Chapter 3: To Know Who You're Dealing With

As the bell signaling the end of morning homeroom rang, what swept through the classroom wasn’t the usual relief, but a silence laced with tension.

The students of Class A instinctively exchanged uneasy glances.

Although the unannounced reveal of a special exam was becoming a regular occurrence, they couldn't hide their bewilderment at the slightly different turn of events.

“I—I mean, how can you say ‘That’s all’!? You didn’t explain anything!”

Ike-kun hastily called out after Chabashira-sensei, who had already moved to the door, ready to leave.

4

“I told you,” she responded coldly without turning her body, only her head pivoting back to meet his eyes. “I will not be accepting any questions this time.”

2

“But still...!”

His voice trembled, caught somewhere between confusion and desperation.

With an exasperated sigh, Chabashira-sensei continued in her usual sharp tone.

“I’m not being cold just for the sake of it. It’s simply the rule. We, as teachers, are prohibited from explaining the details of this specific exam.”

The sternness in her voice made the tension in the room grow even more palpable. Ike-kun’s face stiffened, and I could feel the same unease ripple throughout the class.

“I want you to stop acting childish and show me you've grown. Show me that you're no longer the same as when you first entered this school.”

4

Chabashira-sensei added that last part as if to drive home the point.

It wasn’t some petty provocation. Chabashira-sensei simply had no intention of explaining the rules in the first place. We were expected to pick up on that from the unnaturally timed announcement, made just as homeroom was about to end.

Without so much as a backward glance, she flung the door open and solemnly left the classroom. Even after the door slammed shut with a sharp bang, the room didn’t quiet down. On the contrary, her absence only made the noise swell.

“She seriously just left? How the hell are we supposed to do anything without knowing the rules?”

“She said she wasn't being cold on purpose, but wasn't she, like, really cold?”

5

“Right? She was super cold. Think it’s ‘cause we lost the last special exam?”

“But still… we tried our best…”

The room buzzed with complaints as everyone started grumbling openly, not holding back their frustration.

“I get why you’re upset, but for now, just calm down. Kicking up a fuss ain’t gonna tell us the rules!”

As if to show his irritation, Sudo-kun stuck his pinky in his left ear and called out the restless classmates.

2

“Sudo-kun's right, everyone. There’s no need to get so worked up. Every class is in the same situation, no one has an advantage or disadvantage at this point.”

Hirata-kun added, his calm voice following Sudo-kun’s firm statement as he tried to soothe the class.

Still, Ike-kun’s complaints showed no signs of stopping.

“C’mon, how are we supposed to do anything if we don’t even know the rules? Wouldn't it be better to just go in blind after a week?”

5

“Yeah, I think that would've been better,” Shinohara-san chimed in, siding with Ike-kun’s frustration. “This whole thing just feels like we’re being kept in limbo.”

15

I could understand their frustration. But regardless of how they felt, the special exam had already been announced. That fact wouldn’t change.

What mattered now was how we responded. Jumping to the conclusion that we had no hints before even thinking….that was the true mistake.

I couldn’t let the class spiral into chaos any further. So, I stood up and spoke clearly.

1

“The special exam begins tomorrow. Panicking now will only waste time. What we need is to stay calm, exchange ideas, and discuss a strategy.”

Still, skepticism remained.

With arms crossed and eyes fixed on the blank monitor, Hondo-kun voiced what others were thinking.

“But without the rules, what kind of ideas can we even come up with?”

1

“If we put our heads together, we might be able to predict the nature of the test. It’s just a matter of preparing multiple options based on the possibilities,” I said.

“Yeah, well, maybe you're right, but still, we can't just overlook Sensei's attitude, can we? What's up with that coldness of hers?“

9

Shinohara-san seemed especially displeased with the way Chabashira-sensei responded to us. A few other students also shared her sentiment.

4

I really don't think that should take priority over the content of the special exam…

It’s true that, compared to how she used to be, Chabashira-sensei had softened quite a bit. In the latter half of our second year, she even started smiling more frequently, enough that it felt like we were looking at a completely different person. But now in our third year, with Ayanokoji-kun gone, even Sensei must be feeling the loss. It’s no surprise her demeanor would show signs of change.

Still, isn’t that in itself a sign that she understands Class A is about to face a difficult, uphill battle from now on?

Perhaps she's sealing away any unnecessary kindness or warmth to help us brace ourselves.

Whatever the case may be, expecting kindness from someone without giving anything back, regardless of the reason, is simply unreasonable.

1

That’s how I saw it. But the others didn’t.

Soon, the dissatisfied stares weren’t just aimed at the teacher, but at me, Hirata-kun, and Sudo-kun as well.

We were all grappling with a vague yet heavy sense of unrest. Considering that, I couldn’t bring myself to reproach them outright. After all, the entire class had been caught into the dissonance that Ayanokoji-kun left behind. They were victims of it too.

6

And so, the first period arrived without any meaningful discussion taking place. Time slipped away without any resolution.

During the short breaks and lunchtime, I carefully used each spare moment to approach the anxious Class A students one by one, asking for their permission to hold a discussion after school.

I wanted to ease their unrest, even just a little, so that students like Ike-kun and Shinohara-san, who had been voicing their dissatisfaction, wouldn't face the end of the school day with their feelings still in turmoil.

1

Sudo-kun had said my response was excessive, but seeing Chabashira-sensei remain just as cold as she was in the morning, I felt certain I’d made the right decision by taking the initiative.

“Horikita. As I mentioned during lunch, you have a student council matter to attend in an hour. You’re free to hold your discussion, but don’t forget,” she reminded me as she passed by.

“Yes, I understand.” I replied.

As expected, she didn’t mention anything about the special exam during the final homeroom. She approached me briefly, said her piece, and left the classroom without another word.

Once she was gone, I stepped forward. I had no intention of letting the class fall into another round of pointless complaints like they had in the morning.

Just as I reached towards the podium, another student began to move as well.

There was only one person I hadn’t spoken to, despite fully recognizing him as a point of concern.

“That guy…”

4

Sudo-kun muttered beside me, clicking his tongue in irritation as he turned around.

Indeed, as always, Koenji-kun, whose presence seemed to demand attention, rose from his seat alone and briskly walked out of the classroom.

“Oi, Koenji.” Sudo-kun called out, half in warning. But Koenji-kun didn’t so much as glance back or slow down. He just left.

3

This was typical. He doesn't interfere in our discussions, but he doesn't contribute either.

That’s precisely why I hadn’t even bothered trying to reach out to him before after-school hours. Involving him would only risk stirring unnecessary conflict. I’ve already decided it’s better to let him be.

3

Even Sudo-kun, the only one who called him out, probably felt the same deep down. The way he immediately lost interest in Koenji-kun’s retreating figure only confirmed it.

This is fine. We can start our discussion without him, as always. It’s smoother that way, and less prone to issues.

...But still.

Is it really okay to keep brushing it off as typical and let it slide forever?

9

“Hirata-kun, sorry, but could you get started without me? I'll be right back.”

“Okay, got it,” Hirata-kun replied with an easy nod, and I left the rest to him for the time being.

Even while understanding that begging him was futile, I hurried out into the hallway to chase after Koenji-kun.

I jogged down the hallway, following after him as he presumably headed for the shoe lockers.

1

As soon as I spotted his tall back in the distance, I picked up my pace and moved to walk beside him.

“Could you wait a moment?” I asked, glancing up at him from close by.

“Oh my, Horikita-girl. Do you have some business with me?” he replied, sparing me a sideways glance without even turning his head, his face still aimed squarely toward the exit.

1

I desperately tried to match my pace to his long, wide strides, continuing to follow him.

“I’d at least like you to hear what I have to say,” I began.

“I don’t mind listening, as long as we keep walking,” he responded casually.

1

“No, I want you to come back to the classroom right now and listen to the discussion.”

3

A modest request from my end, one I didn’t expect much from.

Koenji-kun didn’t react in any grand fashion. He simply smiled, flashing his perfectly white teeth.

“Wouldn't that be pointless? My time is exceedingly priceless, you know. Besides, you and I have an established contract. I’ve no obligation to help you beyond that, right?”

“Yes, I'm aware of that. But all I’m asking is for you to listen to the discussion. I’m not requesting your cooperation in the special exam. I’m not even asking you to speak.”

Even I understood that if I were to rely on his potential to secure us a win, he’d turn me down instantly. And truthfully, he had every right to do so. That’s why I offered him something simpler.

“You just have to sit there until the meeting ends. That’s all. Isn’t that simple?”

2

“You certainly seem passionate,” he mused. “But I just don’t get it. What’s the point?”

“Because it's necessary for the class to unite as one again. I don’t want you disrupting that balance. If even one person disrupts the discipline, it affects the morale of the whole group.”

3

That was my justification and an appeal. I looked up at him as I said it. Surely, it must get through to Koenji-kun, at least a little.

That's what I thought as I continued looking up at his profile, but what I received next was a scornful laugh.

“Hmph. You say the strangest things. If my absence alone can shatter the class’s unity, then your leadership must not be worth much, Horikita-girl.”

12

“Whether I’m competent or not isn’t the issue here. If even one student acts however they please, we can’t call ourselves ‘united’ can we? A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”

1

“I see. So you’re capable of giving amusing answers now,” he chuckled. “But you said ‘unite again’— now tell me, has this class, excluding me, ever truly been united as one before?”

9

At those merciless words, my expression stiffened for a moment, and I came to a halt.

But I couldn't let Koenji-kun walk away with just this level of pushback, so I immediately resumed walking.

“Saying we’ve never once been united as a class—that’s going too far, don’t you think? Over the past two years, maybe not always, but we’ve come together as one more than a few times. That’s why we’re in Class A now.”

4

We’ve faced and overcome hardships together. Maybe it's not something to boast about, but it’s still the truth.

2

“I'd like you to add 'in my opinion' to that statement.” he retorted.

8

“It would be better if I had you add, 'in my opinion' to yours as well,” I shot back.

5

Even if it was just an exchange of barbs, I couldn’t afford to retreat. I had to keep pressing him on.

“You’re saying Class A status is proof of unity? The class only made it this far because Ayanokoji-boy was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Surely you, of all people, understand that without me having to say it, don't you?”

“......It's true that Ayanokoji-kun is no longer with us. But that doesn’t mean we only ever won because of him.”

10

“If you're saying that from the bottom of your heart, then that is truly a comical story. You talk about unity and solidarity, but aren’t you just trying to convince yourself that you can still win even without Ayanokoji-boy?”

2

“That’s—”

His merciless words felt like a blade stabbing me in the back.

“Even if I returned to the classroom, it would be meaningless. No matter how much you struggle, as long as you remain the leader, there will be no victory against other classes.”

12

He pointed out my lack of ability without sugarcoating it in the slightest.

“So you’re saying… I’m not good enough?”

Ichinose-san, who had earned the kind of trust that could unify a class.

Ryuen-kun, who used fear and intimidation to bend his class to his will.

Sakayanagi-san, who produced results with undeniable ability and was recognized for it.

And Ayanokoji-kun, who was accepted by the class in the blink of an eye due to his overwhelming strength.

Compared to them... I couldn’t deny there was a difference.

“Yes… maybe you’re right. But that doesn’t mean I should give up here, does it? I have to do what I can, especially if we want to strengthen the bonds we have, however imperfect they may be.”

2

“I won't deny that. You’re free to do as you please. And, since I have no reason or obligation to follow your instructions, I too am free to maintain my non-participation.”

“You are an excellent student, I understand that. But now that Ayanokoji-kun has become an enemy, our class's position as Class A will be threatened before long. Are you fine with that?”

Without cooperation, graduating as Class A might no longer be possible. I needed to know, did Koenji-kun truly understand that? Was he prepared?

I carefully observed his every movement, determined not to miss even the smallest shift in behavior, any crack in his usual mask. But even as my probing gaze bore into him, Koenji-kun didn’t flinch. Instead, he met my eyes and smiled back with amusement.

