Prologue

The Backstage of the Special Exam

The tense atmosphere of the year-end special exam was ongoing.

Each moment was captured by strategically placed cameras.

From every angle, the relentless gaze of the lenses missed nothing, recording even the smallest details.

On the monitors, the clash of ideas and strategies played out—a spectacle of calculated words and sharp wit.

It was a one-on-one showdown between representatives, a duel where interference was strictly forbidden.

Even the homeroom teachers had been kept in the dark about the full extent of the exam and its rules.

Yet, despite the unexpected, the students faced it with determination.

Chie Hoshinomiya stood amidst the unfolding drama, holding her breath and her mounting frustration hidden behind a carefully composed facade.

She had only one wish: for her class to emerge victorious.

She clenched her teeth so hard that a sharp ache spread through her jaw, but the pain barely registered.

If there was even the slightest way to influence the outcome of this special exam, she was ready to do whatever it took.

No measure seemed too extreme.

Since the rules of the year-end special exam that had been explained to the teachers beforehand allowed for some degree of involvement.

But when the exam finally began, it turned out to be something entirely different.

The school provided no explanation for the sudden change in plans, leaving the reason unknown.

Not only Hoshinomiya but all teachers involved with the second-year students were kept in the dark.

However, now she understood the reason.

The reason was this foreign figure seated calmly nearby—a supposed observer, whose presence felt anything but passive.

This so-called observer had distorted everything, twisting the exam into something unrecognizable.

"Why...?"

Hoshinomiya's voice was a fragile whisper, barely escaping her lips.

Just when hope had appeared after Horikita Suzune was defeated, it happened.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji had stepped forward with a demeanor far beyond that of any student, his ruthless strategies leaving no room for mercy.

Before him, Ichinose had already given in, her defeat etched into the scene as if it had been inevitable from the start.

"This isn’t fair… not like this..."

Though her voice reached no one, she couldn’t contain her despair.

A single, overwhelming presence had shifted the balance— a joker within the deck.

The strongest card held by Chabashira was an insurmountable advantage, forcing her to confront the hopeless reality.

Watching through the monitor, there was nothing Hoshinomiya could do. The result was decided.

"This concludes the year-end special exam. Well done, everyone."

Chairman Sakayanagi, the school's director, made this announcement.

The visiting man, who had been observing the outcome of the special exam alongside four homeroom teachers and several men in black suits, slowly rose from the luxurious chair he had been seated in.

The black-suited individuals waiting behind him hurriedly began preparing for his departure as soon as they noticed.

"Thank you, Chairman Sakayanagi, for arranging everything so flawlessly this time."

In front of him were a cup of coffee served in what appeared to be an incredibly expensive cup and beautifully crafted confections of a kind rarely seen.

Though he had barely touched them, he extended his hand toward Sakayanagi as a gesture of gratitude.

Sakayanagi quickly grasped the offered hand and bowed deeply.

"Not at all, Prime Minister Kijima. It is we who are truly grateful for your visit today."

The current Prime Minister, Kijima.

A supporter of Advanced Nurturing High School, he had come specifically to observe the special exam.

Faced with this, even Hoshinomiya had no choice but to accept it.

When the Prime Minister himself decides to visit, no one would be surprised by any changes made to accommodate him.

Kijima's gaze returned to the monitor.

On the screen, Ayanokoji was seen leaving the room, leaving behind Ichinose, who sat frozen in shock, unable to even stand.

"It’s truly unfortunate that there were expulsions, but I respect the decision to allow full freedom in how the rules were applied."

"We greatly appreciate you saying that. It’s a relief for our school as well. In fact, we received strong encouragement from Minister Ogiso to operate without fear of expulsion risks—"

Kijima gently interrupted Sakayanagi, who had started to explain the situation regarding the expelled students.

The teachers exchanged glances, quickly realizing that Ogiso referred to the Minister of Education.

"I understand. However, I trust that proper support will be provided for the expelled students, correct?"

"Of course. We will immediately find suitable schools for their transfer, considering both their academic abilities and personalities."

"Good. Please take care of it."

Kijima said as he checked the time on a modest-looking wristwatch and then turned to leave.

Sakayanagi hurried to follow him.

"As planned, we will visit again on April 1st. Thank you for your continued cooperation."

"Naturally. President Koenji also seems eager to meet with you, Prime Minister Kijima."

"That’s wonderful to hear. It’s been three years since we last met, so I’m looking forward to it as well."

As they finished their conversation, Sakayanagi and Kijima left the room.

The remaining four homeroom teachers, finally freed from the heavy atmosphere, let out a collective sigh of relief.

“…Congratulations, Sae-chan. At least for now, you’re in Class A.”

“I’d like to thank you, but the exam has only just ended. …And then there’s Maezono, who ended up being expelled. I can’t celebrate so easily.”

A single student’s expulsion outweighed the joy of advancing to Class A? Was that really what she meant?

Hoshinomiya felt a surge of irritation at Chabashira’s serious response.

Deep down, she couldn’t help but think, She must be mocking me for constantly falling behind.

Or perhaps… I’m not even worth her attention.

The frustration swelled within her, and with it, a growing resentment.

I’ll never let this woman win.

I cannot allow her to graduate from Class A.

That determination, Almost hatred, had grown far stronger than it was before the exam

Chapter 1

Unraveling Each Event

Part 1

Part 2

March 14th. The year-end special exam just ended as the sun was setting.

The representatives of each class, still grappling with their emotions, were sent back to their respective classrooms. Or rather, it was likely the participants, more than the representatives, who were struggling to process the situation. After all, they had to piece together the entire picture—what had transpired behind the scenes and how the outcome was decided. It wasn’t enough to simply conclude who won or lost; they needed to understand the events that unfolded during the exam.

On the way back to the classroom, where the participants awaited, it was clear that Horikita and Yosuke had many questions about my face-off with Ichinose. However, with Chabashira-sensei walking alongside us, they stayed silent for the entire journey.

Unable to bear the silence, Chabashira-sensei was the first to speak.

“…Just so we’re clear, this special exam was highly unusual compared to previous years. The information possessed by you representatives and the participants already waiting in the classroom is fundamentally different. The only common ground you all share is the knowledge of your class’s victory or defeat and the existence of those who were expelled. I won’t be the one providing a detailed explanation of these points after we return to the classroom.”

“The true rules… or rather, the rules given exclusively to the representatives… It’s fine for us to explain those to the participants to clear up any misunderstandings, right?”

“Of course. How to handle that is for you to decide. Once we return to the classroom, the session will be dismissed, but it’s better to discuss anything you’re concerned about and resolve it while you still can.”

Just before placing her hand on the classroom door, Chabashira-sensei turned back and offered this advice to Horikita.

"Yes, that's my intention. Besides, we, the representatives, also don’t know the specifics of each other's battles. I think it's important to share information."

Each representative had their own approach and actions during the test, but these details remain unknown to one another.

That said, the focus is undoubtedly on uncovering the details of the clash between Ichinose and me. The only thing that's clear is the outcome: Ichinose was defeated, and Maezono was forced into expulsion.

"You'll take the time to explain things too, Ayanokoji-kun, right?"

"Of course. I have no intention of ending the day with any questions remaining."

With my agreement, Horikita gave a small nod, seeming to reassure herself, and Yousuke followed suit.

Together with our teacher, the three representatives returned to the classroom.

The moment we entered, the participants who had been waiting greeted us with a mix of curious and expectant stares.

Having had their confiscated phones returned, the students powered them on.

Shortly after, my own phone buzzed with an incoming message.

I gave it a quick glance before tucking it back into my pocket.

Chabashira-sensei, addressing the still visibly shaken students, spoke in a calm tone.

"The year-end special exam has concluded with your victory. Thanks to this, Class 2-B has earned significant class points. Next month, you’ll likely rise to A-Class for the first time as third-years. However, it’s worth noting that Maezono's expulsion occurred during this process. While it’s difficult for me to stand here and openly celebrate, I still want to commend you all for the hard work you put into this exam."

In a situation where outright celebration would be inappropriate, Chabashira-sensei acknowledged their efforts while maintaining a measured tone.

However, joy was far from the mood in the classroom.

The sense of victory hadn’t fully sunk in, and Maezono's expulsion cast a heavy shadow.

To jump into jubilant celebration now would undoubtedly invite criticism.

Instead, an air of restrained eagerness filled the room, as everyone was desperate to uncover the full story.

"Is Maezono really expelled, sensei?"

Amid the hesitation of most students to ask directly, Sudou was the first to speak up.

"You're half right and half wrong. Maezono is indeed in the process of completing the expulsion procedures in the faculty office. However, if you can pool together the necessary Private Points here and now, the expulsion can still be avoided," Chabashira-sensei replied.

While it wouldn’t have been unusual for her to confirm first, it was clear that she already had a grasp of the class's total Private Points. Given that it likely fell far short of the required 20 million points, this was more of a formality. Offering Maezono false hope would only make things crueler in the end.

Even if the class were to push themselves to save her, it wouldn’t be enough. Collecting the missing Private Points from other classes or grades on such short notice was practically impossible.

Preventing the expulsion was not an option. The only choice left was to silently accept the outcome.

"Will we… be able to see her if we wait?"

This hesitant question came from Mii-chan, her voice filled with anxiety.

Despite Maezono’s strong-willed personality and Mii-chan’s timid nature, the two surprisingly got along well, often spending time together. It was natural for her to struggle with the sudden separation.

"I’m not sure… At the very least, not immediately. She’s just been told she’s expelled and is understandably shaken. Until she calms down, it’s unlikely."

Hearing about Maezono’s distress caused the classmates to exchange uneasy glances.

"There are probably a lot of things you're wondering about, but I’m not allowed to disclose the details. If you have questions, I suggest discussing them amongst yourselves after this. That’s all from me."

Chabashira-sensei concluded, cutting the discussion short. It seemed she was being considerate of what was to come.

Horikita, with a quick request for permission, stepped up to the teacher’s podium.

"I’m sorry, but could I ask everyone to stay here for a while?"

"You’re going to tell us about what happened with Maezono’s expulsion, right?"

Nishimura, who had clearly been waiting for this moment, asked impatiently.

"Yes. I’ve decided that it wouldn’t be right to leave any unresolved questions about the year-end special exam. But I can’t do this alone. I need everyone’s cooperation."

Horikita said with her gaze moving across the room.

Maezono, now absent from the class.

The price of victory.

A muddy, unclear battle with details unknown.

Even someone like Koenji might have stood up by now, but there was no sign of that.

Glancing at him, I saw that he was gazing into a handheld mirror, seemingly captivated by his reflection.

Whether he was genuinely uninterested in the details of the exam or simply so absorbed in admiring himself that he hadn’t listened to the teacher or Horikita was unclear. Either way, it seemed he would stay put for the time being.

"Including myself, I want to clear up the things that concern us the most."

She began by explaining the discrepancies in information between the representatives and the participants to bridge the gap.

Who knew what, and who didn’t?

What were the rules that determined the outcome?

By eliminating these gaps, the situation gradually became clearer.

Yosuke candidly admitted that his strategy during the exam didn’t go as planned. Horikita reflected on how she was successful up to her consecutive wins but suffered a total defeat against Ichinose, the captain.

And then, all attention shifted forward.

To me.

The class began focusing on how I, their leader, completely neutralized Ichinose, who Horikita had described as a formidable opponent.

While this led to Maezono’s expulsion, even the representatives—Horikita and Yosuke—did not know the full story.

Maezono’s situation couldn’t be ignored. It was a matter we had to address head-on.

"In my opinion… While the role of the 'Traitor' did indeed carry the risk of expulsion, if the rules had been fully understood, the risk could have been almost zero. I believe Maezono, and even Ayanokoji-kun, knew that perfectly well..."

With my name mentioned, the class’s gazes shifted toward me. Using Horikita’s words as a prompt, I rose from my seat and walked toward her to address everyone.

Chabashira-sensei, who could have left, instead chose to remain and observe the discussion.

"First, I’d like to apologize for the sudden expulsion of one of our classmates."

I said, bowing my head deeply.

Following the usual approach, I prioritized explaining everything step by step.

"The 'Traitor' role came with both risks and rewards. If identified as the Traitor, the student would be expelled. However, if they remained undetected, they would earn either 5 million Private Points or 50 Class Points. Regardless of what Maezono intended to do, it’s only natural to at least consider claiming the reward. But, given the nature of the role, the longer a Traitor stays in their class, the more information they inevitably leak to the opposing class. Therefore, the only surefire way to secure a legitimate victory is to force an early confession and resolve the matter quickly."

Both Horikita and Yosuke, as representatives, would have considered this approach from the outset.

Similarly, participants likely would have confessed immediately if they had been the "Traitor."

"I think Horikita, as someone who faced Ichinose directly, understands this: Ichinose was an unimaginably formidable opponent in this special exam. Would you agree with that assessment?"

"…Yes, she was strong. I couldn’t see any way to beat her."

Horikita replied, reaffirming her defeat without hesitation.

I nodded in acknowledgment.

"I felt the same. Before facing her, I thought I might find a way to manage, but as soon as the one-on-one match began, I realized it. This exam was the perfect stage for Ichinose to maximize her abilities. She knew everything about both allies and enemies, capable of exposing both truth and lies with her keen insight."

Beside me, Horikita closed her eyes and nodded, likely recalling her own experience during the exam.

"There was no chance of winning through conventional methods. But as the appointed leader, I had to think of a way to win. After desperately brainstorming with the limited time I had, I came up with only one method."

I paused briefly, allowing my words to sink in before continuing.

"And that method was… to expel the Traitor at an early stage."

Naturally, this statement caused the entire class to freeze in confusion.

It was only natural for them to question what I meant by that.

"…Are you saying that expelling Maezono—the Traitor—led to victory? How does that work?"

It was Horikita who voiced the obvious question.

"Even if I fought her head-on, I didn’t have the skill to defeat Ichinose. So I decided that the only way to win was to catch her off guard with an unexpected strategy. Early on, I approached Ichinose with a proposal to mutually use up our Traitor privileges. If both sides lost that advantage, there would be no handicap, and no one would face expulsion. For someone like Ichinose, who likely believed she could win through conventional methods, it would have been an appealing proposition."

Ichinose despises sacrificing her teammates—or rather, she opposes anyone’s expulsion altogether.

Everyone in the class has sensed this over the past two years, so it hardly needed explanation.

"My plan was to exploit that Traitor privilege to make Ichinose unwittingly assist in Maezono’s expulsion. That was the only strategy I could think of."

A brief commotion erupted in the classroom.

Some understood my explanation; others did not. Some found themselves caught in between.

Chabashira-sensei, observing the situation objectively, remained calm.

"To mutually use Traitor privileges… Certainly, against Ichinose, such a strategy might work. And indirectly, it would mean Ichinose had a hand in Maezono’s expulsion… That was your aim."

Horikita said as her understanding was quicker than the participants.

"When Ichinose realized that she had unknowingly played a role in Maezono’s expulsion, she was deeply shaken. Overwhelmed by guilt, she could no longer perform at her best and failed to make sound decisions during the final nominations."

This was the explanation behind the outcome.

"Wait a moment!"

Yosuke, unable to hold back, stood up abruptly.

"I was allowed to represent the class, though I wasn’t much help. I understand I don’t have the right to complain or criticize. But… was it really worth sacrificing a classmate? Even if expelling Maezono guaranteed a 100% victory, I find it hard to agree. And what if we had lost? Isn’t that a possibility worth considering? No matter how you frame it, this feels like overstepping the boundaries of what’s acceptable, even as a representative."

"That's true, isn't it? Considering Ichinose's personality, she'd definitely be shaken if she found out she was made to help with Maezono's expulsion. But that doesn't necessarily guarantee our victory... right?"

One of the students, Ichihashi, murmured in agreement.

"Exactly. You could call it hindsight, but at the time, I had to decide: should we struggle aimlessly and lose, or take a calculated risk, even if it required a sacrifice? As the class representative, as the leader, I chose the latter. Because losing here could have been catastrophic. If, as predicted, Class A had won and we lost, the gap in class points would have been 300. There’s no guarantee we could recover that within a year. This exam, above all, was a battle we couldn’t afford to lose."

Although part of the reasoning was a lie, there was no falsehood in the background that led to Maezono’s expulsion.

To lose without making any sacrifices or to aim for victory even if it meant making one—

There’s no universally "correct" answer to such a question.

However, the harsh reality is that losing would have set the class far back on its path to Class A.

"I'm not trying to justify myself, but I wouldn’t mind putting it to a vote right here. I don’t think most of you would agree that it was better to lose the exam than to sacrifice Maezono."

The classroom fell silent.

Students exchanged glances or looked away.

Their reluctance to take a vote was plain to see.

Not that Horikita would ever actually hold such a vote.

It would only inflict unnecessary pain, and everyone already knew the outcome.

As bitter as it was, the fact that the class had won was significant.

A world where Sakayanagi won and Horikita lost—

Avoiding that outcome was crucial, a calculation no one could ignore.

And for many, the fact that they themselves weren’t the sacrifice was also impossible to disregard.

To oppose this now would mean reconsidering the sacrifices others had made, like Sakura’s.

Even so, if someone were to voice strong opposition—

"—Isn’t that just too arrogant? Kiyotaka, this wasn’t a decision you should’ve made alone. You didn’t have the right to sacrifice Maezono, not even as the class representative."

Only someone like Yosuke, who prioritizes others over himself, could make such an argument.

I had anticipated such a rebuttal.

"You're right. But since I couldn’t consult anyone, I had no choice but to decide alone. And as someone entrusted with the class’s future, I believed my priority was to secure victory for the class."

I directly countered Yosuke’s argument with my own stance.

"B-but... thinking about Maezono, who was randomly chosen—"

"There’s a reason it was Maezono."

I cut him off preemptively, knowing that this question would inevitably arise from someone.

Why Maezono? That point would need to be addressed eventually.

So I interrupted Yosuke's speech in advance.

"When I chose the sacrificial candidate, it wasn’t based on personal feelings like liking or disliking my classmates. Rather, it stemmed from a strong sense of dissatisfaction and unease. It wasn’t, as you might think, because Maezono was incompetent that I chose her."

"Are you saying there was... a reasonable explanation behind the scenes?"

Horikita tried to stay calm, realizing there was a deeper meaning to my words.

"The reason the student I expelled was Maezono is because—"

I explained that during the special exam at the end of the school year, a critical piece of class information had been leaked: the fact that I was participating as the commander for our class. I also revealed that it was Maezono who leaked it.

"...Didn't Horikita specifically say this had to remain absolutely confidential?"

Ichihashi, who had just voiced opposition earlier, recalled the recent events and added her thoughts.

"Yes. This was originally something I asked Horikita to handle. One of the reasons for making me the representative and having me act as the commander was to catch our opponents off guard. When everyone expected Horikita to take the role, introducing an unexpected element could lead to overthinking on their part. I aimed to use this strategy to unsettle Ichinose and her classmates. If the plan succeeded, we could win without losing any students to expulsion. But the information was leaked to their class the day before the exam, not on the day itself."

"So the information was leaked at an early stage. And it was Maezono who leaked it...?"

"Yes. Despite emphasizing that this strategic information was crucial to victory and must not be shared, it still ended up in another class's hands. Once I realized this, I began investigating."

Sudo, who seemed to have doubts about this, raised his hand while seated and began speaking.

"Do you have any proof that Maezono leaked it? Even if you do... where did you get such evidence? I mean, it’s not like Maezono would just expose herself that easily, right?"

Sudo, who had been listening carefully and processing the conversation, asked a question I was glad to hear.

"To explain this, I first need to address why Maezono would leak class information. It’s hard to imagine her sharing such information with another class without reason, isn’t it?"

Sudo and the other students nodded in agreement after hearing this.

"Does anyone here know that Maezono and Hashimoto are dating?"

I didn’t go into details and simply posed the question. Most of the students looked surprised and exchanged glances, clearly unaware of this fact.

However, a small number of students did know.

Kushida and Matsushita raised their hands from their seats. After some hesitation, Komiya also raised her hand, making a total of three people.

Kushida, as expected, lived up to her reputation. Despite her true nature being exposed to the class, she continued to demonstrate exceptional information-gathering abilities. Matsushita, on the other hand, likely deduced the relationship between Maezono and Hashimoto based on my investigation of Maezono before the exam. Komiya probably knew because she was close to Maezono, and Maezono had confided in her.

"Hashimoto is well-known for gathering all sorts of information, including from his own class. He deliberately used Maezono to extract information about our class."

"So her boyfriend asked her to do it, is that what you're saying?"

"I think their relationship as a couple was intended for that purpose from the start."

If Maezono or anyone close to her found out about this, they would likely be deeply hurt.

However, the more one understands Hashimoto's nature, the more plausible this kind of behavior seems.

To make my point more convincing, I turned to Sudo, who had raised the question.

"Sudo, have you and a few others been gathered by Maezono before to discuss matters about me?"

Sudo tilted his head in confusion, as if he couldn’t recall right away. But when I listed the names of the participants and the dates, he seemed to remember.

"Uh, ah! Yeah, that did happen. How do you even know about that...?"

While I didn’t know exactly what was discussed during that gathering, since the conversation revolved around me, it wasn’t surprising that some sort of confidentiality was enforced. This also explained why Sudo seemed surprised that I had obtained such information.

"I found out that the gathering wasn’t Maezono’s idea—it was all orchestrated by Hashimoto behind the scenes."

Hearing this, Sudo was speechless, and Ike opened his mouth in shock.

"Wait... how does Ayanokoji even know about this? Wasn’t this supposed to be confidential...?"

I had anticipated this reaction as soon as the topic was brought up. Ideally, it wouldn’t be me providing the answer—it would come from someone else voluntarily stepping forward.

"It was me. What Ayanokoji-kun said is absolutely true. Not a single detail is wrong."

Matsushita raised her hand confidently, acting as a witness without hesitation. Her timing was perfect, and her judgment of the situation was spot on.

At this point, not everyone was convinced, but it was enough to quiet most of the dissenters.

The reasoning for expelling Maezono had been sufficiently explained. There was no need for every student to agree; it was enough for a portion of them to accept it. Some would inevitably continue harboring doubts, but that was fine.

In fact, having around half the class convinced was the ideal outcome—for the class’s future as well.

"I guess I’ll accept it... but can I say something else?"

Though Sudo claimed he accepted it, he clearly had more to say. He stood up, pushing his chair back, and voiced his thoughts.

"I know you gave it your all for the class’s victory. Your plan was derailed because Maezono leaked the information, and Ichinose turned out to be stronger than expected. You even took on the burden of hurting a classmate to see things through. But... was expelling Maezono really the only option? I mean... it’s you, Ayanokoji. I feel like you could’ve come up with a way to win without sacrificing anyone."

Sudo had seen enough of my abilities to believe I could have found a better solution. His perspective—that it might have been possible to win without expelling anyone—wasn’t a bad one.

And he wasn’t entirely wrong. While it would have lowered the odds of success, it wasn’t impossible to achieve victory without losing a student.

Just as I considered giving an ambiguous response, someone else stepped forward.

"Ayanokoji-kun is certainly capable of leading as a commander. But even so, the opponents were incredibly strong. I can attest to that because I faced them directly. I realized quickly that I couldn’t win against Ichinose. Before we switched strategies, I was convinced Ayanokoji-kun would lose too. That’s how devastating this defeat was for me."

As a leader, Horikita carried the weight of her responsibilities into the battle. Despite her strong resolve, she had been easily crushed, and the pressure she felt was immense.

"Seriously? Ichinose is that strong...?"

Normally, Ichinose doesn’t come across as intimidating or powerful. That’s precisely why Horikita’s straightforward account of her strength resonated with the others.

"I’d like to add something as well. I saw Ichinose’s strength firsthand, and I can’t blame Ayanokoji-kun for his decision. In fact, after seeing the outcome, I now believe this was the best choice possible. This was... an unavoidable path for the class to win."

As the class leader, Horikita gave her firm approval.

Of course, it wasn’t something to celebrate openly. Avoiding expulsions had always been her duty. But she also understood that this painful outcome had to be accepted.

Because no matter what anyone said now, Maezono wouldn’t return. Instead of dwelling on the past, it was time to look forward.

"...Alright. If the class leader herself says so, I’ll support it too. Ayanokoji really did fight for the class, even if it meant being resented by his own teammates."

With that, Sudo nodded and sat back down, fully accepting the situation.

His question and Horikita’s response had surprised me slightly. I’d expected the class to be evenly split, but the majority now leaned toward acceptance. Criticism toward me didn’t escalate as much as I had anticipated.

Just as I considered whether to stoke the fading tension, someone spoke up hesitantly.

"But, um... doesn’t this mean three people have been expelled from our class so far? Yamauchi, Sakura, and now Maezono... All of them are connected to Ayanokoji-kun, aren’t they?"

Although the words were vague, Azuma pointed out the pattern.

"What exactly are you implying?"

Matsushita’s gentle tone belied the sharpness of her question as she countered Azuma’s claim.

"I’m not saying anything in particular... It’s just, when you think about it as a coincidence, it seems like... too many to ignore?"

His phrasing was clumsy, but his point was clear—was it really just coincidence?

"Are you suggesting Ayanokoji is deliberately causing expulsions?"

Sudo, now firmly on my side, casually dismissed Azuma’s concern.

"I’m not saying that. I’m just wondering... could we end up as the next sacrifices?"

"Yeah, I kind of get where Azuma’s coming from," Mori interjected, echoing her unease. "It’s a little unsettling, to be honest..."

Their concerns weren’t unfounded, but they lacked strong arguments to back them up, making it difficult for their opposition to gain traction.

"Um, I’m not sure if it’s my place to speak, but can I say something?"

Kushida’s voice cut in, her tone ambiguous—was she an angel, or a devil?

"I think the idea that Ayanokoji-kun is purposely causing expulsions is wrong. For example, Sakura’s expulsion was entirely my fault. I betrayed the class due to my obsession with Horikita, and that led to the expulsion. If I had followed the majority, no one would’ve been expelled. Yamauchi’s betrayal was similar. And as for Maezono, she made her own mistakes, which led to this outcome. Ayanokoji-kun didn’t have a choice—he just cleaned up the mess others left behind. Shouldn’t we view his actions in a more positive light?"

Kushida explained, emphasizing that each expulsion had been a necessary step to save the class.

Coming from someone who had caused one of these incidents, her words carried significant weight.

With Kushida and Matsushita supporting me, Azuma and the others reluctantly lowered their hands.

At that moment, a male student stood up and opened the classroom door.

"Where are you going, Koenji?"

Sudou was the first to notice something unusual and called out to Koenji.

"Going? I believe it’s time for me to take my leave."

"We’re not done talking yet!"

"I have a date with a lovely lady, and I was merely passing the time here before then. I’d rather not be late, so I’ll excuse myself now."

True to his nature, Koenji, who had been either gazing into a mirror or fiddling with his phone, clearly had no intention of waiting for the discussion to end. He was simply acting on his own schedule.

Technically, Chabashira-sensei had already ended the class meeting, so leaving the classroom wasn’t an issue.

"As always, he does whatever he wants. Don’t you realize how important this discussion is?"

"Important? I fail to see anything remotely significant about it."

With that, Koenji dismissed Sudou's protest and strolled out of the classroom.

The atmosphere in the room was disrupted. Seeing this, Chabashira sensei deemed it the right time to step in and address the class.

"Koenji aside, let’s wrap this up for now."

As the homeroom teacher, Chabashira sensei decided to temporarily end the discussion rather than leaving it entirely to the students.

"I agree. Unless someone insists on continuing, let’s call it a day," she added.

Hearing this, Yosuke, who had been silently observing with a tense expression, didn’t voice any objections. Though he appeared slightly dissatisfied, he decided to let it go for now.

End-of-Year Class Points

At the close of the year-end special exam, the approximate class points were as follows:

Horikita’s Class: 1233 points

Sakayanagi’s Class: 1093 points

Ryuen’s Class: 1040–1090 points

Ichinose’s Class: 714 points

Horikita's class had taken a slight lead in the race to Class A. Sakayanagi’s class was closely pursued by Ryuen’s class, holding onto a fragile lead. Meanwhile, Ichinose’s class had fallen significantly behind.

These were the current standings, but what truly mattered was what came next.

If Sakayanagi were to be expelled, her class would inevitably face penalties. Up until now, no student in the second year had voluntarily withdrawn, so the specifics were unclear. However, based on research into past cases, a deduction of 300 class points seemed likely.

This would drop Sakayanagi’s class to 793 points, potentially sliding them to third place.

Such a development would solidify a two-strong, two-weak dynamic among the classes.

With this in mind, it seemed necessary to ramp up efforts during the upcoming spring break beyond the original plans.

After school, the classroom was empty. all the students had left.

Kei wanted to walk home with me, but I suggested she go with Sato and the others instead. Realizing the situation, she quickly agreed.

Although the main reason Maezono had to leave was because of me, clinging to my girlfriend right after a classmate’s expulsion would only worsen Kei’s image. To avoid that, at least for today, I decided to head home alone.

Horikita and Yosuke, who knew the situation better than anyone and intended to dig deeper, also left without lingering in the classroom.

"Well... time to head home." I thought as I stepped out alone.

As I was about to head straight to the dormitory—

“Ayanokoji-kun.” Kushida called out to me as I exited the school building.

The area was deserted. She must have been waiting for me here.

“I’ve got something to ask you.”

“Wouldn’t it be better over the phone?”

“Worried about rumors if we’re seen together?”

She teased me. She was well aware of the implications.

“If you’re fine with that, ask away.”

“I’m done pretending to be everyone's friend in class, so it makes more sense to confront you directly.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Earlier, in front of everyone, I supported you and wrapped things up nicely. But let’s be honest— Maezono’s expulsion was intentional, wasn’t it? A calculated move to clean out a traitor.”

“No, that’s not…”

I started to deny, but Kushida smirked slightly and continued.

“True, Ichinose was incredibly strong during this exam. But if it’s you, Ayanokoji-kun, couldn’t you have broken her down mentally instead with “other means”? Am I wrong?”

Instead of praising my victory, she cleverly implied that I could use “other means” to break her spirit. It was a very sharp observation.

“Horikita and the other fools in class might see things in a positive light, but that’s not how it really is, right?”

Kushida’s keen insight came from her relentless efforts to uncover people’s true intentions.

“And even if we lost, expelling Maezono wouldn’t be a bad outcome, don’t you agree?”

Even in defeat, losing Maezono wasn’t much of a setback. Kushida deduced that this was all part of my plan.

“I have to say, I respect that kind of strategy.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because you’re the one who backed me into a corner and nearly got me expelled. It’d be strange if you didn’t think this way.”

That was her main reason. She didn’t bother listing any smaller details.

I agreed with her logic but decided to deflect.

“I only did what was necessary to win because she was a formidable opponent.”

“Hmm?”

She seemed to notice my evasion but didn’t press further.

“Putting myself aside, I have to commend your performance, Kushida. You intervened perfectly. Even though some are wary of you, many in class still acknowledged the validity of your words.”

The events of the special exam left a lasting impression on Kushida as well.

“Well, I’ve lost a lot and need to rebuild my position in class. If I leave everything to you, who knows what will happen next?”

She said, indicating her plans to secure her standing to avoid becoming a future target for expulsion.

Even if it’s purely self-serving, having a goal is a good thing.

“Horikita seems to trust you as well.”

“Please. She and I are enemies. We’re just in a temporary alliance for a common goal.”

Kushida would continue to navigate the class deftly in the future.

Though I couldn’t oversee everything, I was certain of this for the moment.

Let’s go back in time a little.

It was when Horikita and others began discussing Maezono’s withdrawal from their class.

In another classroom, the end-of-year special exam reflections were also underway.

Ichinose’s class, pushed to the brink before the exam, had no choice but to win. However, after returning with the three representatives alongside Hoshinomiya, all of them silently went back to their seats.

In the deathly silent classroom, Ichinose sat with her head lowered, unable to lift it.

Still, if she didn’t take the initiative to explain, time would remain frozen.

“…Everyone… I’m sorry.”

Ichinose’s voice was barely squeezed out.

“Losing today’s exam… it’s my fault…”

Neither the participants nor the representatives knew the full details of the special exam.

The battles between representatives were conducted in secrecy, with only results and personal accounts shedding light on what happened.

This applied to both Horikita’s class and this one.

While the loss of a classmate was painful, Horikita’s class had secured a victory, giving them hope to move forward.

On the other hand, Ichinose’s class was crushed by the weight of defeat.

It should have been a bitter, heavy atmosphere that lingered… but this wasn’t a class that tolerated negativity for long.

“Honami-chan, you don’t have to apologize.”

“I think we could’ve supported you better with our discussions.”

None of the classmates blamed Ichinose. Instead, they offered words of comfort.

“Yeah, it’s nothing to worry about.”

Who said what didn’t matter. Everyone chimed in with reassurances, passing supportive words like a relay baton.

It wasn’t anything unusual—it was simply how this class always was.

When someone was sad, they lifted each other up. When someone was struggling, they gave encouragement.

Blaming or attacking an individual? That didn’t exist here.

Of course, such positive attitudes weren’t inherently wrong.

But this time, the situation was different. What was happening now was mere wound-licking.

Himeno watched this scene with a lump in her throat.

This can’t go on. That thought repeatedly surfaced in her mind.

She knew the loss wasn’t solely Ichinose’s fault.

As others had said, there were areas where the participants could’ve done better, and Himeno herself hadn’t delivered praiseworthy results.

However, avoiding the reality of the loss wouldn’t lead to growth.

Himeno understood this.

She needed to speak up, to steer the class into reflecting on the loss as a crucial turning point for their future.

But… she couldn’t.

The words that reached her throat were swallowed back down.

Himeno had always disliked and avoided standing out.

Muster up courage now? Easier said than done.

Her palms were sweaty. Her lips remained tightly sealed.

Her vision wavered, and her head started to ache.

As always, in front of others, she was unable to express her thoughts.

Still, Himeno was starting to change.

Though she had always been alone, she now had peers who understood her.

Desperate, Himeno glanced at Kanzaki, hoping he would break the silence first and give her the opportunity to speak.

This group was formed to create a space where they could voice opinions, even to Ichinose.

If Kanzaki spoke first, she could follow. That was her small but significant resolve.

But… Kanzaki didn’t move.

He sat with his head down, motionless, as if waiting for time to pass.

Himeno turned to another ally, Hamaguchi, with a pleading look.

Hamaguchi noticed her gaze but shook his head slightly, signaling that if Kanzaki wasn’t acting, it wasn’t the right time yet.

Left without support, Himeno could only watch as time slipped away.

“Right now, we might just be facing a small crisis. But there is still a long way to go..”

Shibata, standing by Ichinose’s side, encouraged her strongly, throwing up his fist (clenched fists raised in a gesture of determination).

“This loss? So what? We’ve got a whole year ahead of us, don’t we, everyone?”

He tried to rally the classroom with his cheerful words, but reality was harsh—far harsher than Himeno’s inner thoughts could accept.

Unable to voice her concerns, Himeno was forced to go along with the optimistic mood.

Watching the scene with an icy gaze was none other than their homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya.

She clenched her fists, holding back the urge to intervene.

As a teacher, she was bound by the school’s rule of minimal interference.

But her patience was wearing thin. Raising her hand high, she slammed it onto the podium. The lively atmosphere froze instantly.

