(Author: I’m going to wrap up Volume 2 as quickly as possible.
Since it’s completely a fire on the opposite bank from Class A’s perspective, I honestly could have skipped it, but because the Student Council is involved in the key deliberation—meaning Tachibana-senpai gets screen time—I’m somewhat forcibly involving Kiriha-kun (lol).
After all, this work is practically sustained by Tachibana-senpai’s cuteness.) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “Come on now, Hashimoto, stalling for time isn’t going to turn the situation around, you know?
If you want to be saved, you’ve got to pass through hell at least once—” “I know that!
Shut up already, Honjo!” Hashimoto was cornered to the point of raising his voice at such obvious provocation.
Masayoshi Hashimoto.
High levels in both academics and athletics, a bit frivolous, but social and very popular with the girls—a male student with generally high specs.
However, among Sakayanagi’s inner circle, he holds the lowest level of trust from Arisu.
That’s because his true specialty lies in sizing up capable individuals and ingratiating himself with them; his friendly attitude toward me and Arisu from the very first day of school was for that exact reason.
Flipping that around means if it looks like we can’t maintain Class A, he’ll dump us in a heartbeat.
To use a chess metaphor, he’d be a Knight, but in reality, he’s a light-footed—or rather, light-moraled—pawn with zero knightly spirit.
Though he’s a dangerous man devoted to bat-like opportunistic diplomacy, his usual breezy, lighthearted demeanor was nowhere to be seen.
His face was covered in cold sweat, wearing a frantic expression.
“How unsightly.
Hurry up and make up your mind.” “It’s useless, Hashimoto.
Honjo isn’t the kind of lenient opponent who lets prey escape once he’s locked on.” “That’s why I’m telling you you’re noisy!
It’s distracting, so keep quiet for a second!” The female student starting to get slightly irritated by Hashimoto’s indecisiveness was Masumi Kamuro.
A beauty, but with considerably low sociability, she joined the faction after Arisu grabbed her weakness.
Thus, she always looks displeased and harbors no good feelings toward Arisu…
on the surface, at least.
In my estimation, she’s the one most dependent on Arisu within the faction.
If Arisu were to be expelled, I think she’d lose her mind.
In short, she’s a tsundere who can’t be honest with herself.
Her academic ability is low (by Class A standards), but her physical ability is among the top in the entire school year for girls.
Since Class A itself leans heavily toward academic ability, and Arisu herself is the prime example of that, talent excels in athletics is highly valuable.
Being female unlike us, there are plenty of errands Arisu can only ask of her.
Metaphorically speaking…
a Bishop, I suppose.
The male student advising Hashimoto to give up was Hayato Kito.
A well-built man with distinctive, unruly long hair, whose appearance makes you question whether he’s really a high school student.
The exact opposite of Hashimoto, he’s quiet, laconic, and blunt.
He doesn’t open his mouth for anything unnecessary, faithfully following Arisu’s instructions and carrying out tasks stoically—a man of fortitude.
Also, for some reason, he wears gloves at all times, refusing obstinately to state why.
Just as he looks, he’s a martial artist with extremely high physical ability, and excluding me, he’s probably the strongest in Class A.
When I’m moving freely, Arisu’s guard duty is left to him.
Metaphorically speaking, a Rook, naturally.
Even the voices of his comrades who support Arisu just like him failed to reach Hashimoto right now.
That’s how cornered he was.
…Because he understands that making a mistake here means being shoved straight into the bottom of hell.
“Damn it…
Here it is!” Eventually steeling himself, Hashimoto finally reached out his trembling hand and selected an answer.
“Yes, what a shame, Ron.
Reach, Tanyao, Pinfu, Ryanpeikou, Dora Dora—16,000 points♪” “Daaaaammit allll!” “How tragic…” As Hashimoto collapsed onto the mahjong table in despair, Arisu hurled words of pity at him with an extremely delighted smile.
Or rather, the mahjong tiles got scattered.
Even if we lose tiles, I’m not reimbursing them, okay?
It was currently early July, the time when the sweltering heat made students start getting annoyed by their year-round blazers.
