The wrap-up party on the final day of summer vacation had ended, and on the first day of the second semester, I stepped into the classroom that had become Class B.

As an aside, there were two reasons for choosing the final day for the party. One was to make everyone conscious of having risen to Class B and to tighten their focus. The other was to eliminate the opportunity for the girls' locker room voyeurism incident to occur.

If Ken and I don't side with the perpetrators, there's a chance the plan falls apart due to lack of manpower. But idiots will be idiots no matter what, so I cut off the possibility at the root by ensuring the targeted girls never go to the pool in the first place.

'I don't want to think they'd pull something like that even after becoming Class B, but these guys exceed expectations in a bad way...'

As I sat in my seat by the window, my girlfriends gathered around me one after another.

Yuki: "Kiyotaka, morning!"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, morning."

Yuki: "Why did you suddenly say you wanted to come to school alone?"

Kei: "Ah, I was curious about that too. You said it was just because it was the first day, but there's definitely something more, right?"

Kiyotaka: "Simply because there were too many invitations, and I could clearly see that no matter who I chose, it would cause friction."

Yuki, Kei: "Ah~ that makes sense."

Suzune: "A wise decision."

Kiyotaka: "You were one of the ones inviting me."

Suzune: "Does that change anything?"

Kiyotaka: "You..."

Seeing me chatting intimately with the girls, the lower-caste boys were glaring at me. Come to think of it, it's been over a month since I've experienced these looks. What's a little different from before is that, after the uninhabited island exam, there's now a segment that thinks, "Well, if it's him, it can't be helped."

As I was thinking about such things, Chabashira entered the room and began morning homeroom.

Chabashira: "The points allotted to you have exceeded 100,000, and starting today, you are Class B. I'd like to say well done, but there are still areas where you are immature as students. Be conscious of this and behave with the awareness befitting an upper class."

Ike: "We know, Sae-chan-sensei!"

Chabashira: "Ike, that's exactly the sort of thing I'm pointing out."

Everyone: "Ahahaha..."

As always, Ike fooled around, and laughter erupted from the class. After that, we first collected summer assignments and then held the opening ceremony.

* * *

After the opening ceremony, Chabashira explained the sports festival. For me, there was nothing particularly new. The only change was that my assigned team became the White Team, the same as Honami's class. But knowing the rules for the team divisions, even that was something I had factored in.

After homeroom, Chabashira told us we could use the remaining time as we pleased, so I stood at the front of the class.

Kiyotaka: "If we're on the same team as Class C, it's easier to coordinate. This time, I'm thinking of fully cooperating with Class C. Any objections?"

Hirata: "It's not an objection, but what specifically are we cooperating on?"

Kiyotaka: "Later, we'll conduct physical fitness tests. I'm thinking of jointly creating participation lists with the other class so our main players don't end up taking each other out. Class C is cohesive, so there's less worry about leaks to other classes, and it'll be easier to aim for one-two finishes. Also, joint practice will allow us to train for events involving large numbers of people."

Hirata: "Sounds good to me. What does everyone else think?"

Ken: "I'm for it! It might mean fewer chances to fight strong opponents, but I don't wanna crush my own allies!"

Ike: "It's fine for guys like Ken who are good at sports, but think about those of us who aren't!"

Those with above-average athletic ability and those with leeway in test scores were in favor, while those like Ike and Yamauchi, who had neither, seemed opposed. They're probably afraid of ending up in the bottom ten overall.

Kiyotaka: "Regarding the 1,000-point penalty for coming in last, I, who proposed this policy, will take responsibility and pay it. However, this only applies if certain conditions are met. And among the bottom ten overall, two spots will likely be taken by Rokusuke, who slacks off in almost every event, and Arisu, who can't participate due to her chronic condition. That leaves eight remaining spots. For anyone who does end up in those spots, I will raise their scores through supplementary lessons. In the first place, since it's a joint event across all three school years, it's possible no one from our class will even place there. There's no need to be so anxious."

Ike: "What are these conditions?"

Kiyotaka: "They apply only to those who, until the sports festival, complete the physical improvement menu I create based on the fitness tests, and who do not miss any events on the day of the festival. I'm not so generous as to spend my own pocket money on those who don't make an effort."

Ike: "But some people might not be able to keep up with a menu you come up with."

Kiyotaka: "I'm not taking an average; I'll create a menu tailored to each individual. It won't be my arbitrary decision. I plan to seek opinions from both male and female perspectives—people like Hirata, Ken, and Onodera—to ensure objectivity."

Ike: "Well, if that's the case..."

Some still looked anxious, but with Ike, who had been the primary voice of opposition, showing acceptance, and with everyone thinking it was best not to prolong the discussion, the matter was settled...

Or so I thought, until our saint, Hirata, made his appearance.

Hirata: "Ayanokoji-kun, that's not right."

Kiyotaka: "What's not right?"

Hirata: "The part where you're planning to pay for it all by yourself."

Kiyotaka: "It's not a problem. Working in the student council gives me many opportunities to earn points. Even excluding class savings, I possess the most points in this class."

Hirata: "I'd like to say I'll pay too, but I suppose this is your way of taking responsibility. Understood. I'll follow the leader."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, thanks."

After that, the discussion naturally led to the decision that students with high athletic ability would be prioritized for recommended events.

Kiyotaka: "After this, I have the vice president appointment ceremony. So, I'd like to send Yuki and Hirata as my representatives to request cooperation from Class C. Since Honami will also be absent for the same reason, having substitutes shouldn't be an issue. Kanzaki will likely be the one to talk to. Of course, I'll go myself tomorrow to either greet them or negotiate directly."

Hirata: "Understood."

