[ TL: I notice it more with this chapter than previous ones but the POV changes are very sudden and hard to figure out sometime so I might miss the * * * dividers at times if so let me know. ]

Usually, after matching our poker sessions to Horikita-san’s chess and returning from Kiyotaka’s room, we’d gather in each other’s rooms and just hang out and chat.

But then, all of a sudden, Horikita-san dropped a bomb.

“So, apparently Ayanokōji-kun has a fiancée.”

Huh?

“A f-fiancée!? That kind of fiancée!?”

“I don’t know what other kind of fiancée there could be. But if that’s what he himself said, it might not be an outright lie.”

“Don’t spout random nonsense, Horikita.”

Even Kikyo-chan’s language is getting pretty rough!

No, seriously, a fiancée—what is that supposed to mean!?

“Well, according to Ayanokōji-kun, it’s something people say on their own without his consent.”

“Then that means it’s not true. I panicked for nothing.”

Thank goodness, thank goodness.

Then it shouldn’t be a problem.

“But he said ‘you all are the ones saying it on your own’. In other words, at the very least, there is someone else who knows. We can’t let our guard down.”

“…Worst case, it could be something decided between the parents. Kiyotaka-kun’s parents seem kind of special, so I want to believe that’s not the case, but…”

“More importantly, who is the other party!? Who would even be engaged to a weirdo like Kiyotaka!?”

When I say that, both of them look at me with exasperation, but you’re all birds of a feather too, you know.

“It seems to be Sakayanagi Arisu from Class A. She has silver hair and carries a cane, so you’d recognize her immediately. She has a very distinctive aura.”

“Huh. I know her too, then this might be manageable. Sakayanagi has a super loli-like body, after all. If we use our charms as women, we won’t lose, right?”

K-Kikyo-chan!!!!

Well, putting aside things like ‘women’s weapons’ and all that, we agreed to take a more aggressive approach.

* * *

“So there really is nothing between you and Sakayanagi-san?”

“That’s what I’ve been saying. She’s just an acquaintance at most. I only met her back when I was in the White Room.”

Kei presses me, but the truth is, we’ve only met twice—eight years ago and three months ago.

Or rather, Horikita spilled that immediately…

“So does that mean Sakayanagi-san is also a genius created in the White Room?”

“No, that’s not it. She had an opportunity to observe the White Room from the outside and that’s when she met me. That said, her intellect is definitely at a level you could call genius.”

She has a congenital heart condition, yet she was still assigned to Class A.

In terms of physical exams, there might be nothing Sakayanagi can do about that, though.

“Whether Sakayanagi-san is your fiancée or whatever doesn’t matter. But I won’t forgive you if you throw me away. Make sure you remember that.”

“K-Kikyo-chan!? …But I’m not giving up either!!”

What are these two even saying?

I already told them there’s nothing going on with Sakayanagi.

It’s just a rotten bond that hasn’t been settled yet.

* * *

“Yesss! Now we can enjoy our vacation!!!”

“Yeah! The swimsuit girls are waiting for us!”

The two idiots—no, most of the boys—are getting excited because the recent final exams ended without anyone getting a failing grade, so we’re going on that vacation Chabashira mentioned before.

When you hear ‘island vacation’, swimsuit girls are probably all they can think about.

It’s not that I’m uninterested, but I’d rather not be subjected to the girls’ looks of utter disdain.

In the end, June and July passed without anything special happening from the school side and we just studied like a normal school and took our finals.

Getting expelled for failing grades isn’t exactly normal school behavior, though.

They clearly stated there would be inter-class conflict, yet if nothing happens even during August summer break, that’d be three months—basically a quarter of a year—passing with almost nothing happening.

No way.

This definitely isn’t a vacation.

Something is waiting for us.

Whether it’ll be something we can enjoy as a break is questionable, but I’m curious about what they’ll make us do.

It doesn’t seem like it’ll be entirely unenjoyable.

This is completely unrelated, but lately my position in class has been getting uncomfortable.

Why?

Because apparently there’s a widespread rumor that I’m two-timing—or no, three-timing.

The origin of it goes back a bit.

After introducing Horikita to the chess club, I looked for a good club for the other two as well and found one that dealt with card games, so we went there.

In the end, just like Horikita, we managed to earn quite a bit, which was fine.

But on the way back, we ran into Ryūen.

It’s true that I was walking with two girls, but Kushida has a wide social circle and hangs out with guys too, so being accused of two-timing feels unreasonable.

We didn’t even talk about anything significant, but Kushida didn’t join the conversation and didn’t deny the two-timing rumor either.

That’s probably because she planned to actively spread rumors to ingratiate herself with Ryūen.

It’s the correct move, but couldn’t she have done something else…

Because the rumor spread a bit, it also seems to have been noticed that Kei, Kushida and Horikita frequently hang out in my room.

It’s unavoidable since anyone watching me a little would figure it out, but it also hurt that Ken recently started training in his own room instead.

If Ken had still been around, it probably wouldn’t have escalated this far.

The girls aren’t too bad, but almost all the boys see me as an enemy.

That said, it’s not much of a problem when it comes to leading Class D.

