CH 77

Posted on July 15, 2022by Soafp

Translator: Soafp

TL: Skipping chapter 76 because it’s a character list.

The file I had brought from the reference room was placed on my desk with a thud, and I flipped through it.

“You’re the one who brought it up, so stop slacking off and get to work.” (Yuki)

“That is true, but ……” (Kouki)

While giving the freshly handsome man a stern talking-to, I examine the competition events, score distribution, scores, total points, and the winning line from the past 10 years of gymnastic records brought out.

“The whole sports festival thing is getting a little confusing for me.” (Kouki)

“The difference is in the objectives. It’s just that if we’re going to put up a winning effort, there’s a certain amount of effort that needs to be put into it.” (Yuki)

Needless to say, I’m going to work for more than just the fresh, good-looking guy. Not to mention that I didn’t initiate this whole thing. I honestly don’t care either way. But since I’m going to do it, I’m going to give it my all.

If everyone is having fun and the outcome depends on luck, there is no need to do this. However, if the goal is to win the championship, there are things that are necessary. It is inevitable that the amount of effort spent will increase the probability of winning.

“I’ve collected them!” (Kana)

“I-I can’t …… do it any more, …… I’m at my wits’ end. ……” (Shakudo)

During recess, Elizabeth, who has a great friendship with other classes due to her overflowing cheerful energy, arrives back. No, Sha-Shakado!　How did you end up in the cheerful army?　Shakado was pale in the face, though she felt betrayed in a quiet way. She must have run out of energy. You’ve been reckless. ……

“All right, all right, everything seems to be coming together nicely.” (Yuki)

Elizabeth and the team gathered some basic information on the number of athletic teams in each class, the number of leading students in each class, and how many students are in the track and field team. Not surprisingly, the underdog seems to be this class in first place. This is probably because of the main character, the fresh and handsome guy, and Shiori, who is the strongest in terms of physical strength. There are also many other prominent athletic teams.

“I’m kind of having fun being a spy!　I’m so thrilled!” (Kana)

“Kokonoe-chan, didn’t you understand everything?” (Mineta)

“The rest of the hearing went smoothly. As long as we know by the end of the day, we’ll be fine.” (Kana)

The mission given to all classes is simple. To find out in detail who in the other classes will be participating in which competitions. From club activities and individual interactions with friends, they were asked to chit-chat and find out.

“Hohee. You are pretty modest, huh? I thought you were going to do something bigger and bigger.” (Mineta)

“I’ve heard that in every country, the intelligence service does simple work like scrapping newspapers. There is no flashy action like in the movies.” (Yuki)

Now and in the past, intelligence is the key to victory. Espionage is a simple thing.

Looking at the documents, I wrote down what I noticed.

“Fresh and handsome guy, what do you see when you look at this?” (Yuki)

“Tug of war, huh? …..Like, are the scores higher?” (Kouki)

“There’s more. Right, right, right, left, left, left, right, right, right. This shows 63% on the right side and 37% on the left side, with the right side having a much higher win rate.” (Yuki)

“Isn’t that a coincidence, ……?　Or is it because there are more right-handed people?” (Kouki)

“At this point, I don’t care to specify why, but if it’s a coincidence, there’s no reason not to pick the right side.” (Yuki)

Tug-of-war is played on a two-fight basis. The position is changed after each game, but a large percentage of the time, the result is tied up in the third game. In other words, the winner of the first and third games often wins the first game, but the winning position is extremely high for the first game on the right (win), the second game on the left (lose), and the third game on the right (win).

And the tug-of-war position is often decided by self-declaration. This means that the players often get what they want. Of course, if both sides have the same preference, it becomes a game of rock-paper-scissors, but not many people care about that. …… In the past years, atleast. Then there is no reason not to take advantage of this!　Kukuku.

“I feel like this is becoming less and less the gymnastics festival I know. ……” (Kouki)

“Take seriously what it means to win. It will surely help in the basketball game. For example, I can always win in rock-paper-scissors-paper. Hinagi come here.” (Yuki)

I beckoned Hinagi to come over to my place.

