Calculations against the clock
The soccer event was about to begin, but there was a small issue in Ichinose's class: there were only 10 students on the soccer field, and the school staff could not start the event due to this lack.
Chabashira-sensei: —Shibata, where is Takeshi? The event can't start if everyone isn't here —asked Professor Chabashira.
Shibata: —Sensei, Takeshi was with us, but he had to go back to the bathroom. He said he had a stomachache.
Chabashira-sensei: —That's a problem. I'll go see if he's okay —Chabashira decided, heading quickly toward the bathrooms to check on Takeshi.
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Sakayanagi: —Well, Ichinose-san, it seems there is a problem with your class. I hope it's nothing serious —commented Sakayanagi, with a smile.
However, to Sakayanagi's surprise, Ichinose did not respond. What was most curious was that Ichinose did not seem worried; rather, she seemed as though she was waiting for something like this to happen.
Ichinose simply watched the screen that displayed the soccer field, waiting for Chabashira's news about what was happening, ignoring Sakayanagi's words.
Sakayanagi, observing Ichinose's reaction, began to suspect that something was not right.
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Chabashira-sensei: —Takeshi, are you okay? —asked Chabashira. A few seconds of silence passed before Takeshi responded.
Takeshi: —Sensei, I'm sorry, but I don't think I can participate. My stomach hurts a lot, and I don't think I can leave here for a while.
Chabashira noticed that Takeshi was having trouble speaking due to the pain.
Chabashira-sensei: —Alright, Takeshi. I'll notify the school —said Chabashira before quickly leaving to inform Ichinose and the other teachers about the problem.
Chabashira-sensei: —Takeshi just informed me that he is suffering from severe stomach pain and will not be able to participate in the event.
Ichinose: —I see, sensei. Thank you for informing me. Then, I'll make a change —replied Ichinose, although there was a problem: there was no one else available to participate, as all the other students were assigned to other events.
The school, aware of the situation, sent staff to check on Takeshi to make sure he was not faking. Minutes later, the staff confirmed that Takeshi was truly unable to participate, allowing Ichinose to select another student to substitute him.
Ichinose: —Then, Ayanokouji-kun, please go to the soccer field —said Ichinose, with a slight smile on her face. However, not everyone shared her calmness.
Sakayanagi: —Wait, Ichinose-san, why did you choose Ayanokouji-kun? You know he has to participate in the chess event —the usually calm Sakayanagi showed signs of anxiety. After all, she and Ayanokouji had agreed to face off in chess, and for Sakayanagi, it was a dream come true. So, what was going on?
Ichinose did not respond. She simply looked at Sakayanagi, smiled, and then turned her attention to the screen, where Ayanokouji was entering the soccer field, where the event was about to start.
Sakayanagi, for the first time in a long time, did not know what was going on, and Ichinose's smile gave her a strange feeling, as if something did not fit.
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First Half:
The referee blows the whistle, and the match begins with a quick pass from Shibata to Nakamura. The ball moves swiftly between the players of Class B, showing a well-coordinated strategy. Ayanokouji remains in the center, calmly observing the field, while his teammates attack vigorously.
Minute 5: Sora receives a long pass from Yamamoto and skillfully dribbles past two Class A defenders, but just as he is about to shoot, Kito intercepts and clears the ball to the midfield.
Minute 10: Class A takes the offensive. Emi and Ren combine quick passes, dangerously approaching Class B's area. Yumi, known for her speed, breaks down the right flank and delivers a perfect cross. Kenji jumps and heads the ball with power, but Class B's goalkeeper, Renji, makes a spectacular save, keeping the score at zero.
Minute 15: Ayanokouji, who has remained in the background until now, intercepts a careless pass from Tanaka. With impressive calmness, he evades Satoshi and advances toward the opposite goal. Before the defenders can react, Ayanokouji makes a perfect pass to Watanabe, who shoots at the goal. Goal! Class B takes the lead 1-0.
Minute 18: Sakayanagi, watching from the bench, frowns as she sees Ayanokouji dominating the field. Class A tries to respond quickly, but Class B's defense, led by Norihiko and Yamamoto, keeps its line firm.
Minute 19: In an unexpected move, Ayanokouji steals the ball in the midfield. Without hesitation, he launches a powerful shot from midfield. The ball flies through the air, surprising the Class A goalkeeper, who fails to react in time. Spectacular goal by Ayanokouji from midfield! Class B extends its lead to 2-0. The crowd is stunned by the precision and power of the shot, and his teammates surround him, celebrating the impressive goal.
