During this training camp, as I was getting used to the tasks, I went to look for a seat to have breakfast as usual.
"Hmm?"
"Ah..."
I happened to pick the same seat as the former student council president, Horikita Manabu. Fortunately, the seat next to it was also empty, so I yielded to the upperclassman and moved to the adjacent seat.
"..."
Seeing this, Horikita's brother unexpectedly sat down next to me. That's surprising—I thought he'd eat with his group members.
Even though we were sitting next to each other, there was no conversation as we silently ate our meals.
Though it was just a meal with nothing else, Horikita's brother was well-known as the former student council president, and I could feel the gazes from others around us directed at me for sitting beside him.
Glancing around slightly, I noticed many eyes on me—from Nagumo, Horikita, Ayanokouji, Ryuuen, and others.
"...How is your group doing?"
Unable to bear the silence any longer—or perhaps just making small talk—Horikita's brother spoke without looking at me.
"No major issues. The larger group is also managing well."
The larger group, which includes upperclassmen, is running smoothly thanks to Shibata, who could practically be called a communication expert.
"I see. If you say so, then there shouldn't be any problems."
"Why do you rate me so highly...?"
This is genuinely a mystery to me. Even if I competed against him in the sports festival, does that really warrant such high regard?
"What about you? You're competing against the current student council president, right?"
"Nagumo, huh... I intend to give it my all. If Nagumo ranks higher than me, I'll accept that as the result."
Unlike the combative Nagumo, Horikita's brother seems calm.
"Can I ask you two things?"
"What is it?"
"What kind of impression do you have of Nagumo?"
At my sudden question, his hands, which had been eating, paused briefly in surprise.
"Nagumo... is indeed a competitive person. But I *trust* him, in a way. When it comes to competition, I believe he's the type to face it head-on."
Even toward someone who could be an obstacle to him, he gives a fair evaluation. That's what makes this man remarkable.
"...I see. Then, one more thing—do you think there will be any dropouts from your class in this exam?"
"...What do you mean?"
At my words, his sharp gaze, which had been focused solely on his meal, turned fully toward me.
"If there are dropouts, would you shoulder the penalties to save your comrades?"
"..."
Class 3-A holds a massive lead in class points over the others. But if they were to save someone in this exam, they'd lose 300 class points. Even in that situation, would he still help his classmates?
"...I don't want to say this, nor do I want to think about it, but it depends on the person."
"You'd abandon the incompetent ones?"
"That's not it. If the result is due to their own actions, then they'll have to accept it."
It seems Class A's progress so far has been largely influenced by this man. He has the ability to make rational judgments without being swayed by emotion.
But even so—
"What's the point of this question?"
"Nothing, just curiosity."
With those words, I finished my meal and stood up from the seat.
"One last thing—make sure you listen carefully to Fujimaki-senpai's message."
I could feel Manabu's gaze on my back, but with those final words, I left the cafeteria.
As the next task approaches, I ponder.
The benefits I can gain by acting here.
And who among them can be used.
.....
Today's tasks were finally over, and it was now 30 minutes before lights-out.
Since one of the tasks was endurance running, everyone was exhausted and preparing to turn in early.
"I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick."
"Sure, man."
Even though lights-out was approaching, hearing Shibata's easygoing response, I left the room and headed to the second-floor boys' restroom.
Climbing the dimly lit stairs, staying somewhat alert, I entered the restroom without making a sound.
"Tch, you're late."
The person I had called—Ryuuen—grinned as he turned his gaze toward me, as if looking forward to what was about to happen.
"Sorry for calling you out so suddenly."
"Don't care. Just get to the point. If this turns out to be boring, I won't let you off easy, got it?"
His intimidation was directed straight at me. Since time was limited, I decided to keep it brief.
"What if I told you there's a way to earn a massive amount of private points in this exam? What would you do?"
The moment he heard my words, a fearless smirk spread across his face, and I could feel the unique aura he exuded.
"The private points you can earn in this exam are peanuts. At best, with my class's placement, we'd be lucky to get 100,000. If you're calling *that* massive, I'll kill you."
"Yeah, I know. But don't worry—that's not where I'm getting the points from."
"Pathetic... or it would be, if this wasn't interesting. Explain."
Just as I expected, he took the bait. Ryuuen obviously cares about class points, but he's even more focused on securing private points.
I knew he'd be interested in this proposal.
To pull this off, I needed Ryuuen's *status* and one other form of assistance. Once I finished explaining my plan, Ryuuen's grin deepened.
"Tch, I see. Yeah, with that, we could get way more than just the exam's rewards."
"So? Can I do whatever I want, *boss*?"
"Sure, go wild. That plan's worth more than a gamble. But if you fail, I won't forgive you."
"Then I'll count on you too."
"Worry about yourself before worrying about others."
With that unnecessary remark, Ryuuen swiftly left the scene. Checking the time, it was already five minutes to lights-out. I should probably head back as soon as possible.
.....
At the mountain training camp, classes are held in the morning and afternoon on weekdays, so Saturdays end after the morning session, and Sundays are completely free.
