty for the losing team, I trust you understand this is not merely a casual event.
Anyone planning to coast through the sports festival may end up regretting it."
He smiled as if it were a joke, but his words were deadly serious, and some students couldn't manage even a forced laugh.
"What do we get if our team wins?"
Once Sakagami-sensei paused, Ryuuen asked the question.
"Nothing. You simply avoid the negative consequences."
"Kuku. An event with no real payoff, huh."
His remark sent a ripple of noise through the room.
Everyone had assumed, as with previous exams, that high risk would come with high reward. But there was none.
"Be aware that class-specific points will also be calculated separately.
Even if Class B carries the White Team to victory through outstanding performance, if your class ends up last in overall points, you'll still suffer a 100 Class Point penalty."
In short, there's no benefit to winning easily—and potentially a loss.
If one class dominates too much, the overall balance could tip into the negative.
Even if a class takes 1st in its grade and gains 50 Class Points, losing to the Red Team means a net loss of 100. Lose the team competition and finish 4th in your grade, and you're down 200 total.
They clearly want every student to give their absolute all.
I turned to the next page ahead of everyone else.
---
[ Individual Event Rewards (Usable in the Next Midterm Exam):
- 1st place in any individual event: 5,000 Private Points or the equivalent of 3 points on the written exam.
- 2nd place: 3,000 Private Points or the equivalent of 2 points.
- 3rd place: 1,000 Private Points or the equivalent of 1 point.
- Last place in any individual event: -1,000 Private Points penalty.
Points chosen cannot be transferred to others.
If unable to pay from existing Private Points, the penalty becomes -1 point on the written exam.]
[Regarding Rule Violations:
Read each event's rules carefully and abide by them. Violations will be treated as disqualification.
In malicious cases, expulsion may be considered, along with forfeiture of all points earned up to that point.]
[Most Outstanding Student Reward:
The student with the highest overall score across all events receives 100,000 Private Points.]
[Per-Grade Most Outstanding Student Reward:
The top three students per grade with the highest overall scores each receive 10,000 Private Points.]
---
So these were the rewards.
Compared to previous exams, they were modest. On the other hand, they could be exchanged for test scores.
For students weak at academics but strong in athletics, this was a welcome incentive.
For those weak in athletics, however, it was nothing short of hell.
Finishing dead last in an individual event meant -1,000 Private Points. And on top of that...
[After all events points will be tallied within each grade, and the bottom 10 students will receive a penalty.
Penalty details may vary by grade; confirm with your homeroom teacher.]
There was still more punishment waiting.
"…Sensei, what exactly is this penalty?"
Ishizaki asked with a grave expression.
For him, this exam was a golden opportunity to earn test points, so he was staying focused to the end.
"For first-years, it will be a deduction on the next written exam.
The bottom 10 students in overall results will each receive a 10-point deduction, so take care.
The exact deduction method has not yet been finalized, but the names of the bottom 10 will be announced during the written exam briefing."
Starting with a deduction meant students would need to score higher than the usual passing line.
For some, this would be an extraordinarily harsh exam.
"Incidentally, absence from the sports festival will also count toward the penalty, so be careful."
The meticulously detailed rules left no room for escape.
A few girls who had been hoping to sit it out now had no choice.
Sakayanagi-san is in a pitiful position. She's physically unable to participate, so she'll inevitably be treated as absent.
This could finally put her in real jeopardy.
"Please turn to the next page. It lists every event that will be held at the sports festival."
The simultaneous rustle of turning pages was followed by a swell of chatter.
There were thirteen events in total.
Nine all-participation events and four recommended participation events.
---
[All-Participation Events:
- 100m Dash
- Hurdles
- Pole Toppling (Boys Only)
- Ball Toss (Girls Only)
- Gender-Separate Tug-of-War
- Obstacle Race
- Three-Legged Race
- Cavalry Battle
- 200m Dash]
[Recommended Participation Events:
- Scavenger Hunt
- Four-Way Tug-of-War
- Mixed-Gender Three-Legged Race
- All-Grade 1,200m Relay]
Students were required to participate in at least eight events.