“In the end, you’re no different from the others,” he said, continuing his pace without the slightest hesitation, growing more distant from the classroom with each step.

“No different...? What do you mean by that?” I asked, keeping pace.

1

“That cheap ploy, to stir up my sense of crisis and push me into action. That’s what I mean.”

“...You mean someone else tried this before me?”

4

Is there anyone in the current class who would confront Koenji-kun for his behavior? Even Sudo-kun only gave half-hearted warnings, and most students even avoided talking to him altogether.

1

Hirata-kun might speak to him, but he would never do anything that resembled a threat.

“Well, who knows,” Koenji-kun replied with an airy laugh.

While lost in thought, I realized we were about to arrive at the school entrance.

“Any further pursuit is a waste of time,” he said lightly. “So do yourself a favor and stop.”

“...I’d like to take that advice,” I admitted. “But I’m afraid I can’t.”

I will pursue him relentlessly, until he gives in and agrees to return back to the classroom.

4

I could feel the fire of resolve blazing inside me— only for that flame to be snuffed out in an instant.

“Advice? You're thoroughly misguided girl. Unfortunately, this is not advice, it is a warning.”

2

“…!?”

I froze. His gaze…. those sharp eyes cut through me, and I found myself holding my breath.

5

It was a faint, almost imperceptible edge of hostility, a frustration rarely seen from Koenji-kun.

A distinctive look in his eyes, different from what someone like Ryuen-kun, who was accustomed to intimidation, would display.

“Are you planning to make an enemy of me as well, Horikita-girl?”

He wasn’t an ally. Just neutral. And now, that neutrality was hanging by a thread.

This was a threat that if I intended to make him break that stance, he would show no mercy.

“...That’s not my intention,” I said quietly.

4

My resolve vanished in an instant, and I stopped in my tracks.

1

I had no choice but to stop.

It was one thing to lose his cooperation, but if I turned him into an enemy, the consequences would be irreversible. Koenji-kun was, for better or worse, a natural-born disruptor. If he ever truly decided to break this class apart, he wouldn’t hesitate.

“Good. Well then, I shall be on my way.”

And just like that, he left. I stood there with frustration twisting in my chest, powerless. In the end, I couldn’t even stop him from walking away.

2

While the class discussion was failing to reach any conclusion, I couldn't afford to linger. Entrusting the rest to Hirata-kun and the others, I hurried off toward the student council room to attend to my duties.

1

I had hoped, at the very least, to help set a direction for everyone, but that hope had slipped through my fingers.

Ideally, I would’ve liked to talk things through until we all reached an understanding, but this couldn’t be helped.

Having accepted the role of student council president, it was my responsibility to fulfill the position with just as much commitment as I would give a special exam.

When I arrived at the student council room, Nanase-san was already there, bowing her head in greeting.

“Thank you for your time, President Horikita.” she said.

“You're quite early.”

With that brief exchange, we stepped into the still-empty student council room. I took my seat at the head of the table, and Nanase-san stood beside me, holding out two printed sheets.

“I just received these documents from Hojo-sensei, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-A.” she said.

Each sheet contained the profile of a student— one was Kusanagi Minato from Class 1-A, the other was Maki Yuma from Class 1-D.

4

“And this,” she added, handing me another sheet after I glanced through the profiles, “is the summary of the case we’ll be handling.”

There was nothing particularly complex written in the report, it was straightforward enough to grasp with a quick glance.

“So, these two got into a major fight,” I muttered.

It had happened last Friday, behind the first-year dorms. Maki-kun from Class 1-D had called out Kusanagi-kun from Class 1-A at the location described.

They had an argument which escalated, and soon they were trading blows.

Both of them struck each other multiple times, including in the face, resulting in Maki-kun sustaining injuries that would take three weeks to fully heal, and Kusanagi-kun sustaining milder injuries that would take around one week.

2

Their scuffle had gone unnoticed until they returned from behind the dormitory, bruised and battered, and were spotted by a passing student, who raised the alarm. Fortunately, both of them were able to return to school on Monday.

“Since it happened behind the dorm... there’s no footage of the actual fight, is there?” I asked.

2

“Yes,” Nanase-san nodded. “That spot’s a blind zone for the surveillance cameras. Apparently, a third-year returning to the dorm noticed the two of them just as they were heading back, and that’s how it got discovered.”

Where the cameras are, and where they aren't.

It seems even the first-year students, who have only just enrolled, are getting a grasp of such things.

“We may need to officially request the school to install more cameras,” I remarked.

“I agree,” Nanase-san replied. “I did ask Hojo-sensei about it briefly, but he said we should hear the details directly from the students themselves. He wouldn’t say much.”

“That’s probably to maintain fairness. That must be the reason they’ve handed this judgment over to us, the student council in the first place.”

Nanase-san nodded firmly, then continued, as if something had surfaced in her mind.

“Actually... a similar thing happened to me last year. I was once summoned to the student council too.”

“You were? Did someone hurt you?” I asked, surprised.

“No, nothing like that. It was because of an incident involving one of my classmates…”

She gave a slight, rueful smile before beginning to explain.

It happened just before summer. Hosen Kazuomi-kun from Class 1-D and Utomiya Riku-kun from Class 1-C of the time, crossed paths in the hallway. What began as a petty dispute quickly spiraled into a heated argument. In no time, they were glaring at each other from point-blank range, on the verge of a physical fight.

The tension only escalated when students from both classes nearby started getting involved. One Class C student, having reached their breaking point, lashed out and struck a Class D student. Riding that momentum, they also charged at Hosen-kun and tried to hit him, but were effortlessly knocked down in retaliation.

1

“Just as Utomiya-kun, who had been holding himself back, was about to lose control too, some teachers happened to pass by and managed to defuse the situation. Later the matter was reported to the student council.”

The student Hosen-kun retaliated against suffered injuries that took three weeks to heal. But considering that the Class C student had struck first and ended up hitting another student, it was unclear who should bear the greater blame. The issue dragged on for two whole weeks as repeated meetings were held to reach a fair judgment.

Nanase-san recounted it all quietly, as if replaying the events in her mind.

“Nagumo-senpai must’ve had a hard time too, huh?” Nanase-san said, her voice tinged with sympathy.

“I think so too,” I replied.

Though exasperated, I let out a quiet chuckle.

“Was it really that funny of a story?” she asked curiously.

“Not really. It’s just that... these sorts of issues pop up everywhere. I had a similar experience back in my first year.”

“Really?” she blinked in surprise.

“Yeah. A classmate of mine got into a scuffle with someone from Ryuen-kun’s class, kind of like your situation.”

At that time, my brother was sitting in this very seat where I am now.

Sudo-kun had punched a student in the special building, which led to a discussion about who started it and who was at fault. My brother, acting impartially, handled the matter with a calm and fair perspective as part of the student council. I imagine Nagumo-senpai did the same last year.

Thinking back on it, I couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s almost become a tradition, new students always causing problems at least once. The thought of that made me laugh a little.”

“Now that I’ve heard your story,” she said, “it all feels more real. I can already picture something similar happening again next year.”

“And when it does, it'll be your turn to handle it as Student Council President.”

“Eh?, M-me?”

“If things go smoothly, that’s how it’ll turn out. Will you take up the mantle?”

“...I hope I can live up to it. But all the previous presidents have graduated from Class A, right? And I’m… still in Class D.”

Despite Nanase-san’s uncertain tone, there was no mistaking it, she was the clear front-runner for the role.

“Don’t let precedent shaped by coincidence weigh you down,” I told her gently. “Until now, only students from Class A or B ever became student council president. But here I am, someone who started in Class D, still managing just fine.”

I paused for a moment, then added, “This may serve as a good example, but even I have no guarantee of graduating in Class A.”

After all, our current standing in Class A was only temporary. If not for Ayanokoji-kun’s quiet support behind the scenes, we never would’ve made it here in the first place.

I looked her in the eyes. “At the very least, I believe you’re more than qualified to be the next student council president. Believe in yourself.”

1

“...Thank you,” Nanase-san replied quietly. “For now, I want to prove myself as secretary and show results.”

Though still reserved, she accepted my words with sincerity, nodding and bowing in gratitude.

“The fact that their fight has been brought to the student council means it’s gotten quite serious,” I said, switching topics. “Before they arrive, let me brief you on my thoughts. Depending on how things unfold, I’ll need your support.”

One of the students involved was from Class A. Usually, it’s Class C or D students who cause these kinds of violent disturbances, but not this time.

Kusanagi-kun had both physical ability and academic scores at a B+ level. Clearly, he wasn’t just strong, he was smart too. We’ll need to be prepared accordingly.

“Of course.”

With the remaining time, I briefed Nanase-san on several backup plans. Before long, a dry knock echoed through the student council room, it was time.

“They’re here, it seems. Please, come in,” she called out.

As the door opened, two male students stepped in, glaring daggers at one another. Their flashy, rebellious hairstyles immediately gave off the impression of delinquents. Their attitudes were just as defiant, with no trace of remorse, each clearly convinced that the other was to blame.

But more than their looks or demeanor, what stood out now were their faces.

“......My, those are some pretty bad injuries.” Nanase-san muttered, unable to keep it to herself.

The student standing on my left was Maki-kun from Class 1-D. On the right was Kusanagi-kun from Class 1-A.

While a doctor might diagnose a recovery time of two to three weeks even for lighter injuries, what we saw now was nothing short of brutal. Both of them had swollen, battered faces, evidence that they had truly gone all out. Maki-kun’s wounds were especially severe. It was painfully obvious who had the upper hand in the fight.

“You understand why you’ve been summoned to the student council room, don’t you?” Nanase-san asked, gently steering them toward accountability.

“Tch, hell no I don’t,” one of them snapped. “Why the hell was I even called in for? He’s the one who started it.”

Kusanagi-kun immediately snapped back, baring his teeth at Maki-kun as he shouted,

“Hah?! Don’t screw with me, you bastard! You’re the one who started this!”

Maki-kun scoffed. “Yeah, right! You swung first. Not that it landed or anything!”

A fierce shouting match broke out, both trying to pin the blame on the other for starting the fight. Nanase-san and I exchanged glances but chose not to intervene just yet. We judged letting them vent out their frustrations now would make things easier later.

What started as simply pushing blame onto each other gradually escalated to unnecessary insults and verbal abuse, and eventually, the topic devolved into irrelevant things like height and appearance.

“Children.” I muttered.

4

“Children, indeed.” Nanase-san echoed softly.

They may have just entered high school, but they were already stepping into territory that couldn’t be overlooked. Their fight was escalating, showing no sign of stopping, if anything, it looked like they might come to blows again right here in the Student Council Room.

“This has gone far enough. I’ll need you both to quiet down now,” Nanase-san warned them, unable to bear the racket.

The boys shot her a glance but didn’t stop. They were clearly looking down on her, thinking they didn’t have to listen, just because she was a girl.

Their condescending attitude was obvious to anyone watching.

Nanase-san’s words may not have silenced them, but it was clear they heard it, which was enough for now. Their bickering stemmed from mutual dissatisfaction, nothing more. In that case, all I have to do is act as if I'm about to hand down the most dissatisfying ruling.

4

I sent a glance toward Nanase-san.

Our eyes met, and she gave a small nod, having perfectly grasped my intentions.

1

“If you two insist on arguing as you please, then there’s no need to continue this meeting,” she said coldly, her voice detached. “We may have to impose severe penalties on both sides. Are you all right with that?”

I silently scraped back my chair and rose to my feet.

“Hah? Hold up— that’s total BS!”

3

“This isn’t something for a student council, or some girl, to butt into!”

“Please use polite language when you speak.” Nanase-san warned calmly.

They shot back angry glares, clearly dissatisfied with our stance. Maybe they thought that would make us back off. How naive.

“This is the Advanced Nurturing High School, and the student council holds a certain degree of authority. This meeting is a rare opportunity to uncover the truth. If you intend to trample over it, then we won’t waste another second. Let’s file a report to the teachers, President.”

“Don't just end it on your own!”

