The short but fulfilling winter break ended, and we attended school for the first time in the new year.

After New Year's greetings from Chabashira, we headed to the opening ceremony. We listened to the sleep-inducing words of the principal and the guidance counselor, then returned to the classroom.

Incidentally, while a regular school gymnasium would be freezing cold in winter, the Advanced Nurturing High School gymnasium is fully equipped with heating and cooling. The fact that it was merely a boring, sleepy time was the one and only significant saving grace.

During homeroom afterward, I received an explanation about the mixed training camp from Chabashira. Just like with the uninhabited island, the fact that it was an exam was concealed. We were told there would be a multi-day forest school involving all school years, but it seems no one took it at face value.

Ike: "Isn't there gonna be something else, like during that vacation?"

Chabashira: "The best answer we teachers can give is that we cannot answer."

Many seemed impressed by Ike's growth(?), but everyone was more focused on gauging my reaction.

Kiyotaka: "Since we don't know, what we can do is make sure we don't forget the required luggage and be mentally prepared for something to happen. I will give instructions as soon as I learn the exam details. Please also keep in mind the possibility of coordinating with Class C if necessary."

When I spoke, many nodded and steeled themselves.

After that, it was time for exchanging socially obligatory greetings with those I hadn't been able to see since the new year began, and then the school day ended.

* * *

After school, I headed to the student council room, bringing Hiyori and Kikyo with me. Since it was desirable for them to be welcomed in, I had purposely adjusted our timing in the classroom until everyone was assembled.

Hiyori, Kikyo: "Excuse us."

Kiyotaka: "These two are the student council candidates I recommended during winter break. Are there any objections?"

Kiriyama: "If they are individuals you selected, there should be no problem."

Nagumo: "The moment you brought them here, it's a losing battle whether by the difference in authority between president and vice president, or by a majority vote based on faction numbers. Don't bother asking me."

Kiyotaka: "Even so, if there were someone opposed, it could become a source of future friction."

Nagumo: "I'm not opposed. The reason is what Kiriyama said."

Honami: "I look forward to working with you two!"

Hiyori, Kikyo: "We look forward to working with you as well."

I hadn't been worried about opposition from Kiriyama, but with Nagumo also agreeing without protest, the matter was settled smoothly.

Kiyotaka: "Then, I'd like the two of you to sign these admission forms."

Hiyori: "Yes."

Kikyo: "Got it."

Once the two finished writing, I moved to the main topic.

Kiyotaka: "With this, the two of you are officially members of the student council. Right away, I'd like to discuss the upcoming mixed training camp."

Kikyo: "The mixed training camp... is that the true nature of the forest school the teacher mentioned today?"

Kiyotaka: "Yes. The student council has the authority to know the contents of special exams to some extent in advance, and to set certain penalties."

Hiyori: "That's an even greater authority than I imagined."

Kiyotaka: "Of course, revealing that to the class would be a serious overstep of authority and is not permitted. Even so, having the class leader belong to the student council provides a significant advantage. The four people here are examples of that."

Kikyo: "Hmm. So when you said in the classroom that you didn't know, that was a lie?"

Kiyotaka: "Saying 'I know but won't tell' creates a bad impression. The general student body doesn't know the extent of the student council's authority. So lying is the best option. I'd like you two to do the same."

After my supplementary explanation, the two nodded, and I finally moved to the main topic.

Kiyotaka: "Getting back on track. In this exam, we will form six small groups per gender, mixing multiple classes and school years. The small groups from the three school years will combine to form six large groups per gender. Then, within the large group that places last, the leader of any small group that falls below the borderline will be expelled. Furthermore, the expelled leader has the right to designate one 'collateral' person to be expelled along with them. That is the rule. However, Nagumo-senpai, was that collateral expulsion rule truly necessary?"

Nagumo: "As explained, it's a countermeasure. To prevent someone from targeting a specific individual, forcing them into the leader role, and intentionally lowering performance to aim for their expulsion."

Hiyori: "Expulsion, huh..."

Kiyotaka: "You aren't planning to target Kiriyama-senpai, are you?"

I asked him point-blank.

Nagumo: "What are you talking about?"

Kiyotaka: "The second-year is in a state where Class A is running away with the lead. To break Class B, the only class that still retains any fighting spirit, the quickest way is to target Kiriyama-senpai, who leads that class as its representative. If they rescue him, their class points decrease, rendering them unable to recover. If they don't rescue him, they lose their leader and still cannot recover. Even if Class A carries this out themselves, they have ample class points and private points, so it poses no problem. They could also have Classes C and D, which are their pawns, do it. Furthermore, if Kiriyama-senpai loses his fighting spirit or gets expelled, it would also cut off my right arm in the student council. It's a development with only advantages for you, Nagumo-senpai. I cannot believe someone as sharp as you hasn't realized this."

