Capítulo 14: Volume 2 - Ch. 6 Genius and Hope
The chime that usually signals the end of school rings out like the sound of war.
Today is the second day of discussions regarding the violent incident... or so it seems.
For the students of Class D, it is undoubtedly an important day that could determine their fate.
Originally, only one day was allocated for the discussions.
However, due to the complete clash of opinions between the two classes, it has led to a retrial.
The student council president, Hokita, made the decision for the retrial.
It appears that the student council is in charge of this incident and holds absolute authority.
If Hokita has made the judgment, it is highly unlikely that any bias would come into play.
The argument from Class C is that they want punishment for Sudou, a student from Class D, who allegedly assaulted them.
On the other hand, Class D claims that Sudou acted in self-defense as he was attacked first by multiple students from Class C. They argue that it was a justified response and request the removal of punishment.
Their arguments are completely opposite. This means that one of the classes is undoubtedly telling a "lie."
There was a one-day extension granted until the retrial, and during that time, the class that has been lying is expected to confess. The true purpose of the extension is for the opposing class to expose the other's lie and present clear evidence within the day.
Here comes the crucial part.
If they manage to provide evidence, the class that has been lying will face a minimum penalty of several weeks of suspension or even expulsion.
With this, Class C has achieved its original goal. They have gained an understanding of the school's intervention, penalties, and the tolerance for violence.
Their goal has been accomplished. Hence, the retrial scheduled for today has lost its significance.
To clarify, it is Class C that has been lying, so all they need to do is confess.
They should stick to their claim of being victims and forcefully push it through.
By now, Class D is probably desperately taking measures to protect the few points they have gained.
However, for the students of Class C, this is just another day in their ordinary lives.
The classroom is filled with the same familiar scenes, unchanged from yesterday. Shiina-san reading her book, Ishizaki-kun greeting loudly, students leaving the classroom briskly to attend club activities, and others chatting with friends as they slowly head home.
It is an uneventful and monotonous daily routine.
The students who consider themselves "victims," led by Ishizaki-kun, have blind trust in Ryuen's instructions, so they have no worries.
I, too, have provided some assistance, so their chances of winning have slightly increased.
But, of course, there are losers as well.
The danger lies in being recorded while having a slip in conversation.
Everything I have done so far has been nothing more than equipping them with tools for assistance. It was not something Ishizaki-kun himself discovered.
If I don't make any slips... No, it doesn't matter anymore.
I can already predict the future beyond that.
Moreover, the original goal has been achieved. And as a bonus, I have gained insights into the student council's movements.
Hooray for that.
I don't care about the aftermath. There's no need to go out of my way to help Ishizaki-kun.
Even if I lose, I won't intervene.
Doing nothing is the optimal solution this time. There's no need to provide the enemy with my information willingly.
Now that the goal has been achieved, I have nothing to do today.
I need to find a way to kill time.
Ibuki-san is not here. She seems to have some personal business.
By the way, her personal business is apparently about looking for a club activity that runs late.
I heard this from Shiina-san while mainly observing the cooking-related activities.
Perhaps her previous experience in confectionery-making influenced her decision.
If that's the case, it's quite unexpected to see such a cute side to her, despite her usual tsundere personality.
Speaking of which, the sakuramochi I gave to the tea ceremony club was highly praised.
All the members were extremely satisfied, and thanks to the sakuramochi, Shiina-san has become closer to her senpai.
There was no visible excitement in her physical movements, but I could tell from her expressions that she was extremely happy.
However, there was a problem.
The problem was that there was one sakuramochi left after distributing one per member.
It seems that the calm individuals in the tea ceremony club transformed into completely different characters, like werewolves under the full moon, and fought over the remaining sakuramochi, causing quite a commotion.
In the end, they resorted to a full-powered game of rock-paper-scissors.
They asked me to make more sakuramochi by paying additional points, but I don't feel like going through the trouble.
I told them that I might make more if I feel like it, just so as not to make Shiina-san sad.