“You two are free to leave,” Nanase-san said with a light, dismissive gesture. “Or, if you wish to continue your little shouting match, please do so in the hallway.”

They were still new to the school, far too early in their time here for any lecture about what’s best for the class to resonate. For boys like them, the worst-case scenario was simple: that neither of their arguments would be accepted. Their fragile pride wouldn’t be able to bear that outcome.

1

But gradually, they began to sense the shift. A strange weight in the room they hadn’t noticed before.

From the moment they’d entered the Student Council room, I hadn’t said a single word to them.

“......Why is the Student Council President just stayin' quiet? Say something.”

4

They clearly recognized me from the entrance ceremony speech, they knew exactly who I was.

“You’ve been watching all this, right? Then you should know who’s in the wrong!” they said, pointing fingers at one another, each insisting it was the other who was to blame.

They’d probably thought they could keep going like this until I stepped in and gave a verdict.

But I said nothing.

Because this situation wasn’t even worth responding to— and I let my silence make that crystal clear.

Eventually, the effect began to take hold. The loud tension that had filled the student council room slowly dissolved into silence. A tense, heavy stillness.

They’d realized it, they were the only ones making fools of themselves here.

Still clinging to their pride, they opened their mouths as if to protest once more, but all that came out was a quiet mumble, too faint to hear. In the end, both of them clamped their lips shut.

“…So what are we supposed to do?” Finally both of them almost in unison, asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

And at last, they looked to me, no longer to argue, but to ask for resolution.

“It seems they are willing to resolve things. What would you like to do, President?”

I gave a quiet nod and gestured for Nanase-san to take the lead.

“Alright then, Kusanagi-kun, could you please tell us your side of the story again? While he's speaking, Maki-kun, I ask that you stay completely silent, no matter how dissatisfied you may be. You'll get your turn to speak afterward. Is that clear?”

With his lips tightly pressed, Maki-kun gave a reluctant nod at Nanase-san’s firm instruction.

“This guy... Maki, was lookin' at me like I was something nasty stuck to his shoe. So I asked what the hell his problem was, and he just snapped. Next thing I know, he’s calling me out behind the dorms. I wasn't gonna back down either, so I showed up, and the moment I did, he came swingin’ at me like a madman. Well, I had a hunch I was stronger, so I dodged him lightly and then fed him a counter.”

He knew full well that if he interrupted now, he risked being painted as the bad guy. But if he stayed silent, preserving his chance to defend himself.

Maki-kun must've picked up on that instinctively.

Kusanagi-kun went on for a while, pinning all the blame on Maki-kun. When it was clear no new testimony would emerge, we shifted the turn to Maki-kun, who had endured in silence until now.

“You’ve got some nerve saying whatever you want skipping all the inconvenient parts! He’s the one who called me a defective product first! All I wanted was for him to take it back! And don’t give me that ‘hunch I was stronger’ crap— I was the one who had you trembling after that body shot, and you know it!”

Maki-kun let his pent-up frustration spill out right into Kusanagi-kun’s ear.

Kusanagi-kun averted his eyes, awkward and clearly pretending to know nothing.

‘Defective product,’ huh….that’s a term I haven’t heard in a long time.

4

We, as first-year Class D students, had been summoned in exactly the same way. Perhaps this too is one of those unpleasant traditions that have been inherited by the school yet again this year.

Laying aside emotions and arranging the facts from both sides made things somewhat clearer. It began when Kusanagi-kun called Maki-kun a “defective product,” a blatant insult. Maki-kun, understandably enraged, called him out behind the dorms and demanded he retract the statement. But Kusanagi-kun refused, and Maki-kun, unable to bear his smug attitude any longer, lashed out. His first punch missed. Kusanagi-kun’s counter, however, landed cleanly. What followed was a scuffle that quickly turned into a brawl. Judging by their injuries, it was clear that Maki-kun had lost. Yet he refused to admit it, insisting he had the upper hand the entire time. Kusanagi-kun, on the other hand, claimed victory and said he had stopped fighting the moment the outcome was clear.

1

Their stories are completely at odds, making it impossible to judge fairly.

After Maki-kun finished speaking, Kusanagi-kun shot him another glare before relaxing his face and turning to me with a confident smile.

“You get it, don’t you, President? I mean, we’re both in Class A. It was just pure self-defense.”

1

It was the first time he’d used proper respectful language, but that alone wasn’t enough to earn him any favor.

“Being in Class A is just a label,” I replied coldly. “Fools are punished, regardless of rank. And even students in Class D are praised when they do what’s right.”

“H-Huh? But...!”

His mood shifted instantly.

So there are students this hot-tempered even in Class A this year.

“It may be true that Maki-kun was the one who called you out. But that doesn’t justify responding so recklessly. Especially since you immediately sensed that you were stronger than him, right?”

“That's...!”

“Well, for someone so confident that they were stronger, it seems you've also sustained some nasty injuries, haven't you?”

Even if Kusanagi-kun had a slight edge, the damage they dealt each other suggested they were more or less evenly matched.

Kusanagi-kun averted his gaze when pressed, clearly displeased but unable to deny the point.

“No wonder you can’t answer,” Maki-kun sneered. “You didn’t win, after all.”

“Don’t screw with me, Maki. No matter how you slice it, I’m stronger!”

At this rate, if they refused to apologize or reconcile, the only fair move would be to assign punishment proportionate to their injuries— Maki-kun: 40, Kusanagi-kun: 60.

Just as I was beginning to think that—

“I didn’t even hit Maki that bad in the first place... damn it,” Kusanagi-kun muttered through clenched teeth.

It was more of an unintentional slip of the tongue than something meant for us to hear.

Normally, one would take that as an act meant to save himself, but Maki-kun, standing next to him, not only didn't object to the statement but made a gesture as if to ignore it.

Given the flow of the conversation up to this point, he absolutely should have refuted it.

That silence was off. Nanase-san and I instinctively exchanged glances.

“What do you mean, you didn’t hit him that much?” I pressed.

“Nah, it's nothing.” he muttered, clearly trying to backtrack.

“It’s not ‘nothing,’” I replied sharply. “Violence is violence, but it's clear that Maki-kun has suffered more serious injuries. Taking the school's judgment into account as well, you may receive a harsher punishment. Shouldn't you be defending yourself properly?”

For a brief moment, the two boys who had done nothing but glare at each other, met each other's eyes for real.

It looked almost like the kind of eye contact I sometimes exchange with Nanase-san.

“There’s nothing more to say... What I said is all of it,” he muttered, almost like he was tired. “Right, Maki?”

“Yeah, pretty much.... Besides, Kusanagi's definitely the one at fault, right?” Maki-kun grumbled.

“Seriously? You’re still saying that?” Kusanagi-kun barked back.

And just like that, we were back at square one.

“If there aren’t any new testimonies, we’ll be concluding this here. Are you really fine with that?”

“From what I’ve heard, you’re both equally at fault.” I said, reaffirming the student council’s stance. Both boys still showed signs of dissatisfaction and protested, but their words began to dwindle, as if realizing that further protest would lead nowhere unless new information came to surface.

“…Fine,” one of them muttered at last. “Same punishment for both of us, huh?”

“Tch. Whatever. This was a complete waste of time…” the other grumbled, clearly displeased, yet conceding all the same.

Kusanagi-kun followed Maki-kun’s lead, voicing reluctant agreement though still visibly bitter.

Just moments ago, the two had been throwing blame back and forth. It was clear, they had both been trying to lighten their own punishment if possible.

Nanase-san urged them one more time to speak if they had something to say, but their stiff silence showed no signs of thawing.

1

The Student Council couldn't detain them indefinitely either, so we decided to dismiss them for the day, concluding that the results would be delivered at a later date.

2

The student council room had fallen completely silent once more. I let out a sigh, without reservation.

“This whole matter... if we really wanted, we could just wrap it up with a fair and balanced ruling.”

“They aren’t denying that they fought, but isn’t it strange how both of them suddenly accepted punishment after that suspicious slip of the tongue?” Nanase-san expressed.

4

Kusanagi-kun admitted to hitting Maki-kun and claimed he had the upper hand.

On the other hand, Maki-kun also insisted he had the upper hand.

Yet the difference in their injuries was quite clear, Kusanagi-kun was dominant by far.

That decisive facial bruise made all the difference, though oddly, Kusanagi-kun muttered he hadn't struck hard enough to cause that kind of injury.

What was even stranger was how Maki-kun, despite having a perfect chance to twist that into a claim that Kusanagi-kun had gone too far, didn't pursue the point. He just let it go. He could've jumped at the opportunity to lighten his own guilt, even if it wasn’t entirely the truth. But he didn’t.

“How did you interpret it, President?” Nanase-san asked. “To me, it looked like Maki-kun didn't want to admit defeat and prioritized his pride.”

1

“I see. That's a possibility, but...... at first, it definitely looked like he wanted to place heavy blame on Kusanagi-kun. So it's strange that he didn't pursue that slip of the tongue. Couldn't he have also protected his pride by saying something like, 'I deliberately held back my punches, but Kusanagi-kun didn't stop attacking'?”

When I answered that, Nanase-san closed her eyes as if deep in thought.

Or perhaps.... it’s time to look at this from a completely different angle.

“There could be another person involved in this assault case...”

2

That idea alone made me want to reevaluate both their testimonies. As I replayed the details in my head, I felt like a sliver of the truth began to emerge.

“But Kusanagi-kun was the one who won the fight, wasn't he? If it were an act of revenge, wouldn't it not make sense unless Kusanagi-kun was the one who was badly hurt?”

“Revenge isn't the only motive. It’s not impossible that a third party, unsatisfied with Maki-kun’s actions, decided to punish him for picking a fight and losing. Not that it makes it any more acceptable.”

“......I see. That's one way to look at it. But then we can't explain why Kusanagi-kun wouldn't report it. Is it because he's afraid of blowback from the person who administered that punishment......?”

“That’s close to what I was thinking.”

If someone like Ryuen-kun or Hosen-kun had gotten involved and punished Maki-kun, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine Kusanagi-kun, despite winning, not daring to speak out. Still, I found it unlikely. Would upperclassmen really go out of their way for something as petty as a scuffle between freshmen, and even show up at the first-year dorm?

Besides, if such dangerous upperclassmen were involved, there’s no way the two boys would be openly throwing blame at each other in front of the student council. They would’ve been ordered to play nice, show remorse, and move on.

But those two? They showed no signs of that. Both of them were proud and confident in their fighting abilities, and neither had any intention of telling us everything.

That much, at least, I could say for certain.

“But President—”

“I understand,” I cut in gently. “As far as I know, there doesn’t seem to be anyone among this year’s first-years like Ryuen-kun or Hosen-kun— to be ruling through violence and fear. That’s what you were getting at, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Nanase-san nodded. “I can’t think of a single male student who stands out as someone trying to control the class through intimidation.”

4

Still… could someone simply be hiding it well?

I glanced back at the documents Nanase-san had provided me earlier. Maybe I should talk to the first witness who discovered the two injured students? Or perhaps call Maki-kun and Kusanagi-kun again once they’ve cooled off? I could even try speaking to them separately… though I doubt bruising their pride would get us any closer to the truth.

“…Say, Nanase-san. Boys tend to think a little childishly, don’t they?”

“Hmm, yeah. I’d say they definitely have that side to them. Those two, after all… they were like kids the whole time they were in the council room.”

“Exactly. The problem is, both Kusanagi-kun and Maki-kun believe themselves to be strong. And because of that, all they could focus on was who won or lost the fight. Even in front of the student council, despite the threat of punishment, they didn’t back down an inch. All they did was try to shift the blame onto each other.”

“Yes.” she replied.

“What if someone had actually taken on both of those self-assured fighters at once?”

1

“You mean they lost a two-on-one fight and had their pride crushed? It’s not impossible, but would that really be enough to make them go completely silent? They could’ve just teamed up and shifted the blame onto that one person.”

“But what if their opponent wasn’t a boy... but a girl? And just one girl at that?” I added.