Minute 20: The first half ends with Class B leading 2-0, thanks to Ayanokouji's amazing goal.
Second Half:
With the start of the second half, Class A comes out attacking with renewed energy. Tatsumi and Aoki lead the offensive, looking to break through Class B's defense.
Minute 25: Satoshi tries a deep pass for Taro, but Mai intercepts and launches a counterattack. Ayanokouji, who has been waiting for this opportunity, steps forward and receives the ball near the area. With a smooth dribble, he leaves Tanaka behind and, with a precise shot, places the ball in the bottom right corner of the goal. Goal! Class B extends the lead to 3-0.
Minute 30: Class A does not give up. Hina, with an intelligent pass, finds Kenji unmarked in Class B's area. Kenji shoots with force, and this time, the ball finds the net. Class A reduces the gap to 3-1.
Minute 35: The game intensifies. Class A players press constantly, seeking to equalize the score. Renji, Class B's goalkeeper, becomes a wall, stopping several goal attempts by Yumi and Tatsumi.
Minute 38: Ayanokouji demonstrates his ability to read the game once again. He takes advantage of an error in Class A's defense, steals the ball, and runs toward the opposite area. However, instead of shooting, he makes a backheel pass to Shibata, who arrives in stride and finishes with precision. Goal! Class B secures the match with a 4-1 score.
Minute 40: The referee blows the final whistle. Class B celebrates their victory while Class A players gather, exhausted and with expressions of defeat on their faces.
Final Result: Class B 4 - Class A 1.
Ichinose: —Well done, everyone! —Ichinose congratulated her class with a big smile on her face. Her class had completely dominated the event, putting them two events ahead of Class A.
Sakayanagi: —Congratulations on the victory, Ichinose-san. I must admit that your class was superior to mine in this event —said Sakayanagi with her usual smile.
Ichinose: —Thank you, Sakayanagi-san. But this won't be the only victory. My class will do its best to win as many events as possible —Ichinose responded with clear confidence.
Sakayanagi: —Same here, but... could you explain why Ayanokouji-kun participated in this event? He was supposed to play in the chess tournament —Sakayanagi asked, maintaining her smile, though her eyes reflected some concern.
Ichinose turned to Sakayanagi, and with an enigmatic smile, replied:
Ichinose: —You don't need to worry about that, Sakayanagi-san. Ayanokouji-kun will participate in chess as planned. — This left Sakayanagi thinking.
Sakayanagi (thinking): According to the rules, a student cannot participate in more than two events unless everyone else has already competed... Wait, if one of Class B's students is incapacitated and Ayanokouji-kun, who was supposed to participate in chess, substituted him, considering the number of participants required in other events... and that chess will be the last event... then, fufufu, it's completely possible. So that was your strategy, Ayanokouji-kun. I'm sure Takeshi-kun's situation was prearranged.
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In the institute, excitement was in the air as students gathered to hear the announcement of the next challenge. After the thrilling soccer events, the screen lit up to reveal what the next event would be.
—The third event of our series of competitions will be Mental Arithmetic. Each team will have 30 minutes to solve a series of math problems mentally. They will need to demonstrate speed and accuracy. Additionally, each team will have a commander who can change the answer to one question only once. Get ready to test your minds!
The students murmured with excitement as they began to think about the new challenge. Class A and Class B quickly set to work selecting their best candidates for the event.
Class B:
Ichinose quickly selected the participants for this event:
Hiroshi Takeda
Ami Suzuki
Rina Yamamoto
Natsuki Tanaka
Class A:
Sakayanagi, with a calculating smile, carefully chose the members of her team:
Nakamura Kenji
Katsuragi Kohei
Yamada Hana
Fujimoto Mika
With the teams ready and strategies in place, both groups prepared to face the mental arithmetic challenge. Tension and excitement grew as the big day approached, promising a test that would challenge everyone's mental agility.
At 10:00 sharp, the clock started counting down the 30 minutes of the event. The participants took their places in front of their boards, ready to face the test of mental speed. Math problems began to appear, and the room filled with the frenetic activity of brains working at full throttle.
From the beginning, Katsuragi Kohei of Class A stood out. He solved problems with astonishing speed, as if his mind were in turbo mode. Meanwhile, Hiroshi Takeda and Ami Suzuki from Class B also exerted effort, but Katsuragi's agility was hard to match.
As time went on, the competition intensified. Yamada Hana and Fujimoto Mika kept pace for Class A, adding quick and accurate answers, while Rina Yamamoto and Natsuki Tanaka from Class B did their best to stay in the race.
