[Student Database] [Kiriha Honjo] Class: Class 1-A Birthday: December 24 Height: 179 cm Weight: 73 kg Academic Ability: A Intelligence: A Decision Making: A Physical Ability: A Cooperativeness: C- Special Skills: Various Hobbies: Self-training, gardening, magic tricks Students on good terms with: Arisu Sakayanagi, Masayoshi Hashimoto, Rokusuke Koenji, Akane Tachibana Students with poor compatibility: Kohei Katsuragi, Masayoshi Hashimoto, Yahiko Totsuka, Kikyo Kushida Favorite Food: Nothing in particular Dislikes: Boredom, laziness [Interviewer’s Comments] Both his academic and physical abilities are extraordinarily high, and his overall capacity places him among the top one or two candidates even when compared to past graduates.
However, it is likely that he has not yet shown his true depth.
During elementary school, he actively led those around him as the class leader, but during middle school, he appears to have entrusted those roles to his classmate, Sakayanagi.
He possesses a rather unique sensibility, paces himself at his own rhythm, and somewhat lacks cooperativeness; however, his sociability itself is quite high.
Thus, whether this needs improvement remains on hold, and he is assigned to Class A.
[Homeroom Teacher’s Note] Contrary to his easygoing personality, his circle of acquaintances is quite broad regardless of class or grade, and no specific issues are currently observed.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– [Side: Honami Ichinose] Six days remain until the midterm exams.
Waking up a little early, I finished breakfast, changed into my uniform, and headed for school.
During exam periods, I usually go to school early every morning to study with everyone from Class B in our classroom, but I informed my classmates in advance that I wouldn’t be able to participate today.
The reason stems from a slip of paper that was inside my uniform pocket after I mediated a conflict between Class C and Class D the other day.
Written on it was the sender’s name and a message asking me to come to the Special Building at 7:30 tomorrow morning because there was an important matter regarding the midterm exams.
When it comes to important talk about the exams, I can’t ignore it.
Above all, while that person has a slightly eccentric personality, I didn’t think he would do something like this as a prank.
So, heading to the Special Building a bit earlier than the appointed time, the person I was looking for was already standing there.
With short black hair, he has handsome features, but his gaze is somewhat sharp.
While timid people might find him intimidating at first, that impression fades after chatting for a bit—a friendly and kind person, even if he’s a little peculiar.
It’s Kiriha Honjo-kun from Class A.
“Good morning, Honjo-kun!
Did I keep you waiting?” “Good morning, Bankai-chan.
I haven’t been waiting long, so don’t worry about it.” “Bankai-chan?!” “Hair color is strawberry blonde → strawberry → Ichigo → Bankai-chan.
It’s better than Shake-ko, right?” “T-That’s true.
Ahaha…” No, really—his personality is a bit peculiar, though.
“Since I had you come out here when your time before the test is precious, I should keep this brief…
Is study progress going smoothly for Class B?” “Yeah, it’s going smoothly so far.
We’re all working hard as a class with the goal of defeating Class A.
…Ah, was that unpleasant to hear coming from you, Honjo-kun?” “I’m not someone with such a small mind, so you don’t need to worry about it.
This time, I’ve prepared a little present for you guys who are working so hard.” With a festive “Ta-da!” callout, Honjo-kun pulled out a stack of papers and handed it over to me.
…Wait, wait, wait, hold on?!
“Where did you pull this from?!
Honjo-kun, you aren’t even carrying a bag right now, and this stack of papers isn’t folded or bent at all…” “Ah?
As if there’s a magician out there who spoils the secret to his tricks.
That’s extremely unrefined.” “M-Magic tricks are amazing, aren’t they…?
So, what is this?
It looks like a problem set or something.” “That, to tell you the truth, is—” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– [Side: Kiyotaka Ayanokoji] “—Question sheets for the 1st-term midterms and pop quizzes?
From last year or the year before?” “Yep.
Good guess, Cozy.” “Because I happened to be looking for those myself.
…Does ‘Cozy’ mean me?” “Because you’re Ayanokoji, Cozy.
…Do you dislike it?” “No, I don’t particularly mind.” Being called by a nickname feels kind of like an interaction between friends.
As expected of the guy rumored to be #4 on the Handsome Ranking and #1 on the Dependable Guys Ranking.
His ability to close the distance between people is incomparably better than mine.
…Would it be alright to ask him how to make friends?
In the cafeteria during lunch break six days before the test, I was called out by Honjo, whom I met the other day, and received the item I happened to be looking for.
He slipped the paper into my pocket using a technique so flawless even I almost missed it, making me come here with a slight sense of vigilance regarding his motive…
But since Class D was facing the crisis of consecutive failing marks due to not being informed of the changes in the exam scope by our homeroom teacher, I don’t know what his intentions are, but I’m grateful for this act of charity.
However, Kushida, a classmate who happened to follow me, asked Honjo with a slightly bewildered expression.