7

Nanase-san, who had been listening quietly beside me, gasped softly and turned to face me, her expression one of realization.

“It's possible…. those two boys who boast and insist they didn't lose a fight would certainly be too embarrassed to admit they lost to a high school girl.”

This incident could be closed, since the two boys had accepted their punishment without further protest.

However, if a third party is involved in this fight, especially if that person was the true aggressor, then this was no longer just a schoolyard scuffle. That is a clear case of assault.

For the sake of maintaining order going forward, we had to deal with this now, while we still could.

“Since neither of the boys have come forward, we’ll have to take the initiative to investigate. Nanase-san, would you be willing to help me get to the bottom of this?”

“Of course, President. But being the Student Council President must be exhausting. You're really amazing, Horikita-senpai.”

“I'm not that amazing. It's true I was often called excellent in middle school, but Ayanokoji-kun, my brother, Nagumo-senpai... no, Sakayanagi-san and Ichinose-san too. Watching them up close, I'm just constantly made to realize it. Compared to them, I’m undeniably… just ordinary.”

6

It was pathetic self-deprecation, but I spoke my honest thoughts.

Maybe it was because I still hadn’t quite shaken off how casually Koenji-kun brushed me off after school.

For some reason, Nanase-san's eyes widened in slight surprise as she stared at me intently.

“Even so... I think it’s fine. It’s not a bad thing at all. You’re perfectly fine just the way you are, ordinary Horikita-senpai.”

Ordinary.

“Hmph...... For some reason, hearing that is getting me annoyed a little.”

3

No matter how I looked at it, it sounded like she was mocking me.

“W-wha!?!?! I-I'm sorry! I think you're very splendid, President Horikita!”

Completely flustered, Nanase-san stumbled over her words in a panic.

“No use trying to smooth it over now,” I said, feigning irritation— before cracking a smile and gently resting my hand on her shoulder.

“Lend me your strength for a while, okay?”

“Y-yes! Of course!”

The Student Council matters couldn’t be ignored, but at the same time, I had my own duties as a class leader. Though fatigue pressed down on me, I arrived at the meeting point, Keyaki Mall, just before 6 PM.

This exam, no matter how small the reward or the fluctuation in class points, held significant importance.

And it was scheduled to take place either starting tomorrow for a week, or beginning a week later.

If we were to avoid losing, and aim to win, then today was the only chance to prepare.

As I neared the supermarket inside the mall, I spotted a student standing at the entrance and jogged over to her.

“Hey. The weather’s been pretty awful lately, hasn’t it?” said Karuizawa-san as we met up.

2

“Yeah. The rainy season shouldn't be here quite yet, though,” I replied.

Just this past Sunday, it had rained the entire day, and the forecast even mentioned a chance of rain again tonight, past midnight.

“Thanks for coming out to shop with me at this hour.” I said.

“No, not at all. I was thinkin' of goin' to the supermarket anyway, so don't worry about it.” she smiled.

We each grabbed a shopping basket and slowly made our way from the fruit section near the entrance toward the vegetable section.

As I picked up a golden kiwi that was on sale, I turned to look at Karuizawa-san.

1

“Did you feel anything unusual during today’s after-school meeting?”

“Hmm, I wonder. It felt like business as usual. No one could agree, everyone was just sayin' whatever they wanted... And, uh, I mean, why are you even askin' me for my opinion?”

She answered with a wry smile, as if to say, I'm definitely not suited for this kind of thing, you know?

She wasn’t wrong; Karuizawa-san had never been one to be proactive in serious discussions. Most of the conversation was usually left to me, Hirata-kun, or the more vocal classmates.

“We can't keep doing the same things as always. That's why I want to take a step towards changing.”

“And that's why you chose me? Well, normally you wouldn't come to me for advice on an exam since I'm not useful for that.”

“That’s not it,” I said, meeting her gaze. “Yes, I did reach out to you because I want things to change. But I don’t think you’re useless. You’re not who you used to be.”

I said it knowing I might upset her, but sugarcoating things, pretending she’d always been dependable, would’ve been far more insulting.

“You really don’t hold back, do you, Horikita-san?” she said, smiling softly. “But I like that about you.”

Without even a hint of irritation, Karuizawa-san accepted my honesty with a smile.

She was far wiser as a person than I’d ever given her credit for. That realization alone was a significant gain.

“Well then,” she said playfully, “since I’m apparently useful now, maybe I’ll lend you a hand. What do you think is the key rule behind this special exam, Horikita-san?”

Before I could even begin to ask her anything, Karuizawa-san turned the tables and threw a question my way. The moment struck me as oddly funny, and I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

I hadn’t even been part of the after-school discussion for a full hour, but my classmates had tossed out quite a few plausible ideas: the usual written test, a sports challenge, oral exams, presentations, music performance, even interviews. Some went as far as to suggest programming, fine art, or sketching assessments.

7

The general consensus was that some kind of test would be held a week from now.

Many leaned toward interviews, likely influenced by the fact that we’re third-years staring down college entrance exams and job applications.

3

Given the one-week preparation time and absence of any rule explanations, it wasn’t a theory that could be dismissed.

But the opinion was also raised that if it really were an interview, they’d have told us outright, it’s not the kind of thing you keep under wraps.

Anyway, there were ideas ranging from the plausible to the unrealistic, but none of them could be considered as a definitive answer. Still, since some ideas overlapped, narrowing them down would certainly make things more efficient.

Especially if the test turned out to be academic in nature, whether it involved all subjects or just specific ones, the outcome would drastically change based on our interpretation.

I shared some of my thoughts with Karuizawa-san. Normally, a conversation like this would bore her, but she listened carefully, without a hint of displeasure.

And soon, the conversation took a turn—deeper, more speculative. Something I could only have with her.

As we walked past the seasonings aisle, she spoke up.

1

“This is just my hunch, but... I think Class C and Class D are in some sort of alliance.”

“Ayanokoji-kun is helping Ichinose-san... is that what you're saying?”

“Yes. I'm sure that's what happened last time, and I think it will be similar this time as well.”

She looked me straight in the eye, her tone calm and steady. It was Karuizawa-san who first raised that possibility as a reason for our loss in the last special exam.

Of course, we don’t have proof yet. I had sensed something odd between Ayanokoji-kun and Ichinose-san ever since the transfer, but I hadn’t expected things to have progressed to the point where they’d be sharing information behind the scenes.

“What do you think, Horikita-san?”

“…I think the possibility is not low,” I responded after a pause. “From Ayanokoji-kun’s perspective, it’s only natural that he wouldn’t want our Class A to win. Since he didn’t get the chance to challenge us directly last time, supporting Ichinose-san by feeding her information is a strategy that makes sense. After all, he knows our class better than anyone.”

11

While I was non-functional, Hirata-kun and the others took the lead and chose the members for the minority battle.

I'm sure Ayanokoji-kun could have imagined that scene even without seeing it directly. What kind of discussions were held, and what kind of conclusions were reached.

Of course, Hirata-kun and the others are not at fault. Even if I had participated in the discussions, I have a strong feeling the end result wouldn’t have changed, just the steps that led to it.

“But,” I said, “this special exam might not be a one-on-one match. Ayanokoji-kun might suffer a disadvantage by giving information to Ichinose-san.”

“That won't happen.” Karuizawa-san said firmly.

2

“You think he wouldn’t lose, even if he gave away information?”

When I asked that back, Karuizawa-san gave a little laugh and denied it.

“If his goal for transferrin' to Class C was to pull them up to Class A with his own hands, that's kinda half-assed, right? If he was serious, he should've just gone to the bottom-ranked Class D.”

“But that’s only because Ichinose-san is there, right? After Sakayanagi-san dropped out, Class C was left without a leader. That’s the situation he stepped into.”

“If it were Ayanokoji-kun... he would have gone to Class D even if it meant getting Ichinose-san expelled.”

7

“That's… that's a big assumption, no matter how you look at it. Sure, if it were a special exam where expulsion was on the line, maybe someone could be targeted. But are you saying he was actually trying to get Ichinose-san expelled during the End-year exam?”

That particular exam wasn’t where you could manipulate the outcome to get someone expelled from a rival class. The structure only allowed for expulsions from within your own class.

“I don’t know how he would’ve done it,” Karuizawa-san replied. “But expelling someone doesn’t have to be limited to a special exam, does it? He could’ve done it quietly on a day like today.”

4

Perhaps Karuizawa-san, who dated him, thinks more highly of Ayanokoji-kun than I do. Of course, I have no intention of arguing that she’s overestimating him.

10

“Assuming what you said is true... then why would he transfer to Class C?”

“That, I don’t know. But Ayanokoji-kun always seems to be thinking about things none of us can predict. And he probably doesn’t need to rely on Ichinose-san to reach Class A. That’s why, if he lent her a hand once, I just thought he might do it again.”

If the lower-ranked classes team up, it will be easier to handle future exams. Was his help a strategic favor for that purpose?

I don’t know his goal or the real answer. That’s exactly why making assumptions is dangerous.

2

But even so, I need to keep this possibility in the back of my mind.

If this truly is the battlefield we're stepping into, then we need to identify the rules of this special exam, and the underlying answer, as soon as possible. Any delay starting tomorrow could prove fatal.

I’m not naive enough to believe that doing something different will magically spark a brilliant idea. Still, trying new things like this will undoubtedly prove useful down the line. Even if people say I’ve realized it too late, I intend to make the most of this moment of clarity.

Ever since Ayanokoji-kun transferred out of our class, a fair amount of time had passed. But even now, the emotional wounds caused due to his departure hadn’t completely healed.

3

The same must’ve been true for Karuizawa-san, who had gone shopping with me earlier.

But we've both been able to look forward and move on, more so than before.

At least now, if I happened to see Ayanokoji-kun at school, in the Keyaki Mall, or around the dorms, I could keep a straight face and pretend to stay composed.

The catalyst for my recovery was Karuizawa-san, but the other person who helped me, in her own twisted way, stood right before me now.

“For a loser, you're looking a little better, Horikita.” Ibuki-san sneered the moment I opened the door to my room. It was past 6:30 p.m., and I had just gotten back from the supermarket when I heard her violent knock.

Not exactly the tone you’d expect from someone coming over to be treated to a dinner.

“All thanks to your charming flying kick. Truly grateful,” I shot back dryly.

Ibuki-san puffed out her chest with exaggerated pride, clearly pleased.

“If it happens again, I’ll kick you properly next time too. Better thank me in advance,” she added.

I wonder if she's conveniently interpreting it in her mind as praise…

She's making me regret praising her for being even a small part of the reason I'm getting back on my feet.

No… more than that, to prevent future victims, it seems better to teach her that it's a problem in reality, rather than using sarcasm that doesn't get through.

“Kicking someone from behind like that is dangerous. I want you to promise you’ll never do it again. At the very least, not to anyone but me.”

2

I’d managed to avoid serious injury thanks to my martial arts training and dumb luck, but if she had hit the wrong spot, I could’ve been seriously hurt. That much, she needed to know.

But Ibuki-san just laughed, clearly not taking any of it seriously. As always.

“So you’re saying it’s fine if it's you ?”

“It’s not. But I won’t be getting kicked again. After all, your condition was ‘if it happens again,’ wasn’t it?”

Funny how the precaution I’d taken, just in case, was already paying off.

“Heeh. So you’re saying you’ve fully bounced back?”

“I can say that confidently.”

Ibuki-san, clearly not convinced, chuckled and casually kicked off her shoes as she stepped into the room. I picked up the carelessly strewn shoes and neatly aligned them beside the two pairs already arranged.

One pair belonged to me, the resident of this room.

And the other...

“Kushida, what do you think about what Horikita just said?”

Ibuki-san asked, glancing toward the owner of that second pair.

1

“Not a word of it,” came the immediate reply from Kushida-san, her eyes still fixed on her phone, not even sparing us a glance.

“She says she doesn't buy it,” Ibuki-san said, almost amused.

