Ryūen-kun and Horikita-san joined the student council.

The rumor spread across the entire school in no time and especially because Ryūen-kun joining the student council didn’t suit his image at all, it caused quite a bit of confusion but...

The boyfriend in front of me just listened to my report with his usual expressionless face.

In Kiyotaka-kun’s room, where I had practically started hanging out all the time, I began interrogating him.

“Kiyotaka-kun, you knew, didn’t you?”

“...So you figured it out.”

Compared to him, I have a wider circle of friends and I usually hear about rumors like this faster.

And yet he heard about it before me which means he was involved.

...I don’t plan on prying into his background but he has a bit too many secrets.

“It’s fine to be secretive but if you overdo it, I might start suspecting you of cheating.”

“That would be a problem. Fine, I’ll confess.”

I know he wouldn’t cheat but when I threatened him like that, he gave in.

Apparently, during the mixed training camp earlier this year, he had already recommended Ryūen-kun for the student council.

For someone like Ryūen who prioritizes private points, the student council which can influence exam rules is extremely attractive.

It’s like helping the enemy but I won’t interfere with Kiyotaka-kun’s policies.

I think he’s considering our growth.

However, letting Ryūen create rules that only benefit him could put our class at a disadvantage.

Ichinose-san might act as a buffer but if she ever joins hands with Ryūen, there would be no stopper.

So he had Horikita-san join the student council.

Her role is to monitor Ryūen and report back to Kiyotaka-kun.

Her older brother was the former student council president and she herself was willing to step into the same world.

He also said it would be good for her to hone her political maneuvering against Nagumo, Ryūen and Ichinose.

On top of that, he’s also keeping an eye on Nagumo.

Thorough as always.

“So is that everything you’ve been hiding?”

“Also, I’ll be competing with the student council president in the next exam. If I lose, I join the council as secretary.”

“Was that initiated by him?”

“Yeah. Nagumo likes competition. Now that Manabu... Horikita’s brother graduated, he’s set his sights on me.”

He said that with an annoyed expression.

He really hates it that much.

“Okay. I’ll help you in the exam.”

“No need. Losing isn’t a big deal. There’s also the bounty. I’ll probably end up supporting you more.”

“I see... then is there anything I can do?”

“Then... if I join the student council, come with me. I don’t want to spend less time together.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

He sounded unexpectedly cute.

“If that’s all, then sure. As long as Nagumo allows it.”

“I’ll make him allow it if I have to. Worst case I’ll swap someone out like Horikita, Ryūen or Ichinose.”

“That’s terrible!?”

Ryūen and Ichinose are enemies but Horikita is our classmate and joined because of his order.

“Forcing others out just so we can both join... people will think we’re ridiculous as a couple. Don’t go that far.”

“...It was a joke.”

No, last time it wasn’t.

My boyfriend loves me way too much.

Though I’m the same.

“Nothing else you’re hiding, right?”

“Nothing besides my family matters.”

“...Hmm?”

It’s not a lie but it’s not exactly the full truth either.

Well, everyone has things they don’t want known.

I’ll let it slide.

“The next exam is going to be tough. Koenji, the president, the bounty…”

“It won’t be simple. But I do have some countermeasures for Koenji and Nagumo.”

“Really?”

I asked without thinking.

Even though the exam details aren’t finalized yet, he already has strategies?

I want to figure it out myself.

He seemed to notice that and just watched me with his chin resting on his hand.

“Hmm... countermeasures. Stopping Koenji from taking first seems easiest... maybe make Nagumo aim for first to block him?”

“You’re on the right track. But Nagumo would aim for first anyway.”

“Yeah... true.”

“He’s capable but Koenji is still an unknown. That alone might not be enough. And if Nagumo wins, I join the council.”

“Then you compete for rankings... no, that’s not it... use a proxy and support them?”

That felt close.

He nodded.

“When I asked if I could help, your reaction was weak so it’s not our group. Then Horikita or Hirata... no...”

That’s not enough.

“...Second-years from other classes?”

“Almost there.”

Almost means something more.

“...To beat Nagumo and reduce risk if another class wins...”

“...Ah, have Classes B, C and D form an alliance?”