All of this in a single day. It promised to be grueling both time-wise and physically.
Even participating in twelve events wouldn't yield much in Private Points. Only individual events awarded them, after all.
The recommended events—aside from the scavenger hunt—were all team-based, so they likely wouldn't generate individual points.
This was shaping up to be a thoroughly tedious exam.
"With this many events packed into one day, there will be no cheer battles or group gymnastics."
It felt less like a sports festival and more like a comprehensive athletic test.
A pure measure of physical ability. Given the sheer variety, stamina, strength, agility—every aspect would be scrutinized in detail.
"Finally, I need all of you to fill out this participation form."
Sakagami-sensei took a thick stack of papers and placed it on the lectern.
"You must list every participant for every event in detail—who is competing in which event and in what order.
The submission period is from one week before the festival until 5:00 p.m. the day before. If you miss the deadline, all assignments will be randomized, so please take note."
This was a critical document for the exam. It was obvious who would end up handling it.
"It is extremely important. After the deadline, no changes will be permitted under any circumstances.
That concludes the explanation. Any questions?"
He scanned the room.
A few students exchanged glances or whispered among themselves, clearly harboring small doubts.
But no one raised a hand to ask Sakagami-sensei directly.
Ryuuen seemed deep in thought as well.
"No questions, then. For the next period, we will move to the first gymnasium for the joint meeting with the other grades.
Until then, you are free to use the time as you wish."
With Sakagami-sensei's permission, the stifled silence erupted.
Students gathered into their usual groups and began freely discussing the sports festival.
Ryuuen remained still for the moment, but he gave Ishizaki instructions, and Ishizaki carried the participation forms over.
Ryuuen began looking them over, showing no signs yet of starting a conversation.
...
About ten minutes had passed since the explanation ended.
Ryuuen had already started moving, but he still hadn't addressed the entire class.
With Ishizaki and Albert in tow, he was going around asking everyone something.
"Hey, Kamukura."
Ibuki, sitting in the seat in front of me, twisted only her upper body toward me without bothering to turn her chair.
She must have just finished reading the materials.
"Are you planning to enter every recommended event?"
"It depends on Ryuuen's orders, but personally, I have no intention of taking that many."
She seemed surprised by the answer and widened her eyes.
"Why not? You'd win anything you entered. You don't want the points?"
"I do want points, but I won't monopolize them.
If I took every recommended event, victory would be trivial. Yet there are others who want to participate. Considering the limited slots, we should give those people a chance as well."
This was a rare opportunity to earn Private Points.
The amounts weren't huge, but points were still points—money, in other words.
The power of money is extraordinary. At times it can even override the three basic instincts.
And this time, test scores were on offer too.
"There are bound to be people who struggle with academics and want to earn test points, or others who want to show off their strengths."
"But if we lose, none of it matters."
"Then we simply train hard enough that we don't lose."
"…Train, huh. Well, yeah, this sports festival looks like it demands total seriousness, so that's probably the right call. But how exactly are we supposed to train?"
"Rest assured. I possess the talents of both a manager and a trainer."
"…Huh."
Ibuki's response was utterly flat and listless.
The vacant tone made her sound like someone whose IQ had suddenly plummeted.
"So you're not entering, then?"
"I don't really care. The more points the better, sure, but there are a few people in this class with better athletic reflexes than me, and I can earn plenty from the individual events anyway."
She stood up once, then sat back down.
This time she draped her upper body over the back of her chair instead of just twisting around.
With her legs spread wide, it was a rather precarious posture.
"Yo, sorry to keep you waiting."
As we were talking, Ryuuen inserted himself into the conversation.
Ishizaki and Albert stood behind him as always.
"So what exactly were you asking everyone about?"
