Chapter 38: Vol 8 Chapter 1 Part 2 COTE
3
"I'd like to propose something. Right now the problem is Ryuuen and which group we're going to stuff him in and that's what we're all fighting over, right? Then in that case, I don't mind becoming the leader of the group that takes Ryuuen in".
The one who said so was Akito, who had been carefully observing the situation from beside me. He continued speaking. However, by requesting that Ryuuen be accepted when no one else is willing to do so, he raised doubts.
"What are you up to?".
"That's simple, I'd like the reward that comes with getting 1st place in exchange. A lot of it".
It's not like there isn't any opposition towards it but everyone does understand that the act of taking Ryuuen in comes with a high degree of risk.
It's just, I didn't expect Akito to act with the intent of securing the reward. It looked to me as though he had come up with a reason to take Ryuuen in since no other student wanted to do so.
"What are you proposing exactly? You sure you aren't planning on dragging someone else down with you when the time comes for you to take responsibility?".
"Unless you blatantly sabotage us, I won't do such a thing. In the first place, the rules won't let me do that, right?".
The members of the provisional groups fell silent upon hearing Akito's well-reasoned argument. And just like that, though there were various complications, the 1st year boys were able to form six groups.
And with that, my group was also determined.
From Class C there's "Kouenji", "Keisei" and "me". The three of us.
From Class B there's "Sumida", "Moriyama" and "Tokitou". The three of them.
From Class A there's "Yahiko" and "Hashimoto". The two of them.
And then from Class D there's "Ishizaki" and "Albert". The two of them.
10 people in total.
It's clearly unlike the four groups composed mainly of students from one's own class. Still, I suppose that other group Akito's in charge of is the same.
However, there's still a problem with this group I've ended up joining. That is the fact that we still have yet to choose our leader.
I don't think we have any leader type students to actively seek out the title of leader in our group.
Since there isn't anyone here to take the initiative and guide us to a consensus, our group was overcome by an atmosphere of being unable to say anything.
Either way, we first have to report to the school that we've formed our group. We can afford to appoint our leader afterward. As the sixth group, the 10 of us headed over to make our report.
"We managed to avoid Ryuuen but it's still doubtful whether or not we'll get a good average score with this group".
Anxious words from Keisei. To be honest, I can't tell how good the students from classes other than C are. Personally speaking, I'd have liked to avoid being in a group with Ishizaki and Albert but it can't be helped now.
Ishizaki blatantly averted his eyes to avoid having to look at me but the others probably won't be able to tell anything from just that.
They'd only get the impression that he thinks nothing of me.
"Kouenji's also going to be a problem".
There's nothing to criticize about his academic and physical abilities as long as he does it seriously but that's only 'if he does it seriously'.
"Even Kouenji won't do something that'd lead to a loss, would he? Because if we drag him down with us, it's over for him after all".
I do feel like he'd noncommittally score above the average though. The only thing certain about him is that he isn't the type to let us factor him into our calculations.
There's no predicting what'll happen if Kouenji doesn't show signs of being motivated. After giving our report, I realized that the group centered around Class A had stayed behind, despite the fact that they should've already gone outside.
At first, I thought it was so that they could see the formation of the other five groups but apparently that doesn't seem to be the case. Because 2nd year and 3rd year students also appear to be present.
Most importantly, Nagumo Miyabi, the student council president who dominates the 2nd years, is also present.
He confirmed that the 1st years have all finished forming their groups quickly and then he addressed us.
"I thought you'd take a bit more time but this is surprisingly fast".
It appears the 2nd and 3rd years too, have finished forming their small groups.
"I have a proposal to make to you 1st years. Why don't we form the large groups right away?".
"Nagumo-senpai, isn't that supposed to take place tonight?".
"That's because the school didn't think you'd be able to form your small groups right away. Coincidentally, all the school years have just finished forming their small groups. It's best if we get a move on, right?".
Apparently the teachers hadn't expected things to turn out this way either. Sensing that steps are being taken to form the large groups, the teachers started to move in a hurry.
Since the student council president himself made that proposal, there's no way the other students would refuse to do so either.
"Horikita-senpai, you don't mind, do you?".
"Sure. That'd be convenient for us too".
After that brief back-and-forth, discussions were held with Nagumo at their center.
"What to do? Don't you think it'd be interesting to decide things based on something like a draft? Six representatives from amongst the 1st years play rock-paper-scissors and decide the order. Based on that order, they'll pick the 2nd and 3rd year small groups and just like that, the large groups will form. It'd be quick and impartial".
"The 1st years don't know much. Doesn't sound that impartial".
"It's impossible to decide impartially. In the end, there is a difference between the amount of information we each possess".
A brief, yet important back-and-forth between Nagumo and the older Horikita. There's no way any 1st year would interrupt.
