“It looks like our opponent will be Class A.”

“Yes, just as planned. Though I suppose that applies to every class.”

“That’s right. You’ve read the situation well.”

“…To think you’d praise me so directly. Is it going to start raining spears?”

“Hey. I’m the type who motivates people through praise.”

“I see. Then you should praise me even more.”

Horikita lowered her gaze to the notebook where she had written down strategies.

But I didn’t miss the slight curve of her lips.

It seemed she was happy to be praised.

She really isn’t honest.

It’s natural that we, who would be promoted if we beat Class A, would aim for them in this exam.

And Sakayanagi also wants a direct match against me.

Even if her class opposed it, she’d force it through.

Maybe she thinks she can widen the gap with a decisive victory here.

Ichinose’s class would likely aim for Ryūen’s class—the one they have the best chance against.

They’ve been on a losing streak lately and haven’t caught momentum.

They’d want a win here, even against a lower-ranked class.

Ryūen’s class also doesn’t yet have the strength to face us or Sakayanagi head-on.

They’d probably want to test whether their newly formed structure from the class vote can stand up against a more standard strategy like Ichinose’s class.

Each class’s intentions aligned.

This matchup was practically inevitable.

As I was discussing this with Horikita, the classroom door opened.

“Good morning, everyone.”

A voice echoed through the room.

It was Hirata.

There was no trace of the dejected look he had after Kushida’s expulsion.

Instead, he wore a serious expression—the eyes of someone about to face a class battle.

“G-Good morning, Hirata!”

“Morning!”

Students gathered around him regardless of gender.

The man who had held the class together with kindness and ability had a different level of trust.

After he finished talking with everyone, I approached him.

“Ayanokōji-kun.”

“Hirata. I’m sorry.”

I said that.

As expected, he shook his head.

“It’s not your fault. Someone had to be expelled in that exam.”

“That may be true. But I’m apologizing for using your kindness. What I did was something you couldn’t accept, yet I used our friendship to keep you from speaking out.”

“That was my own choice. The one at fault is me. I lacked resolve.”

Hirata clenched his fist, renewing his determination.

“I should have secured more points so no one would be expelled. If Kushida was going to betray us, I should have faced her and tried to change that… Even if a similar exam comes again, I won’t let anyone be eliminated.”

Those words carried firm resolve.

Changing Kushida would have been extremely difficult, but his eyes made it feel possible.

When I looked at Chiaki, she pointed at Kei.

Kei grinned and flashed a peace sign.

It seemed I didn’t need to interfere.

Everyone had grown a lot over this past year.

“With you as you are now, you’ll be able to lead everyone even better.”

“Thank you. Sorry for worrying you.”

“No, I wasn’t that worried. I knew you’d recover.”

More precisely, if he hadn’t, I would have forced him to.

But that would have risked our relationship.

I should thank Kei.

“Ayanokōji-kun…”

We shook hands.

Kushida was gone, but now the class was back on track.

With 39 people, we would face the final special exam.

“Horikita-san, I’m counting on you again.”

“Yes. It’s reassuring to have you back.”

“…You’ve really changed too. Is it Ayanokōji-kun’s influence?”

“Who knows… though there’s no point pretending otherwise. He’s an excellent student. There’s much to learn from him.”

She thought she was whispering, but I could hear her.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, I left things to her leadership.

“Everyone, thank you for submitting your strengths. Some weren’t selected, but don’t be discouraged. Those skills will surely be useful in the future—and for your own growth as well.”

The ten selected events were as follows:

Chinese Test

Basketball

Kyūdō

Typing Skills

Beach Volleyball

Swimming

Soccer

Piano

100-Meter Sprint

Sewing

The top five would be used in the actual exam.

The Chinese Test involved six participants, with the highest scorer determining victory.

With Wang, a Chinese exchange student, this was practically a guaranteed win if selected.

Basketball required five players and one substitute.

With Sudō and Makita—who had strong potential—this was another likely win.

Kyūdō had three participants, with the highest score deciding the result.

A heavy responsibility for Miyake.

Typing was a solo event.