“She’s just like you, never agrees with what I say right away. So I don’t really care,” I replied with a soft sigh, moving quietly from the entrance to the kitchen.

As I unpacked the groceries I’d picked up from the Keyaki Mall supermarket from my hand bag, I turned and casually called out.

“Sit wherever you like and play with your phone like she is. I don’t mind if you watch TV either.”

“I was going to do that anyway,” Ibuki-san replied, plopping down heavily in her usual spot. Her eyes wandered around the room, casually surveying it.

Watching her from the side, Kushida-san murmured quietly, “What’s with that look on your face? It’s creepy.”

“Huh? Whose face are you calling creepy?” Ibuki-san snapped.

“There's only one person nearby, so there's no need to call them out by name, is there?”

“It could’ve been Horikita. She looks creepy too.”

“I see. Yeah, that might be true. I might have caused a misunderstanding.”

5

...Do these two even remember whose room they’re in?

“But just so you know, I was talking about you, Ibuki-san,” Kushida-san added nonchalantly.

1

“Huh? What, what? Why are you picking up a fight all of a sudden? You want me to chuck a pillow at you?” snapped Ibuki-san, who is always picking up a fight.

“It's 'cause you had a face like you were so happy to be in Horikita-san's room after so long.”

“Huh? Huh? Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not like I’m happy to be here or anything. I just felt lucky I get a free meal.”

1

“Isn’t that pretty much what being happy means?”

“No way in hell,”

Their noisy back-and-forth filled the room, making it livelier than it had been just moments ago. I glanced at them out of the corner of my eye as I began cooking, my hands moving smoothly from habit.

The ingredients I’d bought today had cost nearly twice my usual budget, but even then, it was cheaper than the recent days I’d spent living off convenience store meals.

Not long ago, the noisy voices of the two of them were never something I’d feel was pleasant. But now, strangely, they reached my ears like background music, calming in their own way.

Funny how even just a slight shift in your perspective can completely change how you feel inside.

As I chopped down vegetables, I found myself reflecting on my situation. A moment ago, I’d told Ibuki-san a small lie, when she asked if I’d gotten back on my feet, I’d answered with more confidence than I actually felt.

That was a lie.

I’d definitely clawed my way up from the deepest pit of despair. But to say I was fully healed? That was far from the truth.

I said those words for the sake of peace, to keep anyone else from ending up on the receiving end of Ibuki-san’s kicks.

But if I’m being honest…

I said it because I wanted to lie to myself.

6

To convince myself I was okay.

That’s how much the reality of Ayanokoji-kun being gone is weighing on me.

3

The rice cooker, which I had preset earlier, let out a cheerful beep beep signalling the rice was ready. I opened the lid immediately and stirred the rice with a paddle, letting the extra surface moisture escape to ensure an even texture.

Once that was done, I placed the prepared meal in front of Kushida-san and Ibuki-san.

“Hamburg steak made with domestic Kuroge Wagyu. Not just some generic black-haired beef, mind you.”

“W-What!? Kuroge Wagyu? T-that isn't it really verily extravagant..!”

Though clearly taken aback, Ibuki-san widened her hands slightly, her eyes twinkling with honest appreciation as she eyed the food.

“You were the one who insisted on eating something nice, weren’t you? Also, work on your Japanese phrasing, you sound really strange,” I added dryly as I resumed preparing the rest of the meal with practiced efficiency.

“If you're going to treat me to food like this, I'll come here every day.” Ibuki-san teased.

“Absolutely not. Today’s a rare exception,” I shot back firmly.

“You're such a cheapskate, Horikita. Oh well, I guess I’ll settle for regular meals starting tomorrow,” Ibuki-san declared, as if it were already decided.

1

I had no idea when she started assuming I'd continue cooking for her, but feeding into her nonsense would only inflate her ego further, so I let it slide.

At the very least, she genuinely seemed to take this as a token of appreciation and welcomed the effort I put into the meal.

The food laid out on the table carried a different atmosphere from the usual, just a little more refined, more heartfelt.

Before I noticed, even Kushida-san had paused her idle scrolling and was staring at the dishes intently.

“This... does seem kind of special—” she murmured, though her eyes were wary.

In stark contrast to the delighted Ibuki-san, Kushida-san's suspicion only deepened.

“There’s probably a catch... If we eat this without thinking, we might end up regretting it—” she began, likely meaning to warn Ibuki-san.

6

But by then it was already too late. Ibuki-san had her fork in hand, food en route to her mouth.

“That was fast…”

The loud sound of her shoveling the food in, echoed across the table.

You could practically hear the enthusiastic gobble, gobble, gobble as she dove in.

1

One bite leading straight to the next without pause. It was like the taste had hijacked her willpower.

Watching her eat so happily left me with a quiet sense of satisfaction.

Not a bad feeling at all, for the one who cooked it.

“Barbarian.”

“Who’re you calling a barbarian!?”

Even with her mouth still half full, Ibuki-san snapped back at Kushida-san without missing a beat.

I quietly watched them for a while, not touching my food.

Eventually, Ibuki-san lifted her head with a bright smile.

“I’ve been completely broke lately, so this kind of meal feels like luxury.”

I was curious what kind of life she was living, but that wasn’t the priority right now. After all, Ibuki-san had a habit of leaving the moment she finished eating.

“I want to hear your thoughts,” I said.

“On the food?” Ibuki-san tilted her head.

“No. About Ayanokoji-kun, the person everyone’s been talking about.”

The second his name left my lips, Ibuki-san visibly bristled. She didn’t even try to hide her disgust.

Kushida-san, by contrast, looked at me with her usual expression. But her eyes seemed to say ‘I knew it’, as if she had picked up on the meaning behind the unusually elaborate meal.

“About him transferring classes? I think it's a bit late to talk about that now.” Kushida-san said flatly.

Did his departure really not faze her? Even though our future in Class A was now anything but secure?

“He’s our enemy now… but I still don’t know how we’re supposed to beat him,” I admitted. “I need something, anything, that could give us a breakthrough.”

“So, you’re invoking the whole ‘three heads are better than one’ proverb? Then wouldn’t Ibuki-san drag us down?”

2

“I'm well aware of that.” I replied plainly.

At that, Ibuki-san lightly smacked her clenched fist, still holding her fork, onto the table.

“I know you are making fun of me. Wanna get kicked?”

3

“I might be mocking you a little,” I admitted, “but I do intend to rely on you. Especially for this topic… I’m actually hoping you’ll say something unexpected. After all, you’ve never really liked Ayanokoji-kun, have you?”

“Hmph, I see,” she said with a slight nod, accepting my twisted reasoning.

“You really shouldn't just accept it like that, Ibuki-san… But whatever.”

Ibuki-san grabbed her fork again, shoveling a huge spoonful of rice into her mouth. After chewing and swallowing thoroughly, she let out another snort. She began spinning her fork in a very unladylike manner as she gave a firm nod.

“Take down Ayanokoji, hmm? Impossible.”

5

“You are giving up too easily, I want you to think about it a little more.”

“I am thinking. But the guy’s a monster, crazy strong. Even ambushes don’t work. If he were someone who seemed beatable, I’d be fired up to take him down next time, but… he’s way beyond that. I’ve been made to understand it. That’s why I’ve already given up.”

1

It's impressive to get someone who likes fighting as much as Ibuki-san, to say something like that. As expected of Ayanokoji-kun.. But that’s not really the issue here.

“You’re only thinking about defeating him in a physical sense, aren’t you?”

“Huh? Is there another way?”

8

Anyone with common sense would immediately realize that it’s not just a physical contest, but one of intellect too. Still, this is just another unique way of thinking, something only Ibuki-san could come up with, and I decided to accept it with a positive mindset.

1

“Well, maybe approaching it from that angle first isn’t such a bad idea after all.”

That’s the kind of discussion we can have only because it’s Ibuki-san sitting here.

“Actually, lemme ask you the real question: Do you at least know the secret behind his strength?” Ibuki-san asked me.

“The secret to his strength…?”

8

“Neither you nor me can match him in physical strength. Even that Albert guy looked like a little kid in front of Ayanokoji. Pure power-wise, Ayanokoji shouldn’t have had a chance… and yet, he made Albert look like nothing.”

1

The fork that had been lazily spinning in her fingers came to a stop. She gripped it tightly, her expression hardening.

The secret behind his strength… Just when, and where, did he gain such overwhelming power? No, it wasn’t just strength. His intellect, too, was clearly far beyond what you’d expect from a high school student.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know anything,” I murmured. “…He never told me a thing.”

1

Even though I’d been the one closest to him… I couldn't help but murmur that bit of self-mockery.

“You're no help, huh. I always thought of you and Ayanokoji as a pair.”

5

It was a painful remark, one I had no comeback for.

Honestly, I just wanted to cover my ears and run away from the pitiful image of myself that it reflected.

But even so, I’m slowly coming to terms with it.

Every time Ayanokoji-kun's name comes up, I can't help but feel a similar mix of emotions. I'm finally starting to accept that it's just something I can't avoid anymore.

1

“I don’t really get what makes someone strong in a fight, but that means Ayanokoji-kun must have something that surpasses Yamada-kun, besides muscle, I mean, right? Yamada-kun’s obviously stronger physically.” Kushida-san tilted her head slightly as she spoke.

“Well, if you want me to put it into words…”

Ibuki-san trailed off and gave me a look, clearly tossing the rest of the explanation into my lap.

“In his case, it’s not about training or fighting styles. He’s just… beyond that.”

Normally, the road to becoming strong is the same for everyone. You train, specialize in a field— karate, judo, etc, and hone your technique through years of discipline.

I explained this to Kushida-san.

“If only we knew the core foundation that makes him so refined…”

3

Even someone with natural talent needs years to become a master.

I haven’t witnessed as much as Ibuki-san, but during the encounter with Hosen-kun and the Mixed training camp, I saw fragments of that strength with my own eyes.

2

And maybe it’s precisely because I’ve practiced martial arts myself that my brain refuses to accept it. That someone could reach such a level, as just a high school senior?

It doesn’t make any sense.

“Did he learn those skills after coming to this school, or had he already mastered them before that?”

“No way he picked them up here. By the winter of our first year, he was already monstrously strong. There’s no place here where you can train like that. Idiot Kushida.”

“Hey, listen. Unlike you two, I don’t have a muscle-brain, okay? It’s normal not to know anything about barbaric stuff. Anyway, do you ever think maybe he just started martial arts before elementary school or around then and that’s all there is to it?”

2

“Martial arts are no different from studying, Kushida-san. You can’t just pour in time and expect to get strong. No matter how much you study, being number one is still hard. Training alone doesn’t guarantee superiority.”

1

I spent my entire elementary and middle school life studying endlessly, all for the sake of being number one.

And truthfully, back in middle school, I was at least in the top three of my grade.

But once I entered Advanced Nurturing High School, I lost that position without even putting up a fight.

I could maintain a high rank, but getting to first place? That became a whole different story.

And when I go on to university, I’ll probably face the same fate again. With exceptional students pouring in from all over the country, my position will inevitably slip.

It’s a repeating cycle, one that effort alone can’t overcome.

“Then, there is only one possible answer. 'Who is the strongest in this school?' and 'Who is the smartest in this school?'.

Ayanokoji-kun was simply a genius who qualified for both of those spots from the very beginning.”

Yes, If you don't think too deeply about it, that is the answer you arrive at.

He’s not just one of those diligent or smart students you find every school year, he’s someone with genuine, exceptional talent.

10

The kind of person who could stay at the top even at Japan’s most prestigious schools and universities. There’s no doubt Ayanokoji-kun is one of those rare individuals.

“To be frank, that may be the case,” I admitted. “But even so, it still doesn’t feel real to me. I’ve met plenty of people who were more capable than I am, and yet... he’s different. It’s like he’s standing in a place no one else can reach.”

7

–I feel like I've given him an overly high evaluation, something akin to a deity.

7

But maybe, for now, I’ll let myself think of him that way. And if it turns out he’s just a top 10–20% student? Well, that would still be reassuring in its own way.