“Everyone—do you even understand the situation you’re in?”

Her voice was calm, but her words pierced sharply through the air.

“To put it bluntly, you’re all being delusional.”

The smiles on the students’ faces stiffened.

“Chie-sensei?”

A male student timidly called out, but Hoshinomiya ignored him, turning her attention to Shibata.

“Shibata-kun, you said there is still a long way to go, didn’t you?”

“Uh… yes.”

“Do you really believe that?”

"Well... it's too soon to give up, isn't it? If we compare this to soccer, even if we're behind by 2 or 3 points, once we regain control of the momentum—"

"2 or 3 points? Momentum? Stop kidding yourself. This loss is far more devastating."

"No, but, teacher, if we still have a year—"

"A year left? No, you're misunderstanding. There's only one year left."

"But there's still a chance for a comeback—"

"There isn't. Let me put it in terms of your favorite soccer analogy: this isn't just about trailing by 2 points. We've already lost 3 points today alone, and now we're down by 10. I'm asking if you understand what that means. And our opponent is far beyond our current level. It's time you accept reality."

Unable to tolerate their denial any longer, Hoshinomiya Chie spoke sharply to the students.

Yet, despite this, Shibata refused to give up.

"Teacher, have you heard of 'The Giant Killing'? If it were us—"

[TL Note: The Giant Killing is a Japanese soccer manga by Tsunamoto Masaya. The manga highlights themes of teamwork, strategy, and overcoming odds.]

"Enough. What you need right now isn't to dream up scenarios but to face reality. Do you understand?"

Hoshinomiya had to drag her lost students out of the forest of wishful thinking and back into reality.

For the first time, they saw Hoshinomiya truly angry. Shibata, who had been trying to argue, swallowed his words and, as if directed, turned away and left. Passing by Ichinose, he returned to his seat with reluctance.

"It's over for us, isn't it, Ichinose?"

Hoshinomiya approached Ichinose, who had been silently lowering her head, and spoke to her.

"Sensei..."

Hoshinomiya, who had closely observed their struggles in the exams, understood the toll Ayanokoji's blow had taken on Ichinose’s spirit. The reality was clear—this class had no chance of winning anymore.

"It’s on me. That was my responsibility. From here on out, I don’t have confidence that I can continue as the leader of this class—"

Ichinose spoke of stepping down.

But Hoshinomiya stopped her before she could finish.

"That's not it."

"…What?"

"I'm not asking you to give up. I just want you to see the situation for what it is."

Moments ago, she had been furious, but now Hoshinomiya's voice softened into a warm smile.

"We’ve lost this time. And if we keep going as we are, we’ll lose in the future too. You’re not giving up. Not yet. Do you understand that?"

"…Yes..."

Even if she didn’t want to admit it, the harsh truth from someone sincere was impossible to refute. Ichinose could only nod.

Satisfied, Hoshinomiya nodded back.

"It’s fine, Ichinose. I believe in your potential. Leave all your worries to me."

She gently patted Ichinose on the shoulder and whispered into her ear.

If she allowed Ichinose to resign now, it would create even greater chaos for the class’s future. Hoshinomiya decided to delay that decision, knowing it was the best move for now.

"So, for now, take it slow. Rest and recover, alright?"

With that, Hoshinomiya stepped away, returning to her usual demeanor.

It was clear to her—this class couldn’t escape the depths of D-Class on their own. The only option left was for her to intervene, breaking the rules if necessary, to save them.

For now, she placed her hopes on Ichinose, but only to prevent the class from collapsing during this fragile time.

"That’s enough heavy talk for today. While we can’t change the results of this time, the next time will be different. Spring break is just around the corner, and so are your three-way meeting. You should start thinking about your future plans."

Hoshinomiya announced the dismissal, unwilling to linger in the suffocating atmosphere of the classroom any longer.

Following her crushing defeat against Ayanokoji, Ichinose—unable to bear the weight of her failure— took sick leave and never appeared at school again before spring break.

Thus began her dark, solitary vacation in her room.

Chapter 2

Until We Meet Again

The intense end-of-year special exam had concluded, and it was now Saturday, March 19th.

At 7 a.m., Ryuen left his dormitory alone, heading outside the school.

At this early hour, most people were probably still asleep. The air was chilly.

When he arrived at his destination, he found that the person he was looking for had already arrived.

A small figure stood with their back to Ryuen, quietly gazing at the scenery.

“You’re here early.”

He said cautiously, careful not to startle the other person.

Since the result of their contest was decided, days had passed without the two crossing paths due to various reasons.

What kind of expression would she have when she turned around? What would she say?

Ryuen wasn’t trying to provoke her, he was simply curious.

Holding her cane, Sakayanagi slowly turned to face him.

Her large eyes, fixed on Ryuen, carried the same unshakable determination as always.

“My legs make it difficult to move around, so I have to reach earlier than most people.”

She explained the reason for her early arrival and added

“Besides, I’ll soon have to say goodbye to this view. I couldn’t help but feel a little sentimental.”

She said this in a tone that hinted at her purpose for coming out early.

Ryuen was the one who had called her out.

Sakayanagi was the one who had come.

Originally, Sakayanagi had intended to wait for Ryuen to speak first.

However, he remained silent.

She couldn’t fully grasp what kind of thoughts or emotions he had as he stood there.

Hesitating, she wondered if she should cut straight to the point, trying to judge if it was the right move.

But seeing Ryuen’s evident guardedness, Sakayanagi decided instead to open up a little.

“Thank you for granting me some extra time before my voluntary withdrawal. It’s given me a chance to take care of a few things I hadn’t finished yet. I really appreciate it.”

Their bet had dictated that the loser must voluntarily leave the school. After the special exam ended, the loser should have immediately packed up and left alongside Maezono. But several days had passed, and Sakayanagi was still here, thanks to Ryuen’s permission.

If her expulsion had followed the school’s official rules, it would have been handled swiftly and according to protocol.

However, since the withdrawal was a private agreement between students, with the school acting only as a mediator, there were no strict rules in place. Both parties had agreed that the withdrawal would take place by the end of the month, and the school had approved this arrangement.

“Don’t think I did it to help you.”

“Oh? Isn’t that the case?”

“Not at all. It’s purely for my own convenience. Giving A-Class more time to process your expulsion makes it easier to etch the reality of your defeat into their minds.”

In other words, if Sakayanagi had disappeared immediately after the exam, A-Class wouldn’t have felt the full weight of the loss.

“Oh, right. You’re not even A-Class anymore, are you?”

Ryuen laughed mockingly, and Sakayanagi responded with a faint smile.

“I see. So it’s all for yourself. Then I’ll take back my gratitude.”

Even when provoked, Sakayanagi remained calm, which made Ryuen scoff as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

Sakayanagi, sensing that Ryuen wasn’t getting to the point, gently encouraged him to speak.

“According to our agreement, I’ll be leaving this school soon. So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Before the loser pathetically leaves, there’s something I want to clarify.”

Ryuen said, his words tinged with sarcasm.

“Please, feel free to ask. If it’s something I can answer, I’ll gladly do so.”

Sakayanagi appeared willing to engage in conversation, making it clear she had come here for this reason.

But when Ryuen opened his mouth to speak, he closed it again.

This time, it was different.

Unexpectedly, he found himself at a loss for words.

What Ryuen wanted to ask was something he could only confirm here and now.

Did he really need to know the answer, or was it unnecessary?

He thought he already had the answer, but seeing Sakayanagi in front of him caused him to waver.

To hide his hesitation, Ryuen stepped forward, passing by Sakayanagi.

Then, when they stood with their backs to each other, he stopped.

"Even after deciding to drop out, you still look the same as usual. Are you just putting up a front?"

"What do you think? In your eyes, what kind of person am I?"

"Hmph."

No change at all. From beginning to end, just an arrogant woman. That was Ryuen's immediate impression.

Since the other party wouldn’t drop her domineering attitude, Ryuen couldn’t afford to hesitate any longer.

There were things he needed to ask, things he needed to say.

"I don't accept the outcome of that match."

It took immense effort just to say those words.

For the first time, Ryuen felt an emotion he had never experienced— dragged out from the depths of his heart into broad daylight.

"Don't accept it? The result was crystal clear, wasn't it?"

"Cut the crap. At the end of the test, I admitted defeat to you."

With a hint of regret, he tried to come to terms with losing to a formidable rival. He also tried to accept the reality of dropping out.

But the outcome was completely reversed.

Accepting it all without protest was simply too much to ask.

"You gave it your all, made a decision that the outcome was certain, and then stepped off the stage. But that was just your premature judgment, not the true result."

A victory thought to be secure turned into defeat, and a defeat turned into victory. Such reversals were not uncommon in the realm of competition.

"Even so, this time was different. If it were just between you and me, I might have begrudgingly accepted it. But this time, the outcome was overturned because of a message from Ayanokoji. Do you really expect me to accept that?"

"Whether you accept it or not, the result is the result— it won't change."

The logical one and the one trying to defy logic.

"That said... I do understand your frustration, Ryuen-kun. If I couldn't comprehend why I lost, it would feel like having a thorn stuck in my throat."

In a situation where 99% of the odds pointed to defeat, the tides were turned.

There was no doubt that it all stemmed from the message Ryuen delivered from Ayanokoji.

That message caused an unsettling ripple.

Still, it was hard to imagine a single statement overturning the outcome entirely.

"Technically, you could've won. But you took the risk of dropping out and chose to spare the traitor, Hashimoto. What kind of message could make you change your resolve like that?"

The only way to find the answer would be to question Ayanokoji or Sakayanagi directly.

"Hmm. While I find it amusing to leave you with such unresolved feelings... since I promised to answer anything I could, I'll tell you."

After saying this, Sakayanagi recalled her state during the special exam, a self-deprecating smile crossing her face.

This expression, of course, went unseen by the Ryuen standing behind her.

Perhaps neither of them wanted to let the other see such a face.

"Using you and Hashimoto-kun as intermediaries, I received a message from Ayanokoji-kun. It was about the future he envisioned."

"...What?"

"He has only one year left at this school. What he desires isn't to fight me—but to fight you. If one of us had to drop out, he wanted it to be me, not Ryuen Kakeru."

This was the message Ayanokoji conveyed to Sakayanagi.

"So that's why you followed his wishes and chose to surrender? Even sparing Hashimoto instead of dealing with him? ...Don’t make me Laugh."

Hearing the message, Ryuen didn’t have time to decide if he would accept it— anger surged before anything else.

The anger wasn’t directed at Ayanokoji for interfering but at Sakayanagi's overly naive reasoning.

"If I heard that message, I’d have ignored it, crushed Hashimoto, and then gone to beat up Ayanokoji. No way I'd let him have his way."

"Perhaps you would. You’re simpler than you think."

"Hah?"

"Indeed. If someone other than you or Hashimoto-kun delivered the message directly, I might’ve done the same— refused to drop out."

Recalling her conversations with Hashimoto during the year-end special exam, Sakayanagi continued.

"Precisely because it was a concealed message, I decided the best choice was to understand its meaning."

"I don't get what you're saying at all."

"Of course not. This is something only I can understand."

Ryuen frowned as he turned to look at her, confusion evident in his expression. Though Sakayanagi didn’t turn around, she could picture his face and smiled faintly.

"That said, I didn’t accept it fully, either. Honestly, I stayed in bed for half a day afterward to process it."

In other words, it only took her half a day to recover.

"Aren’t You more suited to fight that bastard— Ayanokoji."

Though he hadn’t intended to belittle himself, Ryuen blurted out his thoughts at her absurd reasoning.

"I understand that you are upset that you didn't get the chance to challenge me yourself. But even if I defeated you forcefully at that time... No, let's not continue this hypothetical discussion."

Standing behind her, Ryuen still couldn’t come to terms with the outcome of their match.

Sakayanagi, on the other hand, realized that Ryuen’s frustration was far greater than she had anticipated.

She had thought he would be content simply with victory, no matter the process.

In this, her judgment had been mistaken.

One thought echoed clearly in Ryuen’s mind: If only I had acted differently.

"Delivering Ayanokoji’s message to you... was a mistake."

"Hah!"

"What’s so funny? You lost because of that message. No one asked for his interference, yet he meddled and altered the outcome. I should’ve fought purely for myself till the end."

"And lost to me, accepting defeat?"

"Don’t decide that on your own. If I’d used the traitor’s card properly, I might’ve beaten you."

Had he withheld the traitor's identity and employed it strategically, he might’ve gained the upper hand.

"I see. That’s possible. But even if you’d used the traitor’s card to its fullest, I still wouldn’t have lost."

It wasn’t a matter of probability— Sakayanagi was confident she would’ve won regardless.

This was an argument neither would back down from, and so it ended unresolved.

"You are more dangerous than I thought. Can you defeat Ayanokoji-kun in this state?"

"Defeat him. Of course I have to defeat him. That's why I'm standing here now."

"I see. But do you really think you can beat him in the remaining year?"

"Of course."

"Really? But your steps seem shaky right now. If Ayanokoji-kun saw you now, I think he’d feel the same way."

Logically, hearing such a contrived message should’ve provoked disdain or outright rejection.

Yet Sakayanagi spoke of Ayanokoji with genuine delight.

Though Ryuen didn’t fully understand her reasons, he at least recognized this: her feelings for Ayanokoji were sincere, transcending mere strategy or calculation.

"Idolizing Ayanokoji is your business, but it pisses me off."

"‘Pisses you off,’ huh? Since earlier, all you’ve said are lofty words. Isn’t your principle to be ruthless? Using whatever means necessary to win? If you were truly unaffected by Ayanokoji’s manipulation, you wouldn’t have delivered his message, nor let it sway you. Likewise, I only accepted my loss because my ability wasn’t enough. Isn’t it that simple?"

In the end, Ryuen had won, yet it felt like Sakayanagi, the supposed loser, had accepted the outcome more gracefully.

And that frustrated Ryuen most of all.

Because deep down, he knew she was right.

"Don’t mistake him for some virtuous saint. Ayanokoji’s actions are purely self-serving. For his own sake, he views everyone else as disposable pawns. You and I might have some similarities, but we’re nothing compared to him. His attitude is pure and completely genuine. He’ll evolve further in this school. Now that he’s found his goal, he’ll harm anyone, expel anyone, and manipulate others’ victories or defeats with chilling precision. That’s Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. He’ll exploit anything— be it someone’s fleeting romantic feelings or special relationships— for his own purposes.”

One-on-one. A fair fight.

Even if such an arrangement is agreed upon by those involved, Ayanokoji, who remains outside of it, acts with complete freedom.

In truth, Ryuen had also fought his way through life in a similarly unrestrained manner.

However, even in his area of expertise, Ayanokoji could effortlessly surpass him. Perfectly, cleanly, with no wasted effort— it was maddening.

“Hah... For a guy this messed up, it’s impressive how much you’re emotionally invested in him.”

“I can say with pride that my feelings for Ayanokoji-kun won’t lose to anyone’s.”

Sakayanagi replied, wearing a faintly smug smile like a child showing off a prized possession.

“I get it. That feeling of frustration.”

Ryuen muttered, half to Sakayanagi, half to himself.

Deep down, Sakayanagi couldn’t entirely dismiss the possibility that Ayanokoji might have paid her some special attention.

Of course, he had envisioned a future where she emerged victorious.

He accounted for every possibility and prepared for any outcome.

"Including this conclusion, he calculated that you would be so distressed. If his calculations were wrong, it was probably because he didn't expect you to be so mentally broken by something as simple as this, that you would lose your fangs to fight."

Sakayanagi said, flashing a smile that seemed to challenge Ryuen: You’re not that weak, are you?

“I...”

“If your fangs have truly dulled, maybe for the first time, Ayanokoji-kun will change his mind. He might think that I, not you, am more suited to the battlefield.”

Ryuen kept insisting to himself that he hadn’t lost his will to fight. But the undeniable truth was that something within him had been blunted. Sakayanagi, perceptive as ever, sensed this and found herself envying him for it.

“It’s a shame, really. I would’ve liked to stay in the special seats and keep watching Ayanokoji-kun’s moves.”

“If that’s how you feel, shouldn’t you be begging me right now to let you stay?”

In reality, Sakayanagi’s expulsion hadn’t been finalized yet.

“Unfortunately, I have no such intentions. My bags are already packed. Besides, this whole experience has been a valuable lesson for me. It’s opened up new perspectives.”

In stark contrast to the serious Ryuen, Sakayanagi was ready to take her next step forward.

“That’s too bad. If you got down on your knees and begged, maybe I’d consider talking to the school and nullifying the bet.”

“That kind of graceless act doesn’t suit me.”

“You know, it’s funny. When we first met, you were all about provoking me. I thought you’d be happy with how things turned out.”

Sakayanagi smiled wistfully.

“The year-end special exam was an exception. I’ve always thought so.”

Her intentions had never wavered. From the beginning to the end, Ryuen had aimed for a straightforward victory against Sakayanagi. His unshakable confidence stemmed from his belief that he could defeat her. Yet Sakayanagi had defeated him in exactly the way he had intended to win.

Even though he’d lost, Ryuen felt less regret and more satisfaction with how things had played out.

“How am I supposed to process this feeling? This is the first time I’ve felt this way. A win is a win. By my reasoning, I should be happy. I’ve always lived by that principle... yet now I feel uncertain.”

The simplest choice would be to let things go. After all, Sakayanagi wasn’t his ally. That would’ve been the natural decision.

But now, Sakayanagi genuinely wanted to support Ryuen.

“Well then, let me teach you what to do. If you can’t accept your victory, maybe you should just drop out yourself.”

“Hah…?”

“Isn’t that an option? If you truly want to lose to me, just act on it now. If you voluntarily withdraw before I do, that would undoubtedly count as defeat.”

What Sakayanagi wanted to convey was simple: defeat is always close by, ready to be claimed at any moment.

She turned to face Ryuen, who was glaring at her with clenched teeth, and smiled.

“Hah. That is my genuine advice, though it might sound a bit harsh.”

Sakayanagi said, adopting a mentor-like demeanor as she offered Ryuen guidance.

“To face Ayanokoji-kun, you need to confront your inner contradictions. He’s not someone you can measure with standard means. Unless you turn those contradictions into weapons, you won’t stand a chance against him. Even I made a misjudgment about him.”

Sakayanagi’s insight into Ayanokoji carried an undeniable weight, given her unmatched understanding of him.

“My earlier suggestion to drop out was serious. Ryuen-kun, you can choose defeat at any time. But since you’ve won, you still have the right to keep fighting. And abandoning that right would be nothing short of foolish.”

Ryuen had no intention of giving up. He was simply feeling lost.

Someone who craved victory as much as he did could never choose to walk away.

“You just have to keep fighting relentlessly, refusing to let go. Only by doing that can you gain anything. Sooner or later, it’ll benefit you in some way. But whether it leads to hope or despair in the end, I can’t guarantee.”

At his current level, Ryuen couldn’t match Ayanokoji.

No matter how optimistically one viewed the situation, that much was undeniable.

“While you struggle, I’ll be eagerly anticipating the day I get to face him again.”

Sakayanagi said with a faint smirk.

“...Even if Ayanokoji says you’re irrelevant, you’ll still chase after him?”

“Of course. Even though I’ve momentarily stopped, my feelings haven’t changed in the slightest. Shall I say it again? Ayanokoji-kun is someone special to me.”

After a brief silence, Sakayanagi smiled faintly, her expression unreadable.

“You may seem weak now, but it looks like your spirit hasn’t died.”

“I’ve faced humiliation like this before in this school. Maybe that’s why I can still stand here.” Ryuen replied.

Without those experiences, he might not have made it this far.

One could say everything had been orchestrated by Ayanokoji.

“I’ll give you one final piece of advice. You need to understand this: You absolutely cannot beat him on your own.”

“That’s your advice? Don’t make me laugh.”

"You’re well aware of how insurmountable Ayanokoji’s 'human wall' truly is. Even though you’ve grown during your two years at this school, you’re nowhere near scaling it. Your brutality and ferocity may be weapons, but in Ayanokoji’s eyes, they’re nothing more than a child’s antics. He’ll fight you without hesitation, even in the areas you excel at most."

"So, what should I do?"

"You need to change how you think—be more flexible in your approach. Defeating someone as flawless as Ayanokoji is nearly impossible. Forget direct confrontations, even surprise attacks won’t work. That’s why... I’ve decided to craft a weakness for him specifically for you."

"You’re going to create a weakness for him?"

"Yes. It might come in handy for you someday. No matter how brilliant his mind is— or rather, because it’s so brilliant— unexpected weaknesses will emerge."

This suggestion was Sakayanagi’s way of getting back at Ayanokoji with her own brand of mischief.

Just as he had once manipulated victory and defeat through messages only someone as gifted as himself could understand, Sakayanagi was confident she could also influence his thoughts.

Ryuen felt a surge of mixed emotions— frustration, inadequacy— that almost rose to his throat, but he forced them back down.

"Take your time being lost. As long as you don’t give up, you’ll eventually find a new path," Sakayanagi encouraged.

"Stop acting like you can see through people’s minds. You think you’re Ayanokoji?"

"That’s the highest compliment you could give me."

She replied with a sly smile, tapping her cane lightly against the ground.

"Well, I think that’s enough for now. I have other plans to attend to."

"What are you planning to do after this?"

"I’ve already got Masumi chan’s transfer address. I plan to visit her and apologize."

"She’s going to be shocked when she sees you."

"Hmm... Knowing her, her first reaction will probably be a sigh."

With that, Sakayanagi turned and began walking away.

"Until we meet again. Just don’t disappoint me by dropping out in some pathetic way before then."

Despite their long-standing rivalry, Ryuen felt an unusual sense of loss.

Ryuen had always maintained an adversarial stance toward everyone, Sakayanagi included.

But after the year-end special exam, he had come to acknowledge her— a massive shift for him.

His opponent— or perhaps it was fair to call her that— was now gone. From here on, he’d have to face Ayanokoji alone.

Ryuen didn’t turn back until Sakayanagi’s presence had completely faded. But shortly after, a thought occurred to him.

"Huh?"

He instinctively glanced back, though she was long gone.

"...‘Until we meet again’? You don’t have a next time, do you? Stubborn to the end, huh."

Dwelling on someone who was about to leave the school was pointless. He quickly brushed off the thought.

Ryuen turned his focus back to himself, preparing for the upcoming battles in his third year.

With Sakayanagi gone, whether he liked it or not, his attention was now entirely on his fight against Ayanokoji.

Though his class’s points had surged, returning them to the competitive stage, those numbers were just the surface.

Unless he could defeat Ayanokoji, the path to Class A would remain closed.

The uncertainty in his heart hadn’t completely vanished, but the fog clouding his mind was slowly lifting.

Ryuen couldn’t deny feeling a trace of gratitude toward the small but fearless "goddess" who had just left.

For now, he resolved to accept that he wasn’t good enough yet.

Then, he would spend the next year changing that reality— no matter what it took.

"A year? Just a year? Hah... Perfect."

For Ryuen Kakeru, the most crucial year of his life was about to begin.

Chapter 3

The Vacant Throne

Part 1

A few days had passed since spring break began.

The intense atmosphere from the year-end special exams had disappeared, and most students across all grades were likely enjoying this blissful time to its fullest.

But not every class had the luxury to relax.

Ichinose’s class, having lost to Horikita’s class, and Sakayanagi’s class, having been defeated by Ryuen’s, were among those facing gloomy futures.

For the students of these two classes, with only one year remaining, there was no room for a carefree spring break. Failing to use this time to plan ahead would surely lead to a disaster.

The situation was particularly dire for Sakayanagi’s class, where the revelation of their leader’s decision to voluntarily withdraw had left them in chaos.

After learning of Sakayanagi’s plans, I decided to get a better sense of Class A’s situation by arranging a meeting with a few of their students.

“Meeting with a few” sounded more significant than it was— it was only Morishita and Yamamura.

The scheduled time was 10 a.m., near the student dormitories— right where I was now waiting.

But even after the agreed time passed, there was no sign of either of them.

I had sent them a message at around 8 a.m. this morning, and they had read it. There was no chance they’d forgotten. Even if they had dozed off again, it was hard to imagine both of them doing so simultaneously.

After waiting another five minutes with no sign of them, I decided to call Morishita.

The phone rang but went unanswered.

“In that case, I’ll try Yamamura.”

Although I didn’t want to put any mental pressure on the timid Yamamura, I had no other choice.

Feeling slightly guilty, I dialed her number.

“Ah, um, sorry we’re late!”

Before I could say anything, Yamamura’s anxious voice came through.

“W-wait—hang up the phone! But—it’s already past—our meeting time—we should—”

"Are you with Morishita?" I asked.

"Yes, yes, um, come to the back of the student dormitory, ah, the phone is held by her——"

The sound of a scuffle came through the line before the call abruptly ended.

“…What’s going on?”

Though I wasn’t sure of the details, she had mentioned the back of the dormitory.

With that hint in hand, I decided to head there. It was only about a two- or three-minute walk away.

When I arrived at the spot Yamamura had described, the scene that greeted me was… peculiar.

There stood a visibly flustered Yamamura, looking unsure of what to do. Nearby, Morishita was lying flat on the ground for some reason.

During our training camp, Morishita had once pressed her hand against a tree trunk and claimed to be “listening to the sounds of the forest,” which had been a lie intended to tease me. Could this be another one of her odd antics?

“Just what are you doing?”

Before I could piece together what was going on, Yamamura made several failed attempts to speak before ultimately falling silent.

I decided to approach Morishita directly.

“What exactly are you doing?”

At my question, she suddenly turned to me and stared intently.

“Shh, keep your voice down. I’m observing insects.”

“…What?”

I lowered my voice to avoid upsetting her further.

“I said I’m observing insects. What, have you gone deaf after not seeing me for a while, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka or are you a *******?”

Using my full name, she launched into a stream of nonsensical remarks, the details of which I’ll spare from repeating.

“It’s not that I didn’t hear you… I just didn’t understand what you meant…”

Yamamura, looking mortified, repeatedly bowed in apology as if to express regret for their lateness— or perhaps for failing to meet up with me as planned.

But clearly, the blame rested with Morishita. I raised my hand slightly, signaling to Yamamura that there was no need to worry.

For now, my priority was getting Morishita to stand up.

She seemed entirely absorbed in using a magnifying glass to observe the bugs on the ground, paying little heed to our scheduled meeting.

She had gone so far as to lie down in the dirt to watch insects. Was she collecting them for some kind of research?

After a ten-minute wait, she finally stood up, looking thoroughly satisfied.

“All right, observation complete.”

Her casual outfit was now covered in dirt, a clear consequence of her actions.

She didn’t bother dusting off her clothes, instead contentedly tucking her magnifying glass away.

“When did this start?” I asked.

Yamamura let out a weary sigh in response.

“It’s been over 30 minutes…”

It seemed Yamamura had been dragged into this against her will.

“Whether it’s an hour or two, it’s my freedom, isn’t it?” Morishita shot back.

“If there wasn’t a prior arrangement, sure, but since we had plans, no, it isn’t.”

"Your way of expressing yourself is so wordy, you'd better learn more Japanese."

For some reason, she was the one scolding, as if it were somehow not her fault.

“I happen to like biology.”

“…Is that so…?”

“You’re so rude! Doubting me like that. Last summer, I bought a full set of observation tools and got completely absorbed in raising Tadpole shrimps. Those days were truly epic.”

“Really? That’s… hard to believe…”

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one struggling to imagine this—Yamamura seemed to feel the same.

“Hard to believe? What’s that supposed to mean, Yamamura Miki? I wish your doubts about me were as low as your presence is.”

“Uh, no, I’m not doubting you— I’m just a bit surprised…”

“If you don’t trust me, there’s no point in saying more. Fine, since you’re so skeptical, I’ll show you my notes.”

Was she really going to make us both look at them?

Clearly annoyed at being doubted, Morishita pulled out her phone and started fiddling with it before thrusting the screen in front of Yamamura’s face.

“Be amazed.”

“It’s too close! I can’t see anything. And the screen’s way too bright!”

“I set the brightness to maximum. It’s blinding you on purpose.”

It was hard to tell if Morishita actually wanted to show off her results or just mess with us. Then again, this kind of over-the-top behavior was standard for her.

Perhaps realizing Yamamura was on the verge of tears, Morishita relented and pulled the phone back. She opened her notes and began showing them properly.

Curious, I leaned over to take a look.

Day 1

Had to let tap water sit for a day to remove chlorine. A bit disappointed.

Day 2

Added about 30 Tadpole shrimps eggs.

Three hatched after about six hours. They’re so tiny.

Day 3

Six more hatched.

They’re transparent. Fed the bigger ones some algae and could see the food moving inside them.

Day 4

Six active Tadpole shrimps observed.

The first three that hatched are growing larger and seem healthy. No deaths so far.

Day 5

Two more hatched. Worried if they’re eating properly.

Count: 6 → 5.

Day 6

Yesterday’s two new ones survived. The rest seem fine.

Day 7

Two → one, five → four.

Day 8

All five are alive, but two are growing much larger. Worried they might eat the others.

Day 9

Three confirmed alive.

Day 10

Found a shed exoskeleton.

There’s still a sense of life in the tank.

Day 11

The largest one is over a centimeter long now.

Three remain.

Day 12

Saw them burrow under the sand and thought they were eaten for a moment.

Dropped cucumber slices in the tank, but they didn’t eat much. Ate the leftovers myself.

Day 13

Dropped in carrot slices—they didn’t eat much. I hate carrots, so I left them.

Dropped in a few grains of rice—they didn’t eat much. I ate the leftovers.

Found four shed exoskeletons.

Tried replacing one-third of the tank’s water.

Day 14

Dropped in bread—they seemed to enjoy it.

Some are now 1.5 to 2 centimeters long, their bodies darker and… uglier.

Day 15

Noticed one Tadpole shrimp moving sluggishly in the morning. Felt uneasy.

By evening, two were dead.

Day 16

The last Tadpole shrimps stopped moving today. It’s heartbreaking.

The largest one surviving until the end makes sense.

I think I should’ve let the water sit longer to remove all the chlorine.

Maybe I should’ve siphoned out uneaten food debris daily.

Was it the water change? The bread?

Perhaps feeding them sweet buns was a mistake. Maybe I should’ve used plain French bread instead.

—End of Notes

Her detailed log left Yamamura and me speechless.

Morishita’s dedication to raising and observing Tadpole shrimps was beyond what we imagined. She wasn’t exaggerating— if anything, she poured more passion into it than we thought possible.

Still, one thought kept nagging at me: What on earth did I just read?

“Well? Have the two of you developed an interest in raising Tadpole shrimps now?”

“Hmm… I’ll admit, I’m a little interested.” I said.

“I’ll pass.” Yamamura quickly replied.

“In that case, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, I’ll give you a Tadpole shrimps-raising kit. I bought two sets last year, so I don’t mind parting with one. Of course, the price will be up to me.”

“You’re just trying to make money.” I pointed out.

“Obviously.”

“It’s a tempting offer, but I’ll have to decline for now. I’m in need of money at the moment.”

“Shame, but fair enough. Let me know before summer. If you’re not interested, I’ll use it myself.”

Morishita’s personality was as bold as ever.

Normally, someone in her situation would be gloomy like Yamamura.

“It’s a pity you got close to Sakayanagi just in time for her to drop out.” I said, turning to the downcast Yamamura.

“…Honestly, I still can’t fully accept it.”

At first, Yamamura had merely been a pawn for Sakayanagi, but over time their relationship had blossomed into genuine friendship. Under normal circumstances, they would have spent their final year as friends.

But this school always throws unpredictable curveballs.

“I never expected there to be private bets like this outside the exam rules.”

Yamamura nodded slightly.

“The atmosphere in class… it’s really heavy.”

Though I hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, it wasn’t hard to imagine.

Listening in, Morishita interjected with a calm tone:

“It’s inevitable. Honestly, this bet has made our chances of graduating as Class A close to hopeless.”

“I… I didn’t say that…” Yamamura mumbled.

“It’s something we need to face. Some of our classmates might say things like, ‘Let’s show everyone what Class A can do!’ or, ‘We’ll bounce back!’ But they’re just blind to reality.”

“Don’t you blame Sakayanagi for this outcome?” I asked.

“She didn’t consult the class before entering the bet, true. But if we harp on that, it only highlights how dependent we’ve been on her.”

Class A had always relied on Sakayanagi to keep it afloat.

“We have no choice but to accept reality.” Morishita concluded.

“What do you think your class should do now?”

“I don’t know… Maybe… give up on being Class A…?” Yamamura said hesitantly.

“Exactly. With the situation as it is, the best we can do is accumulate personal points and use them to help some of our classmates reach Class A at the end of our third year. Depending on the circumstances, even someone like you, Yamamura Miki, could be saved.”

“‘Someone like me’…? Well, I can’t deny it…” Yamamura seemed a little hurt but accepted her lack of presence.

Up until now, Class A had maintained a high number of class points, leaving them relatively well-off. Even with a significant loss, amassing enough personal points seemed plausible. Morishita’s harsh but pragmatic approach was sound.

“There must be classmates who won’t give up so easily.” I pointed out.

“That’s part of the problem. We’ve been basking in the glory of being Class A for too long. It’s time to wake up. The defeat of our class and Sakayanagi Arisu’s voluntary withdrawal have cost us dearly. They need to understand that.”

“What’s the penalty for her dropping out? The other classes don’t seem to know yet.”

It’s likely being kept under wraps by her classmates. It’ll come out eventually, but for now, it’s not in their interest to spread it.

“The penalty varies depending on the situation. Since Sakayanagi voluntarily withdrew, this time we face the harshest penalty: losing 300 class points.”

I had suspected as much. The deduction was just as severe as I’d feared.

Morishita’s class now had about 800 points. Though still in the fight, losing their leader was a far greater blow than any point deficit.

“The odds of us turning things around are…”

“Are…?” Yamamura leaned forward, curious.

“—Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo…”

“Huh?”

“What’s with that face?”

“Uh, um… what’s with the ‘doo doo’ sound?”

“That’s the sound of my Blue Computer calculating. Don’t tell me you didn’t know that, Yamamura Miki. No wonder people call you gloomy, a loner, or thinner than tissue paper in presence.”

“I… I’m really called that…?”

“Well, at least I think so.”

That’s probably just Morishita’s opinion…

“Anyway, don’t interrupt me. Doo doo doo doo… Ding!”

With a satisfied nod, Morishita opened her eyes wide.

“Our chance of reclaiming Class A is about 10%.”

It was a figure no one would believe before the year-end special exams.

But even 10% felt overly optimistic. Opportunities were scarce for them now.

“As Yamamura Miki, the tissue-paper-thin, pointed out, the class is basically in mourning.”

“Yeah, being too blunt could cause more problems.”

“By the way, about that tissue paper…”

“You like the nickname, don’t you?”

“Huh? No, no, I don’t like it at all…”

“Should I take it back?”

“If you could…”

Apparently, Yamamura wasn’t too fond of the nickname.

“Still, Ichinose’s class is in a similar position to ours, yet they seem to be all smiles, right?”

“Ah, I see. Whether Ichinose Honami is there or not doesn’t seem to matter much. Your tongue’s sharper than I thought.”

Morishita nodded approvingly while giving Yamamura a thumbs-up.

Yamamura hurriedly denied having such intent, flustered.