"What about you, 1st years? If you have any complaints about this method then please speak up".
Nagumo said so, knowing they can't talk back to him.
"We have no complaints".
Class A's Matoba, representing the 1st years, answered with that.
"I see. Then let's get started right away".
Nagumo gave a smile and joined up with the small group he probably formed himself.
And then, the 2nd years and 3rd years split themselves up into six groups to make it easier to understand. Leaders from each of the five 1st year groups then stepped forward to discuss.
Watching them, Nagumo's expression turned gentle almost as though he were looking at a child.
"Now all that's left is that group over there".
Since our group has yet to choose a leader, no one took the initiative to go and play rock-paper-scissors. I lightly pushed Keisei's back while ensuring I wouldn't be noticed.
For a moment, he made a skeptical face but Keisei resignedly raised his hand. The six representatives of the small groups assembled and forming a circle, they started playing rock-paper-scissors.
As a result, Keisei became fourth in line to select a senior student group. First in line is the Class A group led by Matoba. Second in line is the Class C group led by Hirata. Third in line is the Class D group led by Kaneda.
"You can discuss amongst yourselves which group you want to pick".
The groups to aim for when picking would either be the Nagumo Group that Nagumo, leader of the 2nd years' Class A and student council president, belongs to or the 3rd year group centered around the older Horikita.
However, if you're someone like Hirata, who's acquainted with a lot of people from outside his own school year, you may be able to discern capable groups that you wouldn't be able to otherwise discern at first glance.
Matoba's group, first in line, chose the 3rd year group that Horikita Manabu belongs to without any hesitation.
And with that done, Hirata, second in line, carefully observed the 11 remaining groups one by one. His choice wasn't the other group you'd aim for but rather, a 3rd year group whose members I'm not familiar with.
"Oi, Hirata. Are this really ok? Isn't that student council president's group better?".
It's understandable that Ike would interrupt like that.
"Yeah. I think this is fine. Talented people have their appeal but the problems they bring with them would be proportionately large too. Besides, the seniors from the group I chose aren't half bad either".
He confidently replied with that and nodded. If that's Hirata's decision then Ike too, didn't go any further.
This is probably the level of trust he's accumulated until this point. Then next up is the Class D group.
Kaneda consulted his classmates, or more like, he informed them of which group he's aiming to pick. There didn't seem to be any objections since he immediately picked.
"I'd like Gouda-senpai's group from the 2nd years".
Once again, Nagumo's group wasn't chosen and another group ended up being picked.
"I wonder why they're avoiding Nagumo".
I muttered that simple question and from beside me, Akito answered.
"That's because other than Nagumo-senpai, the other members are of a questionable sort".
"Is that so?".
"Well it's not like they're all questionable but there are a lot of Class Cs and Class Ds there. The group with a lot of 2nd year Class As is the one Kaneda picked".
In other words, it's not like Kaneda avoided Nagumo for no reason at all. On the contrary, it would mean he chose strong and reliable allies.
But what's curious is why Nagumo didn't form a Class A majority group. Of course, I do know that Nagumo controls the entirety of the 2nd years but still, bringing his class together in one group should be far safer for this exam.
And then Keisei, fourth in line, got his turn.
"Are you okay with me picking?".
Keisei asks the group a simple question.
"I don't really mind. There's no telling either way".
Ishizaki and Class D by extension, seem to be fine with leaving it up to Keisei. Class A too, didn't really have any opinion in particular. Class B, yet to voice their opinion, decided after thinking it over.
"Please choose Nagumo-senpai's group".
Their members seem to be mainly Class Cs and Class Ds but their high evaluation probably comes from the student council president himself being a part of it.
Having received their opinion, Keisei picked the group Nagumo's in charge of.
Afterwards, the discussion continued and the second round of selections ended. Eventually, six large groups were successfully formed.
"Horikita-senpai, we coincidentally happen to be in different large groups. Shall we have a little competition?".
Horikita gave a sharp look at Nagumo, who proposed that. On the other hand, I could hear exasperated sighs coming from the surrounding 3rd years.
Prior to the special exam, Fujimaki of the 3rd years stepped forward as though to complain. I recognized him from the sports festival a while back as a considerably articulate student.
"Nagumo. How many times has it been? Cut it out already".
"What do you mean by how many times, Fujimaki-senpai?".
"You've been challenging Horikita just like this but until now you've never really done anything. But this time around, it's a large scale special exam that involves the 1st years too. We cannot afford to let you act as though this is your personal playground".
"Why is that? There's no such thing as a 1st year or a 3rd year in this school, it's not really strange no matter who challenges who. It's not considered taboo in the special exam's rule book either".
Rather than cower before Fujimaki, who possesses a large physique, Nagumo continued to provoke them.
"We're talking about basic manners here. Even if it's not expressly written, there are things you should and shouldn't do. That much is obvious".
