The one who stopped me was the incompetent person of Class D, Horikita Suzune. Already furious to the brink, I ignored her and continued on my way.

“Why did you do something like that? You really do have more information, right?”

But this incompetent woman here, completely unaware of her own standing, outright blocked my path and tried to start a conversation with me. I glared at Horikita with an expression of clear irritation.

“That’s none of your business. I’m not in the mood to talk to you, so move aside right now.”

“If you have information, the right thing to do is share it with the class immediately! Depending on how you act, the fate of Class D could change. If each person doesn’t make an effort, we won’t even make it to the starting line.”

To think that the woman who had been putting on airs until yesterday was now talking about doing things for the sake of all of Class D, it was so absurd that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Whether I make that information public is my choice. Setting aside whether I should disclose materials or not, there’s even less reason for me to help the incompetents of Class D. To me, it’s nothing more than a nuisance.”

“Then how do you explain accepting Hirata’s request this morning? I can help for the same reason.”

“It was simple pity. Think of it as a miracle that’ll never happen again. And as for an incompetent woman like you, no matter what circumstances arise, there’s neither a reason nor any value in me helping you. You were the one who said on the first day that you didn’t want to get involved with someone like me. You’re not seriously thinking I’d help you now, are you?”

At this point, she should’ve known to disappear, but it seemed she intended to settle things with me to the bitter end. Ah…… the irritation surged up, to the point where I felt like I might kill someone.

“Then I’ll tell everyone.”

“Tell them what?”

“That you had more information and still hid it and that you leaked information to Class C and betrayed the class.”

At those words, the anger that had been piling up inside me suddenly vanished. For a moment, I couldn’t understand why I should let such a stupid woman provoke me this much. I relaxed my expression and looked at Horikita with an openly mocking smile.

“Go ahead.”

“W-what… what did you say?”

“If you’re going to talk, then talk. How many people do you think will actually believe you?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’m asking how many people would seriously listen to a stuck-up, unpleasant woman who’s been blatantly ignoring anyone who tried to approach her since the first day. I heard you coldly rejected Kushida when she tried to befriend you, didn’t you? Do you think Kushida’s friends will listen to what you have to say?”

At best, the only people who might listen to Horikita, who constantly gives off an aura of isolation and pushes others away, would be Hirata or Kushida and even they’d probably have their doubts. There’s nothing unfair about it. It’s simply reaping what she sowed.

“Have you forgotten? From the very first day, you went on about meritocracy and branded the students of Class D as incompetents. On top of that, you caused trouble with Kushida and Shinohara. Even if my words lack credibility, considering your past behavior, it’s obvious people would suspect you!”

It seemed she was trying to turn the tables on me using my own past deeds, a sort of role reversal. It wasn’t a bad attempt. Against an ordinary opponent, she might have won.

But if the opponent is me, that changes everything.

“I, however, have concrete achievements that raised Class D’s class points. Of course, that alone won’t completely change how people see me, so some doubt is natural. But if I deny it outright, there’s nothing you can do.”

“You think just denying it will work!”

“Do you have physical evidence?”

At that, Horikita’s expression twisted as she remembered the SD card I had destroyed.

“In this situation, there are only three things that could lend credibility to your claim. First, the SD card I just destroyed, which had no copies. Second, my information notebook, which you will never obtain. Third, testimony from Class C students who will never cooperate with you.”

“…How can you be so sure there’s no copy?”

“Want to bet?”

If I put my mind to it, I could see through people’s psychology with certainty. There was no way I’d fail to tell whether Chabashira-sensei was lying. She truly has no copy. Which means there’s no evidence to prove my betrayal in the first place.

“…So you really have no intention of cooperating with the class?”

Horikita glared at me, her face twisted to the extreme. But with an amused expression, I drove the final nail into her anger.

“That depends on the case. If there’s merit for me, I’ll help only up to that point. Honestly, I don’t even know if incompetents are worth that much effort. And let me add this, Horikita Suzune… I’m now completely convinced that you are actually the greatest incompetent in Class D. With that attitude, no one will ever help you.”

“What did you say? Wait—don’t walk away!”

Ignoring Horikita’s scream, I continued on my way. What happens to the class points, who gets expelled, none of that concerns me anymore. As long as Shiina and I are safe, that’s enough.

I’ll survive these three years and graduate properly. Then I’ll return to the White Room and settle the unfinished match with my brother. That alone is enough… even if someone in Class D were to die.

As long as I’m alive at the end, I win.

* * *

As the first week of May was about to end, everyone in Class D sat silently, listening to the lesson. Especially the incompetents who had received failing grades were desperately doing everything they could to avoid expulsion.

But one person alone—Sudō—was boldly sleeping with his head on the desk. Even after being told how to increase points, he behaves like that… unless a miracle happens, it’s clear we won’t be seeing his face for much longer.

Well, he’s voluntarily making himself an eyesore to the class, so at least I won’t have to deal with him for a while. That’s a relief.

Even so, one person—Horikita Suzune—was glaring at me with sharp eyes while fiddling with a compass, as if she were waiting for a chance to stab me.

What an idiot. The moment she stabs me, I’ll report it as school violence and get her expelled.

