Volume 17, Chapter 4: Part 4

While some of the problems were still unresolved, the class pressed forward in their careful preparations for the Sports Festival. There were students who were opposed to competing alongside Ryuuen, but once they got going and preparations were underway, there werent any major arguments and the practice for the team events was also coming along well. Even those members of the class who had initially opposed it decided not to withhold their cooperation so that they could win and threw themselves into practice and training day and night.

And so finally came the day before the Sports Festival. Around 9:30 PM, I made a phone call to Horikita.

Surprisingly late for you to call, isnt it? I was just about to go to bed.

Through the earpiece, I could hear a hair dryer running.

Ive got something important to say regarding the Sports Festival.

You have something important to say? I better take this somewhat seriously, then. She said, and she mustve quickly turned off the hair dryer because the earpiece went quiet. Ah, before that, I had something I wanted to say. Sakayanagi-san is set on participating in the Sports Festival tomorrow, you know? Didnt you say you could stop her?

What I have to say has to do with that, too. Im thinking of sitting out the Sports Festival tomorrow.

Sitting out? Wait just a moment, what do you mean?

It was pretty clear that on the other side of the phone, she was thrown by my sudden announcement. Something clattered, and I could hear a small cry.

Are you alright?

Sorry, I just dropped the hair dryer

I could hear her put the phone down somewhere. I guess she was hastily trying to pick up the hair dryer.

So, what do you mean by sitting out? Youre not unwell or anything, right?

It wasnt unreasonable for her to be confused, given that I sounded healthy.

Ah, no, theres no problems with my health. Rather, its like I feel better than I usually do.

Then why? If you sit it out, well lose ten points, you know? Even though I wasnt banking on the points you win in my calculations, losing those ten points will be painful.

The class had just 38 peoplefewer than the othersso I understood why she felt like complaining.

Im not going to say those ten points arent worth much. But this is my strategy, its essential.

Your strategy?

Of course, it didnt have anything to do with things like my fathers agent coming and blending in with the guests.

I brought up something Id kept quiet about thus far.

Its connected to the first step of my attack on Sakayanagi, which we cannot avoid if we want to push Class A to the last position.

Attack on Sakayanagi?

I told you. That I have a way to keep Sakayanagi from participating in the Sports Festival.

But I dont understand how you sitting it out has anything to do with attacking Sakayanagi

She went to ask me my reasoning, but she quickly stopped in her tracks.

I see. I wont be able to understand what youre planning, not as I am right now. And I suppose you wont change your mind about skipping the Sports Festival even if I try to persuade you otherwise?

Yeah. First thing tomorrow morning, Ill tell the school that Im sick.

If thats the case, I guess I have no choice but to trust you at this point.

She was exasperated, but she allowed it and gave her consent regardless.

Just so you know, my personal goal was to take first place at least thrice, but because of this I will have to score more than ten points myself.

Thanks for your support.

I cut the call and put my phone to charge. Even though she was just about to go to bed, I imagine Horikita would be unable to sleep for a while as she adjusts her calculations for the scores in her head. What I did was a bit rough on her, but she should treat it as a necessary expense.

Now, theres one more person I need to call. After I tell them the necessary information, all the setup will be done.