Persisting any further here wouldn't yield any results.
It was clear that it would only expose my miserable self.
No… I had known from the start that it would turn out this way.
If he was worried about being seen, he simply would've taken the steps to have this meeting in the dorms or later in the day.
I understood this, but I just couldn't restrain myself.
"Let's go, Matsushita-san. He's become my enemy, I understand that well. It's clear that there's no need to be discreet going forward."
I turned my back on him and started walking again.
But I didn't think I felt any clear emotions from what remained here.
Only a feeling like that of a headache or a dizziness—an indescribable nausea—continued to cling to me.
Chapter 3:
The Commencement of a One-Year Period
* * *
REWINDING A SHORT period of time, it was back to the moment immediately following the opening ceremony.
Upon exiting the gymnasium, rather than returning to Class A, I headed straight to the staff room. However, with a faculty meeting in session, I changed my direction and headed toward the chairman's office to submit my notice. The chairman did seem a bit surprised, but perhaps that man had already informed him—he decided against asking any further questions. Afterward, the various arrangements swiftly proceeded; which included the verification of the twenty million points and their source.
Having heard about this right before the homeroom period started, I was sure that it'd take some time for Mashima-sensei to understand that this was in fact real.
With a hint of bewilderment still remaining on his face, Mashima-sensei, the homeroom teacher, cleared his throat and looked at me.
"For what it's worth, I think I should introduce myself here. What do you think?"
Of course, it wasn't my first time at this school.
From the time I'd spent in this school up until now, even though we might have been in different classes, I remembered everyone's names and faces.
And all the Class C students were aware of me.
However, I still had to go through the formalities.
"The opening ceremony just ended, but I, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, have transferred to this class using twenty million Private Points. I can't replace Sakayanagi, who voluntarily withdrew, but if there's still a will to fight among everyone here, I'm confident that I can help overcome the class's greatly deteriorated situation."
I kept it brief, but I firmly conveyed what was necessary.
Reflecting on my past failure during my self-introduction as a first-year student, I chose my words carefully.
I think it was a passing mark, but I wonder if my intentions were properly conveyed to the students here.
As everyone silently watched, one student broke the silence and clapped.
"Glad to have ya, Ayanokouji."
It was the biggest investor in my transfer to Class C—Hashimoto Masayoshi.
Starting from there, a few others began to clap sporadically.
However, I could see that not everybody was welcoming.
The looks directed at me weren't all warm.
Rather, the majority of their gazes were cold, and many of them weren't truly welcoming.
Of course, I didn't expect everyone to accept me from the beginning.
Rather, it would speak poorly of the class's quality if that were the case..
It would be like them introducing themselves as a feeble gathering of a class—one that, upon losing Sakayanagi, had now lost all of its ability to judge situations, leaving everything to a helper[1] that shouldn't be so easily trusted.
They had to be cautious, skeptical, and willing to seek results rapidly and aggressively.
But Mashima-sensei, unaware that the students were thinking of the situation to such an extent, picked up on the awkward atmosphere and resumed homeroom.
"Well then, as for Ayanokouji's seat… Let's see here…"
Still unable to fully hide the hint of bewilderment on his face, Mashima-sensei looked around the classroom.
Currently, there were thirty-six students in the class, excluding me.
In terms of the seating arrangement alone, securing enough space for four seats wouldn't be a problem.
It might be ideal to assign my seat to one of the four less populated rows, but—
Perhaps this timing could be used to change around the seating arrangement?
Before Mashima-sensei could decide, a female student sitting by the window in the very back raised her hand swiftly enough for it to make a noise.
"For now, I believe the seat in front of me would be suitable."
Either surprised by the statement or by the student who made it, Mashima-sensei showed unmistakable confusion.
"In front of Morishita's…?"
Yes, it was the eccentric Morishita Ai who spoke.
"Yes. I will explain the reasons. First, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka is like a transfer student, meaning he is new to the class and unfamiliar with it. Placing him in the center of the class right away would make him shrink back like a loner. And giving him the most coveted spot at the back by the window, my position, would be too much of a privilege. Moreover, since he's an unexpected foreign element from an opposing class, who was an enemy until recently, proper surveillance is necessary. Considering all these factors, I think it's best for him to sit in front of me. If anyone has objections, please speak up now."
None of the students objected to Morishita's proposal, which was biased and something she decided entirely on her own.
Well, wherever my seat ends up, it probably won't be a big issue.
As the homeroom teacher, if the students agreed on a location without objections, Mashima-sensei probably wouldn't outright reject it.
There was only one issue remaining—
What's left is whether the student sitting in front of Morishita would accept this proposal…
"If Sugio is fine with it—"
As Mashima-sensei tried to get confirmation with Sugio Hiroshi, who was currently sitting there—
"Of course, it's fine. Change it right away— No, rather, I'd be happy if you could please change it."
He eagerly accepted the chance to move his seat.
Rather, he had an expression that made it seem like he was more than happy that he could move.
"Alright. Then, let's have Sugio move over to the back of the empty row."
"Yes!"
Sugio responded eagerly, quickly gathered his belongings, and stood up from his seat.
Having received the consent of the student who needed to be moved first, Mashima-sensei immediately brought in a new chair and desk.
"Then, Ayanokouji, please take your seat. We'll proceed with homeroom."
"Understood."
I took my spot in front of Morishita like she'd proposed.
As soon as I sat down, Morishita called out to me from behind.
"It'll be a pleasure going forward, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."
"Yes, likewise."
Although Class C as a whole was still somewhat unsettled, it was considerably quieter compared to the Horikita class that I was familiar with. Even though they were told in advance about the transfer, many students must not have thought that it would actually happen.
As expected, the students' fundamental qualities here appeared to be generally quite high.
It was a relief to have an environment that was easy to navigate at this point, as it reduced the amount of trouble involved.
With the OAA, I already had a grasp on all of the students' faces, names, and basic abilities.
However, like myself, there were often aspects to each student's abilities that weren't visible through school evaluations alone.
Discovering these in my new school life going forward would be one of my top priorities.
With only one more year of school life, there was no time for leisure.
Having said that, saying something like, 'There's no time, open up to me right away,' wasn't something you could just go and approach people with.
A middle ground, a balance, was required.
"What are you thinking about, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka?"
Behind me, I could hear Morishita whispering.
"About what's to come."
"Wondering if you can make a hundred friends?"
I didn't know why she suddenly asked that question in a rhythmic tone.
Indeed, getting to know classmates involved making friends to some extent.
"It's not about that…"
Since, in essence, it was off the mark, I denied it.
"You're not thinking about wanting to eat onigiri with a hundred people?[2]"
"I'm not thinking about that… or rather, I don't understand what you mean by 'onigiri with a hundred people.'"