...Since this time it's not a lie, there shouldn't be any bugs in my super high school-level luck like last time.
As I prepare to go home, a man who also despises boredom approaches me.
Behind him, as always, is his bodyguard.
"Hey, looking down in the dumps, aren't you?"
"I'm just wearing my usual expression."
The one who approached me is Ryuuen Kakeru, the king of Class C, who doesn't try to use me. His bodyguard and the person responsible for Class C's rough tasks, Albert, are with him as usual.
"So, what do you want from me? I assume you didn't come here just to chat?"
"Yeah... I'm thinking of throwing a party tonight and I came to invite you."
"...Another celebration?"
He gives me a meaningful smile and continues speaking.
"Heheh, well, it's pretty much the same thing. This time, the purpose is simply to understand the personalities of our pawns a bit better. Hey... Kamukura. I'm confident that there will be a school event related to points in the near future, maybe even during summer vacation. A point transfer significant enough to cause class reorganization. Such a thing is bound to happen. Otherwise, there's no way classes with a fundamental difference in academic ability will ever change. ...I thought that the final adjustment of that event would be necessary, and I thought it would be interesting to include you this time."
"Do you expect me to go to such a place?"
"Aren't you free anyway?... Besides, I'll personally show you what entertainment really is."
"...Even if I were to spend time with you today, it would only lead to an awkward atmosphere. I don't feel the need to go."
"...Tch, you really are a troublesome guy. You won't know what entertainment is until you try it yourself, regardless of how godlike your predictions may be. But in reality--"
I can see a hint of irritation in his expression, and I realize that his lecture-like conversation is likely to drag on.
Certainly, I have nothing to do, but I have no intention of listening to pointless lectures.
If I ignore him, will he eventually go somewhere else?... He doesn't seem likely to.
I lift my school bag and respond in a calm voice.
"...I suppose I have no choice."
"Alright, I'm starting to get used to how to handle you."
"...You've grown, haven't you?"
"Don't kid yourself. You're already regressing just by not resorting to violence."
Putting an end to our slightly intense banter, I attempt to leave for home, heading towards the classroom door.
However...
"Why are you following me?"
"Kukuku, do you think there are fools who would catch a fish with great effort and then leave it unattended?"
"I can just join you later, right? There's no need to walk together."
"You heartless bastard."
Since he's going to follow no matter what I say, I give up on shooing him away and start walking out of the classroom.
Of course, Albert follows along as well.
After a few steps, I notice something unusual about Ryuuen's behavior. It's something that appears to be forcing his way... Why is he being forceful towards me, of all people?
I slow down my pace and make a deduction from his attitude.
"Hmm... are you 'monitoring' me?"
"What's wrong? Have you finally become a real weirdo?"
"No, you following me isn't because you want to walk and play with me. It's to prevent me from going to those three people..."
"...Tch, you got it, Seaweed."
Looking at Ryuuen-kun's displeased face, I can't help but feel like I'm talking to Ibuki-san.
Once again, I realize how similar they are.
"Don't you want to use me that much?"
"You're my trump card. A trump card is not something you show off from the beginning of a battle."
"You're too fixated."
"Aren't you supposed to follow my lead?"
"...I did say that at that time."
Until he becomes a boring person, I will follow him.
This is my amusement, my own decision.
It doesn't feel good to easily retract what I said.
"Tch, making me go through the trouble."
With his muttered words, our small talk ends, and we resume walking at a normal pace.
As we continue walking, I notice a group of people in the schoolyard that catches my attention through the window.
I stop and peer outside through one of the windows lining the corridor.
Outside the window, I see a group that appears to be the soccer club doing warm-up exercises.
"Ah?... Isn't that the nouveau riche guy from back then?"
Ryuuen-kun and I recognize the blond-haired guy who is leading them.
We met him before, in front of the student council room.
His name was Nagumo, and it seems he is both in the student council and the soccer club.
