The route branches from the encounter with Tsukishiro in Chapter 31.

The differences from the main story are:

Matsushita and her family were not taken hostage

Therefore Ayanokōji did not voluntarily drop out

Since Acting Chairman Tsukishiro did not provide any favors, Katsuragi remains in Sakayanagi’s class

* * *

Horikita Manabu and the others graduate and a new term begins.

As second-year students, we will once again throw ourselves into life at this Advanced Nurturing High School with renewed determination.

I have two years left.

I want to continue cherishing both my time as a student and my time with Chiaki.

Even in the second year there are no class reshuffles.

We were told this from the first year but still, not experiencing something that ordinary students naturally go through brings a slight sense of loneliness.

That said, it cannot be helped given this school’s system.

I will just accept it.

I will take it positively that I did not end up in a different class from Chiaki.

"Yo, Ayanokōji."

"Walking to school with Matsushita again huh. You two are always all over each other."

Miyake and Sudo call out to me like that.

"You two are early. Morning practice?"

"Seems like everyone in clubs is. Hirata and Onodera too."

"Wish they would at least let us rest on the opening ceremony day… well, we have to prepare for the club introduction event so it cannot be helped."

"So you are participating in the club introduction, Sudo."

"Yeah. Apparently we get a few minutes to appeal this time. Since it is in the gym we will actually be shooting. It is more nerve-wracking than a match."

"Ball sports are nice. Kyudo is considered dangerous so we cannot really do anything during the appeal time."

"That is… kind of rough. Well, if you advertise the relaxed atmosphere maybe people who fit in will join."

Clubs huh…

In the end I did not join any club.

It would probably be fun if I did but I also want to value my time with Chiaki.

A relaxed kyudo club might have been an option but standing out too much in that kind of environment would be troublesome.

Holding back my ability while participating would also feel bad toward Miyake so I decided not to join.

"The soccer club is doing juggling for their appeal."

"Hirata is participating too?"

Makes sense.

Even in a confined space like a gym, juggling does not take up much room.

Though soccer is popular enough that they would get applicants anyway… well, there are people who start in high school so it could serve as a trigger.

Also if Hirata is appealing there might be a flood of girls applying as managers.

"Sounds tough everywhere."

"I want first-years to join but I also want Ayanokōji-kun to join the soccer club. Actually that goes for basketball and kyudo too."

Both of them nod strongly.

I appreciate the sentiment but I do not want to join at the same timing as first-years.

I do not nod.

Eventually the bell rings and everyone returns to their first-year seats.

Chabashira-sensei enters.

Her face looks somewhat pleased.

Perhaps she is proud that her class has become the top-ranked one.

"Everyone is here. First, let me say this. Congratulations on being promoted to Class A."

The class erupts in excitement.

We had the closing ceremony right after the year-end special exam and then spring break.

This is the first time our class has truly transitioned into Class A.

The classroom plaque now reads ‘2-A’.

"But do not get careless. The point difference with Class B is small. It can be overturned with a single special exam. Do not forget that only those who graduate from Class A will receive the privilege."

"We know that. It is fine, we have Ayanokōji!"

Ike blurts that out and attention gathers on me.

After defeating Sakayanagi in chess it seems students across the class, no, the entire year recognize me as the most capable student.

Being relied on is not unpleasant but if it halts my classmates’ growth that is not good.

"If you rely only on me we will fall back down immediately. Only by everyone growing can we maintain Class A. No matter how good I am, the maximum I can score alone is 100 per subject. In tests that evaluate total class performance our disadvantage remains."

"Th-that is true but…"

"What matters is each individual improving. Naturally a group is stronger than an individual."

The classroom falls silent.

The leaders are Horikita and Hirata but since I have produced the most results no one can easily argue against me.

Not a good tendency.

"Sorry, I did not mean to lecture. What I meant is that thinking we reached Class A because of me alone is wrong. We achieved it together. Maintaining it is also something we all do. Everyone is different from a year ago. Right?"

"Kiyotaka-kun always praises everyone when it is just the two of us. Like how Sudo’s test scores improved or how Yamauchi paid attention in class today."

"Chiaki, you did not need to say that."

"Okay."

She says that but gives a thumbs-up inside.

Nice assist, Chiaki.

Sudo and Yamauchi look embarrassed after being mentioned.

"…Now that awareness has improved, I will continue. There are no particular announcements today. As explained before textbooks will be digitized. No issues with setup?"

No one raises their voice.

"Good. Then the remaining topic is ‘seat rearrangement’."

What…

I almost stand up.

We could not experience class reshuffling but seat rearrangement, so that exists.

I see.

Even among classmates, those seated nearby interact more.

At the start of enrollment Horikita, who was a loner, only talked to me because I sat next to her.