“Even if we’re on equal footing, does optimism get you back to Class A? Let me be clear: what’s scarier than strong opponents is having incompetent allies. Thinking like that now will only lead to a quicker defeat.”

Her stern tone made Yamamura shrink back, but Morishita’s point was hard to dispute.

Clear-headed thinkers were what her class desperately needed now.

“So, what’s your plan?” I asked.

“As long as Sakayanagi Arisu is in charge, I won’t move without purpose. But now…”

Morishita paused, deep in thought.

“Are you planning to lead the class yourself?”

“No chance.”

“No chance, huh…”

“I’m not the type to lead a class to victory. It’s troublesome, but during spring break, we need to elect a new leader. It’s best to settle things before Sakayanagi leaves. My role is limited to guidance and maximizing personal point accumulation.”

Indeed, someone had to set an example and steer the class away from chasing an unattainable Class A dream.

Suddenly, Morishita fixed me with a sharp gaze.

“Let’s cut the chatter. Why did you call us out here today?”

It felt as if she was accusing me of wasting time, even though she had spent ages showing us her notes and talking about Tadpole shrimps…

“Or were you here just to mock us, oh mighty Class A’s Ayanokoji Kiyotaka?”

“I wasn’t here to mock anyone. I just wanted to hear your thoughts.”

“Then you should’ve gone to that traitor for answers. If you have a nice chat, they might even tell you the little details.”

“Uh, Morishita… about that ‘traitor’…”

“Oops, slipped my tongue. Anyway, that’s the situation.”

“I see.”

Though Morishita’s style was unconventional, she clearly cared about her class.

It seemed Sakayanagi wasn’t making any moves to address her confused classmates.

We talked about a lot of unrelated things, but at least I got the information I needed.

Chapter 4

First Move

Part 1

Part 2

The days after meeting with Morishita and Yamamura were quite hectic.

I got caught up in some graduation-related drama, running around to gather help to resolve it. Fortunately, things worked out in the end, but it left me utterly exhausted.

During that time, somehow the news of Sakayanagi’s voluntary withdrawal leaked out and spread across the school. Not only did it reach her own class, but most students on campus had heard about it. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through Sakayanagi’s mind now.

Though I ran into her a few times recently, we didn’t exchange any words, so I couldn’t get any details. Still, there’s no need to rush. Both of us know the timing isn’t right yet.

At 10:30 AM, I left the dormitory and headed toward the Keyaki Mall. On the way, I spotted three girls chatting together: Matsushita, Komiya, and Onodera.

“Ah… G-Good morning, Ayanokoji-kun.” Komiya greeted me first.

Despite me being the one indirectly responsible for her friend’s withdrawal, she still managed to greet me with a smile— or at least tried to maintain appearances.

Regardless of her demeanor, I responded as I always did.

“This is a rare group to see together.”

“Komiya is heading to Keyaki Mall soon to meet her friends, and we were just asking if she’d let us tag along.”

Matsushita explained, squinting slightly as she spoke. Onodera nodded twice beside her in agreement.

It seemed this wasn’t an intentional trio.

“Hey, Ayanokoji-kun, we were just talking about this— did you know about Sakayanagi-san’s withdrawal?”

Matsushita asked, her tone slightly exaggerated for effect.

“Yeah, I’d heard about it before.”

“It’s shocking, isn’t it? It was surprising enough that Ryuen’s class won the exam, but then to hear about what happened behind the scenes…”

Onodera folded her arms and glanced toward the dormitory.

Even Sakayanagi’s own class didn’t fully grasp the exam’s details, so it wasn’t surprising that other classes knew even less.

They also started mentioning things I hadn’t heard about.

“Yesterday after club activities, I saw Kito-kun grabbing Ryuen-kun. The mood was at its lowest point.”

“The tension between Class A and Class C has always been bad, but it’s really hit a new low now…”

“It looked like they might start throwing punches at any second.”

“Hmm..” Onodera added, nodding as if reliving the scene with a hint of excitement.

Komiya, on the other hand, seemed more worried about the possibility of violence.

“It feels like the school atmosphere has been getting worse lately. I really hope nothing bad happens…”

The loss of their leader and the frustration that came with it had naturally turned into resentment, all of which was directed all at Ryuen.

If a fight really broke out, the consequences could be severe.

“I honestly wouldn’t know what to do in that kind of situation…”

“Maybe you don’t have to. If guys want to fight, just let them.”

“True, I guess it’s not really our problem.”

Still, if something did happen, it would undoubtedly reach the school authorities and affect class points.

“This exam wasn’t just a defeat for Class A; it cost them Sakayanagi as well. Everything seems to be shifting in our favor.”

Matsushita remarked with a satisfied smile, clearly enjoying the outcome.

“Losing Sakayanagi will also hit their class points hard. They might drop all the way to Class C or even Class D.”

To fall from the top after holding that spot for two years would be a crushing blow for most students.

“True. It’s no surprise they’re panicking.”

Suddenly, Onodera’s cheerful expression turned a bit complicated.

“You don’t look happy about it.”

“No, of course I’m happy… but it feels like an unfortunate accident, doesn’t it? If I were in Class A, I’d be feeling a lot of pressure.”

Until now, Class A students had followed Sakayanagi’s lead without question.

“Maybe what they need is a good fight— guys and girls both. Something to blow off steam.”

“Huh?! That sounds terrible…!”

“Ah, I didn’t mean it literally. I was just making an extreme example. But if they don’t find some way to vent, their path forward is going to be rough.”

“I just hope they stay down for good. In terms of strength, Sakayanagi’s class is still superior. Losing their leader doesn’t lower their academic abilities.”

She wasn’t wrong. Even with the setbacks from the withdrawal, they remained strong academically.

“Hoping they stay down… that’s pretty harsh.”

“You’re quite ruthless, Matsushita-san…”

“I just see things realistically. I’ll take whatever advantages we can get. Getting into Class A isn’t easy.”

She replied with a shrug, casually brushing off the comment while subtly reassuring Komiya to let go of unnecessary worries.

At that moment, Komiya’s phone rang.

“Excuse me, it’s Shinohara-san.” she said before stepping aside to take the call.

The Shinohara on the line was likely the friend she had been waiting for.

Onodera, careful not to disturb Komiya, lowered her voice to speak to me.

“By the way, Sudo’s been speaking highly of you lately, Ayanokoji-kun. He’s always saying things like, ‘That guy’s the real deal.’”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“At first, I didn’t think much of it, but after hearing Horikita talk about waving the white flag to Ichinose, I’m starting to understand. Oh… though it’s still a shame about Maezono-san…”

“Looks like you’re finally recognizing how capable Ayanokoji-kun is.” Matsushita said.

“Wait, Matsushita, have you known this for a while?”

“I had a hunch. It felt like Ayanokoji-kun was deliberately keeping a low profile. But now, with him leading the charge and winning the exam, it’s like he’s gone all out.”

“Well… I guess that’s true.”

“It’s what they call a hidden ace, right? Pretty reliable.”

Onodera added, lightly tapping my chest with her fist in admiration.

“Even though Maezono’s withdrawal upset Komiya, she’s starting to come to terms with it. Don’t worry, she won’t say anything bad about you.”

“It’s fine. It’s only natural to face criticism for something like this.”

“No way, it’s not fair for you to shoulder all the blame.”

“If you ever need help, just say the word. We’ll be there.” Onodera said confidently.

After some more casual chatting, I excused myself and headed toward Keyaki Mall for my appointment.

It’s currently 12:17 PM.

When I arrived at the agreed-upon cafe, Hoshinomiya-sensei was already there.

We had planned to meet today. However, she looked rather bored, idly scrolling on her phone.

“You’re late.”

“Late again, huh? To think you’d show up 17 minutes late to meet me— how bold.”

“Sorry.”

Even though I apologized, Hoshinomiya-sensei wasn’t dissatisfied— no, she looked utterly shocked, her mouth wide open.

“What? That’s it? Aren’t you even going to explain why you’re late?”

“I overslept. By the time I woke up, it was almost noon.”

I gave a casual excuse, and she pressed her fingers to her forehead, her brows furrowing.

“... If this were a date, you’d be caught 100% of the time. Caught!”

Hearing such an unexpected excuse, Hoshinomiya let out a sigh and pouted even more in annoyance.

“Well, scolding you won’t turn back time— it’d just waste even more of it. So? You said you wanted to meet me— what’s your plan?”

“What if I said I wanted to go on a date with you?”

“Nope. I don’t think I could enjoy a proper date with someone who overslept on the first one.”

This couldn’t be called an interaction between a student and teacher. I continued.

“I want to talk with Hoshinomiya-sensei about the year-end special exam again.”

She had seemed morally outraged just a moment ago, but upon hearing this, her focus shifted.

“Huh? Now?”

Her expression clearly said, Are you kidding me?

“Yes, now. After all, Horikita’s class won.”

Not only had I been late to our meeting, but I’d also delivered a provocative statement, which naturally annoyed her.

“You speak like it’s someone else’s business. Isn’t that class of yours, Ayanokoji-kun?”

She pointed out my peculiar phrasing and grabbed a wet wipe nearby to dab at the water droplets on her glass.

“I watched the showdown between you and Ichinose. I can’t believe you did something like that to a girl who likes you.”

“It was necessary to win.”

“Winning justifies everything? Even exploiting the feelings of someone who likes you?”

“I don’t see the problem.”

At my words, Hoshinomiya-sensei rubbed her forehead with one hand, letting out a long sigh.

“That’s awful.”

Yet I countered her so-called moral superiority.

“Aren’t we on the same wavelength, Sensei?”

“... Don’t say something so rude.”

“Then deny it.”

I pressed her further, but Hoshinomiya didn’t back down, remaining silent for a few seconds.

Finally, she lowered her hand and glanced at me, nodding slightly.

Exploiting someone’s love for the sake of victory— whether it’s clever or not, if you’re willing, the strategy can be executed.

“In any case, because of your actions in the exam, Ichinose was driven to the edge mentally, and my class was thrown into utter chaos. Do you even know what things are like on my side? Honestly, I didn’t even want to have a long conversation about this.”

Even though the mall was bustling with chatter, the sight of a student and teacher together still attracted attention.

There weren’t many eyes on us yet, but the number was beginning to grow.

“So, what do you think I wanted to talk about by coming here?”

“Huh?”

“When I told you I had something to say, you didn’t refuse, right? You agreed to meet. And clearly, you didn’t think I came here for a date.”

“Hmm... A student’s little problems?”

“That would make sense if I were talking to my own homeroom teacher. There’s no need to discuss personal troubles with the homeroom teacher of another class.”

“Not necessarily. If it’s romantic advice, Sae-chan wouldn’t be much help. Honestly, I didn’t give much thought to what it could be. I just figured it wouldn’t hurt to listen.”

“I see.”

Hoshinomiya-sensei and I locked eyes— or rather, observed each other carefully, as if trying to decipher the other’s intentions.

“You expected this to be about the exam, didn’t you? And you thought it might involve useful information for you. That’s why you came to this place.”

“... Ugh...”

The reason I dared to speak so bluntly to her was that she hadn’t yet figured out my intentions.

From the perspective of a teacher, she should have declined this meeting.

“Let’s set that aside for now and move the conversation forward, shall we?”

“Even if you say that—”

“Before the special exam, you asked me for a favor, didn’t you?”

I brought up the topic to the highly guarded Hoshinomiya-sensei.

“... What favor?”

As expected, she remained cautious and didn’t directly acknowledge it.

“Although I refused at the time, under certain conditions, I think there’s room for negotiation now.”

However, upon hearing my words, she grew even angrier.

“Hah? Too late! The special exam is already over! You’re way too late! What kind of idiot are you?”

Her tone implied, If you wanted to help, you should’ve done it earlier.

“I understand how you feel, Sensei. But the upcoming special exams are some of the most critical ones for students. When I heard your proposal, anyone would have been hesitant and confused. Asking me to betray my class—it’s only natural I’d hesitate, right?”

“... Ugh...”

My argument was so logically sound that she couldn’t counter it.

“I think your approach wasn’t wrong. It’s only after the exam ended, with a clear head, that I realized it might’ve been a good idea.”

By now, Hoshinomiya-sensei probably wasn’t feeling very pleased.

Just as I mentioned regaining my composure, she seemed to do the same.

“Even so, it’s absurd, isn’t it? My proposal was for you to lose. I never asked you to betray your class afterward. Saying you’ll hand over the next special exam victory to us makes no sense now.”

“You were aware of those implications when you asked me, weren’t you? It’s all the same. If there’s adequate compensation, it can still be negotiated.”

“... Huh? Are you serious? You’re saying you’ll betray your class for me if I... sleep with you?”

Hoshinomiya-sensei’s words were dripping with shock and disdain, a stark contrast to her being the one who originally made the suggestion.

“That won’t be necessary. But if it’s another condition, I might consider it.”

“... And what kind of condition is that?”

“Within this school, the most valuable thing is private points. If you can grant me some convenience regarding that, then we can keep talking.”

“... Are you serious?”

“I never planned to graduate as part of Class A. Living comfortably during my time here or graduating with enough points to exchange for benefits would be much better.”

“I understand that you’re not attached to Class A. But unfortunately, I can’t trust you. This entire conversation is absurd. And what exactly could you even do? Your final performance in that critical match is already over.”

“There will still be special exams in our third year. If Horikita’s class competes against yours, I could leak internal information. Even just that could be quite valuable.”

“Even so, what you can do is still limited. Even if your class falls behind, there’s still Sakayanagi’s class standing in the way. My class has no upward momentum. It’s just a drop in the bucket.”

A sigh of frustration escaped her, coupled with lingering discontent.

“The opportunity I gave you was before the year-end special exam. That was your first and last chance. Understand?”

“So there’s no room for negotiation. But if that’s the case, your class still won’t make it to Class A.”

“Mind your own business. I’ll figure something out.”

“And what would that be? Reshape the Ichinose class until they can turn things around?”

“Even if I don’t, there’s still a way to become Class A. But I won’t tell you.”

“So you’re saying you’ll resort to whatever means necessary, using the authority of a teacher to elevate your class.”

Her gaze became sharper than it had been all day, piercing straight through me.

“I’ll make it to Class A. No matter what it takes.”

She downed the remaining 70% of her drink in one go, signaling the conversation was over.

“Wait a moment.”

“I don’t want to waste any more of my precious holiday with a boring kid.”

“I don’t mind, but the people behind you seem to think otherwise.”

“Behind me?”

Reluctantly, Hoshinomiya-sensei turned around, only to stop in her tracks when she saw the three approaching figures.

“What’s going on... Why are you here, Sae-Chan?”

The three approaching individuals were Chabashira-sensei, Mashima-sensei, and Sakagami-sensei— the homeroom teachers of the second-year classes.

This morning, I met with Komiya and her friends at 10:30.

After that, I planned to meet with Hoshinomiya-sensei at a cafe at 12:00, leaving some free time in between.

Actually, when I contacted Hoshinomiya-sensei yesterday, I also informed my homeroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei, that I wanted to speak with her.

I requested to meet at Keyaki Mall at 11:00.

Initially, Chabashira-sensei preferred to discuss matters at school, but I insisted that it had to be at the mall.

Although reluctant, she eventually agreed. It’s understandable that a teacher might resist meeting a student at a shopping mall, but I was confident she wouldn’t outright refuse.

The discussion might involve things like Maezono’s expulsion or discord within the class, which would naturally make her worry about my state of mind.

I put on casual clothes and left earlier than necessary, heading toward Keyaki Mall. However, since I ran into Komiya and her friends along the way, I didn’t arrive until 10:50.

"You’re early." I remarked.

Even from a distance, I could spot the person I was looking for.

Perhaps feeling it was unbecoming for a teacher to keep a student waiting, Chabashira-sensei had arrived earlier than expected.

"I hope I didn’t keep you waiting." I said as I approached her.

She glanced at her watch again and replied, "Not at all. There’s still some time before our agreed meeting, so don’t worry about it."

Despite her words, she glanced uneasily around the area.

The spot we had chosen for our meeting was relatively quiet. While there weren’t many students in sight, it still didn’t seem to put her at ease.

"I never thought I’d be meeting a student at Keyaki Mall one day." she said, scratching her cheek in discomfort.

"Not even once before?" I asked.

"Of course not."

I wasn’t entirely familiar with how things worked at ordinary schools, but in this school, it didn’t seem all that unusual for teachers to meet students on their days off.

"Oh, is that so? Back in the day, Chabashira-sensei would forcibly keep her distance from students—"

Her sharp glare cut me off mid-sentence.

"Ayanokoji. That’s out of line."

"My apologies."

"An apology alone isn’t enough to fix this."

Clearly, I shouldn’t have made that comment if I wanted to avoid criticism. She rightly called out my thoughtlessness, just as any proper adult would.

"…Was it absolutely necessary to meet at Keyaki Mall?"

If there was something to discuss, surely there were better places for it.

"I understand how you feel, but this is the best location for the meeting."

"I’d like to know why."

"I’ll explain, but can we wait for the other two people to arrive first?"

"Two others?"

Chabashira-sensei seemed genuinely shocked, as I hadn’t mentioned anyone else would be joining us.

Naturally, since I hadn’t told her beforehand, her reaction was justified.

"I don’t think this matter can be resolved one-on-one."

Hearing this, her expression grew even more serious.

"Horikita… or perhaps Hirata? Is this worse than I imagined?" she asked in a hushed voice, assuming I meant two of my classmates.

At this point, there was no need to mislead her further about Maezono. It was better to put her mind at ease.

"Sorry, but it’s not about them. This has nothing to do with Maezono or the class."

"Is that so? Even though that situation just made you the center of attention…"

"Thankfully, during post-exam discussions, I explained to them that my actions were necessary for victory, and they seemed to accept it."

For now, at least, no one had come to confront me about it privately.

"…I see." she said, visibly relieved as she placed a hand over her chest.

She genuinely seemed to have relaxed.

"It looks like the others haven’t arrived yet, so feel free to ask me any questions you might have."

"Questions for you?"

"Of course. You saw the year-end special exam, didn’t you?"

She had only just started to relax, but my words made her tense up again.

"As long as it follows the rules, students are free to approach the exams however they choose. Your class won, and now you’re on the verge of moving up to Class A. That’s something to be happy about."

"Even if it meant one of your students being expelled?"

"…That’s certainly not something to celebrate. However, as a teacher, it’s not my place to interfere too much with my students or their class. I may have gone too far when I tried to use you before. I don’t intend to repeat that mistake."

She was likely referring to the incident during the first-year uninhabited island exam.

Chabashira-sensei hinted that my father had been involved, trying to secure the class's victory in the process. While it didn’t violate the rules of the exam, it crossed moral boundaries.

"It seems that’s true."

Her gaze was somewhat resentful, but after a sigh, it turned into a bitter smile.

"This so-called battle scar leaves me feeling conflicted, but it also made me realize... you’re a student who doesn’t hold back, even against teachers."

"I’m not great at reading people’s minds… Oh, it looks like someone else has arrived."

I glanced at the approaching figure, and Chabashira-sensei turned to look as well.

"Huh—? Sakagami-sensei...?"

It wasn’t a student but Sakagami-sensei, dressed casually.

Almost simultaneously, Mashima-sensei appeared from around the corner.

Now, with me as the only student, the homeroom teachers of three different classes had gathered.

"Ayanokoji, what’s going on? You didn’t just call me here?"

The first to voice their question was Mashima-sensei.

I knew they all thought this would be a one-on-one conversation.

"Making up excuses to gather teachers isn’t something commendable. It could cause problems."

Mashima-sensei’s face tensed as he clearly expressed his displeasure.

"Mashima-sensei, Ayanokoji hasn’t explained the details to me either. Let’s hear what he has to say first—"

"No. Teachers and students need to maintain proper boundaries. Furthermore, trust is built by avoiding deceit between the two."

"That... is true, but…"

Chabashira-sensei tried to intervene, but Mashima-sensei ignored her and prepared to lecture me.

"Listen, Ayanokoji. As a student of this school—"

"I’ve already gathered information on Miss Akiyama."

"Fine. I’ll let this go for now. But be careful next time."

Mashima-sensei shifted his tone and dropped the lecture, forgiving me surprisingly easily.

"Mashima-sensei, are you really okay with this?"

Sakagami-sensei, who had been expecting a longer reprimand, couldn’t help but interject.

"I feel that lecturing here would only waste the teachers’ time."

"I see. But who is Akiyama? I don’t recall a student by that name."

"It’s not important. Anyway, Ayanokoji, I have something to discuss with you later. Understood?"

I nodded, and Mashima-sensei acknowledged with a nod of his own.

Akiyama was the name of a female staff member at the gym in Keyaki Mall that both Mashima-sensei and I visited.

It seemed she was currently someone Mashima-sensei cared about most.

We had agreed earlier that I would investigate whether she had a partner, her ideal type, and even her interests. Truthfully, it was a hassle, but having gathered this information in advance was proving to be the right move.

"Now, what’s going on? Explain yourself."

"Of course. The reason I didn’t provide detailed information before calling you here was to prevent any leaks. In fact, today, I’ve gathered you all for a specific purpose."

Sakagami-sensei crossed his arms with interest at my deliberately vague response and urged me.

"Please continue."

He seemed to prioritize moving the conversation forward.

"During the recent year-end special exam, Hoshinomiya-sensei approached me. It was right after the rules for the representative were explained and the groupings were finalized, as I was heading to the restroom."

Because I provided such specific details, the three teachers seemed to recall the scene.

"Chie—no, Hoshinomiya-sensei?"

Mashima-sensei and Sakagami-sensei were both present then, and Chabashira-sensei corrected herself after initially using her first name.

"Yes, she did mention going to the restroom and stepped out once. Was it then?"

Sakagami-sensei recalled the moment clearly and responded immediately.

"I don’t believe she actually went to the restroom. After speaking with me, she returned to the preparation room without hesitation."

"So, she made an excuse to meet with you?"

"That’s correct."

"But there’s no rule against teachers talking to students."

"I believe the issue lies not in the act of talking itself but in the content of the conversation."

I disclosed everything about my interaction with Hoshinomiya-sensei without holding back.

After all, lying or creating misunderstandings now would serve no purpose.

She wanted me to go easy on her class.

She said she especially didn’t want to lose to Chabashira-sensei.

As compensation, she promised anything within her power— offering to share information about future special exams or even implying she could repay me with her body.

After I finished explaining everything, Chabashira-sensei held her head in frustration, while Mashima-sensei sighed openly in disappointment.

"If that’s true, this is a serious issue…"

"Mashima-sensei, if we ignore Chie now, she may cross even more lines as a teacher."

Chabashira-sensei clearly understood the situation was heading toward escalation.

Hearing this, Mashima-sensei had no choice but to make a decision.

"Even though it’s troublesome, we can’t overlook this. Unethical intervention is unacceptable."

His expression hardened as he nodded in determination.

"There’s still a chance to stop her now."

"What do you intend to do?"

"…If Hoshinomiya-sensei is willing to change her ways, we can resolve this privately. Since Ayanokoji refused to cooperate, the issue hasn’t gone public yet."

It was unclear whether this leniency stemmed from his past as Hoshinomiya-sensei’s classmate or simply their shared roles as second-year homeroom teachers, but Mashima-sensei clearly didn’t want to make this a bigger issue.

Chabashira-sensei seemed to agree, as she didn’t object.

However, Sakagami-sensei, who lacked personal ties to Hoshinomiya-sensei, likely saw things differently.

His class was also aiming for A-Class and in a great position to achieve it.

"Even if it was just an attempt, you two are being far too lenient. If this is true, it should be reported."

"But—!"

Chabashira-sensei immediately reacted, but Sakagami-sensei calmly stopped her.

"Please don’t jump to conclusions. I don’t intend to report everything to the school just yet."

For Hoshinomiya-sensei’s former classmates, the biggest obstacle now was Sakagami-sensei.

Remaining composed, Sakagami-sensei continued.

"This school’s structure inevitably pushes people to do whatever it takes for their class to win. This applies not only to students but also to adults, who sometimes resort to dirty tactics. I’m no exception and have acted unfairly for my class before."

It was unclear if he referred to Sudo’s issue with the student council in first year or something else.

"Whether we report this to the administration or try to minimize the issue, the credibility of the testimony matters most. There’s no guarantee Ayanokoji’s story is true— it’s just his word."

"Are you suggesting we shouldn’t trust a student’s testimony?"

"I didn’t say that. But this testimony needs verification. If it turns out Hoshinomiya-sensei didn’t cross any lines, she would likely be outraged. That could shift the blame onto us for doubting her, and we might face consequences."

"That—"

Sakagami-sensei’s cautious stance was understandable and necessary.

This was why I hadn’t called only Mashima-sensei and Chabashira-sensei, who were Hoshinomiya-sensei’s peers. I needed a teacher capable of looking at the matter objectively.

"There’s also the possibility that Hoshinomiya-sensei and Ayanokoji colluded to set this trap, isn’t there? Right, Ayanokoji?"

"Yes. It’s only natural to doubt my claims. My homeroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei, might want to protect her out of personal bias. I anticipated that even if she had doubts, she wouldn’t investigate further."

Seeing that I had foreseen everything, Sakagami-sensei adjusted his glasses.

"From the way you’re speaking, it seems you have a plan?"

"That’s correct. It’s almost noon. I’ve arranged to meet Hoshinomiya-sensei at the cafe. I believe she agreed to meet despite not knowing the topic because she already has suspicions. My intention is to prove my claims during this meeting."

Saying this, I took out my phone.

"Before meeting her at the cafe, I’ll call Chabashira-sensei. I’d like her to listen in on the conversation. If my claims are verified, I’ll need your assistance."

"So you’re suggesting we eavesdrop on the conversation? That’s not exactly praiseworthy."

Although Mashima-sensei expressed dissatisfaction with the plan, Sakagami-sensei seemed to appreciate its logic.

"No, this is the best way. Hearing the truth from her own mouth is the best way to prove it. Chabashira-sensei has no objection, right?"

“…Ah… Yeah.”

Rather than being reluctant, she was probably more worried that this method might prove that Hoshinomiya sensei had crossed the line.

"I can't reassure you, but even if we investigate Hoshinomiya-sensei and she crosses the line, I won't make a big deal if she says she's willing to stop here."

"Will you permit it, Sakagami-sensei?"

"Yeah. If you two dislike me now, it might leave me with hidden dangers for next year. If I don't do well and get targeted by three classes and lose, I will also be responsible."

He said that as a class teacher, he did not want to hold the Ryuen’s class back.

"If this plan goes through, then regardless of its moral standing, the truth will be revealed."

As the final arbiter, Sakagami-sensei approved.

"Alright. Let’s proceed."

Mashima-sensei seemed to agree reluctantly.

"Chabashira-sensei, your cooperation is crucial here."

"Understood."

After the chat, I decided to take action from now on.

"Can you please wait here? I will call after meeting with Hoshinomiya-sensei, please answer the phone first. There will be no problem contacting after confirming everything."

Saying that, I went to the cafe in the Keyaki shopping center alone.

After gathering the teachers, the stage was set for a dramatic confrontation.

Part 3

This is what happened before I met Hoshinomiya-sensei.

The three teachers gathered once more—not by chance, but by plan.

Alongside Hoshinomiya-sensei were three homeroom teachers, whose presence, though reluctant, naturally drew attention.

Although she initially appeared shocked, Hoshinomiya-sensei quickly composed herself with a smile.

When I told her I had something to discuss, she readily agreed.

However, the location wasn’t suitable for a conversation, so we decided to move.

Four adults together were already an unusual sight, but the inclusion of a student made it even more peculiar.

Still, I had chosen to meet Hoshinomiya-sensei at the Keyaki Mall rather than somewhere secluded. Meeting in public ensured that neither party could act recklessly.

In front of a crowd, even if both sides have some intentions, there are only so many things they can do.

A private meeting in an isolated location could invite trouble, giving the other person room to manipulate the situation.

Although heading to school was another option, discussing this matter there risked other teachers overhearing us, which would have been problematic. Ultimately, we decided to talk in Mashima-sensei’s apartment— it was the safest choice.

On the way, Hoshinomiya-sensei glanced at me with an amused "You’re quite something" expression.

I met her gaze with a deliberately clueless look.

Teacher apartments are slightly more spacious than student rooms, around 40 square meters, but otherwise unremarkable.

“So, what’s going on here? Why has it come to this?”

Hoshinomiya-sensei asked, trying to sound casual.

“You already know the answer, Chie.”

“Uh, if I knew, I wouldn’t be asking.”

Despite her response, it was clear Hoshinomiya-sensei had some idea of what was coming.

Even so, she wasn’t about to let her guard down before things were spelled out.

Chabashira-sensei glanced at Mashima-sensei and Sakagami-sensei before resolving to press further.

“Exploiting students—or rather, a teacher attempting to break the rules to win an exam—is something we can’t overlook.”

“Huh? What are you talking about? I don’t have a clue~.”

Hoshinomiya-sensei replied with a singsong voice, feigning ignorance.

“It’s no use pretending, Hoshinomiya. Ayanokoji had us listen to your conversation in advance. Any excuses will only backfire.”

Now that her actions were exposed, she couldn’t move as freely.

What the teachers decided to do next was up to them.

My goal, however, wasn’t to catch her cheating— it was to prevent her from making things worse and protect her position.

In other words, I wasn’t trying to stop her from breaking the rules, but to save her from being demoted, which could hurt Ichinose’s class even more.

“Promise us you’ll stop doing these reckless things, okay?”

“Of course, Sae. I would never interfere with student affairs. You know me~.” She replied playfully.

“I’m serious, Chie. I’m genuinely worried about you.”

Chabashira-sensei closed the distance between them, placing her hands on Hoshinomiya’s shoulders.

Hoshinomiya-sensei, who had maintained a vague, evasive smile, froze at this unexpected display of concern.

“…What’s with you? That’s so gross. Stop it.”

She said coldly, shaking off Chabashira-sensei’s hands and gripping her forearm instead.

“Chie…?”

“If you’re really worried, then stop. I don’t need your concern. What I want is for you to abandon your silly dream of leading your class to A-Class.”

“…What?”

“I can’t just stand by and watch you, Sae, and your class graduate as A-Class.”

Provoked by Chabashira-sensei’s words, Hoshinomiya-sensei finally let her true feelings slip.

But the other teachers didn’t seem surprised— in fact, they looked like they had expected it all along.

“I’ve never forgiven you, Sae. I will never accept your goal of graduating as A-Class.”

“…I know you resent me, and I understand why. But we’re teachers now, not students. What’s wrong with wanting my students to succeed?”

“Everything.”

Hoshinomiya-sensei snapped.

She made it clear that even if Chabashira-sensei’s intentions were solely for her students’ benefit, it didn’t matter.

She released her grip on Chabashira-sensei’s arm with determination.

Her resolute attitude caught Sakagami-sensei’s interest, as he folded his arms thoughtfully.

“I know that the two of you— no, including Mashima-sensei— were once students here. There must have been conflicts back then, but as Chabashira-sensei said, that was in the past. If Chabashira-sensei manages to lead her class to A-Class, the biggest impact would be on salaries and evaluations. Are you really so concerned about that?”

“No, it’s not about salaries or evaluations. For me, what matters most is…”

Hoshinomiya-sensei paused, her expression hardening as she stared at Chabashira-sensei.

It was hard to continue the conversation, and Hoshinomiya-sensei hesitated.

“Sae-chan just went ahead and moved on by herself. It really pisses me off.”

This frustration was the root of her decision to abandon her principles as a teacher and take action, no matter what.

“It’s completely personal, isn’t it?”

Back in their student days, Chabashira-sensei’s refusal to sacrifice her classmates during a unanimous decision exam shattered their class’s dreams. The past couldn’t be undone, but the resentment it left behind had only grown stronger with time.

At the very least, Hoshinomiya-sensei wanted Chabashira-sensei to regret that decision forever. That’s why she couldn’t accept Chabashira-sensei’s class graduating as Class A in any way.

Even if Chabashira-sensei claimed she hadn’t forgotten the past, Hoshinomiya-sensei wouldn’t let it go.

Because this wasn’t just Chabashira-sensei’s burden to bear.

Hoshinomiya-sensei, too, was still trapped in the prison of her past. She wanted Chabashira-sensei to carry the guilt of failing her students indefinitely. If Chabashira-sensei succeeded, Hoshinomiya-sensei would lose the emotional crutch she’d been leaning on all this time.

“To hold onto it this much… No, I guess it’s only natural… You still can’t forgive me, can you?”

“That’s right, I can’t forgive you. You know that, don’t you? I’m just that kind of awful woman. But it doesn’t matter—I’m used to people saying that about me. I’ve lived my life this way from the start. If I hate something, I hate it all the way. You’ve been with me since first year of high school— you should understand that by now.”

It was a blunt, unyielding way to live— but in its own way, straightforward.

“If you want me to give up, then abandon your dream of making your class reach Class A.”

“As if that’s something I could ever do. What kind of teacher would drag their students down like that?”

“Of course, you can. At least, you used to be that way— a cold, detached homeroom teacher everyone disliked. Going back to that version of yourself would actually help me now.”

It was true. The Chabashira-sensei of the past and the one now seemed like entirely different people.

But that change wasn’t genuine— it was a mask she wore, born from the guilt of her past, which kept her from speaking her true feelings.

For students who were still young and immature, whether or not their teacher treated them sincerely was a crucial factor.

The battle for the top spot in Class A would only grow fiercer from here, and something like that might even influence the outcome.

“I…”

“Don’t hesitate. Promise me right now that you’ll go back to being the cold, distant version of yourself. If you can’t, then don’t interfere.”

“If you don’t stay out of it, I’ll have to report your violations to the higher-ups. You’d lose your position as homeroom teacher, you know?”

Sakagami-sensei made it clear he couldn’t ignore the situation, but Hoshinomiya-sensei refused to back down.

“I don’t mind. Of course, I won’t break any rules— I will fight hard in my own way. But if something unsavory about me gets exposed in the process, I’ll accept being exiled.”

This wasn’t a threat— it was Hoshinomiya-sensei speaking from the heart.

There were several possible reasons behind her determination.

First of all, she might not be particularly attached to the title of “teacher.”

She had only stayed in the profession to obstruct Chabashira-sensei, so getting caught and fired didn’t seem to bother her. It was a gamble with both risks and rewards.

“I see, your resolve is genuine… But I don’t understand. Once we uncover the details, those obvious improper actions will be exposed quickly. In other words, you’re simply increasing your risks with little to gain. Moreover, if a homeroom teacher’s misconduct is revealed, it will shake the trust of their students and— ah, I see…”

After voicing his doubts, Sakagami-sensei began to understand Hoshinomiya-sensei’s position.

Cheating unnoticed for the sake of her class would be ideal. If that wasn’t achievable, she was prepared for a spectacular self-destruction. If she was expelled for breaking the rules, Ichinose’s class would lose any chance of advancing, and Chabashira-sensei would once again be crushed by guilt.

This could also negatively impact Horikita’s class.

In fact, their earlier conversation had already put significant mental pressure on Chabashira-sensei.

“Chie…”

“I absolutely won’t accept it.”

It seemed that Hoshinomiya-sensei’s stubbornness exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Ambiguous arguments wouldn’t be enough to shake her resolve.

