“Listen up, everyone.
Judging by what Mashima-sensei just explained, we will be in a position where the other classes target us from now on.
So, before classes start, I’d like to decide on our policy going forward.” At the words of Katsuragi, who stood at the podium, the classmates—excluding myself, Arisu, and her lackeys—listened attentively.
Hey, Hashimoto, don’t rest your chin on your hand just because you’re not interested.
“The highest priority right now is preparing for the midterm exam three weeks away.
If we produce results here, we’ll be able to pull even further ahead of the other classes.
Therefore, I propose we hold class-wide study sessions.” Katsuragi’s policy was exceptionally solid.
I see; steadily clearing the immediate tasks step-by-step would indeed secure a firm foundation for the class’s future.
For me, it’s boring beyond belief, but Katsuragi really would make a good leader…
if Arisu weren’t around, that is.
“Sakayanagi, Honjo.
Since you two got full marks on that pop quiz, I’d like you to act as tutors—” “I refuse.” “I’ll pass too.” Perhaps anticipating our response to some degree, Katsuragi merely grimaced bitterly, but his right-hand man, Totsuka, stood up, looking thoroughly unconvincing.
“Don’t screw with us, you two!
Don’t you care about contributing to the class?!” “A unified class effort for midterm prep…
I have no objections to that concept itself.
What I find unacceptable is why it is taken for granted that Katsuragi-kun gets to run the class.” “Huh?
What’s wrong with Katsuragi-san acting as the leader?” “There are only problems with it.
Earlier, Mashima-sensei stated that point deductions stem from student misconduct.
Totsuka-kun, if I recall correctly, on the morning of our very first day of class, Katsuragi-kun scolded you for making a scene by talking during class, did he not?” “S-So what?!
Sure, I know that was my bad, but that has nothing to do with Katsuragi-san—” “It has everything to do with him; the subordinate’s failure falls on the supervisor’s shoulders.
Furthermore…
I gather you were never informed by Katsuragi-kun that evaluations are measured by class units rather than individually.
It is hard to believe Katsuragi-kun withheld that information intentionally, so he simply failed to see through it himself.
I have no desire to entrust the fate of the class to someone like that.” “Y-You bitch…!” “Sit down, Yahiko.” “Katsuragi-san?!
But…!” “I know.
…Sakayanagi.” After pushing back Totsuka, who looked ready to pounce on Arisu in a fit of rage, Katsuragi turned back toward Arisu with a grim glare.
…Though maybe his face just looks naturally intimidating.
Sorry about that.
“Since your group members weren’t flustered in the slightest, I had my suspicions…
but it seems you had already uncovered almost the entirety of the S System before Mashima-sensei explained it.
…Why didn’t you share that with the rest of the class?
If you had, we might have kept our point deductions at zero.” “That was to determine whether you were worthy of being the class leader, Katsuragi-kun.
To test whether we could truly entrust the fate of the class to a man like you.” “…You took the risk of losing Class Points just for something like that…?” “A cheap price to pay to evaluate you.
I had high hopes for you as well…
but between that and the pop quiz results, I am frankly disappointed.
Rather than leaving the leadership to you, I shall step forward myself, reluctant as I am.” Man, this girl delivers utter fabrications with such a cool, unfazed expression.
The real reason she withheld the information was to breed discontent toward Katsuragi’s side and goad them into defying her.
Besides, no matter how capable a leader Katsuragi might be…
in fact, the more capable he was, the more gleefully she would move to crush him.
“You, a leader?
Ha!
Don’t get cocky, you woman who can’t even manage daily life without a cane!” “Don’t worry.
Even if I cannot move about freely, I have plenty of reliable friends starting with Kiriha…
unlike Katsuragi-kun, who is surrounded by people who do nothing but pull him down.” “Y-You bitch…!” “Stop it, Yahiko.
…Sakayanagi, that exchange made things clear.
I can’t leave the class in the hands of someone like you, who shows zero regard for the damage dealt to the class.” “I see.
So neither of us intends to back down…
In that case, how about a contest?” “A contest…?” Amid the bewildered looks around the room, Arisu offered her proposal with sheer delight.
“The rules are quite simple: a match to see who scores higher between Katsuragi-kun and myself on the upcoming midterm exam.” “And the winner becomes the leader?” “Heavens, no.
No one would accept deciding a leader in such a manner.
However, it is an undeniable fact that academic ability serves as one index for someone who stands at the top.” “Hmm…” “Besides, who is fit to be leader should be decided by the consensus of the class.
This contest will serve as a reference point for that judgment.
…Or will you decline the match because you cannot beat me in academics?
