I have a life simulator.

"Um—I can't see like this."

After Kitagawa Ryoya rubbed his head and face with a towel, Ichinose Honami laughed and made this comment before handing over the water bottle.

"Liang, you've worked hard just now. Here's some water."

"Yeah, Fanbo, you've worked hard too. The girls just ran the 3000 meters, right?"

While speaking to Honami Ichinose, Ryo Kitagawa took the water bottle she offered, ran his fingers over the two Romanized names on it, and then took small sips to drink. After replenishing his fluids, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"I'm going to the restroom to wipe myself down and change into clean clothes. This one is soaked with sweat and I feel a bit uncomfortable. I have other things to do later."

After regaining some strength, Kitagawa Ryo reached out and fanned himself with the hem of his clothes, shaking his head somewhat helplessly.

To this, Honami Ichinose simply replied matter-of-factly:

"Okay, let's go."

Chapter 312: He really is special

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Kitagawa Ryo still standing there, somewhat dazed, Ichinose Honami leaned closer and waved her hand in front of his eyes:

"Hey—didn't we agree beforehand? At a crucial moment like this, Liang definitely can't be left alone. Didn't the 5,000-meter race just now already have a lot of accidents?"

"That's true, but for something like this, I feel it would be more appropriate for me to have Sudo or Yamada accompany me?"

"At a time like this, being with Sudo and the others is the most likely way to get wiped out, right? Ryo, don't even bother talking about how many you guys can take on if you stick together. The sports festival isn't over yet. If the other side really wants to mess with you, it'll be a real problem."

At this point, Honami Ichinose tilted her head slightly and smiled at Ryo Kitagawa:

"Actually, in this situation, the role I play for Ryo is more significant than that of ten Yamada-kuns."

As someone who stands alongside Kikyo Kushida at the pinnacle of the grade's social network, Ichinose Honami possesses a wealth of student secrets. Just as the latter, who now holds the nuclear button, is almost fearless and no longer worries about espionage leaks as she once did, she is able to say this because she has just as much confidence as Kikyo Kushida.

It's no exaggeration to say that even in Class 1-C, which is full of delinquents, Honami Ichinose's reputation and public image are among the best.

From this perspective alone, Ichinose Honami's presence might actually provide better protection than ten muscular men, since few students could withstand the consequences of attacking Ichinose Honami in front of him or striking him.

However, Kitagawa Ryo quickly refuted Ichinose Honami's argument, offering his own perspective in a tactful manner:

"If it were two hours ago, it would have been perfectly fine for Honami to say this, but now... well, it might even have the opposite effect."

Reminded by Kitagawa Ryo, Ichinose Honami quickly realized what was going on, and unusually, she showed a subtle expression that hinted at a spoiled and sulky mood, muttering a couple of things under her breath:

"Who told me to draw a slip of paper with 'the person I like' on it? It must have been the will of heaven. Even if I could do it a hundred times over, I would still say those words in front of everyone."

Perhaps this is another difference in personality between Honami Ichinose and Kikyo Kushida. She really doesn't have any intention of deliberately creating a persona to further expand her social network, such as being single or unloved.

Kikyo Kushida is undoubtedly a master of this art. Since enrolling in school, she has never been involved in any scandals with any students. It is precisely because of this attitude of treating everyone equally that she has gained immense popularity among the boys. After all, this means that everyone still has a chance, leading to the common misconception that "what if Kikyo actually likes me?"

Another student who can more directly prove this point is Sakura Airi from Class B. She is a genuine former professional idol, the kind of student who naturally has popularity and fans. However, because she joined the drama club from the beginning of her enrollment, her one-sided love interest was too obvious, which made many students lose interest. This is how a certain little angel who focuses on healing and care got this big surprise.

Therefore, there is no doubt that with Ichinose Honami's public confession during the borrowing race more than an hour ago, this incident itself may continue to be passed down as an interesting story of Tokyo Advanced Educational High School to the younger generation. However, Ichinose Honami's popularity will definitely decline a bit, and it is not impossible that some people will have unwarranted expectations and break their defenses. This is the counterproductive effect that Kitagawa Ryo mentioned.

Especially now that this big guy has already lost his mind and gone crazy because of the betting, the mockery effect of Ichinose Honami being alone with him is more effective than protection. Anyway, Kitagawa Ryo has no doubt about the hormone-fueled high school student.

Honami Ichinose probably already considered the possible scenarios that might occur if she went back to the past, so she ultimately stomped her foot lightly, a little annoyed, and regretfully abandoned the idea.

"Never mind... Ryo should go with Sudo and the others. I'll have the girls in my class keep watch on you from outside."

