It was almost the end of Sunday, just before 10 PM. Considering that Sakayanagi had been busy, it had been decided that we would communicate in a slightly particular way from here on.
A call from Sakayanagi came to my phone.
I turned off the TV and pressed the call button.
'I'm sorry for being late. Is it okay to talk now?'
"Yes, it's fine."
'Seems you wanted to speak with me…'
It seemed like a matter of importance, but I feigned ignorance and asked.
"Simply put, I heard you've accepted a challenge from Ryūen, staking expulsion."
'Was that it? I thought it would only be a matter of time before you heard about it, but who told you? No, perhaps it's rude to ask.'
She showed a brief interest in pursuing the source of the information but quickly withdrew.
"Given the position of Class A and the presence or absence of Protection Points, the terms are exceptional."
'Looking at the terms alone, that might be the case. However, I will not lose to him, and Ryūen-kun is merely tightening the noose around his own neck.'
No matter how disproportionate the terms, there were no problems as long as you don't lose. That was the stance.
A different position, but essentially the same as Ryūen.
'You didn't call out of concern for me, did you?'
"Is concern necessary?"
'Not at all. Just witnessing the outcome of the battle will suffice.'
On the other end of the phone, Sakayanagi chuckled softly.
A small yawn could be heard shortly after.
"You're already going to bed?"
'I've been active since early this morning, after all.'
"Should I hang up then?"
'Don't say something so sad. I'm fully prepared for my drowsiness.'
"Fully prepared?"
'I've taken a bath, brushed my teeth, changed into my pajamas, and I myself am already lying down, so I can fall asleep as soon as the call ends.'
It seemed that Sakayanagi had already settled into bed on the other side of the phone.
"Indeed, that sounds fully prepared."
'Yes, so I welcome a long conversation.'
My words seemed to be serving as a lullaby.
'Ryūen-kun and Ichinose-san seem to have met with you as well.'
"I don't remember being followed by Yamamura... impressive."
'Even for someone like you, it's difficult to completely escape the eyes of many people, including the other years and adults.'
She mentioned connections not only with students but also with some adults.
Of course, not everything she said might be true, but I listened with a grain of salt, yet it was clear she had solid information.
'By the way, will you be participating as a representative in this special exam, Ayanokōji-kun?'
"I can't answer that. Have your usual sources reported anything?"
'I haven't been focusing on your and Ichinose-san's class this time.'
There was interest but not enough to keep a close watch.
However, even if she knew, it wouldn't be information that Sakayanagi needed to hide.
As I thought, it seemed that information had been leaked only to Ichinose's side and not to Sakayanagi's.
"Ryūen seemed to be in battle mode, but you seem as usual."
I meant it as a compliment for her calm demeanor, but Sakayanagi's response was unexpected.
'I wonder. Is it as usual?'
"Is that wrong?"
'In the last two days, I decided to try something new. This new attempt involved setting up individual meetings with my classmates. The old me probably wouldn't have taken such actions.'
Sakayanagi typically kept close only to confidants like Kamuro, Hashimoto, and Kitō.
It was a style typical of Sakayanagi, who fundamentally didn't trust people.
This was a tendency Ryūen might share.
"Why decide to talk with your classmates? You haven't revealed anything specific, and it doesn't seem like you discussed strategies for the end-of-year special exam with them, right?"
'Yes, it's unrelated to the exam. That's why... yes, that could be considered a problem.'
She organized the reasons for her actions in her head and converted them into words.
'I should've known more about Masumi-san. I wanted to know more about Yamamura-san. Perhaps unnecessary emotions drove me.'
Regrets came too late.
She couldn't talk to Kamuro anymore since she had already been expelled.
Although her relationship with her classmate Yamamura was initially based solely on mutual interests, she had started to take steps towards becoming genuine friends, and now she was trying to deepen her relationships without regrets.
She didn't know when or how relationships with other classmates might change or disappear. That was why she wanted to get to know her current allies better.
It was probably a change that even Sakayanagi herself found confusing.