1

After a brief pause, I recalled something that had happened not too long ago.

“I wanted to know more about his background, so I actually went to meet Ayanokoji-kun’s father during the three-way parent-teacher conference.”

6

Kushida-san, who had shown almost no interest during our earlier discussion of martial arts, suddenly leaned in, looking intrigued.

“Ayanokoji-kun’s? What kind of person was he?”

“I’m curious too. Was he some gorilla-like powerhouse or something?”

Ibuki-san leaned in eagerly, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Well,” I said, “you might actually be disappointed to hear it. He seemed a little stern at first glance, but honestly, he was just a calm, ordinary man. He even said there wasn’t anything unusual about how he raised his son.”

“No way. That has to be a lie. Unless he turned his kid into a cyborg or something, it just doesn’t make sense,” Ibuki-san declared, slurping her miso soup loudly as she threw out the absurd idea.

1

“That said, I didn’t get the impression that he was lying.”

6

“But we’re talking about Ayanokoji-kun’s parent. Isn’t it weirder to assume he’d actually tell the truth?”

1

“...Yeah, you’re probably right.”

It made sense, there’s no way someone turns out like that from normal education alone. Even with top-tier elite training, he still feels like someone who exists in a realm out of reach.

5

Maybe his father lied just to avoid sounding like he was boasting about his son.

“Speaking of which… do you think there’s anyone in this school who went to the same middle school as Ayanokoji-kun?”

“Who knows? I’ve tried asking him about that a few times, but he always managed to dodge the question.”

“Normally, people don’t hesitate to share which school they came from. The fact that he won’t… well, it kind of suggests he’s hiding something,”

It certainly sounds convincing coming from Kushida-san, who wanted to keep what happened in her middle school a secret.

After all, unless there’s something inconvenient to reveal, there’s usually no reason to hide such a basic fact.

1

“Do you think Ayanokoji-kun is good at sports too, beyond just fighting? I mean, he was really fast,” Kushida-san added.

“I'm not sure,” I replied thoughtfully “I didn’t think much of it at the beginning, but now that we know he’s been deliberately scoring low on written exams… he might’ve been holding back in sports as well.”

“So even if we found out what club he was in during middle school, there’s still a chance he was hiding his true ability there too?”

“Yes. If he was outstandingly talented in a particular sport, then regardless of which prefecture he is from, someone is bound to have heard rumors about him…” I said

“I just tried searching his name,” Kushida-san said, scrolling through her phone, “but nothing’s coming up. I thought his rare last name would narrow it down, but there’s no record of any achievements from his elementary or middle school days. Just unrelated celebrities and politicians.”

4

Apparently, before he entered high school, Ayanokoji-kun was the kind of student who, for better or worse, left no footprint on the world.

Although what we’ve uncovered could technically be considered a clue, it didn’t feel like any real progress had been made. What we needed was someone with a genuine lead, which connected back to Ayanokoji-kun.

“That guy... he looked like he knew something, didn’t he?” Ibuki-san murmured, recollecting a past incident.

1

Almost at the same time, I found myself remembering the same person she referred to.

“What was his name again? Uhh, let's see... one year below me…”

“Yagami, Yagami Takuya-kun.” I recalled

2

“That’s right— Yagami. He was seriously messed up. Caused all kinds of chaos. Didn’t he beat up Komiya and the others on that deserted island? I think he also said something about Ayanokoji back then?”

As Ibuki-san and I reminisced about Yagami-kun, Kushida-san, who had been listening quietly, seemed to stiffen up at the mention of his name.

Cornered in the student council room by Nagumo-senpai, Ryuen-kun, and the teachers, Yagami-kun was expelled for assaulting someone during the deserted island exam.

At that time, I had a thought that someone else was behind that setup. A quiet suspicion that Ayanokoji-kun had been the mastermind. But now, that buried suspicion was beginning to stir again.

“Amasawa showed up at the end, didn’t she? And those strange adults in black suits barged in too.”

5

“That's right.. I think they said they were acquaintances of Yagami-kun and Amasawa-san. My memory is a bit hazy, but I’m sure I heard that much.”

Yagami-kun and his group had been plotting to get Ayanokoji-kun expelled.

But in turn, it appears Ayanokoji-kun had turned the tables, luring Yagami-kun using a trap, hidden in a letter.

The only confirmed link so far is that Yagami-kun and Amasawa-san are connected. But any connection to Ayanokoji-kun remains uncertain.

“Yagami, Amasawa, and Ayanokoji— could they have gone to the same middle school? Or maybe they’ve been acquaintances since way back? That seems more than possible. Try looking up Yagami and Amasawa too”

3

“Already did. No hits, unfortunately,” Kushida-san replied, turning her phone screen toward us.

1

That moment jogged a memory I hadn’t even realized I’d forgotten.

“Wait. Come to think of it, Yagami-kun went to the same middle school as me…”

2

“Huh? Really? Then he has nothing to do with Ayanokoji.. Why didn't you remember sooner?”

“Can you blame me? I didn’t even know him back then. But Kushida-san... you did.”

Kushida-san, who had been listening quietly up to this point, gently put down her phone onto the table.

“You went to the same middle school as me. And you knew Yagami-kun. Isn’t that right, Kushida-san?”

“So Idiot Kushida is at fault here. Spit it out already.”

“Yagami-kun… huh,” Kushida-san murmured, her voice low and unreadable. Then she continued, calmly and without hesitation.

“Well, since Ayanokoji-kun transferred classes, there is no point in keeping this a secret anymore, so I'll let you know. Yagami-kun and I didn't go to the same middle school at all.”

“Huh?!”

“What? Wait— what do you mean? This is getting seriously confusing,” Ibuki-san blurted out, her voice tinged with frustration.

I felt the same disorientation wash over me. I remembered it clearly, shortly after the first-years had enrolled last year, Yagami-kun had visited the second-year classrooms, he and Kushida-san had exchanged words that seemed to confirm they’d been schoolmates in middle school. There was no reason to doubt that, and I believed it without question.

Now that entire premise came crashing down.

Kushida-san went on to explain.

Students of that school knew her true nature. Although she had no memory of a junior named Yagami Takuya, he clearly showed signs that indicated he certainly knew her.

Fearing that denying any connection might provoke him to reveal her past, she’d reflexively lied, claiming they were from the same school, just to play along, so she could figure out just how much Yagami-kun knew about her.

But the result was worse than anything she had expected.

Yagami-kun hadn’t gone to her school at all, yet somehow he knew everything about her past, down to the ugliest truths. And in exchange for keeping those secrets buried, he began demanding her cooperation in all sorts of ways.

1

Apparently, Amasawa-san had been involved in it as well.

“Ho– Hold on a moment. This is too much information to process. I knew Yagami-kun was smart, but... was he really not your junior?”

“It was right after I looked at the new students’ OAA, so I just remembered him a little. His Academic Ability was an A, so it stuck in my mind. It’d be troublesome if a junior from the same middle school came here, like Horikita-san did, right? So once I had access, I checked all the faces and names.”

She went on to confess that she’d cleverly used that detail about Yagami-kun’s academic score to pretend they were acquaintances.

“I don’t know how much certainty Horikita-san and the others had,” Kushida-san said, suddenly cutting in, “but I can tell you for sure— Ayanokoji-kun is the one who got Yagami-kun expelled.”

She addressed the very question Ibuki-san and I had been struggling to answer definitively.

“I asked Ayanokoji-kun directly after Yagami-kun was expelled. He said he only dealt with him to protect me since I was being used. Apparently, they weren’t from the same school, but they knew each other. Same with Amasawa-san, he said she used to live nearby.”

“You should've said this sooner, really Idiot Kushida.”

1

“It's a past I've kept locked away, not something I want to talk about that freely.” Kushida-san replied quietly.

“Damn, to think someone so close had all the answers we were looking for.”

“Exactly… I understand your reasons, but this really is the definition of ‘hiding in plain sight.’” I added

It felt as if the structure I’d painstakingly built in my mind had been knocked over in one swift motion, shattered by an unseen hand from the side.

“Ayanokoji-kun once said he earned their resentment,” Kushida-san began, recalling the conversation as best she could. “Amasawa-san forgave him, I think… maybe it was all a misunderstanding that got cleared up. But Yagami-kun didn’t. He apparently dug up my past as part of his revenge against Ayanokoji-kun… or at least, that’s how I remember it.”

“I never thought I’d tell this story to anyone else... but you never know how things turn out, do you?”

she added with a wry smile, then took a small sip of water, perhaps parched after finally speaking of a truth she had kept buried.

“I might’ve forced you to recall something unpleasant,” I said, “but this is a major revelation. We’ll have to go back and reorganize everything from the beginning…”

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji— a person whose background still remains cloaked in mystery.

It was now undeniable that he shared a connection with both Amasawa-san and Yagami-kun who possessed some extraordinary abilities themselves. It seems unlikely they were just casual acquaintances.

Somewhere along the way, he earned their resentment.

2

“Middle school? Or maybe even earlier— childhood?”

Something must have happened back then…

And so, I begin to reconstruct everything from scratch, piece by piece, in my mind.

“I don’t really know much about martial arts,” Kushida-san began hesitantly, “but aren’t there nationally renowned dojos for karate or judo? Isn’t it possible he trained at one of those?”

“Idiot Kushida. This isn’t the kind of strength you get easily at a place like that.”

“I did preface by saying I didn’t know martial arts, didn’t I?” Kushida-san shot back with a tight smile. “Just because it doesn’t align with your understanding, doesn’t give you the right to lash out. You’re only making a fool of yourself. And could you stop calling me ‘idiot’ every time you open your mouth? You and I aren’t even in the same league when it comes to grades, you wouldn’t even be able to compete.”

2

Kushida-san sighed and added, “I was just offering one perspective, from the point of view of a normal person.”

“Hmph. Anyone with common sense should at least know the basics of martial arts,” Ibuki-san scoffed.

“Yeah, well, that’s not exactly common sense,” Kushida-san retorted dryly.

“Alright, no fighting,” I interjected. “But it’s true, even attending a renowned dojo wouldn’t give you the kind of skills Ayanokoji-kun has. If anything, maybe it was the other way around. They were scouted by a famous dojo because of their skills, and that’s how they ended up meeting. That might be a more plausible theory.”

My mind drifted back to the adults who had arrived to retrieve Yagami-kun after his rampage in the student council room. If they were connected to his background, the web of connections might slowly begin to reveal itself.

“Maybe I should try speaking to Amasawa-san directly sometime soon,” I mused out loud

“You seriously think that little devil’s going to spill anything?” came the snide reply.

1

“That may be so... but what about you two?” I asked, glancing at them both.

“I'm going to pass,” came the first response, curt and uninterested.

“If I see Amasawa’s face, I’ll want to punch it. So no, I’m not going,” said the other, irritation flashing clearly.

2

Both of them rejected the idea almost simultaneously, without the slightest hesitation.

Honestly, they had a point. Recklessly confronting her probably wouldn’t get us anywhere.

Maybe it was wiser to hold back for now— and just observe how things played out.

Ibuki-san, having eaten her fill, was the first to leave. Kushida-san followed a couple of minutes later, slipping on her shoes at the entrance. I assumed she would walk out without so much as a glance back.

But—

“Thanks for the meal today. I appreciate it,” she said.

“...You're still better than some people. At least you can say thank you properly.”

“It's not like this is about you–” Kushida-san added with a breezy smile. “Honestly, I don’t really feel like thanking anyone. But I guess it’s just a habit. I try to make a point of expressing things in words, so it sort of slips out without me noticing.”

1

She said it so casually, like even that remark had come from her unconscious habit of courtesy.

“I see... Well, regardless of how you really feel, words do matter,” I murmured.

Despite the fact that her gratitude was nothing more than a formality, I found myself somewhat satisfied with it.

I had assumed she would leave immediately, but for some reason, she turned back to face me.

“By the way, are things regarding the special exam going well? Do you have any idea what the rules might be?”