Well, that would be a wise choice in its own way.” “Don’t get ahead of yourself just because we’ve been listening to you, Sakayanagi!
Acting all high and mighty just because you happened to get full marks!
Fine, I’ll accept that challenge!” “Hey, Yahiko?!” “It’s fine, Katsuragi-san!
Let’s take this cheeky girl down a notch!” Incompetent enemies really are so reliable, aren’t they?
…Unfortunately, Totsuka, the moment you accepted this contest, you basically lost.
Realizing it was impossible to back down at this point, Katsuragi reluctantly gave his consent.
“…Fine.
So be it.” Thus, Class A split straight down the middle into the Conservative faction led by Katsuragi and the Reformist faction led by Sakayanagi.
From here on out, while demonstrating their suitability as leaders, the two would recruit the remaining neutral classmates into their respective factions.
Arisu is enjoying herself, so that’s fine, but Katsuragi must be feeling bitter that internal strife will delay countermeasures against other classes.
Still, the reason he had no choice but to fight Arisu…
was probably because he saw right through just how wicked her true nature really is.
Though the class was divided, time marched on, and after-school arrived in the blink of an eye.
The two factions, standing on a powder keg, were discussing where to hold their respective study sessions.
“Later, Arisu.
See you at the lobby tomorrow.” “Yes, goodbye, Kiriha.” “Eh?
Honjo, aren’t you joining the study session?
I was relying on you to teach me.” To Hashimoto’s reasonable question, the other faction members wore puzzled expressions in agreement…
Or rather, even the Katsuragi faction members were eavesdropping with looks of disbelief.
“Arisu originally had no intention of letting me join the faction war.
She said being invincibly overpowered makes it unfair.” “Winning through a brute-force power play relying on Kiriha wouldn’t prove that I am a superior leader to Katsuragi-kun.
If he is to move on a large scale, it will be after Class A becomes one.” “Arisu has high pride, so she won’t be satisfied unless she utterly demolishes Katsuragi fair and square.
So, good luck with your little political war game, guys.
I’m rooting for you.” “If you’re rooting for us, put a little more heart into it.” Ignoring the hostile glances from the Katsuragi faction, who felt naturally looked down upon, I breezed out of the classroom.
For now, to quickly finish the errand Arisu had secretly requested of me, I wandered around the school building.
Spotting the back of my favorite senior doing her patrol rounds, I erased my presence so as not to be noticed, circled around behind her, and…
“Secretary-chan Senpai, CATCH!” “Hyaaah-aah-aah?!” I grabbed her under both arms and lifted her high into the air.
Secretary-chan Senpai—a.k.a.
Akane Tachibana-senpai of the Student Council—probably couldn’t catch up with what had just happened.
Remaining in a high-chair lift position, I started spinning around like a top.
“Long time no see, Secretary-chan Senpai~!
Hey, how have you been~?
By the way, you’re light as a feather~ Are you eating properly~?” “Th-That voice…
Honjo-kun?!
What are you doing out of nowhere—or rather, put me down!
Don’t spin me around!
Is this how you treat your senior?!
Also, stop calling me Secretary-chan!” “Speeding up in response to request~!” “No, I didn’t request that at all!
Listen to me for once—gyaaaah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah?!” ~ 5 Minutes Later ~ “Are you an idiot?!
No, I don’t even need to ask—you are an idiot!
Honjo-kun, you are an absolute idiot, no doubt about it!
You big idiot!” “Calling me an idiot over and over is harsh.
Isn’t this just a cute junior playing a harmless little prank, Secretary-chan Senpai?” “It’s TA-CHI-BA-NA-senpai!
What ‘cute junior’?!
How brazen!
Putting your hands under a maiden’s arms without permission—do you want to get sued for sexual harassment?!” “Ah, fair point…
I’m sorry, Ta-chi-ba-na-senpai.
I’ll lean against the wall and apologize like this, so please forgive me.” “When people say ‘leaning against something to apologize,’ they usually mean placing hands on the floor, right?!
Placing one hand against the wall while flipping your hair back to apologize doesn’t convey a single shred of sincerity!
Besides, your way of calling me is practically looking for a fight, isn’t it?!” “…Well, I clearly overdid the prank.
It can’t be helped if you hate me, Senpai.
I won’t show my face in front of you ever again.” “Y-You don’t have to go that far…
I-It’s not like I hate you, Honjo-kun…!” Just when she seemed so angry that you could almost hear angry sound effects, I feigned being dejected and turned my back—a fake act so blatant that even I thought it was terrible acting.
Yet, Secretary-chan Senpai began flusteredly panicking.
What is with this person?