"One thing was the point collection. Come on, you lot—cough up the 30,000 already."
"Ah, right. Today is September 1st."
I recalled the point tax system I'd been running since July—collecting Private Points to pool as class funds.
The strategy served both for saving and for special exam countermeasures. It wasn't a bad plan. Aside from those with nearly empty balances, no one would resist.
Even Ryuuen wouldn't misuse the points arbitrarily.
They would only be spent when truly necessary. By now, the total savings were probably 30,000 pp × 40 people × 3 months = 3.6 million pp.
"Did you… manage to collect them?"
"I'll get them later. Katsuragi kept whining to lower it to 30,000, but… kuku, realizing the value of Private Points this late is pointless."
He also had his secret deal with Class A.
40,000 pp × 36 people each month = 1.44 million pp. An enormous hidden stash.
From now on, roughly 2.7 million would flow into his pocket every month.
An astronomical sum. Katsuragi had indeed been naive to let this strategy through.
Katsuragi saw only the present; Ryuuen saw the future. And there was the gap in their understanding of Private Points.
This was the outcome.
Katsuragi, having grasped their true value during the cruise ship exam, was no doubt regretting it now.
At the very least, he should have capped contributions at 30,000 points.
Yet Class A's current total was still high enough that 40,000 per person, while painful, was not impossible for a class receiving over 150,000 monthly.
"Class A will be gunning for you from now on."
"Probably. Katsuragi hasn't panicked yet, but they'll come at me like their lives depend on it."
Ryuuen was perfectly relaxed. He even seemed to enjoy the thrill of being targeted.
I looked forward to seeing how Sakayanagi would counter him.
"The other thing was the recommended events. I took it upon myself to confirm participation intent from those with high physical ability.
If we don't perform in this exam, our Class Points will drop too.
Knowing that, securing strong results in the high-point recommended events eliminates the worst-case scenario."
In other words, mistakes in individual events wouldn't matter.
For those weak at athletics, it was reassuring—they could burden the class without causing fatal damage.
"Have you settled on candidates?"
"To a certain extent. After that, I'll adjust based on who wants points."
"That sounds time-consuming."
"There's plenty of time. No need to rush."
With that, Ryuuen sat on the edge of my desk.
He looked down at me and issued his order.
"More importantly—you're entering every recommended event. That's a direct order."
"Is that really all right? It will make it harder to secure slots for others who want them."
"Results are what matter. Letting some weakling who only cares about points participate and then fail would be meaningless."
A pragmatic view.
Opinions without strength are simply culled by the leader. If you want something, you must first acquire the power to back it up.
"Understood. This is also for future strategy, so you have no right to refuse."
"Very well. I don't mind."
When I agreed, Ryuuen hopped down from the desk.
He took his two bodyguards with him to the lectern.
Holding the participation form aloft, he drew every eye in the room.
"Pay attention. I'll tell you what's already decided.
For the recommended events, Kamukura will take every slot. The reason is obvious—results.
Some of you might want the points, but I'm claiming one slot per event. Any complaints?"
He spoke in a low voice, yet it carried unmistakable menace.
The moment he began, the noisy classroom fell silent, and his words reached everyone clearly.
"…No objections. Good. Then the next matter. This one I'll decide myself."
He raised the participation form higher so everyone could see it.
"I'll take your opinions into consideration to some degree, but the final decision is mine.
And I'll make it after observing your physical abilities in the increased PE classes. So give it everything you've got. That's all."
Again, no objections—it passed without resistance.
Having finished, Ryuuen returned to his seat.
Watching him, I noticed he pulled a file from his desk drawer and carefully stored the participation form inside.
"Ryuuen doesn't seem like the type to crumple handouts or fold them all over the place."
Ibuki voiced her entirely prejudiced image of him.
Given his appearance and demeanor, the rough impression was hard to deny.
Shortly afterward, the end-of-class chime rang, and we began preparing to head to the gymnasium.
***
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