“I'm narrowing down the possibilities. I plan on announcing some guidelines to the class tomorrow.”

This sort of discussion wasn’t possible with Ibuki-san from the rival class present.

Maybe that’s why Kushida-san had deliberately decided to linger and leave a bit later.

“Even though she is just Ibuki-san, be careful around her.”

“Honestly, there wasn’t even a need to be. I stayed alert during dinner, thinking she might try to get a read on our strategy for the test. But she didn’t even seem to consider it. It probably never even crossed her mind.”

There is no doubt she came to my room with the sole purpose of eating.

2

Even so, Kushida-san made a point to steer the conversation away from anything sensitive, just to be safe. That kind of discretion… I genuinely appreciated it.

“We don’t even know the rules yet. Are you still planning to win this special exam?”

“You surprised me, asking that. Of course I am. The same conditions apply to every class.”

“But Class C has Ayanokoji-kun.”

Her sharp eyes met mine, eyes that cut straight through the facade, striking the heart of the matter without hesitation.

It felt as though my mental fortitude was being tested all over again.

“It's strange, isn't it? Back when we first entered this school, I couldn't have imagined it at all. But now, just hearing his name makes my body instinctively tense up... I'm afraid and in awe of him, I can’t even see him as someone I could possibly defeat.”

I let out a quiet sigh, acknowledging the truth I could no longer hide. My own weakness stared me in the face.

“But we fight anyway, believing we can win. Isn’t that the bare minimum we need?” I asked.

“Maybe so,” Kushida-san replied, averting her eyes from mine for a moment.

“I thought reaching Class A would finally let me breathe a little, maybe even bask in the victory for once. But here we are, scrambling to survive— like rabbits being chased by lions. If we keep losing like this, things will end badly.”

Kushida-san, who always carried herself as an honor student with pride, cared deeply about appearances. She had never voiced it outright, but being cast into Class D must have gnawed at her from within. She hated being anything less than perfect.

Then came the unanimous special exam— the day her carefully hidden true self was dragged into the light. Her world had shifted completely.

Now she was forced to work alongside people she despised, myself included. She had to keep fighting, even while bleeding from the wounds she suffered along the way.

Class A, a position she had finally grasped with everything she had, now felt as though it was slipping through her fingers.

The stress must be unimaginable.

“No matter how you look at it, Horikita-san alone isn’t going to be enough.”

“I.. can't deny that, even if I wanted to.” I admitted, unable to refute the truth.

“Anyway, if you come across anything that might be a hint for the special exam, let me know. I'll think things through from there, in my own way.”

“Of course,” she said with a nod. Then, after a small pause, her tone shifted.

Even as she aired her frustrations without restraint, Kushida-san still showed a surprising willingness to help.

“I didn’t expect you to offer your support,” I said honestly. “I guess you really do have a kind side.”

I meant it as a compliment, but she only let out a quiet snort through her nose. Her smile stayed frozen, her eyes strangely still.

“I just love the version of myself who pretends to be kind. I know full well that I’ve got a terrible personality. That’s why I can act like an angel even to someone like Horikita-san. Anyway... let’s hope you're not just some storm in a teacup.”

With a small, dismissive laugh, she opened the front door and walked out.

“...So that’s how it is,” I murmured. “Looks like I still can’t read people very well.”

But I wasn't disappointed. If anything, I was impressed.Kushida-san had shown me a way of living— one meticulously shaped around her outward image, as if performance was her reality.

And long after she left, her final words stayed with me, echoing in the back of my mind.

“I hope you’re not just some storm in a teacup.”

“—I’m hoping for that too.”

After the door closed, I let out a breath and made my way back into the living room.

A new special exam begins tomorrow.

But today has its own responsibilities, so rest will have to wait a little longer.

“Well then... I’d better clean up.”

Suppressing the slight sense of reluctance, I turned my gaze to the table. Kushida-san, as always, ate with elegance and poise. But what caught me by surprise... was Ibuki-san.

While it’s common for people to leave behind grains of rice, she had finished every single one without leaving a trace.That alone is certainly praiseworthy.

That said...

“That's the only thing I can praise her for, everything else is a mess.”

Spilled miso soup and scattered scraps of food littered not only the table, but even the seat where she had been sitting.Her uniform skirt was probably stained too.

I wish she’d develop at least a little awareness that her daily manners are being observed—

Just as I reached out, I froze. A sudden thought came to mind.

2

“I see... That kind of possibility is entirely within reason...”

1

A week-long special exam imposed by the school…. with no explanation of the rules.

Was she talking about this past week, or the one to come? I still didn’t have the answer.

That uncertainty was surely weighing on every class, leaving them equally lost in thought.

“—The chances aren’t low,” I murmured.

Chabashira-sensei’s tone, her actions, her very demeanor—

2

What if all of it had been her way of giving us a hint? A desperate, subtle message meant just for us?

As if she wanted to see that we’d grown since our first day here.

Those cold words of hers— they weren’t just warnings. They were her honest feelings, born from watching how immature we had once been.

If the thoughts that have surfaced in my mind are correct, I have to act— today. Without delay.

Especially because whether or not that person can be brought under control by tomorrow… will decide everything.

2

It was a little after 8 PM when I rushed out of my room and made my way downstairs via the elevator. In front of Sudo-kun’s door, I took a deep breath, calmed my racing heart, and gave a gentle knock.

Moments later, I heard hurried footsteps approach from within, followed by the door opening with a somewhat rough jerk. “What the— who the hell’s knocking at this hour…?”

1

There stood Sudo-kun, still in his school uniform with only his blazer removed.

He was wearing glasses, a rare sight, which gave him an unexpectedly fresh look.

1

“Sorry for showing up unannounced,” I said. “I just need to talk to you for a bit.”

“S-S-Suzune?! W-What are you doing here—n-no, not that it’s a problem or anything!”

7

He flailed his arms in a panicked frenzy, and I noticed a mechanical pencil tightly gripped in his hand.

“Huh? Horikita-san?”

From behind a bewildered Sudo-kun, a familiar voice rang out, and Onodera-san poked her head into view.

10

My eyes flicked instinctively to the entryway. Two pairs of shoes sat neatly by the door— enough to invite at least a bit of suspicion, even from me.

“Did I come at a bad time?”

“N-not at all! You're not interrupting anything!” Sudo-kun blurted, flustered. “We were just studying together, that’s all!”

“Studying?”

2

True to his words, he wore his glasses and held a mechanical pencil in hand. Both of them were still in their school uniforms.

2

From the standpoint of the student council president, I had no issues to point out.

“Well... you know,” he continued awkwardly, “this whole special exam thing... they said we didn’t need to study yet, but if it turns out to be a written test, we’re screwed, right? So I figured I’d prepare a little. Just in case.”

I hadn't even announced tomorrow’s policy, yet he had already taken the initiative to prepare. No one would have expected this from him back when he first enrolled.

5

“That’s admirable and all, but make sure you get Onodera-san back to her room safely before curfew, alright?”

“Obviously I will! But seriously, what are you even doing here without a word?”

He tried to shoo Onodera-san toward the living room with a wave of his hand, but I stopped him. If there was already a guest present, it would be faster to have them hear the situation directly rather than explain it twice.

“Mind if I step in for just a moment? I’d rather this not be overheard by students from other classes.”

“Oh… yeah, of course.”

I stepped just inside the entrance and quietly closed the door behind me. Then, turning to Onodera-san, who was watching me with curious eyes, I beckoned her over toward the entrance.

“About the special exam starting tomorrow… I can't be certain, but I have a theory about how it might work.”

Lowering my voice just a bit, I began to explain it to the two of them.

“Seriously? What kind of rules do you think it'll have?” Onodera-san asked, eyes narrowing in curiosity.

“Didn’t Chabashira-sensei seem colder than usual when she announced it?” I replied.

“Yeah, Kanji and the others were complaining about that. They were trying to come up with all sorts of reasons for her behavior.”

“But I don’t think it was because she was stressed or overwhelmed. I believe… she acted cold on purpose.”

“Huh, on purpose? What's the point? Wouldn't you just end up being hated?,”

“I interpreted that as a subtle hint for us.. I think she wanted to remind us of the time we first enrolled here.”

“You mean our first year, right? Yeah, back then she was seriously cold,” Sudo-kun replied, glancing back and meeting Onodera-san’s eyes. A brief moment passed as they both dug through their memories, then nodded in agreement.

“Do you remember what our first special exam was when we were in Class 1-D?”

“Hmm? Wasn’t it that deserted island test?” Onodera-san murmured as she stepped forward, now standing beside Sudo-kun.

“Onodera-san is, strictly speaking, correct. But there was a certain month-long exam we were subjected to right after enrollment, an exam where the rules were not explained. That was the beginning of everything, the reason we ended up struggling for two whole years.”

As soon as I finished, Sudo-kun’s eyes lit up with realization, and Onodera-san quickly followed suit.

“Oh, right! It was stuff like being late, skipping class, or not behaving properly during lessons. They were watching all of that, and we ended up losing all our class points, didn’t we?”

It had been a surprise from the school, handing each of us, fresh-faced first-years, points equivalent to a hundred thousand yen every month. We were just kids, dazzled by the generosity. And so, without ever questioning the true intent behind it, we indulged in it. Tardiness, chatter during class, things we assumed harmless. The teachers never scolded us. They simply watched in silence.

And Class D, blissfully unaware of the trap laid beneath their feet, reveled in the illusion of privilege.

The price we paid was huge— one that led directly into the two grueling years I had just spoken of.

“So this is that same test again, huh?” Sudo-kun muttered, frowning. “Come to think of it, she did say something about showing how much we’ve grown… Was that her way of telling us not to repeat our past mistakes?”

He had been listening carefully to Chabashira-sensei, and now, piecing her words together on his own, he was starting to catch on.

“That’s how I interpreted it,” I said plainly. “Which is why I believe this might be another special exam, one that follows a similar set of rules.”

“Seems reasonable.” Onodera-san chimed in, her expression showing a click of understanding. “Or rather, if you put it that way, it seems like the only logical conclusion.”

“Of course,” I continued, “there’s still a chance it’s a completely different kind of test, with unrelated rules. We can’t ignore that possibility. But even so, we crammed hard for the last special exam, and there’s been a noticeable build-up of frustration among our classmates. There’s no guarantee we’ll get good results if we keep going like this.”

There probably aren’t many students who can keep their motivation as high as these two.

“To be honest, this kind of strategy, where we try to prepare for both possibilities, doesn’t really suit our class,”

“It’s definitely easier when you can focus on just one thing.”

“Of course, it’s a gamble,” I added, “If they tell us on the day that it’s a written exam, we might be completely screwed. But even so…”

“I don’t know what Sudo-kun thinks, but I kind of want to go with Horikita-san’s plan. Studying isn’t a bad idea, sure, but when you push yourself too hard, your efficiency drops. A simple, straightforward strategy might just be the most effective way for the class to win. That’s what I think, anyway.”

“Yes. I plan on sharing this with the class today and have everyone adopt a strict, disciplined lifestyle starting tomorrow. A single tardy might be the difference between victory and defeat.”

Ayanokoji-kun and Ichinose-san’s classes are filled with model students.

They naturally maintain a high standard of behavior— no tardiness, no absences, even without consciously trying.

For us, even a single misstep at the beginning could prove to be fatal.

“Then we have to make sure this doesn't leak out. If Kanji and the others let it slip on accident, we'd suffer a serious blow.”

1

“That's right. Whether or not we manage to get a lead on the first day is a crucial factor.”

Regardless of the other classes, there is no way Ayanokoji-kun wouldn't have anticipated this much.

5

Class C has almost certainly accounted for this scenario already.

And as Karuizawa-san fears, that information may very well have trickled down to Class D as well...

“...Ayanokoji might’ve already seen through everything.”

Even without me voicing my thoughts, it seemed Sudo-kun had reached the same conclusion.That in itself was proof enough, he understood just how formidable an opponent Ayanokoji-kun truly was.