"I don't really think that's the case though. On the contrary, you seniors who seem to only desire infighting within the same school year are the ones hindering the growth of the students enrolled here, isn't that right?".
"You may have become the student council president but that doesn't mean you've gained permission to do anything you want. You should be aware that you're the one abusing his authority".
"If that's what you think then I'll keep that in mind. In that case, why don't you be my opponent as well, Fujimaki-senpai? For the record, you are number two in the 3rd years' Class A".
Blatantly assuming a casual attitude, Nagumo arrogantly put his hands in his pocket. It was a cheap provocation but some 3rd years seem to feel humiliated by it. A few students tried stepping forward.
However, Horikita kept them in check.
"I've rejected your demands up until now. Do you know why?".
"Let's see. Isn't it because your friends are scared that you might lose to me? But of course, that can't possibly be it. Out of all the people I've seen so far, Horikita-senpai, you're the best. You're not afraid of losing and you never even once thought you'd lose in the first place".
The 2nd years listening to Nagumo's words almost seemed as though they were worshipping him.
Friend, benefactor, it's not limited to just those. He's a rival and a hated enemy yet at the same time, also respected. Anyway, a variety of emotions seem to be directed at Nagumo.
In the 2 years he's been here at this school, this man has accomplished things no ordinary person would have been capable of accomplishing and that's probably why.
To what extent those are, not even the 3rd years know. The 1st years have even less insight into that.
"I'm just like you, Fujimaki-senpai. I don't desire meaningless conflict either".
"The conflict you desire drags others into it way too much".
"That's this school's modus operandi and I think that's the real thrill of it.....well, that's just the difference between our opinions though. I mean, I thought I could have had surefire competition with you, senpai, during the sports festival's relay but regrettably I wasn't able to realize that. I'm still frustrated about that, you know?".
"I don't think this is an exam where a competition between a 2nd year and a 3rd year will bear any fruit".
"That's probably right. Senpai's just that kind of person. But as for me, I just want a personal battle between the former student council president and the current student council president. You're about to graduate and leave soon. Before that, I want to see whether or not I've surpassed you".
Nagumo's demand is unstoppable, his craving unsatiable.
"What are you intending to compete with?".
For a moment, the 3rd years seem surprised. It's because the older Horikita seemed as though he'd accept Nagumo's challenge.
"Which one of us can expel the most students. How does that sound?".
Both the 1st years and the 3rd years stirred in response to that one word from Nagumo.
"Stop joking".
"I really think it'll be interesting but I'll refrain this time. If you want me to make a serious proposal then it'd be which group gets the higher average score. Simple and easy to understand".
"I see. If that's the case then I don't mind accepting".
"Thank you. I knew you'd accept, senpai".
"However, this is a personal fight between you and me. Don't involve others".
"Don't involve others, huh? But judging from the manner of the special exam, I'd say inciting someone to sabotage your enemy's group is one strategy".
"That's far from the essence of this exam. At most you should only question your own group's unity. You shouldn't take advantage of your enemy group's opening to stir them up, even by mistake".
".....that is to say?".
Ishizaki ended up asking Keisei that.
"It means nothing other than a fair-and-square meritocratic competition will be acknowledged. If I have to put it simply, it probably means you can't use dirty strategies like Ryuuen does".
"...I see".
Leaving aside the conversation between those two, the older Horikita and Nagumo continued their conversation.
"If you won't humor the conditions I've set, then I have no intention of accepting".
What the older Horikita rejected are actions taken to ensnare one's enemy.
In all likelihood, his goal here is to block Nagumo off from his forte.
"So what this means is that in order to win, I can't attack Horikita-senpai's pawns. I'm fine with that".
I had expected him to be troubled by it but Nagumo surprisingly complied. However, the older Horikita continued.
"That's not limited to this group only. I won't acknowledge any method that causes harm to the other students too. The moment I confirm you've meddled somehow I will call off our competition".
"As expected of you, senpai. You don't miss anything. I did consider requesting cooperation from groups other than Horikita-senpai's and having them attack yours...".
He said so while boldly laughing.
"I understand. I seem to be the only one craving for this competition so I'm willing to humor a certain amount of conditions. Fair-and-square, let's see which one of us can score higher through group unity. Let's have that be our competition. I'll say this in advance but there's no need to set any penalties in case of victory or defeat, right? At most, let this be a fight with just our prides on the line".
Regarding that, the older Horikita gave neither affirmation or refutation. In all likelihood, it probably means he's not even intending to bet his pride on this.
4
That long opening performance ended and our small group was called to a halt by Nagumo.
"Our seniors are gone but do you mind sparing some time? Because you guys don't seem like you've actually chosen your leader after all".
As Nagumo pointed that out, Keisei fell into a slight panic.