As a little celebration for my recent victory in securing a spot for the individual division of the Inter-High Karate Tournament, we decided to hold a small party in Arisu’s room.
However, since Hashimoto brought in a mahjong table, a penalty-game-staked mahjong match took place among Arisu’s four top aides…
The result: well, due to my persistent, targeted attacks, Hashimoto ended up taking seven consecutive losses, suffering terribly by getting kicked in the groin by Kamuro and having Tabasco poured up his nose.
Arisu, a natural sadist, was thoroughly satisfied as well.
“Now then, a penalty game for Hashimoto-kun, who broke his bank once again!
Pull a slip from the Terrible★BOX!” “What is up with your insane draw luck since earlier?!
Or rather, why am I the only one being targeted since a while ago?
What, do you actually hate me?!” “No, no, of course not.
After all, Kamuro and Kito only learned the rules recently, right?
Bullying total beginners would be a bit much, wouldn’t it?” “Is it okay to bully me to death, then?!” “Geez, small-time villains are so stubborn!
I’ll make this the last round, so accept your one-way ticket to hell!” “Don’t call me a small-time villain?!
Fine, I just have to draw, right?
Draw…?!” Giving up, Hashimoto let out a sigh as he pulled a slip of paper from the box, freezing up the moment he checked inside.
Let’s see, the penalty game written down was…
Whoa, he managed to pull that one?
“The penalty game is decided as: ‘Maid Outfit for One Day’~♪” “Hey, wait, what is that?!
I have nothing but bad feelings from the wording alone—you’re joking, right?!
Tell me it’s a joke, please!” “No, it means literally what it says.
Until tomorrow, you must spend your time in a maid outfit.” “It really means that, damn it!
I mean, how on earth are we supposed to prepare a maid outfit anyway?!” “We have one, you know?
Here, go ahead.” With a truly lovely smile, Arisu pulled a maid outfit out of her closet and handed it to the distraught Hashimoto, making not only Hashimoto but also Kamuro and Kito doubt their own eyes.
“…Huh?
Uh, Princess?
Why is something like that in your closet?” “It’s my personal property.
I don’t mind lending it out, but it’s a precious gift from Kiriha, so if you get it dirty, you won’t hear the end of it.” “””…””” The three of them looked back and forth between me and Arisu with eyes that expressed utter disbelief.
After an awkward silence persisted for a while, unable to endure it any longer, Hashimoto spoke up hesitantly.
“H-Hey, Honjo…
no, Honjo-kun?
Why did you give the Princess a maid outfit?” “You’re an idiot, Hashimoto.
Obviously, it’s because I wanted to see Arisu in a maid outfit.
As expected, she was super cute.” “Y-You had that kind of fetish…?” Kamuro glared at me with eyes as if looking at a beast or something.
I don’t know what you’re imagining, but that’s a rude reaction.
I didn’t do anything improper, okay?
Kiriha-kun is a herbivore, a giraffe.
“I don’t know what kind of fetish it is, but my recent phase is enjoying dressing Arisu up in various cosplays.
Fortunately, we have plenty of points.” “By the way, my recent phase is also enjoying dressing Kiriha up in various cosplays.
The tailcoat suited you remarkably well, you know?” “Hey, are you two seriously not dating?
You’re doing stuff that only an exceptionally close couple would do?” “My head is starting to hurt…” “Hang in there, Kamuro.
…It’s tough on all of us.” No, no, guys, you’re executives within the faction, so you shouldn’t be flustered every single time over something of this level.
By the way, the destructive power of Hashimoto forcibly wearing a maid outfit that was blatantly the wrong size was truly incredible.
The fact that the length was completely insufficient was just…
Kamuro and Kito, who rarely laugh, were bursting out laughing, and as for Arisu, she almost hyperventilated from laughing so hard.
That was close.
“Speaking of which, Kiriha…
what do you think about that trouble between Class C and Class D?” After the party wrapped up and we sent Hashimoto and the other two home (of course, Hashimoto was sent home still wearing the maid outfit; I pray he isn’t reported by a third party), Arisu asked while helping clean up the room.