The expressions of those around him show no signs of abnormality. They chat and enjoy their stretching exercises, then start running.
After that, they take a short break.
A girl, presumably the manager, prepares water and brings it to them.
From what I can see, it appears to be a normal club activity.
However, something unusual happens.
All the managers rush to Nagumo's side, each bringing him water first.
It seems he is quite popular.
He has a good-looking face, is well-liked, and probably quite skilled in sports.
He seems like a versatile and talented person. I am genuinely impressed by his abilities.
"Heh, are you jealous?"
"No, he's a boring person, but I acknowledge his skills."
"He's not as enjoyable as the damn serious student council president."
"Well, who knows?"
Since there was nothing else of interest, we shift our focus back and continue walking at a leisurely pace.
We manage to kill about 10 minutes, but the situation remains unchanged, and it's still boring.
As we continue walking, we suddenly find ourselves near the shoe lockers.
There, I notice something slightly strange—there are no other students in sight.
Perhaps because there was some time for chatting and observing earlier, the usual time for students to go home is slightly delayed.
It seems that there are very few people around at this time.
However, it's fortunate that we don't get swallowed up in the wave of students going home, but for me right now, there's nothing more boring than silence.
"Mmm... it's boring."
A slightly louder mutter escapes my lips.
Since there is no other sound present, the noise reverberates more than I expected.
"...If you had that much power, you wouldn't be bored, right?"
"Isn't everything going your way boring?"
"Well, not everything goes my way. I understand that if things are too easy, they become boring."
He says in a nostalgic tone.
He is probably reflecting on how many failures he has faced and overcome.
Some things were easily conquered without any failures, which led to this statement.
Despite his appearance as a delinquent, he is a cautious person.
He plans everything before taking action. Rather than devising countermeasures after moving, he anticipates them in advance.
That's why he fails when unexpected events occur—attacks from outside his field of vision.
That's when he loses.
Of course, this applies not only to him but to everyone. It's inevitable.
However, Ryuuen Kakeru is a little different. His true essence is revealed after defeat.
No matter how many times he loses, he rises up like an invincible zombie and eventually clings to the enemy's feet.
I can imagine him doing that.
That's his indomitable fighting spirit.
What you don't understand always comes from the unexpected.
That's what happens even in everyday life.
Yes, that's what sudden events are all about.
Therefore, an unpredictable future is... interesting.
Just as I think that, a high-pitched noise, as if something was being poked, reaches my ears from behind.
" If you're bored, why don't you play with me?... Kamukura Izuru-kun."
Following the high-pitched noise, a woman's voice is heard.
A familiar voice echoes in this space.
It's a high and smooth voice without any flaws. Yet, there's something alluring about it.
The presence I sense from behind is one.
Apparently, her lackeys from before are not with her.
For the first time in a while, I feel fortunate for my Super High School Level Luck.
With her, I can alleviate my boredom, even if just a little.
After a few seconds of contemplation, I finally turn around.
Sakayanagi Arisu was smiling joyfully.
...
"Heh, good for you, Kamukura. You've been requested."
"It seems so."
First, I analyze her.
Her pure white skin, like the blooming summer grass, is beautiful, healthy, and radiates a dazzling glow.
However, something is missing.
I can't sense that atmosphere from back then.
"But Kamukura, do you understand? After this..."
"...It's no longer possible. I believe it would be more meaningful for me to talk to her than to waste time with your pawns."
"...You're really going after everyone, from Ibuki and Hiyori to Sakayanagi's ass."
"It's different. I'm simply interested in her."
"It's no different at all."
Upon hearing my words, he sighs as if exasperated.
Just to clarify, I have no ulterior motives.
"...Well, as long as you don't interfere with 'that,' I don't care what you do."
It seems Ryuuen-kun is accommodating my selfishness. He immediately changes his shoes and heads outside.
Albert follows closely behind him, leaving only the two of us here.