"Ehh, how could you tell?".
"When I told you all to play rock-paper-scissors, it was painfully clear how awkward his actions were. If a leader had been chosen upon group formation then he should have stepped up right away. By the way, back then one other group also had a delayed reaction. If I have to add to that, I'd say the groups who didn't elect their leaders are the 3-4 class composite balanced groups".
Nagumo probably doesn't know each and every one of the 1st years, yet he still deduced how our groups were partitioned.
It's not really that hard of a deduction to make but still, it's not something just about anyone could tell.
The delay was only a slight one. As a matter of fact, I immediately pushed Keisei on the back and had him play rock-paper-scissors. If we held discussions there then our lack of a leader would have been revealed.
I did so because I felt it needless to reveal such a weakness ourselves. That attempt of mine seems to have been in vain though.
"I believe it's fine to elect a leader afterwards though".
"That's right. But we'd like to have a good grasp on who the 1st year leaders are. Besides, I wanted to teach you that a leader is a role that should be assumed as quickly as possible. The later that role is assumed, the longer it'll take for the leader to be aware of his position and the anxiety of it will weigh all the more on him".
It's questionable how much of that is pertinent but there's no mistaking the fact that Nagumo wanted us to choose our leaders right here.
"...so what do we do?".
Keisei asks that of our group, which excluding me, he isn't all too familiar with. Keisei himself probably doesn't want to play this role either.
"It doesn't matter how you choose. Please just choose a leader right now".
Since it's the student council president himself giving us instructions, even the delinquent-like Ishizaki and Albert were unable to object.
"No one's going to volunteer for this. Shouldn't we go with rock-paper-scissors for this as well?".
Ishizaki says so to get it over with and extends a balled fist. I played along and did the same.
Nine people and nine fists formed a circle.
One person's missing. There's a student who didn't extend his hand for rock-paper-scissors.
"Oi, Kouenji".
Keisei calls out to Kouenji, who's looking out the window a slight distance away. However, Kouenji did not even look at us.
"Hey you, blondie. Get a move on".
An angry voice came from amongst the 2nd years. Kouenji then finally realized he's being called and turned around.
"Fufufu. You're referring to the striking beauty of my hair, are you not?".
"What?".
He didn't say anything regarding rock-paper-scissors but rather, only gave a response about his hair.
"Get serious, Kouenji".
"What do you mean by serious? Is playing rock-paper-scissors your definition of serious?".
"Hey, 1st year.....Kouenji, right? Are you mocking us senior students?".
Of course he'd end up drawing attention. That's something I had expected from the get-go.
"Mocking you? No, I am not mocking anything. From the very beginning, I had no interest in you lot. You may relax".
He probably intended to say he isn't mocking anyone but it ended up completely backfiring.
"I will not play rock-paper-scissors. Because I have no interest in being the leader".
"I have no interest in it either and neither does anyone else. But there's no other way, right?".
Keisei exasperatedly tries to persuade him but Kouenji showed no sign of caving.
"You say some strange things, Boy. If there is no interest, then there's no reason to participate, is that not correct?".
"No. That's how the rule works".
"The rule is that someone from within the group must become the leader. In that case, someone else just needs to be the leader".
"Stop screwing around. You can't act selfishly like that here".
Ishizaki, who once had a quarrel with Kouenji along with Ryuuen, flared up at him.
"Fufufu. Then why don't you go ahead and make me the leader of your group?".
Kouenji said so and swiped his bangs. At that unexpected proposal, Ishizaki froze up.
"Then I'll have you be the leader. You don't mind, right?".
"You're free to push that role onto me. I have no intention of objecting to that each and every time. If we lack one the group will be punished right? If you're so afraid of that then you're welcome to do that".
But Kouenji's subsequent words shocked everyone present.
"I'll do whatever I've decided to do. However, if I have decided not to do something then there's no way I'll do it. In other words, it means no matter who comes talking to me, my resolve will not waver. Of course, I won't be carrying out the duties of a leader either. I may even boycott this exam. Even if that results in our average score falling below the borderline, even if it means dragging someone down. Okay?".
".....that's.....if you do something like that, you're getting expelled!".
"Fu. Fu. Fu. Yes that would be the case".
He seemed almost as though he had no fear of expulsion.
"However, this sort of topic would normally be considered a foolish question though. Even if I score zero throughout the entirety of the exam, as long as you lot struggle hard then there's no risk of falling below the borderline. Just go ahead and do it without holding back".
Kouenji said so as he swiped his hair back.
But there's no guarantee that we wouldn't fall below the borderline and his words have no leg to stand on. It's just Kouenji's own prediction that this isn't going to be such a difficult exam.
Or perhaps he's just randomly spouting nonsense because he doesn't want to participate. However, Kouenji's alienness has most likely been sufficiently conveyed.
