Ryūen: "From today on, I’m the king of Class C. If you’ve got a problem, come tell me after school."

At Ryūen’s declaration, the hot-blooded ones showed their anger openly.

The rest either felt anger toward him but were overcome by fear, or simply chose not to get involved.

Ishizaki: "What the hell are you saying on your own!?"

Ryūen: "Once class starts, you’ll lose points, so I’m not listening now."

Ishizaki: "Who cares about that! Better than listening to you!"

Ryūen: "I said shut up."

Thud

Ishizaki: "Guh!"

Ryūen: "If you don’t want this to happen, wait until after school."

Thanks to Ishizaki being made an example of, no one opposed him until after school, but once classes ended, the frustration that had built up all day exploded.

Ishizaki: "You sucker-punched me this morning! Come outside! I’ll pay you back!"

Ryūen: "Then if you lose to me, obey. If you’re opposing me because you don’t want to obey, then if you lose, it’s only natural you follow."

Ishizaki: "If you beat me, I’ll do what you say!"

Ishizaki and Ryūen left the classroom together.

Shiina: "What do you think will happen?"

Kiyotaka: "The match or the class?"

Shiina: "The class. I’m not interested in the match itself, but depending on the result, the class’s future will change."

Kiyotaka: "Ryūen will take control. If he crushes Ishizaki, anyone who realizes they’re below him will naturally follow. Even then, only Ibuki or Yamada might resist."

Shiina: "I think someone stepping forward is necessary, but violence isn’t a commendable method."

Kiyotaka: "Exactly. I don’t want to follow him."

Shiina: "Rather than not wanting to follow, isn’t it more accurate to say you just want to stay free? I’m the same type."

'Just as I imagined.'

Kiyotaka: "That’s right. But if we don’t show submission, we might end up like Ishizaki."

Shiina: "Wouldn’t it be enough if we simply don’t oppose him?"

Kiyotaka: "You’ll probably be fine. I’ll resist though. I don’t like being under someone."

Shiina: "Please don’t challenge Ryūen."

Kiyotaka: "I’ll just ignore any summons. He’ll probably order the top students to hold study sessions, but I won’t do it. You can do as you like."

Shiina: "...I’ll participate in the study sessions. I don’t want classmates getting expelled. Please don’t do anything dangerous."

Kiyotaka: "Don’t worry. Neither I nor the class will take a loss."

'Ryūen, on the other hand, has no such guarantee.'

I made Shiina worry, but pretended not to notice.

* * *

On Monday after the weekend, Ryūen entered the classroom with Ishizaki and Yamada, all bearing injuries in several places.

The class was shocked that even Yamada had been defeated, and by Ryūen’s overwhelming strength.

'No, judging by the difference in damage, Ryūen didn’t win through pure strength. He likely spent the whole weekend wearing Yamada down mentally until he gave up.'

As I thought that, Shiina spoke to me.

Shiina: "Ryūen’s domination is practically confirmed."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. Even Kaneda, who has academic ability equal to yours, seems to have already pledged loyalty to him."

Shiina: "Then only Ibuki remains."

Kiyotaka: "The moment Yamada submitted, it was already decided. Ibuki has no chance."

Ibuki: "How rude! If you’re my friend, at least cheer for me!"

Ibuki cut into the conversation.

Kiyotaka: "It’s not that I’m not cheering. If you win, it’d make things easier for me. I’m just saying objectively, I think you’ll lose."

Ibuki: "Ugh, so annoying! Just watch! By tomorrow, I’ll be the king!"

Kiyotaka: "Wouldn’t that make you a queen?"

Ibuki: "Stop nitpicking!"

Ibuki stormed off, but since her open declaration drew attention, it was convenient that the source of trouble left.

Shiina: "I hope she doesn’t do anything reckless..."

Kiyotaka: "If Ryūen beats up a girl one-sidedly, his reputation drops. He’ll just show the difference in strength. Unless Ibuki is stronger than I think."

Shiina: "I hope so..."

As we talked, Ryūen stepped forward and spoke.

Ryūen: "Study sessions start today. Anyone with under 50 points is forced to join. Those with 70 or above will teach, especially Kaneda, Shiina and Ayanokōji who got over 80. The rest study on your own. If you’ve got club activities, report in advance. You know what happens if you don’t listen."

Kaneda: "Leave it to me, Ryūen. I’ll ensure the class’s academic performance."

Ryūen: "I’ve got business today. Ibuki, come with me after school."

Ibuki: "I was going anyway!"

Kiyotaka: "What a pain..."

Shiina: "It can’t be helped..."

After school, I skipped the study session as planned.

* * *

The next day, as expected, I was surrounded by Ryūen and his group.

Ryūen, Ishizaki, Yamada and Ibuki.

Kiyotaka: "So you lost, Ibuki."

Ibuki: "Shut up. Why’d you skip yesterday?"

Kiyotaka: "I bet on you winning."

Ryūen: "A pointless bet. But since you still resisted even after I got Albert under me, I’ll forgive you if you kneel right now."

Kiyotaka: "Ibuki losing is irrelevant. I never intended to obey you. If you were cooperative, I’d follow, but I won’t serve a dictator."