The story goes back to July 1st, when a trouble occurred where private points—which were supposed to be deposited on the 1st of every month—were withheld only for the 1st-year students.
Since everyone in Class A had plenty of points to spare, they were confused, but didn’t panic much.
And the next day.
A trouble broke out between students of Class C and Class D, and our homeroom teacher informed us that this was the cause of the 1st-year points being held back.
Totsuka, who looks down on lower classes, was complaining about various things, but if he had time for that, he should be contributing something to the Katsuragi faction.
Especially since Katsuragi failed the Student Council interview, losing the lead he had during the midterms, he should have a greater sense of crisis.
…Well, setting that aside, after school that day, a handsome guy named Yosuke Hirata from Class D came to the Class A classroom bringing a whole crowd of entourage called his friends.
According to Hirata-kun, the nature of the trouble was that three Class C students reported to the school that they were beaten black and blue by a Class D student named Sudo on the 3rd floor of the Special Building.
However, Sudo claimed self-defense, saying he only fought back because he was attacked first, meaning the accounts of both sides contradicted each other…
or so it seems.
The final verdict would be handed down in a week, so he came to ask if anyone had witnessed the incident on site.
Since quite a few Class A students looked down on other classes, especially Class D, it almost turned into an explosive situation.
However, Arisu and Katsuragi immediately mediated and questioned the students of their respective factions.
…Unfortunately, no one was there, though.
“Hmm…
If what that Sudo kid is saying is true, the mastermind is probably Ryunkel.” “…Ryunkel?” “Kakeru Ryuen, so Ryunkel.
Class C’s delinquent leader.” “Ah, if it’s him, I know him by name as well.
Why would Ryunkel-san be the mastermind?” “Having met him recently, I realized he’s the type to rule his class through fear via violence, unlike you.
I really can’t see him allowing underlings to pick a fight with another class on their own.” Earlier in the library, when a Class C student hesitated to fight me without someone’s permission, that “someone” was undoubtedly Ryunkel.
“Then Ryunkel-san’s goal would be…
let’s see, learning the penalty for being expelled or suspended, perhaps?” “Most likely.
While that information would be completely useless to Bankai-chan and her group, it’s extremely valuable for Ryunkel.
He’s the type who doesn’t pick his means to win.” Depending on how it’s used, let’s see…
it won’t work on us, but it could somehow drag down Bankai-chan and Class B.
“In that case, I shall observe quietly.
I am somewhat curious about what happens when an expulsion occurs from a class.” “About that, Arisu—we can leave the Katsuragi faction alone for a while, right?” “Yes.
Since I need Katsuragi-kun to take command during the summer break’s special exam, I have no intention of pulling anything during the final exams.” The Katsuragi faction was being treated so delicately they might as well be an endangered species, but that couldn’t be helped.
On top of Katsuragi failing to enter the Student Council, my status as Arisu’s right-hand man qualifying for the national tournament in club activities added a whopping 50 Class Points.
Receiving this result, most of the neutrals—and even a few members of the Katsuragi faction—naturally defected to the Sakayanagi faction.
If they showed pathetic results until the finals, Katsuragi might become unable to command the special exam.
…He really is a high-maintenance guy, isn’t he?
“Which means I’ll be free for a while.” “That appears to be the case.
…Don’t tell me.” “It seems interesting, so I’m gonna stick my nose into it for a bit☆” “Honestly, you…
It would be useless to stop you anyway, so do as you like.” “As expected of Arisu!
Love ya♪” “Fufu, me too.” Alright then, now that that’s decided, maybe I’ll email Bankai-chan for now.
Class D definitely went to ask Class B if there were any witnesses to the incident as well, and if so, knowing that girl—THE personification of good—she’ll surely try to help Class D without weighing the pros and cons.
Especially since Class B apparently got picked on by Class C before and had a dispute, they probably know Ryunkel’s methods.
Sorry for interfering, Ryunkel!
It’s your fault for not giving me your email address obediently.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Q: Why didn’t Arisu-chan participate in the mahjong game?
A: Because several of the prepared penalty games were things someone with a heart condition couldn’t possibly endure.