Katsuragi Kohei continued to shine, solving difficult problems at a speed that impressed everyone. His ability to handle complex calculations with ease made the difference. As the clock approached the end, Class A had a clear advantage.
When the 30 minutes were up, the participants submitted their answer sheets. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as the results were reviewed.
—And the winner of the Mental Arithmetic event is... Class A!
The room erupted in applause and cheers as Class A celebrated their victory. Katsuragi Kohei's impressive performance, secured the win in this challenging event. Class B, although disappointed, was encouraged by Ichinose not to worry, as they still maintained the lead.
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At the institute, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation as students gathered to find out the next challenge. With the excitement of the previous events still fresh, the screen lit up to reveal the new test that would put their skills to the test:
—The next event in our series of competitions will be the Mathematics Quiz. Each team must select 10 participants who will answer a series of questions based on the first-year curriculum. They will have 50 minutes to complete the quiz. At the end, the total scores between the two classes will be compared. Additionally, each team will have a commander who can answer one question in place of their teammates. Get ready to test your mathematical knowledge!
Class B Participants:
Aoi Nakamura
Sakura Tanaka
Hikari Fujimoto
Miyuki Sato
Yume Kobashi
Rei Matsumoto
Kana Nakagawa
Eri Wakana
Miku Shimizu
Yuki Himeno
Class A Participants:
Mamoru Yamashita
Amy Sato
Yuka Takahashi
Natsuki Nakamura
Karin Oda
Naoto Ishikawa
Yumi Takeda
Hikaru Matsuda
Miyu Kaneko
Rito Abe
Start of the Event
At 11:00, the quiz began. Participants from both classes took their places in front of their boards as the clock started the 50-minute countdown. Questions began to appear on the boards, covering topics from the first-year curriculum: algebra, calculus, number theory, and geometry.
Each team concentrated on solving the problems as quickly and accurately as possible. Members of Class A, with their outstanding mathematical skills, performed impressively while tackling the questions with speed and efficiency.
Class B did not lag behind and also worked with great intensity to match the competition. Each member was determined to contribute to the best possible result, solving math problems with agility and precision.
When the 50 minutes were up, the quizzes were collected and the answers were reviewed. The room was filled with anticipation as the scores were tallied.
—The winner of the Mathematics Quiz event is...!
After reviewing the results
—Class A!
Class A erupted in cheers and applause. Class B, though disappointed with their second defeat, kept their spirits high and looked forward to the upcoming challenges with renewed energy.
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Excitement was at its peak as the students gathered to discover the next challenge. After the previous events, the screen lit up to reveal the next test that would put their skills to the test.
—The next event in our series of competitions will be the English Quiz. Each team must select 10 participants who will answer a series of questions based on the first-year curriculum. They will have 50 minutes to complete the quiz. At the end, the total scores between the two classes will be compared. Additionally, each team will have a commander who can answer one question in place of their teammates. Get ready to demonstrate your command of English!
The students murmured excitedly as they began to prepare for the new challenge. Class A and Class B quickly selected their best candidates for the event.
Class B Participants:
Ryuji Kanzaki
Yumi Harada
Ryota Beppu
Emiya Takeda
Rika Matsumoto
Tetsuya Hamaguchi
Sayo Andou
Shoji Nakamura
Chihiro Shiranami
Keiko Amatore
Class A Participants:
Kana Kazaka
Yuka Fujita
Kaito Tanoka
Misaki Mori
Haruko Yoshida
Sakura Yamamoto
Ren Ito
Akari Saito
Shota Wataru
Nao Matsuda
At 12:00, the quiz begins. Participants from both classes take their positions at their boards as the clock starts the 50-minute countdown. Questions start appearing on the boards, covering topics from the first-year curriculum: grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing.
Members of Class A work with great concentration to solve the English questions. Precision in grammar and speed in reading comprehension are key as they tackle each question.
In Class B, participants also dive into the quiz with determination. Each one strives to answer correctly, using their knowledge to maximize their score.
When the 50 minutes are up, the quizzes are handed in and the answers are reviewed. The room is filled with anticipation as the scores are tallied.
—And the winner of the English Quiz event is...!
After reviewing the results:
—Class B!
Class B celebrated their victory with joy. With outstanding performances from Ryuji Kanzaki, Chihiro Shiranami, and Tetsuya Hamaguchi. Class A, visibly disappointed, accepts the defeat with hopes of redeeming themselves in the upcoming events.
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The tension mounted as the students gathered for the next challenge. Following the previous events, the screen lit up, revealing the new challenge: an exciting team swimming relay race.