"What a guy. Must have a screw loose up there".
Ishizaki muttered as he took a step back and nodded.
However, I discovered a contradiction in Kouenji's words. But of course, Ishizaki and the others here definitely wouldn't be able to spot that contradiction though.
Why? Because there is no falsehood in his behavior itself. If Kouenji intentionally created that contradiction then...
To confirm that would require taking the huge risk of waiting for exam day to come though.
"Let's just calm down, he probably doesn't have the balls to score zero either way".
If possible, they probably wanted to forcibly push the troublesome and risky role of leader onto Kouenji.
Of course, looking at it from another class's perspective, it would mean losing the chance to earn double the points as well as facing the possibility of being dragged down and so they probably have mixed feelings on the matter.....
But if Kouenji really does score zero then only a disastrous outcome awaits.
"Stop it, Ishizaki. You keep that up and you'll be the one dragged down".
Hashimoto, in an act of saving an enemy, restrained Ishizaki.
"But.....shit, if getting your way by taking a hard line's allowed then I'm definitely not doing it either".
"Well, I suppose so".
Despite his exasperation, Hashimoto nodded as though in acceptance.
Nobody actually thinks this group will place first. That's basically why there isn't a single student willing to assume the role of leader.
It might be that our group's in a far more difficult situation than I had expected. If Kouenji acts Kouenji-like to the very end then we'll lose a considerable amount of points.
The scenario in which we fail to obtain even the 'lowest score' is probably one the 2nd years and 3rd years have not factored into their calculations.
But then someone came forth in response to Kouenji's bizarre behavior.
"I've heard rumors about you, Kouenji".
A surprisingly unexpected person.....Nagumo, who doesn't seem like the type to have had much contact with Kouenji, approached him as though he had found something of great interest to him.
The two who'd never meet under normal circumstances.
"I know you too. You're the person who assumed the role of the new student council president, aren't you?".
Showing no fear even towards the student council president, Kouenji responds in his usual manner.
"You're free to play the fool all you want but do you really not mind being expelled?".
Towards Kouenji, who did not show any weakness, Nagumo asked that question. And he continued.
"This school system's a troublesome one. Regardless of that fact, you've made it this far with that noncommittal attitude of yours. That is in order to graduate from this school. But you'll casually accept the risk that comes with having the leader role pushed onto you here, and on top of that you'll even boycott the exam? Liar. You just don't want to put in the effort to reach Class A and you really don't have any intention of actually leaving this school".
"Fufufu. You're saying some amusing things. How can you tell that I'm lying?".
It's probably true. Not too long after enrolling, the class once asked Kouenji whether or not he had any desire to aim for Class A and he's given us his answer before.
That he has no interest in doing so.
That he only wants to graduate from this school. He doesn't want to be expelled but there's no need for him to aim for the top either.
It's very similar to what I'm hoping to get out of this school. In other words, he's taking a stance where it's no problem for him even if he holds back a fair bit in exams.
That explains his cocksureness.
"That's what's written all over your face".
As Nagumo said that teasingly, Kouenji laughed pleasantly.
"Bravo. Bravo".
Clap. Clap. He gave his applause. And he then gave an honest answer to Nagumo's fair reasoning.
"I lied because I didn't want to be the leader. Allow me to correct myself. I have no intention of aiming for Class A, but neither do I intend on getting expelled. Simply put, I think a noncommittal approach like this is best".
Kouenji answered with that almost as though making a confession. Besides, everyone seems to have accepted that but Nagumo did not.
"You have no interest in Class A, huh? That's also a lie, right?".
"Oh my, oh my. Am I already being branded as a liar?".
"If that isn't a lie then that'd give rise to a slight uncertainty, Kouenji. Don't you already have a surefire way to graduate from Class A in hand?".
Nagumo suddenly said something unbelievable. The 1st years like me and Ishizaki aren't the only ones surprised but the 2nd and 3rd years too, were shocked.
"Hmm? You sure do say the most interesting things. If you don't mind, do tell me the logic behind that".
"You sure? If I explain the logic behind that here, that 'surefire way' of yours will become unusable. No, I'll make it unusable, you know?".
"Fufufu. I don't mind. I just want to know whether or not you can really read me".
Rather than be frightened by Nagumo's questioning, Kouenji happily laughed.
"To promote yourself to Class A through the use of 20 million points. It's a strategy everyone's thought of and tried carrying out at least once. In practice though, it's not that easy to save up that many points. Yet it's still not entirely impossible. Right after you enrolled, the first thing you did was to figure out how the points that graduating 3rd years leave behind are treated".
"Keep going".
"After graduation, your private points are encashed so that you'll be able to use them outside of the school as well. Their value would decrease, of course, compared to when they were still points but that still doesn't change the fact that this is an unprecedented system. You were intending on buying those private points from them at a price higher than the one they'd get from encashment, right?".
