Time rewinds to the special classroom right after the class vote.

After sending Sakayanagi out, Tsukishiro said he had a message from that man for me.

Honestly, I had no interest in hearing it, but I prompted him to continue.

“‘I have no intention of entertaining a child’s play any longer. Return immediately,’ he says.”

“What does that man think I am? A first-year high school student is a child. What’s wrong with a child playing? I don’t understand.”

“I completely agree with the latter, but I believe you are not an ordinary child.”

When I was pinned down earlier, would it have been better to act like a weak high school boy?

Of course not.

“If someone kicked Sakayanagi’s cane and restrained you, most people would fight back. Yet you didn’t even show that intent.”

“If I retaliated, it would be recorded on camera.”

“Didn’t you consider that the cameras might not be functioning after witnessing my violence?”

“They’ve likely been replaced with dummy footage. But adjusting the timing is easy for someone in your position.”

“That’s exactly what makes you abnormal.”

Tsukishiro pointed it out with his expressionless smile.

Abnormal, huh.

I remembered talking with Chiaki at the start of the school year.

In the end, I wasn’t a normal student.

Still, I’d had a more enjoyable life than if I had been normal. That was enough.

“If I’m not normal, does that mean I can’t play as a child?”

“Personally, I don’t think so… but this is my job.”

“That must be tough, working under that man. Why not work under me instead?”

At my suggestion, Tsukishiro blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter.

Not the fake smile he’d been wearing, but genuine amusement.

“You’re an interesting child. It’s hard to believe you came from that sterile room. That one year at this school must have had great value.”

“If you let me stay two more years, I might become even more interesting.”

Even as I said it, I knew this man couldn’t be swayed so easily.

Sharp judgment, a trained body and the position of acting chairman.

On top of that, he had that man backing him.

“It is intriguing… but I will report this to your father. After I finish my job.”

“You think it’ll be that easy?”

“Yes. Through this year, you’ve gained a trace of humanity. Combined with your abnormal ability, you’re becoming a perfect being. But that also means you’ve gained a major weakness.”

As expected.

“…That one year here played a part, but the main reason you gained humanity is Matsushita Chiaki. Isn’t that right?”

“I won’t deny it.”

I didn’t have enough pieces to protect Chiaki.

“Oh? You won’t try to mislead me?”

“Whether it’s true or not, you seem convinced. There’s no point.”

“I see. Then you understand what I’m getting at?”

“No.”

“Good grief. As an educator, I’d rather not use threatening language.”

He scratched his head as if reluctant.

“If you refuse to withdraw, we will thoroughly target Matsushita Chiaki.”

So much for avoiding threatening language.

I understood what he meant, but I pressed further.

“By target, you mean expel her?”

“You already know. Your father is not a gentle man. You’ve heard directly what happened to Matsuo, your former butler.”

If I remember correctly, he was driven to the point of self-immolation.

That man would follow through.

He cornered Matsuo despite knowing I felt nothing for him.

If Chiaki is a known weakness…

While I’m here, I can protect her.

But after graduation?

And what if her family is targeted?

I can’t protect everything.

For the first time, I felt restricted.

I thought I was free from such ties.

‘Do whatever you want with Matsushita Chiaki. I won’t withdraw.’

That’s what I would’ve said before.

But that bluff wouldn’t work on him.

There’s no choice.

“…Understood. I’ll withdraw voluntarily.”

It took longer than expected to say it.

Though Tsukishiro likely didn’t notice.

“However, I have three conditions.”

“What are they? Don’t tell me to wait until near graduation.”

“It won’t take that long. If we win the next special exam, our class will rise to Class A. Wait until then.”

“That’s acceptable. It’s a clean cutoff.”

He agreed easily.

Even though the condition left room for betrayal.

“What are the other two?”

“If I withdraw, my class will be at a severe disadvantage. First, remove the penalty for voluntary withdrawal. Normally, a class would lose a large number of points.”

“I see… continue.”

“Second, we just lost Kushida in the vote. Losing me as well would be devastating.”

“So you want support?”

“Allow us to recruit a student from another class. I have someone in mind.”

Katsuragi from Class A.

He’d be furious at Sakayanagi over Yahiko’s expulsion.

He wouldn’t stay under her forever.

Ryūen would try to recruit too, but he lacked funds.

Now was the best chance.

“Very well. If you withdraw, I’ll allow it.”

…Withdrawal.

I’d need to tell Hirata and Katsuragi first.

Then Chiaki… though I left her for last.

* * *

I went to speak with that man I owed.

Manabu was visibly shocked when I told him.

“…I see. Your father’s will. What do you think?”

“I don’t want to leave. But it’s better than Chiaki or her family being targeted.”

He crossed his arms grimly.

“I didn’t come for help.”

“But I consider you a friend.”

He really was like his sister.

“You’ve gotten better at flattery.”

“It’s not flattery.”

“The reason you enjoyed school wasn’t me.”

“I know.”

He meant Chiaki.

“…You resemble your sister.”

“That’s not a compliment.”

He leaned back.

“I thought you could bring out her potential.”

“…Sorry. But she’s already starting to grow.”

“Then maybe they can manage without you.”

“They have Horikita, Hirata, Sudo and Chiaki.”

About a 20% chance.

“I’ll watch from outside.”

* * *

Two days later. Graduation day.

I sat in our Class A classroom.

“…Everyone’s here.”

Chabashira entered with a dark expression.

“You’ve risen to Class A. It’s unprecedented.”

Yet her tone remained heavy.

“Sensei, Ayanokōji isn’t here. Did he oversleep?”

She closed her eyes.

“Ayanokōji Kiyotaka has… withdrawn due to family circumstances.”

“…What?”

The classroom exploded.

“WHAT!?”

“Why!?”

I nodded when they looked at me.

“I only found out after the exam… His family is strict. His father told him to return.”

…A lie.

“I begged him not to go… but he rejected me.”

They didn’t press further.

But others did.

Sakayanagi and Ryūen entered.

“We came to speak to Matsushita Chiaki.”

Sakayanagi spoke.

“Ayanokōji left because of you, didn’t he?”

“…Because of me, huh.”

“Yes. His father holds great power. He targeted you to force him back.”

I understood.

“So he protected me by leaving.”

“Yes. You became his weakness.”

“Then I’ll say it clearly. Chiaki did nothing wrong.”

“Exactly.”

My classmates defended me.

“…Thank you.”

I faced Sakayanagi.

“I thought about it. I cried all day yesterday.”

“So you admit it?”

“Yeah. I’m the one who changed him.”

She stared at me.

“Thanks. You helped me confirm it.”

At the end, he said—our contract was over.

If I said I loved him… it would end.

“…Then I’ll move forward.”

Sakayanagi smiled.

A mix of emotions.

Ryūen laughed.

“You look like you’ve made up your mind.”

“I won’t lose.”

“Come at me.”

…Because of them, I found my resolve.