Nagumo: "Do you think I'd do something that would undermine my credibility in the student council?"

Kiyotaka: "I do. Without evidence, one is innocent."

Nagumo: "Don't worry. I won't do something like that. Even I don't have infinite points."

Kiyotaka: "Can we trust the declaration of 'I won't expel anyone' from you, Nagumo-senpai—someone who throws large amounts of points even at leisure, and is reputed to have driven everyone who opposed him to expulsion?"

Nagumo: "Well, probably not. So what will you do?"

Kiyotaka: "I will bring the elite of my class and join the same large group as the small group Kiriyama-senpai belongs to. That way, no matter how much the second and third-years hold back, we won't sink to last place. The elite of my class are undoubtedly the top among our year."

Kiriyama: "Ayanokoji, you would go that far for me..."

Kiriyama seemed moved, but that was irrelevant.

Nagumo: "You think you have the right to decide the large groups?"

Kiyotaka: "I believe it's questionable not to grant the first-years the right to choose in an event like this. And if the first-years have the choice, I can arrange things as I please."

Nagumo: "Fine. Let's just make a contract. This time, I want to fight Horikita-senpai. If you join, it'll be to my advantage. So don't come to my group. But if you want to join Horikita-senpai's large group, go ahead. He was the one who first set his sights on you, after all."

Kiyotaka: "I'll prepare a contract as well."

Nagumo: "Do whatever."

Thereupon, I immediately drafted a contract. Its contents are as follows:

~Contract~

In the mixed training camp, the small group to which Ayanokoji Kiyotaka belongs shall not belong to the same large group as Nagumo Miyabi.

In the mixed training camp, all second-year students shall not nominate Kiriyama Ikuto as a leader, nor designate him as collateral expulsion.

Should Article 1 be violated, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shall voluntarily withdraw from school.

Should Article 2 be violated, Nagumo Miyabi shall voluntarily withdraw from school.

Kiyotaka: "This is acceptable, correct?"

Nagumo: "Yeah, no problem. If we stake each other's heads, no one's gonna break it. Except in the case where you screw up and have no choice but to select my large group."

Kiyotaka: "If I were that naive, I wouldn't be in this seat."

Nagumo: "Cheeky brat."

Kiriyama: "Ayanokoji, I'm grateful."

This guaranteed Kiriyama's safety. Nagumo is probably thinking internally, 'He couldn't possibly predict that I'm targeting Tachibana-senpai.' Without arrogance, he wouldn't execute it. But if he is arrogant, that carelessness will be his undoing. (It's Nagumo, so he probably is.)

* * *

And so, we arrived at the first day of the mixed training camp. We were receiving explanations on the bus.

Since I had advised everyone to be mentally prepared, there was no confusion in the class.

Then, after hearing the same explanation as before from Chabashira, I announced to the class:

Kiyotaka: "This time, it's divided by gender. That means I alone cannot command the entire group. Therefore, I will entrust command of the girls to Yuki. I will inform her of the basic policy, so rest assured on that front."

Kei: "What's the basic policy?"

Kiyotaka: "First, do not create groups where a single class holds a majority. A class like Ryuuen's might aim for collateral expulsions."

Kikyo: "Class A should be fine as long as the gap doesn't close, but will the other classes agree?"

Kiyotaka: "In that case, we can mandate a prohibition on collateral expulsions via contract. I'll lay the groundwork with Honami and Arisu, so at least one of them should approve it."

Yuki: "Got it. I'll make sure to bring it up first thing."

Kiyotaka: "The boys will follow the same policy. However, since I can command them directly, there's no need to worry."

Hirata: "Understood."

After finishing the explanation, I sent messages to Arisu, Honami, and Hiyori.

After that, I sent a message to Chabashira to conduct a transaction.

Kiyotaka: "I would like to purchase the right to..."

Chabashira: "Hoh. What are you planning?"

Kiyotaka: "Insurance. If it becomes necessary, you will understand at the end. Even if it proves unnecessary, I will certainly explain the situation and prove it was not for any improper purpose."

Chabashira: "Five hundred thousand points. Negotiation is not accepted, as the price is standardized among the teachers."

Kiyotaka: "Understood. I will pay immediately."

I promptly sent the points, and the exchange was complete.

And then, the bus arrived at its destination, and the mixed training camp was about to begin.