“...Ugh.”

“You’re awake?”

When I came to and opened my eyes, I was in the school nurse’s office.

My knee and right fist were wrapped in bandages.

Turning my head, I saw Chabashira-sensei looking at me with a complicated expression and beside her were Sakura in tears and Ichinose and Kanzaki wearing worried looks.

When I looked as if I needed an explanation, Chabashira-sensei sighed and spoke.

“The security team said they were unable to restrain you, so they had no choice but to use a taser gun. Still, waking up in just thirty minutes... you really are incredible.”

A taser gun... huh.

No matter what, firing a taser at a female student.

No wonder my back still feels a bit tingly.

Ever since coming to this school, I have experienced all sorts of insane things.

“The electronics store employee you beat was handed over to the outside police on charges of attempted sexual assault. As for the violence incident, Sakayanagi from Class A, who is your friend, heard about it and directly requested help from the chairman. They promised there would be no negative repercussions, so rest as much as you need and return to school at ease.”

Come to think of it, was the chairman of this school Sakayanagi’s father?

Honestly, I had no idea how I would deal with the aftermath after beating that trash, so having such strong backing was quite convenient.

More importantly, there was something else I needed to know.

Since Chabashira-sensei was here, I decided to ask.

“What happened to the deliberations? Did those guys ask for them to be cancelled?”

“As expected, this was your doing. All three of them begged on their knees for the deliberations to be cancelled. You planned all of this from the beginning, didn’t you?”

“Just as I anticipated.”

Good, then that settles it.

Having confirmed that I had completely defeated Ryūen, I could now relax without thinking about anything.

What a truly satisfying day.

I immediately got up and picked up the bag beside me.

“I will return to school normally starting tomorrow. I will see you at school in the morning.”

“A-Ayanokoji!”

As I casually turned to leave, Sakura grabbed my arm.

Her uniform sleeve was almost completely soaked from how much she had cried.

“I’m sorry... because of me, Ayanokoji got hurt... I couldn’t do anything... sob... because I’m so weak...”

Sakura was genuinely worried that something might happen to me.

Honestly, incompetent people are nauseating no matter how many times I see them.

Do they think I am on the same level as them?

Do not cry.

Do you think I fought for your sake?

I just found that trash disgusting.

What happens to an incompetent person like you is none of my concern.

“Ayanokoji is... my first friend... at this school... I’m really sorry...”

At those words, I almost felt like vomiting.

A friend?

How dare you say something like that to my face.

A friend? Me?

You spout truly revolting nonsense.

Did you not hear my self-introduction where I declared that I hate incompetent people?

Or do you have the audacity to believe that you are not incompetent?

“I’ll... I’ll become stronger from now on... I won’t run or hide anymore... I’ll become someone worthy of Ayanokoji...”

Do not say such ridiculous things.

Do you have any idea what I did just to defeat Ryūen?

To me, someone like you is nothing but...

“...When you go back to the dorms, go with Ichinose.”

Nothing more than a used chess piece.

Leaving only those words behind, I left the nurse’s office.

I do not know what expressions the people left behind made.

No, they were not worth knowing.

I was just... irritated.

* * *

As I started walking toward the dorms, someone approached from my direction.

As expected, capable people attract capable people.

“I heard what happened. You caught an attempted sexual offender on campus and handed him over to the police. You did a great thing. At the beginning of next month, in addition to your existing Private Points, a reward of one hundred thousand points from the student council will be deposited.”

“That is unexpected good news. I was running low on points, so I will gratefully use them.”

The student council president, Horikita Manabu.

There was no way he had come here just to relay this information.

“The deliberations were officially annulled at the request of Class C.”

“I told you. Sudō would definitely be declared innocent.”

“You did. Your strategy was truly ideal. However, there is something I cannot understand. What kind of magic did you use to instill such fear in their eyes?”

“How rude. A woman’s private life is not something to pry into.”

Since the deliberations were already gone, it would not be a problem to say it, but I chose not to.

If the source of that video were discovered, I would be in quite a bit of trouble too.

“Honestly, you were beyond my expectations. Simple, yet impressive.”

After thinking for a moment, the student council president looked at Tachibana-senpai beside him and spoke.

“Tachibana, there is still one secretary position vacant, correct?”

“Yes. The first-year student from Class A who applied last time failed the first interview.”

“Ayanokoji, if you wish, I can offer you the student council secretary position.”

“P-President... a-are you serious?”

“Do you have a complaint?”

“N-No... if the president says so, then I have no objection...”

Haha, this is truly unexpected.

To think that the student council president who rejected Katsuragi would choose me as a member.

He truly is a capable person in both name and reality.

He knows how to amuse me.

That said, I have no intention of joining just for such a trivial position.

“I refuse. Unless it is vice president, I have no interest in a mere secretary position.”

“Whaaat? The student council president is offering and that is your attitude?!”