“Chabashira-sensei, could you give Hoshinomiya-sensei a little time?”

At that moment, Mashima-sensei, who had remained silent until now, stepped into the conversation.

From his use of polite language, it was clear that he was speaking not as an equal colleague but as a homeroom teacher taking a formal stance.

“…Give her a little time… is that what you’re asking?”

“Yes. Whether it’s Hoshinomiya-sensei making her decision or Chabashira-sensei reconsidering her stance, there’s no need to reach a conclusion here and now. I believe this is for the best. As you can all see, it’s hard to make any progress at the moment. Fortunately, this happened during spring break, so there’s plenty of time to reflect and calm down. Perhaps we can even find a third option.”

Even if it ultimately proved futile, postponing the issue until the new semester wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Forcing a showdown now would leave no room for retreat.

“As a student, it might be rude for me to interrupt, but I also agree with Mashima-sensei’s suggestion.”

The three teachers were all aware that Hoshinomiya-sensei was on the verge of losing control.

Achieving this much progress today was already a significant step.

“Even if we delay, my stance won’t change, you know.”

“Sticking to your resolve is fine, but at the very least, please keep a low profile for now. No matter whose perspective you consider, that’s the smarter move.”

Both involved parties, as well as Mashima-sensei and Sakagami-sensei, seemed to agree that escalating the matter would only harm the students. Delaying the issue was a reasonable suggestion for everyone involved.

“…Fine, for now.”

“Well then, let’s wrap this discussion up. Time to disband.”

Staying any longer might lead to more arguments, so Sakagami-sensei took the lead and headed toward the entrance.

We followed his steps and prepared to leave.

Mashima-sensei probably wanted to ask about Akiyama-san, but the atmosphere wasn’t right. He would likely bring it up another day.

Since Sakagami-sensei and Mashima-sensei lived on the same floor, they soon parted ways.

I entered the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor. Chabashira-sensei followed me inside.

“Sorry, you confided in me without holding back, but I wasn’t much help.”

“That’s not true. You’ve already done more than enough, Sensei.”

“Even though we didn’t resolve things right away, I really appreciate you having the courage to tell us about this.”

Chabashira-sensei forced a smile, but it only made her exhaustion more apparent.

“From this conversation, I’ve found a breakthrough.”

“…A breakthrough?”

Chabashira-sensei looked at me with a mix of doubt and disbelief.

“I understand your concern that Hoshinomiya-sensei might act inappropriately as a teacher, but stay strong. Facing the new semester with the same resolve you had when you overcame the unanimous decision test is incredibly important.”

“That… is true, I suppose.”

The elevator reached the first floor, and the doors opened slowly.

I stepped out and turned back to look at Chabashira-sensei, who remained inside.

“Don’t worry. Before spring break ends, I’ll change Hoshinomiya-sensei’s mind.”

Hearing this, Chabashira-sensei hurriedly tried to step out, but I stopped her.

“You? Change her? …What do you mean?”

From her perspective, I was just a student caught up in the unresolved issues between the two teachers.

She likely thought this was far beyond what a student could handle.

But that’s not the case.

Hoshinomiya-sensei’s issue is actually straightforward— and resolving it will be easy.

I don’t need Chabashira-sensei, Mashima-sensei, or even Sakagami-sensei to help.

But that’s not enough. It has to be done step by step.

“I promise I’ll resolve it before spring break ends. Well then, I’ll take my leave for today.”

As the elevator doors began to close, I saw her reach out, confused.

“You… what exactly are you—”

Even as the doors shut, Chabashira-sensei’s bewildered expression stayed in my mind.

Chapter 5

Illusion

Part 1

Part 2

March 30th, a Very Important Day

I had a date planned with Kei today to watch the movie we’d both been looking forward to.

After checking my phone to confirm that a message I sent to someone had been read but not replied to, I opened my chat with Kei and skimmed through our recent messages.

“I’ve booked the seats for March 30th. Does 10 a.m. work for you?”

“Of course! I can’t wait!”

Kei, who knew nothing, had replied eagerly. Her response from back then was still there.

The movie had already been released on the 26th, but because of the special year-end exams, the situation with Hoshinomiya-sensei, and my personal considerations, we decided to delay watching it until today.

On TV, the morning news ended, and a cartoon character appeared on the screen, playing a rock-paper-scissors game with viewers.

I glanced at it, and soon, an ad for the movie we were going to see appeared.

This was the third time I’d seen the ad today, showing how much they were promoting the film.

Kei wanted seats in the fifth row from the front, right in the center. She didn’t like sitting too close or too far away and preferred watching movies from the perfect middle spot.

Although meeting at the dorm and going together would’ve been more convenient, Kei insisted on the idea of meeting at the theater instead.

She wanted to savor the experience— perhaps that’s what people call a romantic touch.

It should’ve been a sweet, blissful day for a couple.

But after the movie, I plan to break up with Kei.

This decision had been made a year ago when I first started dating Karuizawa Kei.

Her past was one of harsh bullying, leaving a significant scar on her life.

Unlike adults, students live in the confined world of school. Strictly speaking, they can escape at any time, but nobody actually does.

Most endure loneliness and despair while fighting to survive.

For Kei, survival in that harsh environment meant adapting her approach after entering high school.

Her chosen method was to latch onto the strong, using them as her shield. She identified Hirata Yosuke as her ideal "host" to climb into the upper ranks of the class.

To someone like Kei, the host is indispensable. No matter how strong they are, they must allow her to cling to them, or it’s pointless.

Hirata, with his strong sense of responsibility and almost compulsive need to help others, was perfect for her.

But once again, Kei was tested.

A group from Ryuen’s class discovered her history of bullying— Manabe, Yabu, Yamashita, and Morofuji.

Left unchecked, she might’ve fallen into darkness again. But I intervened and saved her.

That’s when she shifted her reliance to me— or rather, I guided her into doing so.

Kei became useful in managing the dynamics of the class, offering me many advantages for future plans.

Yet, over time, my outlook started to change.

Instead of simply using those around me, I began wanting to foster their growth.

Kei was one such person. I wanted to free her from the “curse” of relying on others to survive.

If she could learn to stand on her own, she would grow significantly as a person.

This relationship had served as a long, detailed textbook on love, and now, it was reaching its final chapter.

For Kei, who found safety in clinging to others, my decision would be devastating.

Being forced to let go of her "host" left her with no guarantee of survival.

She might refuse to attend school, drop out, or reject the world entirely.

The possibilities were many, but each was harsh.

Dead or Alive.

Today marks the battle that will determine Kei’s future.

I headed for the door but froze before taking my first step.

Something felt off in my thoughts.

"Still…"

Yes, even now, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking.

Could something unexpected have come from this year-long relationship?

Would breaking up with Kei stir emotions I hadn’t anticipated?

The time we spent together as a couple— would it leave any impact on me?

I had predicted I’d feel nothing, but part of me hoped otherwise.

Perhaps, at the last moment, standing before her, something would change within me.

No, I wanted something to change.

My expectations and thoughts clashed in a fierce internal debate.

Would I really go through with breaking up with her?

Yes, I believed I could. But doubts lingered, and I wondered if there was another possibility.

I held onto that hope.

Hope for emotions beyond calculation, for something I couldn’t predict to arise.

Even now, at this final moment, I prayed for it.

I stepped forward, leaving the house to ensure I wouldn’t be late for the date.

When greeted with a smile by their girlfriend, most boys would naturally feel at ease.

"Good morning, Kiyotaka."

It was 10 a.m., right as the mall opened. Kei, who had arrived before me, waved cheerfully.

She looked as she always did, as expected.

After all, breaking up was my decision alone— there was no way she could have known.

Still, it’s possible she might have sensed something, noticed the subtle signs of me preparing to leave.

Even so, there was no visible trace of unease in her demeanor.

At that moment, Kei switched from her bright smile to a mock defeated expression, clasping her hands over her stomach dramatically.

"I'm starving! I haven't eaten anything since morning."

"You’re the same as always. You should at least have a little something before heading out."

"Well, I can’t help it! I plan to eat tons of popcorn during the movie."

Though we hadn’t gone to the theater often, I’d gotten a decent grasp of her preferences.

Half salty, half sweet, always in a large bucket. She’d devour the sweet half while leaving the salty portion for me.

The leftovers would be packed into a clear bag to take home, and later, when we watched TV together, we’d snack on them while complaining they were bad.

It had become our little movie ritual.

Standing side by side, we naturally held hands.

Although the morning was a bit chilly, the warmth quickly spread between us.

"Let’s go."

Kei was the one eager to lead, stepping slightly ahead in her excitement for the movie.

"Has anyone blamed you about that afterward?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Why would anyone blame me?"

"Well, since Maezono’s expulsion is technically my fault, I thought there might have been some backlash directed at you."

"Nope, nothing like that at all!"

Kei answered without hesitation, her tone suggesting she wasn’t just covering for me.

It seemed she really hadn’t been affected.

"But—"

"But?"

After a brief pause, Kei continued.

"Some students are starting to suspect something’s off about you. They think you intentionally got Maezono expelled to punish her for betraying the class."

It wasn’t surprising. Even Kushida had picked up on it right away.

It was natural for some students to connect the dots, though the extent of their speculation might differ.

"I see. And what do you think about it?"

"You mean, do I think you expelled Maezono on purpose?"

"Yeah."

I asked out of simple curiosity.

"Well, I think... you probably did."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you’re the kind of person who can win against anyone, no matter who they are. So, if you made Maezono leave, there must’ve been a reason beyond just winning the exam, right? Maybe you wanted to make a point about the cost of betraying the class. It’s a pretty impactful move, you know? By creating an expulsion, your strength and intentions get hidden behind the shock factor, kind of like camouflage to obscure the truth."

Kei summarized the incident, echoing what Kushida had deduced.

Just as I was about to praise her insight, she interrupted.

"Wait, hold on. There might be other reasons too. Like, what if Ichinose turned out to be an even stronger opponent than expected, so you used Maezono to guarantee a 100% win instead of just 99%? Or maybe your goal wasn’t just this exam but to set the stage for the future, so you had to take her down for that."

Her initial analysis was already solid, but now she was getting even closer to the truth.

"Am I right?"

Even though my expression didn’t change, Kei, watching me closely, seemed confident in her conclusion.

By then, we had arrived at the theater to pick up our tickets.

"Impressive. That’s closer to the truth than anyone else in class."

"Knew it! Hehe, feel free to shower me with more praise!"

Kei proudly struck a pose, hands on her hips, clearly enjoying the moment.

"With that—hmm, I guess my worries have melted away."

"Worries?"

"I don’t know, I just felt like there was something odd between you and Ichinose. I wondered if you might go easy on her during the exam."

"Didn’t I already tell you there was nothing like that?"

"Maybe I was wrong then. I’ll let it go. But, you know, your moves this time really stood out."

"Thankfully, things didn’t escalate too much, though I’ll admit they were bold."

"Exactly. Compared to Sakayanagi’s dramatic gamble in Class A’s exam, where she risked an expulsion, this feels minor. People have been talking about her move every day since then. The whole Maezono expulsion thing got overshadowed by that."

Now that I thought about it, even the teachers who helped during Hoshinomiya’s situation showed incredible restraint. Especially Mashima-sensei.

He must’ve been deeply troubled by the class demotion and the expulsion of his leader. Yet, he never showed it in front of the students, remaining composed as always.

"You really didn’t hold back against Ichinose, huh?"

Kei circled back to the topic, ignoring our earlier shift in conversation.

"Didn’t you say you wouldn’t dig into this? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I’m not suspicious of you~"

Kei teased with a playful tone before smiling brightly.

The fact that I had gone all out against Ichinose seemed to please her.

"Of course I gave it my all—it’s only natural to fight for the class."

"Ugh, that’s such a lie. It reeks of dishonesty...! You’re definitely hiding something."

Impressive.

Kei didn’t know the specifics, but she could tell there was more to it.

After that, we bought popcorn—half salty, half sweet—and two cups of oolong tea at the snack counter.

"I can’t wait for the movie."

"Me too."

As we approached the ticket gate, a student ahead of us turned around.

She must’ve recognized our voices.

"Oh, great. Ayanokoji and Karuizawa."

Ibuki scowled in obvious annoyance, quickening her pace as if trying to escape.

It didn’t take long for her to realize we were heading to the same screening.

"You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re watching the same movie? This sucks..."

Come on, it’s just the same movie—no need to be so dramatic.

Muttering her complaint, Ibuki disappeared into the theater.

"What’s with her?"

"Who knows. Just ignore it."

Exchanging a glance, Kei and I entered the theater and headed for our seats in the fifth row, center.

"You’ve got to be kidding me! Why are you two haunting me?!"

Apparently, Ibuki’s seat was right next to Kei’s.

In other words, we were sitting in a row: Ibuki, Kei, then me.

"It’s not like we could’ve known who’d be sitting next to us. Right, Kiyotaka?"

"Exactly."

It was no secret that Ibuki and I didn’t get along, and Kei had even more reasons to dislike her, given what happened in the first year.

Still, Kei hadn’t brought that up, probably choosing to let bygones be bygones.

Perhaps to break the awkward silence, she casually said, "So, Ibuki, you like movies too?"

"...Not really. Just occasionally."

Ibuki huffed and looked away.

"Let’s just leave her be."

"Sure... Oh, want some popcorn?"

"No thanks."

While avoiding our gaze, Ibuki also made a point of ignoring the popcorn.

"By the way, how come Sakayanagi didn’t figure out the traitor’s identity?"

"Huh? What kind of question is that? Ask the idiot sitting next to you, not me."

"That’s why I’m asking you, Ibuki."

"...Are you trying to pick a fight?"

Finally, Ibuki turned toward us in irritation.

Kei just laughed, watching Ibuki’s flustered reaction.

Though she likely hadn’t fully forgiven her, Kei’s strength of character shone through. She handled the situation with a natural ease, masking any lingering resentment.

This resilience came from her own growth over time.

"I wouldn’t know... Shouldn’t you know the answer?"

Ibuki’s gaze skipped over Kei and landed squarely on me.

"I don’t. It’s not like we could intervene in the other class’s exams, so there’s no way to know."

"Is that so..."

The fact that Sakayanagi had lost by failing to identify the traitor had been kept under wraps, with only the outcome publicly acknowledged.

Even when I met with Morishita and the others, I briefly touched on this topic.

While Hashimoto faced some scrutiny within the class, he remained unbothered, continuing as usual.

It was within the rules for a student assigned the traitor role to act covertly to avoid detection.

Technically, the fault lay with Sakayanagi for failing to uncover the truth.

As the pre-movie ads began playing, we quietly focused on the screen.

After the movie ended, we watched the credits roll and then walked out of the theater hand in hand.

The film had been advertised as "revolutionizing Japanese cinema," a bold claim that caught attention.

While it didn’t surpass expectations, it was still enjoyable enough.

Incidentally, the person sitting next to us left midway through the end credits. Clearly, they were determined not to leave at the same time as us.

I had thought about asking their opinion of the movie, but… well, it didn’t really matter.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the person holding my hand.

Her captivating side profile caught my attention as her gaze was fixed on her phone screen.

Time flowed slowly. Step by step, we walked on.

I began to think.

Spending a day off together, sitting side by side in a movie theater, watching a film together— this was such a common date scenario seen around the world.

It’s considered a classic choice, but it’s also a little strange when you think about it.

During the two-hour runtime, 99% of the time is spent staring at the screen, with only brief exchanges of words or glances.

Occasionally, you might share a knowing look during a memorable moment, but most of the time, the focus is on the movie itself.

From an objective standpoint, couples barely interact during those two hours.

So why has watching movies become a quintessential date activity?

For people just starting to date, or those on the brink of a relationship, movies offer a chance to avoid forced conversations and help spark common topics afterward.

For long-term couples who know each other inside out, this isn’t really necessary.

Yet, going to the movies still remains a staple of dating.

It’s kind of a mystery.

Despite my questions about movies and dates, the biggest joy lies in having something new to talk about together.

“This movie was fun, though it was a bit hard to follow at times. What do you think, Kiyotaka?”

“I agree it was a bit demanding as a watch. But aside from that, it was enjoyable. I’d say I really liked it.”

The one who suggests the movie also puts their ability to pick a good film to the test.

Though it wasn’t perfect, as long as it was entertaining, it’s a win.

“Really? That’s good to hear. So, what did you find interesting? For me, it was—”

Having shared so much personal time together in the limited environment of school, even the smallest topics could spark long conversations.

Even without the movie, there were things to talk about—what we did today, yesterday, or even a month or half a year ago.

And sometimes, we’d talk about the future.

Couples can share things with each other that they can’t with family or friends.

Corny as it sounds, this time together is irreplaceable.

It’s never a waste.

Still holding hands, we arrived at the karaoke lounge in the Keyaki Mall.

This was another classic date activity.

Once in the room, we squeezed together on the spacious couch, playfully fighting over the microphone and taking turns singing songs we liked.

Sometimes we sang solos, sometimes duets.

We had done this countless times already.

It was undoubtedly a happy time.

As lovers, we naturally wished for moments like these to last forever.

It would be nice if they could go on forever.

This wasn’t just my wishful thinking.

I was certain my partner wanted the same.

We both wished for it.

An endlessly bright future that stretched far ahead.

And yet, before I knew it, silence had crept in between us.

Even though we were leaning against each other, feeling the warmth of our bodies, there was a strange chill.

This was a sign.

Without any conscious effort, we began to create space between us.

At that moment, it finally arrived.

The moment we both had known would come.

The feelings I had kept buried deep inside now began to drive a wedge between us.

I followed her gaze, letting my thoughts wander.

The words of farewell that were about to be spoken.

This was something I had decided on long ago.

Yet, even as I tried to brace myself, I couldn’t shake the resistance that clung to my heart.

This fateful moment.

Faced with it, I found myself sweating.

Lost in confusion, unsure of myself.

I had endured countless tense situations before.

But this was a first.

My heart, which had remained unfazed by so many challenges, now pounded furiously.

With the moment approaching, regret began to well up inside me.

What is this feeling?

Just moments ago, I had felt so calm, but now I felt ashamed of that composure.

The words I thought would be easy to say—the farewell I had rehearsed—

Turns out, it wasn’t so simple after all.

Ah, I see now.

Only at the very last moment did I finally realize—

What my true feelings really were.

I don’t want to break up.

I don’t want to part ways with the girl in front of me.

I finally realized it.

I like her.

This feeling surged from the depths of my heart, completely unbidden.

Until now, I hadn’t noticed.

Her charm.

Her face, her voice, her presence—it’s all so endearing.

I had never truly paid attention to how adorable she is.

And now, I can’t find my voice.

--- "Let’s break up."

That was what I planned to say here.

--- "One more time."

I tried again, wanting to look her in the eyes and say, "Let’s break up."

But I couldn’t do it.

And then I understood.

Somewhere along the line, she had become an irreplaceable part of my life.

This is love.

It was impossible to say those words from the start.

Because, deep down, I’ve always known—you’re the one I love most.

Ah, how wonderful that would’ve been…

“Let’s break up.”

Yes.

Our feelings were never aligned.

No matter how much I tried to weave them together, it wouldn’t work.

Let’s take this seriously.

About what happened yesterday, today, tomorrow, and even next year.

Goodbyes don’t just come out of nowhere.

Such things… don’t happen.

I always believed that.

But… this feeling was only my fantasy, my wishful thinking.

A desire for things to turn out that way.

His cold gaze bore into me.

With a slow movement of his lips, he uttered the words: “Let’s break up.”

I couldn’t understand what he was thinking…

No, I didn’t want to understand.

“...So this is how it ends, huh?”

I forced those words out of my throat.

I couldn’t believe how calm I sounded.

The karaoke room was eerily quiet, though I could hear someone enthusiastically singing an anime song in the next room.

“Yes. This isn’t about whether it’s right or wrong. Let’s end everything we’ve had so far, right here.”

Kiyotaka said cruel words with his usual expression.

“I see…”

My throat was dry.

I wanted to drink some water.

But my body wouldn’t listen.

I was already using every ounce of my strength to pretend I was unfazed.

“You don’t seem surprised,” he said.

When did I fall in love with him?

I can’t remember the exact moment.

“I guess… I sort of knew this would happen. I could tell that your heart was drifting further away.”

No, that’s not it.

His heart was never with me from the beginning.

This love was always one-sided.

I only recently came to terms with that, though deep down, I must have known all along.

Kiyotaka never once loved me.

I’ve been pretending not to notice.

So why did he even date me in the first place?

That’s a question I’ll never ask.

Because I understand his reasoning.

Half of it was for me.

The other half, for himself.

But if he had to choose, he’d always prioritize himself.

That was decided from the very start.

When the clock struck midnight, Cinderella’s magic would inevitably wear off.

Our relationship was destined to end.

It’s simply that the time has come.

Honestly, I wanted to cling to him, cry, and promise to do anything he wanted.

I would do anything for you.

Maybe the me from not long ago would’ve done that.

But not now.

I can’t.

Resisting would only betray Kiyotaka’s expectations of me.

“Do you need a reason?”

He asked, pulling out his phone for some reason.

My thoughts were still jumbled, but I forced myself to smile and shook my head.

“No, it’s fine.”

I desperately tried to maintain my calm.

“Alright,” he said, putting his phone away.

“Sorry I couldn’t meet your expectations.”

“It’s okay. I… I also think things have gotten a bit heavy between us.”

I feigned indifference.

But it’s not true. My heart was always with you.

Even today, I gave it my all to act like I wasn’t uneasy and to make it seem like I was enjoying myself.

Even now, I want to tell you that it’s all a lie. I want you to hold me tight.

But there’s a reason I’m acting so strong.

“Maybe so.”

Kiyotaka’s casual response sounded like he was talking about someone else.

And I continued to smile in return.

“Between us, well… I guess you could say the feelings have faded. Oh, but it’s not like I dislike you, Kiyotaka. I just think we’d get along better as friends.”

You have no idea how much courage it took to say that.

Even if it only elicited your cold indifference, I had to keep pretending.

“Yeah. Being friends might be the best, most natural option.”

“Right, I thought so too. All this time…”

I nodded in agreement.

But I couldn’t… I couldn’t take it anymore. If this continues…

“...Thanks for everything up until now.”

It was over.

I forced a smile even I couldn’t recognize.

The last moments were coming to an end.

“If anyone asks why we broke up, just say you dumped me.”

“Huh? Are you sure? That feels a little awkward.”

“It’s fine. You can say whatever you want. If anyone asks me, I’ll say I was dumped too.”

Don’t say goodbye.

I want to stay with you forever… forever…

To keep being by your side—

“Goodbye, Karuizawa.”

Hearing him use my surname stunned me for a moment.

From friends to lovers. From lovers back to friends.

The reverse path takes everything back to how it was.

That’s how it works, right?

Kiyotaka picked up the receipt for the bill and walked out of the room.

No looking back.

No hesitation.

No pause.

The door swung shut behind him. And I was left alone.

“Good…”

I swallowed hard.

I instinctively didn’t want to say the next word.

But—

I had to say it.

“...Goodbye… Ayanokoji-kun.”

To the person who had already disappeared, I smiled and waved.

This is fine.

Because this outcome… is what Kiyotaka wanted, right?

So that someone like me, who can’t live without relying on others, can learn to stand on my own.

I’m not anything remarkable.

But there are things only I could understand.

Like reading your emotions, the ones no one else could see.

Isn’t that right?

…Isn’t it?

Even if I prayed for a miracle, the door wouldn’t reopen.

Alone in the silent room, I broke down.

Didn’t I do well in front of you until the very end?

I showed you I could stand on my own, didn’t I?

—Kiyotaka.

Please… save me.

[TL Note - Kinugasa-sensei tricked us readers to make us mistakenly believe that the Part 2 of this Chapter - ‘Illusion’ was from Kiyotaka's perspective at first, but as the Illusion was broken by the ruthless words of breaking up, it was revealed that it was Kei's perspective.]

Chapter 6

Even After Graduation

Part 1

When I got back to my room in the morning to check my phone, I found a bunch of missed calls and messages from Sato.

It was only natural— after all, Karuizawa had told her we broke up.

As agreed, Karuizawa claimed she was the one who dumped me, probably understanding that it’d be troublesome later if we had conflicting stories.

But since Sato is one of Karuizawa’s closest friends, she wouldn’t believe that Karuizawa initiated the breakup.

Naturally, she assumed I was the one who ended things.

Sato contacted me, asking me to reconsider the breakup.

But she likely knew deep down that matters of the heart are something only the people involved can truly decide.

Outsiders can do little to help.

Still, her desire to stand up for Kei was understandable and hard to criticize.

I left the dorm and headed toward the school gate.

This wasn’t because of my conversation with Sato yesterday but due to a message I’d received after the special year-end exams.

“I’ve gotten permission from Ryuen-kun to stay at school temporarily. There’s so much I’d like to say, but please allow me to meet you at the school gate on March 31, the day I leave.”

I had agreed to Sakayanagi’s request, and we set a specific time.

My guess was that she wanted to make the most of her remaining time and tie up all loose ends, including matters concerning her class.

She planned to leave the school by taxi at 11 a.m., and we’d agreed to meet before then.

“Good morning, Ayanokoji-kun.”

I arrived at the school gate ten minutes early.

Standing there was not Sakayanagi Arisu, but her father, Chairman Sakayanagi.

“Good morning. Are you here to see Sakayanagi off as well?”

In response to my question, the chairman nodded calmly as always.

“My daughter is about to start a new chapter in her life. I assume you’re here to see her off too?”

“Yes. We arranged to meet at 10:30. You don’t seem surprised by this, Chairman.”

“Hmm? Ah, not at all. Mashima-sensei, her homeroom teacher, informed me before the special exams. It was a bit of a shock, but I respect her decision. Of course, I understand her withdrawal may trouble her classmates, but I won’t misuse my authority as chairman to interfere.”

If he chose to exercise his privileges as chairman, he could easily override any agreements.

Halting her withdrawal would be simple. But doing so would undermine the school’s rules.

“Admirable.”

I truly respected his principles and attitude as chairman.

The chairman smiled modestly but then grew serious.

“There’s something I shouldn’t bring up here, but I’ve heard your father is attending your upcoming three-way meeting.”

“Seems like it. I’m not sure what’s brought him here.”

“That man doesn’t do anything without purpose. He probably wants to see for himself how you’ve grown and what your future plans are.”

The chairman smiled as he spoke, though I doubted that was the case. If my father wanted to check up on me, there were plenty of other ways to do so. Still, I agreed with one thing: “That man doesn’t do anything without purpose.”

“If you run into any trouble, feel free to come to me.”

“Thank you. That’s very reassuring.”

The chairman let out a sigh.

“Ah, are you thinking about my father?”

“No, I was thinking about Arisu. Actually, there’s an unexpected issue. She’s transferring to a high school closer to home, which is great. But she’s made a rather troublesome request.”

“A troublesome request?”

“If you could talk to her, I think she might reconsider.”

The chairman gave a wry smile, just as I was about to ask what this “troublesome request” was...

“That won’t do, Father. What are you planning to say to Ayanokoji-kun without my permission?”

“Ah… Arisu!”

The chairman was visibly startled, breaking out in a nervous sweat.

Sakayanagi appeared, leaning on her cane, without a single piece of luggage in hand.

She was accompanied by Morishita and Yamamura, likely there to see her off as classmates.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“That’s good. Please choose your words carefully.”

It seemed her father had been strictly told by his daughter to keep certain things secret.

“Haha... Well, we’ll talk about it thoroughly when we get home later.”

“Yes, I’m sure we’ll have a pleasant father-daughter conversation.”

Chairman Sakayanagi gave a wry smile.

Up until now, as the chairman, he had to maintain a certain distance from the students, but now that wasn’t necessary anymore.

“I have a simple question— where exactly is Sakayanagi Arisu’s home?”

Morishita abruptly asked, as if trying to shift the atmosphere.

It was a good question— I found myself curious too.

Teachers lived on campus, but what was the chairman’s daily life like?

“About a 15-minute drive from the school. You can also get here directly by bus.”

“That’s so close!”

Morishita blurted out in surprise.

Indeed, it was close.

However, students at this school were rarely allowed to leave campus except for club activities or special circumstances.

That made it difficult for the chairman to casually meet his daughter.

“The taxi will arrive in about ten minutes. May I have a moment alone to talk with Ayanokoji-kun?”

At Sakayanagi’s request, Morishita, Yamamura, and the chairman stepped back, ensuring they couldn’t overhear our conversation.

“I didn’t expect Morishita and Yamamura to be the ones seeing you off.”

“If it were before, it might have been Masumi-chan, Hashimoto, or Kito-kun.”

Kamuro had withdrawn, Hashimoto had betrayed her, and Kito didn’t seem like someone who could sit still at a farewell.

In a sense, none of her usual companions were here.

“My time with Yamamura-san wasn’t very long. It’s thanks to you that we grew closer.”

She paused and then added, “And now, because of me, we have to part ways.”

“What about Morishita?”

“She’s been sticking close to Yamamura lately.”

In other words, no one called her, she just came on her own.

“Morishita doesn’t have anyone she’s particularly close to, but it seems she’s trying to connect with Yamamura. She’s a smart and intuitive student, so perhaps she’s worried about the future of the class.”

“Maybe.”

Though eccentric, I felt Morishita had extraordinary potential. Our earlier discussion with her and Yamamura seemed to have left an impression.

“Well then, it seems the story between you and me will come to a temporary end.”

“Indeed.”

Sakayanagi looked up at me and said without reservation:

“Do you really dislike having me as your rival? In the end, things turned out just as you wished. Does intervening in this outcome make you feel even a hint of guilt? Please, let me hear your honest thoughts.”

“I could say I feel guilty, but a shallow lie like that wouldn’t work on you, would it?”

That was the honesty Sakayanagi was seeking. She naturally smiled at my answer.

“Honestly, Sakayanagi, you’re so strong it’s almost unfair. I don’t know all the details of the year-end special exam, but there’s no doubt your abilities surpass Ryuen’s. However—”

“Ryuen-kun, Horikita, Ichinose, and everyone else still have room to grow. How they’ll turn out, no one can predict.”

“True. I want to witness their growth.”

“Even though I already knew the answer, hearing you say it still stings a bit.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine. I know that’s just how you are. Besides, staying or leaving was my own decision. If anything, I should blame myself for understanding your message so perfectly.”

I, of course, had no idea how the exam would end.

I simply weighed the idea of who I’d prefer to remain between Ryuen and Sakayanagi and passed along the message to test the waters.

Ultimately, whether or not to deliver the message was Ryuen’s choice. Whether or not to accept or understand it was entirely up to Sakayanagi.

That said, by interpreting Ryuen’s personality and Sakayanagi’s intentions, this outcome wasn’t entirely unpredictable.

“Though my words might sound a bit harsh, I don’t mean to blame you, Ayanokoji-kun. That said, let’s talk about the favor you owe me.”

Indeed, I still had a favor to repay Sakayanagi.

“Fair enough. If I can resolve it now, I’d prefer to. What do you have in mind?”

“In that case, I’d like to make two requests.”

I had no intention of refusing, so I waited for her to continue.

“First... hmm, let’s see. How about giving me a passionate kiss right now?”

She really had a mischievous streak, making such a bold request that left me unsure if she was serious or joking.

“How exactly should I take that?”

She stepped closer, tilted her chin slightly, and closed her eyes.

Honestly, I was too startled to look at the faces of the three people watching us from the side.

As I hesitated, wondering whether to confirm if this was truly her request, Sakayanagi slowly opened her eyes again.

“Hehe, just kidding.”

“…That’s a rather mean joke.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

It was one thing for classmates to witness such a scene, but with her father— the chairman— present, it would’ve been too much.

“Before my first request, I want to confirm something. My story here isn’t over yet, is it?”

At her words, I glanced briefly at the chairman before turning my gaze back to Sakayanagi.

“Ayanokoji-kun, you’re someone who can anticipate 10 or even 20 steps ahead. So, choosing to voluntarily leave this school must bring more benefits than just keeping Ryuen here, right?”

As expected of Sakayanagi. She grasped the strategy without any clues.

“I’ve set things in motion, but I can’t predict the future with certainty.”

“That’s fine. Just knowing you have a plan for the future is enough for me.”

“You do realize you might just be a pawn in my strategy, don’t you?”

“Even so, I don’t want to sever my connection with you, Ayanokoji-kun. Although our paths diverge here, I won’t give up on the chance to face you again someday. Over the next year, I’ll push myself to grow into someone truly worthy of being your rival. So, let’s make a promise— that when you leave this school, we’ll meet again.”

“Is that your first request?”

“Yes,” she answered without hesitation.

“Some things may be beyond my control. Are you sure about this wish?”

“I trust you, Ayanokoji-kun.”

Her gaze was firm, her answer resolute.

“I see. If it’s you, Sakayanagi, maybe we’ll meet again.”

As I’d said before, much in life was beyond my power.

Yet, I still hoped to one day shape my future with my own hands.

A promise to reunite with her might play a role in that.

“You’ve been shaped by your environment, by the White Room, but you’re standing here now because of your own choices. Don’t forget that.”

“Yeah. Maybe one day I’ll truly believe that.”

It was the best answer I could give for now. Sakayanagi nodded in satisfaction.

“What about your second request?”

“Well... it’s about the future of the class after I leave. It might sound presumptuous, but it’s something I’ve been struggling with.”

After a brief, she finally made her request.

“It’s about how to handle Hashimoto going forward. I haven’t fully explained what happened to the rest of the class yet.”

“How many students suspect him, I don’t know. But without concrete evidence, it’s innocent until proven guilty.”

At my response, Sakayanagi nodded.

“Still, someone needs to know what he’s done, what he intended, and reach a conclusion. Could I entrust that decision to you? There’s no deadline.”

“So, for the next year, you want me to decide whether to forgive or condemn him?”

“Yes. I’m torn between both feelings. I had planned to observe him longer, but I can’t do that anymore.”

If I was given the authority to make the final call, I didn’t mind accepting this task.

“Understood. I’ll take on the role of judge.”

“Thank you. I’ll take that as material for my meeting with Masumi-san.”

I imagined Kamuro would be more stunned than pleased to hear from her.

“Well, it’s about time to call the others over.”

“Wait. Before we say goodbye, there’s one last thing.”

I took out my phone and showed her a picture I’d taken of her in my room some time ago.

Right in front of her, I deleted it.

“This was just a precaution back then. There’s no reason to keep it now.”

“Oh my, does that mean your girlfriend has already—”

“Karuizawa figured it out on her own.”

“I see. With her strong will, I’m sure she’ll bounce back.”

Even if she struggled alone, Karuizawa had others she could rely on.

“So, Ayanokoji-kun, you’re single again, right?”

“Correct.”

“In that case, there’s no reason to refuse my earlier request for a kiss, is there?”

With a mischievous smile, she spread her arms slightly.

“This much is fine, isn’t it? Consider it a farewell gift.”

Time was running out.

I reached out and gently pulled Sakayanagi into my arms.

In her final moments at school, Sakayanagi spoke warmly with her classmates.

As the time to part drew closer, Yamamura struggled to hold back her tears.

But when Sakayanagi apologized again and expressed her hope to meet again, Yamamura couldn’t help but cry.

To Yamamura, Sakayanagi might have been her first real friend— someone she wished to spend the last school year with.

Despite her sadness, Yamamura resolved to believe in their promise to reunite someday.

