I knock on the door, Sato, Kizuna, Kaga, and Natsuki are inside.
"Oh, you are awakened. Are you fine?"
"Yeah, I just lose consciousness because I'm just tired"
"Anyway. Who will be the other member since one of our team is out?"
"We still don't know if we're going to be qualified, so for the best is, do everything you've got to be qualified for the final day. This day is just a competition, those who'll be qualified will be participating on the second day and those who are eliminated from the game will have their plans since this campus is big. They can enjoy themselves even if they have lost in the first round"
I still don't know the details about those who are eliminated in the first round.
Natsuki approaches how wonderful this school can be by the time this event started.
"Yeah, this campus is bigger than I thought. Didn't know that that place was owned by the school. It was just closed because it was just for the event"
Seiyu high school is huge. It was like a town with malls. They just open that place every time that event happens. This school is richer than I thought. They own everything and provide for student needs.
It was such a big event that even 7th grade to 9th grade was also included. However, 7th to 9th won't be battling with the first-year to the third year. They'll be just tools for them. So 7th to 9th grade is separated from first-year to the third-year.
The plan was made by Sato. She picks the orange color for us to be a team for the final day battle. There are 28 students in every class, the same as second-year and third-year students. On the first day, 7 from Kendo and 7 students from Archer. Overall, 14 students will be qualified for each class for the second-day battle. The second day is a brawl battle. For Archer brawl. The rule is, to shoot the weak point of the target. Once each class has reached the exact 3 students, They'll be automatically qualified on joining for the third battle. For the kendo, destroy the weapon of the opponent or they'll be out if their weapon has been dropped. Once a class has reached exactly 4 students, they'll be automatically qualified on joining for the third battle just like the archer battle. Overall, on the third-day battle. Only 7 students from every class will be participating. The Third is the Team Survival battle. The kendo and archer will join forces. The rule is, to destroy the flag. When 2 groups are only remaining. If either of the two groups managed to put the flag on the safe area, they'll be the winner even if they didn't manage to defeat the other group. 7 groups will be battling. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet are the flag colors. Each group has 12 students randomly from the first year to the third year. To eliminate the enemy, There is a weak point that the archer can hit. All participants including kendo have weak points on the back. Once the arrow hits it, they'll be out. The arrow is not real, but a toy arrow that can't hurt or can make the skin bleed. And the other way to eliminate this is to make the kendo user drop their weapon. There is one more rule about the game. If the opponent did touch their enemies' weapon by holding it, they'll be automatically out if it was on purpose. For accidentally touching it, if you touch their weapon 3 times. It will be automatically out, they gave 3 chances for accidentally touching the weapon. The time starts at 1 in the afternoon and it will end on 5 afternoons. The result will be out the next day after the final battle.
This battle festival was looked forward to by most of the students. I should not worry about anything. I'll just have to enjoy my high school life by making friends.
I stayed outside and they got something to eat before the battle began.
Kazanawa woke up and I gave her water to cool her body since the fight earlier was her first time so her reaction will be shocking to it.
"Are you alright? Do not push yourself too hard"
"Sorry, I got carried away because they tried to hit the girl. Also, I'm sorry because I don't think I can participate in the game"
"Do not worry about the game, we can handle that sort of thing. Just rest for the whole day so you can join the battle on the final round"
"Huh? Join the battle in the final round? How? I won't be able to join the first day and Second day"
"Do you want to feel better?"
"Yes, of course, I always look forward to this battle"
"I'll make you feel better then"
After saying that, she might have misunderstood what I said. It'll be embarrassing if she thinks that kind of idea so I tried to change what I said and she reacted with a red face.
"Wh-wh-what do you mean about ma-make me f-feel better!?"
Her face turned out red. As I expected, that's embarrassing to say. I shouldn't be saying those kinds of words.
"I'll go get you special treatment for you to recover in one day"
"One day is not enough. How am I supposed to join if I missed the first battle?"
"Just rest at ease, you don't have to think about that. If you want to join, then rest for the whole day"
A voice comes out of the speaker. Seems it came to the broadcast room. Looks like the Battle Festival is about to start.