“Still, we can’t be sure about the other classes. Will you cooperate with me?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, thumping his chest with a loud don and standing upright. “I’ve got a pretty good idea how to make those guys follow the rules and keep their mouths shut.”

That confidence of his was oddly reassuring.

“But just keeping Ike-kun and the others under control won’t cut it,” I said, my tone turning more serious. “There’s a bigger issue— one major obstacle in our class.”

2

“An obstacle...? Oh, I get it. That’s why you came here, right, Suzune?” Sudo-kun quickly caught on.

The same image flickered in both Onodera-san and Sudo-kun’s minds, a certain troublemaker who never listens to anyone.

2

“He’s not the kind of student who skips class or shows up late for no reason. But when it comes to how he behaves in class, or how he lives his life, he’s a walking problem. If he slips up, even once, our chances of winning go down to zero.”

To survive this special exam, gaining his cooperation wasn’t just important, it was absolutely essential.

“But isn’t it impossible? Getting that guy to follow instructions?”

“Just asking him straight up won’t work,” I admitted. “But I do have a plan. That’s why I’m thinking of paying a visit to Koenji-kun’s room. But I’ve never been there before. So I’d like someone from our class to come with me, just in case.”

“Going to Koenji's room now? That's definitely dangerous.” Sudo-kun replied. “If that guy goes wild, even I won’t be able to stop him easily. You're right about not going alone.”

6

That wasn’t exactly what I was worried about, but...

I didn’t feel like digging into that weird line of thought, so I just let it slide.

“So, would it be alright if I borrowed Sudo-kun for a bit?” I asked. “I’ll return him in ten, maybe twenty minutes max.”

“Fine by me. You go do your thing, I'll just wait around.” Onodera-san gave her approval.

Sudo-kun too readily agreed, and we both quickly slipped on our shoes and stepped out into the hallway together.

We finally reached Koenji-kun's room, and without hesitation, Sudo-kun stepped up to take the lead, knocking assertively on the door.

No response came from the other side.

“Is he not back yet...?” I wondered aloud.

I had assumed he’d be in his room at this hour. Perhaps I’d been too optimistic.

“No idea,” Sudo-kun muttered. “That guy’s the type to ignore anything annoying. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s pretending not to hear.”

Saying that, he then repeatedly knocked on the door somewhat forcefully. The fact that he can do stuff I'd hesitate doing without a second thought really is helpful.

1

After a few moments of echoing knocks that disturbed the quiet hallway, the door creaked open at last.

“Yo, Koenji. Knew you were in there,” Sudo-kun said with a smirk.

“Oh dear. I was wondering what kind of idiot it might be, turns out it’s just a classmate,” Koenji-kun replied with his usual flamboyance.

1

“Sorry for barging in so late,” I said, stepping forward. “I have a simple favor to ask.”

“If you wanted an appointment, wouldn’t it have been easier to call me?” Koenji-kun said, his voice laced with his usual arrogance.

“There is no guarantee I'd be able to reach you on your phone, and I couldn’t risk waiting until tomorrow. Besides, I figured you wouldn't listen to me unless I met you in person. It's about the special exam.”

“Ah, so that’s what this is. Still clinging to hope, are you, Horikita-girl?” he said, mock amusement dancing in his eyes. “I thought our little chat earlier would’ve been enough for you to understand your place.”

1

“You don’t have to attend the discussion, nor do you have to carry the class’s burden alone. But what if this request benefits you personally? Wouldn’t that make it worth hearing out?” My tone remained composed, but firm. “If you just listen, I promise it won’t be a bad deal.”

I didn’t like the idea of constantly dangling carrots in front of a horse that refused to budge.

But I couldn't say that to his face.

“Hmm. In that case, I suppose I’ll hear you out a little,” he said.

Before we could even respond, he swung the door wide open.

“It'd be hard to talk if our voices got carried outside, wouldn’t it?” he added, as if he'd already pieced something together from our mention of the special exam earlier. Without hesitation, he welcomed us into the entryway.

2

“Didn’t expect the day would come when I’d be stepping into your room,” Sudo-kun muttered, half in disbelief.

“Fufufu. Rejoice, Red Hair-kun,” Koenji-kun said with a theatrical chuckle. “You’re the very first man to ever set foot in my room.”

3

“Not even a little bit happy about this...” Sudo-kun muttered with a grimace, even making a theatrical gagging motion. Then, arms crossed with exaggerated seriousness, he stepped half a pace ahead of me, as if taking the lead in some dramatic negotiation.

“Well, let's hear what you have to say.” he said coolly. “I take it this is something that’ll benefit me?”

“Yes,” I replied calmly. “Starting tomorrow, I want you to come to school like you’re supposed to, no absences, no showing up late. And no talking nonsense during class.”

1

His brow twitched, but I continued. “On top of that, I want you to fix your posture in class, keep those wandering hands still, and stop causing trouble at places like the Keyaki Mall. Just for one week.”

Of course, this was all just a request, one I knew full well wouldn’t sway someone like Koenji-kun. He was never going to agree on good will alone. That’s why I wasted no time moving on to the part that really mattered:

The part that would benefit him.

“Just like the rest of your classmates, if you can go a full week without causing any trouble, I’ll pay you two hundred thousand private points,” I said

2

It was practically two hundred thousand yen for simply behaving yourself for seven days. There was no denying, it was a ludicrously generous reward.

Sudo-kun shot me a look that clearly said, Isn’t that way too much?

But anything less wouldn’t move someone like Koenji-kun. He needed a reward with impact.

1

In fact, if he started complaining that it wasn’t enough, I was fully prepared to raise the offer up to three hundred thousand.

“So, Horikita-girl believes that upholding discipline is the true rule of this exam?” he asked, that ever-theatrical smirk dancing on his face.

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation.

“What a coincidence, I had reached the same conclusion myself.”

“...That really is a coincidence,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Mind telling me how you got there?”

“Probably the same way you did. From the teacher's attitude.”

Unlike me, who had only realized it moments ago, Koenji-kun might have seen through it much earlier. I was tempted to ask him for details, but I refrained from doing so.

“However,” he continued, “the world is full of surprises. As things stand, there’s about a 70% chance this exam is designed to test our discipline.”

Then he smiled slyly. “Even so, if it turns out to be completely unrelated, or you lose for reasons unrelated to me, I’ll still expect you to pay me the full amount of private points. Are you okay with that?”

“What!? That’s ridiculous!” Sudo-kun exclaimed.

2

“There’s nothing more expensive than something that’s free,” Koenji-kun said with a smirk. “If you can’t accept those terms, I’m afraid I won’t be offering any help at all.”

“I figured you’d say that,” I said calmly. “I’m willing to accept your condition, but I expect you to avoid any behavior that would result in even a single point deduction.”

A sly laugh escaped his lips. “Fufufu. Then we have a deal. For the next week, I’ll sell you my discipline... for the generous price of 500,000 private points.”

“...That's quite a high price you're asking for. I can’t believe you’re serious about negotiating with that amount.”

“This is me being generous, you know?” he said, flashing a grin. “Not being able to check my bangs in class with a hand mirror, it’s agony for someone like me who lives in pursuit of beauty. Besides, I’m not the type who enjoys dancing around each other’s intentions. I prefer to close a deal in one shot.”

4

That single remark of his made it painfully clear, he had seen right through me. He knew I hadn’t placed a 200,000-point cap. Just like after school, he didn’t miss a chance to strike where it hurt most.

“Now that’s seriously pushing it. You think just because you’ve got leverage, you can make outrageous demands—”

I held back Sudo-kun, who looked like he was about to lunge, and cut him off mid-sentence.

“I trust you understand that forcing your own self-centered logic on others is just as unreasonable, right?”

“Naturally,” he replied with an exaggerated sigh. “Though I must say, the sight of my beautiful long legs resting on the desk will be sorely missed starting tomorrow. A tragedy, really... but unavoidable.”

“...Are you sure Suzune? Five hundred thousand private points is just—”

“The deal is done,” I interrupted flatly. “And not a word of this contract is to leave this room.”

2

This was a gamble. Just as Koenji-kun pointed out, there’s no guarantee that abiding by school rules is even part of the special exam’s criteria. If the odds are at 70%, that’s already the best we can hope for.

But right now, I have to act on the belief that I can sway the probability in our favor. Without the resolve to take that level of risk, we’ll never come out ahead of the other classes.

More than anything, the Koenji-kun standing before me would never budge for something ordinary. If I had asked something only he could do, like acing the test or dominating in sports, there wouldn’t even have been a seat at the negotiation table.

But this time, it’s the opposite: all I want... is for him to do nothing.

Although it was expensive, at the very least he accepted my proposal.

“Well then, you should be on your way. I still have a long night ahead of me. Or…” He smirked, turning to me. “Perhaps, Horikita-girl would like to accompany me for the night? I promise you won’t regret it.”

10

“You’ve gotta be kidding me! Let’s go, Suzune,” Sudo-kun snapped, grabbing my arm. Without giving the man another second of our time, he pulled me out into the hallway.

2

“Damn that bastard… saying such ridiculous things,” he muttered under his breath as we waited at the elevator.

“It's just a silly joke, don't worry about it. Besides, negotiations went well.”

1

“But still, 500,000 points for doing nothing is way too much, don't you think?”

“If the other students caught wind of this, they’d no doubt raise complaints,” I said calmly, then quickly reassured him. “But don’t worry. I have no intention of making anyone else in the class shoulder the cost of these private points.”

“That’s not what I meant…” Sudo-kun replied, awkwardly scratching his head. “Even if it’s all out of your own pocket, there’ll still be people who won’t be okay with this proposal if they hear about it, you know?”

“You’re right,” I admitted with a nod. “That’s precisely why I asked you to come with me. I trust you, Sudo-kun, you won’t talk to anyone about this negotiation, will you?”

Though I never said it outright, the message was clear, this was to be kept strictly confidential.

Sudo-kun looked momentarily puzzled, but as he reached up toward the elevator’s up call button, he gave me a firm nod.

“W-Well… if you’re asking me to keep it quiet, then I won’t tell anyone.”

“Thank you. Oh, going down is fine.”

Before his slowly extended arm could press the button, I reached out and pressed the down button myself.

“I’ll take the stairs. Anyway, thanks again for helping me out on such short notice today. Good night.”

With those words of gratitude, I turned on my heel and headed toward the emergency exit door.

“Suzune!”

His voice called out to stop me.

“…What is it?”

“I—I, um…”

Had he not thought of what to say, or simply couldn't find the words to say it?

I tilted my head slightly at his restless manner as he choked on his words.

“If you have something to say, go ahead. Did you dislike the way I handled things?”

“No, that’s not it. That’s not what I meant…” he said, struggling. “I… I might not be able to take Ayanokoji’s place, but still…”

2

Ayanokoji-kun. Hearing that name made me open my eyes wide in surprise.

“I’m not as strong, or as smart as that guy… but even so, I’ll always be by your side, Suzune. So, whenever you’re in trouble, rely on me, like you did today.”

10

With eyes brimming with resolve, Sudo-kun looked straight at me and said those words.

“You caused quite a bit of trouble for the class back in our first year. So for the coming year, I expect you to pull your weight until the very end.”

“Ugh…”

At my blunt and unforgiving response, Sudo-kun let out a strained smile, maybe even broke into a cold sweat.

“The elevator’s here. Give my regards to Onodera-san,” I said.

“Ah— yeah. Well… see you tomorrow,” he replied awkwardly.

“Mm. See you tomorrow.”

I watched as Sudo-kun stepped into the elevator, then turned away and headed toward the emergency staircase.

“Thank you, Sudo-kun. You saying that made me very happy.”

I couldn't bring myself to say those words out loud. Not just yet. Because, I couldn't ignore the warmth swelling in my chest.

4

I have people standing by me. Classmates I can rely on.

Even if Ayanokoji-kun is gone, I can’t afford to dwell in despair forever.

I must find a way, no matter what, to live up to the people who continue to support me.