---Notice---
Another upload, I know I'm amazing. (Don't lock me in a basement)
This uploading performance has earned me powerstones… right?
My discord (Best server in the world): discord.gg/X8bVrxFa
--------------------------------
"Kill one man, and you are a murderer. Kill millions of men, and you are a conqueror. Kill them all, and you are a god." ~Jean Rostand
"It seems you lost the first round." A strange voice spoke from my side.
Surprised, I shifted my gaze to check who was speaking to me. It was a girl with long, light chocolate-brown, almost pinkish hair, golden in the sunlight. A sunflower hairpin rested on her head, adding a playful touch to her appearance.
Though I hadn't interacted with her much, her face was familiar—Nazuna Asahina. She was known to be a longtime friend of Nagumo.
"Yes, it seems like we did," I said, watching as the AD and BC groups collected themselves before the start of the next round. Then, I turned to face Asahina. "I wonder what one of my seniors is doing here, greeting me so casually?"
She let out a light laugh before responding. "I was just curious about you. I've heard some talk, even from the second years and Nagumo himself."
"Is that so?" I responded, keeping my tone neutral.
"Ahh, I know you, but you likely don't know me. I'm sorry if that came off as a bit forward," she said quickly, flashing a sheepish smile. "I am Nazuna Asahina from Class 2-A. You could say I'm a close friend of Nagumo."
"Of Nagumo?" I repeated, feigning mild surprise at her revelation. "Did he send you here?"
Asahina sighed, shaking her head. "No, he didn't. Relax, I really did just want to meet you," she said, then turned her attention to the match. "What do you think of the game?"
"The match?" I mumbled, following her gaze. "Ah, you mean the tug-of-war. Well, it's over."
She responded with a smile. "What I've heard is true. You're really confident in yourself, aren't you?"
"I think you misunderstood, Asahina-senpai. It's over for the BC group. The AD group has already won this," I stated plainly as if voicing an undeniable truth.
That caught Asahina off guard. "Group BC has lost? How can you say that so confidently? Group AD only won the first round, after all. And Group BC is favored to win this competition. There's still hope."
I shook my head. "Group BC may have a slight advantage in terms of physical strength. Even then, I would argue that the gap isn't as significant as people assume. But that isn't the main issue. Group AD outsmarted BC before the game even started. That's why Group BC will lose."
Asahina still looked confused as the next round was about to begin. Her eyes darted between the two groups. Group AD was quiet, coordinated, and collected. Meanwhile, Group BC was engaged in discussion, strategizing for the next round, trying to adjust after their defeat.
Finally, she spoke. "Okay, I'll bite. I want to know why you're so sure Group BC will lose."
I gestured toward the two groups. "Look at them. One is planning—Group BC. The other is relaxed—Group AD. Why do you think that is?"
"Huh?" Asahina frowned. "Well... isn't it obvious? Group BC has been backed into a corner. It's only natural they make adjustments after their loss."
"That's a reasonable assumption," I conceded before continuing. "But tell me this—shouldn't Group AD also be considering adjustments? No competent strategist sits back just because they're winning. No coach stops thinking about their next move just because the scoreboard favors them. And yet, look at them. They aren't scrambling. They aren't discussing tactics. They're waiting."
Asahina's eyes narrowed as she considered my words. "Are you saying... that Group AD has already planned beyond anything Group BC could come up with?"
I simply nodded.
The tug-of-war game began. Once again, it started evenly, with Group AD maintaining a completely defensive position.
Then I continued, "The reason Group BC was discussing strategies is because the one leading them is Ryuen—someone who's used to doing things by himself; they have to compensate for his lack of communication. But that doesn't make him blind. I'm sure even Ryuen knows Group AD's plans."
"Then why didn't he do anything if he knows? It doesn't make any sense. He stayed silent while the rest of Group BC was preparing for the match?" Asahina continued to question.
Group AD maintained their defensive stance. Group BC did seem to be forcing them forward, but the impact of their offensive push was slow—too slow.
