Kapitel 56: Chapter 56 - Friendship?
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As always, if you don't give me your powerstones, I'll...
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"The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
"Ding, ding, ding." The sharp chime of the school bell echoed through the classroom, signaling the end of class and the beginning of lunch. Conversations erupted almost instantly, the sound of chairs scraping and students bustling filling the air.
"Light, will you come get lunch with us?" Manabe asked, her tone casual. As always, Nishino and Yabi stood by her side.
I turned to her with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Manabe. I've got other plans today. Maybe next time."
Her confident demeanor faltered momentarily before she recovered, brushing it off with a shrug. "Ah, I see. Don't worry about it; if you can't, it's fine… Well then, we'll talk some other time."
Satisfied that the conversation was over, I rose from my seat, only to find my path blocked by none other than Kakeru Ryuen. He leaned against the desk in front of me, his regular smirk firmly in place.
"Now this is unusual," he said, "Where do you think you're sneaking off to, Yagami? You always have lunch with your little fan club. What's the matter? Did they bore you?"
I adjusted my uniform. "It's nothing like that," I replied quickly. "I thought I'd drop by Class A. I'm curious about the atmosphere there, especially after everything that happened over the summer—those so-called traitors meant to bring katsuragi's downfall and power shifts."
Ryuen let out a low, derisive laugh. "So-called? Don't make me laugh. You should understand Sakayanagi's stunt wasn't just a rumor—it was a move straight out of a dictator's playbook. I have to admit, it's impressive in a way. Taking down her own class and classmate just to tighten her grip on the class? Cold-blooded."
His tone was laced with a kind of admiration. I tilted my head, studying him. "Cold-blooded, you say? Funny, I don't recall you being so different at the start of the year. You went to plenty of lengths yourself to secure your place as Class C's leader, didn't you?"
Ryuen's smirk widened. "You're damn right I did. But there's a difference. I'm not shy about what I am. Power is about strength—violence, if necessary. That's what makes me untouchable. But Sakayanagi?" He leaned in slightly. "That little girl doesn't have an ounce of power. All she's got is her brain, but she's turned it into a weapon. I'll give her that much."
He straightened, his grin never faltering. "Still, someone like her going that far? It's almost unnatural. I mean, look at her. That pristine, doll-like face? She doesn't look like someone who'd cut a classmate's throat to get ahead... Yeah, there's definitely something off about her."
I nodded. "You think there's more to her than what we see?"
"Of course there is," he replied instantly with certainty. "People aren't born like that. They're made. She's a larger part of Class A than it may seem to most outsiders."
I couldn't help but smirk, impressed by Ryuen's insight despite his blunt delivery. "Well, you're not wrong. Arisu Sakayanagi isn't just anyone. She's the daughter of the school's chairman."
For the first time, Ryuen's grin faltered in slight surprise. "The chairman's daughter? Hah, now that's interesting."
I shrugged. "It's not as big a deal as you might think. The chairman seems determined to stay impartial when it comes to class activities. As long as we don't do anything reckless involving her, I doubt he'll interfere."
"Tch. Good to know. Not that I am one for bulling little kids like her anyway."
"Of course not," I replied, a hint of sarcasm in my voice. "Well, I'll be going now."
With that, I stepped past him, leaving Ryuen leaning against the desk, his smirk firmly in place and his mind clearly racing with new possibilities.
Soon I found myself walking through the hallways. Though not empty, they felt eerily quiet in a way that was difficult to describe. The sensation of walking alone was unfamiliar—it was one of the rare moments even Ryuk wasn't by my side. The absence of his constant, mocking presence left an odd, almost akin to being stripped naked. Though perhaps that's an exaggeration, it was still unsettling.
It didn't take long before I reached the entrance to Class A. The door was wide open, offering an unobstructed view of the room within. Taking the opportunity, I stepped inside.
As I entered, I felt the weight of several curious gazes fall on me. Some students looked up briefly, only to return to their own business, uninterested. Others observed me with suspicion. Then, there were those whose expressions showed outright nervousness. That reaction didn't surprise me—after all, my previous visit to Class A had nearly resulted in an expulsion during the midterms. Though, the blame for that was ultimately pinned on Ryuen.