Sotomura—the “Professor”—would handle it.

Beach volleyball required two players.

Difficult, but equal conditions for both sides.

We also had to prepare for Class A’s chosen events.

Whether to use key players like Sudō and Wang immediately or save them was a strategic decision.

Even holding back a guaranteed win could be a viable strategy.

This was where Horikita’s skill would be tested.

I had only one request—

If Sakayanagi chose chess, I should be saved for the final event.

Even if chess wasn’t selected, I could likely win most individual events.

Still, unfamiliar events could lead to defeat.

I should at least practice if needed.

…No, before that, there was something else.

* * *

“Chiaki, thanks for the chocolates on Valentine’s Day.”

I handed her homemade cookies.

We sat together on a bench in the courtyard.

At this point, no one paid much attention to us anymore.

…Though sometimes people clicked their tongues as they passed.

“Wow, thank you Kiyotaka-kun. You made these?”

“Yeah. It was pretty fun.”

“You really can do anything.”

“No, I just followed a recipe. Anyone could make the same thing.”

“Not everyone can. And these have your feelings in them, so they won’t taste the same.”

…Is that how it works?

She opened the bag and took a bite.

“Delicious!”

“Glad you like them.”

“Didn’t you taste them yourself?”

“Is that normal?”

“Usually. But these are great… here, ahh.”

She fed me one.

Crispy. Sweet.

“Delicious. The maker’s a genius.”

“Hey now.”

She poked my side.

“But seriously, is there anything you’re bad at?”

“…Creative work, maybe. I can copy things, but creating something original is difficult.”

In fact, impossible.

“Well, that won’t come up in exams. Art is hard to grade anyway.”

“I’ll work on that then, to support you.”

“That’s not necessary.”

I didn’t want her growth to revolve around me.

She nodded after a moment.

“Chiaki, are you okay after those rumors?”

“Yeah. Just a bit distant with Shinohara, but nothing major.”

“I see. If anything happens, tell me.”

“…You’re extra protective today.”

“My girlfriend was slandered. It’s natural.”

She smiled.

“You handled it already.”

“You noticed?”

“You’re kind, as always.”

By spreading rumors about others, I both countered Kushida and prevented Chiaki’s rumor from spreading further.

“Well, some of it was partly true… I should’ve handled it better.”

“It’s best not to make enemies in the class. You never know when another vote will happen.”

“…Yeah. You’re right.”

She looked down.

Maybe I sounded too harsh.

We continued chatting casually.

Then—

“Hello, Ayanokōji-kun. And you must be his girlfriend.”

Tsukishiro approached.

I nodded and quietly told Chiaki he was the acting chairman.

“Hello. I’m Matsushita Chiaki from Class B.”

“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard about you.”

“Ah… thank you…”

She seemed uncomfortable.

Good instincts.

“He helped me when I got lost.”

“You ended up in a special classroom while looking for the staff room?”

“Haha, you’re sharp.”

He didn’t react violently here.

As expected.

“You’re preparing for the next exam?”

“More or less.”

“More or less? You’ll reach Class A if you win, right?”

He asked theatrically.

“You’re very informed.”

“It’s my job. Your class started at D, correct? Reaching A would be unprecedented.”

He laughed.

Chiaki looked uneasy.

“Please do your best.”

“We will.”

“Oh, we’re renovating Keyaki Mall. Any suggestions?”

“A new café would be nice. Maybe Starbucks.”

“…An animal café.”

I didn’t care, but saying nothing wasn’t ideal.

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

He turned to leave.

Our eyes met briefly.

“…He’s kind of suspicious.”

“I agree.”

“Did you really just meet him by chance?”

Sharp.

“Yeah. Ask Sakayanagi if you’re curious.”

“That’s not easy…”

“You might have better luck than you think.”

Sakayanagi had shown interest in her before.

…Sakayanagi.

I didn’t fully know her abilities.

But she had said she would destroy me.

And she wanted a chess match.

This was the perfect chance.

There’s no way she wouldn’t challenge me.

The question is—

Can Sakayanagi really defeat me?