Yuki: "Got it."

Hirata: "I'm curious. Who in the world is becoming vice president at this time of year?"

Kiyotaka: "Me."

When I said that, a stir ran through the class.

Shinohara: "Is our leader really that amazing?"

Kei: "Of course Kiyotaka is amazing!"

Ike: "Seriously, that guy?"

Yamauchi: "Didn't he use bribes or something?"

Ken: "Even if he could receive them, there's no way a first-year has that kind of points. Besides, Kiyotaka's awesomeness was proven on the uninhabited island."

Yamauchi: "Maybe that's why he used those points without permission the other day."

Ken: "You'd know that just by checking the point balance. There's no way Kiyotaka would do that. If you keep doubting him, Haruki, even I won't forgive you."

Yamauchi: "S-sorry. It was a joke, just a joke."

Kei: "Yamauchi-kun, you're the worst."

Shinohara: "Doubting him after seeing those results is just weird."

Mori: "There are things you shouldn't say even as a joke."

Shinohara: "And it didn't even sound like a joke in the first place."

Having loudly voiced unnecessary things, Yamauchi came under concentrated attack from the girls.

'No need to defend him... He brought this on himself.'

As I watched them, Hirata asked the obvious question.

Hirata: "Why at this time of year?"

Kiyotaka: "My achievements on the uninhabited island were recognized. I was originally recruited as a deterrent against Vice President Nagumo, but by producing results in the special exam, I was acknowledged as having the appropriate standing."

Hirata: "Indeed, Nagumo-senpai is one of the upperclassmen I respect, but there are many unsavory rumors about him. It wouldn't be strange if there were circumstances like that."

Kiyotaka: "Exactly. So you knew too, Hirata."

Hirata: "Well, yes. But becoming vice president now means... don't tell me..."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. I'm running in the student council general election."

Everyone: "Ehhhhh!"

The class buzzed again. Even those who already knew felt surprise at it being revealed now.

Yuki: "Was it okay to say that now?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. The election is in October. Considering the timing, there's a high chance that topic would come up today. So I thought it best to bring it up now, when the subject arose, to call for the class's votes."

Yuki: "I see."

Kiyotaka: "Honami also knows about this. To improve our image with Class C, when we propose cooperation, please make it a condition that I will cover all points necessary for securing a practice location and the like."

Hirata: "Understood. If there's anything I can do to help, I want to fully cooperate."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I'm counting on you. Everyone, even if Nagumo offers to buy your votes with points, please refuse and vote for me. What I can offer in return is graduating from Class A with zero expulsions."

When I declared that, the class erupted in excitement, except for Yamauchi. As long as Yamauchi doesn't form any contracts on his own, it should be fine.

Having unified the class, I dispatched Yuki and Hirata to Class C and approached Chabashira before heading to the student council room.

Kiyotaka: "Chabashira-sensei."

Chabashira: "What is it, Ayanokoji? You should be busy."

Kiyotaka: "I've come with a request regarding that."

Chabashira: "Let's hear it."

Kiyotaka: "I would like it so that, to prevent anyone from betraying the class without my knowledge in the future, students in our class must always obtain my approval before entering into any contract."

Chabashira: "Why go that far?"

Kiyotaka: "To deal with people like Yamauchi, who hold personal grudges against me for petty reasons. If a student like him were instigated and selfishly entered into a contract involving the entire class or containing penalties that affect everyone, they could be swayed by someone like Nagumo, who can easily move 20 million points. I want to prevent that."

Chabashira: "What you say is certainly reasonable. But it won't happen. Do you know why?"

Kiyotaka: "Because even as the leader, I cannot strip students of their free will or their right to form contracts."

Chabashira: "You understand well. Then this conversation is over."

Kiyotaka: "It's not over. In that case, I'll simply purchase that right."

Chabashira: "How much do you think it would cost? And do you think it would even be permitted?"

Kiyotaka: "Matters concerning human rights require the individual's consent, is that it? However, what I'm buying isn't the right itself, but the protection of that right. I will prohibit anyone in this class other than myself from entering into contracts that involve students other than themselves. The abnormality is that a leader can unilaterally set penalties that stake their classmates' heads in the first place. Preventing one's head from being wagered without consent in matters unrelated to oneself should pose no issue whatsoever."

When I finished speaking, Chabashira laughed.

Chabashira: "Heh. You certainly have a good eye for these things. And not excluding yourself from the restriction is shrewd as well."

Kiyotaka: "Such a restriction would only be a hindrance in negotiations and contracts between leaders. When supplementing a lack of trust with a contract, having fewer things to bet puts one at a disadvantage."

Chabashira: "True. By the way, how much do you think you can buy this for?"

Kiyotaka: "It's merely a pledge to protect a right. 500,000 points should suffice."

Chabashira: "I'm making an exception to exclude you from this. You'll pay one million."

Kiyotaka: "Understood. That's perfectly acceptable."

I paid the points before Chabashira could change her mind.

Chabashira: "You knew I would raise the price when you said 500,000, didn't you?"

Kiyotaka: "I'm good at negotiating. Besides, unlike previous negotiations, I judged that for an internal class matter, you wouldn't demand over ten percent of my possessed points. So I left room for the price to double to allow you to save face. Selling at the asking price wouldn't reflect well on a teacher's dignity, would it?" [ TL: … ]

Chabashira: "Don't forget that there was a possibility of a further price hike if I changed my mind."

Kiyotaka: "That's why I completed the payment during the time sale."

Chabashira: "Heh. You really are something to the very end... I can understand why the second-year teachers said they never want to negotiate with you."

Thus, having neutralized a potential element of unrest, I headed for the student council room.