For some, however, the anxiety might stem from another source. A fractured Class A facing potential challenges from Class B was undoubtedly a concern for anyone knowledgeable about the school's ruthless hierarchy. The students here likely questioned the implications of my presence—was I here to sow discord or gauge the weaknesses in their unity?
"Yagami, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Katsuragi called out to me. He acknowledged me with a polite nod.
"Well, there are a few students in Class A I'd like to talk to," I replied as I scanned the room.
"Is that so?" Katsuragi said, gesturing lightly. "Then please, help yourself. And congratulations on your recent appointment as student council vice president."
I gave him a small smile, nodding in gratitude. "Thank you. That reminds me—I'll need to speak with you as well, though that can wait until later."
"Of course." Katsuragi returned the nod before turning his attention back to his small circle of friends.
With that brief exchange out of the way, I made my way toward the primary reason for my visit: Arisu Sakayanagi.
"Oh, what's this?" Sakayanagi's voice greeted me as I approached her desk. She tilted her head slightly, her expression playful and curious. "I must say, I didn't expect you to come looking for me, Yagami-kun. I wonder what could be so important that it brings you to Class A in search of me."
Feigning offense, I responded light-heartedly, "I take offense to that, Sakayanagi. Perhaps I simply wanted to get to know some of my peers better."
Her delicate laugh rang out. "Sure, Yagami-kun. But let's not waste each other's time. I'm curious—what is it you want?"
Sakayanagi was a conversationalist; I genuinely enjoyed engaging with her. Her intellect was sharp, her words deliberate, and her demeanor poised. In some ways, she shared similarities with Ryuen, yet her refinement and elegance set her apart. Where Ryuen was brash and overbearing, Sakayanagi wielded her words like a scalpel—precise and disarming.
"Well," I began, "it's something I'd prefer to discuss in private. If that's at all possible right now."
"In private, you say?" Her eyes glimmered with intrigue as she reached for her cane, using it to push herself up from her desk. "Well, I suppose I could use a walk. Let's go."
We exited the classroom, leaving behind the watchful eyes of Class A's students. The moment we were alone, Sakayanagi wasted no time.
"It's a rare sight, walking alongside an 'enemy.'" Her words showed she was amused with this situation. "You've aligned yourself with Katsuragi, haven't you? That places us on opposite sides of the chessboard."
"It's nothing personal," I replied smoothly. "I have my reasons for my actions and hold no ill will toward you."
"Ah, so it just happens that by aligning yourself with Katsuragi, Class A remains conveniently unified and stagnant? What a happy coincidence for you," she said sarcastically.
"You might not believe me," I countered calmly, "but my alliance with Katsuragi is entirely personal. It has nothing to do with Class A's internal dynamics. Even this conversation we're having now stems purely from my own interest."
Her sharp gaze lingered on me for a moment, and I could tell she was weighing my words carefully. "How curious," she murmured, her tone now softer but no less calculating. "You certainly know how to pique one's interest, Yagami-kun. I doubt you're being entirely truthful, but I'll humor you for now. After all, someone like you always has a hidden motive."
Her skepticism was evident, but there was a faint smile on her lips—for all her suspicions, I could tell I'd managed to intrigue her, if only slightly. For now, that was enough.
"You see… the truth is, I need some help," I mumbled, lowering my voice to ensure no passing ears could pick up on our conversation.
"Hmmm?" Sakayanagi tilted her head slightly. "You, Light Yagami of Class B, need help? Hard to believe. What could you possibly need assistance with?"
"Well," I replied, glancing around the hallway, "I'd prefer not to get into too much detail here in the open. But I want to ensure that when the time comes, I'll have someone I can trust to work with me."
"Trustworthy individuals, hmm?" Sakayanagi's steps slowed as she processed my words, her cane tapping lightly against the polished floor. "It's hard to assist you without knowing exactly what it is you need assistance with." Her sharp gaze remained fixed on me.