'Honestly, I don't think this emotion is efficient. It could even be said that I'm engaging in unproductive behavior. Yet, I've decided that I must do it. Uncharacteristic, isn't it?'
"Ah. It's indeed unlike you."
Despite her gentle expression, Sakayanagi had always made cold, mechanical decisions based on her brain's commands.
This change began with Kamuro and Yamamura, significantly influenced by that recent incident.
'It's because of you, Ayanokōji-kun. You're the one who changed me.'
"I don't think it's all me, but I admit I played a part."
'...Why did you try to mediate between me and Yamamura-san?'
It sounded as if she could've remained like herself if not for that.
"I inadvertently caused Yamamura some trouble. So, I just returned the favor in a way that was clear. I can't provide any more explanation than that."
Yamamura had been acting as Sakayanagi's secret agent, using her inconspicuous presence as her weapon.
It was only natural for me to take responsibility for hindering that.
But it was nonsensical to blabber the details to Sakayanagi here.
'I see. I thought it might just be your kindness, but it seems there was a solid reason.'
"No, maybe it's better if you take it as kindness. Can I retract my previous statement?"
'Hehe. That's impossible.'
Sakayanagi's laughter became sleepy.
Until now, Sakayanagi had shown her usual calm demeanor over the phone.
I could hang up now, but...
'You've done something unnecessary.'
"You dislike your own changes, but they're not all bad. If it really was unnecessary, you could've forcibly suppressed those new emotions."
'That's true... Maybe you're right.'
Sakayanagi had never trusted others, only using them.
She had a mindset similar to mine, but she was beginning to accept change.
"You haven't faced it until now, so face it more from now on. By doing so, you'll be able to see unexpected aspects you never knew before."
At that point, Sakayanagi would surely find new options.
Whether those would be considered strengths or weaknesses were still unknown.
'Karuizawa-san and Ichinose-san like you because you boldly step into people's hearts, disrupt them, and then foster growth. But your essence is more stubborn than mine and won't easily change. Hehe, that's what makes you fascinating.'
"I'll take that as a compliment. Not to change the subject, but there's something I need to tell you, Sakayanagi. You remember that I owe you one from the deserted island exam?"
This was one of the reasons I made time for this call.
'Oh, I remember that.'
"I'm not leaning towards predicting whether you or Ryūen will win tomorrow's match. I'm watching it as an even 50% chance for both."
'So if I lose, I'll miss the chance for that debt to be repaid.'
"Yes. That's why I wanted to confirm things. If necessary, I could repay it now."
I avoided direct language, but Sakayanagi must have understood what I meant immediately.
Of course, I knew she wouldn't demand it.
'The answer goes without saying.'
"It seems so."
Sakayanagi wouldn't resort to relying on my help to outmaneuver Ryūen in the special exam. I knew that and asked anyway.
'You'll repay the favor when I'm a third-year.'
"Alright. I'll keep that in mind."
'Please do.'
Sakayanagi answered, yawning again.
"Maybe it's time to hang up."
'Are you done already? I still want to continue our conversation…'
"Today is enough. I've got a good grasp of the state of each class's leader."
'Is that so? Then, after the end-of-year special exam is over, let's have tea at leisure. After defeating him, a match with you awaits in the third year.'
As yawns began to mix into her words, I decided to wrap things up.
'Could you please cut off the call, Ayanokōji-kun? I'd like to go to sleep with a calm mind… Good night.'
Sakayanagi was calm and composed throughout.
Rather, she began to show a side of herself that surrendered to the emotions she had started to reveal.
This must be another form of growth.
After ending the call, I also started to undress and change into my nightwear.
Ryūen and Sakayanagi. Both seem fully prepared mentally for the end-of-year special exam.
One of them will be defeated tomorrow… and leave the school.
I should just watch the outcome as a bystander. That was the right answer.
But if I were to speak my true feelings openly, what result would I wish for?
I tried not to think about it, but there was definitely a clear answer inside me.
Who I wanted to win. The answer had been there even before meeting either of them—