After parting with Ichinose, I spent about an hour sweating in the gym before leaving, and there was a student standing near the entrance. It wasn't just a coincidence or a chance meeting.
"Rare to see you here, Kanzaki."
"...Yeah."
Kanzaki briefly answered and glanced back and forth between me and the gym.
"If you want to join the gym, I can introduce you."
"No, that's not it. I heard you were going to the gym and waited."
Ichinose was likely the source of that information.
"Is this something that needs to be discussed in person rather than over the phone?"
"It's not really a discussion. I just overheard that you don't plan to participate as a representative. I wanted to check if that's true."
"It depends on Horikita's policy, but there are no plans at the moment."
I answered as if tracing the words, but Kanzaki's expression was a bit grim.
"...Really?"
"I intended to answer that way, but it seems you don't believe me."
"Of course. We are direct competitors. There's no need to tell the whole truth here, and it's not up to us whether you participate or not. But... Ichinose would want to believe what you say. No, it's safe to say she does believe it."
His statement seemed reserved, but some parts of it seemed aggressive.
The source of the information was indeed Ichinose. I decided to ignore that and let it pass.
"I want to believe what you said too, but—"
He kept repeating, trying to verify the credibility.
Even though I had already answered that such commitments here meant nothing, he persisted.
"Could it be that you have a reason not to believe my statement? It seems like you're questioning me on some grounds that I might join as a representative."
"...No."
Kanzaki started to deny it but then paused and corrected himself.
"It's just a rumor—that you agreed early on to become a representative. Not just any role, but as the general instead of the vanguard or middle guard. That's the rumor."
If it were just about being selected as a representative, I could've dismissed it as a rumor.
However, Kanzaki mentioned 'general,' a significant keyword.
Given that Horikita is widely recognized as the class leader, the rumor that she had passed on the role of general was not something to be taken lightly.
From Kanzaki's awkward expression, it seemed he hadn't intended to delve so deeply initially.
But my immediate denial of being a representative might have increased his desire to know more.
The information I stressed to keep confidential seemed to have easily leaked.
"Quite a specific rumor. But a rumor is a rumor. There are no such plans at the moment."
Convinced of this, I continued to deny it. Even if my denial here was a lie, it was an acceptable lie for the sake of strategizing, and Kanzaki had no choice but to understand that.
"...Understood. If you say so, it must just be a rumor. But, if Horikita asks you to be a representative... if possible, please refuse."
"That's quite a bold negotiation."
"I'm well aware of your capabilities. If you participate, our class will struggle. More than that, Ichinose, facing you, might not be able to perform to her full potential."
That was why he didn't want me to participate as a representative.
This seemed to be his genuine feeling.
"I understand what you want to say, but it's not a simple matter to accept. If Horikita makes such a request, it's only natural for me, as a classmate, to consider it."
Kanzaki's arms tensed visibly.
"Sorry, this was a conversation I shouldn't have expected you to accept. Forget it."
"It's fine. It just shows how much you're betting on the upcoming end-of-year special exam."
I hadn't often hinted so blatantly at taking center stage.
I could fully understand his cautious feelings.
"I came to see you today just to convey that. I'm sorry for prying so much. I'm grateful to you for many things."
"Don't worry about it. It's natural for us both to do our best to aim for Class A."
While the methods and courses of action might be debatable, Kanzaki was thinking in his own way and trying to find a path for his class. I had no intention of denying that, and rather, he was an interesting subject to observe. If no significant changes had occurred in Ichinose, I might've wanted to intervene a bit more, but it wouldn't be too late to do so after seeing the results of the end-of-year special exam.
After watching Kanzaki leave with hidden disappointment, I decided to return to the dormitory.