“Um, Honjo-kun…
why do you have something like that?” “I had a friendly upperclassman hand them over to me in exchange for points.
Most things in this school can be bought with points, so you’d better keep that in mind.” “Is it true that Ayanokoji-kun was looking for this too?” “It’s insurance to prevent Sudo and the others from getting expelled.” “But past exam papers are just past exam papers, right?
There’s a possibility they’re completely unrelated to this year’s test…” “Ah, but that’s where you’d be wrong~” Honjo pulled out the pop quiz question sheet from the stack of papers he handed me and showed the final three questions to Kushida and me.
“Don’t these questions look familiar?” “…Ah!
They’re word-for-word the same as the pop quiz from the other day!” Indeed, that pop quiz was likely a hint for tackling the midterm exam.
If there was a shortcut to knowing the answers in advance, it wouldn’t be surprising for the homeroom teacher to assert that ‘everyone can avoid failing marks,’ despite our terrible results on the pop quiz.
“Thank you so much, Honjo-kun!
If we show them these past papers, Sudo-kun and the others can avoid failing marks—” “Wait a moment, Kushida.
We shouldn’t show these past papers right away.” “W-Why?” “Since Sudo and the others are working hard to study, I don’t want to throw cold water on that.
Above all, if they rely on it too much and different questions appear, it’s game over.
Insurance is strictly insurance.
…If we were to show them, it should be the day before the test.
If we tell them that the questions were almost identical to the year before last—” “They’ll memorize them desperately at night!” Kushida seems to agree with my reasoning.
Our goal for this test is not to get full marks, but to avoid failing marks so no one gets expelled.
Greed might lead to digging our own grave.
“Hmm…
If I were to give one piece of advice, Cozy, if you’re going to show them, it’d be better to make it after school two days before, rather than the day before.” “?
Why is that?” “If someone falls asleep while trying to memorize them the night before, it won’t be a laughing matter.
Are all those students you’re worried about failing reliable people down to the last person?” “…That’s a plausible scenario.
Especially with Sudo.” “I-It’s hard to deny that…” Since I grew up in an environment where falling asleep was strictly unacceptable, that was a complete blind spot.
Hearing that, I feel too uneasy to hold onto them until the day before.
“Well, how you use them is up to your own freedom.
Think it over and make your decision.
I’ll be going now, so do your best.
I’m rooting for you.” “Wait, Honjo.
…Let me ask one last thing.
Why are you—” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– [Side: Kakeru Ryuen] “—I’m convinced that these past papers are useful.
But why are you giving them to us?
What the hell are you plotting, bastard?” After school, six days before the test.
I question this guy named Honjo, who sauntered right into our Class C classroom—a complete enemy territory—whether he’s got guts or is just a total idiot.
I wondered what his purpose was when he pulled a roundabout stunt like slipping a letter into Yamawaki’s clothes, only for him to present us with the questions that will likely be featured on the midterm exam.
To be honest, I can’t gauge what his motives are.
If he had used the past papers as bait to demand compensation like points, I intended to thoroughly exploit him before throwing him away.
But to my surprise, he says he just came to deliver the past papers.
It’s impossible not to be suspicious under these circumstances.
According to the lackeys I had look into it, even Ichinose—who’s an idiotically good-natured person—would probably find it suspicious.
The only reason I can think of to needlessly give an advantage to classes that will be enemies in the future is if someone immensely hates a specific classmate or the entire class…
“Hmm, I see, I see.
That’s certainly a valid question, Ryunkel.” “The hell is Ryunkel, hey?” “Kakeru Ryuen, abbreviated as Ryunkel.” “Don’t say it like I’m Hyunkel.” “What, do you dislike Hyunkel?” “I don’t dislike Hyunkel, but I don’t recall giving permission for a guy I just met today to act so familiar with me.” “Don’t worry about it.
Word on the street is that friendship has nothing to do with the amount of time you’ve spent together.” Is he making fun of me or is he doing this naturally…?
Either way, he’s a frivolous bastard, but I hold back Ishizaki, the idiot who tries to snap at him.
Judging by the information I’ve gathered, this guy isn’t someone an idiot like Ishizaki can handle.
“Well, as for why I thought about handing them over to you guys, to be frank, it was just a random thought without any plausible motive.
But if it’s about my goal, answering isn’t difficult.
…Do I need to explain the internal situation of Class A?” “No need.
I’ve already looked into the fact that two groups supporting Katsuragi and Sakayanagi are in conflict.
Including the fact that you’re on Sakayanagi’s side.” “My, my, aren’t you well-informed?
That makes this quick.
How should I put it…
Katsuragi turned out to be a more boring guy than expected, so at this rate, Arisu is going to stand at the top of the class without any effort.
With an approach focused purely on steadfastness, there’s no way he can beat Arisu.” I’ve also heard that Katsuragi is an extremely cautious and solid man.