"Well," I began, carefully choosing my words, "I suppose it's less about needing direct assistance and literally about finding individuals I can rely on."
"Interesting." Her smile deepened. "Now I understand why you came to me. You could have gone to Katsuragi, but you're aware that my influence within Class A runs deep. You realized that if you involved him, I'd likely uncover your plans regardless. So, to avoid any unnecessary complications, you've come straight to me. Am I correct?"
I nodded, offering her an appreciative smile. "Yes, that's the gist of it. I knew you'd understand."
"Well then," Sakayanagi replied, satisfied, "if all you need is trustworthy individuals and not physical assistance, you've come to the right person. Identifying reliable people happens to be one of my fortes. However…" She came to a stop in the middle of the hallway, turning to face me. "I hope you understand that little in this world comes for free. And, if we're being honest, you and I don't exactly share the friendliest of relationships. It wouldn't be wise of me to assist you purely out of the kindness of my heart."
"Of course," I replied smoothly, "I'm willing to provide points if that's what you want."
But Sakayanagi shook her head gently. "At the moment, points don't interest me much. However, I imagine that now your class has risen to Class B, your next goal will be to challenge Class A. Am I wrong?"
"Well, isn't that only natural?" I replied, my tone laced with casual confidence. "One should always strive to improve."
"I suppose," she said with a light chuckle. "But if you want my assistance, I'd request that you set aside that ambition for the time being and leave Class A alone."
"May I ask why?" I inquired, though I already had a sense of her reasoning.
"I'm not particularly interested in you or Class B at the moment," she admitted, her tone almost dismissive. "There's another individual who piques my interest far more. Frankly, it would be a waste of my time to toy with you when I've been waiting so patiently to engage with a different… shall we say, opponent?"
"That's harsh," I said with a fake chuckle. "Is that all I am to you, Sakayanagi? A boring toy?"
"Of course not, Yagami-kun," she replied with a sweet mocking smile. "You're quite fascinating in your own right. But also… how should I put this? Time-consuming? It's only fair that you wait your turn, don't you think?"
I decided to test the waters, carefully testing a hypothesis. "I see. So, you know about Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, then."
Her reaction was subtle—just the faintest pause before her smile returned, sharper than before. It wasn't an outright confirmation, but it was enough to reinforce my assumption.
Of course, my statement had been partially a bluff. I couldn't say for certain that Ayanokoji was the individual Sakayanagi referred to, but based on her recent actions, he was the most logical choice. Analyzing her subtle efforts in surveilling Class D and her choice of words, it seemed unlikely that anyone from Class C or D would capture her attention. Most of them were either weak or riddled with flaws that rendered them unworthy of her interest.
Koenji was a possible exception—his unpredictable and eccentric nature certainly made him stand out. However, I doubted Sakayanagi would speak so casually of competing with someone as erratic as him. That left only a select few individuals at her level of cunning and intellect: Ayanokoji, Horikita, and Ichinose.
Ichinose, still reeling from her recent defeat at my hands, was unlikely to draw Sakayanagi's interest. Horikita, while intelligent, didn't seem to fit the criteria of someone who could hold Sakayanagi's attention for long. That left Ayanokoji—a mysterious and curious figure whose genius was undeniable. Logic dictated that he was the most likely target of her interest.
And of course, there was also the undeniable fact that if there were anyone else in our year worthy of Sakayanagi's attention, I would already know about them. After all, no one here could truly compete with me. That much was obvious.
"I see… so you know," Sakayanagi said, her tone calm, yet she was obviously intrigued. Her sharp gaze flickered toward me, analyzing me from the corner of her eye. "Well, that makes sense in hindsight, given how you managed to win during the island survival special exam. But I'm curious—just how much do you know?"
Her voice was playful, but I could tell she was probing for answers just as much as I was. I allowed myself a small smile. If she thought she could glean anything useful, she was mistaken—not that I truly knew anything she didn't.