"Uh… I'll be going now"
"Well then, take care Amayori-kun"
Based on what the president and I talked about the plan. He also told me that first-year class D is not only troublesome. Third-year students and second-year students also make huge trouble with them. The first-year student might have connections with the second and third-year students. The president said that the third-year class D's representative's mind was unforeseeable. He doesn't move carelessly but the student council is suspecting class D because of it as the class doesn't unite with the other classes. I don't know what problem they're having, But he stated the name of Fubuyashi Hariya. I bumped into that guy a week ago. There is no doubt that he was the leading man of the top group these days. His true name was Ryohei Wasagura, I did know that because of the rumors. Rumors are that their group is ruling a place in the city, and the police can't handle them. Police these days are very active during the night because of what Ryohei Wasagura's group is doing. They're doing disgusting things during the night. All they do is kidnap a girl and bang it in front of their group member and take pictures of it.
Too bad that his name means Peaceful but it was the opposite of peaceful. This guy can be troublesome if they have connections with the first-year class D. I need it to confirm before they target us. They are probably targeting the girls from our class so I have to work for my peaceful high school life. Also, I made friends so I have to protect my friends to spend more time with them.
The last-day battle is the shuffle of the first-year students to third-year students. Ryohei might end up on my team or we end up fighting to the end. Like how the president said, his moves were unforeseeable so I have to be careful. Ryohei might do something to win this fight. I already expected that he'll use violence during this battle festival so I might get ready for whatever happens and win this battle for the sake of my life.
The First-day battle Festival started. I went to wash my hands due to carrying and cleaning the wooden swords and bows. I heard a noise at the back of the school and I went to see what the noise was.
I peek and coincidently saw Ryohei with a girl who was in the same class as me.
The girl looks like being forced and Ryohei is about to threaten her by using a dirty way.
He was about to unbutton the girl's clothes.
"Do you know who is the one who beat up my idiot fellas?"
"I d-don't know t-that incident h-happens"
"Alright then, after this. Go spy your whole class if you want this to be stopped"
He tightened his arm to both of the girl's arms and tried to touch her breast. I stopped his arm and dragged him away from her.
"Um… Would you mind closing that?"
She obeys immediately with tears and trembles.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Umm… What are you doing to my classmate?"
"So? It's none of your business even she was your classmate so get out of my sight"
This guy isn't as hot-headed as I thought. His expression is just normal pushing me away.
"You seem not to understand what I was referring to"
"Huh?"
"You were just about to touch her body. So I stopped you from doing that"
"I did just ask her if she knows who beat the hell out of my idiot fellas. Anyways, I'll threaten you if you don't answer my question. Do you know the person who beat up my useless fellas?"
It would be risky if I told him it was Kazanawa even though I'm the one who did that so I will tell him that I don't know.
"Um… I don't know what you are talking about or should I say, does that happen?"
"How useless and brainless was class B can be. Get out of here, let's call it a day brainless class"
We left without saying anything. I guided her to the school corridor and she stopped calling out to me.
"Um… thank you for saving me again"
Again?" Did I know this girl? A student from Tomosaki high school? Wow, I didn't know that I was such a popular person in that school at that time.
"I'll introduce myself again. I'm Tsuyuri Suzune. Class B students from 8th to 9th grade. You used to help me any time in the library"
"Ahh, well, do not think about it. I might feel uneasy if I just leave you there alone"
"You are so nice as always"
She lifted her hand as if she was asking to shake hands.
"What about starting to become friends?"
A friend invitation? Wait, as I recall correctly. Didn't I have too many females than the boys? I should look for some male friends sometimes.
I shook hands with her and went with everyone together since she was joining kendo.
I asked her which one between archery and kendo she was going to participate in. Due to the final battle, we are looking for someone good at kendo to join our group and win this battle together.
We arrived where everyone was and talked to Sato.
"She'll be joining our team and participating in kendo. It wouldn't be a problem because we have the last seat for the last kendo person who'll be participating. Then let her join, she said that she was good at it"
"Alright, we are welcoming Tsuyuri-san as our new member. Alright Tsuyuri-san, if you ever reach the final day. Don't waste any time or second. Just pick the color orange for us to be a team"
Sato turned toward me and she asked questions about archery.
"Do you think we can contact the archery participants or did you know any of the participants who are good at Archery?"
"I don't have any idea. We'll just have to wait for the final day"
For Archer is a shooting competition. The coach will be grading them, the same as the kendo.