—The next event will be the Team Swimming Relay. Each team must select 2 swimmers to complete a 100-meter race in the shortest time possible. The sum of the times of both swimmers will determine the final result. Standard swimming rules will be followed. Additionally, each commander will be allowed to give instructions before the competition. Get ready for a challenge of speed and coordination!
The participants prepared, some with nervousness and others with determination.
Class A Participants:
Ryuki Himejim
Yuki Nakato
Class B Participants:
Haruto Suo
Kozue Minamikata
When Ichinose prepared to introduce the participants, she noticed that Haruto Suo was missing. Professor Chabashira, noticing his absence, approached the remaining students to inquire about his whereabouts. Haruto's classmates pointed out that he was nearby, in a corner, with a box of tissues as he appeared to be having trouble with his nose.
Chabashira approached Haruto with concern and asked:
— Haruto, are you okay?
Haruto, with a congested voice and repeatedly sneezing, replied:
— Sniff Sorry, sensei. I don't think I can participate. As you can see, I have a severe allergy.
Chabashira observed Haruto's condition closely, noting that he seemed to be struggling to breathe properly due to nasal congestion and discharge. Clearly, he was not in a condition to compete in the swimming event.
— Alright, I'll call the staff to check on you — Chabashira said, nodding with determination.
Haruto nodded gratefully, his voice interrupted by sneezes.
— It's okay, sensei. Thank you sneeze.
After the staff evaluation, it was confirmed that Haruto could not participate due to his nasal congestion and mild discharge. With this unexpected situation, the school allowed a substitution.
Ichinose, with a slight smile, addressed the group and said:
— So, Ayanokouji-kun, please head to the swimming field.
Her smile reflected a mix of satisfaction and strategy, as the other students observed the new dynamics of the event.
Sakayanagi, watching this with her analytical gaze, realized that this was not something "unexpected" considering Ichinose's attitude. It was something planned.
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At 14:00, the swimmers from both teams took their positions at the starting blocks, ready for the challenge. The atmosphere in the pool was electric, with the audience cheering and the competitors focused on the upcoming race.
When the starting signal sounded, Ryuji Tanaka and Yuki Nakamura from Class A leaped into the water with great speed. Ryuji's technique was precise, while Yuki maintained a steady and solid pace.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Kozue Minamikata were also ready for the challenge. Ayanokouji took his position on the starting block, his muscles tense and his gaze fixed on the water. The starting signal resonated, and he plunged into the water with an explosion of energy.
From the first second, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka demonstrated impressive mastery of the freestyle stroke. His entry into the water was almost imperceptible, without unnecessary splashes. As he left the blocks, he propelled himself with explosive force, his movements perfectly synchronized.
Each stroke was efficient and calculated. His technique was flawless: his arm movements were wide and powerful, while his legs, stable and firm, provided a constant thrust. Ayanokouji maintained controlled breathing, turning his head to take in air at precise intervals without losing speed.
As he progressed through the first half of the race, it was clear he was in the lead. His stroke and kick timings were perfectly synchronized, and his style seemed almost fluid, moving through the water with impressive elegance. At the turn of the pool, he executed a fast and efficient flip turn, minimizing time out of the surface.
In the second half, Ayanokouji accelerated even further, showing outstanding endurance and speed. His strokes became more intense, and it seemed that each movement was designed to maximize speed without sacrificing technique. The pool became his own battleground, and with every breath and kick, he maintained a solid advantage.
When it was time for the final stretch, Kozue Minamikata took over, making a smooth transition and continuing the accelerated pace that Ayanokouji had set. Finally, Ayanokouji crossed the finish line with an impressive time.
The times for both teams were summed up and reviewed with anticipation.
Class A:
Ryuji Tanaka: 54.2 seconds
Yuki Nakamura: 56.7 seconds
Total Time for Class A: 110.9 seconds
Class B:
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka: 45.1 seconds
Kozue Minamikata: 52.4 seconds
Total Time for Class B: 97.4 seconds
—The winner of the Team Swimming Relay event by a large margin is ...!
After reviewing the times:
—Class B!
Class B erupted in cheers and applause.
Shibata: —Wow, Ayanokouji! Are you a secret shark or what? Your swimming style was amazing!
Kanzaki: —Absolutely. Your technique is flawless, you were mere milliseconds away from breaking the world record. I don't even know what to think. —Kanzaki rubbed the bridge of his nose, astonished.
With the swimming event completed, the final challenge on the horizon is chess.