Morishita watched the two of them, her expression neutral, not envious or lonely, as if contemplating the future of the class.

After Sakayanagi left through the school’s main gate, we said our goodbyes to the chairman and began walking back to the dormitory.

Yamamura still seemed shaken, but this felt like the perfect moment.

I decided to approach the two students from the former Class A.

“During my earlier talk with Sakayanagi, she asked me to relay an important suggestion—one that could greatly impact your class.”

“A suggestion?” Yamamura’s eyes lit up, her mood lifting.

Morishita, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes, clearly skeptical.

“A suggestion? If that’s true, it seems awfully reluctant of her. Can we even trust it?”

“W-why not? I really want to know!” Yamamura insisted.

“It’s an important suggestion for our class, Yamamura. Think about it. Wouldn’t Sakayanagi have addressed this directly to someone like us instead of relying on Ayanokoji? And why wait until the very last moment?”

“Well… now that you mention it…” Yamamura hesitated, beginning to doubt.

Despite the skepticism, I pressed on.

“She entrusted me with this because of the risk of betrayal within the class. It was a precaution to avoid leaks.”

In truth, this wasn’t Sakayanagi’s suggestion— it was entirely my own.

After a tense pause, Morishita crossed her arms and gestured for me to continue.

I began explaining my plan.

As I spoke, Morishita’s initial suspicion gave way to surprise, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Yamamura, on the other hand, appeared lost, struggling to process the implications.

“This is Sakayanagi’s suggestion for how your class can fight next year,” I concluded.

“Wait… Can something like this even be allowed?” Yamamura asked, her voice trembling.

“Whether it’s allowed or not, similar strategies have been used before.”

Though those past cases seemed minor compared to this.

“This is huge.” Morishita murmured, thinking it over. “If we pull this off, we might have a chance to turn things around. But…”

"Morishita-san, what would the chances of success be?" Yamamura asked hesitantly.

"Previously, I’d have said 10%. With this, at least 25%. And with potential improvements, the odds could go even higher. That said, there are risks—new challenges we might not adapt to. Can this really be achieved?"

I had already prepared solutions for their concerns.

After I provided further clarification, both Morishita and Yamamura exchanged glances, seemingly torn between doubt and hope.

"Even if we solve all these uncertainties, an even bigger hurdle awaits us." Morishita remarked.

I nodded, agreeing with her. Then I shared my proposed solution to that major hurdle as well.

Of course, no matter how good a solution might sound, implementing it would be a different challenge altogether.

Moreover, all of this is part of a continuous process. If one link in the chain breaks, everything will fall apart.

After a long silence, Morishita spoke again.

“Are you… sane?”

“I’d like to hear your honest opinion.” I replied.

“Honestly? If this plan works, it’s perfect. It’s exactly what we need to motivate the class again.” she admitted, though her tone remained cautious.

Yamamura nodded eagerly.

“Let’s try it! If Sakayanagi entrusted this to us, we should take the chance.”

Morishita, however, remained deep in thought.

“Ayanokoji… Is this really Sakayanagi’s plan? Or is it just your idea?” she asked suddenly.

“I’ve already answered that.”

She smirked faintly.

“It doesn’t matter. Sakayanagi’s gone, so we can’t confirm. Let me rephrase—what’s in it for you? If you’re involving yourself in our class’s business, you must have a reason.”

She was sharp. A simple “goodwill” excuse wouldn’t cut it.

“My goal is to maintain competition among all four classes until graduation.” I explained. “I want every class to have a shot at winning, and for that, Sakayanagi’s strategy is the best way forward. Whether I graduate in Class A or not is secondary.”

Morishita studied me carefully before responding.

“Alright… Suppose you’re telling the truth. Are you okay with betraying your own class?”

“This isn’t the first time. I’ve done as I pleased in the shadows before.”

She sighed.

“It’s all or nothing now. Since we’ve been pushed to the edge, our best option is to go all in. The rest will be up to the classmates to decide.”

After all, Morishita was just another student in the class, not a recognized leader like Sakayanagi.

“I’ll start preparing right away—”

“Wait!”

Before Morishita could act, a voice called out from a distance.

A first-year student, Negishi, jogged toward us, slightly out of breath.

“A-Ayanokoji-senpai… I’m Negishi from the first year. Could you, um, take this, please?”

Her voice trembled as she extended an envelope.

“What’s this?”

I asked reflexively, but Negishi, her cheeks flushed, quickly turned and ran off.

“You just hugged Sakayanagi and now you’re getting love letters from younger students? You’re quite the charmer,” Morishita teased.

“L-love letter?”

“Nervous expression, plain envelope, blushing face… running off in embarrassment— this definitely smells like a love letter, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.”

“I don’t smell anything.” I replied flatly.

“Who cares what you smell?”

Her sharp teasing hit its mark as usual.

Still, what exactly was in the envelope?

“It could also be something a shy girl asked her to deliver on her behalf.” I suggested, flipping the envelope to inspect the back. There was no special marking.

“Just open it already. Whatever’s inside is probably going to be burned into your memory,” Morishita urged.

Giving in to her prodding, I unfolded the letter. Inside was a white piece of paper.

Opening it fully, I found...

“A phone number?”

Yamamura peeked nervously at the contents and blurted out.

It was an 11-digit phone number, signed with the initial N.

“Well, that’s one way to do it. Not through words, but a direct call to express their feelings.” Morishita remarked with a knowing grin.

“Maybe.” I said noncommittally.

The initial told me immediately who the sender was.

Both Morishita and Yamamura assumed it was Negishi who wrote the note, but that wasn’t the case.

The N matched her name, but the real sender had deliberately chosen this method and used Negishi as a messenger, subtly tying it to the initial as a hint.

It was probably a way to express gratitude for what had happened earlier.

“Come on, call them. Confess your love or whatever.” Morishita prodded, clearly entertained.

By the way, I have absolutely no idea why Morishita, who has nothing to do with the matter, is so excited.

“I don’t need to do that right now.”

“Oh? Playing hard to get, are we? How long do you plan to make her wait?”

“At least a year.” I replied.

“That’s after graduation!”

That was the story behind the phone number.

Tucking the letter into my pocket, I brushed off Morishita’s teasing and focused on the tasks ahead.

“There’s so much I want to say, but for now, I’ll keep it in my heart. I look forward to the day we meet again.”

“Hmm...”

For now, my future seemed like a dead end, but circumstances could always change.

Sakayanagi felt fragile in my arms, almost unreliable.

Yet, among everyone I knew, she possessed a strength that was truly unmatched.

I have a strong feeling.

Soon, we’ll meet again in the world outside.

Chapter 7

Parents & Children, Children & Parents

Part 1

Part 2

This spring break, there are more issues to handle than last year.

Most of them have already been resolved, and the one remaining issue is about to be taken care of.

That said, there's not much I can do about it now; I can only wait for time to pass.

The current time is 4 PM on April 1st. I put on my uniform and headed to school.

This is to attend a scheduled three-way conference at 4:30 PM.

Originally, it was set for 5 PM, but during the spring break, Chabashira-sensei contacted me and decided to move Koenji to the session after mine. This change was something that man was particular about.

By the way, students are required to arrive 15 minutes early to the classroom.

Even if I take a leisurely walk, I’ll still have plenty of time. Each three-way conference is scheduled for 15 minutes, with a 30-minute interval between each session.

I still wonder if that man will actually show up.

I’m skeptical, but so far, I haven’t received any notice about the meeting being canceled.

『At least we won't meet again in this school.』

That comment back then wasn’t directed at me, but rather at President Sakayanagi. Still, it’s reasonable to assume that he won’t step foot in this school again.

There must be some other purpose behind the three-way conference request.

I considered that he might be in contact with Ishigami privately, but as of today, nothing has happened.

“Thinking too much is meaningless.”

This is an issue entirely separate from school life, so I’ll just let it unfold naturally.

Three-way conferences generally take place in classrooms, but at this school, to show respect for each family, they’ve opened reception rooms, counseling offices, and student council rooms. The three-way conferences for the Horikita class are taking place in the counseling room, which is a bit far from the waiting classroom.

I sat in the empty classroom, waiting for the meeting time to arrive.

Ten minutes before the scheduled time, I received a message from Chabashira-sensei.

The previous student's three-way conference had ended, and I could now head to the counseling room.

Well then... let’s see how this three-way conference goes.

As I neared the counseling room, Chabashira-sensei, who was standing by the door, noticed me.

There were only five minutes left until the three-way conference was scheduled to start, and that man still hadn't shown up.

"My father doesn't seem to be here. Could he be absent?"

"I don't know. I haven’t received any notice about that."

I didn't get the answer I wanted. The only thing I could confirm was that he hadn't arrived yet, which seemed to make Chabashira-sensei uneasy.

The homeroom teacher likely had a packed schedule for the day.

We both stared down the hallway, waiting.

As time slowly ticked by, Chabashira-sensei, apparently uncomfortable with the silence, brought up another topic.

"Have you been in contact with Chie since then?"

"No, I haven’t heard from her."

"Really? Well, I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything from you as a student."

"It’ll take some time. But like I mentioned a few days ago, I’ll try to resolve it during the spring break."

"That’s true, but what exactly are you planning to do? Chie seems determined to drag me into this. I don’t think you can convince her."

"I get what you're implying. So, would you be willing to step down as the homeroom teacher?"

If Chabashira-sensei were to raise the white flag, Hoshinomiya-sensei would be more than satisfied. She’d be able to stay on the safe side, avoiding any complications for the upcoming year.

"I... can't do that. I have a duty to protect your class."

"Then let’s just wait and see, and don’t make any rash moves."

What Chabashira-sensei needed now was patience and the courage to wait.

She had to understand that the best course of action was to observe for now.

"…Understood. But if there’s any progress, please contact me immediately."

"Of course. I trust and rely on you, Chabashira-sensei."

Hearing a student say that must have been hard to refute.

So, will that man really show up?

At that moment, faint footsteps echoed down the hallway.

With the scheduled time quickly approaching, the man appeared, dressed in the same clothes he wore last year.

He seemed to notice us immediately, but made no reaction, slowly closing the distance.

"Thank you for waiting. I’m the homeroom teacher, Chabashira."

"I’m Ayanokoji, Please guide me well today."

The man then turned his gaze toward us, his expression serious as he said:

"Long time no see, Kiyotaka. You look well. Is your School life going smoothly?"

For a moment, I thought he might have taken something by mistake. It seemed like he was trying to act like a father in front of the homeroom teacher.

But for me, it was more convenient. I could play along, at least for now.

For the time being, I would refer to this man as 'father.'

"I'm doing okay. I've made a lot of friends."

"Ah, that's good to hear."

Without a doubt, we were engaging in a conversation full of insincerity.

"Please, come in."

With a smile, Chabashira-sensei opened the door, and we both entered the counseling room, sitting side by side in the chairs. Chabashira-sensei then closed the door and sat opposite us.

"First, please allow me to briefly report on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka’s school life and grades over the past two years."

Chabashira-sensei then placed two prepared documents on the desk.

Father picked up one of them and began reviewing the contents. I took a quick glance as well.

"We can go through this as we talk. This child has had no significant issues in academics or life. He’s very diligent and reliable, so you can rest easy."

It detailed how I had performed in regular exams and special tests over the past two years, along with how the school had evaluated me. Whether good or bad, everything had been documented.

"Can I ask a question?"

"Of course, please."

"What is this OAA?"

He played the role of a concerned father, pointing to the document and asking.

"This is a new system we’ve introduced at the school. It’s designed to provide a simple, easy-to-understand reflection of the student's overall performance. It’s updated monthly and adjusted based on the student’s comprehensive abilities."

"Sounds like an interesting attempt."

No matter how the yearly performance was recorded, it wasn’t immediately clear what to make of it at a glance. On the other hand, the OAA system made it very easy to get a general sense of a student's abilities at a glance— very convenient.

As of the end of March this year, my OAA score was as follows:

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka

Academic Ability: A 87

Physical Ability: B 73

Flexibility in Thinking: C 54

Social Contribution: B 70

Comprehensive Ability: B 71

"Compared to other students, where does my son stand?"

"Among all the second-year students, he’s in the top 5%. I believe he can definitely be considered an outstanding student, and perhaps even rated higher. The OAA system averages out the student’s results, but his OAA growth rate in the past six months is undoubtedly in the first tier."

At this time last year, my comprehensive ability was 51. It’s clear that I’ve made significant progress.

"That's wonderful. Seeing the growth of my child, As a parent, I feel relieved"

As he spoke, Father nodded vigorously toward Chabashira-sensei.

After that, the conversation between the teacher and parents continued, repeating some irrelevant pleasantries.

During this time, I simply listened in silence, offering a few nods when necessary.

Once the explanation of the materials was finished, Chabashira-sensei shifted to the next topic.

"So, what are your thoughts on Kiyotaka’s future?"

"What do you think, as a teacher?"

"With his academic abilities, I believe he should aim for a top-tier university. Although academics aren’t everything in life, if he’s able to handle it, he should be given a space to fully utilize his potential. That would be the best option."

"Of course, it’s a joy to see a child get into a good university. But the most important thing is how the child feels. If he has no desire to pursue higher education, then discussing it further would be pointless."

Father’s answer seemed to satisfy Chabashira-sensei, and she turned her gaze toward me.

It seemed she was waiting for me to give a definitive answer.

"As long as my parents allow it, I think going to university is a good option."

"I see. Of course, I’ll support you. Do you have any universities in mind?"

"I'm interested in the universities that my seniors, who have looked out for me here at school, attended."

"You're talking about Nagumo and Horikita, right?"

"Exactly."

"Good idea. Although their standards are high, it’s definitely an opportunity for you."

Chabashira-sensei seemed pleased as if she were talking about her own experience, happily telling my father the names of the universities.

"I see, the top three national universities, huh?"

I couldn’t help but admire how convincingly he was performing.

"As long as you’re willing, you should pursue your dreams without hesitation."

"That’s great. Having your family’s support is more reassuring than anything."

"Indeed."

"However, Kiyotaka, while I don’t oppose you going to university, have you thought about what comes after university?"

I didn’t know what he was up to, suddenly asking for my opinion.

Was this farce going to continue until the end of the meeting?

There’s really no need to use up all the allocated time.

Generally, once most of the time is used up, the meeting could end, but he kept rambling on about things that didn’t interest him, likely just to show the image of a good father.

There had to be some meaning behind this time-wasting behaviour.

"About what comes after university, huh?"

I pretended to think for a moment while trying to figure out my father’s true intentions.

What kind of change would extending this boring meeting beyond the scheduled time cause?

What would happen if the meeting exceeded its intended duration?

There was only one answer.

The next meeting for the Koenji family might have some complications.

In other words, he might be trying to create an opportunity for contact under the guise of an "accidental event."

"That’s right. Going to a good university is a great thing. But what’s your reason for going? Do you have any goals or plans? I want to ask you about your direction before you make a final decision."

Chabashira-sensei, who had no idea about my father’s intentions, eagerly listened to the father-son conversation.

"I’m sorry, I haven’t decided anything yet. I can think about it once I get into university."

"No, not knowing yet is fine. But if you’re just going to university to fulfill your parents’ wishes and it takes you further away from what you truly want, then that’s the problem."

"If I say I want to get a job, would you accept that, Father?"

"As a parent, of course I would."

"Thank you very much."

Although I just had to cooperate, I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

Even with the acting, seeing my father up close still made me uneasy.

After that, Chabashira-sensei and my father continued their surprisingly pointless conversation.

In the end, not only did they use up all the time, but they even forced the meeting to go on for a while longer.

After the painful three-way meeting ended, the three of us left our seats. Those 15 minutes felt like an eternity.

"Thank you so much for today."

My father politely bowed to Chabashira-sensei.

Seeing this, Chabashira-sensei hurriedly returned the bow.

"No, no, it’s I who should be thanking you for taking the time out of your busy schedule."

Just when I thought we were finally free, my hope was shattered in an instant.

"By the way, Teacher, may I take up a little more of your time with some unrelated topics about my son?"

After leaving the consultation room, my father spoke to Chabashira-sensei, who had been watching him leave.

"Of course, is there something else on your mind?"

Chabashira-sensei should have been contacting the next family, the Koenji family. However, my father didn’t seem like he was just making small talk, so despite her reluctance, she couldn’t show it and had to continue responding seriously.

Since she couldn’t freely use her phone, she wasn’t sure exactly how long the conversation took, but it was probably around five minutes.

As a hint of anxiety was barely visible on Chabashira-sensei's face, my father nodded seriously.

"The confusion is finally cleared up."

"Is that so? Then I’m relieved."

The time, which had been both relaxed and oddly tense, finally came to an end, and Chabashira-sensei let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you so much for today."

"It’s nothing. You cooperating with the school’s arrangements makes things easier for Ayanokoji-kun, I’m sure he appreciates it."

No, I didn’t appreciate it at all. I just nodded in order to handle these two adults.

After my father once again expressed his thanks to Chabashira-sensei, he turned his gaze toward me.

"As for the rest of your time at school, don’t overdo it."

"Yeah..."

The time was delayed, but luckily nothing happened.

The three-party meeting ended ordinarily.

Without staying any longer, my father immediately walked off.

"What a good father, completely different from what I had imagined."

Just as I expected, Chabashira-sensei couldn’t see anything other than the ordinary father figure.

"Maybe."

Pointing out Chabashira-sensei’s mistake here was pointless.

"Next, it’s one hurdle after another. Once I get through this, the weight on my shoulders will be lifted."

"Only Koenji is left. Hopefully, it’ll go as smoothly as this one."

"I hope so. Your meeting ended without incident, but I can’t imagine what will happen with Koenji."

Koenji would also pretend to be obedient in front of his parents— there’s little hope for that.

Chabashira-sensei’s gaze suddenly turned toward the hallway. Following her eyes, I noticed my father had stopped walking. It seemed like he was waiting for me to catch up.

"Your father is waiting for you. Take this opportunity to say whatever you need to say."

"Okay."

It’s not that we hadn’t talked enough— it seemed like the time extension was now part of their plan, with the two of them taking it in turns.

Or maybe, from this point on, they were going to take some action toward me. They’d specifically informed me, so there was no way to avoid it.

After nodding, Chabashira-sensei returned to the consultation room.

I reluctantly walked toward my father— no, I should say, toward that man.

When I reached his side, I stopped, but he didn’t speak.

"There’s no need to wait here, is there?"

Not speaking was fine, but I still decided to ask why.

Even if my guess was right, he wouldn’t easily explain it.

"Let’s at least talk as father and son, shall we? Relax a bit."

"Father and son? Whether it’s love or hate, I’ve never felt anything like that toward you."

"That’s true."

One thing I can be sure of is that I don’t hate this man.

Our relationship is less like that of father and son and more like a teacher and student.

No, maybe even that description isn't quite right. It’s more like a relationship with a sense of distance— an insurmountable gap between us, like one between superior and subordinate.

"Regarding your plans after graduation, it’s been bothering me for this whole year."

"You don’t need to explain it. I know, and I don’t intend to oppose it."

"Become the new leader of the White Room, and create a new generation of talents who surpass you."

I clearly said I knew, but this man still insisted on repeating it.

"Judging by the timeline, it shouldn’t be difficult. If you take on the role of leader and run the White Room, in just 20 years you could create a lot of geniuses that I need."

When he starts talking about the future, this man becomes more talkative.

"However, this option without creativity only leads to a meaningless future. It’s really lacking in dreams. The state of the world changes constantly, and so does the environment I’m in. A lot has changed in just one year."

"I’m not interested in your environment."

"Same here. I don’t care whether you're interested or not. What matters is using your talents."

"What do you want me to do?"

"You can vaguely sense it, can’t you?"

His gaze, like a snake, wrapped around me.

I’m not sure whether it’s his intuition or some other unknown factor, but he’s starting to suspect something I’ve been hiding. As expected of him.

"Who knows?"

"It takes time to make proper preparations. There’s still one year left, so do as you wish. I won’t act until then."

It seems like he’s making a guarantee regarding my remaining time at school, but I don’t trust it. It wouldn’t be surprising if he changes his mind tomorrow and shamelessly sends new ‘assassins’ after me.

"Have you considered the possibility that I might change my mind and rebel during this time?"

"Change? Impossible. You should be well aware. In order to fully unleash your value and the meaning of your existence, my assistance is indispensable. In case it happens, there is only one end— to me drawing a bow and shooting an arrow, isn't there?"

This world is not about freedom or not, but about life and death.

This man doesn’t care at all about what happens to his own flesh and blood.

"No matter how confident you are in your physical abilities, a single bullet to the wrong spot can end it all."

There is no way to fully protect yourself 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In fact, I’ve been killed many times during the White Room simulations.

Attacks while sleeping, shots from blind spots, or tampering with food.

I’ve pushed my mental strength to the limit to increase my chances of survival, but that doesn’t mean I can keep my life safe.

I’ve been taught this repeatedly in training.

"Stop thinking about unnecessary things, Kiyotaka."

Unnecessary things also include the school plans mentioned earlier.

"If you want things to go as you wish, you need to make me believe that you can bring benefits."

"Oh? So— what do you want?"

He said it in a tone that didn’t believe I had anything to offer.

I really don’t have any worldly desires.

"How is Yagami, who was sent here to make me drop out of school, no, to check my condition?"

"You really want to know that?"

Honestly, Yagami doesn’t matter to me, but he certainly does to Amasawa.

"Of course I got rid of him."

The man had the same expression as always, making it impossible to read his thoughts. After adjusting his breathing, he continued:

"He was also one of the better talents in the White Room. Now, he’s undergoing a new education."

"Second education?"

"He had too abnormal feelings for you. This could also be seen as an experiment to eliminate those feelings."

"So, will Amasawa end up like Yagami one day?"

"That's right. But I'll leave her alone for the next two years. After she graduates or drops out of school, I'll take her back and verify how she's different from Yagami."

"The premise is that she obediently follows orders."

"I’ll educate her until she listens. Even someone with your talent, resisting me is not easy. If she doesn’t obey, she’ll be dealt with."

Normally, other people’s lives and fates aren’t easily manipulated, but this man can do it. Many children’s fates are decided before they are born, with their paths leading to the White Room. This shows that he must have an extremely detailed background.

If Amasawa develops a rebellious streak at this school, he can simply use Yagami as a shield.

Amasawa cannot abandon Yagami.

It’s because she’s been filled with emotions, that’s why she acts this way.

No, whether there are emotions or not, the outcome doesn’t change. Perhaps the outcome has already been decided.

Objectively speaking, Amasawa will directly ignore this man’s orders.

If the man acts, she can counter it.

She could expose the White Room to the world, forcefully ruin the plans, potentially putting it in a desperate situation.

But I don’t think Amasawa would do that.

At least not now.

Even I wouldn’t do that.

Or rather, I can’t think of doing that.

The influence from childhood education has already deeply ingrained itself, it cannot be erased.

"You seem to care a lot about Yagami and Amasawa."

"Even though I’ve never met him, he’s almost like a younger brother to me."

"That’s quite a joke. It seems that in these two years, the influence of being an ordinary student has certainly had an effect."

The White Room prohibited all forms of play.

"You should welcome this change, shouldn’t you?"

"If I had to say, I do welcome it. You, during your White Room period... leaving aside whether it was good or not, you were basically just a machine. Now at least, you look human on the surface, and that will be your asset in the future."

He thinks that as long as the final control is in his hands, he doesn’t need to care.

"Is that all you wanted to confirm? Can I go back now?"

"Why are you in such a hurry? We don’t get many chances to talk like this."

"Nobody’s really looking forward to that kind of opportunity."

The man’s stay here is long enough to be nauseating.

"The homeroom teacher mentioned that you’ve done your best to help the class grow. Although the classroom is just a microcosm of society, helping the class get into Class A is not bad. Well done."

"I didn't expect you to praise me for something so low-level."

"From a strength perspective, moving up to the next class isn’t difficult for you. I’m not just praising you for that, but for your attitude toward wanting to be at the top. The you before you enrolled wouldn’t have been so focused on these things."

"Maybe, but your expectations might be disappointed. I didn’t do this for first place. The evidence is that I plan to transfer to a lower class afterward."

"Oh? Intentionally moving to a lower class? Then pulling the lower class up, huh?"

"Who knows, whether it's right or wrong."

I do have that intention.

But it’s more interesting if you don’t see the result.

"That’s quite an interesting omen."

I don’t want to waste words in such a place, but this man doesn’t seem to want to let me off the hook yet.

"Your goal is—"

I was almost getting annoyed. Just as I was about to speak, I heard footsteps going up the stairs.

Considering the time, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Koenji father and son had arrived. The moment he saw the owner of the footsteps, the man’s expression changed instantly.

The person who appeared should be Koenji’s father. Tall with a muscular build. He seemed to have noticed us as well, and stopped after coming up the stairs.

At this moment, the man beside me took action.

"You are President Koenji, right?"

He stepped forward, pretending to be surprised, and bowed.

He had come for the three-way meeting, and it was indeed a coincidence to run into this father and son.

The other man didn’t speak but stared intently at the man below him. The aura and pressure he gave off were genuine.

"Sorry, who are you?"

After being asked, the man immediately introduced himself to Koenji’s father.

"Apologies for the late introduction. I am Ayanokoji Atsuomi, a member of the Kōei Party. I've always wanted to meet President Koenji, but I didn’t expect to meet here at the place of a meeting with my son. What an unexpected coincidence."

"No need for the business card, I don’t accept them."

"I see. I’ll try my best to make sure President Koenji remembers me. If possible, could you spare me some time after the meeting ends? You won’t regret it."

The man lowered his head again. I didn’t want to know why he was so interested in Koenji’s father or why he made such a fuss over it.

"Sorry, I have an appointment after this meeting, please excuse me."

It seemed that Koenji’s father had realized that the other man had been intentionally pretending it was a coincidence.

Of course, this man wouldn’t just back down so easily; he wouldn’t compromise that easily.

"——I see. President Koenji is looking forward to this appointment so much. I am very curious about it."

The man raised his head to take control of the situation. He must have already known the details, but he was confirming them once more.

It seemed that the pretense of coincidence had been exposed, and as a result, the impression would worsen.

It looked like, even if he continued the topic forcefully, this man would drag the other into his territory.

"The time is almost up, I’ll take my leave."

After Koenji’s father said this, the man obediently stepped aside to make way.

As we brushed past each other, Koenji’s father and I exchanged glances. His gaze was sharper than Ayanokoji Atsuomi’s.

It wasn’t just his identity or title; his perfect physique radiated absolute confidence.

He seemed to be in his 40s or 50s, though his physical prime should have passed a while ago.

In that instant, I understood that he was an incredibly formidable person, and Koenji’s talent was undoubtedly inherited from him.

"As a child, he’s too—"

He seemed to want to say something to me, but in the end, he didn’t finish his sentence.

He didn’t stop walking and continued towards the educational consultation room.

"It’s not so easy to succeed. Well, thinking about it, I figured as much."

"I knew from the start you weren’t interested in my three-way meeting; it seems your real goal was to meet with Koenji’s father."

It seems he had only decided to come to the school after seeing Koenji’s name near mine.

However, this man couldn’t control the meeting times. If Koenji’s meeting had been much later than mine, he probably wouldn’t have come.

"He’s arguably the biggest supporter of the Citizen’s Party. He’s provided significant amounts of money and is one of the most important VIPs of the Citizen’s Party."

In other words, for the man in front of me, he was one of the supporters of the enemy.

"If we could sway him, the situation would change drastically."

"Then why meet here at the school?"

"It’s impossible. This guy’s schedule is packed, and he spends most of his time abroad."

There was no way to approach him. So, as soon as his whereabouts were discovered, he rushed over.

"Even so, it's not that easy to succeed."

At this moment, however, the man didn’t seem to care.

He took out his phone and answered a call.

"Okay, I'll meet you there."

After a brief conversation with someone, he didn’t say anything else to me and started walking down the stairs.

The result of the conversation was just a meaningless waste of time.

The man had no intention of staying with me, so I simply watched him leave from where I stood.

Part 3

Later, the next person to appear at the stairs was Koenji Rokusuke.

He was humming a tune as he approached.

I thought he’d just walk past me, but he stopped.

"Ayanokoji boy, mind if I disturb you for a bit?"

"Huh? You’re actually approaching me, that’s rare."

"Is the timing not right?"

"No, I’m just surprised that you’re the one to start a conversation."

Koenji smiled and adjusted his hair.

"I just wanted to give you a little warning. Your recent actions have become more noticeable."

"Noticeable actions? I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"No need to play dumb, like the special exam at the end of the school year."

His tone was blunt, and it seemed that his "warning" was no joke.

"Are you talking about the Maezono situation? That was something I had to do for the class’s victory. I’ve already explained it properly afterward, haven’t I?"

Koenji gave a dismissive smile and continued:

"Do you remember what I said before? About hard to tell if what you say is true or false."

"Yeah, I remember."

"Your words always have something off about them. For the class? You were just dealing with a traitor, everything was decided on your own."

Unlike with Kushida or Karuizawa, his perspective was unique.

"Trying to sway the public doesn’t work on me."

I had no idea what Koenji was thinking. Then, he took a mirror out of his pocket and held it up in front of me.

"Take a look at your own expression, the truth might be in the mirror."

The reflection in the mirror was just the usual me.

"Sorry, I don’t understand. The mirror only reflects what’s in front of it."

"It seems we see different things, or maybe you see it but refuse to admit it."

"Aren’t you the one who doesn’t care about the class, Koenji? No matter what anyone does, you should remain indifferent. So why talk about giving me a warning now?"

"If there are flies and mosquitoes buzzing around, it kills your mood, right? So you wave them away. That’s all."

"What's there to hesitate about? If something's annoying, you should just deal with it quickly."

He even gave me a special warning and told me that I had to take measures.

I continued:

"But you won’t actually do that, right? Sure, the flying around is a bit annoying, but there’s no real harm."

Up until now, Koenji rarely took matters into his own hands.

He only intervened when things became genuinely dangerous, like with Yamanouchi and Hirata's rampages.

"I’ll accept your advice, but I have my own ideas."

After attempting to speak openly, Koenji’s attitude didn’t change much.

"Ayanokoji boy, from now on, do as you please. Whenever you want to read someone’s mind, go ahead, it’s up to you. It’s your freedom. Weaklings without power are destined to be trampled by the strong. There’s a world where morals and common sense don’t apply. Those who can’t stop something have no right to speak of injustice."

Indeed, Koenji is exactly the kind of person he described.

That’s why I found it strange that he stopped by.

The three-way discussion was about to start, and yet he made time for this warning.

And with some rather unpleasant metaphors.

There must be something that has affected him in a real way.

"Just say it, Koenji. We don’t have much time left."

I decided to press him directly and see how he would react.

If this man stayed in the class, it would create dangerous repercussions in the long run.

I needed to reassess whether I should eliminate him for Horikita’s sake.

"Looks like you’ve made up your mind to play the villain until the end."

"Do you understand what I’m thinking?"

"Easy as pie, I’m quite perceptive."

Perceptive? The real reason is not quite that.

There’s no more to be gained from continuing this conversation. The situation isn’t favorable now, and it will only worsen later.

"When I entered this school, I planned to spend three years as an ordinary student. But through day after day of school life, I realized what I wanted to do, and now I’m just putting it into practice. The battle for the A-Class throne isn’t about having one outstanding student or a strong duo. It’s about three, or even four, powerful classes competing at once. That’s all there is to it."

"So you want to transfer classes to forcibly adjust the balance between them, huh?"

As expected, Koenji understood I was considering switching classes.

"I don’t deny it. Whether it’s possible or not, we’ll see. Even without the class transfer, I’ll do what I can to maintain a fierce competition between the four classes."

"Do as you like. But I hope you’re satisfied just playing with the little girl and the dragon boy."

"Sorry, I can’t promise to only act within that scope. Just like with Sakura and Maezono. If necessary in the future, even Wang Mei-yu could be made to withdraw without hesitation."

For the self-important Koenji, the only exception is the existence of Mii-chan.

Even though Koenji maintained the same expression, his eyebrows slightly twitched.

"Hehe."

Koenji laughed to himself.

"I’ve repeatedly stated that I’m not interested— are you hoping for me to take action?"

It seems the provocation had indeed taken effect.

"Who knows? I never said I wanted you to act."

Our gazes met.

I’m very clear that you’re not fixated on A-Class.

If things don’t work internally, you’ll change the situation from the outside.

If I transfer out of Horikita’s class, things will change, Koenji.

"Give it up. You do possess extraordinary talent, but it won’t work on me. Even those numbers and word games on paper won’t help. If I show my real abilities, you’ll be the one embarrassed."

In other words, even if it comes down to academic ability, he believes he will win.

"Anyone could say that, even Ike and Hondo. Why not show a little?"

"No motivation to demonstrate. I intend to keep my conventional learning to a minimum. If I base my thinking solely on worldly knowledge, my thoughts will become rigid. That’s very unimaginative and boring. A Look at you, and I understand."

I have indeed absorbed a vast amount of knowledge accumulated in this world, and I’ve thought about the basic principles behind that knowledge.

"Exactly because I don’t know, I can give my own answer."

The idea was too unique, and it didn’t sound like a lie.

Koenji has excellent learning abilities, but he intentionally avoids fully absorbing knowledge.

After putting the mirror back in his pocket, he walked away.

It would be quite interesting if Koenji could avoid causing trouble for Horikita and instead make a good contribution. Could such a scenario appear in the future?

It’s unclear for now.

Part 4

Chairman's Office.

Standing with a tense expression was the usual occupant of the room, Sakayanagi.

After greeting the guest, Kijima, alone, the atmosphere in the room became quiet and heavy, with even sighs seeming exhausting.

After a while, accompanied by a loud noise, the door was opened.

To Sakanagi’s surprise, the second guest arrived.

"Prime Minister Kijima, the guest has arrived."

Upon hearing the report from the man in black, Kijima signaled with his fingers for the guest to enter.

A tall man— Koenji— entered the room.

Prime Minister Kijima stood up from his seat and shook Koenji’s hand firmly.

"It’s been a long time, Mr. Koenji. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you."

"Good, I’ve also been looking forward to this, Prime Minister. It’s been three years."

"Yes."

Both were smiling, and after the handshake, they sat back down in their respective seats.

"Looks like you’ve achieved good results, Prime Minister."

"Thanks to Mr. Koeji’s great help, I’ve been able to act without worry."

"But the higher your position, the more likely you are to be attacked, regardless of whether the attacker is an enemy or a friend."

"Indeed, I understand that the world of politics is like this, but there’s no way to avoid it."

"It would be nice if a leader emerged who could unify the world."

Sakanagi, who was planning to act as a passive listener, quickly realized that both of them held each other in high regard.

"Wait a minute, this is difficult for us."

From outside the Chairman's office, the voice of the man in black came in a panic. Shortly after, the door was forcefully opened.

"Apologies for the interruption."

Just as the two had seated themselves, Ayanokoji Atsuomi forcefully barged in.

In stark contrast to Sakayanagi’s flustered appearance, the other two showed no signs of moving.

"Ayanokoji-sensei, we are currently receiving guests..."

Sakayanagi reluctantly stepped forward to stop him, but Kijima gently raised his hand to halt him.

He then flashed a smile, revealing his freshly corrected, white teeth, and gently opened his arms as if welcoming someone.