"Yeah, it's just changing my shirt and wiping away the sweat. It'll be quick, Fanbo, don't worry."

As he spoke, Kitagawa Ryo glanced at his phone again. There wasn't much time left before the next event, throwing, began. So he hurriedly said this to Ichinose Honami and then called over the boys from Class B. Apart from a few who went to the medical tent to visit Minami Setsuya, who had just been injured in the 5,000-meter race, the remaining eight or nine boys quickly formed a large circle around Kitagawa Ryo and escorted him to a public restroom outside the playground.

After turning on the tap outside the public restroom, Kitagawa Ryo simply washed his face and wiped the sweat off his body with some water in his hands. After changing into a clean set of sportswear, he felt refreshed and let out a comfortable sigh. Then, he greeted the other boys who were also washing their faces or taking showers and stepped into the restroom behind him.

Long Yuanxiang was already waiting there.

"Why did you call me over?"

As Kitagawa Ryo spoke, he tossed a clean set of sportswear and a dry towel to Ryuen Sho, who had run half the 5,000 meters with him and whose shirt was soaked with yellow sweat stains on the back:

"Let's get a new one. Consider it a way of returning the one you lent me on the deserted island. The size should be fine."

Ryuu Sho caught the clothes Kitagawa Ryo threw to him, unhesitatingly took off his own shirt, hastily wiped his sweat with a dry towel, and then roughly pulled on the clothes Kitagawa Ryo had given him. He rubbed his chin and chuckled strangely.

"It's very simple, because in the current situation, the only person we can trust is each other."

"Although you probably already guessed it, I'll still show it to you."

As he spoke, Long Yuanxiang took out his phone from his pocket, tapped the screen a couple of times, and then stretched out his hand to show Kitagawa Ryo what was displayed on it. What appeared in front of him was the message, "You have successfully bet five million points on Kitagawa Ryo of Class 1-B in the 'Who will become the top scorer in the entire grade' category."

"As you can see, I've been betting on you, Kitagawa, from the very beginning. Consider Nan'un's four million as my gift to you."

Long Yuanxiang licked his lips and put his phone away again.

"Actually, after I saw that you signed up for all the events, Kitagawa, I was certain that you would go all out in this sports festival. Maybe it was just a gut feeling?"

"In short, right now I probably want you to keep winning even more than you do. It's practically a natural alliance of trust, isn't it?"

"Yes, I don't deny that."

Kitagawa Ryo nodded. There are always two sides to everything. Just like there are a lot of students in this sports festival who don’t want him to keep winning, there are also a lot of students in the whole grade who bet on him and are eagerly hoping that he will win in the end. Ryuen Sho is the most determined one among them. After all, based on the information we know so far, no one has placed more points on him than Ryuen.

In a sense, this seems to be a kind of top-ranking figure?

Seeing Kitagawa Ryo nod in acknowledgment that the two were now on the same side, Ryuen Sho felt a little relieved and asked in a slightly raised tone:

"Kitagawa, you're working so hard, you must have bet on yourself to win, right? After all, it's free points to earn, so why not? Although that guy Nagumo had the same idea, which is why I tricked him into the trap."

"I did bet a little, but not as much as you, Longyuan. After all, I don't have that many personal points. I only bet 1,089,313 points."

"...Why are there odd amounts? A little over a million, right? Let me see. The total prize pool for this project is a little over 20 million points per person. Kitagawa, you have a total of over 8 million points. If you have a million... does that mean the other students bet around 2 million in total? That's about right."

After receiving information directly from Kitagawa Ryo, Ryuen Sho took another look at this project that stirred the desires and expectations of countless people.

Similar to other projects, the all-grade top scorers also showed an astonishing concentration of top performers, with the top three—Nan Yunya, Kitagawa Ryo, and Horikita Manabu—taking up the total prize pool of 19 million yen, leaving only a few scattered students hoping to gamble on an underdog.

Compared to Nagumo Masaru and Kitagawa Ryo, who both have over eight million personal points, Horikita Manabu's two million points in third place seem rather paltry. However, this is also related to the fact that most students have invested their points in the 'Third-Year Scoring King' program, which Horikita Manabu has a greater advantage in and seems to be a safer bet.

After confirming the betting details and potential profits once again, Long Yuanxiang's expression turned serious again:

"The situation in Class C is more complicated than I imagined. It was my mistake that I failed to completely resolve this potential problem before the Sports Festival. I apologize."

"However, after the 5,000-meter race, I took the opportunity to interrogate a few boys in the class and managed to extract some useful information through intimidation. Their targeting of you was indeed premeditated and large-scale. The 5,000-meter race was just the beginning. Kitagawa should be extremely careful in every event afterward."

