Childhood friends never win because they're afraid if they try to advance the the relations that they'll "ruin what they have." They'd rather stick with the safe "what they have" until someone else comes in and takes the other away. Then they cry that they were always the closest and it should have been them (BSS). Ref: Ishikawa's feelings towards Hori before Miyamura won her heart (Chapter 24, Pages 4-6).Thanks for the new chapter!
Deym, if Ayaka is the designated winner of this title, she could've had taken the chance years before, and also out of the 3 girls, she technically is the 'osananajimi' of the MC. Given these 2 factors, even if she is indeed a good partner for the MC, I can't help but feel she no longer has the chance to win this race if ever, even if she did everything with her best in past and until now.