And why's she continuing with her rhythmic tone?
"Please turn this way."
Following her instruction, I turned around, and I was met with Morishita's cold stare.
"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka is surprisingly stupid, huh?"
"That's quite the thing to say."
I thought her unrealistic idea of making a hundred friends and eating onigiri together was more absurd.
"You don't even know this joke—no, it's not even a joke—it's a classic reference. Are you sane?"
"Nobody can probably understand that joke."
As I responded, she took a deep, deep sigh.
"Rather than calling you stupid, it might be more accurate to say you're ignorant, or maybe you're out of touch with the world."
She seemed to be getting disappointed all on her own, but I had no idea why.
Can you make a hundred friends?
Do you want to eat onigiri with a hundred people?
I tried to think about it calmly for a moment, but I still couldn't understand the meaning.
"Enough. Make sure to face forward and listen earnestly to what the homeroom teacher says."
It was you, Morishita, who turned me around, though…
* * *
[1]: The kanji used for "helper" here, 助っ人, can also be translated to a "foreign player," which is an outsider that's hired to strengthen a team.
[2]: Morishita's lines about a hundred friends and eating onigiri are references to the song "一年生になったら" (lit. "When I Become a First Year").
Part 1
* * *
AFTER RECEIVING AN explanation from Mashima-sensei regarding the schedule and classes from tomorrow onward, the school day would come to an end.
For third-year students, the way we'd use our time would likely change significantly compared to the previous two years.
Being one of the turning points in life, third years had to decide on their future paths by around summer and start taking action alongside everyday school life. Though, it was irrelevant for those who had already decided on their path, or for a few students like me, whose paths were already set even without requiring any intervention.
"If there are no particular questions, then this homeroom period is…"
Mashima-sensei began to conclude the class. Since the others weren't informed about my transfer to Class 3-C until the last minute, there was a possibility that Class 3-A students, including Horikita, might swarm in.
However, I wouldn't panic and run away.
After all, I was bound to be confronted somewhere in the future.
Still, such a commotion here could lead to some unexpected issues.
It'd be safer to change locations before that happened.
Besides, I had a meeting with a certain student afterward.
As the homeroom period was declared over, I was about to stand up. However, having pulled his chair out prematurely, it was Hashimoto who stood up.
"Kay. So, how about we all throw a welcome party for Ayanokouji at Keyaki Mall and make it flashy?"
That was his proposal to his classmates.
However, immediately after, the classroom was enveloped in a tense atmosphere.
I quietly and discreetly lowered my hips, which had begun to rise, back onto the chair.
Mashima-sensei, who was about to leave the classroom, also stopped and turned back to check his students' reactions.
For a few seconds, no one said anything during that silent time.
It was Yoshida who broke the silence.
"Sorry, but I'm against it."
He stated his refusal flatly, with minimal emotion.
"C'mon now, why would you say that?"
Hashimoto, who had his spirits dashed, slumped his shoulders in an overexaggerated way.
"Think about how Ayanokouji would feel, being left out and ignored right away by his new buddies."
Being left out—is that going to be the case?
For now, I tried to think about how that would feel.
…Well, at least it wouldn't feel good… I think.
It was bothersome not because I wasn't welcomed, but because the classroom atmosphere soured over a topic involving me, and it felt complicated watching as a bystander.
Since I hadn't expected a proposal for a welcome party without having built any relationships, there was nothing to do but watch after such a statement had been made.
Because of my position, I couldn't just say 'please do it' or 'I refuse.'
Personally, it would've been best if things had continued as usual…
Hashimoto's actions were out of consideration for me, so I couldn't blame him.
"It's not that we're rejecting Ayanokouji. It's because we're prepared to welcome him that we all contributed Private Points to support the class transfer. But you understand that it's not easy to genuinely welcome him, right? Now that we've fallen to Class C, we can't afford to fail any special exams from now on. First, it's necessary for us to see results that prove he's a valuable ally. If that happens, we'll acknowledge Ayanokouji as a comrade and welcome him without you having to say anything, Hashimoto."
Having stated the reason for refusing the welcome party, Yoshida stood up from his seat.
"I agree too. He hasn't done anything yet, and there's even a possibility that he's a spy, so I don't feel like putting on a forced smile and having a welcome party."
Following that, Machida also expressed his opinion, and one after another, the Class C students began to leave.
"Seriously… this is tough."
After scratching his head, Hashimoto turned towards me and made a slight gesture of apology, but I gestured back that I wasn't bothered.
One by one, the students left, and soon, only a few remained in the classroom.
Although it was partly because we'd been enemies up until now, I hadn't actively interacted with this class's students. Among those who remained were Hashimoto, Morishita, Yamamura, and Sanada—members with whom I'd started to form some connections through events.
Conversely, it meant that almost nobody else was left.
"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, you're spectacularly unpopular. It's like you're leftover merchandise."
"It's natural that they can't welcome me wholeheartedly."
"True, but if the transfer student had been someone like Ichinose Honami, Kushida Kikyou, or Hirata Yousuke, would the same thing have happened?"
"That's—"
I imagined what'd happen if the students she listed were the ones in my position.
Even a brief thought brought a clear scene to mind.
"Even if it wouldn't be everyone, they would've been surrounded by smiles, welcoming the newcomer."
"…Well… maybe."
"It's not 'maybe,' it's true. Being too reserved in your assessment is a bit stingy, isn't it?"
She relentlessly shattered even the slightest possibility of a future where that wouldn't happen.
"In other words, the fact that you are unpopular is undeniably true, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."
A harsh accusation. I couldn't deny it even if I wanted to.
"You should start by accepting that reality."
"That seems like a good idea…"
Somehow, I might've felt a bit sentimental.
As Morishita's remarks continued to echo in my ears, Yamamura and Sanada also left with looks of apology.
After seeing them off, Hashimoto approached and tapped me on the right shoulder.
"Sorry, Ayanokouji. Our numbers might've decreased a bit, but let's have a welcome party."
"Who's attending?"
"For now, it's just me."
That was hardly 'a bit,' but I saw no reason to refuse.
If even one person welcomes me, I'll start by accepting their welcome.
"Ah, right. You'll come, right, Morishita? It's boring without girls."
Trying to invite a second person, Hashimoto called out to Morishita, who was still there.
Morishita responded immediately…
"No, I refuse."
She declined without a moment's delay.
"Come on, don't refuse. You're on our side, right?"
"Please stop. I don't want to be associated with a traitor and someone unpopular. I have plans to go on an adventure after school, so excuse me. Taking off."
She quickly grabbed her bag, stood up, and left the classroom at a brisk pace.
