The sports festival had ended two days ago, but the echoes of competition still lingered in the air. The wounds — both physical and emotional — were still healing. Yet, in the vast gymnasium filled with all students and teachers, Miyabi Nagumo, the new Student Council President, stood with a confident grin, holding the microphone like a performer basking in the applause of his audience.
"From this point forward," Nagumo announced, his voice smooth yet commanding, "the structure of this school will change."
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Even the third-years, who were usually stoic, glanced at each other in unease.
"The Advanced Nurturing High School," Nagumo continued, "was designed to raise individuals capable of competing in society — and competition thrives on challenge. From today onward, I'll ensure that every student, no matter their year, feels the thrill of rivalry."
He smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Second-years and first-years will no longer walk separate paths. You'll all have… opportunities to prove yourselves directly against your seniors."
The murmurs grew louder. Even the teachers seemed slightly taken aback by his announcement.
A few seats away, Kiyotaka Ayanokōji watched quietly, his expression unreadable. He rested his chin on his hand, unmoved by the crowd's anxious energy.
Nagumo looked down toward the first-years' section and locked eyes with him — just for a brief second. It was a subtle challenge, one that only Ayanokōji seemed to recognize.
2. The Girl with the Courage
After the assembly, the students scattered — some chatting about Nagumo's words, others already trying to guess what kind of "changes" he had in mind.
As Ayanokōji left the building, someone called out behind him.
"Kiyotaka-kun!"
He turned. Standing there was Maya Satō, her soft brown hair swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. She jogged up to him, slightly out of breath but smiling.
"Hey… about the relay," she began, fiddling with her phone nervously. "You were amazing out there. I didn't think anyone could keep up with the Student Council President's brother."
Ayanokōji gave a small shrug. "I just did what I could."
"That's what I mean," she said, pouting slightly. "You're so modest. It's kind of unfair."
Her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. "Um… if it's okay, can I have your number?"
He blinked once, but handed her his phone without hesitation. She quickly exchanged contacts, her hands shaking slightly.
"Thanks," she said, smiling brightly. "It's rare for me to do something like this. You're really… cool, you know? Maybe even cooler than Hirata-kun. You seem… mature. Gentle."
"I see."
"And…" She hesitated, her blush deepening. "You don't have a girlfriend, right?"
"No," he said plainly.
"Good," she replied before she could stop herself. "I mean — that's… that's nice. Maybe we can start as friends?"
Ayanokōji gave a noncommittal nod. "Sure."
Her smile widened, nervous but hopeful. "Okay. Then I'll message you later!"
Before he could reply, another voice interrupted.
"Mind if I borrow Ayanokōji for a bit?"
The tall, calm figure of Katsuragi Kōhei approached, his serious expression as sharp as ever.
Satō flinched slightly, bowing politely before retreating.
Katsuragi adjusted his glasses. "That girl seems… earnest."
"Maybe," Ayanokōji replied. "What did you need?"
"Just to talk," Katsuragi said, lowering his tone. "About Sakayanagi."
3. The Call
Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Ayanokōji's phone buzzed. The caller ID: Kei Karuizawa.
He answered.
"Hey, Ayanokōji," Kei began immediately, her tone sharp but with a tinge of curiosity. "Mind explaining why everyone's talking about you and Satō?"
"I assume word spreads fast," he replied dryly.
Kei huffed. "Obviously. You exchanged numbers, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"…You don't sound guilty at all."
"There's nothing to feel guilty about."
"Well, for your information, the girls are losing their minds. Half of them think you're dating her, and the other half are calling Satō 'the bravest girl in Class D.'"
"That's quite the title," he said.
Kei sighed. "You really don't get it, do you? Everyone's been talking about how mysterious you are since the festival — and now you're suddenly getting confessions?"
"Rumors are irrelevant," Ayanokōji said simply.
"Maybe to you," Kei muttered, her tone quieter. "But not to everyone else."
Before he could reply, she added softly, "Anyway… just don't make things complicated, okay?"
Then she hung up before he could answer.