If I were to sink my teeth into Class A eventually, I intended to break through Katsuragi first…
But if what this guy says is true, Katsuragi is likely to fall from power in the near future.
“Kukuku, isn’t that great?
Your boss gets to stand at the top without any trouble—what’s the problem?” “It’s a huge problem.
Conflict with an opponent who lacks bite is just plain boring.
Arisu is probably bored right now too, poor thing…
Thinking about that, I felt a bit guilty that I was the only one finding people to enjoy myself with, so I thought I’d set the stage a little.” “Set the stage?” “Sooner or later, Class A will be targeted by other classes, right?
If the class assignments are in order of merit as the school claimed, then anyone below the Katsuragi faction wouldn’t be entertaining at all…
But looking at you, Mister, and Bankai-chan, I really can’t see it that way.” “For now, I’ve learned that you have zero naming sense.” Hey, why are you making a face like you’re offended by that?
“There are properly entertaining people in other classes too.
…Then, if those guys have enough points, don’t you think Arisu could enjoy herself more?
In this school, the more points you have, the wider your range of strategies becomes.” “…Kukuku.
To calmly commit acts that benefit the enemy just for something like that, you’re pretty out of your mind yourself, aren’t you?” “I feel bad for everyone in the class, but neither I nor Arisu have any particular interest in Class A’s status or benefits.
What’s most important is whether we can enjoy ourselves.
…Ah, of course, if they trust and follow us, I won’t treat them poorly.
As long as I live up to expectations and make sure we graduate from Class A, no one will complain even if I do whatever I want.
…Well, I’ll be heading back soon.
Do your best on the test.
I’m rooting for you.” Saying so, Honjo walked out of the classroom.
…In his eyes, there wasn’t a single trace of cloudiness or shadow.
Neither anxiety nor fear—he was convinced that he would ultimately win.
Unless one possesses absolute confidence in their own abilities and track record, it wouldn’t turn out like this.
…Interesting.
It seems he’s quite a satisfying prey to devour.
“Unfortunately for you, Honjo, things won’t go according to your plans.
Wash your neck and wait for a while…
After playing around with Class D and dragging down Class B, I’ll thoroughly devour you.” The first target is naturally Class D after all.
From what I heard from Yamawaki, there seems to be a thug who’s quite worth playing with.
First, I’ll use him as a sacrifice to gather the information I want to know.
“Whoops, dangerous, almost forgot.
Tell me your email address, Ryunkel.” “Who’s gonna tell you, idiot?” “Ehh.
Stingy, purple long-hair~” “You wanna get killed?” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– [Side: Arisu Sakayanagi] With the midterm exams over, I look back on the period from the entrance ceremony until today and sigh.
Honestly, I regret splitting the class right down the middle and opposing Katsuragi-kun.
Though it is useless to regret it now, I never dreamed in my wildest imagination that Katsuragi-kun would be such a boring opponent…
Was his brilliance on the first day of school merely an illusion…?
Recently, Kiriha sulked saying I was only paying attention to Katsuragi-kun, but I too am dissatisfied that my time with you is being cut short because of Katsuragi-kun, you know?
…Though, since it is my own self-inflicted consequence for orchestrating the conflict, I won’t say it out loud.
That his intellect is clearly inferior to mine, and that he is overly cautious to the point of only utilizing solid methods, are still within acceptable limits.
Up to that point, I could have enjoyed myself to some degree.
What disappointed me the most was none other than his lack of resolve.
I have already slipped two of my friends into the Katsuragi faction.
Since Katsuragi-kun is a cautious person, important secrets are only shared among students at the core of the faction, but even so, information can be extracted to a certain extent.
For example, how they used the past papers handed over via Kiriha.
It seems Katsuragi-kun continued the study sessions just in case, while sharing the past papers with everyone in the faction and the neutral students on the final day.
…Yes, including himself as the leader.
In other words, Katsuragi-kun, who was scheduled to compete against me in the midterm exam, looked through the past papers out of fear of losing.
My excitement completely cooled down right then and there.
Yes.
I completely wasted my time.
Anger even wells up inside me thinking that he dared to contend with me with such shallow resolve.
Even though, in order to truly make Kiriha mine, I had fought against the pressure of having to make not even a single mistake countless times from the moment we met until now.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Regarding the explanation behind handing over the past papers, he appropriately fabricated reasons that the other party would likely view favorably.
To Ayanokoji, he made it seem like it would be a shame to get expelled here; to Ichinose, he framed it like even though he got them by chance, winning that way wouldn’t be fair, and so on.
Arisu-chan and Kiriha-kun are in love with each other, and since neither possesses the dense protagonist trope, they are both fully aware of this fact.
Yet, there is a proper reason why they aren’t dating.
…By the way, Kiriha-kun is the one at fault.
In truth, unless someone is extremely close to him, it’s hard to notice, but he has a problem that wouldn’t make it surprising even if he were assigned to Class D.