Ryūen: "Then show that after school. If you lose, you’re my pawn."

Kiyotaka: "Pointless..."

Ryūen left after that to give orders for interfering with Class B.

Shiina: "...Are you really okay?"

Kiyotaka: "I’ll just ignore the duel too."

Shiina: "I don’t think he’ll give up that easily."

Kiyotaka: "We’ll deal with it when it happens."

As declared, I skipped the duel as well.

The next morning, Ryūen didn’t approach me, but Ibuki did.

Ibuki: "What’s your deal!? Acting all bold then running away!?"

Kiyotaka: "Did I ever say I’d respond? If I promised, I’d have an obligation. But I didn’t. This isn’t an order from a teacher or police, just a classmate."

Ibuki: "Don’t you have any pride!?"

Ryūen: "That’s enough, Ibuki. He’s not wrong. The only mistake is choosing to oppose me. Ayanokōji, from now on I’ll come to you myself."

Kiyotaka: "Suit yourself. I’m a pacifist."

Ryūen: "Your will doesn’t matter."

'As expected, everything is going according to plan. Still a hassle though.'

After school, as I tried to leave, Ryūen stopped me.

Ryūen: "Don’t go home alone, Ayanokōji."

Kiyotaka: "I wanted to go read the book Shiina recommended."

Ryūen: "Obey me and you can."

Kiyotaka: "Sigh... let’s get this over with."

I followed him.

* * *

He took me to the special building.

Ryūen: "You know there are no cameras here?"

Kiyotaka: "I’m not interested in violence, so no."

Ryūen: "Who said it’d be violence?"

Kiyotaka: "It is. I won’t bow."

Ryūen: "Then get ready!"

Kiyotaka: "...Second time. I won’t waste time."

Thud

I struck his neck and knocked him out.

Kiyotaka: "Looking forward to the third time."

I left.

The next morning, many eyes were on me.

Curiosity, ridicule, contempt, disappointment.

'Since neither of us has visible injuries, they probably think I begged for forgiveness.'

Only Shiina looked worried.

Shiina: "Are you hurt?"

Kiyotaka: "Neither of us is. I ended it before that."

Shiina: "Did you surrender?"

Kiyotaka: "I can’t answer yet. Probably tomorrow."

Shiina: "...Understood. Please don’t overdo it."

Nothing happened until after school.

Then Ryūen, Ishizaki and Yamada surrounded me again.

Kiyotaka: "So you came."

Ryūen: "Of course."

Kiyotaka: "Let’s end this today."

Ryūen: "It ends when you submit."

Kiyotaka: "No, you’ll be the one to break."

People who mocked me before were now surprised I hadn’t submitted.

Kiyotaka: "I don’t like standing out. Let’s go."

Ryūen: "Walking into your own grave?"

Kiyotaka: "Show me where it is."

Ryūen: "Grab him."

They grabbed my arms, but I easily shook them off.

Kiyotaka: "That proves it."

Ryūen: "Tch."

We moved to the special building.

* * *

As soon as we arrived, the three attacked.

I calmly dealt with them.

'I need to avoid visible injuries. I’ll aim where uniforms cover.'

I struck their stomachs and legs and quickly subdued them.

I waited for Ryūen to wake.

Kiyotaka: "You’re up."

Ryūen: "Why didn’t you go home today?"

Kiyotaka: "I said I’d end it. Let’s talk."

Ryūen: "I lost. I’ll hear you out."

Kiyotaka: "I demand not to follow your orders. That’s all."

Ryūen: "So you won’t act for the class?"

Kiyotaka: "Correct."

Ryūen: "Then no. I’ll keep coming after you."

Kiyotaka: "What do you want from me?"

Ryūen: "Not submission. Use your strength."

Kiyotaka: "I don’t want to be king. Following you is easier."

Ryūen: "I said be equal."

'Almost there.'

Kiyotaka: "Add one condition."

Ryūen: "What?"

Kiyotaka: "I’ll be a behind-the-scenes leader. Not controlling from the shadows."

Ryūen: "...So you won’t stand at the front?"

Kiyotaka: "Yes. I’ll support governance and academics."

Ryūen: "Dumping everything on me?"

Kiyotaka: "I’ll cover what you can’t. I’ll act as a buffer."

Ryūen: "Still avoiding hassle."

Kiyotaka: "Then I’ll advise in class battles. But we’re equals."

Ryūen: "You think I’ll accept?"

Kiyotaka: "It’s my right as the winner."

Ryūen: "Tch... fine."

Kiyotaka: "Tell the class."

Ryūen: "Obviously."

Kiyotaka: "Let’s go."

'This works.'

I returned, satisfied things went mostly as planned.

* * *

Afterword.

Some may feel this differs from the original, but it follows this story’s logic.

• Variety of relationships.

Hiyori and Ibuki are normal friends.

Ryūen is an equal.

Albert, Ishizaki and Kaneda are subordinates.

Others are pawns or admirers.

Other classes are kept at a distance.

Ichinose and Sakayanagi are exceptions.

Also, he’s practicing leadership to surpass his father.