I was on the 5th line who will be next. The girls are already finished. Sato and Tsuyuri qualified for the next battle. Kaga did great work by pretending to be Kazanawa. She was good at acting. I saw a guy in an online post. The girl on his post looks like Kaga. I checked her profile and I figured out that she was an Idol so I asked her to pretend to be Kazanawa. Kazanawa qualified for the next battle thanks to Kaga. her training won't be wasted.
At the end of the First year of competition, the second year will be next, then the last is the third year. The good news from Sato was that everyone managed to be qualified for the next game. I'm also fine with this group since I acknowledge their potential and it's also good when I'm with them.
I forgot my towel so I went back to the classroom while the other was watching the second year outside.
I wiped my sweat and went outside.
At the time I opened the door, a guy was standing beside the corridor and it was Ryohei.
I ignored him and continued walking.
"I see, so you are the 3rd strongest of the Kawaragi Dojo. the person who perfected fighting styles and the kid who took down everyone on the Heavenly Dragon and Raven Rascal conflict. I've been looking forward to meeting the king."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Don't pretend. The name Amayori Takuyaji doesn't matter what was happening around him, let the others suffer to death. Shitty guy, why did you change?"
"It's futile talking nonsense. I don't even know you or know those incidents"
I left while he was talking.
"I'll be giving you a present on the final day. It was present for you to be the 3rd strongest"
This will be the sign that they'll be starting to attack me. First-year is already troublesome and the third year is about doing troublesome things. My high school life is starting to get ruined.
After I leave, Ryohei remains and a guy shows up.
"Ryohei, you should be messing with him. His on a different level than us, he was more inhuman when he was thinking. Once he makes a move, there is no way to escape"
"Okay, then Yoruki, would you ally with me to bring down that guy?"
"I first want to hear your plan and think about it if it's acceptable. Then? When will you do this operation?"
"To the final battle, we are going to start a bloody festival"
"You're always ridiculous even though your appearance is far different from your true nature"
"How dumb of you"
A third-year girl who was leaning at the door suddenly interfered with Ryohei and the other guy's conversation.
"Hey hey, why does everyone appear in this kind of conversation? Don't tell me you want to join too?"
"Don't be ridiculous. First-year students, this generation is really strong and scary. That guy is far stronger than us. If I were you, I would get involved with that guy. I know him more than both of you. That's why I'm warning you. It's no joke that he was fearful. I would be choosing him as a friend than an enemy"
"We don't need your warning, we'll just have to bring him down and make him our pet"
"How dumb, it doesn't make you cool. Also before you go I have one more thing to tell you. Since Yokohama city is gone. Most of the people there moved to this city. In the generation where Takuyaji is, there is one more guy who made a good fight with him. That guy is also in this school, he might not have gotten the news that Takuyaji is in this school. He might join forces with him or he doesn't, so I'm telling you that these two are dangerous if they're together"
"I show you that I have the potential on bringing them down—"
She left without hearing Ryohei's words.
"I don't ever really like that girl's attitude. I'll go back now"
I was sitting on the grass with a bunch of students that I didn't know. It is a place where to go on a picnic or where to rest since first-year is done, we rest there.
"Amayori-kun, why'd you want Kazanawa to join so badly?"
Out of the blue, Kaga questioned me about that so suddenly while I'm chewing.
"Um… Kazanawa did hard work for her to improve herself. Also, she improved herself for this battle for the coming sports festival. That's why I looked for special treatment"
"Wow, sorry for asking out of the blue. Are you and Kazanawa-san dating? Because as I always can see that you guys seem a bit couple"
I didn't think that Natsuki would ever think about that.
There is no between me and Kazanawa so the answer is no. unless she confesses. I might accept her confession for me to forget the past. It's also time to change my life.
"No, we are not something like that"
"I sometimes saw both of you jogging in the morning with the PE uniform"
"Yeah, I also see both of them coming from our coffee shop every morning"
What a big coincidence. First, Natsuki saw us jogging. Second, Kizuna's shop is where I and Kazanawa are meeting up.
"I knew it, the is something odd between you and Kazanawa-san"
There is nothing wrong with telling them so I'll just tell them to decrease the issue.
"Kazanawa asked me to help her to improve herself so I did accept her request"
"So that's the story. Is that the reason why Kazanawa is good at sports and Kendo?"
