The American Elite (COTE X OC)

The Sakayanagi Gambit

JACK POV:

The whistle blew, signally the start of the latter half of the sports festival. It was time for the recommended participation events. I would be competing in all of them.

I'm a bit worried about the last event. The 1200-meter inter-year relay. Since Suzune is running as the anchor, which is where her brother is. I have a feeling he'll say something to her that'll upset her.

Sudo: Alright guys, let's do this!

All: Yeah!

Class D let out a collective cheer at Sudo's inspiring words. First up was the scavenger hunt.

I lined up and waited for the signal. When it was given I shot off like a bullet, easily reaching my slip of paper first. I unraveled it to see what I needed to find.

'Someone you love'

Well isn't this a conundrum? If I give this to Suzune, that'll be so unbelievably cringy. But who else could I give it to? Should I just give it to Suzune?

I looked around at my classmates who stared at me in confusion. My eyes landed on one of them and I darted for him. I handed him the slip of paper. He looked down and read it.

Kiyotaka: I'm afraid I can't reciprocate your feelings.

I deadpanned.

Jack: I don't mean it like that.

Some of our classmates looked to see what it said. When they did they were shocked.

Yamauchi: Ew dude! You love Ayanokoji?! That's gay man!

Suzune also looked at it and then glared at me.

I had gotten first place, but at what cost?

Jack: First of all, love is something that takes many forms. It is not solely romantic. And even if it was gay, what's wrong with that?

Yamauchi: Whaddya mean what's wrong with it?! It's gay!

Sudo punched the back of his head.

Sudo: Quit bein' a bigot!

I didn't expect that. Ally Sudo? That wasn't on my bingo card.

Suzune: Jack...

I flinched and felt a cold pressure. My classmates cleared out and left Suzune and me alone.

Jack: U-uh... Hey Suzune...

She was glaring at me.

Suzune: Why didn't you give that card to me?

Jack: Because-

Suzune: You love Ayanokoji-kun? Even if it's not romantic, you love him more than me?

Jack: No.

She crossed her arms.

Suzune: Well then what is it?

Jack: I figured that would be super cringy and draw unnecessary attention. I thought you wouldn't wanna deal with that.

She dropped her glare and sighed.

Suzune: I suppose that's a good reason... Well, you got first place anyway so... It's okay.

Jack: Yay you're not mad at me.

Suzune: Don't push your luck.

She said with a mock glare. We both smiled at each other and laughed slightly.

_________________________________

The recommended events were all a wash. Sudo and I dominated. During them, our whole class mostly just had fun. We were so far ahead of everyone, both in our year and for the Red Team, that we had already won by the time the events started. Now it was time for the last event.