I didn’t even glance at Horikita and focused on the lesson.

When the boring class ended and lunchtime arrived, I stood up to eat with Shiina. At that moment, Hirata addressed everyone.

“The midterm exam period is approaching. Everyone understands that failing means expulsion, right? And if we want to raise points, we need to increase the overall average score. So starting today, I’m recruiting participants for a study group.”

A study group to save the failing students. For a plan proposed by Hirata, who tries to lead everyone, it’s reasonably decent. That is, if you consider it charity.

If it were me, I’d take this opportunity to eliminate all the incompetents who drag the class down.

“Some of the top-scoring students and I have prepared exam countermeasures. If you’re worried, I hope you’ll join our study group. Of course, everyone is welcome.”

Hirata kindly explained while openly looking at Sudō.

“…Tch.”

Trying to take care of someone that hopeless—how generous. If it were me, I’d completely abandon Sudō. No matter what you do, a guy that uncooperative is guaranteed to fail and if he disappears on his own, planning future point increases becomes easier.

Thinking back, it all started when I rejected Hirata on the first day. I ruined the mood, but Sudō was the one who blew it up completely. There was no way our relationship could improve.

“We’ll start studying here at five today and study two hours every day until the exams. Come if you want. Leaving midway is fine too. That’s all.”

As soon as he finished speaking, several failing students rushed over to Hirata. At least they understand their position. Well, except for cases like Sudō, who has no grasp of the situation at all.

Besides Sudō, the ones not joining were Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki. Both had contributed heavily to the drop in class points along with Sudō—absolute incompetents.

Whether they’re annoyed by Sudō or by Hirata, either way it’s pathetic. With a sigh, I stood up to go meet Shiina.

“Ah, Ayanokoji, won’t you help too? If it’s Ayanokoji, who ranks first academically…”

“Too busy. Do it yourselves.”

Kushida called out to me, but I ignored her with an exhausted, irritated expression.

I’ve already done more than enough. Avoiding expulsion is entirely your responsibility now. Don’t interfere with my peaceful daily life any further.

* * *

“That concludes class.”

As soon as school ended, I prepared to leave the classroom. It was almost five and for the study group to improve efficiently, it’d be better if I disappeared quickly.

After all, first-year high school material is nothing to me. I don’t remember exactly when, but I think I finished university-level coursework around age eight.

Just as everyone was gathering to start studying and I was about to slip away quietly to enjoy my freedom—

“Which one of you is Ayanokoji Aoi?”

Someone suddenly barged into Class D looking for me. Two men. One was tall, solidly built and bald. The other looked ordinary but had arrogance plastered all over his face.

Please, not again. Who are you this time, interrupting my peaceful life?

Because of these unknown men, all eyes focused on me once more. They probably thought I’d picked another fight. Unfortunately for them, I don’t even know these guys. And this is the first bald guy I’ve seen since coming to this school.

With an exasperated sigh, I approached them, my expression sharp. The attention was seriously irritating.

“What do you want? I don’t have any bald acquaintances.”

“Brown hair, tall build, aggressive speech—there’s no doubt you’re Ayanokoji Aoi of Class D. I’m Katsuragi Kohei of Class A. I came because I have something to say to you.”

So this bald man is Katsuragi Kohei. The leader of the faction opposing Sakayanagi. As rumored, he’s a large man with a sturdy, straightforward presence. Probably slightly above Hirata in overall capability.

“I don’t know why someone from Class A with no connection to me would come here, but make it quick. I don’t want to be scolded for disrupting study activities.”

“To be direct, I know that you’re cooperating with Sakayanagi of our class. Stop immediately.”

This guy… he’s perceptive. Sakayanagi told me she’d made sure no one outside her faction could trace the source of information back to me. And yet he knows? How did he find out?

“What’s that supposed to mean? Ayanokoji cooperated with Class A?”

“Sakayanagi… isn’t she the one who got a perfect score on the pop quiz?”

“What kind of relationship do those two have?”

“I don’t understand what’s going on at all.”

To expose my relationship with Sakayanagi in front of Class D like this. How rude. I’ll have to deny it for now.

“Wait. I don’t know what this is about, but don’t pick a fight so recklessly.”

As expected, Hirata stepped in to mediate. This time, he seemed to realize I wasn’t the instigator and showed caution toward Katsuragi.

“It’s not a fight. I came to stop your Ayanokoji from getting involved with our class and doing something wrong.”

“You barge into another class and start spouting nonsense. At the very least, bring proof that I’m connected to Sakayanagi.”

“There are witnesses. On April 28th, someone from Class A saw you enter a karaoke place. Ten minutes after Sakayanagi’s group left, they saw you exit the same room. That’s solid evidence of cooperation, isn’t it?”

“How can I trust that? Shouldn’t you consider the possibility of lies?”

“They wouldn’t lie. They’re friends I trust.”

Trusting something just because they’re friends? How touching. But that also gives me a perfect opening.

“Hmph, that makes it even less believable. Since you trust them, it’s possible you told them to lie. Or perhaps this is a scheme to use me to get at Sakayanagi? For Class A elites, that’s a pretty low-level tactic.”

“What nonsense are you spewing! How dare someone like you insult Katsuragi-san!”