The gentle breeze, a mixture of the natural warmth flowing in from the entrance and the artificial coldness overflowing from the air conditioning, brushes through our hair.
Our gaze continues to intersect, fragmentary, through our swaying hair.
"Heh, Kamukura-kun, you're surprisingly good at consideration."
With those words, she slowly leans on her cane and approaches, shortening the distance.
It seems she needs the cane even to walk.
She must have a severe condition. She seems unable to engage in even minor physical activity.
Finally, the distance between her and me is less than one meter.
I look down, and she looks up.
"It's the first time we're having a one-on-one conversation like this. So, let's start with introductions. I'm Sakayanagi Arisu from Class A. Please call me Arisu."
"Kamukura Izuru. You can call me whatever you like."
"Heh, is that so?... Then, I'll call you Izuru-kun. Now, Izuru-kun, please tell me your answer from earlier."
The answer she refers to is about the invitation to play.
There's no reason for me to refuse when I'm so bored.
"I don't mind."
"...Truly, truly, I'm so lucky today. Today will undoubtedly become the most important page in my memory."
She supports her body with the cane in her right hand and lightly touches her blushing cheek with her left hand, smiling happily.
I vaguely feel a resemblance to Nagito Komaeda, but I don't particularly mind.
"...Izuru-kun, do you enjoy playing chess?"
"If you're referring to board game talents in general, I have them all."
"...In that case, would you like to play chess today?... If it's the location you're worried about, there's a club room dedicated to board games and gambling. I have influence there, so they will welcome us. Is that okay with you?"
"Yes."
Eliminating all possible doubts, we connect our conversation as efficiently as possible.
After that, she smiles thinly, satisfied with my answer, and says, "Let me guide you," as she turns her cane and changes direction behind her.
I continue to follow her from behind.
"Sorry, can you adjust your walking speed to match mine?"
After a while, she says so.
We haven't reached the club room yet, but I don't mind.
In fact, I'm grateful that she approached me to talk since I was getting tired of the silence.
"I don't mind."
"Thank you."
She thanks me without looking in my direction.
Although she must be accustomed to this exchange, I'm somewhat impressed that her gratitude is evident in her expression.
"By the way, Izuru-kun, don't you have a discussion about that incident today? I invited you, and yet..."
"I don't have a need to attend, it seems."
"Heh, is that so?"
She genuinely laughs joyfully at our monotonous and uninteresting conversation.
I don't sense any falsehood in her words at the moment.
In short, this seems to be her true intention.
"It seems there are no followers with you today."
"That's because I sent them on an errand. We were supposed to meet later, but we'll have to change the meeting place."
"Quite the treatment."
"I consider them my 'pieces.'"
Pieces, meaning her pawns.
For her, who has a condition, they can be considered essential, indispensable existences.
"I have confidence in how to use my 'pieces.'"
"You certainly do. You possess the talent to match that confidence."
"...Hehe, it seems you also possess the same analytical ability as me. Ah, I'm even more excited about what will happen next."
After saying that, she stops in front of a certain door.
"We're here, but please wait a moment."
Rather than holding it in her hand, she retrieves her phone from her school bag, which is adjusted to hang on her shoulder, and starts typing something.
It must be a message to her followers, informing them of the change in the meeting place.
While she finishes her message, I quietly contemplate something I had been thinking about along the way.
It's whether or not I should carry her bag.
As her physical condition clearly shows, she has an illness.
Should I show consideration for her, who finds it difficult even to walk?
If I do so, would that be following "emotion" correctly? That's what I'm pondering.
The conclusion is needless to say. I realized we had arrived at our destination, so I couldn't do it.
If Ibuki-san were here, she would undoubtedly call me a wimp.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Having finished typing, she presses a button to darken her phone's screen and returns it to her school bag, then stands in front of the door.
However, right after that, my phone rings.
I know who the caller is.
So, I let out a sigh, unable to help it when my predicted future has become a reality.
"Aren't you going to answer?"
"...There's no need for me to answer."