She’s ridiculously cute.
“…Jeez, fine!
I’m not angry anymore, so turn back around!
If you’re reflecting on it, I’ll forgive you!” “Yay!
I love you, Secretary-chan Senpai!” “Hawaz?!” At my sudden surprise attack—turning around with a beaming smile—Secretary-chan Senpai face went bright red as she panicked uncontrollably.
Man, this person…
she’s so cute it’s almost a little unnerving.
“No, um…
I’m happy about your feelings, I really am super happy, but, um…
I already have someone my heart is set on—” “?
No, I already know you like the President.
I meant ‘I love you’ as a senior, not as a romantic interest.” “Huh?
…Ah, i-is that so…?
Wait, why do you know that I like Horikita-kun?!
I haven’t told anyone!” Isn’t that obvious at a single glance?
“Hmm, female intuition, maybe?” “You’re a guy, aren’t you?!” “I was probably a woman in my past life.
A reindeer woman.” “I don’t think female reindeers have ‘female intuition’!
If they do, I’m sorry, Reindeer-san!” Man, chatting with this person is so much fun.
Truth be told, I’d love to keep this going for another 40 hours, but Secretary-chan Senpai seems busy with Student Council work and all…
Time to get to the main point.
“By the way, Secretary-chan Senpai.
Your cute junior has a small favor to ask.” “I told you, stop calling yourself cute, you brazen…
Ugh, I hate myself for thinking you actually are a little cute…
So, what is it?
I’m a member of the Student Council too, so I’ll help as much as I can.” Looking puff-chested as if flattered to be relied upon, I presented my demand to Tachibana-senpai without holding back.
“Could you hand over the question sheets from your year’s first-term midterm exam, as well as the test held in April?” Hearing my request, Tachibana-senpai’s expression turned serious, unlike a moment ago, as she glanced around her surroundings.
…I see, as expected of someone trusted by the President, she’s not just a cute, useless person.
“…Why do you want something like that?” “Our homeroom teacher mentioned it during homeroom today—that it wasn’t impossible for everyone in the class to get full marks on the midterm exam.
Even for Class A, accomplishing that with just three weeks of cramming would be utterly impossible.
…Yet Mashima-sensei was confident in that pipe dream.
Which means there must be a way to obtain the answers beforehand.” “Then why the pop quiz too?
For that matter, why do you think we took the same pop quiz as you guys, Honjo-kun?” “Because the difficulty curve of that pop quiz was completely mismatched.
Normally, the last three questions aren’t problems you could easily solve unless you knew the answers beforehand.
This school is roundabout with everything, so that was likely a subtle hint showing how to clear the midterm exam.” “…I see.
I understand why the President pays attention to you.
But wouldn’t someone like you have zero trouble even without past exam papers, Honjo-kun?
…Then is it for someone else?
It might sound bad to say this, but you don’t look like someone who cares about contributing to the class.” “That’s a harsh way to put it, but you hit the bullseye.
I don’t want to lie to you, Senpai, so I’ll be honest: I’m going to use them for something terrible.
…Ah, don’t worry, I’ll strictly abide by school rules and morals.” “Haaah…” After taking a deep, exasperated sigh, Tachibana-senpai shot me a half-lidded glare like a sister dealing with a troublesome younger brother.
Yep, I bet she and Arisu could get along nicely too.
“Fine, jeez!
Even if I refuse, you’d just ask another senior anyway…
But I won’t give them to you for free.
This school operates on meritocracy; to gain something, you need a fitting price.” “Is 3 million points fine?” “No, that amount is way too aggressive?!
Are you in your right mind offering that for a single past exam paper?!” “Stingy thinking only narrows one’s scope, after all.
Please accept it without reservation.” “I will hold back!
Or rather, let me hold back for my own sake!
If I wring 3 million points out of a junior for a single past exam paper, I won’t be able to stay at this school anymore!” “No good, huh?
Then how about I call you ‘Secretary-sama Senpai’ from now on?” “Why are you so stubbornly committed to calling me by my title?!” After various negotiations, we settled on 30,000 points, and that I would call her “Akane-senpai” from now on.
…It’s a shame, since I kind of liked that nickname.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Akane: “…Wait, why are you suddenly using my first name?!” Kiriha: “Do you dislike it?” Akane: “Eh?
Well, um…
It’s not that I…
dislike it, but…” Kiriha: “Kyaaah, Akane-senpai is such a maiden~” Akane: “I’m seriously going to beat you up now?!” Kiriha: “Kyaaah, save me, Mr.
President, I’m gonna get violated~” Akane: “Alright, you’ve got some nerve, you bastard!!”