Hearing Nagumo's explanation, the rest of them were understandably shocked and couldn't hide their surprise.
And Kouenji, who had that pointed out for him, nodded in satisfaction and then opened his mouth.
Kouenji too, replied accurately.
"That's exactly right. Not too long after I enrolled, I concluded as such and arrived at the truth. That no matter how low I fall during my time enrolled here, as long as I legally acquire those private points at the very end, I will still be able to graduate from Class A in no time. And since I came up with this exploit all too easily, school suddenly became a bore to me".
A miraculous strategy he's capable of pulling off precisely because he's rich, is what it is.
Buy private points at a high price from students who have already given up on aiming for Class A, or from students whose success is already guaranteed or from students whose graduation is fast approaching.
If there's a guarantee that their points will be purchased after graduation, it wouldn't be strange even if a great many students are willing to make the transfer.
However, this is extremely difficult under normal circumstances. If you purchase them at the same value it'd be after being encashed, that would be 20 million yen.
Unless it's within a high school student's means to prepare such a sum, it probably wouldn't be a trustworthy matter even if they say they'll pay for it.
"Fortunately for me, before I enrolled here at this school, I set up a profile on my company's homepage with my picture on it as next in line to be CEO. It means I possess the power to easily move tens of millions. It was extremely easy to get them to trust me".
"Yeah. As a matter of fact, there are many 2nd year students who plan on selling their points to you. There are probably more than a few of those among the 3rd years too. You seem to have sealed their lips but there are quite a lot of 2nd year students who have placed their absolute trust in me. There were also students who consulted me on whether or not they should fall for your cajolery. Of course, I approved of it as a plan. It's not like it doesn't have its risks but you seem to be a fairly rich guy. But that ends today".
Nagumo said so and looked towards the 2nd and 3rd years.
"Even if he is actually that rich, Kouenji isn't a trustworthy man, as you can see. If necessary, he's more than willing to lie. It's best to not make any transactions with him regarding points, even by mistake".
He said that and added one more thing.
"Just in case, I'll report this to the school. Because purchasing private points prior to graduation isn't really something that ought to be permitted after all".
"I don't mind. I had only been making preparations to ascend to Class A after all. I haven't yet decided whether or not to actually carry it out".
At best, Kouenji had only been considering it as one out of many strategies. Still, what an absurd story.
Well, in reality, unless you can prepare a great sum of 20 million then this is a strategy that's exclusive to Kouenji.
"...I always thought you were a strange one but your strategy hinges on the outside, huh? Bravo".
Hashimoto muttered that as though in both admiration and exasperation.
"By tossing that strategy out the window himself, what's Kouenji planning on doing?".
A lot of eyes fell on Kouenji's classmates, Keisei and myself but there's no way we'd know that. No, to be more precise, there's only one thing that comes to mind.
That is that there's no reason why Kouenji needs to graduate from Class A.
Looking at it from Kouenji's perspective, since he only wants to 'graduate from this school', cooperating with his allies must have felt like a pointless endeavour to him.
Even if he's found an exploit, there's no real need to force himself to use it.
That's why he didn't really mind it being revealed. Or perhaps he's found enjoyment in finding another exploit.
Nagumo's insight into and information regarding Kouenji is considerable.
"This is the first time I've seen Kouenji having to explain something away".
I also agreed with those mutters that came from Keisei. However...
"But student council president, now there's no more reason for me to play rock-paper-scissors. On top of having confessed to everything, allow me to say that I have no intention of accepting the role of leader".
"...I see".
Certainly, Kouenji may have had a way of raising money. But there's no change to his stance. On the contrary, he revealed his one advantage and threw it away himself.
You could say that now there's no way of forcing Kouenji to assume the role of leader. Kouenji is extremely wealthy and even if he's expelled, it's not like his future prospects have gone dark.
I can hardly imagine a person like that being afraid of expulsion. Of course, we could take drastic measures and force Kouenji into the leader role but I doubt there are any students in our group brave enough to do so.
Because they'll be damned if they get dragged down by Kouenji.
"You know, it might be for the best if I just take that role.....".
Resignedly, Keisei raised his hand.
Starting with that, students from the other classes reacted but there are students in our group that will be hard to deal with such as Kouenji, Ishizaki and Albert.
And also, the prospects of us winning against the other groups are low. As such, there aren't any other students who volunteered as though this were an auction.
"Then it's decided".
Nagumo oversaw the election of our leader and then dismissed the group.
After that, in accordance with the instructions we received from the school, we left the gymnasium.
5
"This...feels a lot older than I thought it'd be".
The small groups were each brought to their rooms. Inside each room, there are wooden bunk beds that would either increase or decrease in number depending on how many people we have.