At this point, Long Yuanxiang paused for a moment:

"Especially the next event: shot put (throwing)."

"I only suggest that Kitagawa show up when he's on the field, because some people are really going crazy. They want to cripple your leg with the shot put."

Seemingly worried that Kitagawa Ryo wasn't taking this rather mysterious matter seriously, Ryuen Sho quickly added:

"Especially during practice sessions before the official start of the match, the assassin will most likely pretend to use a spin push technique, and then deliberately miss the ball after aiming in a circle. Even if you are standing behind him, it will be useless. It is best to just dodge him."

Although he had mentally prepared himself beforehand, Kitagawa Ryo still couldn't help but rub his slightly throbbing temples after hearing Ryuen Sho say such a shocking thing.

"That's a seven-kilogram shot put. Would any student really be willing to risk such a thing as intentional homicide, or even death,?"

"I think you should calm down first, Ryuen. After all, the information you got from those students in Class C is very likely to be exaggerated or even distorted."

In response to Kitagawa Ryo's reaction, Ryuen Sho, who was equally inclined to assume the worst of others, firmly replied:

"Placing all your hopes on the weakness of others is the most unreliable idea. Violence is sometimes the simplest, most brutal, but most effective means."

“...I still think that Ryuen, you shouldn’t blindly impose your own set of values ​​on this place. Tokyo Advanced Educational High School is still a school after all, and every student has their own considerations and ideas.”

Kitagawa Ryo, in a similarly firm tone, countered Ryuen Sho's statement:

"In fact, it's because you can't see this point that Class C has become what it is today."

He wanted to say a few more words, but the loudspeaker outside the restroom had already started broadcasting the announcement for the first-year boys' pitching team to assemble at the designated area. Kitagawa Ryo could only shake his head, turn around, and leave with his back to Ryuen Sho.

"Thank you for reminding me anyway, I'll be careful."

"...I hope that next time we work together, we won't have to use five million personal points as an excuse or a basis for trust."

A while after Kitagawa Ryo left, Ryuen Sho, who was still standing there, clicked his tongue with a complicated expression, spat irritably into the urinal, then put his hands in his pockets, pretended that nothing had happened, and swaggered out of the bathroom, grinning inexplicably at the mirror above the faucet.

Perhaps he did misunderstand how to communicate with Kitagawa Ryo.

Or perhaps he still holds the same way of thinking he has had since childhood, believing that the connections between people are maintained only through violence and self-interest.

He now regretted showing Kitagawa Ryo the screenshot of the five million personal points bet at the first moment. The other party was not Nan Yunya, who was sitting down with him to discuss business and transactions, and who needed to verify the stakes and talk about interests.

From that moment on, it was as if he was saying that everything he had done for Kitagawa Ryo in this sports festival, starting with the pole vault, was simply for the sake of personal points.

"……Oh shit."

That's clearly not entirely true.

Chapter 313: The Craziest Gambler

"16.31 meters!"

"The first-year B-class athlete, Kitagawa Ryo, has completed his three throws! His scores are 16.12 meters, 16.51 meters, and 16.31 meters!"

As Kitagawa Ryo skillfully used his back-sliding throw technique to forcefully project the shot put forward, school staff members quickly jogged to the shot put's landing point and soon excitedly announced the final measurement results:

"The average score across the three attempts was 16.31 meters! This has broken the record for the shot put event at our Tokyo Advanced Ikusei Junior High School Sports Festival since its founding!"

As soon as he said this, the other audience members around him also enthusiastically applauded and cheered for Kitagawa Ryo's amazing performance.

"call--"

However, Kitagawa Ryo wasn't too surprised, since his throw had already exceeded the national first-class athlete standard of 16.05 meters for shot put, and breaking his school's record was naturally commonplace.

Compared to the vast majority of ordinary high school students who can't even roll double digits, his performance was indeed a kind of "dimensional reduction attack," to the point that the other contestants in his group seemed rather uninterested and unmotivated. Even the duel between Kito Hayato from Class 1-D and Yamada Albert from Class 1-B, which was considered a highlight before the competition, became dull and uninteresting because of his outstanding performance, and did not cause any particularly big reaction.

Thus, the first-grade group's pitching event ended relatively peacefully, and the terrorist attack that Ryuen Sho had anticipated did not occur.

Perhaps this experience will teach Longyuan to trust others a little more?

With this thought in mind, Kitagawa Ryo casually took the water bottle handed to him by Ichinose Honami, his Adam's apple bobbing as he took two big gulps.