By shuffling seats they aim to deepen relationships among different classmates.

Then should I distance myself from those I am close to?

But I want to avoid being too far from Chiaki.

Ideally I would sit next to her.

"Sensei, how are seats decided?"

"I will leave it to your autonomy. However, if you wish you may secure a seat with private points."

I see, a system unique to this school.

But using private points, which function like money, to buy a seat…

Some students get excited but one person clearly objects.

"Everyone, it would be wasteful to use private points for something like this. Ultimately it is up to individuals but let us decide through discussion as much as possible."

Horikita, who has grown further after parting with her brother over spring break and cut her long hair short, proposes that.

She is right.

Private points are needed for daily life and are crucial for special exams.

They should not be wasted carelessly.

The classmates have also grown.

No one recklessly asserts opinions and even Yamauchi only raises his hand desperately to show he wants to speak.

"Thank you everyone. Then let us hear opinions about seat arrangement in order."

"In order? How?"

"Alphabetical order is fine. Do not worry, earlier opinions will not automatically be accepted."

No objections arise.

Ike likely stays quiet because alphabetical order puts him early.

Yamauchi’s protests are like cicadas so no one cares.

Starting with me then.

"My preference is—"

"Matsushita’s seat, right?"

Almost the entire class interrupts.

So much for no one being able to oppose me.

My wish is granted and I end up seated next to Chiaki.

* * *

After school I remain in the classroom observing Chiaki and Horikita due to something on my mind.

No movement.

I could prompt them but I interfered quite a bit in the first year.

I already brought them to Class A so now supporting from the shadows should be enough.

Depending on circumstances that may not hold.

At this stage I do not intend to point out things they themselves have not noticed.

"Kiyotaka-kun, is something wrong?"

"No, nothing."

"That does not look like nothing."

Chiaki pokes my cheek from the seat beside me.

Sharp.

But I do not intend to tell her so I reply "It is nothing."

"You are hiding something… hmm."

Chiaki places a hand on her chin and thinks.

My attitude itself has become a hint but that is acceptable.

"Kiyotaka-kun said you would hold back on working behind the scenes in special exams in the second year… so if you are hesitating it is something related to special exams? But there has been no notice from Chabashira-sensei."

She murmurs her thoughts quietly.

Speaking things out helps organize thinking.

"…No notice?"

Her eyebrow twitches.

She got it.

"I see. Right. That is strange."

Chiaki nods to herself and calls Horikita and Hirata.

The class leaders gather.

They ask what is wrong.

"No, nothing happened. But does that not feel strange?"

"What do you mean?"

"Try remembering one year ago. How were we back then?"

"How… I would rather not remember but it was terrible."

Horikita says with a pained expression.

With her reconciliation with her brother her past self is likely a dark history.

Hirata gives a wry smile.

With class relations now good his mental burden is minimal.

He even looks better.

They recall how terrible things were.

"Our class attitude was bad and we were disorganized."

"We started with zero class points. Thanks to someone we recovered but it truly was rock bottom."

I will not deny my role in the uninhabited island exam.

"Yes, rock bottom, zero points. Of course our attitude was the issue but another cause was not understanding the S-system. We lost points because no one told us about it. Right?"

"Ah…"

Now Horikita and Hirata understand.

"There was a gag order on upperclassmen regarding the S-system last year. Otherwise information would have spread."

"And yet first-years have already enrolled this year and that has not happened."

Hirata’s words make Chiaki nod.

"Meaning first-years likely already know about the S-system."

"…How enviable. If points are equal and they know how to avoid losing them they will have many chances to recover. Class rankings may fluctuate quickly."

"Instead the competition may become even fiercer."

"Since classes are still assigned by ability Class A likely has the advantage but lower classes still have chances."

If first-years know the S-system no class will lose points drastically.

But Chiaki’s point goes further.

"Why were first-years told about the S-system this year? It is just a guess but maybe a large-scale special exam involving the whole school including first-years is coming."

"If they are explaining point increases and decreases they cannot hide the S-system."

"Of course it is possible the school policy changed with the new chairman but it is better to assume this."

She is right.

If it is unnecessary worry then it becomes a joke.

Predicting possibilities and preparing is what matters.

"Considering exams like the sports festival or mixed training camp we may need to cooperate with first-years."

"It would be advantageous to build connections with capable students early. Hirata-kun, can you inform the club members?"

"Of course. Clubs make it easier to connect with juniors."

Hirata is in the soccer club and good with people.

He will quickly become a respected senior.

Sudo… might be strict if left alone.

Miyake and Onodera as well.

If they are told beforehand to get along with juniors things will proceed smoothly.

Thanks to Chiaki’s idea, Class A has taken a step ahead for the next special exam.

As expected of my girlfriend.