COTE : There is Something Wrong With Hikigaya

The sports festival had a total of 13 events, split between all-student competitions and selective participation events. 

The class-based team events had mostly wrapped up in the morning, leaving the afternoon for selective competitions—the ones where each class sent their strongest players. 

These included a scavenger hunt, mixed-gender three-legged race, four-way tug-of-war, and a school-wide 1200-meter relay. 

As the afternoon events began, athletes checked in. However, Sudou—who had injured Hirata in the morning—was nowhere to be found. In the end, they had to spend 100,000 private points to get a substitute. 

Horikita, who was originally scheduled for some events, also had to withdraw due to her injury. Another 100,000 private points had to be spent for her replacement. 

For Class D, 100,000 private points wasn't an unbearable cost, but considering they had lived through months of having zero points—surviving on school-provided aid and basic meals—it still hurt. 

Horikita's case was understandable, and everyone sympathized with her. But Sudou? That was "unforgivable." 

He had forced Hirata to compete despite his injuries, further fueling the resentment against him. 

In no time, Sudou's reputation plummeted again. Worse, he was labeled a "deserter"—a particularly ironic insult, considering it came from Yamauchi. 

Sudou, now branded a "coward," became the target of widespread criticism. 

Yamauchi's actions weren't surprising, though. His goal was the same as when he had tried to suppress and mock Hikigaya—he simply wanted to avoid being at the bottom of the class. And the easiest way to do that was by stepping on someone else. 

After the secret filming incident and Ike's expulsion, Yamauchi and Sudou became the most despised people in the class. But compared to the nearly useless Yamauchi, Sudou at least had athletic skills. Many had high expectations for him in the sports festival. Yamauchi, on the other hand, was now completely at the bottom of the class. 

Unfortunately, Sudou messed things up himself. He could have used the sports festival to improve his reputation, but instead, he completely ruined it. Yamauchi wasn't going to miss such a perfect chance to kick him while he was down. 

Better him than me! 

With Yamauchi fanning the flames, Sudou was labeled a "deserter." In reality, he never showed up for the sports festival at all. He only had himself to blame. 

But losing Sudou, Horikita, and the injured Hirata had a huge impact on the class. As expected, Class D performed terribly in the afternoon's recommended events. 

--- 

"Sakura, you don't look so well." 

At the class's base camp, Hikigaya noticed that Sakura seemed a little pale. The afternoon events were mostly for skilled athletes, so students like Sakura and Hasebe were left to handle small tasks. 

Sakura hesitated for a moment, then nervously looked around before whispering, "D-during lunch break... I-I felt like someone was following me." 

Hikigaya frowned and turned to Hasebe, who also looked concerned. "I was with Airi the whole time, and I didn't notice anything." 

"M-maybe I'm just being paranoid..." 

Sakura lowered her head, embarrassed. She was always uneasy around crowds, so feeling uncomfortable at the festival wasn't unusual. 

Hikigaya nodded but kept it in mind. 

The next event was the final one— a mixed 1200-meter relay race, where all grade levels competed together. 

There were 12 classes in total, each with three boys and three girls running 200 meters each. Originally, Class D's male runners were Sudou, Hirata, and Miyake Akito, Hikigaya's former roommate from the cruise ship. 

But earlier, Miyake told Hirata that he had injured his foot during the morning's 200-meter race. Instead of improving, it had gotten worse, so he had no choice but to withdraw. 

That left only Hirata. Fortunately, they had listed a substitute—Ayanokouji. 

"But even if Ayanokouji can take Miyake's place, Sudou is still missing..." 

Hirata sighed. 

Sudou was nowhere to be found, so they still needed one more substitute. The only viable option left was Koenji, but getting him to cooperate was impossible. 

So... 

"Hikigaya, can I ask you to do it?" 

Hirata looked at him. 

"Huh?" 

Hikigaya froze, but before he could say anything, a mocking voice rang out. 

"Hahaha! As if that weakling could run! He'd collapse after a few steps!" 

Yamauchi laughed loudly, clearly trying to repeat his previous tactics. He had gotten rid of Sudou and was feeling cocky. This was also his way of getting back at them for what happened in the summer. 

But this time, no one joined in. Or rather, the people who would've supported him were already expelled. 

The looks of disgust and disdain around him made Yamauchi's face stiffen. His expression turned red like a monkey's. 

"What's with those looks?! I'm just telling the truth! There's no way that weakling can run! Ayanokouji too! You're just throwing in anyone because you have no choice! Without Ken, you guys are doomed!" 

Just earlier, he had been trashing Sudou, and now he was acting like his biggest fan. It was obvious he was just using Sudou as a tool. Of course, he also had to take a jab at Ayanokouji while he was at it. 

But he didn't notice the slight change in Ayanokouji's eyes. 

Instead of the reaction Yamauchi expected, the disgusted looks around him only grew stronger. 

Then, someone shouted, "Shut up, Yamauchi!" 

The area fell silent for a few seconds—then erupted into laughter. 

Yamauchi's face turned an even uglier shade of red, almost like liver. After angrily shouting a few more times, he shoved through the crowd and ran off. 

In the middle of the crowd, Hasebe turned to Sakura with a satisfied smile.

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