"Well, you can call it like that"
The reason why Kazanawa stuck with me is that she promised herself that she'll do anything for me. For that reason, it seems it was her best wish in her life. Also, that is the only reason that she has in her life. She has no motivation from the start. She only changed the time I reached out. If I didn't meet her at this school, her life might not change forever. I also have a reason why I approve of her staying by my side.
After that conversation, we finished eating snacks and went on watching the Second-year
The second year is done and the third year starts.
I saw Zomigashi who was standing in the corridor. She was looking at me and seemed like she was calling me.
"Is it the President's order again?"
"Sorry for the trouble but that was the reason why I was here"
Both of us went to the second building on the third floor where the student council room is.
She again left outside and seems this talk will be just both of us.
"Sorry for the trouble. But this might be a piece of troublesome news to you"
"What? Is it about Ryohei and the other Class D?"
"Partly but there is one more"
Is there anything else besides that?
"First I'll tell you one thing. I was also from Kawaragi Dojo. it is where I learn the way of my fighting"
Kawaragi dojo huh? Why did people from Kawaragi dojo uniting in one place?
"I got eliminated at the 17th place. Ryohei is in 8th place. I also remembered the person who was one of the strongest people in Kawaragi Dojo. Tsurugiri Kawata, he had a good fight with you. He was in this school. He was from second-year class B. He had just attended class this day so I'm just telling this to you for you to know"
It was indeed a piece of troublesome news. But, it wasn't a problem since both of us didn't interact with each other. The trouble is if Ryohei knows about him and manages Tsurugiri to be his ally, it will be a problem for me.
"I see, no need to give attention to Tsurugiri"
I left without saying things and Zomigashi went inside.
It's easy to control Tsurugiri. He was only following the person who was more potent than him. He starts with the fight to see who is stronger. He is kind of a guy who was looking for a person that he wanted to follow even though he was older. I'll be calling him to go to the rooftop by telling his classmates.
There was a second-year girl I encountered in the corridor that was out of the second building and I tried to ask her.
"Um… do you know the name Tsurugiri?"
"Oh, he was in the same class as me. What did a boy from the first year want from him?"
"Can I ask a favor?"
"If it's acceptable, then sure"
"Um… there is a person who was calling him at the rooftop who asked me to call him"
"Alright, I'll just get my wallet to my bag and I'll call him right away"
After she left. I waited for her not to notice me going to the rooftop. She might check on it so I have to be careful about what I'm about to do.
I've been waiting for 5 minutes. He opened the door and looked so excited.
"What does a girl want from me— Huh? Takuyaji? Where is the girl? Never mind that, why are you here? You supposed to be still on the Kawaragi Dojo"
"I have my reason why I left Kawaragi Dojo"
"So you tricked me? No girl on this rooftop? What do you want? Do you want to have a rematch with me? I just have a bit of fever from our last fight. Now, I've been ready for this. I wanted to know who is the strongest between us"
"I'll accept your challenge, but on one condition"
"Condition? Whatever it is, I'll take all of it. I will even be your ally if you beat me once again"
That is what I expected from him.
I mostly brought him down and he suddenly stopped fighting with me.
"It's no use fighting you, your strength is monster"
"Now that I won, I have a favor"
"Favor? What kind of favor?"
"I wanted you to be part of our group"
"Isn't it random?"
"Yes, it was random. But do pick orange color as soon as possible"
"Then, why do you want me to join your team? You want to win?"
"Something like that. But I have a problem that might be a problem for you"
"Huh? What kind of problem are you talking about?"
"Did you know Ryohei? The 8th place from Kawaragi Dojo?"
"Ryohei? Hmm… Ahh, that shitty guy? What about him?"
"He was the third-year class D's representative. During this Battle Festival, he was about to plan something that might cause a problem for the festival. You do like festivals, right? To save the fun of the festival, we have to eliminate and Expelled those class D"
"You are right that I like festivals, but how do we make them get eliminated and expelled?"
"They'll be going to use violence. He was an unknown person. His mind is unreadable so be careful about what he was about to do"
His mind is unreadable to all of you. Only Kizuna and I can read his mind. Also, the student council has skills in being observant.
For this operation, I'll use Kizuna to observe Ryohei. She'll be useful and she'll be challenged on it.
I cut out the conversation and went back to watch the third year with others.