"It’s alright. It’s these little interruptions that make things interesting."

After speaking, Kijima exchanged a look with Koenji, who nodded in agreement.

"This isn't... Prime Minister Kijima, is it? To think I would encounter you here, I never could have imagined it."

Looking at Ayanokoji who was pretending to be surprised, Kijima still had a calm expression.

"There's no need to be so surprised. After all, I served as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, and I’ve done my small part for this highly-developed school. This is Mr. Koenji, the president of the school, very well known. Mr. Ayanokoji, as a congressman, you must have heard of him?"

Kijima tentatively asked Ayanokoji.

"To think Prime Minister Kijima remembers my name, I’m truly honored."

As a former core member of the Citizen's Party and a close confidant of the late Naoe, Ayanokoji had been ousted from politics, switched parties, and returned to the stage once again.

Ayanokoji believed his name was not an unknown one.

"Is he someone famous?" Koenji asked Kijima with a smile.

"It’s not about fame. A Prime Minister should remember the faces and names of all the members of parliament." Kijima replied.

It wasn’t about Ayanokoji's political achievements, just a simple recollection of the person. Kijima emphasized this point.

He understood that doing so would make self-centered politicians like Ayanokoji feel anxious.

"Prime Minister Kijima, you’re joking, right? You remember the names and faces of all the members of parliament?"

"Of course."

While Kijima gave an affirmative answer, the number of members of parliament exceeds 700.

True or false? Ayanokoji immediately judged it to be a lie, but there was no good way to verify it at the scene.

"Alright, what brings you here, Mr. Ayanokoji?"

"I came to speak with President Koenji. I heard he was here."

"Where did you hear that?"

Koenji, with his elbow resting on the armrest and his wrist pressed against his chin, exuded an air of pressure.

"I’m not sure. I think it was from one of the school staff members. It seemed like they happened to see it."

This wasn't the truth. Ayanokoji knew that after the special end-of-year exams, Kijima and Koenji would be meeting here at this time and place.

The statement made earlier was just an excuse from Ayanokoji.

Normally, it would be impossible to have a conversation with Kijima in such a confined space with so few people.

But for someone like Ayanokoji, who wouldn’t back off even if disliked, it was a perfect opportunity to stir things up.

Although Kijima appeared less imposing than in his younger years, giving off no sense of threat, that didn’t mean he was easy to defeat. Ayanokoji knew he had to remain vigilant and aware of this danger.

Most people would think that Koenji's presence beside them is stronger.

Such a hasty thought is clearly very dangerous.

Kijima is a man who can achieve everything with an air of nonchalance.

"However, I believe I’ve already declined your request, Mr. Ayanokoji."

"I’m someone who doesn’t give up easily. Please, grant me some time."

"So you pushed past the security and barged in here?"

"It’s in my nature."

At this point, Koenji began reassessing the value of the man before him.

Ayanokoji was doing the same.

The question now is how much value he could offer as an ally, or whether he should be seen as an enemy to be eliminated.

To confirm this, the timing is crucial.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Ayanokoji. Could we perhaps reschedule...?"

Sakayanagi, who had been silent until now, spoke up to stop him.

But Ayanokoji, undeterred, took a step forward.

"Are you two discussing important matters?"

"No, we’re just catching up like an old friend." Kijima naturally denied, with Ayakoji chiming in:

"Then please, allow me to join."

"A bold man, you must have countless enemies."

Koenji remarked, disliking people like Ayanokoji, but still acknowledging his bravery.

"Well, whether they’re friends or foes, I speak my mind." Ayanokoji replied.

"With too many of these kinds of politicians, it would be hard for the Prime Minister to manage," Koenji added.

"He worked under the late Naoe, the man I respect most. Given that, it’s no surprise he has such a temperament." Kijima smiled, agreeing with Ayanokoji’s attitude.

At the same time, Ayanokoji became even more cautious.

As expected, this man knows that I’m not just an ordinary marginal figure among the politicians.

"How about listening to him Mr. Koenji, for a bit? Perhaps it will pique your interest in Mr. Ayanokoji. After all, such an opportunity is rare. Please, have a seat." Kijima urged Ayanokoji to sit down. However, Ayanokoji declined, saying:

"I’ll stand, considering the circumstances. This is the best position for me."

After the polite refusal, Kijima turned to Koenji again for his opinion.

Though Koenji appeared less than enthusiastic, he agreed to let Ayanokoji remain there.

"Your son is also at this school, his name should be... Kiyotaka, right?"

"You even know my son's name?"

"I don’t just remember the names of politicians." Kijima responded calmly.

Sakayanagi clearly wavered. Kijima had indeed observed a small part of the special exams, but he didn’t expect it to leave such a deep impression.

"In fact, I visited this school not long ago, to witness Koenji’s son and observed the second-year special exams — and thus I remembered a very outstanding student."

Ayanokoji knew this to be true, but he couldn’t say it outright.

Since Kijima had watched the special exam, in theory, only he and the school staff should know about it.

Therefore, even Sakayanagi, as the chairman, had no reason to suspect that Ayanokoji was aware of the details of the special exam.

Ayanokoji saw this as an opportunity.

"What do you think of my son's performance, Prime Minister?"

After just one observation of the students in their playful exams, Kijima recognized Kiyotaka’s presence.

Ayanokoji was curious about Kijima’s thoughts.

"He could easily become a politician even better than you from now on."

There was no hesitation in Kijima’s praise for Kiyotaka.

It seemed like a compliment, but it wasn’t quite that.

The implication was that Ayanokoji was a politician even inferior to a child.

"As a parent, there’s nothing that would make me happier than hearing the Prime Minister say this about my son."

Ayanokoji responded on the surface by thanking Kijima.

"Thanks to your efforts, I assume he must have received special education?"

"Nothing special, it’s all thanks to this school."

On purpose, he dropped a bait that might lead to the White Room.

As soon as Kijima switched to talking about children, he had already thought ahead about the conversation that would follow and subtly guided it.

"Mr. Ayanokoji, you said you wanted to talk to me. However, I’m a supporter of the Citizen’s Party, and you belong to the Kōei Party."

"Indeed, but I, like Prime Minister Kijima, was once a member of the Citizen’s Party."

After Kijima took office, the Citizen’s Party’s previously unstable support ratings began to rise steadily, a result of long-term political influence. On the other hand, the Kōei Party, to which Ayanokoji belongs, is in an absolutely disadvantageous position, a faction that only voices discontent.

"It’s about time I asked, why did you leave the party?"

"If I stayed in the Citizen’s Party, it would be detrimental to some people."

Even though the central figure of the Citizen’s Party was sitting before him, Ayanokoji had no reservations.

"Mr. Ayanokoji, you are someone who dares to think and speak. While alive, Mr. Naoe also praised this point but also said it made him feel fear. No matter the faction, since you’ve just returned to politics, shouldn’t you avoid making statements that might cause misunderstandings?"

"I appreciate the Prime Minister's frank advice, but my straightforward nature is also something that some of my supporters recognize and support. To remind myself not to fall into the trap of becoming a politician who uses sophistry and other methods to wriggle out of difficult situations, being outspoken and putting my thoughts into practice has become my creed."

"I see. I actually wanted to consult you about something. If possible, would you want to return to your position in the Citizen’s Party?"

"No, I have no such thoughts at the moment."

Even if Ayanokoji had wanted to, Kijima would never agree. He would be rejected during the review stage by the board members. His words were merely a formality.

Although a local district member of the parliament can freely switch political parties, it wouldn't be so easy for Ayanokoji. If he could have joined the Citizen’s Party from the start, he wouldn't have sought a position in the Kōei Party.

"So, does this mean you plan to start from the Kōei Party and change the political structure of Japan?"

"Exactly. Under Prime Minister Kijima, it’s basically impossible. But do you know about the principle of the pointer rule? The political trend has already shifted significantly towards the direction you’ve planned. It doesn't matter whether it’s left or right. What’s certain is that you and I are positioned in opposing camps."

When the next major shift in politics happens, the pointer will definitely swing towards him.

Ayanokoji was very certain about this statement.

"You speak with a surprisingly equal tone when addressing the current Prime Minister, Mr. Ayanokoji."

"I’m not afraid. Because I don’t have to watch my back or care about the opinions of others just to hold onto my position as a member of parliament."

"Mr. Ayanokoji, you are currently a member of the Kōei Party, do you understand that?"

The difference in the nature of the Citizen’s Party and the Kōei Party also led to a gap between the two parties.

What Koenji said was exactly a warning to Ayanokoji: there might be no room for him to be taken in.

"To speak frankly, I don't understand at all. Could you explain in more detail?"

"Alright, as you wish. Although Prime Minister Kijima has concerns about you, I don’t judge people based on good and evil. Nor do I judge based on political parties. I care only about whether a person has the capability. At least right now, Mr. Ayanokoji has no chance of winning against Prime Minister Kijima. Let alone providing you with help, even listening to you would be meaningless."

"Thank you for your harsh criticism."

"Mr. Ayanokoji, President Koenji is a capable person. But do you know why he doesn't see you as a rival? It's not because of my relationship with him. You once stumbled and were elected by the people. In other words, you also have a certain level of support. It goes without saying that the country's survival method and direction have nothing to do with the same or different parties, and it doesn't matter even if they are from different parties. However, the people are not fools. Don't simply think that they will pointlessly nominate someone who shows his ambition to the fullest."

Kijima carefully analyzed and explained what Koenji said.

"I gave you time, thinking you would say something interesting. No need to continue. Please leave, Mr. Ayanokoji. You are an exceedingly boring man."

"I’m sorry I couldn’t meet everyone’s expectations."

Even though he didn’t gain much, he still deepened their awareness of his presence.

"I should leave now."

He had forced open this door, and now it was time for him to exit.

"By the way, your son won his class the victory in the recent special exams. He is undoubtedly an excellent person. Regarding this, we can talk more when the opportunity arises."

"Thank you for the compliment, Prime Minister. I also look forward to the next opportunity for conversation."

After finishing his words and bowing, Ayanokoji turned towards the door behind him.

Koenji had been looking at Ayanokoji with a bored expression the entire time, but now, for the first time, he showed some interest.

"Since Prime Minister Kijima has mentioned it, as a parent, I can't ignore this."

"After all, President Koenji's son is also very talented."

Hearing these words, Ayanokoji halted his steps as he was about to turn.

"During the recent three-way discussion, Kiyotaka also mentioned that he will switch to another class. This means he’ll be in a different class from your son. It looks like they’ll start competing with each other."

Chairman Sakayanagi was also surprised by this. After all, only Ayanokoji knew about this at the moment.

"Is that so, Mr. Ayanokoji?"

"Yes, he told me that in person."

"He just barely made it into Class A, and now he’s going to move to a lower class…?"

"My son is very excellent. He thinks of things that ordinary people can't even imagine, and puts them into practice. Perhaps there are no rivals in this school who can match him, so he sets the difficulty for himself."

If Koenji’s son really has the ability, then this might also be a clever provocation.

Ayanokoji’s intentions had an effect far beyond expectations.

"I see. No wonder I felt such a atmosphere at that time— Mr. Sakayanagi."

"Ah, yes?"

"If Mr. Ayanokoji's son really does change classes, could you pass a message to my son for me?"

"I would be happy to do so. What message would you like me to convey?"

"As a condition to acknowledge your true freedom, I order you to keep your current class as Class A until graduation. If you pass this message, he will naturally understand. This way, whether he likes it or not, our sons will end up competing with each other."

"I... I understand. But why do you want to do this?"

"Although I don't know which class Mr. Ayanokoji’s son will be in, the idea of giving himself a challenge and starting over is interesting. At least there is something worth paying attention to. And I think it’s good to give my son a trial. Though I’m not sure if he’s enough of a match."

"So you’re asking him to learn from Kiyotaka, Mr. Koenji. After all, showing your son an insurmountable wall isn’t a bad thing."

Facing Ayanokoji’s greater provocation, Koenji slightly twitched his eyebrow.

"Although he is still a young bird, I have given him the proper education."

"I see. So you’re saying our positions are exactly the opposite? It’s natural to give a high evaluation to one’s own beloved son, but I think the same applies to me. It seems we lack the evidence to judge which side is superior."

Ayanokoji continued before anyone else could speak.

"How about we make a bet? If Kiyotaka can prevent your son’s class from graduating as Class A, then let’s agree to meet again, in a one-on-one format where no one will disturb us."

This would be a competition based entirely on the excellence of their sons, unrelated to their political or corporate positions.

Upon hearing this proposal, Koenji finally smiled, the corner of his mouth curling up.

"Quite interesting, Mr. Ayanokoji. I accept this bet, but if your son fails to stop my son’s class from graduating as Class A, you will have to permanently leave your position as a member of the Parliament. Is that acceptable?"

Hearing this, Ayanokoji’s expression immediately turned serious.

Seeing him remain silent for a while, Koenji’s smile widened again.

"I was just joking. No need to take it so seriously. Rather, I’d say your lack of an immediate response shows a mature and calm judgment."

After speaking, Koenji clapped his hands two or three times.

Although Ayanokoji would usually accept the conditions on instinct, this time, he still made a calm judgment.

In terms of individual ability, there was no way Kiyotaka could lose. However, Ayanokoji wasn’t obsessed with Class A, and he wasn’t sure whether his son would take action for this.

Additionally, if the condition were hastily passed to Kiyotaka, there was concern that he might align himself with Koenji’s faction.

"You are so generous, Mr. Koenji."

His biggest supporter might become a hostile force. However, Kijima didn’t seem concerned about this at all.

Instead, he was watching the situation with great interest, as a mere bystander.

"Life needs a bit of fun."

"Well said."

"I will be leaving Japan for a while. Once the results are in, contact me. After my son has claimed victory, I will be happy to return to the country."

"As for the results, I’ll be the one to inform you, Mr. Koenji."

As the intermediary, Kijima’s words declared the start of this bet.

Part 5

After leaving the school, Ayanokoji sat in the back seat of the black sedan parked at the main entrance.

"Good work. How do you feel about Prime Minister Kijima?"

The driver, Tsukishiro, turned around to ask.

"He's an old fox. I’ve also confirmed his strength."

This didn’t mean that Ayanokoji had successfully tested him, but rather that he had confirmed Kijima’s deep and unfathomable capabilities.

But for Ayanokoji, it was still a gain.

"After all, he's the leader of the Citizen’s Party."

As someone who had long been involved with the Citizen’s Party, Tsukishiro was used to this kind of situation.

"I was thinking that meeting him directly might throw them off balance."

"Many people are deceived by that ordinary appearance, but he really does have some skill. Did you manage to make them remember you?"

Ayanokoji crossed his arms and motioned for the car to start.

"Politicians are embodiments of dignity. So if they think they can suppress my spirit, I’ll behave properly."

Although he indirectly set traps several times, it had no effect on Ayanokoji.

"Prime Minister Kijima also made a bit of a miscalculation. After all, you don’t have dignity that you must protect. But when you were at the school, you also watched the video of the special exam from a few days ago. Your son has grown up well. Without hesitation, he used a woman’s emotions— that must be inherited from you."

Tsukishiro had secretly contacted people involved with the school and obtained the exam footage.

Ayanokoji had also watched the footage before attending the meeting today. Because of this, even though some of the information today was only known to Kijima’s faction, Ayanokoji remained unfazed.

"For myself, I use anything I can. It’s all about learning and applying it."

"Data collection is quite tedious, but there’s no benefit in keeping it. Shall I dispose of it?"

Upon receiving confirmation, Tsukishiro held the USB drive in his hand without looking at Ayanokoji in the back seat. He then broke the drive into two pieces and immediately threw it into the trash can installed in the central console’s cup holder.

"There's one more person. How's President Koenji doing?"

"He’s closer to Kijima than I expected. This isn’t a relationship that could be formed overnight."

One couldn’t underestimate Koenji’s personal instincts either.

"The Prime Minister has the ability, and his backing is strong. The Citizen’s Party will likely be secure for the next decade."

"Unless something unexpected happens. But in this world, no matter how high your status or how strong your abilities, there are things beyond your control. Sometimes, even the strongest can fall before unforeseen circumstances—"

"Where there is light, there must be darkness. That’s a very fitting way of thinking for you, Mr. Ayanokoji."

"And there are also unexpected gains."

"Oh? A gain?"

If Kiyotaka could defeat the class that Koenji's son is in, the meeting with Koenji would be possible.

Although it's just a playful bet, there’s no doubt that that man would honor the agreement.

For Ayanokoji, having a conversation without any interference would be a rare opportunity for persuasion.

"I didn’t expect a situation where Kiyotaka could be useful would come up so soon. It’s true that you don’t know until you act."

Ayanokoji didn’t hold excessive expectations.

Even so, this small opportunity, like a stroke of luck, was one he would not let slip by.

Chapter 8

Celebration

Part 1

Part 2

After changing clothes and checking the menu on my phone, the sound of the rice being cooked echoed through the room. I've been too busy lately, eating at restaurants one day, and convenience stores the next. But today, I’ve returned to cooking for myself.

I opened the rice cooker lid, and the fragrant aroma of rice spread through the air.

The appetizing scent is created by amino acids generated from the breakdown of proteins in the rice, and carbonyl compounds formed by the sugar reactions from the breakdown of starch.

With my left hand, I grabbed a bowl, and with my right hand, I scooped the rice.

I served a normal portion in the bowl, then put a small portion of rice in another bowl— this was an unconscious action by my left hand.

"There's no need for this anymore, is there?"

In recent months, this kind of muscle memory has been happening often.

I placed the side dishes and miso soup on the tray and moved to the bedroom table.

Compared to a few days ago, the room had a slightly unappealing look to it.

Since the beginning of our relationship until a few days ago, Karuizawa's personal belongings had been gradually increasing each day.

It’s no wonder I’m not used to it all disappearing at once.

By the way, the piled-up belongings were taken by Karuizawa’s friends: Sato, Sonoda, and Ishikura. Since she hasn’t expressed her intention to meet me, it’s good to have some friends help.

Among them, Sato still wonders if Karuizawa really broke up with me. Though she’s quite concerned, the reality of the situation won’t change.

In the end, after repeatedly explaining that I was the one who was dumped, we concluded the conversation.

I understand that constantly denying the situation is showing a lack of social awareness.

But this is the best option. Karuizawa Kei, although somewhat awkward, has beauty, good friends, and a place in her class. On the other hand, I’m more of a shadowy figure. Someone like me breaking up with Karuizawa would be a stain on her future. In fact, Karuizawa did nothing wrong.

While eating breakfast in front of the TV, my phone screen lit up.

"Good morning. Want to meet today?"

I thought I’d read the message after finishing my meal, but another message came in.

"Must be pretty empty after being dumped by your girlfriend."

"Did it already spread to Horikita?" I thought.

I figured the rumor would spread slowly during spring break...

The girls' information network is probably as fast as lightning.

Well, no choice, I picked up my phone and replied.

"After 10, I’m free."

"Then let’s meet at 11 at the Keyaki Mall cafe."

After two back-and-forth exchanges, we agreed on the meeting.

I met up with Horikita at Keyaki Mall and we headed to the cafe.

However, the cafe was quite busy today, and we had to wait for a few tables.

"Really troublesome."

"Whether we wait or change places, I’m fine with either."

When asked if we wanted to register our names on a waiting list, Horikita hesitated slightly.

"…I see. Then let’s change places. It’s fine to just sit on a bench."

I didn’t particularly mind, so I followed Horikita as we moved.

We decided to sit on a bench near the vending machines by the bathroom on the second floor, as it was empty.

"I’ll treat you, Ayanokoji-kun."

"Is that so? I would’ve stayed in the cafe if I knew. Should we head back?"

"I won’t treat you at the cafe, though. Do you still want to go back?"

"…I see."

"So, what’s it going to be? If you really want to pay for it yourself, I won’t stop you."

"Then I’ll take a black coffee, hot."

If I argue, she won’t treat me, so I’ll just go along with it.

It was obvious that money would be tight in the future, so every yen had to be cherished.

Horikita bought two of the same drinks from the vending machine and handed one to me.

"Drink it while it’s hot. You can taste the single life."

"Is that a consolation or a provocation?"

"I don’t know. Which one do you think it is?"

Probably... No, without a doubt, it’s a provocation.

After staring at me for a moment, Horikita tilted her head with an incredulous expression.

"Did you really break up with Karuizawa-san? Honestly, I can't believe it."

"I didn’t hide it, it’s true. Where did you hear this from?"

"Kushida-san was so excited to tell me that you got dumped pretty badly. Do you want to know exactly how she said it?"

I wanted to prepare myself and confirm how things were being passed around.

"Go ahead, let me hear it."

"She said you were crying and screaming that you didn’t want to break up, desperately clinging to Karuizawa-san’s legs, like this and that."

It seems like she made it sound a bit too miserable…

"I wouldn’t expect someone as calm as you to do something like that, but I’ll just take it as the truth."

"Ah—"

"I was joking. It seems even Kushida-san doesn’t know how you broke up."

After all, we chose the karaoke room to avoid being overheard.

Of course, if Karuizawa explained it that way, I would just have to accept it.

No... Even so, I couldn’t help but feel reluctant. I guess I could rest easy for now.

Although I had somewhat come to terms with it, I learned today that there’s a limit to everything.

"I guess I just wasn’t good enough for her."

"Is that so? I don’t think that’s the case. I believe Karuizawa-san really cherished you."

"Women are born actresses, right? Or maybe she found someone better."

At my dismissive explanation, Horikita showed a complex expression on her face.

"Although I can’t deny that possibility…"

"What’s with that meaningful look?"

"I wanted to enjoy seeing your disappointment, but you’re completely indifferent."

For such a shallow topic, she should have solved it through text or a call.

"You specifically asked to meet up just to check my expression?"

"Exactly."

What a wicked personality.

"When it comes to matters between men and women, talking about it too much makes me seem insensitive. Let’s leave it at that."

"Please let’s leave it at that."

Horikita was finally getting to the main topic.

"Actually, it's about the situation after the special exam, regarding Maezono-san. The atmosphere now makes it hard to honestly express joy, right? Everyone feels somewhat lost."

"Well, maybe. Everyone is focused on the chaos in other classes."

It wasn’t surprising that we weren’t more excited or thrilled about the victory.

But right now, the talk of the lower classes was stirring up a lot of attention.

"Yeah. So I was thinking, before we enter the third year, how about we all have a celebration party for the class, to celebrate promoting?"

"A promotion party?"

"Actually, just something simple, where everyone gathers and cheers."

She probably wanted to hear my opinion on this idea.

"After all, it’s hard to discuss these things with the rest of the class, isn’t it?"

"True."

Although we technically won, the cost was Maezono’s expulsion.

Up until the start of spring break, the class atmosphere was still a bit stiff.

Horikita was hoping that if we could at least ease this atmosphere a little, it would be for the better.

"Sounds good— a good idea. But what about the venue?"

"If nearly 40 people gather, choosing the wrong place could cause trouble for the surrounding people, right? So I was thinking we could use the school classrooms on a holiday. The only cost would be for drinks. How about next Friday?"

All club activities are off that day, so it would be the perfect place.

Afterward, we just need approval from the school.

"I’m in favor."

"Can you come?"

"I don't have a reason to refuse."

"Is that so? Then that's good."

After a brief moment of happiness, Horikita's expression slightly darkened again.

"There's one more thing. There's a reason I asked you to meet, though I’m not sure if I’m overthinking it."

After speaking, Horikita fell silent for a few seconds. It seemed like it was hard for her to speak up.

"Is your heart... not hurt? I’m a bit worried."

"My heart?"

"You prioritized the class victory, and as a result, Maezono-san was expelled. Making that decision must have burdened you a lot."

"I’m the one who wanted to take the lead. There’s no need for you to worry, Horikita."

"It’s not just this time, but also the Sakura-san’s incident. You’ve taken on responsibilities that no one would want to carry, to help the class."

Horikita looked at me, her eyes showing a hint of hesitation.

"Because I’m weak, you had to shoulder even more of the burden..."

"Everything I did was my own decision. You don’t need to feel guilty."

"I absolutely need to feel guilty. I can’t help it. I understand my own inadequacy, so at the very least, I want to be a support for you. If you’re struggling, I want you to be honest with me, to say that you want to be taken care of."

I understood the meaning behind Horikita’s words.

Indeed, if other students took similar actions, most of them would likely be devastated.

But unfortunately for me, I don’t feel that way.

What’s efficient, and what’s futile.

Who goes, who stays.

I make judgments like a machine.

This kind of emotion doesn’t need to be understood by Horikita, nor do I want her to understand it.

No, even if I were to reveal the truth here, she would probably just think I’m putting on a front.

"I understand what you mean, but it’s fine for now. If I’m struggling, I’ll definitely consult with you."

"—Really?"

"Sorry for making you worry."

"Not at all... I just... want to be your strength, that's all."

"That statement might cause some misunderstandings, you know."

"…Misunderstandings?"

Horikita tilted her head, not understanding what I meant.

"It kind of sounds like a confession."

"...Huh?"

"I’m free now. Are you applying to be my potential partner?"

After I clarified, it seemed like Horikita finally understood what I was saying.

"...Eh? You’ve started talking nonsense too."

With a sigh, Horikita glared at me.

"Rather than the expulsion incident, I was just pretending to be strong to hide the sadness from being dumped by my girlfriend. So, forgive me."

"That makes no sense."

After finishing our drinks, we briefly talked a bit more.

On the way back, after parting ways with Ayanokoji, who was heading to the bookstore, Horikita walked alone toward the dorm.

A warm breeze of spring blew gently, and her now longer hair fluttered in the wind.

"Potential partner... huh?"

Although it was a silly joke, Horikita reflected on the past.

It had already been two years since she met Ayanokoji.

It was only natural that they had developed a relationship where they could easily tease each other.

But there were still things that made her uneasy.

"Only he... can make me speak like that."

Horikita wouldn't speak to anyone the way she spoke to Ayanokoji.

Whether it was Kushida, Ibuki, or any other student.

There was always something she couldn't quite let go of.

She realized that Ayanokoji was different from the others, in ways that classmates or friends wouldn't be.

Closer to her than anyone else, continuously watching over her.

Over the past two years, Horikita had let go of her guard when it came to Ayanokoji.

"But still, talking about being a lover or something..."

She thought to herself, like an idiot.

While thinking that, she faintly felt the sound of her heart beating.

The subtle signals of her body, which would go unnoticed in a noisy environment.

"...What was that just now?"

An unfamiliar sensation from her heart.

Was it nervousness? Even with that question, she quickly understood that it wasn’t the case and pushed the thought from her mind.

Then what was the reason her heart was racing?

She recalled Ayanokoji's words, which had left him with a show of boldness, disappearing into the distance.

"Do you want to apply to be a potential lover?"

The bewildering gaze from above.

And since she didn’t like him, why would she apply to be his potential lover?

What does "liking" mean?

What does "not liking" mean?

Could she, who had never been aware of the opposite sex before, even understand?

"Forget it, it was just a joke. Thinking seriously about it is a waste of time, it’s so strange."

Horikita tried to shake off the thought, but couldn’t quite manage to.

"...No, I won’t think about it anymore."

Horikita decided to clear her mind.

Because she understood: Any further reflection would only pull her deeper into this quicksand.

Chapter 9

The Promised Night

Part 1

Part 2

The time shifts slightly back from the beginning of April to the end of March.

Since I had some things to take care of starting from the morning, I woke up at 7 AM to begin my day.

By 8 AM, I turned on the TV and played a news program as background music in my room, then sent a message to Ichinose.

『I’ll be out until 3 PM today, hope you can come to my room afterward.』

The message wasn’t very detailed.

However, from last year to the present, I had repeatedly mentioned the promise many times.

So there was no need to explain everything now.

Of course, the huge changes in circumstances around the special exams at the end of the school year were a fact.

It seems that Ichinose developed a fever afterward, missed the graduation ceremony, and then went straight into spring break.

Since then, I hadn’t seen her once.

It was clear that the damage I caused, the deep wound I left, hadn’t healed yet.

The message I sent showed no sign of being read.

Was she sleeping, or had she gotten up and pretended not to notice, or was there another reason?

I tried calling once, but there was no ringing.

It was the kind of voicemail that comes when the power is off or there’s no signal.

『Please contact me if you see this』

After adding a simple line, I set it aside for now.

Today was the day, and Ichinose surely knew that.

If there was still no response today, I would have to make the decision about the outcome on my own.

I looked at the TV. The weather forecast was saying it would be sunny during the day, but expected rain from night to dawn.

While briefly focusing on tidying up my room, the phone rang.

For a moment, I thought it might be Ichinose replying, but it didn’t seem like it.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Ayanokoji! Let’s meet up now!”

I had to pull the phone away from my ear because Ishizaki’s loud voice startled me.

“…Now? It’s just after 8 in the morning.”

“Whenever’s fine, it’s spring break! I’ve got something to talk about.”

“You’re right... I guess an hour or so would be fine. Where should we meet?”

After my question, I wasn’t sure if Ishizaki was still pondering the meeting point.

“An hour should be enough. A place... Hmm— well, anywhere outside will do!”

The invitation was so rushed that I started to doubt whether Ishizaki really had a reason for meeting.

“At least decide on a place.”

“What? Outside the dorm... Ah, wait! I got it, let’s meet at the Keyaki Shopping Center!”

Keyaki Shopping Center? At this time, it wasn’t open, so we couldn’t go in.

But, precisely because of that, there probably wouldn’t be any students around. It seemed like a good place for a secret conversation.

“Alright, I got it.”

“Great, I’ll be there in 10 minutes, see you soon.”

With that, Ishizaki hung up the phone unilaterally.

He was so excited this early in the morning, it was a bit unsettling.

Well, I’d find out when I got there.

Since the time given by the other party wasn’t very flexible, I immediately left the dormitory and arrived at the designated Keyaki Shopping Center.

“Well then—”

I held my phone and tried to find Ishizaki, but there wasn’t a soul in sight.

Five more minutes passed, but there was still no sign of the person who had sent the invitation.

As I was debating whether to contact him again or wait a little longer—

“Ayanokoji-kun?”

Shiina Hiyori appeared and spoke to me. The only commonality between her and Ishizaki was that they were in the same class.

“Good morning, Ayanokoji-kun. What a coincidence.”

“Indeed.”

I responded briefly to her comment, but was it really just a coincidence?

At this time, at Keyaki Shopping Center, running into a classmate of the person who invited me was certainly not impossible, but the likelihood was very low.

“Actually, I just got in touch with Ishizaki-kun... although he wasn’t very clear, I decided to come out anyway. Did you do the same, Ayanokoji-kun?”

It seemed Hiyori had the same idea as me.

“That’s right. Ishizaki just called me out, but didn’t tell me why.”

Hiyori clasped her hands together, looking a little happy and a little relieved.

“Same here. But why, though?”

“It should be nothing bad...”

“Oh, really? You’re both early～”

As Hiyori and I exchanged glances, Ishizaki casually approached while speaking in a relaxed voice.

“It’s about ten minutes later, but here you are, Ishizaki.”

“I went back halfway to grab a shirt. I thought about it, and I just happened to run into my good buddy on the way— well, whatever. We’re here now.”

“Whatever, huh? Yeah, I guess it’s just ‘whatever.’”

In general, the person who initiates the meeting usually sticks to the time or arrives early.

It was something I was used to, so maybe I was being a bit sensitive.

“Right?”

Looking at Ishizaki, who was smiling and nodding, I suddenly thought that relationships between people are constantly changing every day.

We’ve all become more familiar with each other—no, not just familiar, but closer.

I had similar thoughts about Ishizaki in the past.

The changes in our relationship were surprising and interesting.

Was this something everyone feels, or was it just my own realization because I hadn’t formed many friendships before coming here?

“Good morning, Ishizaki-kun.”

After watching us chat for a bit, the considerate Hiyori also greeted Ishizaki thoughtfully.

“Oh, oh, good morning.”

“So, Ishizaki, what’s the reason you called us out here?”

After I urged the conversation forward, Ishizaki deliberately paused, chuckling awkwardly.

Then, he raised his tightly clenched fist in front of me.

“The time has come! Join us as our comrade!!!”

The morning air at Keyaki Shopping Center was filled with his voice.

It was so loud that it even echoed, causing a bird perched on the tree to fly away.

“Sorry, I still don’t quite understand your earlier statement. What exactly do you mean?”

There was no clear explanation, so I couldn’t grasp the meaning behind Ishizaki’s actions and words.

“Don’t be confused! Becoming a comrade means you’ll transfer classes! Transfer classes!”

“You’re talking about this all of a sudden early in the morning?”

“Well, it’s almost April, and I wanted to invite you again today.”

Ishizaki hummed to himself while nodding in satisfaction, arms crossed.

“Ishizaki-kun’s invitation is great, but Ayanokoji-kun has been promoted to Class A. It’s unrealistic to transfer to another class in this situation.”

Hiyori gently explained the current situation to Ishizaki.

Her words were simple and easy to understand, but Ishizaki didn’t accept them.

“The points aren’t that far apart, right? Ryuen-san will catch up in no time. If we turn things around and then you transfer, won’t Ayanokoji’s impression of you get worse? So, it’s better to invite you while we’re still below—”

The words slipped out of Ishizaki’s mouth instinctively.

I see, Ishizaki’s perspective wasn’t entirely wrong.

Normally, the goal would be to transfer to a class that has already firmly secured its spot in Class A, but considering future impressions, it wasn’t a mistake to consider this time. In fact, I had been planning to transfer, but not to Ryuen’s class.

“If I don’t invite you now, someone else might beat me to it.”

Ishizaki’s instincts seemed to have noticed that I was planning to transfer, so his explanation wasn’t entirely impossible.

Hiyori also partially accepted Ishizaki’s counter-argument, showing a look of admiration.

“How about it? Come to our class, Ayanokoji. I know I’ve said it several times, but if you team up with Ryuen-san, you’re unbeatable! What do you say? What do you say?”

No matter how much he emphasized “what do you say,” I couldn’t agree. Ishizaki’s persistence was certainly strong.

“Sorry, it’s not possible. Or rather, it’s unnecessary.”

“What do you mean ‘unnecessary’?”

What would make him accept my response honestly? The best way might be—

“This time, Ryuen’s class has greatly closed the gap with Sakayanagi’s class and is very likely to make it to Class A, even without my help. And as you said, Ryuen will only continue to rise from here. If that’s the case, there’s no need for any measures. Or are you suggesting that without me, Ryuen’s class wouldn’t be able to win?”

Ishizaki likely realizes that Ryuen would be furious if he heard this, so he pauses.

“No, that’s not it...!”

“Let’s talk about it objectively. If you, as his trusted ally, don’t doubt Ryuen’s abilities, then you must believe in his strength. When he brought in Katsuragi, he already patched up the gaps in the class.”

This argument should be enough to halt his next wave of persuasion.

“But... but I...”

Ishizaki falters, showing signs of resistance. But by now, he likely understands that such a poor invitation wouldn’t work.

Since he never considered what the future would be like if I were to team up with Ryuen, continuing down this path would go against the leader’s intent.

“But I... it’s not just for that reason.”

Ishizaki’s face is troubled, but he still won’t give up.

