02x04 - The Material Has to Be Created.

[bunniefuu]

[KARUIZAWA] I don't get it. What are you talking about?

What did the names of the groups have to do with the VIPs?

Were they supposed to be a hint?

We already explained it to you.

Now, now.

Remember how the groups were named after planets?

That, along with the student's names,

was how the VIP was chosen for each group.

You following so far?

[KARUIZAWA] Mm.

[HIRATA] Mars is the fourth planet from the sun.

If we sort that group into Japanese alphabetical order,

it goes Ayanokoji, Ichinose, Ibuki, and Karuizawa.

So that's why I was picked to be the VIP.

In the Earth group, Kushida was chosen.

Third name listed for the third planet from the sun.

I get it now,

but doesn't that method seem a little...

Simplistic.

Exactly!

It's only "simple" once you know it.

Yeah.

It's a lot harder to figure it out during the test.

Even if you saw the pattern in your class,

there's no way you'd be able to prove it.

That's right.

But Ryuen did, somehow.

Based on their scores, Class C must have found out the rule.

He still made a mistake.

I suspect that someone sabotaged him.

From what it looks like, he has all of Class C

under his control. Who'd betray him?

It's just speculation, dictators foster an unhappy populace.

What if the miscalculation was because of

someone from another class?

[AYANOKOJI] I wonder that, too.

[SUZUNE] Maybe, but I have a hard time believing

that no one would stand up to that bully.

[HIRATA] You've got a good point.

I gotta say, I'm glad you decided to come join us.

I mean it.

What choice did I have?

It's becoming apparent that these exams require teamwork

to successfully clear.

That does seem like the trend.

So even if I don't like it,

it's important to form connections

with the people I need to rely on.

[AYANOKOJI] Yes.

There are limits to what a single person can do.

[CHABASHIRA] Today marks the beginning of your second term.

Starting September and continuing through

early October, you'll have more gym classes than usual,

to prepare you for the sports festival.

I've handed out your new schedules along with

the rules for the festival.

You can find the same information

posted on the school's website.

You may compare them if you must.

'Scuse me!

Is the sports festival going to be considered a special exam?

You're certainly free to think of it as one, if it helps you.

Regardless of what you call it,

this will have a major influence on your class's standing.

[SOTOMURA] This is cruel and unusual punishment!

[KEN] Yeah! My time to shine!

A sports festival.

[CHABASHIRA] This year, the entire school

will be split into two teams.

Competing as either Team Red or Team White.

All of you will be working together with Class A

to make up Team Red.

We're teaming up with Class A?

With the second and third years, too.

This sounds annoying.

Just leave it up to me, I'll carry us to victory!

[STUDENTS chattering]

Hold on, guys!

Let's try to speak one at a time.

Everyone! We can discuss it later!

[STUDENTS chattering]

[AYANOKOJI] You okay?

You're thinking about how you'll finally

get a chance to see him again, huh?

I don't have a clue what you're talking about.

So, I'd drop it if I were you.

Right.

Make sure that you fully understand the rules.

It says all events are classified as either

"mandatory" or "voluntary."

[AYANOKOJI] Generally speaking, voluntary events

award more points for participating

than the mandatory ones.

As a word of advice, you should try your hardest

to place well in every event.

The penalty for losing is severe.

[IKE] Question!

What's this about bonuses for the top three places?

[YAMAUCHI] There's something else about adding points

to written exams?

Think of it as an incentive to win your events.

[YAMAUCHI] Oh!

Those who do well enough will be awarded bonus points

that can be added to their next written exam.

I'm sure a number of you could use them.

Seriously?

[STUDENTS gasp, chatter]

[AYANOKOJI] Sounds too good to be true.

There has to be a catch.

Those who place in the bottom ten

will be penalized.

Uh. Wait. Hold on a second.

It says there'll be a penalty?

The ten first-year students in each event who perform

the worst will have ten points deducted from their

total score on their next written exam.

[STUDENTS] Say what?!

So we can lose exam points, too?

Dude, this sucks!