Now, only a few students, both male and female, remained in the classroom.
The girl sitting next to me had been looking our way, but she stood up when her eyes met Hashimoto's.
It seemed inevitable that the welcome party would be between just the two of us.
"By the way, what exactly does she mean by 'adventure'?"
"Don't worry about it, man. You should only listen to about half, no, maybe one-fifth of what Morishita says. Taking her seriously is just a waste of time."
While expressing his astonishment, he gently pushed my back and started walking.
"This depressing atmosphere isn't good for the body. Let's move, shall we?"
Being led by Hashimoto, I left the classroom.
Part 2
* * *
HASHIMOTO AND I left Class C together and headed to the hallway.
Considering that we were the first ones to leave school, it seemed that other classes were still listening to their homeroom teachers.
"Looks like we can leave without drawing attention at the end of our first school day after the transfer."
"It's only a matter of time."
The transferring topic wouldn't only be brought up by students from Horikita's class, where I'd been a part of.
Students from Ichinose's class and Ryuuen's class were also included.
As time passed, we'd attract more attention, and students driven by curiosity would start approaching.
"If you don't want to go through any of the hassle, maybe we should just go to karaoke… but a small room with just two guys is a bit awkward."
"I agree. Let's pass on that."
Hashimoto seemed serious about having the welcome party, and we continued together to the exit, escaping the gazes directed at us.
"Man, your boldness is something else… I never imagined you'd plan to transfer to our class. And to think you used my money for it."
"How many times have you complained about that? You seem really displeased."
The conversation about the transfer was still fresh for Hashimoto, but he brought it up every chance he got.
"Well, of course, I'd have my thoughts about it. Money is a precious insurance for me."
Hashimoto had obtained a large sum of money by moving in all sorts of directions and even betraying Sakayanagi.
It wouldn't be surprising if he felt a great deal of frustration if he had to spit out most of that money.
"If you could go back to before you had to decide on my transfer, would you want to cancel it, Hashimoto?"
"That's… honestly, it would be a lie to say I wouldn't hesitate."
"Right. There might've been a future where you could've saved twenty million private points on your own."
Hashimoto chuckled softly at these words and nodded without denying it.
Saving that amount on his own would be a difficult endeavor, but achieving it would almost guarantee graduating from Class A.
That was why it took courage and resolve to give up that dream.
"To graduate from Class A, you have to take the appropriate risks."
"Tell me about it. In these past two years, I've crossed many dangerous bridges on my own, participating in the conflict between Sakayanagi and Katsuragi, pairing up Ryuuen and Katsuragi on the deserted island, and most recently, taking a stand against Sakayanagi. I've been stacking up indescribable efforts and continuously producing results."
Hashimoto talked about his own proactive actions as if they were someone else's business.
Indeed, those moves certainly had risks.
"Then you should think positively. Your efforts to take on those risks have borne fruit, and you've successfully pulled me into your class. That's undoubtedly an accomplishment."
"Well, yeah."
Still, it's understandable that Hashimoto couldn't purely rejoice or be optimistic.
No matter how much Hashimoto valued me, his current class was Class C.
Since he decided to go through with a transfer in the first place, he would've had a higher chance of victory if he simply went to Horikita's class himself.
Or he could transfer to Ryuuen's class with me.
Either of those options would've been easier to understand.
Of course, it was precisely because I could see through that thought process that I presented Hashimoto with two choices.
To either give up his fortune and accept me, or to give up on accepting me altogether.
If he refused, no cooperative relationship would emerge between us until graduation.
If he ended up having to deal with his own class antagonizing him, on top of bearing an adversary-like relationship with me for a year, there would be nothing guaranteeing his safety. Even Ryuen could bare his fangs at any moment..
He weighed which choice would increase his chances of winning.
"It's fine to trust you on that, right, Ayanokouji? That from here on, you'll seriously aim for Class A. I plan to make you stand out even if you don't want to, okay?"
Hashimoto voiced his wishful thinking.
He must've thought he had every right to make such a claim.
Indeed, Hashimoto's contributions significantly lowered the hurdle for the transfer.
But that didn't mean I could easily fulfill his wishes.
"I told you when we talked about the transfer. I won't guarantee anything when making decisions. You just have to decide whether you believe in me or not."
Whether I intend to rise to Class A.
Even if I was willing to strive toward that premise, I never shared how we'd get to Class A, let alone strategies or even the prospects.
That was why when it came down to making decisions regarding his plan of action, Hashimoto wasn't able to come up with an immediate reply, and still had lingering doubts.
Hashimoto, who antagonized Sakayanagi, and who ultimately contributed to her voluntary withdrawal.
Not all Class C students knew everything, but there were certainly those who were wary and disliked Hashimoto. It was by no means a comfortable class. If trouble were to come, he was the first in position to be discarded.
Remaining in that class and inviting me, who had no guarantee of being useful, was a big risk.
"That's right… Ah, I know that well."
Despite harboring many uncertainties, Hashimoto ultimately decided to accept me.
Instead of the ideal of using twenty million Private Points right before graduation to guarantee Class A, he chose another ideal: teaming up with me to become Class A and graduate on his own.
No, he concluded that it wasn't an ideal but a reality.
"Sure, I accepted the conditions. But if you have plans for the future, you could share a little with me. That's what being comrades is about."
Even when I spoke as if I was pushing him away, Hashimoto valiantly continued.
"What to do… I'm worried about being betrayed like Sakayanagi."
"Hey, stop with the bad jokes, Ayanokouji. I'm all in on you, literally penniless. What's the point of betraying now!"
Hashimoto, perhaps flustered, gestured and insisted on his innocence as he moved in front of me.
"Still, knowing you, Hashimoto, aren't you scheming something, not even a little here or there?"
"No, no, no, definitely not. It's fine for others to doubt me, but please, spare me from your suspicions."
Of course, I wasn't really concerned about whether Hashimoto would betray us in the future.
Keeping a bit of tension was probably just right for Hashimoto.
"Well, I might've said too much. Without your cooperation, transferring to Class C wouldn't have been easy. Let's properly discuss the strategy, no, the future plans."
"Really, you should've been straightforward from the beginning."
I took out my phone and confirmed that I'd received a reply.
It might be better to take Hashimoto to the upcoming meeting.
"I'm heading to Keyaki Mall now."
"It's not that you're asking for a welcome party, but rather, you're sharing your plans there, right?"
When I nodded in affirmation, Hashimoto nodded back, satisfied.
"By the way… what about you, Morishita?"
I turned around and called out to Morishita, who must've been watching us from the shadows.
The girl who should've left the classroom earlier showed herself from behind.