Unlike his simulation in Class C, Kitagawa Ryo had drawn an initial talent called "mutual affection (blue)," which gave him an innate friendship with Ryuen Sho. It could even be said that he influenced Ryuen Sho's values ​​from the very beginning, during his junior high school years before entering school. However, the reality was not so simple; his relationship with Ryuen Sho was only established after entering school.

That's why the Ryuen Sho he knows now is even more stubborn, autocratic, ruthless, and self-righteous. If he hadn't tried his best to dissuade the other party from using those underhanded tactics before the sports festival, the student in Class C of the first year might be lying in the infirmary now, trading one-for-one with someone else. Kitagawa Ryo has no doubt that Ryuen Sho is capable of doing such a thing.

"What's wrong? Liang doesn't seem very happy, even though he was in first place."

Seemingly noticing Kitagawa Ryo's absent-minded expression, Ichinose Honami tilted her head slightly, her hair falling to the right with the movement, and asked with some concern.

"Nothing, I was just thinking about some things related to Class C."

"Class C, they really did a terrible job at this sports festival."

Upon hearing Kitagawa Ryo mention Class C, Ichinose Honami echoed this sentiment with a similarly helpless tone.

Although everyone bought betting tickets, Class C of the first year was definitely the best of the best who didn't even bother to put on an act. Many students in Class C would just sit around and slack off after entering the competition, and they were also terrible in team events. Even though everyone doesn't care much about the red and white group competition now, Class B, which belongs to the white group with Class C, still gets annoyed by their ally's poor performance sometimes.

However, from this perspective, Class C's poor performance actually provided a favorable boost to Ichinose Honami's performance. Just like that classic girls' battle on horseback, the current trend has shifted to the point that if the girls in Class C hadn't collectively given up, and with Amasawa Ichika giving it her all, the White Team would never have lost.

"And it's not just our class, it seems like Class A and Class D also dislike Class C. After all, Ryuen had previously revealed that students from Class C were involved in the accident involving Shibata and Hirata... Actually, I think it's better to resolve these things internally. Rather, it's because of this that Class C has split into this mess."

"Well, I wonder if they can turn things around after the sports festival. Anyway, Class C's reputation was already like that. Maybe it would be better for them to go to Class D to sober up."

After casually chatting with Honami Ichinose about Class C, Ryo Kitagawa turned his gaze to the girls' group, where a shot put competition was underway, although the size and weight of the shot put were reduced compared to the boys' group.

However, both sides were progressing at the same pace. The girls in the first-year group had all finished their competitions and left the field. In the end, the first place in the group was Tianze Yixia from Class B. As an outstanding graduate of the White Gym, this child's strength level was indeed a kind of "dimensional reduction attack" in the girls' group.

"Oh, it's Kiryuin-senpai's turn."

Soon, Kitagawa Ryo's wandering gaze caught sight of a familiar, tall figure with white hair, and he pointed at it from afar for Ichinose Honami:

"Look, that's it."

"Wow, that's amazing. No wonder you're neck and neck with Nagumo on the scoring leaderboard, chasing each other."

Following Kitagawa Ryo's pointing finger, Ichinose Honami also witnessed Kiryuin Fuuka's remarkably smooth and beautiful throw of the shot put using a spinning technique, and couldn't help but remark:

"With this result, it seems like I'll be taking first place again, just like Ryo. I remember Nanyun gave up the 5,000-meter race last time, so it seems like he'll be temporarily overtaken on the leaderboard after this race."

"Well, after all, Kiryuin-senpai has never really shown her strength before, so it's natural for Nagumo to let his guard down. Besides, the only opponent he's ever seen is Horikita-senpai, who's a third-year student."

At this point, Kitagawa Ryo also opened his phone and glanced at the prediction page.

According to his current intelligence, Nan Yunya has placed heavy bets on three events: the second-year top scorer, the mixed 1600-meter relay race for the entire grade, and the overall top scorer for the entire grade. The former is the least, with two million personal points, while the middle and latter two are both four million personal points (four million of which are in the name of Long Yuanxiang).

These three items alone add up to another ten million personal points.

In addition to the 10 million loans extended to Class C and Class D of the first year, it means that Nangumo Masa has already spent 30 million personal points so far. In a sense, he deserves some credit for the high popularity and explosive total prize pool of this sports festival prediction contest.

However, based on Kitagawa Ryo's guess, after spending these 30 million, Nan Yunya probably wouldn't have many personal points left to use. After all, no matter how much the other party manipulated the special exams to take advantage of the school, he would only have a semester or so to fully master the second year, and accumulating 30 to 40 million personal points would be the limit.

After watching the second and third-year girls' pitching competition side by side with Ichinose Honami, the boys' competition also came to a close. Kitagawa Ryo waved goodbye to Honami, as he had to prepare for the next 110-meter hurdles event.