Ayanokōji looked at his phone for a moment, expression unreadable, then set it aside.
4. Game Night in Room 402
Meanwhile, in another part of the dormitory — specifically, Room 402 — laughter and chaos filled the air.
I leaned back on my chair, controller in hand, my screen flashing with bright explosions as my teammates yelled over each other.
"Yukimura! You were supposed to cover me!" I shouted.
"I told you I was reloading!" Teruhiko Yukimura barked back.
"You two always argue," Haruka Hasebe sighed, munching on potato chips beside Airi Sakura.
"Less talking, more shooting!" Akito Miyake yelled, trying to clutch victory in the last round.
Kyosuke Okitani and Wataru Ijuin laughed hysterically as my character went down again.
"Nice one, captain," Kyosuke teased. "Truly a tactical genius."
"Don't test me, Okitani," I said with mock seriousness. "Or I'll replace you with Mei Yu Wang — she at least knows how to reload."
Mei smirked, raising her cola can. "At least I don't die first every round."
Laughter filled the room again.
Soon, the door creaked open and the Three Idiots — Sudō, Ike, and Yamauchi — burst in like a hurricane.
"Yo, Miyamoto!" Ike shouted. "You're trending on the school forum!"
I paused mid-sip of soda. "Huh?"
Yamauchi waved his phone excitedly. "Look at this post! 'First-year Miyamoto Soshi sleeping peacefully on Ibuki Mio's lap — Class C beauty and Class D idiot in one frame!'"
My face paled. "What!?"
Sudō grabbed the phone, laughing so hard he nearly fell over. "Bro, there are like… twenty photos! Who took these?!"
Ike scrolled down, snorting. "Oh man, look at this one — she's shoving that bento into your hands! It looks like… food made for punishment."
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "You've gotta be kidding me…"
"Wait, there's even a video," Yamauchi added gleefully. "You kneeling and hugging her waist like a lost puppy. The caption says: 'Man with no shame finds comfort in enemy territory.'"
Everyone burst out laughing — even Yukimura and Mei, who usually tried to keep a straight face.
"Guys," I said weakly, "at least pretend to be on my side here…"
"Dude," Haruka giggled, "the comments section is pure gold. Half the people are calling it the 'Forbidden Romance of the Festival.'"
"Yeah," Airi said softly, blushing a little as she scrolled through her phone. "A lot of people are actually… jealous. They're saying it's impressive to fall for someone from another class."
"Yeah, because we all know how hard that is," Kyosuke added. "One day they're laughing with you, the next day you're on opposite sides of a Special Test."
I sighed, slumping back into my chair. "Great. I just wanted to nap, not start a schoolwide soap opera."
Sudō grinned, nudging me. "Well, you did better than me. I can't even get Horikita to look at me properly."
"Maybe try sleeping on her lap," I said dryly.
"Don't tempt me."
The room burst into laughter again, and for a while, the atmosphere was easy — carefree.
We played another few rounds, snacked on chips, and joked about who'd probably get expelled next test. Despite all the teasing, there was warmth in the room — a strange sense of unity that the competitive school environment rarely allowed.
5. Reflections Before Sleep
When everyone finally left around midnight, I leaned back on my bed, phone glowing softly in the dark.
The forum post had blown up even more — now with over 1,500 comments.
Some joked about me being a traitor to Class D.Some wrote that they envied me for getting so close to Ibuki.And a few even argued about whether she looked "angry or flustered" in the pictures.
I scrolled quietly, my expression a mix of disbelief and amusement.
At the very bottom, I saw one anonymous comment that made me pause:
"In this school, love isn't a weakness. It's a gamble."
I set my phone aside and stared at the ceiling.
A gamble, huh? Maybe they were right.
Because no matter how strong or clever you were — when the next Special Test began, no one knew who'd end up being your ally… or your enemy.
I smiled faintly, remembering Ibuki's scowl, the awkward lunch, the bad bento, and the ice cream she never admitted she liked.
Maybe, just maybe, some gambles were worth the risk.