Why did they crush my dream?

Does that mean we can fail even with a good score?

The handout I gave you includes a list

of all the events.

It'll be up to you to pick the ones you compete in.

[AYANOKOJI] There are events total.

This feels like a lot of events.

They expect us to do all of this in one day?

Yes, of course.

The sports festival will be the only thing

happening on that day.

Prepare yourselves.

Each event will be a test of your strength and athleticism.

It'll be up to you to decide who will participate in each event.

Once you've made your selections,

mark them down and turn it in to me.

How much of the planning are we expected to do?

It's all up to you. Absolutely everything.

From how many voluntary events you enter

to which heat each person will be in.

[STUDENTS murmur]

[AYANOKOJI] Hm...

[SUZUNE] In both of the previous special exams,

there were multiple ways to pass.

The school likes to give us options.

That's why there has to be more at play.

I dunno.

I've got a feeling this sports festival

is going to be different from the other tests.

You sure?

It seems like any other special exam to me.

It's structured just like the last two.

Each class can earn or lose points.

You're not wrong. On paper, it is similar.

But the principle behind it is very different.

Think of it this way.

The first two special exams had different premises,

but at their core, they were testing our intelligence.

And you're saying the sports festival isn't?

[AYANOKOJI] Exactly, Ms. Chabashira even told us

that our strength and athletic abilities

were the only things that mattered

for the sports festival.

We can't trick our way through it.

[AYANOKOJI] If we want to win this,

we'll need to make sure our class is fully prepared.

It's the only option.

I was talking about that! How we should prepare!

You were looking for loopholes, a shortcut to victory.

Like having the other team's students miss their events

or by finding a way to make them drop out.

--That's-- --[AYANOKOJI] I know.

You want, more than anything, to win.

I see. So, you're saying we'll have to

b*at the other classes through more traditional means?

If that's how you wanna take it, be my guest.

I'm tellin' you, you guys are way overthinking this thing!

I know I can easily win all those events, trust me!

Plus, if I win, the class wins!

It benefits everybody here!

I guess so?

Well, if he says he can do it.

Honestly, I don't see a problem with Sudo competing

in all the voluntary events.

Then it's settled!

You won't regret it--

I'm gonna win every single one of those events!

Now that that's decided, let's go back to the main question.

How will we determine who gets--

[SUZUNE] Hold on. I have an alternate proposal.

[STUDENTS] Huh?

Between those two options, I do prefer the skill method.

But still, there's no guarantee it'll be enough

for us to b*at the other classes.

[HIRATA] I guess that's true.

The idea itself is sound, though it could be better.

We should still put our athletic students

in the events they're good at.

But for the mandatory events, we need to be more strategic

with whoever we select.

If we do it right, we can easily gather points.

Just think, instead of putting two fast people

in the same race together, we should pair them

with someone slow, to guarantee better placements.

[SHINOHARA] Wait a minute. That sounds good.

But doesn't that put the non-athletic students

in our class at a disadvantage?

We wouldn't stand a chance at earning those bonus points.

Sacrificial pawns who's fate is to lose!

Coming in last place would cost them their private points.

It's hard to believe they'd agree to this plan.

The benefits of our class winning far outweigh that loss.

What's the problem here?

But you're telling us to throw away our chance

to earn extra exam points!

You can't just use people like that!

I understand your concerns about this strategy.

It's unfair!

But your priorities are misplaced.

Instead of trying to earn exam points,

focus on your studies so you don't have to rely on them!

--[STUDENTS murmur] --[KEN] No!

Only the top three places get those points,

earning them was never a sure thing.

You need to face reality.

What event do you think you can place third or better in?

[SHINOHARA] It... could happen.

[KARUIZAWA] Um. I have some thoughts!

Horikita's suggestion.

I'm sorry, but I can't go along with it.

And what's your issue with my idea?

Well, your proposal just doesn't sit right with me.

Your objection to it is based on your feelings?

[KARUIZAWA] Fine. I don't understand it!

[SUZUNE] I thought I was being clear.