“I do not think it is wrong to demand a position that matches my level. Would you not agree, President?”

The contrast between Tachibana-senpai’s stunned expression and the president’s impressed one was clear.

“I expected as much from you. We will withdraw for today. We will meet again someday, Ayanokoji. Let us go, Tachibana.”

“Y-Yes!”

Watching the two walk away, I moved to hurry back.

* * *

“Stop!”

But this time, after the older brother, it was the younger sister’s turn.

I might have paid attention if it were the capable older brother, but the incompetent younger sister is none of my concern.

I tried to ignore her and leave, but Horikita kept following me and speaking.

“What did you even do? All three from Class C came begging for the deliberations to be cancelled today. You expected this from the beginning, didn’t you? From where exactly were we dancing in the palm of your hand? This incident too, could it be... something you orchestrated from the start?”

Her trembling voice sounded like a desperate plea, hoping the answer was no.

I sighed, coldly glared at Horikita and spoke.

“Horikita, whether I orchestrated this or not, one thing is certain. This is no longer something you need to be involved in. I always tell you, do not overstep your bounds. Whatever it is, do things that match your level. Sakayanagi of Class A, Ryūen of Class C and even me. None of us are people you can deal with at your level. If you continue trying to interfere deeply in our affairs... you will be harmed before you even reach your brother’s feet. Remember this as both a warning and advice.”

Horikita must have realized that this situation was beyond her capacity.

Even so, there was only one reason she still tried to stop me.

“I can’t just stand by while innocent students are dangerously used in your battles! And I absolutely cannot ignore someone who talks about expelling classmates so casually!”

“Then limit yourself to protecting your classmates. That level suits you. Stop spouting nonsense about stopping me.”

“You and your meritocracy from the very beginning...”

Just as Horikita was about to say something, several students walked toward us.

My eyes met the man in the center.

“I admit it. This time, you won.”

“Think you can win next time?”

The king of Class C, Ryūen Kakeru.

He stood before me with Ibuki and a dark-skinned man on either side.

I did not flinch at all and stared straight at Ryūen.

“Installing cameras, that was an amusing trick.”

“Knowing you, of course I would, it'd be the best irony.”

“This match would have been my victory as long as the Class D guy was punished. That is why I did not interfere even though I knew you were creating witnesses.”

“But that mistake escalated the deliberation punishment to expulsion and perfected my plan. If your subordinate had been prepared to be expelled, I would have lost. Though someone like that would never exist.”

“It was my mistake that I could not make them prepared for expulsion.”

“And also your mistake in challenging me.”

The tension between us made the others watch with bated breath.

“I lost this time, but next time I will face you personally. Sitting still after losing is not my style. I look forward to seeing that proud face of yours weeping miserably, Aoi. And I will definitely make you mine.”

Of course this confrontation would not end here.

That is what I want as well.

Our clash was truly enjoyable.

A direct confrontation with you stepping forward personally will promise even greater entertainment.

Yes, Ryūen... we are thinking the same thing.

Therefore...

“I will look forward to it, Ryūen.”

You will later become the foundation of my strength to defeat my brother.

After saying everything he wanted, Ryūen smiled and walked away.

In the process, I caught a glimpse of Horikita’s slightly shaken expression.

It was the same look I had.

A look as if gazing at something clueless that had intruded where it did not belong.

As Ibuki and the dark-skinned man also disappeared while casting wary looks at me, only Horikita and I remained.

Well, she must have realized it from the atmosphere between Ryūen and me.

That this was not a fight she could join.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Wait. At the very least, stop dragging your classmates into this.”

“I cannot guarantee that. To begin with, those incompetent people... are none of my concern.”

“...Why are you so obsessed with meritocracy to that extent?”

This... she really is trying to touch something unnecessary.

“Listen carefully, Horikita. I do not care what you do. Hate me, try to hinder me, try to defeat me, all of that is fine. If you want, I will try my best not to drag Class D idiots into pointless matters. But there is just one thing...”

I stared at Horikita with eyes completely devoid of emotion... eyes exactly like my brother’s and delivered my final warning.

“Do not test me.”

* * *

My name is Ayanokoji Aoi... a White Room Project fourth generation student... a failure who completed the entire curriculum as runner-up and was judged unsuccessful...

To enter this Advanced Nurturing High School, I carried out an escape together with my brother.

Do you think I wanted a truly ordinary school life?

Not a chance.

What I wanted was my brother’s freedom.

At the same time, I wanted to defeat my brother.

Because of that, I cornered him and ended up taking away the freedom he so desperately desired.

I loathe myself.

I curse my mistake that trapped my brother in the White Room.

Knowing that... I feel guilt toward my brother who still gave his freedom to me.

I will definitely challenge my brother.

And I will definitely win and give him his freedom.

Yes, I will defeat my brother and then...

Become the overall director of the White Room who succeeds our father and destroy the White Room.

For that sake, incompetent friends... are unnecessary.