I have connections with students from Kawaragi Dojo. in this school, there might be students here from Cube X. So many participants got Expelled in Cube X. some cube X participants got escaped from there that might be in this school. Some of the participants there know about Cube X's shutdown. I need extra observation. Not only first-year class D or the third-year class D but the whole school.
I saw them still sitting on the chair
"Oh, Amayori-kun. The third year is about to finish their first-day battle. It's too bad you didn't see the girl from third year's panty—"
"Gross, you pervert"
"Just kidding"
"Can I excuse you Takayaji-kun for a minute"
A girl showed up and called out my name.
It was my sister, Mayase-sensei. Seems like she likes to discuss things with me.
We went inside the school and looked to see if there were people around.
"Long time no see Takaya. Sorry for not to able to return for all these years"
"No, it's okay. It doesn't matter if I was alone. I did manage to live healthy and alone"
"Takaya. Do they still want you to return to the Cube X?"
So this is about Cube X? I wanted to forget that place. Terrifying, torture, and worse place of all. It's like I was in hell.
"I've been observing around me. The men from Cube X are looking for me. They're around the city. That's why I was changing schools"
"Not only you that they're looking for but the other kids who escaped from that place. But the problem is, some of the Cube X kids are looking for you and forced you to bring back there"
"I've been handling everything by myself so do not worry about it"
"Takaya, always hold back on everything. Do not use the strength you have. Do not ever show use it. Control yourself, because there is a day that will awaken your true nature. Just limit yourself to show your abilities. It's bad if you show it all. You can just show your sports abilities. You have good grades and you can also manage to get an average score. The only thing you can't manage is your strength and the darkness inside your body. If Shiomori is still alive, you can live without worrying about anything"
"Yeah, I'll do that. I also don't want to ruin my life. Being popular, and getting the highest score or being top is not my type. I'm not in the Cube X anymore, no one is controlling me now so I can do whatever I want"
"Sorry again. I didn't manage to raise you after Shiomori-chan's death"
I met Shiomori in my 6th-grade year. We established the name Heavenly Dragon on June 7, 2019. The final last conflict between Heavenly Dragon and Raven Rascal was on October 5, 2019. After Shiomori's death. I went back to my old self when I was at Cube X. Yokohama burning happened on December 1, 2019. We moved to Tokyo city 5 days after Yokohama burned and continued studying there. My aunty died 2 weeks after we moved to Tokyo due to her illness. My sister disappeared on January 9. I start living by myself and manage to reach first-year high school. My life is more complicated than a normal human being.
About the Cube X and Kawaragi Dojo. Kawaragi Dojo is the place where you can pass and enter Cube X. I was one of the Cube X kids.
Honestly, I know my true parents. Amayori Shinichi is the name of my father and the name of my mother is Amayori Wasami. I was the child of the Amayori family. But this family is not suitable, it's imperfect. That's why my sister ran away and lived with my aunt. I did the same as she did after I escaped at Cube X.
Until now, after I left Cube X. Those guys are still looking for me. I did manage to escape them when I was in grade 7. They've been searching for me all over Tokyo.
After the conversation with my sister, I wandered around the campus and went back by the time the third year finished.
We went back to the classroom and our homeroom teacher announced who will be participating on the Second day.
Automatically, 14 students will be participating. The 7 names on the list who qualified for archery are Satasawa Sasaki, Taroshino Wazabe, Shimuyara Tanjishiki, Ishigamura Kayato, Hakutori Zera, Tamuraha shoukyo, Kusakawa Sutaro. And the other 7 students from Kendo are Sato Hakenami, Tsuyuri Suzune, Kikoshi Tsubane, Kusazawa Sutaro, Kazanawa Shiori, Takegami Kakemi, and I.
"These are the students who are going to participate on the second day. For the rest who are not qualified, free to use your time to wander around the campus and wait for the Sports Festival. But do not try to leave the campus"
The homeroom teacher is done announcing and most of the students in the school go back to their dorm. The others wandered around the new area, and the others continued their training inside the Kendo club room.
I was left in the classroom alone.
Students are busy practicing and forget about the S system, but I've been checking the S system. By the time the Battle festival started, I checked my S system and I saw the word "level 0" pop out. And after our homeroom teacher gave us the announcement and all the students left the classroom, I looked at it and it reached level 1.
"Level 1? What is this supposed to be?"