Ryūen POV

— Day 1, Noon —

After Ayanokōji left, I grabbed the contract and camera and went to find that bastard Katsuragi.

'Knowing that cautious guy Katsuragi, he’s probably holed up in a cave planning a defensive battle. The cave should be this way.'

With that guess, I searched, and sure enough, Class A had set up their base camp there.

When I approached the cave, a Class A grunt blocked my path.

Totsuka: "This place is occupied by Class A! You have no right to enter!"

Ryūen: "Shut up, you weakling. Or what, is this the whole ‘the weaker the dog, the louder it barks’ thing?"

Totsuka: "What did you say!?"

Ryūen: "Forget that. Call your boss. I’ve got business."

Totsuka: "There’s nothing to discuss with you."

Ryūen: "You still saying that if Katsuragi agrees? He’ll judge based on profit, not like you."

Totsuka: "...That’s true. Katsuragi-san would see things more broadly than me."

Ryūen: "Ha, folded that quick. Even in words, you’re trash."

Katsuragi: "That’s enough, Ryūen. Any more pointless remarks and I’ll report you for interference."

Ryūen: "Finally showed up. Since you came out, you’ll hear me out, right?"

Katsuragi: "Let’s move. This isn’t something to discuss here."

Ryūen: "Fine. The forest then."

Totsuka: "Be careful, Katsuragi-san. He’s unpredictable."

Katsuragi: "It’s fine, Yahiko. He won’t act recklessly here. He’s here to propose a deal."

Ryūen: "Exactly. I won’t lay a finger on him."

I brushed past the noisy Totsuka and headed into the forest with Katsuragi.

* * *

As soon as we arrived, Katsuragi spoke.

Katsuragi: "State your business."

Ryūen: "Let’s make a deal. Good for both of us."

Katsuragi: "For both of us?"

Ryūen: "Don’t act clueless. You want results to deal with Sakayanagi’s faction, right?"

Katsuragi: "There are also rumors you’re in conflict with Ayanokōji."

Ryūen: "Not hiding it. He’s just some guy resisting my rule. I’ll crush him here. What about you?"

Katsuragi: "I’ll hear your proposal first."

'If he doesn’t bite, this gets annoying. But if he does, I’ve got him.'

Ryūen: "I’ll give you supplies worth 200 points. In return, your class pays me 20,000 pp per person every month."

Katsuragi: "That benefits Class A. But how will you deal with Ayanokōji?"

Ryūen: "We’ll identify B and D’s leaders for 100 class points. The rest we enjoy. Profit all around."

Katsuragi: "What if the leader info is false?"

Ryūen: "I’ll prove it with photos. It’s a bonus anyway."

Katsuragi: "...Very well. I accept."

Katsuragi stood immediately, ready to leave.

But we weren’t done.

Ryūen: "Wait. I’ve got better info."

Katsuragi: "What?"

Ryūen: "Extra 5,000 pp per person."

Katsuragi: "...Don’t tell me."

Ryūen: "I’ll tell you Class C’s leader."

Katsuragi: "Are you serious?"

Ryūen: "With this, you gain 320 points."

Katsuragi thought, then nodded.

Katsuragi: "Fine. I accept."

Ryūen: "Sign here."

Katsuragi signed.

Ryūen: "The leader is Ayanokōji."

Katsuragi: "...So you set him up?"

Ryūen: "Exactly. He fails, I win twice."

Katsuragi: "So that’s your goal."

Ryūen: "Both are."

Katsuragi: "Good luck."

'Idiot. We’re not even fighting seriously.'

* * *

Kiyotaka POV

— Day 2, Morning —

At this point, I’ve secured four locations three times each.

To fulfill my promise with Ryūen, I need three cycles plus one extra.

'Two more updates today, one tomorrow morning. I’ll just take one from another class at night.'

As I relaxed, two students approached.

Ichinose, Class B’s leader, and another unknown student.

Ichinose: "Is Ryūen here?"

Ryūen: "What is it, Ichinose, Kanzaki?"

Kanzaki: "Don’t play dumb."

Ichinose: "Is Class C giving up?"

Ryūen: "I am. Others aren’t."

Ichinose: "Kaneda’s with us."

Ryūen: "Helping enemies?"

Ichinose: "I won’t abandon people."

Ryūen: "Too soft."

Ichinose: "We just differ."

Ryūen: "I hate effort."

'Ichinose is as kind as rumored. Not suited for competition.'

Then she spoke to me.

Ichinose: "You’re Ayanokōji, right?"

Kiyotaka: "And you’re Ichinose."

Ichinose: "What rumors have you heard?"

Kiyotaka: "Kind and a leader."

Ichinose: "I’m not that great."

Kiyotaka: "What about me?"

Ichinose: "You oppose Ryūen."

Kanzaki: "That’s too blunt."

Kiyotaka: "It’s true."

Ichinose: "Why?"

Kiyotaka: "No reason to answer."

Ichinose: "You’re hard to win over."

Kiyotaka: "Relying on others is pathetic."

Ryūen: "Heh."

Kiyotaka: "Other rumors?"

Ichinose: "Two left."

Kiyotaka: "Start with me."

Ichinose: "You’re ranked 3rd in looks."

'That again?'

Kiyotaka: "I see."

Ichinose: "And..."

Kiyotaka: "Yes?"

Ichinose: "There’s a rumor you’re dating Shiina."

Shiina flinched.

Kiyotaka: "I see."

Ichinose: "You won’t deny it?"

Kiyotaka: "That’d be rude. But it’s not true."

Ichinose: "Got it."

Kanzaki: "Let’s go."

Ichinose: "Good luck, Shiina."

Shiina: "Y-Yes."

Kanzaki: "Good luck."

Kiyotaka: "You too."

They left.

'They gave me nothing useful.'

Looking at Shiina—she was being comforted.

Shiina: "Sigh..."

Ishizaki: "Don’t worry."

Nishino: "He’s dense."

Shiina: "He is..."

Nishino: "Do your best."

Shiina: "I’m not confident..."

Ishizaki: "We support you!"

Shiina: "Thank you."

'She seems down... Was the rumor that bad?'

Heaven’s Voice: "Overcoming density is a long road. Good luck, Shiina!"