Ishizaki immediately walked over to the bunk bed at the very end of the room and used the ladder to climb up to the top bunk.
"This is mine".
"What are you talking about? You're hogging it all to yourself, that's unfair".
Yahiko angrily said so in response to Ishizaki calling dibs on it.
"Early bird gets the worm".
Ishizaki laid down on it while laughing and looking down at Yahiko.
"We should decide who gets what after discussing it first".
The leader, Keisei, also gives a warning that selfish actions won't be tolerated.
And just like he did with Yahiko, Ishizaki probably intended to ignore him, but since I was standing beside Keisei, our eyes met for a brief moment.
He had been doing his best to avoid making eye contact with me but since we're in the same group, there's no avoiding it forever.
".....".
For a moment there, Ishizaki looked like he was terrified and panicking. He panicked and jumped off the bed.
"By discussing it....how exactly do we decide then?".
Keisei tilted his head in confusion at Ishizaki's sudden change of heart. He may have interpreted the warning from Keisei as being a warning from me.
If so, that's an insane amount of paranoia.
Because I don't really think it's that strange for us to decide our beds on a first come first served basis.
Of course, it would be best if we can decide it smoothly after holding a discussion though.
"Fufufu. If you have no need of it then shall I relieve you of it?".
Kouenji said so and then leaped onto the bed that Ishizaki had been occupying.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?".
Ishizaki came to his senses and he barked that out at Kouenji, who's now relaxing on the top bunk.
But the guy he's talking to is Kouenji and common sense doesn't work on him. He didn't even listen and in a few seconds, he's already making himself comfortable as though it were his own room.
"Fuck, screw the discussion".
Starting with Kouenji, a few of the students called dibs on their beds. Ishizaki too, stopped quarrelling with Kouenji and instead called dibs on the top bunk of a different bed.
The one thing all students had in common is that they all preferred the top bunk of the bed. Only Albert, whose large physique makes it hard for him to climb to the top bunk, settled on the bottom bunk beneath Ishizaki without any complaints and sat down there.
The atmosphere's already changed to one where there's no need to decide via discussion.
"I have no choice but to go there then".
Keisei said so as he called dibs on the bed beneath Kouenji which no one else wants to take.
The others took their time realizing it but it's really great to have a comrade willing to do things no one else wants to do.
By the way, I too settled on the bottom bunk. Above me is Class A's Hashimoto.
"It's a pleasure, umm.....".
He reached out from the top bunk to greet me but he doesn't seem to know my name.
"I'm Ayanokouji. Pleasure".
"I'm Hashimoto".
We gently shook hands as though promising to be great friends with one another.
As for today, we're free from now on. As such, we didn't act collectively as a group but rather we chose to do our own thing.
If we had a leader like Hirata with us we may have been making an effort to know each other better now but.....as for me, I have mixed feelings on the matter. It's regrettable that I won't have a chance to get to know students from other classes better yet at the same time, I'm relieved that there won't be any troublesome back-and-forths.
"Hey, this may be a straightforward question but do you think Albert can speak Japanese? He does understand Japanese, right?".
Hashimoto, from the top bunk, asked me that question regarding Ishizaki and Albert himself.
"Obviously. Right, Albert?".
Ishizaki leaned out of the top bunk and looked down at Albert in reply to Hashimoto. However, Albert did not answer and only continued to stare straight ahead.
"...could it be that he doesn't understand you?".
"Aren't you guys classmates?".
Hashimoto said so while laughing and Ishizaki added this in frustration.
"It can't be helped, right? Ryuuen-san's the one normally giving him orders after all".
"Ryuuen-san, eh?".
Ishizaki casually ended the '-san' suffix to his name. However, as of right now, that would lead to a strange contradiction.
"The rumor about you having a fight with him and overthrowing him from his position of leader, is that true?".
"Shut it. Of course it's true. Right now...was just old habit".
Far from working on the group's unity, it appears we've already begun sounding each other out. The rumor about Ryuuen having stepped down is one whose authenticity everyone doubts.
Giving a side glance to that quickly brewing conflict, I decided to take a walk into the building's interior.
6
The first day's mealtime, in other words, the first opportunity to make contact with the girls since getting off that bus in the morning has come.
The spacious cafeteria looks like it can fit quite a lot of people in it and if you go up the stairs, you get a nice view of the first floor.
From a cursory inspection, it looks like it'd fit about 500 people and there's also a considerable number of students occupying it.
"It's not easy to meet up with someone now that we don't have our phones".
Horikita and Kei are probably looking for me but I didn't make a move.
In this case, even if those two happened to find me, their reactions would be polar opposites.
Horikita would unreservedly call out to me but Kei would wait and see. Because she'd understand that I'm not looking for her, in other words, that there's no need to make contact with each other right now.