"You're doing it, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. You don't have a popular presence, but you seem sensitive to the presence of people."
Perhaps it was a pun using the same kanji for '人気[1]' ('popularity' and 'human presence').
This time, I felt I understood the meaning, unlike the previous joke about having a hundred friends.
"So you were interested after all. What happened to the adventure you mentioned?"
"The truth that is now revealed—this is the adventure. The sudden appearance of the embodiment of unpopularity, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, and the embodiment of betrayal, Hashimoto Masayoshi. If interacting with these two isn't an adventure, what is?"
"Like I said, I'm… Ah, never mind. It's a waste of time to correct you."
"It seems you finally admit that you are a traitor."
"Yeah, yeah. Is it okay for you to be in contact with such a traitor? You just rejected the welcome party."
"It's not like I'm attending the party. It's only natural as a classmate to discuss the future of Class C early on. You'll probably meet Ichinose Honami after this, right?"
Morishita smirked as she touched on the topic of our plans after this.
"Ichinose? Why is her name coming up here?"
"Hehe, so the traitor isn't trusted after all. It seems you're not informed about even the most basic of knowledge regarding future plans."
Hashimoto's smile stiffened slightly as if provoked.
"Don't tell me you've already talked to Morishita?"
'I'm cooperating the most, but you intend on just pushing me to the side?' It was clear he was thinking along the lines of such a question.
"For this transfer, Class C's unanimous consent was a must. There were things I couldn't entrust to you and your problematic issues. Unlike you, who trusts me, Morishita has strong doubts, so it was necessary to provide her with appropriate information."
"Well, I sort of get what you're saying… but it's hard to accept that I lost to Morishita. Well, if I can hear about it later, I can accept it."
Hashimoto sighed. Believing that standing and talking any further was a waste, he took the lead and started walking.
I started walking a bit later, and Morishita lined up beside me.
"What are you planning?"
"What do you mean?"
"You already know the plan, and there was no need for you to be here today."
From the fact that she'd been secretly following us, it seemed she'd been considering joining from the start.
"As for you, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, that might be true. However, Ichinose Honami is different. I can't judge whether the good-natured Class D will be of any use until I see it with my own eyes. At least, if she remains the leader I know, I have low expectations."
There was some degree of trust in Ichinose's abilities, but it wasn't enough for them to entirely rely upon her.
Her strength also encompassed her weakness.
Morishita thought about it; if expressed in simple terms, Ichinose was an unreliable leader.
So, there was a reason to attend and verify whether it made sense to collaborate.
"Then, observe sharply like a great detective. There are no restrictions."
"That goes without saying."
Afterward, the three of us headed to the cafe, the prearranged meeting location with Ichinose
* * *
[1]: Some kanji can be read in different ways; in this case, "人気" can both mean "popularity" (pronounced as ninki) or "human presence" (pronounced hitoke). And yes, the parenthesis here is actually in the raw.
Part 3
* * *
AT THE CAFE counter, we ordered our drinks. Since I had no personal funds due to the transfer, I borrowed twenty thousand Private Points from Hashimoto, promising to repay it after the May deposit, so payment wasn't an issue. While waiting for the coffee, I received the receipt and idly looked at a poster advertising a part-time job recruitment opening at the cafe.
Not just at the cafe, similar notices were posted at various stores.
Since students of our school met the age requirements but are prohibited from working, they couldn't work. Nor would it be appropriate for teachers to take part-time jobs. Perhaps these posters were calls for job changes directed at people already working within Keyaki Mall.
While I was thinking about such meaningless things, time passed, and our ordered items were ready. Hashimoto secured a spacious seat in the back, so I picked up Hashimoto's drink and moved to that seat.
After waiting for a few minutes, Ichinose appeared, waving gently to signal her arrival. After a brief exchange with the staff at the counter, she approached with a cup in hand.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Ayanokouji-kun. And you're with Hashimoto-kun and Morishita-san too."
Ichinose politely greeted Morishita as well. On the other hand, Morishita, with a slight nod, remained silent, making it clear that they had little daily interaction.
"Is it okay for these two to be here?"
"Of course, there's no problem at all."
Listening to our brief exchange, Hashimoto smirked.
"You don't look surprised… Did you already know? About Ayanokouji's transfer, that is."
If Ichinose was caught off guard, having just learned about the transfer from the school that morning, her surprise would've been obvious. However, Ichinose showed no such signs, nor did she seem like she was about to question my change in class. It wasn't surprising that Hashimoto reached such a conclusion.
"I found out a little while ago."
"Morishita, you also seem to know that Ichinose knew about it earlier, didn't you?"
"I know what I knew. Those who didn't know should keep this in mind, okay? Quite an interesting expression, I'd say."
"What's that? Are you trying to dodge the question with some nonsense?"
"Not at all. Of course, I knew. The only one here who wasn't informed was—"
Slowly, she pointed her index finger right in front of Hashimoto's eyes.
He lightly brushed it off with his hand and glared back.
"So it's just me, huh? Makes me tear up at the strong sense of trust you guys have for each other."
"It's just between us here. I haven't told any other classmates."
"It's the same for my class. Everyone else was surprised, so they clearly didn't know."
Even with this reassurance, it was hard for him to digest.
"Thanks for the consolation. Though, from here on out, I'll be digging in deep—including why Ichinose was informed about the transfer."
Aside from how she was seemingly involved in the plan, Hashimoto had other reasons for why he was directing his glare toward Ichinose.
"But why Ichinose? Don't tell me you broke up with Karuizawa to date Ichinose… and that's what led to you telling her?"
Whether he perceived us as being close or if it was mere conjecture, Hashimoto didn't hesitate to ask.
"That's quite a bold question. However, I do sort of understand how you feel."
Both of them alternated their gazes between me and Ichinose.
"We wouldn't discuss the transfer just for that reason."
"She isn't even in the class you transferred to, so why does Ichinose get to know? There has to be a convincing reason, right?"
"Of course. It's because for the next year, as Class C aims for Class A, Ichinose and her class's cooperation is essential. Without her cooperation, my transfer to Class C wouldn't have happened."
"That's quite a grand claim… but what kind of cooperation are you talking about?"
"The alliance with Ichinose Honami's class… So you were serious."
Morishita muttered first, and I nodded in response.
"Huh?"
Naturally, Hashimoto was taken aback by the sudden mention of an alliance.
Regarding what was coming up next, it was something I would need to explain step by step.
"Indeed, I'm serious. In fact, Ichinose and I have formed a complete alliance. Not just some short-term cooperation plan based on the circumstances, but rather a plan to fight together through most of our third year."
I simply conveyed the core of the strategy Hashimoto wanted to know.