What are you not understanding?

[KARUIZAWA] Um, all of it?

Why don't you dumb it down so even I get it?

[sighs]

Oh, yeah. That's right, I forgot.

You don't like dealing with idiots.

Stop putting words in my mouth!

But it's the truth, isn't it? I agree with Shinohara!

How could you say that you want your classmates to fail?

It's for the greater good.

Then you berated the people who wanted extra exam points!

How do you expect our class to work together

with that attitude?

It's not like we have another choice.

[sighs] I guess I should've expected that from you.

Well, what do you think, Kushida?

Huh? My thoughts?

Yeah.

This is kind of a tricky situation.

Because I feel like I can understand

where both sides are coming from.

In a perfect world, we'd find a way to combine both ideas!

So, everyone, regardless of how they place

in their events, can be happy!

That would be the best solution!

True.

Yeah, something like that would be nice.

Well, I had already considered that.

There's a way we can satisfy everyone.

While coming in last place results in a penalty,

placing in the top three awards you private points.

The points that our top placers earn

can offset any points we'll lose.

As long as we work together, no one loses out.

Yeah! That's a great idea!

Ugh. But it only helps for private points!

Your proposal is still unfair!

What do you think about it, Sato?

If Karuizawa is against the idea, then I am, too.

Same with me.

I'll go with whatever Karuizawa thinks we should do!

Did you not listen to a word I said?

You're against it only because she is?

That's irrational!

My idea is the most efficient way for our class to win

as many points as possible in this test!

[KARUIZAWA] You act like you know everything.

But at the end of the day, I, along with plenty

of other people in the class, don't agree!

You're a cruel person, Horikita.

[SATO] She really is.

[MATSUSHITA] Yeah.

[MIT] It's no wonder that she doesn't have any friends.

Hey!

[HIRATA] Both of you, calm down!

This argument isn't going anywhere, and since neither side

is budging, let's settle this with a vote.

Yup! That's exactly what we need!

[HIRATA] Horikita's suggestion is to focus entirely

on optimizing our picks.

While Karuizawa's suggestion is to let people

choose their own events.

Let's have a show of hands.

First up, who here agrees with Horikita?

[HIRATA] All right, ten votes.

Hey, Ayanokoji!

I'm abstaining.

Don't look at me like that.

[HIRATA] And next, if you agree with Karuizawa's plan

for how we'll pick events, then rase your hands now.

[HIRATA] Thank you all.

It looks like we have a winner.

With ten votes for Horikita,

and eight votes for Karuizawa.

Everyone else abstaining.

[KEN] Heck yeah!

[HIRATA] All right.

Now that we've decided our approach,

let's hammer out the rest of the details!

Sure!

Put me down for every event!

Maybe we can just have Sudo win the whole festival!

Oh, yeah!

You can leave everything to the Ken!

Don't you think it's super cute?

Yeah, it totally is!

[laughs] Thanks!

[KARUIZAWA] Wait a sec!

I did what you asked me to do.

Mind telling me what the point of it was?

Only the top three places get those points--

earning them was never a sure thing.

You need to face reality.

What event do you think you can place third or better in?

[SHINOHARA] It... could happen.

That was a good argument you came up with on the spot.

I still don't get why you told me to argue with Horikita.

I actually agreed with her idea.

And what was the point of asking Kushida for her opinion?

Come on, don't you think I deserve to know?

If I had to explain myself for every little thing,

it'd be a pain.

Anyway, I have secrets I'd like to keep.

There's something that I've been meaning to ask you about.

What's your reason for doing this?

[AYANOKOJI] I'd like to raise Class D's standing.

If you asked Horikita, she'd say the same.

That isn't what I meant!

I wanna know what you're actually after.

[AYANOKOJI] I wonder.

Currently, my goal is to put Class D in a position

where they could take Class A's spot.

Are you satisfied with that now?

And you really think you can make that happen

by pulling everyone's strings?

It's understandable that you wouldn't just believe me.

Especially without any proof.

