Though scrambling the order of participants might have seemed like a viable tactic, in a relay race like this, its impact was minimal.
The students chosen for the final event were already the best in Class A—Kito Hayato, Hashimoto Masayoshi, Kamuro Masumi, Shinji Matoba, and Kaoru Mitoma among them.
The Katsuragi faction and the Sakayanagi faction stood on the same track with unspoken understanding.
Katsuragi Kouhei wasn't participating, but seeing Sakayanagi Arisu also staying on the sidelines, he quietly sighed in relief.
The remaining members of the Sakayanagi faction were, after all, the elite of their class.
Take Kito Hayato for instance—this peculiar boy was likely the most physically capable student in Class A.
And then there was Kamuro Masumi.
Before today, no one could have predicted the little surprise she would bring.
Kaoru was the second-to-last runner, positioned slightly behind, but with a clear view of Nagumo Miyabi, Horikita Manabu and Horikita Suzune ahead.
Since the track wasn't wide enough to accommodate all three grades at once, the school had designated the inner lanes as the racing course while the outer lanes served as the waiting area for baton exchanges.
After passing the baton, runners would then move back into the inner lanes.
Though each leg of the race covered considerable distance, with all grades sharing the same field, the gaps between them weren't vast.
The race itself consisted of just three laps around the track.
This setup placed Kaoru in an oddly close position to the final runners.
"Mitoma, standing so far back—are you afraid to face me?" Nagumo's cold voice drifted over from ahead.
"The most crucial leg should be entrusted to the most suitable person." Kaoru had no patience for his taunts.
Soon enough, Nagumo might not even be able to keep up with Kamuro.
"I'm not surprised you're working with Kiriyama. What does surprise me is how you knew about Class 2-A's situation." Nagumo scoffed. "Don't worry. Once this is over, I'll find out exactly who the traitor is."
"And once you do?" Kaoru asked.
"Hah. What do you think will happen to them?" Nagumo's lips curled in mockery.
"Did they think I wouldn't act against my own classmates? The moment they betrayed me, they ceased to be my allies."
"I thought you wouldn't care about something as trivial as betrayal. Not long ago, you were preaching about individual strength above all else. Isn't betrayal just another natural consequence?" Kaoru's tone was matter-of-fact.
"What better way to prove one's strength than by toppling you?"
Though meant as mockery, Nagumo actually considered the words seriously before nodding.
"You're right. I am their king. Nothing demonstrates power more effectively than slaying the king. But betrayal is still betrayal."
The more he agreed with Kaoru's reasoning, the more his fury towards the traitor burned.
"Since they didn't defeat me immediately, then Kiriyama, you, him, and everyone else daring to defy me—you'd better be prepared for the consequences."
"Are all of us going to be expelled by you?"
"Mitoma!" Nagumo Miyabi was visibly irritated.
This guy always disregarded seniority, even openly mocking him to his face.
"It's a competition now. Stop arguing," Horikita Manabu said calmly.
The race had officially begun.
The first runner for Class 1-D was Sudou Ken, who took an overwhelming lead before passing the baton to the second runner, Hirata Yosuke.
By the time it was the fourth runner's turn, Class 2-A and Class 3-A had already caught up.
Some students had pushed themselves too hard and ended up falling on the track.
"Hehe, President Horikita is so strict. I just wanted to have a little chat with this junior, that's all," Nagumo said with a smile, though his eyes held no warmth.
"But it seems like our class is in the lead now. Mitoma, your calculations—"
"Being in the lead doesn't mean anything. Class 2-B's overall points have already caught up to yours," Kaoru cut him off.
"Including this relay, my participation list was entirely designed to counter Class 2-A."
His sudden confession stunned Nagumo, followed by a surge of fury.
Not only had he been attacked by a junior, but recalling the humiliation from earlier that morning made his face burn with anger.
Kamuro turned her head slightly.
She had been ignoring their exchange until now, but she couldn't help feeling a flicker of surprise.
Why was this guy picking a fight with the second-years?
Then again, thinking about it, it wasn't entirely unexpected.
After all, he and Nagumo had never gotten along from the start.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Horikita Suzune standing nearby.
Though the girl looked somewhat startled, her expression was mostly tense—and was that a hint of envy in her eyes?
Horikita Suzune remained silent.
Even though she had achieved her wish—standing proudly beside her brother—she didn't feel the confidence or pride she had imagined.
Instead, she was overwhelmed with unease and Kamuro presence beside her only deepened her insecurity.
Horikita Suzune knew she could never match Kamuro's speed, just as she could never match her brother's.
Standing here now, she couldn't help but feel a little pathetic.
Especially when she remembered all the things she had said to Kaoru.
The memory made her want to bury her head in the sand.
She regretted her earlier confidence.
Soon, the fifth runner took off, with Kaoru in fourth place, chasing closely behind.
As he passed the sixth runner, he glanced briefly at Horikita Suzune, who also looked back at him.
Their eyes met for just an instant.
"How does Class D compare to Class A now?" Horikita Manabu suddenly asked.
Horikita Suzune froze for a moment before realizing her brother was speaking to her.
A flicker of panic ran through her, followed by a tinge of shame as she answered.
"I... I'll catch up to Mitoma-kun and his Class A. I definitely will."
"Is that so?" Horikita Manabu's voice was indifferent. "You haven't improved at all. Mitoma-kun's judgment about you must have been wrong."
Horikita Suzune had expected harsher words of disdain, but instead, he simply said that—and even mentioned Kaoru's name in the process.
"Mitoma-kun... Did he say something to you?"
"Just some pointless nonsense. He asked me to take the final leg of the relay, saying it was your request. I was surprised. You two seem to have gotten close."
Horikita Suzune's face flushed crimson as she recalled that she had indeed made such a request while indulging Kaoru.
Had he actually told her brother about it?
"Is this girl president Horikita's sister?" Nagumo's voice suddenly rang out, his scorching gaze sizing up Suzune.
Suzune instinctively lowered her head.
Whenever someone identified her as Horikita Manabu's sister, this near-reflexive response always surfaced.
"That's none of your concern."
"Who would have thought the student council president's sister would be placed in Class D upon enrollment. Quite surprising."
"Even so, she remains my sister."
"Heh, what an admirable sibling pair. I'll look forward to the days ahead."
The impact of Kaoru's earlier blow seemed to have vanished as Nagumo's smile reappeared.
The next moment, the final baton was passed into his hands.
"Then I'll await you at the finish line, President Horiki—" Nagumo's words were cut short as a black shadow suddenly flew past him, freezing his smile mid-sentence.
When he recognized the figure, his pupils shook with disbelief, utterly unable to comprehend how someone had overtaken the leading Class 2-A.
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