However, Hashimoto wasn't convinced by just that. If anything, the confused look on his face only grew stronger.
"That's impossible, right? Only one class can graduate from Class A, regardless of how hard people try. A complete alliance is impossible."
He might've taken my words as a joke or a ridiculous claim. This was still within expectations, so there was no need to get flustered or firmly reject it.
"That's not necessarily true. Indeed, an alliance can't be formed unconditionally, but the fact that the classes have neatly split into upper and lower halves, paired with the fact that Ichinose and I aren't aiming to win alone, is significant. If we add the condition 'until the four classes are competing equally,' maintaining the alliance isn't difficult."
If we explained it calmly, our sincerity would come across.
"No… wait. That's still impossible. Even if the lower classes were to join hands, the school decides what exams come and who's matched against whom. If our next battle is against Ichinose's class, it'd go to hell with any alliances at that point. At most, we could have a gentleman's agreement to avoid expulsions. Neither can afford to lose, so cooperation is—"
If it were an alliance based solely on who wins and loses, there might be contradictions.
However, the word 'alliance' meant more than just that.
Before I could add anything, Ichinose nodded and explained.
"Of course, the combination of matches is often uncontrollable. That's been proven over the past two years, and I think it's only natural for the school to make it so."
The school had our classes competing in a balanced way, at times designating our opponent for us, and at times allowing us to choose it ourselves.
That was the rule for the special exams we repeated throughout our school life.
"So, anticipating that, we've already made detailed arrangements. In case my class and Ayanokouji-kun's class end up competing one-on-one, we've agreed to 'concede victory to the class that is even one point behind in Class Points.' There are actually more detailed arrangements, but what I want to say is, if the winning and losing classes are predetermined with this condition, there will be no disputes."
Morishita listened to Ichinose's explanation and sighed softly.
"Are you serious? I mean, the arrangement is easy to understand, but what I want to point out is that there's no point in an alliance where victories are conceded. Conceding victory to the class with even one less point? Hey, that means that the other party is losing a valuable opportunity to gain Class Points. It's like throwing away a part of the limited number of special exams available each year."
"You're talking as if all the special exams are set up for Hashimoto-kun and the rest of your class to have an advantage."
"We have been maintaining Class A all this time."
"Until a little while ago, that is. Now that Sakayanagi-san has lost and voluntarily withdrawn, hasn't the class's strength significantly weakened?"
"That's why we poached Ayanokouji."
"The alliance formed with Ichinose's class is also one of the reasons for my transfer."
"…So the alliance is a foregone conclusion, huh?"
As Ichinose and I nodded almost simultaneously, Hashimoto exaggeratedly shook his head.
"Even if forming an alliance is the condition… First of all, there's no guarantee that the class that received a concession will concede victory the following time. If we clash in the next special exam—"
In the current situation, the slightly superior Class C would have to accept defeat.
"Over these two years, Ichinose has been building her credibility. That's the key to forming the alliance."
Hashimoto widened his eyes, seemingly at a loss for words.
It seemed he didn't want to follow a conversation that was beyond his understanding.
"You, Hashimoto Masayoshi, who always betrays, can't possibly imagine it, can you?"
"That's harsh… But then, do you understand what they're saying?"
"I've always thought it's ridiculous."
"That's typical of Ayanokouji. Morishita, you agree with me, right?"
"I don't agree, though."
"Just agree with me… Anyway, I get that Ichinose is far more trustworthy than someone like me, but that's not the issue. Betrayal—that risk is still scary, right?"
"Let's hypothesize. Suppose in the next special exam, we face Ichinose's class, which is currently Class D, and we concede victory to them. Do you think Ichinose would betray us and break the alliance's promise afterward?"
I told him to visualize the situation, and Hashimoto crossed his arms and looked at Ichinose.
He slightly averted his eyes, letting his imagination do the work inside his head.
After a moment of silence, he faced Ichinose, who was looking straight at him.
"Well… I guess she's not entirely untrustworthy…"
"I'm glad to hear you say that, even if you're half-doubtful."
Ichinose smiled happily, narrowing her eyes, and Hashimoto awkwardly looked away, scratching his cheek.
"Men are simple creatures. Truly foolish beings."
Hearing Morishita's exasperated words, Hashimoto snapped back to attention and resumed his rebuttal, but perhaps having already lost interest in the topic, he placed both hands over his drink and started mumbling to himself.
"But, you know what? That's just the beginning of our third year. What happens when we've been fighting for a few months and the situation gets tense? Even if Ichinose's trustworthy, the people in her class might tempt her to betray us. And the same could happen to us. When it comes down to the wire, it's not about trust anymore."
"Of course, if the time comes, the alliance will be dissolved. Just like what you're worried about, Hashimoto-kun, we can't keep the alliance for the whole year. But there's no benefit in unilaterally cutting ties at an awkward time before that moment arrives. It's exactly because we're in a situation where there's truly no next time that I want to maintain the cooperative relationship with Ayanokouji-kun until the last possible moment."
Holding back from betraying has more benefits than doing so.
Just as we'd evaluated Ichinose's credibility from the past, Ichinose was currently assessing my abilities in real-time. A delicate balance had been established.
"…You really think highly of Ayanokouji."
"Yes. Just like you, Hashimoto-kun."
Ichinose looked straight at Hashimoto and answered without hesitation.
"I see… Well, I understand what you're trying to say, Ichinose. Indeed, there might not be any benefits for you to betray us. But there's no guarantee that we won't betray you, right? Or maybe you've got that covered too, like with a contract or something? If that's the case, then—"
Hashimoto asked, and Ichinose smiled and denied it.
"There's no contract. We've just exchanged promises verbally."
"That's just too soft, no matter how you look at it."
"No, that's enough for me. Just like Ayanokouji-kun trusts me, I trust him too."
Ichinose answered without hesitation, and Hashimoto, seemingly far from understanding, had his head in his hands again.
"I don't understand, not for me."
"People who assume betrayal as a given wouldn't understand, would they? However, I don't understand either."
Morishita, who had been mocking Hashimoto all along, seemed dissatisfied with the contract between me and Ichinose.
"Let's set aside the issue of trust for now. Does this alliance really mean anything significant? I'm not saying it's completely ineffective, but do you really think it's enough to compete in the battle for Class A?"
Morishita was skeptical of the argument, which she saw as very unrealistic.
"Yeah, I agree. Before we even get to matters of trust, can this alliance really be the key? After all, it's just about giving way to each other when we clash. I can't see how that alone would catch us up to Horikita's or Ryuuen's class."
For Hashimoto, it seemed like something that would reduce rather than increase the chances of gaining Class Points.
It was clear that he viewed the alliance this way.