To tell the truth, whether it was right or not, I wouldn't have minded getting involved in that phone call related to the incident. However, I held back because I had made a promise with Ryuuen-kun.
"That call is probably about the incident, right? Well, it doesn't matter."
"You seem excited."
"Yes. Even enduring it seems very enjoyable now when I think about what comes next."
Sakayanagi-san knocked on the door twice without waiting for a response, then opened it and confidently entered the clubroom. I followed after her.
"...Hello, Sakayanagi-san. Are you planning to steal points from us again today?"
The first voice came from a girl with short black hair, who had an unconventional appearance with her blazer and tie removed and the first button of her uniform unbuttoned. She had distinctive white skin and a well-endowed chest, and even when sitting, her slender and tall figure fit surprisingly well in this unsanitary place filled with the smell of various drinks.
However, from her voice and words, it was clear that she radiated negative emotions.
Honestly, why would she say she's welcoming us? That's what I thought, and by looking at Sakayanagi-san's expression, it was clear that she was conveying her intentions.
"She's annoyed, isn't she? That's the kind of expression she has."
"Heh, please welcome us a little more, Club President. Also, I just want to use this place for a while."
There were about ten students in the clubroom. Among them, there were no freshmen faces. Probably all of them were second and third-year students, as this was a club activity specialized in board games and gambling.
The girl Sakayanagi-san referred to as the club president showed stronger aversion than before. Not only her, but the other students in this room didn't have pleasant expressions either. The reason for this lack of welcoming atmosphere seemed to be related to the club president's words about "stealing points."
From these words and the atmosphere, there was only one conclusion.
"So, he's the 'victim' this time. Did you dispose of the girl with purple hair you brought before?"
"You mean Masumi-san. I didn't dispose of her, but I ended up bullying her too much."
She lightly laughed, teasing the club president. Her way of speaking was provocative, and her smile was different from the smile she had shown me earlier.
"This guy is the victim, you say?"
"...I'm sure he is."
The club president tried to read me with her gaze, but her intentions were interrupted by Sakayanagi-san's next words.
"That's why, please lend me a complete set of chess. Oh, and if necessary, you can watch nearby. It might be a precious game where you can witness my 'defeat.'"
"...Are you kidding? You're talking about betting?"
"Shall we bet then?"
"No... I don't want to lose any more points."
Survival of the fittest, is that how it works in this place where the strongest in board games reigns? Sakayanagi-san had probably played multiple games with them, including chess, gambling large amounts of points. In short, she was disrupting their club.
And she won all of the games, taking their points.
That's what the club president meant by "stealing points." From this, I estimated that Sakayanagi-san had at least 3 million points, if not more.
"You're cruel!"
She laughed at the club president's disbelief. Her behavior seemed sadistic.
However, it was true that simply playing board games was boring. In that case, there's a predictable and boring outcome where I win all the time.
To consider her limits a little, wouldn't it be interesting to provide her with something?
"Well, Club President, would you be interested in betting on my behalf?"
As I said that, Sakayanagi-san showed a delighted smile, as if she had been waiting for those words.
"Yes, that's right, isn't it, Izuru-kun? Just playing is... boring."
She shivered her body, making her heart dance.
From another perspective, it could be seen as an eerie smile containing something close to madness. It had a different aura from any of the smiles she had shown me today.
Yes, I wanted to see that smile.
If it was Sakayanagi Arisu now, I could use all of my Super High School Level talents that would be useful.
...I think it's acceptable to use them.
"...Alright, I understand... I'll pay."
Desperately, the club president said so and showed us the screen with the prepared one million points. The other club members approached us as soon as they realized the bet had been made. In no time, a gambling venue was created.
With a skillful hand, I arranged the pieces on the chessboard and completed the preparations.
"Well then, shall we begin?"
With a sweet and alluring voice that evoked thoughts of a night visit, an otherworldly match started.
— Un nuevo capítulo llegará pronto — Escribe una reseña
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder