The next day, May 8th (Friday), I went to school earlier than usual and was talking with Shiina.

Shiina: "...What happened?"

Kiyotaka: "The time I get to spend with you has been reduced a little."

Shiina: "That’s not what I meant! Well... I am a bit sad about that too..."

Kiyotaka: "I ended up in a rather busy position."

Shiina: "Did you become the leader?"

Kiyotaka: "I didn’t replace Ryūen. I just gained various rights as an equal."

Shiina: "Didn’t you say you didn’t want to deal with troublesome things?"

Kiyotaka: "That hasn’t changed. I just decided it was necessary for me and the class."

Shiina: "Is it because having a position draws less suspicion than simply asserting your freedom?"

'She’s sharp, as expected.'

Kiyotaka: "That’s part of it. But if I hold equal authority, I can also protect you and Ibuki from being overworked by Ryūen, or take you away and give you freedom."

Shiina: "Thank you. But I’m surprised Ryūen agreed to that."

Kiyotaka: "The privilege of the victor and negotiation skills. If I had demanded complete freedom from the start, he would’ve rejected it. So I structured it so everything afterward looked like my concession."

Shiina: "I won’t ask what kind of victory it was."

Kiyotaka: "Please don’t. I don’t want to talk about that. Anyway, others will arrive soon, so let’s end this. Ryūen will announce it."

Shiina: "Understood."

We began reading as if nothing had happened, waiting for the class to gather.

Once everyone arrived, Ryūen and I stood at the front.

Ryūen: "From today on, this guy stands equal with me. Follow his orders too."

Kiyotaka: "Ryūen, that explanation is lacking..."

Ryūen: "Then explain it yourself."

Reluctantly, I spoke.

Kiyotaka: "Over the past three days, I challenged Ryūen and earned this position. But I don’t intend to rule. I just thought someone needed to stop him if his methods harmed the class. If you have complaints about his approach, come to me."

Ibuki: "You beat Ryūen!?"

Kiyotaka: "You could say that."

Ishizaki: "He’s seriously strong! I was knocked out before I even realized it!"

Kiyotaka: "Ishizaki, I intend to stay hidden from other classes, so drop the honorifics."

Ishizaki: "Why hide!?"

Kiyotaka: "By staying in Ryūen’s shadow, I can reduce enemy awareness. Treat me like a normal classmate."

Ryūen: "Don’t screw it up and leak it."

And so, I became a co-leader alongside Ryūen.

* * *

After school, the study sessions restarted due to changes in the test scope, and I joined as well.

Kaneda: "Ayanokōji, what is your strongest subject?"

Kiyotaka: "I’m an all-rounder. If anything, Japanese."

Kaneda: "Understood. Please assist where you see fit."

Kiyotaka: "Leave it to me."

Ishizaki: "Ayanokōji! Help me!"

Kiyotaka: "What can’t you do?"

Ishizaki: "It’d be faster to find what I can!"

Kiyotaka: "...Seriously?"

Ishizaki: "Are you mocking me!?"

Kiyotaka: "Kaneda, I’ll handle Ishizaki."

Kaneda: "Understood."

I focused on Ishizaki’s studies, and to put it mildly... it was disastrous.

Kiyotaka: "...You’ve made it this far somehow."

Ishizaki: "Right!?"

Kiyotaka: "That’s not what I meant..."

'Ryūen, managing academics is harder than running the class...'

Suppressing a sigh, I continued teaching.

* * *

That night, I expected to sleep well from exhaustion, but couldn’t, so I went to buy a drink.

The elevator was on the 7th floor.

'Going out this late? Or maybe the same as me.'

Curious, I pretended to board and observed a female student.

'She’s going out... I’ll follow.'

She was talking with a man.

Female student: "...Brother... I..."

Man: "...You lack both the ability and qualification to aim higher."

'This is bad.'

I intervened and grabbed the man’s arm, the student council president Horikita Manabu.

Horikita Manabu 'hereafter President': "Who are you?"

Horikita Suzune 'hereafter Horikita': "You... who are you?"

Kiyotaka: "You were about to throw her. Being siblings doesn’t excuse that."

President: "Eavesdropping isn’t commendable."

Kiyotaka: "Let go."

President: "You first."

Horikita: "...Stop."

At her request, I let go, and he immediately attacked.

I dodged and avoided the follow-up kick.

Kiyotaka: "That was close!"

President: "Nice movement. Did you train?"

Kiyotaka: "Piano and calligraphy."

President: "You’re from Class D?"

Kiyotaka: "No, Class C."

Silence fell briefly.

President: "That’s why Suzune didn’t notice you."

Kiyotaka: "I just stepped in. Helping people contributes to society."

President: "Then join the student council."

Kiyotaka: "No thanks."

President: "...I see."

He left, saying to the girl, "If you want to rise, struggle desperately."

As I left, Horikita stopped me.

Horikita: "Did you hear everything?"

Kiyotaka: "Half coincidence."

Horikita: "I already dislike you."

Kiyotaka: "Sorry. Want advice?"

Horikita: "Why would I?"

Kiyotaka: "From someone your brother noticed."

Horikita: "...I’ll listen."

Kiyotaka: "For the midterm, choose selection or salvation. What you discard won’t return."

I left.

* * *

A week later, Ryūen received news.

Ryūen: "Class D studied outside the scope?"

Kiyotaka: "Let it go. It’s useful information."

Ryūen: "Unless it benefits them more."

Kiyotaka: "No. It reveals the school’s intent. I’ll handle it."

Ryūen: "Show me."

That weekend, I discussed books with Shiina and prepared conditions.

On Monday lunch, I approached a third-year.

Kiyotaka: "I want past exam papers."

3-D Boy: "...Price?"

Kiyotaka: "10,000 points."

3-D Boy: "Need 30,000."

Kiyotaka: "I’m short on points."

I showed my balance.

3-D Boy: "...15,000."

Kiyotaka: "Fine. Include quiz papers."

3-D Boy: "Got it."

I obtained the past exams.

* * *

Two days before the test.

Kiyotaka: "Shiina."

Shiina: "Yes?"

Kiyotaka: "Do you think expulsions are good?"

Shiina: "For me?"

Kiyotaka: "Yes."

Shiina: "I want everyone to graduate."

Kiyotaka: "...I see."

Shiina: "You have an idea?"

Kiyotaka: "Maybe."

Shiina: "Please do it."

Kiyotaka: "...Alright."

'I’ve decided.'

That night, I met Horikita.

Kiyotaka: "You chose salvation."

Horikita: "Yes."

Kiyotaka: "Take this."

Horikita: "This is..."

Kiyotaka: "Past exams. Same questions every year."

Horikita: "Why?"

Kiyotaka: "To prevent expulsions. And gain a favor."

Horikita: "...I’ll accept."

Kiyotaka: "Aim for 50 averages."

Horikita: "...You’re capable."

Kiyotaka: "We’ll talk after the results."

We exchanged contacts.

The next day, I distributed them, and Class C passed the exam safely.