"Forming an alliance isn't just about yielding to each other and not fighting. If we become complete allies, the amount of information we can gather from daily interactions simply doubles. This is effective not only during academic and physical exams but also in various other situations."
One person is better than none, two are better than one, and three are better than two. It would become possible to gather people who are skilled and support those who aren't, motivating us and creating synergy. In class-wide exams like the deserted island exams conducted during the past two years, there would be opportunities for us to cooperate.
"And when classes join hands, it means we can coordinate Private Points as needed. If you need a large amount of funds, we can accommodate that. This could also help in special exams."
Of course, there was no guarantee that all of that would be necessary.
Such a thing might only occur two or three times out of ten.
But having the option to achieve what a single class couldn't was a weapon.
"I understand that it's better to borrow strength that you usually can't… but, the fact that we formed an alliance will come to light soon, right? What if the top two classes join hands because we are? All the benefits just mentioned would be blown away."
"That's not a concern for now. The top two classes are not in a position to yield to each other. Allowing Class Points to move around without both parties benefiting would only bring disadvantages. Besides, setting Horikita aside, Ryuuen isn't reliable. They don't have a relationship where he'd unconditionally concede the victory first or lend Private Points when demanded. And Horikita isn't likely to take a conceding stance either."
Even if they were allowed some flexibility, with Ryuuen, a little would never be enough. Moreover, involving Ryuuen, someone who preferred flashy maneuvers, would bring him significant disadvantages.
"…Well, that's true. But that's exactly why we have contracts. If there's a contract, like when Ryuuen and Katsuragi teamed up, they would be forced to follow the rules."
"Of course, if they bring up a contract and involve the school, that's also possible, and it would be a welcome development for us."
"Them forming an alliance would help us?"
"Yeah. If the top classes were to join hands, they'd naturally start suffocating each other. If they bind themselves with terms, like yielding victories to each other, they'd have to bear the loss when they need to win."
And with the binding conditions, it could never be nullified.
"A tightly bound contract can sometimes be a fatal blow."
Morishita muttered to herself, holding a cup.
"On the other hand, we don't have unnecessary bindings like a contract. It's not about whether we betray each other, but about being able to adjust our strategy flexibly and opportunistically. If a gap in Class Points arises, we can provide substantial support to the other party until the gap is closed."
The contract that normally would've been put in place.
The wide range of strategic options that came from not having one.
"This is unexpected. Not having a contract actually works to our advantage, huh? I hadn't considered that perspective… but in the end, this alliance will be terminated and we'll be competing normally, right?"
"Ichinose also mentioned that. If Class C and Class D rise to stand alongside Horikita's and Ryuuen's classes, our cooperative relationship will naturally dissolve."
This was, of course, made with approval from Ichinose's side.
Ichinose nodded in response so that Hashimoto and Morishita could understand that point clearly.
"I'm somewhat convinced. But because of that, I have more questions. Let me ask something more probing—why did you decide to cooperate with Ayanokouji? Morishita and I are certainly planning to set Ayanokouji up in a high position, but most of our classmates aren't convinced. If Ayanokouji's branded as someone unsuitable to be a leader, such an alliance won't mean anything, and it might even end up hindering you. Are you managing those risks properly?"
Hashimoto deliberately directed his question not at me but at Ichinose.
He believed he could fully expose Ichinose with his insight, but it wasn't that simple. His opponent had clearly changed and grown since before.
"Having fallen into Class D, our backs are against the wall. You understand that, right?"
"Yeah, of course. That's why a soft approach like this alliance will only make you advance by half a step at a time instead of full steps. In fact, I'm even feeling so anxious just hearing this proposal that I'm almost panicking."
"Using your expression, a certain half step is better than an uncertain full step. We've been walking for two years without moving forward, having only fallen behind. Our situation is different from that of your class, Hashimoto-kun. That's why we could accept it from the start."
After seeing her positive attitude, Hashimoto gave a single nod.
"Then I'll change the question. What if Ayanokouji can't become the leader? Or even if he becomes the leader, but the condition for the class to accept him is to avoid working with Class D? Would you simply withdraw from the cooperative relationship then?"
What Hashimoto feared was a half-hearted cooperation network.
Or he feared that Ichinose's class might become dependent and start to collapse.
"I hope you won't take this the wrong way, but honestly, I feel like you're a burden. Between our class and yours, it's clear who holds the reins. If you say that we're forming an alliance, I'd want something in return to be on equal footing."
"What kind of return are you looking for?"
Instead of outright refusing, Ichinose first sought to draw out a proposal from Hashimoto.
"You're a shameless man. What do you intend to make Ichinose Honami do?"
"Don't jump to conclusions on what it's about."
"But, what about if she said yes regardless?"
"That's… no, I'm saying that's not what I mean."
"That pause just now spoke volumes."
Hashimoto, with a strong motion, waved his hands at Morishita, telling her to stop interrupting the conversation.
"There must be something, like paying Private Points or something like that—"
"Sorry, Hashimoto, but the alliance I want to reap benefits from is based on equality, not subordination. Establishing a disadvantaged hierarchy would actually be more of a drawback."
When opinions diverged, it was natural for Class C to use their superior position and pressure others to comply. That was something we wanted to avoid.
"There's one thing I want you to be reassured about: if Ayanokouji-kun—no, if anyone from Class C—opposes it, I'm prepared to accept that."
"I see? So you'd be willing to discard the alliance proposal then?"
"Yes, but I don't think there's any need to worry about that."
"And why's that?"
"Because it's Ayanokouji-kun's proposal."
Her straightforward gaze pierced through Hashimoto.
"That's what I believe, so I don't think this discussion will fall apart."
"…I see."
"Sorry, but let's stop this discussion for now."
"Why's that?"
I deliberately directed my gaze in a certain direction, and Hashimoto and Morishita followed suit. There, Horikita and Matsushita appeared, still not fully comprehending the situation.
"Ah, that figures. I'll handle it."
"Make sure to keep the alliance under wraps. It's impossible for those two right now to predict that we might be forming one. There's no need to tell them at this stage."
"I get it. There's no need to spill it so early."
Hashimoto's interpretation and my intentions probably didn't align.
"Honestly, it would be fine to reveal the alliance today or tomorrow."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"The alliance doesn't need to be kept secret indefinitely; it's more effective when we make it known. However, right now, Horikita and the others have already taken significant damage just by the fact that I've transferred classes. Mentioning the alliance to confuse them now would be too wasteful. It's better for them to learn about it once the wound of the transfer has healed a bit. That will hurt them more deeply."
"…Right. You're not planning to show any mercy."
This was merely lip service aimed toward Hashimoto, Morishita, and Ichinose.
Those who would be relieved and simultaneously intimidated by Horikita's Class's downfall would find this acceptable.
However, my goal wasn't to bring down Horikita.
I had to lead her to growth.
Adding to the transfer, throwing an unexpected threat like an alliance at her would significantly weigh on her psyche.
Of course, Horikita's psyche might be even more deeply wounded afterward.
But there was no need to worry.
Two years had passed. Horikita was able to build her relationships with her classmates during this time.
I trusted that they would help her recover through this time.
Part 4
* * *
AFTER HEARING WHAT I had to say without sugarcoating anything, Horikita and Matsushita quietly turned back. Later, Ichinose also rejoined her friends and waved goodbye to the three of us. Watching her leave, Hashimoto took a deep breath.
"Their reaction… It must have been quite a shock."
"I see. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka deliberately transferred this very day, waiting until after the opening ceremony, to maximize the disturbance in Class A?"
"If the transfer had been completed the day before, I risked the school notifying them or the homeroom teacher leaking it to them. Therefore, doing it when there was essentially no delay was best. In terms of time, the difference was less than an hour. However, I was in the same classroom as them before the ceremony and attended it as well. Horikita and the others must've unconsciously felt that it was the beginning of their usual journey with their classmates for the last year."
That faint hope, that expectation, was flawlessly utilized. I was just waiting for the right timing.
"Did you calculate that far? That's ruthless. Even though I'm on the side that benefits, it was hard to look directly at their faces when they were almost crying. In that respect, you don't seem to have any sympathy or hesitation, Ayanokouji."
"There shouldn't be any. And there can't be any. I came to Class C to ensure that in this final year, I could bring it to a position where it could claim Class A. Using the transfer at the most effective moment is a perfectly natural strategy."
If I were someone who still harbored lingering attachments, there was no way Class C would've accepted me.
Someone like that couldn't be entrusted with class leadership.
"It's really reassuring to have you as an ally."
The current difference in Class Points was significant.
Even if we were to force expulsions, it wasn't a tactic that could be employed frequently or repeatedly.
To increase our chances of winning, even wasting the slightest opportunity wouldn't be allowed.
"I'm still somewhat skeptical about the alliance, but I'm convinced for now."
"I agree. However, the problems are piling up, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. If it becomes known that you tried to form alliances or proceeded with matters on your own without being recognized as a leader by most of the class, the backlash from within Class C will only intensify."
"I'm aware of that. Sooner or later, there will be students who voice their opinions against me."
Even if they were unsatisfied, the class had no choice but to silently observe.
To pull me out of Class A, they all contributed their private points.
It was what's commonly known as the sunk cost fallacy.
People couldn't accept that the cost they've invested in would result in a loss so easily.
Therefore, while they'd criticize me, they'd also give me some leeway, hoping for a result that matches their efforts.
This seemingly reckless alliance strategy was set up from the start in a way that left no choice but to compromise by first observing.
Hashimoto, who invested the most Private Points in me, was a good example of this.
"Then, first and foremost, you have to gain the class's approval, fast."
"If a special exam can do that, things would be quicker."
Morishita, who stood up from her chair, glanced briefly at Hashimoto after his response.
"I wonder about that."
"What do you mean?"
"Can you unconditionally entrust an unknown student to create a strategy for the special exam?"
"That's—"
"This time, if you weren't the one mainly involved in bringing Ayanokouji Kiyotaka to the class, you would be the prime candidate for opposing such a plan. If not, refute my claim perfectly with just one, singular word."
"One word is impossible…"
"Hmph."
Seeing that Hashimoto didn't have a perfect rebuttal, Morishita left her seat.
"It's tiring dealing with her."
"Was Morishita like that before I started talking to her?"
"She hasn't changed. But sure, she wasn't someone who actively involved herself with others. In that sense, you've gotta be somewhat of an exception to her."
I felt a mix of emotions, unsure whether I should be genuinely pleased.
Part 5
* * *
WHEN HASHIMOTO AND I returned to the dorm lobby, a student who saw us stood up.
Sensing that he was about to approach, Hashimoto stepped forward, but I stopped him.
"Return ahead of me."
"Okay. You can take your time if there's a lot to talk about."
Sensing that the person had no ill intent, Hashimoto smiled and pressed the elevator button.
The student waited for Hashimoto to board the elevator and then spoke calmly.
"Would you mind changing the location a bit? It seems like people might gather here."
"I'm fine with it as long as you don't mind. Shall we go to my room, Yousuke?"
"Outside might be better."
To accommodate his wish, Yousuke and I left the lobby and tried to move away from the dorm.
However, being alone with just Hirata wasn't so easy.
It was evening, and everyone was returning home. It was inevitable that we ran into several students from Horikita's class.
"Hirata… Ayanokouji."
Taken aback, Sudou muttered our names.
Beside him were Ike and, in an unusual combination, Keisei and Akito.
"I just met Suzune and heard a bit of the situation... Rather than transferring to Class C for some strategy, you seriously did it on your own free will?"
It was unclear whether Horikita had yet to return to the dorm or had already gone back earlier.
"Yeah. Sorry."
"Why did you do it?"
Sudou, showing a pained expression, tried to approach me when Yousuke intervened.
"Sudou-kun. If we keep talking here, more and more people will gather."
"That's… right, sorry."
"If you have something to say, I'm willing to listen. Let's change the location for now."
I agreed with Yousuke and responded to Sudou. Afterward, we ended up going around to the back of the dormitory.
Not only Sudou, but the other three also followed without a hint of hesitation.
Soon after moving to a blind spot from the dormitory entrance, Sudou, unable to hold back any longer, spoke up again.
"Why the hell did you do that, Ayanokouji? Why did you transfer classes? There's no need to go down to Class C after finally moving up to Class A, right?"
"Haha, was it because of Karuizawa after all?"
It wasn't meant to be a joke, but that slipped out of Ike's mouth.
"Hey Ike…!"
"Come on. I can't think of any other reason. It must be embarrassing to be dumped."
"That might be one of the reasons."
"See! I knew—ack!?"
Ike, clapping his hands in joy, was hit with Sudou's angry slap on the back.
"That's definitely a lie, that's for sure."
"Ouch… He admitted it himself, so assuming it's a lie is what's really questionable here if you ask me…"
While rubbing his sore back, Ike glared at Sudou and furrowed his brows.
"So, what's the real reason?"
Akito asked with a tone that showed he held back some of his anger.
Answering that question was simple, but there were plenty of reasons why it couldn't be done.
"A reason? I don't see any meaning in answering that."