Slowly, Group AD started to adjust.
"Heave-ho!" Katsuragi yelled loudly. The rest of the group followed, shouting in unison. However, they still maintained their defensive stance, merely regaining some lost ground together.
"It wouldn't change much if Ryuen warned Group BC. But there is another reason he won't even try to warn them." I paused as Group AD's collective yells roared once more.
"Heave-ho!" Katsuragi led the group again. Just like before, they stayed defensive, but by pulling together, they regained even more ground.
"What is it?" Asahina asked, completely focused on my words and the match before us.
"Because doing so would only prove he is inferior."
"Huh?" Asahina asked, utterly confused.
"A leader is a leader because they are the best available to lead, plain and simple. Therefore, to continue being a leader, one must remain the best available. That's part of the reason Ryuen remained silent... Ryuen is unwilling to accept he's inferior." I explained.
"Inferior?" she echoed, appearing puzzled. She seemed ready to ask who he didn't want to feel inferior to, but as she looked at me, realization dawned on her.
Even if only in his mind, Ryuen has refused to acknowledge that he is inferior to me—someone who had led Class B in my own way, securing numerous victories completely single-handedly.
I glanced at Horikita, who had been watching quietly. A small smile played on her lips as she observed the unfolding match. Then, I turned my attention back to the game.
"Heave-ho!" Katsuragi yelled one last time. Unlike before, Group BC was fully prepared for Group AD's collective effort. Anticipating the tactic, they braced themselves, ready to counter with all their strength.
But then, as Katsuragi's yell concluded, all of Group AD suddenly loosened their grip on the rope—just for an instant.
Caught off guard, Group BC collapsed backward, thrown into disarray. Right at that moment, Group AD tightened their grip before the rope escaped them, taking full advantage of the situation.
The rest was history. Group BC, completely blindsided, had no chance to recover. They couldn't match the sudden coordinated offensive strike from Group AD. In the end, their supposed advantage had been turned against them, and victory was decisively claimed by Group AD.
In the aftermath of the game, only one figure remained standing on the side of Group BC—Ryuen himself. It was obvious he had let go of the rope during the match, accepting the loss without resistance.
Although this surprised some members of Group AD.
"You let go of the rope?" Hirata asked, curious about Ryuen's reasoning.
"Of course I did. I don't feel like tiring myself out over a little game of tug-of-war. I'll leave all the grunt work to the fools of the other classes," Ryuen replied confidently.
His words earned a few glares, but no one bothered arguing with him.
"You predicted all that? That was amazing… but still, Ryuen doesn't really seem like the kind of person to be bothered about something like his standing in his class," Asahina said after a moment.
"I don't think he himself understands that he's bothered by it. But trust me, Ryuen is someone who hates losing. Even if it's just a meaningless confrontation or something purely symbolic, he despises the feeling. It's why he's so relentless—he always has to have the last laugh," I replied.
"I guess I can see that," Asahina said, her attention now fully shifted onto me. "I meant it—you really are amazing. And I don't say that to many people. I wouldn't be surprised if, by the end of your first year, you achieve Class A status. That would be incredible. From Class C to Class A in a single year… I doubt anyone has done that before. It even took Nagumo everything he had just to elevate Class B's status to A in our first year. And on top of that, I've heard your year is extremely talented."
"Well, I'm glad you think so. I try my best for my class," I replied.
"Do you think you can do it? Reach Class A before the end of the year?" Asahina questioned.
I thought for a moment. It was a difficult question to answer. "Well, honestly? I'm not sure. It will definitely be close, but it's hard to say without knowing what's to come. However, if my class gets enough opportunities to rise, then of course—Class A wouldn't stand a chance."
"That's good." Asahina nodded with a smile before her expression turned more serious. "Nagumo has begun to target you, right?"
"Ah… so you know?"
"Not much. I just inferred that from what he's told me. What do you plan to do?"
"Well, he has me in a tight spot," I replied, not explaining much.