“I simply like you. If we’re in different classes, doesn’t that mean we’ll have to fight each other in the future? That means we’ll become enemies, and there will be no chance to team up. But right now... with Ryuen-san, Ayanokoji, Albert, and Hiyori-san... everyone can be a comrade, and we can all have fun together. As long as you agree, I’m prepared to be beaten up by Ryuen-san!”

Ishizaki, who supports Ryuen more than anyone, is willing to risk being scolded. His reason isn’t just about my strength, I can fully understand that.

“Even if I say all this, I wouldn’t feel embarrassed. I don’t mind spending time with you, Ishizaki, and Hiyori. In fact, it’s more comfortable than being in Horikita’s class.”

“Really!? Is that so!?”

Ishizaki’s eyes are sparkling with excitement.

I can’t let him keep expecting too much.

“But, I can’t choose to transfer just because of our good relationship. Plus, gathering personal points is very difficult, and other students outside of Ryuen’s class might not accept it and could protest. At least, Ibluki would definitely protest, right?”

“That’s simple, just tell Ibluki to shut up!”

“Ibuki is just an example. If this sudden move happens, everyone will question it. I might even be seen as an ‘assassin’ sent by Horikita’s class to break up Ryuen’s class from the inside.”

Since the class is so close to Class A, it’s easier to provoke resistance.

“And as Hiyori said, Horikita’s class is already in Class A. I’m not willing to take the huge risk of transferring to a lower-class group.”

“Then... then how about this!”

“What is it?”

Despite my efforts to guide him to give up, Ishizaki remains incredibly persistent.

But no matter what idea he comes up with next, it’s meaningless.

“If you come to our class, you can start dating Hiyori-san! How about that?”

Saying this, Ishizaki grabs both my hand and Hiyori’s and forces us to shake hands.

“Eh, eh...?”

Hiyori, who had been smiling and observing Ishizaki’s rash proposal, is now startled by this unexpected move.

After politely declining Ishizaki and Hiyori’s invitation, we didn’t part ways immediately, and the three of us continued chatting for a while.

The rejected side might have been disappointed, but after that, they never brought up the topic of transferring classes again. Instead, we all enjoyed a leisurely conversation from the heart.

They even invited me to wait until the keyaki shopping center opened before going for tea together. However, I politely declined since I had other things to do today.

After we parted ways, I returned to my dorm, and by 9:00 AM, I still hadn't received any contact from Ichinose.

I followed my planned schedule and went to the keyaki shopping center at 10:00 to meet the person I was supposed to meet and spent some time with them.

When everything concluded and I returned home, it was already 2:00 PM.

Time passed, an hour, two hours...

I neither sent another message nor made a phone call, simply waiting for a response in my room.

How should I spend the rest of the day?

Since today was a crucial turning point for Ichinose, the choice was in her hands.

I wanted the final decision to come from her judgment, not mine.

I tidied up my room and adjusted my appearance a bit.

Then, I prepared dinner and ate quietly by myself.

Still no messages, and the curfew arrived at 8:00 PM.

Not even a "read" receipt had appeared.

But the curfew didn’t signify a final decision.

After all, it only prohibited entry into the girls’ dormitory floors. Technically, it was allowed for Ichinose to come over here. Of course, there were no clear rules against it, but if someone were caught entering the opposite gender’s room at night, they would be warned.

Well, the prohibition of entering the opposite sex's rooms had already become a formality, blurred and ambiguous.

I had realized this during my relationship with Karuizawa.

There were still four hours left before the agreed time ended.

I took a relaxed shower and watched some TV.

The morning news was quite interesting, but by evening, the variety show playing didn’t capture my interest, and I couldn’t enjoy it.

After brushing my teeth, it was already 9:00 PM.

“Three hours left.”

Students who go to bed early were probably already asleep by this time. But the likelihood of Ichinose being asleep was nearly zero.

She was definitely awake, probably thinking about things.

The night deepened, and time passed without pause.

After 9:30 PM, I could hear the sound of raindrops outside the window.

I gently opened the window, and in an instant, a downpour poured down.

By the way, the forecast had predicted continuous heavy rain from tonight until tomorrow morning.

Even with the window closed, the loud sound of the rain echoed throughout the room.

It seemed the rain would only get heavier.

By 10:00 PM, everything that needed to be done in the room had been finished.

Only two hours left until the end of the day.

I took out my phone and checked the messages I had sent to Ichinose.

There was no reply. However, there was a noticeable change compared to before.

The messages I had sent:

“I’ll be out before 3:00 PM today. After that, I hope you can pick a convenient time to come to my room.”

“Please contact me once you’ve seen this.”

These two consecutive messages had already been marked as read.

It seemed I could confirm that Ichinose was awake and had read those messages.

Then, I waited for her response, 10 minutes, 20 minutes passed.

But— no response.

Breaking the agreement was Ichinose’s freedom.

So, was her answer silence?

Any possibility existed. To be honest, I felt like she might take some action.

Had I been expecting too much?

Since she had chosen to remain silent, my judgment was already made.

I judged that I had given Ichinose enough time to think.

But…

I slowly stood up from the bed.

I still wanted to confirm it directly.

For the past year, I had continuously influenced Ichinose for my own purposes.

So, it felt only natural to want to witness the result with my own eyes.

Even if Ichinose rejected me, I still wanted to understand her current state.

This desire rose up naturally.

In the end, I made a concession on my part— I decided to go and confirm her response.

Part 3

At 10:30 PM, I decided to go confirm things, taking a risky step outside.

Fortunately, it was raining heavily outside, so I didn’t sense anyone’s presence in the hallway.

I walked down the corridor towards the fire escape, heading to Ichinose’s room.

After ringing the doorbell, I called out, hoping she was inside.

On the other side of the door, I heard a faint bell.

However, there was no response, no movement.

It seemed she was deliberately avoiding answering, unsure who was at the door, likely not wanting to see anyone at the moment.

I took out my phone from my pocket and pressed the call button.

Since the messages I sent had been marked as read just a short while ago, the phone should still be on. The ringing began.

Five, six—

Even after the phone rang more than ten times, Ichinose still didn’t pick up.

I pressed the end call button and softly knocked on the door.

“It’s me. The agreed-upon time is almost over, and I came here for that.”

I didn’t use my phone, instead, I spoke aloud.

Even though the heavy rain outside was loud enough to mask the sound, calling out still carried a significant risk.

If any other girls discovered my visit, it would immediately cause a huge commotion. They would also have an obligation to report any violations of the rules.

At this point, I knew I couldn't continue calling indefinitely.

As much as I wanted to see with my own eyes, I wasn't willing to take on too much risk.

If this was Ichinose's answer, I would have to accept it.

On the other side of the door, it remained silent.

"I'll wait for three more minutes. If there is no reply, I'll leave, so please don’t worry."

I silently began counting down 180 seconds.

During this time, I looked at the heavy rain behind me.

50 seconds, 40 seconds… time was running out.

And just as I reached the 30-second mark, something changed.

My phone buzzed with a new message.

"Why did you come?"

It wasn’t anyone else, it was a message from Ichinose on the other side of the door.

If sending this message had taken all her effort, then I had to respond properly.

"I told you. Today is the agreed day."

"It’s already late. The curfew has passed too."

As I was about to reply to her message, Ichinose sent another one.

"Right now, I don’t have the courage to come to your room. I’m sorry."

"I understand. That’s why I came."

That message was marked as read almost immediately, but there were no new messages after that.

I sent another reply.

"I’ll wait for one more minute. If the door doesn't open by then, the agreement will be considered void."

That message was also marked as read.

Now, it was up to Ichinose to decide.

She could hate me, doubt me, but even if that was the case, she was free to continue fighting me next year.

She could also choose to become disillusioned with school and drop out. Or she might do something completely unexpected. Whatever it was, the choice was hers.

As long as she gave me an answer when the time came.

Only 10 seconds left on the clock.

As I began to think that I should go back, my phone vibrated again.

"The door's not locked, come in."

It was a message from Ichinose.

The moment I read the message "The door's not locked, come in," I found myself confused.

I reread the text several times, a sense of unease settling in.

Recently, Ichinose hadn't been going out, and everyone knew that she wasn’t planning to meet anyone.

It was clear from all the rumors around that she had been staying in.

Therefore, the one door that connected the inside and outside of her room had to be locked— no question about it.

Had someone from the class come to see her, and then unlocked the door? Of course, anything was possible… but the probability of that seemed very low.

Had she somehow anticipated my visit today?

It was hard to judge either way.

If I were able to communicate with her through a call or in person, I might have been able to figure it out more easily.

But, unfortunately, with this vague exchange of messages, it was difficult to read her true intentions.

The unexpected nature of this information left me a little stunned, but I decided to move forward.

I cautiously reached for the door handle, ready to test it.

It wasn’t locked. It opened smoothly.

However, once inside, there was no light.

The room was engulfed in silence and darkness.

"Ichinose, are you there?" I called out softly, but there was no response.

I quietly closed the door behind me.

The lack of light made it nearly impossible to see anything, and the only sound was the faint "beep" of the refrigerator’s compressor.

"Ichinose?"

I called again, but still, no response.

Given the situation, I couldn’t just remove my shoes and walk in without caution.

I decided to wait a little longer.

As my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, I gradually became aware of a figure huddled in the corner of the room, curled up with her knees hugged tightly to her chest.

Ichinose was there, but she didn’t respond.

"You're still not concerned about the curfew?"

"That's what I should be asking. You brought me in here, Ichinose, so you’re responsible too."

I added, my words hanging in the air, waiting for her response.

"... I see."

It had been a while since I last heard Ichinose's voice. It sounded stronger than I expected, and it seemed that she wasn't physically unwell.

"You're taking today more seriously than I imagined, Ayanokoji-kun." she said softly, acknowledging my decision to come here despite the risks.

"But this isn't for me, is it? It's really for your own sake, right?"

Ichinose seemed to understand what I was doing, perhaps even more than I anticipated.

"That's true." I responded without hesitation, nodding.

"This was decided a year ago. Today is the day to serve as the kaishakunin for this student called Ichinose Honami."

[TL Note: A kaishakunin is a person who beheads someone who has committed seppuku, a Japanese ritual suicide. The kaishakunin's role is to behead the person at the moment of agony, sparing them from a prolonged and painful death.]

Upon hearing this, the other party will probably say something like her angrily retorting, "What do you mean, ending things so casually?"

"Kaishakunin... what do you mean?"

Ichinose was neither angry nor panicked.

Generally speaking, when hearing the word kaishakunin, most people will think of it in a bad way— like a final blow in the act of seppuku, a fatal stroke to end it all. However, "kaishakunin" also has another meaning: to stay by someone's side, to take care of them, to be their support in a completely opposite way.

"You'll understand soon enough."

"I see..."

"If it's okay, could I come in?"

"Please, come in. And make sure to lock the door."

Although the chances of someone visiting at this hour were low, it was better to be cautious.

After locking the door as requested, I took off my shoes and entered the room. It was dark, and I couldn't see much at my feet, but the room was remarkably tidy, with no danger of tripping over anything.

In the dark, I walked to a spot where I could make out Ichinose’s figure and stopped.

"You might not want to see me again, and you may never want to look at my face. But I want to talk to you today. Perhaps, this is the last chance I’ll have to talk to you properly."

"To sever all ties... You mean, not even being friends anymore?"

"I won’t deny it. If it’s the best choice for both of us, it might be necessary."

Right away, Ichinose brought up the idea of severing our relationship. That was fine.

If Ichinose thought that was the worst-case scenario, she would regret how naive that judgment was.

The next words I had to deliver were even more brutal than she had imagined.

"Is there anything you'd like to say first? If not, I'll give you my answer."

There was no need for unnecessary small talk, getting straight to the point was the best approach.

"... No. Please, tell me."

Ichinose replied, confirming without even looking at me, as if she'd already steeled herself for the answer.

"The results of the year-end special exams are a crossroads of fate. If your class loses, a comeback is nearly impossible. You could say this was a battle you absolutely couldn’t afford to lose. But the result is the victory of the Horikita class. In other words, your path to Class A has been cut off."

"Is that so... Even though many students haven't given up, it feels impossible now... Because I couldn't defeat Ayanokoji-kun. Everyone's dreams are shattered because of that."

"Exactly. It's because you were too weak as a leader that your class lost. You bear a heavy responsibility. But blaming you isn't difficult. There's no need for me to come here and end things for you."

Ichinose remained motionless, not lifting her head. I wasn't sure if she had already resigned herself to this reality or if she was simply trying to hide her emotions.

"Even though your class is in such despair, surprisingly, there is still a chance for a comeback."

"That sounds strange... The path to Class A isn't completely closed?"

"It’s Closed as long as Ichinose, you, stays as the class leader."

At this point, I saw her shoulders shake slightly, her body betraying a hint of emotion.

"... So, you mean... you want me to step down as the leader?" she asked quietly.

"If you want your class to win, then you need to do it quickly."

"Is that so... But even if I step down, that will be a matter for some distant future. Because I've already lost both the qualifications and confidence to lead the class..."

She hugged her knees tighter and spoke in a soft voice. I continued:

"I'm sorry, but just stepping down won't be enough. It's obvious that you must relinquish the position of leader. But after that, someone who can actually lead your class to victory must take the place of leader. Only then will the possibility of your class moving up to Class A start to revive."

"A leader who can lead to victory? Who do you have in mind... Kanzaki-kun?"

"None of them. There is no one in Ichinose's class who can turn the situation around under these circumstances."

"So, in the end, we are completely at a loss, aren't we..."

"If your class isn't viable, you can just take someone from another class."

"...What do you mean...?"

"I'll transfer to your class and become the new leader."

This was the strategy I had been planning until now. I decided to be transparent with Ichinose about it.

"Ayanokoji-kun...?"

"You should have understood my strength, both in terms of its good and bad aspects. Closing the 500-point gap with the Horikita class isn't going to be easy. But if there's a year left, that's more than enough."

"You worked so hard to get into Class A, and now you want to leave it for a lower-ranked class...?"

"Generally, it's hard to understand, but don't worry. If the transfer happens, your class will be able to rise to Class A, and I'll graduate from there as well."

At this point, Ichinose, who had been hugging her knees, slowly lifted her head.

I had expected her to be crying, but it seemed she wasn't.

"Ah... I see now. So that's how it is..."

She seemed to have grasped something, and her expression showed complete acceptance.

Then Ichinose slowly turned her gaze toward me.

In her eyes, was I the one who would be the one to end her struggles? The one to end everything?

"In the year-end special exams, Ayanokoji-kun defeating me was already part of the predetermined route. If I had won, this proposal wouldn't have been made."

If Ichinose had won, the class points gap would have been almost equal.

In that case, there would have been no need for me to transfer.

She had half-rightly deduced this point.

"That's certainly an option. I can't deny it. And if you could beat me and show that your class no longer needs me, I would welcome that outcome."

I was direct in explaining the rationale behind my decision.

"Is that so... But, isn't this a good thing for our class? If Ayanokoji-kun replaces me and aims for Class A, it should be something to celebrate."

"That's true. But I sense you understand something, don't you?"

"Mm... there must be some conditions, right?"

Ichinose stepping down as leader and letting me take her place wouldn't be enough to constitute me as a kaishakunin.

"I will transfer to your class and graduate as a member of Class A. But the condition is, Ichinose Honami, you must withdraw from this school."

This is the one condition I’m setting.

If she agrees, the contract will be established.

"...My withdrawal..."

What will Ichinose think upon hearing this condition?

What action will she take?

Since this morning, I’ve been very curious about her answer.

This is a branching point in the strategies I’ve constructed. No matter how things develop, I’ve already predicted the possible responses to various situations. But how she chooses to proceed, I will leave to Ichinose herself.

"Sorry. My personal points aren't enough..."

"Don't worry. Transferring classes isn't difficult. You can take all the points you have, including the ones collected from your classmates. If that still isn't enough, you can borrow points from the first-year students. With your reputation, you could easily borrow the points, with interest. Even if you can't borrow the full 20 million, borrowing the missing part wouldn't be difficult."

With this, transferring classes would be simple.

Just 20 million personal points would secure the class' promotion to Class A.

"Even if this can be done... Ayanokoji-kun, what's your true intention behind doing all of this?"

"A certain graduate once said something to me: to become a student who everyone will be glad they met. At least now, all the class leaders recognize me as a powerful presence. No, not just the leaders. The other students in each class are starting to realize it too."

This awareness is neither about right nor wrong, nor about good or bad.

"If I successfully transfer, I will undoubtedly become a student who stays in everyone's memory."

"…I see."

"I told you a year ago to keep staying true to yourself. Do you remember?"

『This year, you must keep pushing forward with your classmates. There will be happy things, sad things, and sometimes things that make you feel hopeless. But even so, you must never stop moving forward.』

The true meaning of what was said a year ago.

"It was also to avoid diminishing the value of the class. In that case, we can maintain the original 40 people assigned by the school. Even if you withdraw, we can bring in someone from another class and keep the number of students at 40 starting from the third year."

Controlling and managing the class from the original state, with my own hands.

"Because starting from zero is more ideal for me."

"If I stayed, it would make 41... and that wouldn't be normal."

"Of course, there’s more to it than that. Your presence is an obstacle to the class. In terms of personality, you hold a power I can't control."

If Ichinose were to rebel against me, there wouldn't just be one or two students following her. Such a development would hinder the proper operation of the class.

"Is that so…? Amazing, Ayanokoji-kun. You've really considered everything..."

But this branch of the plan differs slightly from what I originally envisioned. Because of Sakanagi's withdrawal, I had to adjust the course.

"If I voluntarily withdraw, the class points will drop even lower. Even so, can we still win?"

"Fighting with straightforward methods is probably difficult. Just obtaining more than 800 class points would largely depend on the rewards provided by the school. However, the key to the strategy lies in what happens next. If we force students from other classes to voluntarily withdraw outside of the rules, the corresponding class will be punished. Rather than shrinking the gap by gaining points ourselves, we can reduce the opponent's points, thus closing the gap."

Relying solely on my own strength, I can't get my classmates to graduate in Class A.

But if I take responsibility and voluntarily withdraw, my classmates will graduate from Class A.

For Ichinose, who carries a heavy responsibility after the defeat, it must be a difficult decision to choose between these two options.

This can be said to be the final branching point.

"If I really withdraw… will the class be able to advance to Class A?"

"I promise."

This is the truth.

I genuinely intend to lead Ichinose's class to Class A and use that as leverage in this negotiation.

"Then, I will—"

"However, Ichinose, there's something important I need to tell you beforehand. I promise to lead the class to Class A, but I can't guarantee that all 39 other students in your class will graduate."

"...Huh?"

"Of course not. From now on, as we catch up, we can't afford any dead weight. If there’s a student who’s no longer needed, I’ll naturally discard them. Eliminating weaknesses is one of the top priorities to close the massive class point gap. If there’s an opportunity to use the special exam to force someone to withdraw, I won’t hesitate. Even if it's people like Amikura, Watanabe, or others close to you, I won’t treat them any differently. Just like I had to remove Maezono from Horikita’s class."

It is also true that I took advantage of Maezono and expelled her from school.

Just like a dream, Ichinose Honami has experienced the unforgivable reality firsthand.

"By the way, it’s not like we’ll expel 10 or 20 people. Only a few would be eliminated."

Two difficult answers to choose from.

One is to accept the proposal I just made, bringing me into the class and withdrawing on her own.

The other is to refuse my proposal, turning her hatred into strength and continuing to lead the class.

No, actually, there’s only one.

Because Ichinose cannot abandon her classmates.

There’s a 99% chance that Ichinose will rise again as the class leader and fight on.

If that happens, I'll just barely make it possible for the four classes to battle.

But I doubt it will result in a truly balanced fight between all four classes.

That can’t be helped.

However, the answers I hope to hear are not the ones we've discussed.

What I truly desire is a third answer—something unexpected, something even I can’t predict.

“That’s so cruel...”

“It is.”

A near-impossible demand.

Ichinose will likely be consumed by anger and choose to fight with everything she has.

And yet— that’s exactly what I want.

From the moment I decided, a year ago, to offer Ichinose Honami a “ kaishakunin,” I planted the seeds.

Carefully manipulating the delicate balance of human emotions— love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, affection and animosity.

Blending those opposing feelings is the only way to achieve this outcome.

Ichinose’s heart, caught in a storm of positive and negative emotions, has been shaken to its core.

Now, it’s at its breaking point.

Without a doubt, her affection for me has flipped into something darker.

Psychologically, this state is known as cognitive dissonance.

When caught in this conflict, negative feelings often dominate and grow stronger.

This is something I learned during my time at the White Room.

It’s entirely possible that Ichinose will channel her hatred into strength, turning against me with everything she’s got.

No matter what happens, I’ll stay close, observing this experiment unfold.

And Ichinose? She’s the perfect subject.

Her feelings for me, once deep admiration, have twisted into something deeper— pure hatred.

The closer the love, the sharper the blade of resentment.

This state of mind, teetering on the edge of madness, cannot be underestimated.

But this isn’t a new experiment.

I’ve already tested how festering hatred can break a person’s mind, and I’ve seen the results.

What I’m looking for now is something entirely different.

The 1% chance of the unknown.

Perhaps my expectations were too high...

“I… I don’t want to see my classmates get hurt.”

“Then the only option is for you to keep fighting on your own.”

“But if I do that, we’ll never make it to Class A.”

All that awaits is an empty, futile year.

“So, is your choice to drop out and leave everything to me after all?”

“…You’re waiting for me to choose, aren’t you? To either stay or leave.”

Exactly.

No need to deny it.

“But— neither option feels like the right answer.”

Ichinose’s words caught me off guard.

She said something I never expected to hear.

And it didn’t take her long to reach this conclusion.

A sharp, electrifying jolt coursed through my thoughts, stirring something deep in my mind.

“Neither one? Then what do you think is the right answer?”

“I don’t want to abandon a single classmate. I can’t.”

“What an unrealistic dream.”

“Yes, it is. I don’t have the strength to make it happen on my own. But with you, Ayanokoji, it’s possible.”

“You mean, you don’t drop out, and I transfer to your class? Is that what you’re saying?”

At that, Ichinose smiled for the first time today and shook her head.

Then, with unwavering resolve, she shared her idea— her own path, one that didn’t follow the expected roads.

She offered a solution to create balance among all four classes.

“So… this is your answer?”

“Maybe it’s the wrong one.”

“—It’s not.”

I was at a loss for words, unable to respond immediately.

Her classmates, who admire her, who want to reach Class A alongside her— all of them.

For everyone to graduate together without leaving a single person behind, this is the only possible path.

What Ichinose had lacked as a leader was now firmly in her grasp.

Her potential alone might even surpass that of Horikita or Ryuen.

If she could completely overcome her emotional fragility and cast aside her naivety, there’s no telling what kind of storm she could stir in the year to come.

I stepped closer to Ichinose and extended my hand to her.

“To make this choice happen, we’ll need to maintain some distance between us. Without that, it won’t work. Of course, you can use hatred as your driving force. There’s absolutely no need for you to like me—”

“That’s not it, Ayanokoji-kun.” she interrupted.

Ichinose took my hand and stood up, immediately denying my words.

“I locked myself in my room, over and over trying to hate you. But I couldn’t. As foolish as it may seem, my feelings for you haven’t changed. No matter how many cruel words you said to me today, it didn’t matter— I still like you.”

The soft scent of citrus floated from her silky hair—

Even though she had been cooped up in her room, that delicate fragrance emanated from her.

In the dim light, her radiant hair seemed to shimmer.

Could it be that I had made a major miscalculation?

I had thought that everything today was orchestrated by me, carefully leading her toward a conclusion.

But in reality…

“You knew I’d come, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist coming to check on me— my state, my feelings. You wouldn’t be able to suppress that impulse.”

Ichinose had been certain that, on this day, no matter how late, I would come to see her.

The unreadable text message. The unlocked door.

The tidy room and her neatly groomed appearance, as if she had prepared to meet someone.

Everything had been arranged.

Of course, she couldn’t have predicted the exact proposal I brought.

Or perhaps… even that isn’t certain.

Even if Ichinose didn’t know the full picture, her ability to perceive things was undeniably sharp.

“The dorm curfew has long passed. If you leave the room now, someone might see you. That could disrupt our plans.”

“That’s true—”

“...So, why not make you my accomplice, Ayanokoji-kun?”

For the second time, she surprised me beyond expectation.

As expected, Ichinose is extraordinary.

“How do you plan to make me your accomplice?”

“There’s nothing hidden between us anymore. And I don’t want there to be.”

Ichinose gripped my hand.

Without a word, she pulled me forcefully.

And when I instinctively leaned back, she pressed against me, pushing me firmly toward the bed.

“Sit on the bed.”

That was the clear implication.

And so, I sat down— or rather, I was made to.

Ichinose stood before me, looking down with her gaze fixed on mine.

“I think… I’ve figured out everything about Karuizawa-san.”

“...What do you mean?”

“She must’ve been forced to confront her darkness, saved by you, and then dragged back into hell. You must have thought all of that was necessary for her.”

“Maybe.”

“That’s utterly reckless. Even if you saved her in the end, I can’t say it was the right thing to do. Because you deliberately hurt, destroy, and ‘fix’ others as you see fit.”

Ichinose didn’t know I had broken up with Karuizawa.

But from the fragments of clues, she could tell I had chosen to separate from her on purpose.

“I’m no different, am I? Just like Karuizawa-san— no, like all the others. You’ve been manipulating every one of us.”

Ichinose’s eyes, both beautiful and clear, carried a sharp darkness that seemed to wax and wane.

Within her ever-changing gaze, there now glimmered an unyielding, intense light.

This went beyond my calculations, blurring the lines between black and white.

“You—”

Before I could finish, she grabbed my shoulders and pushed me down with her weight, forcing me onto my back.

“Just as you’ve been using me, I’ll use you too. That’s my right, isn’t it?”

“At the very least, I have no right to deny it.”

“My feelings for you won’t change. I can’t forget them. In fact, I’ve wanted to see you so badly it’s driven me crazy. More than any classmate, more than any family member, my mind has been consumed by thoughts of you— only you. But you’re not the same, are you? Your gaze is much broader, and you think only of yourself.”

Ichinose smiled, seeing right through me.

“That’s fine. But I can’t forgive it. Just like you’ve left your mark on my heart as you please, I’ll leave my own mark on yours, just as I want it to be— deep and undeniable.”

She leaned closer, placing her hands on the bed, the frame creaking softly beneath the pressure.

Part 4

A few days after the gap between Ayanokoji and Ichinose had significantly narrowed...

As spring break neared its end in early April, a group of six students from Ichinose’s class stood outside a cafe at the Keyaki Mall, their expressions a mix of anticipation and unease.

This gathering had been prompted by an unexpected message in the class group chat from Ichinose herself, who had been reclusive and unresponsive for weeks.

The chat was soon flooded with classmates expressing their hopes for Ichinose’s return to her usual self.

In her message, Ichinose apologized for her lack of communication and announced that she had decided on her next course of action. She expressed a desire to meet and discuss it with everyone.

Although many students wished to join the meeting, Kanzaki intervened.

Considering the uncertainty of Ichinose’s current state, Kanzaki proposed that a smaller group attend to avoid overwhelming her.

Neither Ichinose nor anyone else objected to Kanzaki’s suggestion.

The class readily accepted his thoughtful proposal, seeing it as considerate and reasonable.

The group chosen by Kanzaki included: Shibata, Hamaguchi, Amikura, Himeno, Shiranami, and Watanabe.

To others, this selection of seven might have seemed slightly peculiar.

It consisted of both prominent figures in the class and relatively ordinary members.

Kanzaki had included Himeno and Hamaguchi, who supported him, while also selecting classmates close to Ichinose to ensure balance.

This mix allowed Kanzaki to secure at least three votes on his side, should any critical decisions need to be made.

Uncertain of Ichinose’s state, he prepared for every possibility.

On the way to the cafe, Kanzaki encountered Shibata, and the two arrived together.

“Good morning, Shibata-kun, Kanzaki-kun.” greeted Amikura, the first to arrive.

Known as Ichinose’s closest friend and confidante, Amikura had spent the most time with her both during school and breaks.

After regrouping, the classmates exchanged greetings.

“Morning, Amikura. It’s such a relief to finally get a message from Ichinose.”

Shibata said with a warm smile.

“Yeah, absolutely. I almost cried when I saw her message.” Amikura replied with a nod.

Since the failure of the year-end special exam, Ichinose hadn’t seen or spoken to anyone.

Even Amikura, despite visiting her in person, was turned away with a simple response: I can’t meet anyone right now.

While the class had sent Ichinose encouraging messages, Amikura worried whether those might have backfired.

During this time, Amikuraa had wracked her brain for ways to help Ichinose recover, but no solution had come to her.

“Still, I won’t feel at ease until we see her face. She’s agreed to this meeting, which is a good sign, but... do you think she’ll really be okay? Can she stand before everyone as her usual self?”

Shibata asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Amikura worried that the meeting might fall apart if Ichinose failed to show up.

“She’ll definitely come. Ichinose isn’t the type to be irresponsible.”

“Even so... she’s barely left her room.”

Amikuraa replied, cautiously preparing for the possibility that Ichinose might not have the courage to face everyone.

“If that happens, we’ll just have to be understanding.”

“This isn’t a small issue.”

Kanzaki interjected, his frustration finally boiling over as he addressed their conversation.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The loss during the year-end special exam has already sealed our class’s future. Two weeks have passed since then, and no concrete plans for moving forward have been made. We can’t afford to waste any more time.”

Calling for a meeting and failing to show up wouldn’t just be a minor setback— it would be catastrophic.

“But losing wasn’t Ichinose’s fault alone. You lost as the class representative too, Kanzaki, and we participants could have done more. It’s everyone’s responsibility.” Shibata retorted.

“I’m not here to assign blame.”

Kanzaki said, keeping his tone firm.

“I’m talking about what comes next. And right now, it’s already too late to act.”

With spring break nearing its end and their promotion to the third year imminent, time to prepare was slipping away.

“What do you mean, ‘what comes next’? We just need to work harder and unite more than ever!” Shibata insisted, his optimism undeterred.

“No... our class doesn’t have any chance of winning anymore.”

Kanzaki said bluntly, fully aware his words would make him unpopular with Shibata and the others.

“Stop talking nonsense, Kanzaki. That’s ridiculous.”

Shibata shot back, clearly upset.

“Are you still not seeing the reality of the situation, Shibata?”

“Wait, calm down, you two.”

Amikura said, gesturing toward another group approaching them.

“Look, Watanabe-kun and the others are here.”

Following her gaze, they saw Watanabe cheerfully waving as he walked over.

Behind him, Himeno, Hamaguchi, and Shiranami followed closely.

With all seven members now present, the group entered the cafe together.

As they sat down, Hamaguchi glanced between the tense Kanzaki and Shibata, who were still glaring at each other.

“Whoa, what’s going on here? The atmosphere feels a bit heated.

“Kanzaki here says I don’t see the reality of the situation.”

“Don’t see the reality?”

Kanzaki continued to press his point about what the class should do in the coming year.

“You should accept reality, Shibata. Didn’t Hoshinomiya-sensei say something similar?”

“It’s you who doesn’t understand. We still have a whole year left! We’ve all seen how much points Horikita’s class accumulated this past year. If we do the same thing, we’ll be fine.”

Kanzaki advised everyone to give up

Shibata doesn't want to give up.

Watanabe and the others had understood the situation by now.

“Have you analyzed how that class managed to accumulate their points? Yes, they have many students below average, but they also have some highly capable ones. We don’t have anyone like Koenji, who can take first place alone in the uninhabited island exam.”

“This—”

Kanzaki pressed on, as if venting all the pent-up resentment from the spring break.

“We don’t have anyone like Ayanokoji who sealed the deal in the year-end special exam. There’s no way we can win at this point.”

“No, hold on. Maybe Koenji is like that, but Ayanokoji only won by chance, right? We don’t even know the full details of the exam.”

Kanzaki couldn’t tolerate Shibata’s naive thinking anymore. His voice rose, cutting Shibata off.

“You’re still saying that now? That’s why we’re in trouble!”

Kanzaki snapped, his voice rising with frustration.

“Our class is sinking, and we need to think about how to save whoever we can!”

“Wait, Kanzaki-kun, that’s a bit much...”

Amikura, who had somewhat accepted Kanzaki's viewpoint, interrupted with a concerned tone.

“It’s not too much. It’s the truth!”.

“Even if it’s true that we’re sinking, we should still try to work together to stay afloat!” Shibata exclaimed, determined. “We should all put in the effort as a class! Not a single person should be left behind!”

“Hey, Shibata-kun, do you really think that’s possible...?”

“Eh?”

As Shibata continued to argue against Kanzaki, Himeno whispered quietly from the side.

“Climbing up to Class A from our current position... it’s not going to be easy.”

“I know that of course, but that’s exactly why we should unite even more, right? If we keep thinking like Kanzaki, always pessimistic, we’ll never turn things around.”

Shibata, always the optimist. Kanzaki, always the pessimist.

It was inevitable that their opinions would clash and remain irreconcilable.

“Forget it, it’s like talking to a brick wall.”

Kanzaki muttered in frustration, deciding to end the conversation.

“What? You’re giving up already? I wanted to keep talking.”

“A conversation that refuses to accept anything but what you want to hear is pointless. Your brainless optimism is becoming more obvious.”

“No, no, it’s not brainless optimism. You’re the one who’s too pessimistic.”

“I’m being realistic, plain and simple—”

Just as the two were at an impasse, an individual slowly approached.

“Hey, you two, arguing isn’t going to help.” a voice interrupted.

As their argument reached its peak, the person everyone had been waiting for finally showed up.

Even Shibata, who had been glaring at Kanzaki, was taken aback and surprised.

“…Ichinose, you came after all.” Shibata said, his voice softer now.

Kanzaki, who had been the most doubtful about Ichinose showing up, looked on with mixed feelings.

On the other hand, Shiranami’s concern for Ichinose overshadowed her joy, and she nearly burst into tears.

“Are you okay? Ichinose…”

“I’m sorry for making everyone worry. I’m okay now.”

Although some wondered if Ichinose’s cheerful demeanor was just a front, everyone could tell she appeared full of energy on the surface.

Especially Shibata, who felt Ichinose’s hand on his shoulder, noticed the same shining light in her eyes as before, maybe even brighter.

“What kind of sudden suggestion is this...?”

He hadn’t considered our feelings at all. It’s too bold.

“This is something your class doesn’t have, but ours does. What do you think?”

“I already have a girlfriend, though.”

“What? Since you’re transferring, you might as well break up with Karuizawa-san.”

“That’s going too far.”

“So you don’t like Hiyori-san, huh?”

“I don’t dislike her.”

I can say this clearly.

“Then it’s fine, right? Hiyori-san likes you, doesn’t she?”

“Eh...?”

“You better not say anything awkward, Ishizaki.”

“No, it’s not awkward! These things should be said directly. If you two like each other, wouldn’t that be a win-win situation?”

He tries to explain forcefully. No matter how I look at it, this isn’t something Ishizaki should interfere with.

“...Making Ayanokoji-kun uncomfortable is not okay.”

We’re still in a forced hand-holding situation.

Hiyori gestures for Ishizaki to calm down.

“If I meet a girl I like, I’ll go all in and chase after her.”

“No... Ayanokoji-kun already has an amazing girlfriend.”