"There is meaning. Do you know how we feel right now? I was just with Haruka, and she was feeling really down. She kept repeating over and over that it might've been her fault—that maybe her attempt to reconcile so conveniently became a burden for you, Kiyotaka."
Come to think of it, I had a chance to talk with Hasebe before the end-of-year special exam.
Indeed, it wouldn't be surprising to think the remarks exchanged then had influenced me to transfer.
"She's been troubled even before today's events. Kiyotaka, you've helped her, and she hasn't even been able to properly express her gratitude."
Keisei nodded to Akito's plea.
"I was once saved by you too, Ayanokouji-kun. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have stayed at this school."
Yousuke seemed to have similar thoughts.
Yousuke, who feared people getting hurt, had been wounded by his three classmates' expulsions. It was undeniable that without my support, he would've fallen.
"That's why I respected your strength and found you a reliable classmate. But during the unanimous special exam and the end-of-year special exam, there were things I couldn't digest, no, couldn't accept. Of course, I won't deny that it would've been better if I had more strength, but I also came to distrust you a bit."
At the end of our spring break, even at the victory celebration Horikita planned, Yousuke showed a hint of those nuanced feelings.
Since then, it'd been slightly on my mind that he wasn't calling me by my first name, and considering that he'd been maintaining that stance today as well, it might've meant he unconsciously wanted to keep a distance between us. Similarly, I'd also been intentionally distinguishing between using his first and last name due to the changes in our relationship.
"It's not just Sudou-kun and the others here. Everyone in the class is very worried and confused."
Everyone present wanted to know the reason.
That was because they wanted to extract some sort of statement where I admitted there were unavoidable circumstances for the transfer.
"Worry and confusion, huh? Well, that's right. I transferred classes without telling anyone to get that reaction."
"…What do you mean?"
Perhaps his brain refused to comprehend for a moment. Keisei adjusted his glasses and asked to hear it again.
"Just take it at face value. I didn't say anything because I wanted to trouble the class. And my reason that you wanted to hear is simple. Class C was in trouble without Sakayanagi. So, I chose to help by transferring in exchange for Private Points."
A contrived act.
And for selfish reasons.
I emphasized that the transfer was solely for my own benefit. Even if there were some lies mixed in, it was the undeniable truth.
"Wha… Are you serious…?"
Those were Sudou's words, but Akito and Keisei probably felt the same.
They showed similar reactions to my cold words.
However, Yousuke was almost unfazed.
"Hey, I've been wondering since this morning, but why would that happen?"
In the tense atmosphere, Ike tilted his neck and brought his hands to the back of his head.
"I get that it's a pinch without Sakayanagi, but why pay a huge sum of twenty million to poach Ayanokouji? It doesn't make any sense. I can see that it's to weaken Class A, but normally, there would be plenty of other students they'd want, right?"
That was a question that seemed obvious given the situation. Excluding Yousuke and Sudou, no one there could truly understand why I was the one being bought.
"I also thought so at first too. That's why I was concerned that there might've been something behind the transfer. You really aren't willing to tell us the full story?"
Keisei, while agreeing with Ike, wanted to know whether there were any hidden circumstances behind the transfer.
"There's nothing more to say. What I just said is everything there is. It's difficult to prove at this point whether Class C had a good reason to go through such lengths to acquire me. Though, I believe it's only a matter of time."
"No matter how you look at it—"
Just as Ike was about to interject, Sudou stepped up to him and grabbed his shoulder.
"It's a big problem, Kanji."
"What is…?"
"It's Ayanokouji's transfer. You don't get it, do you…?"
"Then do you understand, Ken?"
"Ayanokouji is—no, I don't understand everything either…"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Even so, Ayanokouji's an important presence for the class!"
As Sudou raised his voice in anger, Yousuke approached and spoke to calm him down.
Then he quietly turned towards me.
"What I wanted to confirm today was solely why you left the class. If it were for the sake of the class, I thought you wouldn't want to cause any misunderstandings for any of us, including me."
"You can rest assured. It's purely, 100%, a transfer solely for my own benefit."
"…It seems so."
Perhaps, I was only saying that on the surface, and it was different in actuality. However, at the moment at least, Hirata didn't seem to be able to consider it that way.
He was someone who was much more sensitive than others when it came to trouble within the class.
When he learned of my transfer, he probably wasn't too disturbed.
My presence had both advantages and disadvantages. If I were gone, my disappearance could simply result in class management becoming more stable.
"Looks like it, and you're okay with that, Hirata? Just letting Ayanokouji transfer?"
"Regardless of whether it's good or bad, it's Ayanokouji-kun's choice. Besides, the school procedures are already completed without any mishaps, so if we were to call him back to our class, we would need the same amount of Private Points. It's not an amount we can prepare immediately."
"If you regret leaving the class, Ayanokouji, then I'll contribute all the money I have on hand. Right, guys?!"
Sudou tried to rally all the boys present, including Ike, but Akito and Keisei didn't immediately nod.
Given my indifferent attitude and the fact that I had made it clear I left on my own accord, they probably didn't think it was possible to call me back, nor were they inclined to do so.
"Kiyotaka[1] left the class on his own free will. We have to respect that."
"But…"
Turning away from the persistent Sudou, Hirata faced me.
"Is there anything you need to tell the class?"
"Nothing."
"I see… Sorry for taking your time."
Obediently, Hirata accepted everything and left the scene.
Although he probably wasn't calm on the inside, exerting pointless effort here wouldn't improve the situation.
Instead, he needed to focus on navigating the situation without causing problems among his classmates.
"Suzune was relying on you. What kind of face do you plan to make from tomorrow onward…"
"Hey Ken, now that we know Ayanokouji left on his own, let's go back too."
Sudou bit his lower lip in frustration and was pushed by Ike to leave.
"We're still friends even if you left the class. If you ever encounter any problems, feel free to consult us."
Akito also gave a response and returned to the dormitory with Keisei.
I watched my former classmates leave and decided to return to the dormitory a bit later.
* * *
[1]: For some reason, Hirata addresses him as "Kiyotaka" here rather than "Ayanokouji-kun"—that isn't a translation mistake. We don't know why. It could be another mistake on Kinu's part; that wouldn't be the only mistake he may have made in this volume.
Chapter 4:
An Onlooker's Perspective
* * *
(Regarding the chapter title: 'An Onlooker's Perspective')[1]
THE MORNING AFTER the opening ceremony, I managed to have a quiet commute to school from the dorm without encountering any former classmates.
This was because I left for school over thirty minutes earlier than usual.
It wasn't because I didn't want to attract attention, and it wasn't just a whim either.
First, I needed to understand Class C in detail. That meant getting to know its internal situation, not just through OAA evaluations, but also by observing and listening to the students directly, finding more in-depth information.