"I see… What do you think of Nagumo?"
"Well, honestly? He disgusts me. He's the type of man I hate the most—resorting to the most vile tactics to achieve his goals," I replied, not pulling any punches.
"I don't think he's that bad… but then again, I've never been on the receiving end of his assaults," Asahina said, pausing. "Nagumo is smart. I don't think I've ever really seen him lose or even truly feel challenged. And while he's a longtime friend of mine, I can't say I agree with all his decisions. I know it's selfish, but if you can—if it's possible—I'd like you to fight against Nagumo. Horikita wasn't able to. He placed Nagumo in the council, but by the time Horikita saw Nagumo's plans, it was too late to do anything. It seems Horikita has chosen you as his successor… so in a way, you're my last hope too."
"That's quite a lot of pressure to put on your junior, isn't it?" I said after a moment, my tone neutral yet pointed.
"Yes, I'm sorry," Asahina admitted, though her expression remained firm. "But if Nagumo has already set his sights on you, then you must have already started thinking about the future. Especially since Horikita chose you, believing you might be able to put an end to him."
"You're not wrong," I conceded. "It's something I've been considering lately."
"Do you think you can succeed?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and perhaps a bit of hope.
I took a moment to think before responding. "Well, I doubt you'd take my word for it if I simply said yes. But I don't doubt myself. That said, there is one major issue when it comes to taking Nagumo down."
This was something most people wouldn't bother remembering until they found themselves directly confronted by the sheer, insurmountable force that was Nagumo Miyabi.
"And what is that?" Asahina leaned in slightly, intrigued.
I exhaled, my voice even. "He's annoying. He's accumulated so many private points that he's practically untouchable. To my knowledge, the only way someone can be removed from the position of student council president is if they willingly resign or are successfully expelled."
"I see… so it isn't possible," she muttered, as if the reality of the situation had just dawned on her.
I gave her a sidelong glance. "You must think very highly of Nagumo."
"Huh?" She blinked, almost as if I had said something strange. Given our entire conversation, she had every reason to believe that Nagumo was an immovable force.
I clarified, "I said he'd be annoying to take down. I never said it would be impossible."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Really? You think you can do it?"
"Of course I can," I replied, my voice carrying not a hint of doubt.
Twenty million points. Forty million. Sixty million. Or even more.
It didn't matter. And why should it?
No matter how many extra lives Nagumo had hoarded, it changed nothing. It made him harder to deal with, sure—more persistent. A nuisance.
Just like a roach.
Hard to kill. Always crawling back.
But there isn't a single roach on this earth superior to me.
Not one capable of taking even a single life from me—no matter how persistent they might appear.
Asahina chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I'm surprised you're even discussing this with me. I mean, I hoped you would, but given my association with Nagumo, I thought you'd deem it too risky."
"It might seem random, but something tells me you're a good person—someone I can trust," I said, offering her a small smile.
As if my plans could be derailed just because one girl went and blabbed to Nagumo. No, I was far more meticulous than that. But for now, it was better to let Asahina think I was relying on her.
After a brief pause, I spoke again. "But I am worried."
"About your confrontation with Nagumo?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "I'm worried that you don't know the true face of Nagumo."
"The true face?" Asahina echoed, confused.
I remained silent for a moment before continuing. "You seem like the complete opposite of him to me. You're kind, trustworthy, caring, and obviously upright."
She seemed taken aback by the sudden wave of compliments but managed to smile. "I'm really glad you think so. But truly, Nagumo isn't a bad person. At the very least, he's reasonable."
"I see…" I murmured, my gaze darkening slightly. "Well then, I hope you're right. And that when all is said and done, you can keep seeing things that way."
Asahina parted her lips slightly, as if about to ask me to elaborate. But then, she hesitated.
She must have realized—whatever I was referring to was something I had no intention of explaining.
--------------------------------
I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts; reading comments is always fun. As promised, I'm trying to get us through these sports festival scenes quickly while making it entertaining. I hope I'm doing a decent job.