"Well," I replied vaguely, "I think we both know Ayanokoji wouldn't appreciate it if I spoke openly about him."
"Oh?" Sakayanagi's smile widened slightly. "So you're close enough to Ayanokoji to concern yourself with his wishes?"
I paused for a moment to consider my response carefully. "It's complicated," I said. "I assume you can understand that."
She tilted her head slightly, observing me. After a moment, she nodded, seemingly satisfied—for now. But before she could steer the conversation back into her favor, I pressed her.
"Although, I find it strange," I said, my tone inquisitive. "You see, Ayanokoji has never mentioned you."
"I suppose that's only natural," Sakayanagi replied smoothly. Her usual composure didn't falter, but she offered no further elaboration. It was clear she had no intention of revealing anything substantial. Or perhaps the topic of Ayanokoji held some personal significance she wasn't willing to disclose. Either way, it confirmed that this was a sensitive subject in her mind—one that she didn't want to discuss lightly.
I studied her for a moment before shifting the conversation. "So you'll assist me, as long as I don't interfere with your engagement with Class D and Ayanokoji?" I asked.
"Yes, that's all I desire," she replied. Then, she added, "But a simple verbal agreement won't suffice."
I raised an eyebrow. "You want a contract, then? I have no problem with that. But you do realize such a contract comes with its own complications, right? For example, if we draft an agreement stating something like, 'Class B won't needlessly interfere with Class A until after Class A's confrontation with Class D by the end of this semester,' the wording could easily be called into question. The school might disregard it entirely, considering how ambiguous a term like confrontation is. It could refer to almost anything, meaning I could slip out of the agreement whenever it suited me."
I watched her carefully as I explained, curious to see how she would respond. Someone of her intellect surely understood the limitations of such an arrangement.
"True," she said with a slight nod unbothered. "The truth is, I know very little about you, Yagami-kun. Whether or not you'll keep your word is a mystery to me. But there's one thing I do know: you've gone to great lengths to craft a reputation for yourself as what is, for the most part, an upstanding individual. I can't say for certain whether that reputation is a mask, but if it isn't, you'll honor your agreement. And if it is…" Her gaze sharpened slightly, her smile turning faintly predatory. "Then this contract will serve as proof to our peers that you aren't as upstanding as you claim to be."
I nod, acknowledging the cleverness of her approach. The school might not enforce such a contract, but the students themselves would undoubtedly see it for what it was. A violation would paint me as untrustworthy, eroding the careful image I had built among my classmates.
"Well then, Sakayanagi, you have nothing to worry about," I said finally, meeting her gaze with a calm smile. "Contract or no contract, I'll honor our agreement. Thank you for your help—I'm truly grateful."
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I know some of you really wanted to see some Sakayanagi; there you go; there should be more of her in the future anyway. I hope you all enjoyed it.
Give me your thoughts on this chapter. Did you enjoy it? What do you think Light is plotting?
***Important*** (no interest?)
Lastly, I mentioned this in my Discord, but I've really wanted to write an original story. Of course, if I do, this story will still take priority. Unlike my previous project with L, I'm genuinely happy with how this one is progressing and don't feel the need to step back and reflect on it. If I were to write an original story, it would only be during times when I feel fatigued from this one, to ensure it doesn't impact my upload frequency.
I know some of you might doubt this because of my inconsistent uploads, but I truly have no intention of dropping this story—even temporarily—at this point. That said, I may take a short pause once we reach Year 2, but that's still a while away. For now, aside from minor breaks, uploads shouldn't be too irregular. Please bear with me as I settle into things. I promise this story will remain my priority.
The original novel idea would be more of an experiment. After discussing it in my Discord, I've felt inspired to explore how to approach it. I'd love to know how many of you would be interested in reading an original work of mine. Like this story, the protagonist's main attribute would be his intellect. The setting would be a fantasy world, and the protagonist would be physically weak, with no insanely overpowered skills. Fighting wouldn't be his strength. Instead, the focus would be on how someone who's relatively normal (at least physically) could survive and thrive in a chaotic world. If you have any questions, please ask.
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