“Correct.”

He nodded in satisfaction.

To counter Nagumo’s control over third-years, second-years must unite.

And if they win together, class points are split.

Around 100 per class.

Private points around 2 to 3 million.

Even with a protect point, it’s manageable.

“If we support them, we can overturn the balance. Third-year Class B also opposes Nagumo.”

“And it benefits them too.”

Back in first year, we won a lot.

We weren’t targeted because Sakayanagi’s class always held Class A.

Now we’re the target.

Since cross-class cooperation is allowed, a B-D alliance makes perfect sense.

“Even if we don’t intervene, they might form alliances anyway. But unlike Nagumo, we can approach them.”

“Would they cooperate though?”

“Normally no. But it’s a temporary alliance. If two classes agree, it works.”

...I see.

He’s scary.

“Nagumo thinks he’s invincible. He’ll also be dealing with Koenji, Kiryūin-senpai and first-years. That creates openings... maybe.”

Even if not, he’ll just accept joining the council.

He took a sip of coffee.

I immediately messaged Horikita to arrange negotiations.

“...Tomorrow after school.”

* * *

After school the next day, Horikita and I went to Class D.

“Hello, Ryūen-kun.”

“I’ve got student council business.”

“Come on, don’t forget who’s here. Horikita is also in the council.”

“You don’t have work. Come with us.”

He clicked his tongue and followed us.

We sat at a bench.

“What do you want? Your fake smile is annoying.”

“That’s harsh... We’re offering to cooperate so your alliance can take first.”

“Oh? You’ve gotten arrogant.”

That stung.

But I kept my composure.

“You’re aiming for first, right?”

“No reason to tell you. But interesting wording.”

He noticed.

“Sharp as always.”

“So you’re not aiming for first. Ayanokōji’s idea?”

“Of course you’d say that.”

Horikita snapped.

Same as always.

But he admitted the alliance.

“Hey, Horikita... oh, Ryūen and Matsushita too?”

Ichinose joined us.

“Talking about the exam?”

“Yes. We want to support your alliance. In return, we want compensation.”

Ichinose glanced at Ryūen.

“Just a guess about the alliance.”

“Impressive... but one class can’t beat an alliance. So you want compensation.”

We nodded.

She hesitated.

“Don’t sugarcoat it, Ichinose. Helping Class A defeats the purpose.”

Ryūen said it for her.

“That’s true. But to beat Nagumo, you need us too. Fighting both A and Nagumo is tough.”

“Threatening, huh.”

“Not really. There’s no reason to hold back against non-allies.”

“Fine. What’s your condition?”

“Four Ride-Along cards.”

He frowned.

Ride-Along cards are extremely valuable.

Each could yield about 1 million private points.

We’re asking for 4 million worth.

Naturally, he reacted.

“Greedy.”

“Same to you. You’ve already decided, right?”

“I’ll confirm with Ichinose. What do you think?”

“I agree but... Sakayanagi is the key.”

They understood.

We want one card each from them and two from Sakayanagi.

“Sakayanagi could rise to Class A. You want to weaken her.”

“You too. The alliance exists to defeat us.”

“We still get class points. And you likely have 8 cards, not 7.”

Their classes haven’t had expulsions.

“Plus rewards from Bonus cards.”

“True... no disadvantage.”

“If only Sakayanagi loses, I’m fine with it. But that’s not enough.”

Then Ryūen added:

“Hand over Ayanokōji’s Trial card.”

...As expected.

Refusing would expose our plan.

If Kiyotaka secretly places high, Trial boosts class points significantly.

We can’t refuse.

“Fine. But exchange it. Three Halve cards.”

“Deal.”

Negotiations succeeded.

Ichinose looked uneasy.

“What about Sakayanagi?”

“No problem. If she refuses, the alliance collapses and she loses face.”

Exactly.

We forced the burden onto her class.

And we had already planned to give up Trial.

Kiyotaka wasn’t aiming for high rank anyway.

Better to use it as leverage.

...As expected of him.

Thus, the second-year alliance was formed.

Other years were preparing as well.

And as summer began, the luxury cruise ship carrying us set sail toward the island.