After the explanation of the special exam ended and President Nagumo and Acting Chairman Tsukishiro left the student council room...

"Hey, Amasawa... we're leaving. There's no reason for us to stay here any longer."

"Yeah! That's true~! Let's head back!"

In the student council room that had fallen quiet for a moment, Ishigami-kun was the first to speak.

Following his words, I also started to leave the student council room quickly, but—

"Hey! Wait a second! Ishigami, Amasawa! ...Are you two planning to participate in this exam?"

Utomiya-kun called out to us and asked whether we intended to take part in the special exam.

I wonder what Utomiya-kun thinks about this exam.

"Hmm~? Who knows~? More importantly, what are you going to do, Utomiya-kun?"

"So you have no intention of answering me. Well, that's fine... as for me, I'll decide after consulting someone from my class. After all, Class 1-C and Class 1-B were allowed to tell one additional classmate about the exam."

I see... just like in the original world, he's planning to consult Tsubaki-chan.

"...I have no intention of participating in such a ridiculous exam."

And just like in the original world, Takuya openly declared that he opposed the exam.

Although... since the Takuya in this world shouldn't harbor hatred toward Kiyotaka-senpai, those words might actually be his honest feelings.

"Tch! What a bunch of spineless cowards... to think people like you are in classes above mine... how embarrassing!"

"W-what did you say!? Hōsen! Are you trying to insult us?"

Hōsen-kun is Hōsen-kun, but Utomiya-kun also doesn't really need to pick a fight with him over every little thing.

"Ahh... anyway, we're heading back now~! Watching lower-class students fight among themselves is really pathetic!"

"Haa!? Hey! Amasawa! Get back here!"

"W-wait... Hōsen-kun! Please calm down for now!!"

As expected, Hōsen-kun took the bait from my light provocation and exploded in anger, while Nanase-chan desperately tried to stop him.

Watching that scene, Ishigami-kun and I returned to our classroom.

* * *

That night...

Ichika-chan lay rolling around on her bed while thinking about what to do next.

‘In the original world~... Hōsen-kun and Nanase-chan approach me tomorrow during lunch break to ask for cooperation, right?’

And the day after tomorrow...

I heard rumors that Hōsen-kun and Nanase-chan made contact with some second-year students.

Unfortunately, in the original world I didn't witness that scene myself, so I don't know if it's actually true.

‘For now, I'll cooperate with the two of them on the surface... but maybe I should resolve the darkness in Nanase-chan's heart earlier? ...No, that's no good! If I do that, Acting Chairman Tsukishiro—the one who sent Nanase-chan—might discover that I've betrayed him…’

Honestly, even if the White Room abandoned me now, I wouldn't really care.

But if that happens, not only Kiyotaka-senpai but even I might become a target for expulsion.

'Even if I manage to prevent Kiyotaka-senpai from being expelled... if I end up expelled myself, it would be meaningless...'

Unless I form a deep enough relationship with Kiyotaka-senpai that he would follow me and drop out too, I absolutely can't get expelled.

...So what should I do?...

Ping!

‘...Hmm? Oh my, it's Nanase-chan~! Calling at this time means…’

Nanase-chan, whose contact information I exchanged with on the day of the entrance ceremony, had sent me a message.

Well... she doesn't even have to explain her reason.

Ichika-chan already knows!

"Hello~? Nanase-chan?"

"Ah! Amasawa-san, I'm sorry for calling so late at night!"

"It's totally fine~! More importantly, what did you want to talk about?"

"Um... regarding today's special exam, I'd like to make an important deal with you. Would you be able to meet tomorrow around lunch break?"

Well... I figured that's what she would say.

"Tomorrow at lunch, right~! Got it~! I'll make time. So where should we meet?"

"Yes! About the meeting place..."

While talking with Nanase-chan about tomorrow, something suddenly came to mind—the biggest concern in my plan to become Kiyotaka-senpai's girlfriend.

Actually... it's strange that I hadn't remembered it until now.

'That's right... Karuizawa-senpai... what should I do about her?'

The problem was Kei Karuizawa-senpai—

Kiyotaka-senpai's current girlfriend.

'Hmm... I'd prefer not to force Karuizawa-senpai to break up... instead I'd like to guide things so that Kiyotaka-senpai himself suggests the breakup.'

Because, you see...

Ichika-chan is kind now.

I want to take Kiyotaka-senpai away without hurting Karuizawa-senpai as much as possible.

So driving Karuizawa-senpai to expulsion will remain the last resort.

"...Amasawa-san? Um... can you hear me?"

"Ah... Nanase-chan! Sorry~! I can hear you! I just spaced out for a moment!"

Oops...

I completely forgot that I was still on the phone with Nanase-chan.

"Then Amasawa-san, please take care of me tomorrow during lunch break."

"Okay! Make sure to tell Hōsen-kun about this too~!"

"Of course. ...Thank you very much."

"Yep! Nanase-chan! See you tomorrow~!"

For now, I'll leave the Karuizawa-senpai issue for later.

So tomorrow, I need to make preparations—with Nanase-chan, Hōsen-kun… and Acting Chairman Tsukishiro.

Ichika-chan has a lot of groundwork to do!