“Let’s play rock-paper-scissors-scissors now. I have a 100% chance of beating you in rock-paper-scissors-scissors, by the way.” (Yuki)

“Eh, but I’ve beaten Yukito many times in the past?” (Hinagi)

“You’ll see. Rock-paper-scissors!” (Yuki)

Hinagi used paper. I win with my scissors. Of course I won. As long as I know in advance what my opponent is going to play.

“Whenever we play rock-paper-scissors, you always go for paper first.” (Yuki)

“Lies!?　Since when?!　Why didn’t you tell me?!” (Hinagi)

“I thought it might help me in case of emergencies.” (Yuki)

“What do you mean “in case of emergency”?” (Hinagi)

“…… Like getting caught up in a death game.” (Yuki)

“That won’t happen!　So you’re saying you’ve been holding back this whole time?” (Hinagi)

“That’s not true. I would make paper first to even the score at 50-50, and then I’d play.” (Yuki)

“Why do you say that ……” (Hinagi)

“I’m just saving it for if you do something wrong and I really want to stop it.” (Yuki)

I had been saving it as a trump card against Hinagi, but the reason I thought it was okay to give it away here is because she’s changed a lot since then.

She is no longer as dangerous as she was back then. She is now able to stop, listen to the opinions of those around her, and ask for help if she is in trouble. It’s a big, really big growth. She should no longer be running headlong into the unknown and making mistakes along the way.

….Actually, there is more than one winning strategy, but I’m not going to tell you that. Sorry, Hinagi.

“…..I see. I see. You cared for me since then. ……” (Hinagi)

Aside from Hinagi, who is getting all woozy again, there is no doubt that what is important in this situation is to be observant on a regular basis and to gather information.

Physicality is the final word when it comes to sports festivals.

“Brother Takahashi. Now I’m going to slowly fall towards you and you’re going to try to hold me up.” (Yuki)

“Me?　That’s good. What are you trying to accomplish?” (Takahashi)

I fall my body in the direction of him. Brother Takahashi, who supports me, is not even a bit scared.

“As expected of an outstanding freshman of the soccer team.” (Yuki)

“Don’t embarrass me. What are you going to do with that?　I can handle this.” (Takahashi)

“Now, let’s bring the torso into alignment here.” (Yuki)

“—-! Wait, what is this?! Impossible, impossible, impossible! Amazing! What is this, what is this?!” (Takahashi)

Unable to support my weight, brother Takahashi is being pushed farther and farther backward. I’d like him to think that the character for “person(人)” is dressed up as a false statement like “support”.

“I will help too!　——-heavy!　I weigh more than you. …… Noooooooooo!” (Kouki)

The fresh and handsome man who had entered the tournament with great enthusiasm was also a defeated man. Challengers appeared one after another, including Shiori and a female challenger, but they were not able to support me.

“When you learn how to use your body, this kind of thing becomes possible.” (Yuki)

“Yukito, you’re becoming more and more of a surprising human being every day. ……” (Kouki)

“Especially in events where you have to fight against opponents, such as tug of war and cavalry competitions, there are a lot of points allotted. If we want to win, we must get them. Therefore, we will all start training now.” (Yuki)

“Really. If I learn it, it will definitely help me in soccer. …… I might be able to get a regular spot in a year. …… I’ll do it!　I’ll do it!” (Takahashi)

“What on earth are we trying to fight …..?” (Kouki)

“…… Us too?” (Shiori)

“Adults, children, and Onee-chan.” (Yuki)

It doesn’t matter if you’re a group of nerds or a group of girls. We’re all doing the best we can and building up our chances of winning. One step at a time.

“After that, use rubber bands to speed up the running, and put packing material in the heels of your shoes. ……” (Yuki)

The school requires that the runners wear their shoes outside, so we cannot use running shoes, but nowhere in the rules of the gymnastics festival does it say that the school’s designated shoes cannot be altered.

I will use every possible means to lead them to victory. That’s me, Yukito Kokonoe.