“Then, what if he breaks up with Karuizawa-san? What will Hiyori-san do?”

“Eh...?”

“Didn’t I get it right? You think Because Ayanokoji has a girlfriend, he’s unreachable, isn’t he?”

"Please forgive me, Ishizaki. Don't make it difficult for Hiyori. It's too much to say she doesn't like me in front of me. There are only a small number of people who can honestly say they hate someone they hate."

“But Hiyori is the type to say exactly what she thinks...”

I can feel the hand I’m holding getting warm rapidly. It seems that even Hiyori, who usually doesn’t change her attitude much, is struggling to hide her discomfort with all these blunt comments.

Compared to when I first met Hiyori, she feels a bit different now.

“Umm... I’m troubled.”

Hiyori seems like she wants to get out of this hand-holding situation but can’t seem to escape. Ishizaki hasn’t used much force, but Hiyori probably wants to avoid the awkwardness of pulling her hand away forcefully, so she doesn’t do it.

So, I subtly express my reluctance and pull Ishizaki’s hand away forcefully.

With that, the obstacle preventing us from separating disappears.

I slowly reduce the force, preparing to let go, but for some reason, in an instant, the grip on my hand becomes even stronger than when we were first forced to hold hands.

“...Hiyori?”

“Umm, can I say one more thing...?”

Hiyori seems to have made up her mind, lifting her head to look at me.

“Oh, is it a confession?!”

Ignoring Ishizaki’s teasing, Hiyori takes a deep breath and says:

“If Ayanokoji-kun could join our class... I would be very happy. But I guess that’s impossible...”

“This...”

I had just explained the reasons why I couldn’t accept earlier to Ishizaki.

And without me saying it, Hiyori should understand those reasons as well.

Even so, she still gathered her courage to ask me.

“Wow, nice job, Hiyori-san! Your invitation works better than mine!”

Thinking about it, Ishizaki, Hiyori, and even Albert, who isn’t here, are all like this.

I can feel their attitudes are warmer than before.

“For me, it’s too extravagant.”

That’s right. If I put everything aside, transferring to Ryuen’s class seems like the happiest route.

Not participating in the class battles, surrounded by good friends, and spending the last year peacefully.

This is what I originally sought when I first entered the school, and it’s so close now.

If I were to tell them, “I’ll leave it to you.”

Ishizaki and the others will surely go all out to support me.

“I appreciate your kindness. But in the end, I still can’t accept.”

“I see... Sorry. I made an unreasonable request.”

Hiyori reluctantly and slowly lets go of my hand.

“Damn it, still not possible? I thought you were the type who wouldn’t be bound by things like this...”

Hiyori’s final attempt at persuasion failed, and Ishizaki seemed to finally give up.

“Thanks again for the invitation. Maybe next year at this time, I’ll regret not accepting.”

A year. No one knows which class will win.

Looking at Ishizaki and Hiyori in front of me, they definitely have a chance to win.

The Horikita class also has a chance.

And I hope the two classes that are currently trailing behind still have a shot.

I want each class to have a chance to continue fighting.

For that, all that’s needed is hope.

As long as there’s hope, the students will give it their all.

Because of that, I must create the conditions to make this kind of situation possible.

So, how can I keep everyone’s competition going?

The answer to that question is already obvious.

Grasping my hands, she guided them, her touch transmitting what words hadn’t until now— her true feelings.

Her heartbeat was fast, completely unsettled, revealing her intense nervousness.

The heavy rain outside the window hit the window, raindrops splashed and thunder made sounds.

“You did something awful to Karuizawa-san, didn’t you? If she finds out— well, that’d be quite a problem for you, wouldn’t it?”

"Sorry, but I already broke up with Karuizawa before coming here. Visiting a girl’s room at night comes with its own risks, and I’ve already managed those."

Still, my original concern wasn’t about that. It was about the possibility of being caught in a trap fueled by resentment.

“I see. I’ve been cooped up in my room lately, so I didn’t know that.”

It wasn’t surprising. This didn’t happen last week or yesterday.

It happened today— March 30th.

“So even if you pull something like this, it can’t be used as leverage.”

Ichinose’s presence consumed my vision, leaving me surrounded by darkness.

“I’m not trying to threaten you.”

She whispered near my ear, her warm breath grazing my skin.

Her cheeks flushed red, but her determined posture didn’t waver.

Then, she pressed her lips against mine.

Her sudden move was so forceful that our teeth accidentally bumped, and she flinched slightly in surprise.

“Sorry, I didn’t do it well. This is my first kiss, after all—”

Saying that, she leaned in again, this time slower, more tenderly, placing her lips on mine once more.

“...This feels right, doesn’t it?”

“M…”

“You’re not running away?”

“There’s no such option. Running away forcefully now would only increase the risks.”

Ichinose had made up her mind. She wouldn’t let me leave.

If I tried to pull her away with brute force, it could escalate into something far worse.

For a boy entering the forbidden girls’ dormitory in the dead of night, this was a path with no escape.

A mere warning wouldn’t do.

That’s how resolute Ichinose was.

In the face of such determination, I had to respond in kind.

I reached for her clothes, intent on removing them.

For a fleeting moment, hesitation flashed across her face, and her body tensed.

But almost immediately, she relaxed and took off her shirt herself.

This had already gone beyond the realm of reason.

I had been trapped.

From the moment I stepped into this room, there was no turning back.

Yet, at the same time, I found myself deeply drawn to the unknown allure she possessed.

I thought I had completed all the learning I needed.

But perhaps, this was only the beginning.

In this room where only the two of us existed, the night seeped into every corner.

This wasn’t a ceremony to declare us as lovers.

If it were, it would have been invalid from the start.

This was an absolute pact, born out of mutual need.

And with that pact, we united in the deepest way possible.

Recklessly, we devoured each other.

“Looks like you’re fine, Ichinose. I’m so relieved…”

“Thank you for worrying about me.”

“It's nothing. I always knew you’d be okay... haha.”

Shibata sensed that Ichinose seemed much more mature than before, causing him to shyly avert his gaze.

Ichinose gently removed her hand from Shibata’s shoulder and turned to face everyone.

“I’m really sorry for not responding to everyone sooner.”

“That’s fine… are you really okay now?”

Amikura asked, and Shiranami nodded repeatedly, her concern evident.

“I’m fine, really. I’ve got something I want to share with all of you.”

Ichinose smiled slightly, sitting down between Amikura and Shiranami.

All eyes were on her now. They needed to consider whether Ichinose was forcing a smile, whether the emotional wounds from the special exam were truly healed, and most importantly, what the class should do next.

Before her absence due to illness, Ichinose had hinted at resigning from her position as class leader.

Though interrupted by Hoshinomiya, everyone had sensed the mood.

“…Um, Ichinose.”

Amikura couldn’t help but interject before Ichinose could speak.

“Yes, what is it?”

“You... you’re not thinking of quitting, are you?”

For Amikura, the issue of Ichinose stepping down as class leader didn’t matter much. If Ichinose felt that the responsibility was too much, Amikuraa wouldn’t try to stop her. What she truly worried about was whether Ichinose disliked the school.

She feared that Ichinose might announce she was considering leaving the school to take responsibility for the exam failure.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I know about Sakayanagi’s voluntary withdrawal, and how it cost the class 300 points.”

Ichinose explained, emphasizing that leaving wasn’t an option from her perspective— she didn’t want to burden the class more than necessary.

Seeing Ichinose’s attitude, Kanzaki pressed further on her true intentions.

“If you could ensure the class wouldn’t lose points, would you consider voluntarily withdrawing?”

“Ka-Kanzaki, how can you say something like that!?”

Amikura responded quickly, feeling frustrated by his words.

Despite Ichinose expressing her intent to stay, Kanzaki’s remarks seemed like they were undermining her resolve.

“That’s right, Kanzaki, don’t say things like that.”

“Don’t worry, Shiranami, even if voluntary withdrawal doesn’t carry a penalty, I wouldn’t leave.”

Amikura sighed in relief upon hearing her promise.

“Would you accept withdrawing if it would benefit the class? For example, if withdrawing could give us 300 points?”

Kanzaki continued to push, probing how Ichinose would react to an unlikely situation.

“Even if the conditions are different, if my withdrawal would guarantee the class's A-class graduation, I would do it without hesitation.”

“No, no, Ichinose! You can’t do that!”

“I know, you don’t need to worry. In reality, such an option isn’t even possible. So, until the moment we graduate as A-class, I will fight alongside all of you.”

“Does that mean you’ve fully recovered mentally?”

“Yeah. Because I had plenty of time to think, I’ve sorted out the issues around me. If everyone is still willing to accept me as class leader, then it’s like everything’s back to normal.”

Ichinose replied with a smile.

“Of course, Ichinose. Our class leader can only be you.”

However, Kanzaki lightly tapped the table, interrupting the conversation.

“Let’s hold off on the question of whether to continue as leader for now.”

Kanzaki’s words halted the cheerful discussion between Shibata and Amikura as he posed a question.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t believe that Ichinose has fully recovered. Just a few days ago, she was shutting herself in. How can she have changed so quickly? Forcing yourself could have a negative impact on the class.”

“Hey, Kanzaki—”

Shibata quickly tried to stop him, but Ichinose calmly interrupted.

“Actually, I’ve been locking myself away for days. Each day felt like hell. Although I caused harm to the class by failing the special exam, the bigger issue was that I lost an exam I could’ve won. I thought about withdrawing many times, and I felt both painful and unwilling. I cried countless times. But—”

Ichinose paused for a moment, then her gaze shifted towards the group, with a particular focus on Kanzaki.

“Now, I’m different from before. I’ve fully recovered.”

“You really do look much better, but based on what?”

“Can I not explain it?”

“Of course not. If you say you’ve recovered, there must have been a significant reason for it.”

Kanzaki pressed. He made it clear that psychological wounds don’t heal just by waiting. If time had solved it, Kanzaki would call it a lie.

“Well... because the doubts in my heart have been resolved.”

“The doubts in your heart?”

“Yeah. How can we continue fighting? How can we avoid losing our classmates and still make it to A-class? Is it really okay for me to stay as class leader? All these doubts have been resolved.”

Ichinose said, her voice now calm and determined.

“...And how did you resolve them?”

“I was saved by someone…”

Someone.

The first person to think of Kiyotaka Ayanokoji in the room was Kanzaki.

After all, it was Ayanokoji who had defeated Ichinose during the special end-of-year exam.

As for Ichinose’s feelings for Ayanokoji or the fact that Ayanokoji had once taken care of Ichinose's class, those seemed trivial compared to the current situation.

Aside from Kanzaki, the other students immediately thought of a teacher or perhaps other friends, rather than Ayanokoji.

“Wow, that’s amazing! Who helped you?”

Shibata asked, genuinely curious, without any doubt.

Ichinose smiled even more warmly, as if she wanted to embed this moment in her memory.

“It was Ayanokoji-kun.”

Upon hearing the expected name, Kanzaki couldn’t contain his anger.

“Ayanokoji is our clear enemy. Are you telling me that the person who defeated you in the special exam helped you?”

“Yes, Ayanokoji-kun saved me, and that’s a fact.”

Kanzaki sighed deeply, trying to calm himself, striving to not let his anger control him.

He himself had been saved by Ayanokoji several times.

In fact, Kanzaki considered Ayanokoji to be a very reliable ally.

However, during the end-of-year special exam, Ayanokoji, as if it were his duty, stood as an enemy before him.

He had defeated Ichinose, dragging her class into a pit of despair, making Kanzaki realize that such half-hearted friendships could only lead to trouble.

“You were saved by Ayanokoji, huh? I wish you were lying, but if you’re telling the truth, then this becomes an even bigger problem. Is it really a ‘rescue,’ though? I have doubts about that.”

Kanzaki’s full-force attack on Ichinose made Shibata and the others increasingly angry.

“I mean, Ichinose herself is saying it. At least you should thank Ayanokoji first.”

“You don’t get it, Shibata. Ayanokoji is a dangerous man.”

“Dangerous? But Ayanokoji’s not a bad person, right?”

Kanzaki hesitated, as if considering whether to reveal everything he knew.

Ayanokoji was the son of the esteemed Atsuomi Ayanokoji, someone he deeply respected, and surely not an ordinary person.

However, similar statements would likely fail to convey the full weight of that information to those around him.

For now, what could he even do...

“Kanzaki-kun.”

“—What?”

“Before you speak, can you listen to what I have to say?”

For a brief moment, Kanzaki found himself momentarily overwhelmed by Ichinose’s intensity.

There was no intimidation, no anger in her voice, but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to respond immediately.

“The reason I lost in the special end-of-year exam was because my heart was too fragile.”

Ichinose began, addressing the classmates. She was finally explaining what should have been said right after the exam ended.

“From the perspective of the exam’s content, I should have had at least a 50% chance of winning, no matter who the opponent was.”

She was making the first true reflection of herself that everyone had been waiting for.

“I lost to Ayanokoji-kun because I lost sight of the true nature of victory and defeat. I want everyone to understand what kind of state of mind I was in at that time.”

For the first time, Ichinose was sharing what had been weighing on her heart.

“I— don’t know when it started, but I’ve always had feelings for Ayanokoji-kun.”

She said this without flinching, without a hint of embarrassment or unease.

She spoke with surprising calmness, almost as if she were telling a simple fact.

The person most shocked by her words was Shibata, who opened his mouth in disbelief, unable to speak.

Ichinose didn’t seem to mind, continuing her story.

“At least Ayanokoji-kun also seemed to have feelings for me. At the time, I was completely convinced of that. But soon after the exam started, my naive beliefs were shattered.”

She explained how Ayanokoji had proposed that they all use their betrayer’s privilege to avoid anyone being expelled.

She had been used by Ayanokoji, becoming an accomplice in the expulsion of the student before the exam was even completed.

This revelation stunned everyone.

The battle between the representatives, which no one had fully understood until now, suddenly made sense.

It was as though they were all hearing the true nature of Ayanokoji for the first time.

Though he appeared insignificant at first, Ayanokoji was far from ordinary.

He was a student who remained calm and made precise, strategic decisions at the right moment.

Ichinose wanted to be the one to tell everyone about Ayanokoji’s abilities, not Kanzaki.

“Ayanokoji-kun… he’s really that powerful, huh?”

Ichinose, sensing the doubt and confusion from Himeno, nodded with a smile, almost as if she were pleased by the compliment. Though Himeno could tell that Ayanokoji wasn’t just any ordinary student, the gap in understanding was still vast.

"Actually, I only truly understood him during that exam. There are multiple reasons why Horikita’s class could rise to A, but I firmly believe that without Ayanokoji-kun, it would have been absolutely impossible."

It almost sounded as if she were saying that it wasn't Horikita's class, but Ayanokoji’s class.

"No way, I didn’t expect Ayanokoji to be that strong. I’ve never had any personal interaction with him, and I never thought about him that way... So, it’s more like respect than anything else, right?"

Shibata, flustered, could only hope that Ichinose had miscommunicated her feelings or that there was some misunderstanding.

"Respect, of course. But more than that, it’s about how I feel for Ayanokoji-kun."

Ichinose said boldly, her body feeling hot. It wasn’t just the intimate moments they shared, but she had briefly touched a side of Ayanokoji's heart that she believed even Karuizawa might never have seen.

"Wow... to the point where Ichinose is saying this... what in the world happened...?"

Watanabe was stunned by Ichinose’s words, which seemed to go beyond simple infatuation. He then glanced at his own unrequited love, Amikura, who seemed genuinely happy for Ichinose. Through their conversation, she had come to realize what might have happened during this time. Perhaps something had developed between Ichinose and Ayanokoji that far surpassed everyone’s imagination.

"But... wait, didn’t Ayanokoji have a girlfriend?"

"Shibata-kun... well, it’s a bit hard to say, but it seems Ayanokoji-kun and Karuizawa-san recently broke up."

Amikura gently broke the news, though she didn’t want to completely crush his hopes.

Shibata froze at the table, unmoving, processing the information in silence.

"Anyway... I think everyone should understand now. We have no chance left."

Kanzaki, who had been silently listening to the mostly casual conversation, saw that it was the right time to shift the discussion to a more strategic topic. He decided to redirect the conversation towards a change in plans.

"From now on, we should switch to a strategy focused on accumulating individual points."

Abandoning the idea of advancing to Class A and fully turning to accumulate personal points.

Ichinose, who had once used all her points to save her classmates, immediately began saving again. If she maximized the ratio and focused on saving, she could likely keep a few tickets to the A-Class graduation.

"Kanzaki, you’re seriously considering giving up on Class A?"

"Sorry, I didn’t consult with Watanabe. Answer me, Ichinose."

Kanzaki’s tone was stern, as if warning her— optimistic comments were now a waste of time.

"Indeed, if advancing to Class A becomes difficult, focusing on accumulating personal points is a reasonable approach. It's not a bad idea at all. In fact, the original Class A must have considered this option countless times." Kanzaki acknowledged.

The third-year students, especially in Horikita's and Ryuen's classes, had already accepted the situation where it would be a one-on-one battle. Many students had come to terms with it.

"But I believe this class can still fight, and we can still aim for Class A."

"...Impossible. After carefully analyzing our battle potential, there's no way we can still reach that conclusion."

"Hey, Kanzaki, even if it's really hard to catch up, isn't aiming for Class A still worth it? Having a goal makes all the difference in motivation."

Watanabe, seeming somewhat influenced by Ichinose's perspective, began to persuade Kanzaki as well.

Kanzaki, however, remained unmoved by these unfounded claims.

"The efficiency is too poor. Sure, you can set any goal you want, but there’s always a price for that freedom."

"I don't understand. What price?"

"There are many examples. For instance, in exams that require more hands, consuming personal points is key to success. Or when it comes to gathering intelligence or avoiding penalties— those might also require personal points. And what if someone in the class decides to drop out? Every time we need to pay 20 million points?"

"You're asking us to sacrifice our classmates just to have one or two people advance to Class A?"

"No, not just me. The entire class needs to think this way."

"Wait, hold on, you're saying the whole class?"

Taking advantage of the silence, Kanzaki pressed the issue.

"Himeno and Hamaguchi, what do you think?"

Kanzaki called upon two more allies.

"Well... yeah, to be honest, I think it’s worth considering. What about you, Himeno?"

"I agree... Accumulating personal points isn't a bad idea."

Himeno added, reluctantly aligning herself with Kanzaki's stance.

"No, wait, are you serious? Sacrificing our classmates just so one or two can get into Class A? No, absolutely not. Whether we win or lose, we go together as a class. This plan can’t change."

Shibata, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up, his eyes slightly red with emotion. It was clear he couldn’t sit idly by while Kanzaki made his case.

"I feel the same way."

"Right? ...Ichinose."

Shibata, seeing Ichinose smile in agreement, was once again deeply affected and slumped back onto the desk.

"That's enough, it's just pretty words."

"Indeed, just pretty words."

Ichinose agreed without hesitation in response to Kanzaki's comment.

"What's truly strong about us is that we haven’t lost any students up until now." she continued. "But at the cost of that, we’ve been continuously losing class points, and I can't deny that. However... this so-called 'pretty words' will eventually bear fruit."

Despite Ichinose's confident reply, Kanzaki couldn't see any clear outcome. It seemed to him like she was just speaking of dreams and ideals.

"I want to graduate from Class A without losing a single person."

"Even though you know that’s impossible?"

"No, it’s not impossible."

"I’m sorry, I just can't believe that. I admit that you've recovered from the mental wounds of the exam... but simply saying that we still have a chance to get into Class A doesn’t convince anyone."

"You're right. It’s time to end this state where there are only words and no substance. These past two years, we’ve dropped from Class B to Class D, and that's a fact."

Ichinose accepted Kanzaki's words without hesitation, nodding in agreement.

"Can you wait until the spring break ends and the third year starts?"

"You mean, you can prove it by then?"

"Yes. If by then you can’t accept it, I’ll seriously consider your proposal."

Ichinose said, acknowledging that if she failed to deliver, the class would have to reconsider and switch to focusing on accumulating personal points.

Time was running out, but if she could meet the conditions, it was worth giving her a chance.

"You can’t go back on your word, right?"

"I won’t back down. Right now, I don’t have the qualifications or the authority to tell everyone that we’ll graduate from Class A. But I promise to raise the class to a level where we can compete for a spot in Class A."

Ichinose’s gaze shifted to the others, silently gauging their thoughts.

Everyone was still somewhat confused, but they all agreed to hold off on making any decisions for now, leaving the temporary solution in place.

After that, the conversation returned to the usual. Ichinose and the others shared stories of what had happened over the past two weeks, discussing both their sorrows and joys.

Shibata had wanted to ask about Ayanokoji, but given that others were present, he refrained from pressing the issue too deeply, leaving the question unasked.

For now, all he could do was hope that no progress had been made, and the uncertainty would remain.

The warmth of Ichinose's class, which had been absent for so long, was now observed coldly by Kanzaki.

It had been decided to wait a few more days, and Kanzaki could do nothing but endure for now.

Then, Kanzaki pulled out his chair and stood to leave for the restroom, but Ichinose followed closely behind.

"Kanzaki-kun."

"...What is it?"

"You must have something to report to me, right?"

"Something to report?"

Kanzaki stopped and turned around, confused by the direction the conversation was taking. He looked at Ichinose with a puzzled expression.

"The responsibility for the year-end special exam lies with me. But isn’t there anything you need to explain about your battle tactics as a representative?"

"You’re saying my tactics were a problem? I fought seriously and lost to Horikita. It was frustrating, but that's the reality."

"Is it also predetermined that we should pray for the other party to give up victory before the exam begins?"

"That..."

"Kanzaki-kun gave up on winning from the very beginning. I really wish you could at least discuss this with me beforehand."

"Um...did you hear it from Horikita?...or——"

"Does it really matter who said it?"

"Well, I guess... It was the only way I thought I could win. It wasn’t a situation where we could worry about appearances. I judged that it was the only thing to do."

Kanzaki had intended to continue explaining his reasoning, looking Ichinose in the eye with full conviction, but he quickly took a deep breath.

Ichinose’s expression was completely different from the one she had when listening to everyone earlier.

"The reason I didn't speak up was because if I told the truth in front of Shibata and the others, it would lower their morale."

Despite not being fully questioned, Kanzaki felt an overwhelming urge to justify himself.

"You concluded that you couldn’t win against Ayanokoji no matter what, didn’t you?"

"That’s—"

Ichinose’s eyes locked onto him, as if seeing through his soul.

"I understand your anxiety and the pain that no one else can comprehend. It’s alright now."

What did she mean by "It's alright now"? Kanzaki didn’t have the courage to ask further.

"Sorry, my battle tactics really weren’t something to be praised..."

"Next time you face any difficulties, be sure to consult with me. I’ll do my best to help you."

Her gentle words sent a chill down Kanzaki's spine.

It felt like a warning, a promise that he was not to act recklessly again. Ichinose turned and returned to the group of classmates.

Once seated, her expression was no different from usual.

"Wait... Is that really Ichinose?"

There was an indescribable sense of unease. It was different from the confident demeanor she had during the year-end special exam, or the exhaustion she showed afterward.

Something felt off, as if an unexplainable shift had occurred.

Chapter 10

Goals

Part 1

Next Monday, the new semester is finally starting. It's the year we become third-year students, our final year at this school.

Horikita and I were among the first to arrive in 2-B, followed by other students in uniform, who gathered into the classroom.

It seems that, as long as we don't dirty the classroom or litter, we're allowed to use the space for an hour. The classroom has 39 seats, but since Yagami withdrew, there's one less seat. The seating arrangement has already been adjusted for the new 2-B class setup.

Although it was announced that we were to bring our own drinks, Sudo seems to have borrowed a large water jug from the basketball club and filled it with tea, offering it as a free beverage to everyone. It looks like several girls also brought thermoses, offering hot cocoa, iced tea, and other drinks as a kind gesture.

Before long, I caught eyes with Sato and some other girls who were close with Karuizawa, but they didn't force their way over. They probably didn't want to spoil the celebratory mood.

However, the relationship with them has definitely regressed compared to before.

They're just like that— caring for their friends and empathizing with them. It's a nice trait.

Apart from them, there were several others who seemed to be paying attention to me. It felt odd, a feeling I hadn't noticed until now, something that had been unnoticed since the entrance ceremony. These must be the people who’ve started to notice my abilities.

After a while, the final count of students who arrived was 35. Karuizawa and Koenji still hadn't arrived.

"Karuizawa doesn’t look like she’s coming… Was it really her who initiated the breakup?"

Horikita seemed to be wondering, possibly noticing the cold glances some of the girls, like Sato, were giving me.

"Maybe something came up, or she's not feeling well?"

"…Yeah, I guess."

Perhaps hearing "Karuizawa" mentioned, Yosuke, who had been quietly observing us, walked over.

"Excuse me for interrupting. I wanted to talk about Karuizawa. I’ve heard a bit."

Horikita immediately stepped aside, signaling that she wouldn’t interfere.

"I’m really sorry for making you do so much for us, but it looks like I let you down."

"It’s nothing to apologize for. It’s really unfortunate you two broke up, but sometimes things can’t be helped. I have no right to say anything about it."

Horikita listened quietly, and Yosuke was pretending to have had a relationship with Karuizawa, even though it was all fabricated.

"Do you know what happened with Karuizawa?"

"Sato invited her, but it seems like it didn’t work out. I’m not sure what I can do for Karuizawa, but if she faces any difficulties, I’ll try my best to help her. Not just Karuizawa, I plan to support everyone in the class so we can keep pushing forward. So don’t worry."

Even without bringing up Karuizawa, Yosuke still had one or two grievances with me. Here, he probably wanted to bring them up, but his words subtly revealed that he still hadn’t come to terms with my role in Maezono’s expulsion.

However, he also understood that there was no one he could truly blame.

It was because of this that he reaffirmed his resolve to protect the class.

Don't worry— this phrase also carried an implication about Yosuke's own state of mind.

"If you ever find yourself undecided, Kiyotaka-kun, I hope you'll come talk to me."

"Horikita said something similar. Thanks, Yosuke."

"…Alright, see you later. I'm going to chat with the others for a bit."

Although he couldn't maintain his usual composure, Yosuke still wore his characteristic smile as he walked over to join the other classmates.

"He’s already understood it, hasn’t he? The choice you made was the right one."

"There’s no need for him to think that I was right. After all, a person can’t live solely by speaking pretty words, nor can they grow by simply making decisions. Let him worry about it, it’s fine."

As long as he fights and struggles within the class, finding answers that are closer to the truth, that's enough for me.

"You really are calm, aren't you?"

"I’m just insensitive. If I’m unaffected by criticism, then I won’t care about praise either."

I don’t need others to approve of my results.

I have a clearer analysis of myself than anyone else, a deeper understanding of my own nature than anyone else.

"Is that so… But I still need to tell you, I really appreciate what you did."

"Even though I caused Maezono’s expulsion?"

"That was an exam where we had to make someone expel to win. And ultimately, it's not your fault, it’s mine. I need to keep growing. I need to become someone who can make not just one, but two, three difficult choices. I need to be able to win without causing anyone to be expelled."

After answering my question, Horikita gave a wry smile and continued:

"I’ve thought about it countless times, but I still can’t manage to do it smoothly."

"Indeed. Time flies. From the perspective of your entire life, these two years are just a small part of it. If you want to master the ability to solve all problems perfectly, the time you've spent training is still far from enough."

Horikita replied "Yes", and walked up to the podium amid the cheers of her classmates.

The celebration banquet began, and when it was nearing its end—

I stood at the back of the classroom, watching this final celebration from a distance.

Ayanokoji-kun approached me, handing me a paper cup filled with sweet cocoa that wafted a comforting aroma.

"Thank you."

Then, the two of us stood side by side, watching the classmates.

At this moment, everyone was sharing their goals for next year.

It was Ike-kun’s turn.

I had expected him to do something foolish to draw attention, but that didn’t happen.

"...I... well, during spring break, I kept thinking—will Maezono-san, now that she's expelled, continue to put in effort?"

"Hey, Ike, don't start with those depressing words when it's your turn."

Sudo-kun interjected, perhaps thinking Ike-kun was about to bring up the past again.

However, Ike-kun shook his head, denying it, and continued:

"I don’t mean it that way. But... it was so sudden, right? It feels like, not just Maezono-san, but anyone could have been the one to leave. I really realized now, I can’t keep living like this anymore."

"Hmm, no matter what happens, it’s always best to be prepared in advance."

Yukimura-kun responded to Ike-kun's words, agreeing with him.

"I never really thought about my future seriously before, not even once."

After all the fuss, whether someone withdrew or not, in the end, you still have to think about your own future.

Even if I get kicked out of school tomorrow, no matter when, I should always be focused on the long-term and act accordingly.

It seems like he had realized this, which was a very important point.

"Becoming someone who can handle things naturally isn’t easy, but if you’ve noticed this, you might be able to do it. Don’t forget this."

It was like a teacher offering advice to a student, as Yukimura-kun gave Ike-kun this piece of wisdom.

Then, one by one, the classmates took the stage to speak.

"Most of the classmates have grown a bit. Ike and the others are living proof of that."

"Yeah, it's like night and day compared to when we first entered."

"And your goal?"

"My goal?..."

I thought for a moment. If I think too deeply into it, I might get tangled up in my own thoughts, so I decided to just trust my instincts.

"Believe in myself, and then believe in my classmates— yeah. That way... we’ll surely graduate as Class A."

I expressed this small resolution.

Of course, this was also something that would lead me to face hardships later on.

Despite that, I still conveyed this to Ayanokoji-kun, mentally preparing myself to sever any escape routes.

"That's a good goal."

"Yeah... I guess? It's normal, after all..."

"Actually putting into practice what seems like the obvious thing is truly a rare and admirable thing."

"…Right, I guess so."

Doing what should be done as a matter of course— it wasn't easy, after all.

"So, Ayanokoji-kun, what's your goal?"

"I can't tell you that right now."

"Hey, that's a bit too cunning, isn't it?"

Having been forced to speak so much myself, I got closer to Ayanokoji-kun, slightly annoyed.

But when I got too close to his face, a sudden sense of embarrassment overtook me, and I quickly pulled away.

"Ugh… fine. But you have to tell me next time."

"Next time, then."

To escape from the arrogance in his gaze, I looked out the window.

Despite all my frustrations with Ayanokoji-kun, his presence truly did bring a sense of calm.

For me, he had already become a powerful support— a fact that couldn't be denied.

After gazing out at the scenery for a while, feeling my emotions calm down, I spoke again, voicing another goal.

"In the coming year, as a companion and classmate, I want to earn your approval once more."

The words that naturally rose to my heart slipped out.

"I won’t ask you to help with everything, but I hope you can stay by my side, watching over me."

Though I was slightly aware of the heat spreading across my cheeks, I turned my gaze toward Ayanokoji-kun, who was standing beside me.

However—

The figure of Ayanokoji-kun, who had been standing there just moments ago, had vanished.

"...Ayanokoji-kun?"

I searched the classroom, but I couldn't find him anywhere.

Had he gone to the restroom?

Normally, I’d think that, but...

I couldn’t shake the strange feeling of loneliness and helplessness that had begun to creep in.

—Until the celebration party officially ended, he never returned to the classroom.

Epilogue

A New Beginning

Part 1

After the opening ceremony, the teachers gathered in the office for a brief meeting. Soon after, they would head to their respective classrooms, where the students were waiting for them.

"Let's go together, Sae-chan."

Hoshinomiya spoke to Chabashira, marking their first conversation since they had met in Mashima’s room during spring break.

Hoshinomiya left the office ahead of the other teachers.

"Ah, okay."

Chabashira quickly grabbed her tablet and followed her.

"I bet you're curious, huh? What I'm going to do next."

"Of course. You’ll tell me your plans, right…?"

"Of course. I’m sticking to my stance— there's no way I’ll let Sae-chan’s class graduate as Class A."

Ayanokoji wasn’t just a student. Maybe he had figured out a solution.

Chabashira once had faint hopes, but as expected, they were unrealistic.

It was perfectly normal that it didn’t work out, because this wasn’t an issue among students— it was an issue between the teachers.

She had always thought that way.

"Are you really going to resort to unethical methods?"

"Oh, right, there's that too. Let me clarify things for you."

Chabashira braced herself. If she admitted this, she could report it to the school first.

She decided to preemptively act.

"I take back what I said earlier about using unethical methods to prevent your class from graduating as A-class."

To Chabashira’s surprise, Hoshinomiya spoke words that seemed to indicate a change of heart.

"R-really? Are you not lying just because I’m here?"

"It’s understandable that you’d doubt me, but I promise this time, I’m serious."

Hoshinomiya bluntly asserted, "I promise."

Upon hearing this, Chabashira felt more surprised and unsettled than pleased.

"Does this mean you won’t go that far, but instead will impose some kind of unreasonable condition on me?"

"Look at you. Just treat your students like you always do. I’m not going to force any unreasonable conditions on you right now."

"But...?"

"I understand. You're asking why I changed my mind, right?"

At this expected question, Chabashira nodded deeply.

"It was Ayanokoji-kun who convinced me. I agreed and accepted the situation— that’s all."

"Ayanokoji-kun...? He really managed to do it?"

"Yes, he did. He’s quite an exceptional student. Not only can he easily sway the outcome of the class, but he can even manipulate my feelings of resentment. He really does have that 'joker' quality, doesn’t he?"

In the past, Hoshinomiya had also compared Ayanokoji to a ‘Joker card’.

As these thoughts flashed through Chabashira’s mind, in the midst of this surprising conversation, she could hardly believe them.

"You want to know how he convinced me, right?"

"Well... honestly, I can hardly believe it myself."

"Yes. But it’s fine, I think you’ll realize soon that everything I’m saying is true."

Before long, the two of them climbed the stairs, heading toward the corridor beside the 3rd-year classrooms.

"Because—"

They reached the last step, turned the corner, and the corridor came into view.

Here, Hoshinomiya flashed Chabashira a malicious smile.

"The necessary Joker that could win you the game is no longer in your hand, Sae-chan."

"The Joker... isn’t in my hand anymore? What do you mean...?"

She had compared Ayanokoji to a Joker card, then said that the Joker card was no longer in her hand.

Hearing this confusing statement, Chabashira felt lost.

"Yeah, and if that Joker card was in my hand, the situation would likely change dramatically. With that, wouldn’t I have a chance to win too? So for the coming year, let’s have a fair competition."

With that, Hoshinomiya placed her hand on the door to the 3rd-year D-class classroom closest to her, smiling fearlessly.

"Now, how about you go confirm things in your own classroom?"

"Confirm... what? Chie, what are you talking about?"

Chabashira's face was filled with confusion, but the next moment, a thought that she would never normally entertain flashed across her mind.

"Ahahaha, I can't wait to see the expression of even greater despair on your face."

Hoshinomiya said, before walking into the classroom and slamming the door shut with a decisive sound.

It couldn’t be— less than a 1% chance filled Chabashira’s mind, and in that state, she suppressed the urge to run.

It took everything to make her slowly walk to the classroom door.

There, she saw the class nameplate that she'd only ever seen in a dream— 3-A.

Just then, an instructor rushed to Chabashira, who was still in a daze.

"Chabashira-sensei, it has been confirmed that one of your students will be transferring to another class!"

The instructor continued explaining, but Chabashira only caught half of what was being said, her mind still reeling from the shock.