Today is Saturday, and with the morning tasks already finished, the rest of the day is entirely free time.
Since there were morning classes, many students are resting in their rooms, so the hallways are mostly empty.
"Huh?"
As I walked down the hallway to return to my room, a female student passed by and let out a small sound when she saw me.
It might not have been directed at me, but since we were the only two in the hallway, I stopped and turned around.
"Something wrong?"
"Ah, um… You're Hikigaya-kun, right?"
I'm pretty sure this is our first time meeting, but something about her feels vaguely familiar.
"That's right… and you are?"
I don't recognize her from the first-year classes, so she must be a second- or third-year senior.
"I'm Asahina Nazuna, Class 2-A. We actually kinda met once during Christmas."
Now that she mentions it, I remember. A while ago, when I went out with Matsushita and the others for Christmas, Nagumo had bothered us. At the time, there was a student with Nagumo whose appearance matches this Asahina girl.
"You were with Nagumo-senpai at karaoke, right?"
"Yeah, yeah. Sorry about Masamune interrupting your date back then~. Ruining a perfectly good Christmas date and all."
She clasped her hands together in an apologetic gesture.
"It's fine, really. So, did you need something from me?"
If she's talking to me despite barely knowing me, she probably has some kind of agenda. Maybe Nagumo put her up to it.
"Not really *need* something, just… curiosity, I guess? I was kinda wondering what kind of student you are."
"...I'm not special enough to be worth anyone's interest."
"Come on, that's obviously a lie. There's no way you're *not* special if both Horikita-senpai and Masamune have their eyes on you~."
She says it playfully, but "having their eyes on me" is putting it mildly—more like I got dragged into their feud.
"Asahina-senpai, you seem pretty close with Nagumo-senpai."
"Huh? Oh, nah, we're just stuck with each other. Masamune wasn't always this aggressive, y'know? But now he's gotten all full of himself~."
I steer the conversation, and her response surprises me.
Most second-years seem to follow Nagumo, so I assumed Asahina was the same, but she actually speaks about him critically.
"That's why I've got some expectations for you. I think you might just be the one to knock Masamune down a peg."
"...Would it be a problem if I *did* take down Nagumo-senpai?"
"...Huh? N-No way, I was just joking!"
"But if I *did* defeat the student council president, how would you feel?"
"...Are you serious?"
Her previously lighthearted tone shifts as she narrows her eyes slightly.
"Kinda unexpected. I didn't think you'd say something like that…"
"Maybe not. But I figured it was fine to say to *you*, Asahina-senpai."
"Oh? And why's that?"
"Because I think you're one of the few second-years who *hasn't* been influenced by Nagumo."
"You're pretty blunt, huh~."
Asahina laughs a little but seems to be thinking something over. As expected of someone Nagumo keeps close—she's different from the others.
"If you *really* want to see Nagumo fall, I think I could be useful."
"...You're pretty confident, aren't you? But if I cut through the roundabout talk, it sounds like you're asking me to feed you information, right?"
"Of course, I wouldn't say no to that. But you don't really know anything about me yet, senpai. So I'd rather you judge me based on results."
As I speak matter-of-factly, Asahina's lips curve up slightly.
"Are you saying… you'll make Masamune lose in this exam or the next one?"
"You can interpret it however you like. And if you decide I'm someone who can benefit you—feel free to use me."
The fact that she doesn't immediately size me up tells me she's more cautious than she looks.
"...My impression of you changed a lot today."
"What a coincidence. Mine too."
Feeling her expectant gaze on me, I exchange farewells and leave.
This was a major win.
I found exactly the kind of person I needed.
The second-years are currently under Nagumo Masamune's control—not just his own class, but others as well. That's why someone like Asahina is valuable.
For the battle that's coming, I want to pull as many useful people to my side as possible.
And for that, the *results* of this exam will be crucial.
"Tch, what're you spacing out for?"
As I absentmindedly gaze at the sunlight streaming through the window, Ryuuen approaches from down the hallway.
"Nothing, just looking outside."
"You're a weird one. You know what we're doing next, right?"
"Are the preparations done?"
"Yeah, I already talked to Fujimaki. Tomorrow's *designated location* is the classroom at the far end of the third floor."
A good spot. Since tomorrow's a day off, hardly any students will go near the third floor… and even if we make some noise, it shouldn't be a problem.
"Tch, I'd love to see what you're gonna do, but I guess that's not happening."
"...It's nothing interesting."
"Like hell it isn't. You're gonna do the *same kinda thing* as me, right? I wanna see what kind of dumb face you'll make."
I'd rather he *not* take an interest in that… but with Ryuuen, that's impossible.
"Well, I'll hold back. Just don't screw up."
He turns to leave, but there's one crucial thing I haven't asked yet.
"Wait. You never told me the name of the student coming tomorrow."
"Tch… Oh, right. Forgot."
Bullshit. He totally wasn't gonna tell me if I didn't ask.
"It's Igari Momoko."
With that, Ryuuen walks off like he's done here.
For just a second, I notice him smirking—but I pretend not to see it.
=================================
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