There’s no one whose ability is clearly above mine.

Kōenji also seems pretty free-spirited in that regard.

'As a result, sympathy has actually improved Kushida’s and Kei’s standing, so it’s not bad. It’s a bit annoying, though…'

A few obstacles make things more enjoyable.

I’m looking forward to the ‘vacation’.

“Did you need something?”

I was called out by Chabashira, so I talk with her reluctantly.

“You’re as cold as ever, Ayanokōji. There’s just one thing I want to ask. As long as you don’t get expelled, will you seriously put in effort the entire time you’re enrolled?”

That’s a sudden question.

So this really is…

“…If there’s no special reason, I intend to take things seriously and I believe I’ve been acting seriously up to now. Did something happen?”

“Yeah. Someone claiming to be your father has been insisting that ‘Ayanokōji Kiyotaka should be expelled’. From my perspective, it would be extremely troublesome if you were expelled. Our chances of reaching Class A would drop significantly.”

I see.

So he did make contact after all.

Honestly, with the current Class D, it feels like they could already fight even without me.

Horikita might need a bit more influence, though.

“I do have confidence in my own strength, but our class is well-rounded to begin with. If we center things around Horikita and Ken and support them, that should be more than enough to compete.”

“That may be true. Sudō and Horikita have both mellowed out considerably. But that’s all thanks to you, Ayanokōji. And if you were to disappear, everyone relying on you would collapse. On top of that, Kōenji would become uncontrollable. I don’t even want to think about it.”

I keep saying this, but I shouldn’t have been involved with Horikita in the first place.

As for Kōenji, that’s so accurate I can’t even argue back.

“I see. Still, our interests should align. I want to enjoy these three years without getting expelled. You want to use me to reach Class A. In that case, there shouldn’t be any problem.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best to protect you. But I honestly don’t know how effective my power will be. Sorry, but if it comes to that, you’ll have to accept it.”

Against him, a single teacher would be hard-pressed.

That can’t be helped.

“If you’re willing to give it your all, then I’ll give it my all too. Is that good enough?”

“Let me record this, just in case. Just answer what I’m about to say. I didn’t make it a surprise attack, so consider this my sincerity. Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, do you swear to give your all in future special exams?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I swear to act seriously. In return, Chabashira, you swear to give your all to make sure I’m not expelled.”

“I swear. Then the contract is formed. Have a good summer vacation.”

With that, Chabashira left.

She really is overly cautious.

I have no intention of holding back unless there’s a reason to.

That said, if the school side—especially the chairman and the homeroom teacher—are on my side, he won’t be able to act rashly.

For me, it was a good deal.

A good summer vacation, huh.

This will be my first long break.

I’m already stretching my wings as it is, but if I keep flying at full power, I’ll just get tired.

I’ll loosen up properly and let my wings rest a bit.

* * *

Bonus Scene 1

Hm? That guy is…

“Walking around with two girls, must be nice, Ayanokōji. As expected of the king of Class D.”

I happened to be outside and saw Ayanokōji walking along happily with two girls, so I decided to mess with him.

If I can stir things up, that’s good enough and spreading this rumor wouldn’t be bad either.

“The king of Class D, huh. You’re the king of Class C yourself, Ryūen. I’m only with Kushida and Kei because they had some business. Kei is my girlfriend, that part is true.”

It’s well-known that Karuizawa is his girlfriend, but going out of his way to bring Kushida along too means he’s keeping her close because she’s a useful piece.

This guy probably doesn’t do pointless things.

“You got full marks on the quiz, dominated swimming and if you can do that, your athletic ability must be insane too. Then girls are obviously going to flock to you. As a girlfriend, isn’t that worrying?”

“Not really. I trust Kiyotaka.”

She hides her expression well and her words don’t falter.

As expected, she’s skilled.

The pieces around Ayanokōji must be quite usable for him as well.

Honestly, Class B doesn’t even register for me, but Class D is clearly formidable.

At this point, I want someone to tell me where the ‘defective products’ are.

“Whatever. Eventually I’ll make you all kneel while I stand at the top. Try not to get too distracted by women. It’s boring.”

“It’s not like I’m distracted by women. Funny you say that, Ryūen. I’m looking forward to fighting you too.”

This is fun.

This school really is full of interesting people.

I won’t underestimate Class D.

Ideally, I’d like to plant a spy within Class D who has some dissatisfaction, but for that, they’d need a certain level of ability.

'That’s a tough one. It’d be nice if there were someone in D with both ability and dissatisfaction.'

* * *

Bonus Scene 2

Ayanokōji-kun’s evaluation within the class

General Class D girls

'Ayanokōji-kun is cool, smart, athletic and popular. Of course he’s popular… I wonder if he’d let me join his harem too.'

Some Class D girls

'Karuizawa-san, Kushida-san and Horikita-san are all pitiful. No matter how capable he is, is that really okay as a person to share like that?'

Almost all Class D boys

'Grabbing all the pretty ones for himself, damn you!! I’m jealous and furious!!!'

Hirata and Sudō

'As expected of Ayanokōji-kun Aniki…'