That's why I'll create a situation

that'll show you what I mean.

During this sports festival, one of our classmates

will betray our class.

[gasps]

That's right.

The traitor will likely share information

amongst the other classes.

Wait-- Really?

Well, if that's the case, we should do something about it!

We will, when the time comes.

But what are we waiting for?

Wouldn't it be safer to expose the traitor right away?

Just trust me.

Now, go. We don't want to draw attention.

[KARUIZAWA] All right, what did you get again?

[KARUIZAWA laughs] Looks like .!

[KEN yells]

Look at that! .!

[STUDENTS gasp]

Dude, you're some kind of monster!

That's some nice grip strength!

I've been working out a lot lately!

So, you know.

Hey, Koenji, why don't you give it a try?

No thanks, think I'll pass.

Tch. Whatever.

Here, your turn.

[KEN] Something wrong?

What do you think the average grip strength is?

Huh? I dunno, like ?

Sixty, huh?

[AYANOKOJI] When it comes to grip strength,

It's not necessarily proportional

to the size of your arms.

It mainly relies on two different muscles

in the forearm which are called the brachioradialis

and flexor carpi radialis.

If you can focus on building up those two muscles,

you can increase your strength.

In other words, with enough exercise and muscle training,

a person's grip strength can reach over kilograms.

That should be enough.

This is the best I got.

What was it?

[AYANOKOJI] ..

Oh, wow, you're a lot stronger than you look, Ayanokoji!

Oh really? Isn't that just kinda average?

[HIRATA] I'd say that you're far above average!

It's like .

Or maybe even on the high end.

Just .? Can we fudge the number to like ?

Sorry! You got a .!

[IKE groans]

[AYANOKOJI] I see. So, is a bit too high.

[HIRATA] All done!

All right! The results!

Yeah! I'm in all the voluntary events!

Everyone, remember, these assignments

are highly sensitive,

so only write down the events you're in!

Please make sure this information doesn't get out.

[ONODERA] Okay.

[KEN] Keep pulling!

Don't you dare think about giving up!

Good! Keep your center of gravity low!

Yeah. Okay!

[KEN] Put your backs into it!

Pull like your lives depend on it!

We have to win!

[YAMAUCHI] We're trying!

[KEN] I can't hear you!

Hey, slow down a little. You're running way too fast.

So that's why our rhythm was off.

Because you can't keep pace.

[gasps]

Why should I have to hold back to match your mediocrity?

Instead of asking me to slow down, you need to speed up.

[AYANOKOJI] Can we talk?

Talk about what?

Listen, I know you may not like it,

but you're gonna need to learn to compromise with the others.

If I don't push them, we won't place high enough

during the sports festival.

For the three-legged race, it's more logical to make

the slower runners go faster, than the other way around.

[AYANOKOJI] You're not budging on that position?

[SUZUNE] No.

If that's the way that you think,

then you might have a hard time finding a partner.

If they can't match my rhythm, I don't want them as a partner.

So, that works out for me.

Why don't we make an attempt?

What do you mean by that?

Let's run a three-legged race.

And what good would that do?

The sports festival has a co-ed event.

I would like to see for myself if we'd make a good team or not.

You seriously think you can keep up with me?

Quit dreaming.

Come on, just this once.

I promise that I'll keep up with your rhythm.

Whatever. Okay.

Let's get this over with.

Hey, hold on!

It shouldn't be hard for you to match my pacing.

Well, duh. I've already got it!

[AYANOKOJI] It's not about how fast you can run.

Your problem is that you aren't

paying attention to your partner.

You need to look at them and get a feel for their rhythm.

Focusing only on your own pace is what's holding you back.

Oh, right.

You'll be coming with me tomorrow.

What for?

We'll be gathering intel on Team White.

It'll be you, me, and someone else.

[SUZUNE] Who is it?

[AYANOKOJI] Kushida.

What? But why?

During the last test, there was somebody

who betrayed the Earth group.

It was her.

[gasps]

[HIRATA] Well, I appreciate you helping everyone out, too!

Of course!