On the very first day, making contact with various students is something to be expected. I don't think I'm being marked in particular but there's a good chance that I'll attract attention from Sakayanagi and the student named Nagumo.
Hirata and Satou had been accompanying us at the time, but Nagumo still saw Kei and I together.
As such, I'd like to avoid clumsily making contact. I'll go solo and observe, to a certain extent, who's making contact with who.
However, the meal comes first. The mere one hour we had been allocated is precious time after all. Holding a tray in my hands, I sat alone.
If this had been a normal school day then the different school years would have been separated into different areas to a certain extent but this time around, since we're being divided up into groups instead, students from across all school years intermingle and eat their meals together.
They mostly gather in groups but there are also quite a few students moving around for the sake of gathering information.
There are also a lot of those who are doing so because this is the only place you can make contact with the girls too.
There are also couples who are spending time together because said time together happens to be limited to this period as well.
"Haaaafuuuuuuu".
I heard a cute voice close by that sounded exhausted.
It's the leader of the 1st years' Class B, Ichinose Honami. There were many boys and girls crowded around her.
I took a seat on a vacant chair nearby and decided to eavesdrop. Right now, I'm confident that my surroundings won't notice me, more or less.
"...it's pathetic that I'm proud of not having much of a presence though".
Anyway, Ichinose and the others didn't react at all even though I'm sitting not too far away. Well, there are about 500 students in the cafeteria so they're probably not going out of their way to identify each and every student near them.
"Good work out there, Honami-chan. Was it difficult?".
"Nyahaha. If you ask me whether or not it was difficult then I'd say it was difficult. I thought we'd be able to decide on our groups more smoothly---. But when you've got to quarrel, you've just got to quarrel I guess".
"It can't be helped. The other classes are enemies after all".
"But according to what Kanzaki-kun said earlier, it went pretty well on the boys' side though".
"Ehh~? Really~? It took us past noon though".
It's not like it went smoothly for the boys either but it appears the girls had quarrelled even further. Perhaps the teachers didn't schedule any lessons today for that very reason?
"Hey, do you think somebody will get expelled in this exam.....?".
"It'll definitely be fine, is what I'd like to say but so far there hasn't been a single expellee from amongst the 1st years. Still, I don't think we should let our guard down".
She seems like she's able to take on this special exam with an appropriate awareness of danger.
"What should we do if we get dragged down...?".
"It'll be fine, Asako-chan. As long as you put in serious effort, it won't come to that".
"You think so...?".
"Besides, if it ever does come to that, we can just save you after all".
Ichinose said that to console the despondent Asako. Out of all those members, Ichinose seemed to be the most exhausted one but she was the most stouthearted one there.
"I'm exhausted".
Ichinose leans her upper body on the table. Catastrophically enough, that ended with her noticing me sitting not too far away from her.
"Ayanokouji-kuuuun yaho~".
Ichinose? I didn't notice you there. Answering with that would make it feel unnatural on the contrary.
Considering that despite the distance, I could hear her voice well enough, it would be best if I gave an honest answer.
"You were having a good time".
"Girls' chats may or may not be their source of power".
Saying something I don't really get, Ichinose once again leaned on the table. Since she usually doesn't show this defenseless side of hers, it was quite the unexpected sight.
"Ahh, can't I do this?".
She said that as she tried straightening herself up and so I stopped her.
"It's normal to do something like that when you're tired".
"Sorry---. For making it slightly uncomfortable".
It's not uncomfortable at all. I said so internally since I couldn't put it into words.
"It's become quite the difficult group, hasn't it?".
"It was difficult until we formed this current group, is perhaps how I should put it. Girls know very well what they like and dislike, or more like, there are more than a few girls who are willing to say they don't like another girl straight to their face. In that regard, when it comes to personal feelings, aren't they a lot of boys who like to muddy the waters?".
"Ryuuen's openly disliked though".
"It's bad to laugh at that but that really couldn't be helped, could it? But isn't Ryuuen-kun tired too? To be disliked by everyone must be tiring".
That way of looking at it isn't wrong but that probably doesn't apply to Ryuuen. Because it looked to me that he's able to relax now that he no longer has anything to shoulder.
"Don't get too fired up".
I concluded that it's pointless to overstay my welcome here and so I stood up from my seat.
"It's fine, it's fine. Being energetic is about the only thing I have going for me. See you later, Ayanokouji-kun".
Ichinose waved at me and saw me off. One hour per day. That's the rule this time around concerning opportunities to make contact with the girls.
Boys and girls can't meddle with each other directly but I imagine this hour's clearly meant to let us share information with one another.
In all likelihood, we're meant to gather information here, give out instructions and fight our fight.
This is probably where students who are trusted and who possess high communication abilities shine.
"I'm not suited for this at all".
Just like that time on the uninhabited island, there's basically nothing I can do here.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone