The day after the exam announcent.
The class we would be facing was revealed—Class B, led by Ichinose. Since Ryuuen had already told us in advance, there was nothing particularly surprising about it.
For us, it wasn't a problem, but Ichinose and the other tacticians like Ayanokouji and Arisu must have been sowhat shaken. Under normal circumstances, no one would expect soone without a Protection Point to take on the role of tactician.
This was undoubtedly the best possible choice. If I were the one leading the class, I wouldn't have hesitated to pick Ichinose's class either.
No matter which opponent we faced, our chances of winning might not change much—except when it ca to Class B.
Ichinose only plays fair. No—more accurately, she can't play any other way.
When it cos to winning or losing, she sticks to the most straightforward thods. She doesn't resort to underhanded tactics—that much was clear from past exams.
For our class, which specializes in exploiting weaknesses and cornering opponents, this was the worst possible matchup.
"With that, horoom is dismissed."
While I was lost in thought, the after-school horoom ended without even noticing.
And then, a now-familiar sight—Ryuuen sitting on the teacher's podium.
"Ryuuen-san! What's the plan for the next exam?"
Ishizaki, excited, imdiately asked Ryuuen as soon as he saw him.
"Shut up, Ishizaki. Sit down and listen."
Ryuuen glared at him, and Ishizaki shrank back, intimidated.
"First, let ask you all sothing. What kind of class do you think Class B is?"
No one answered. So probably knew, but Ryuuen's overwhelming presence made it hard to speak up. Seeing the hesitation, Ryuuen shifted his gaze toward one particular direction.
"Fine. Hikigaya. You answer."
With a mocking grin, Ryuuen pointed at . The entire class turned to look, and among them, Ibuki's pitying stare from beside stung the most.
I had expected this the mont his eyes landed on , so there was no escaping it. Might as well answer.
"...They're above average in every aspect. Their unity and teamwork are probably the strongest in our grade. But... that's also all they are. They don't have any special threats—just a bunch of overly friendly goody-two-shoes."
"Wow. You sure can say sothing that nasty with a straight face."
I wasn't insulting them. Just stating the objective truth.
"Hikigaya's analysis isn't wrong. To add to that, Class B's biggest flaw is Ichinose... no, more accurately, the lack of a true leader."
"Huh? But Ichinose is their leader, right?"
Ishizaki, confused, asked Ryuuen.
"Ichinose and Kanzaki—neither of them are cut out to be leaders. They're more like supporting strategists. If they're the ones at the top, the class would run smoother with soone like Horikita or Katsuragi leading instead. That's exactly why we have a chance."
A fearless smirk spread across Ryuuen's face as he visualized that opportunity.
"But isn't the matchup still bad for us? Honestly, our class is outmatched by Class B in overall strength."
"It doesn't matter who we face. Whether it's Class A or Class D, our chances of winning are still in the single digits."
"Th-that big of a gap?!"
Ishizaki and a few others looked stunned.
Yeah, I get it. Our class isn't completely lacking in talented students, but compared to the others, we're still at a disadvantage.
"But—"
As if cutting through the tense atmosphere, Ryuuen raised his voice slightly.
"With a little adjustnt in strategy, that less-than-10% chance can jump to nearly 50%—maybe even higher."
Ryuuen tossed a folded sheet of paper to Ishizaki.
"On the day of the exam, we're throwing this at them."
Ishizaki unfolded it, and his eyes widened in shock.
"Karate, judo, taekwondo, boxing, wrestling...?! Are we seriously making all of these into event categories?!"
The list contained ten physically demanding events.
"Wait a minute. That's going too far. Sure, so of us are good at fighting or sports, but not everyone is."
Kaneda's objection wasn't wrong. Even if we could win one or two events, the rest would be unpredictable.
"Kaneda's right, Ryuuen-san. Class B has plenty of students with good reflexes too. If it were all one-on-one matches, maybe, but..."
Leaving it up to pure luck wouldn't guarantee we could win all of them.
"So what?"
"Huh?"
"You're all thinking too rigidly. None of that matters."
Ishizaki didn't get it, but Kaneda quickly caught on.
"I see. It's all about perspective, isn't it? No matter how many participants there are per event, the rules can change everything. For example, if we use a knockout format, one person could handle it alone."
"Exactly. Even if it's ten-on-ten judo, Albert and Hikigaya alone would be enough."
Hey, don't just casually include in the headcount.
"But... will the school even allow that?"
"For written exams or ball gas, knockout rules probably won't fly. But for stuff like karate or judo, knockout formats are common. Not so weird, obscure rule. If we can fill at least five events with these, that's enough."
"I get it now! This could work! This could actually work, Ryuuen-san!"
Most of the class's eyes lit up with hope.
"...But it's still not foolproof. What if luck isn't on our side?"
Kaneda was right. Even if our chances jumped to 50%, if Class B got lucky, it was over.
"Keh. You're misunderstanding sothing. This is where the real plan cos in."
"...And that is?"
"—A strategy of absolute malice."
Ryuuen grinned as he answered.
"Starting now until the day before the exam, we harass Class B relentlessly. At first, just follow them around. Eventually, they'll realize they're being targeted."
"Isn't that... psychological warfare?"
"Class B will probably laugh at how childish it is. If there's no real harm, they'll just ignore it. Ichinose definitely would. But they won't realize my real goal."
"...Your goal?"
"The first week, we stick to just that. Then, after the ten events are announced, we escalate. Any little thing will do—fighting over seats, glaring at them, saying they're too loud. Anything to provoke them. And we'll use the usual suspects, got it?"
He ant the troublemakers who had always worked under Ryuuen.
"So... you want us to pick fights?"
"Just increase the tension. Under no circumstances do anything that could get us in trouble. We save the real moves for the very end."
Everything was vague, deliberately ambiguous. If we made it too obvious we were instigating, the school might intervene.
"One of our main goals is intel. Amid all the harassnt, we steal information from Class B and find out what events will be announced on exam day."
"But will that really work?"
Class B wouldn't just hand over their strategies.
"We're not leaving it to chance. We make them give it to us. That's what all the harassnt is for. And besides gathering intel, we have other thods—like this."
Ryuuen held up a small bottle of pills.
"Is that... laxatives?!"
"Slow-acting ones. They kick in within 48 hours. If we slip these to a few of them, at least one or two will be out of commission by exam day."
The class stirred at this unexpected tactic.
"Th-that's obviously against the rules! If we get caught, we're done for!"
"—So what?"
"..."
Ryuuen's smirk vanished, replaced by a sharp glare.
"Let ask all of you sothing. Do I look like the kind of guy who gives a damn about that?"
"...No. You'll use any ans to win. Right?"
In the silence, I was the one who answered.
Ryuuen laughed, then scanned the room.
"Good answer, Hikigaya. Listen up. I don't even consider defeat. All I see is victory."
Those were the sa words I had once said to him on the rooftop.
Ryuuen had taken them to heart and evolved.
All of this—his relentless drive—was directed at .
His frustration at losing—to Ayanokouji, to .
Ryuuen wants a rematch. But he knows he can't win as he is now, so he keeps searching, keeps adapting.
He won't stop until he devours .
"The reason I'm taking the tactician role is also to strip Ichinose of her composure."
"The more I hear, the more it makes sense. Truly a plan only Ryuuen could co up with."
"I'll take that as a complint. Ti to show them what Class C's real strength looks like."
"Yes, sir!"
With Ryuuen's strategy, the class finally saw a path to victory.
I couldn't help but wonder—just how much would this plan shake up the exam?
.....
The strategy eting had ended, and many students were leaving the classroom for club activities or other commitnts.
I was no exception—today, I had business with Class D, so I quickly made my way into the hallway. The last thing I wanted was to stick around and risk Ryuuen deciding to single out for sothing.
"Well, if it isn't Monster Boy."
On my way to Class D's room, a voice called out from behind .
There was only one person in this school who would call by that ridiculous nickna.
"Kouenji, cut it out with the nickna."
"Fufufu. I'm afraid that's impossible. I only bestow this title upon those I deem worthy—you should consider it an honor."
"Yeah, well, I don't rember doing anything to 'earn' it."
I'd been at this school for a while now, but I could count my interactions with Kouenji on one hand.
"Be that as it may, Monster Boy. Your presence here suggests you're heading to Class D, am I correct?"
...I wasn't going to win this argunt. Might as well move on.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Hmm. In that case, I shall accompany you. I've just rembered I have so business there myself."
And so, for reasons beyond my understanding, I found myself walking to Class D alongside Kouenji.
The sight of us together must have been unusual, because students kept glancing our way as we passed.
"Speaking of which, Kouenji—do you know how Hirata's doing?"
After seeing Hirata yesterday, I'd been curious about his state. Now seed as good a ti as any to ask.
"Hirata-boy? He rely removed unnecessary elents during the last vote. That's all there is to his current condition. Truly, I'd love to know how one even reaches such a state."
A brutally blunt assessnt, but I got the gist.
Hirata was depressed—no, more like broken—after the class vote led to an expulsion from Class D.
If he wasn't back on his feet before the next exam, Class D wouldn't stand a chance.
"We're here, but... is it even okay for to go in right now?"
For all I knew, they might still be in the middle of their own strategy eting.
I shot Kouenji a questioning look, but he ignored it completely and strode right in.
This guy really did whatever he wanted.
"Huh? Kouenji, what do you—wait, why is Hikigaya here?!"
Sudou, who had been near the door, was the first to react. Imdiately, the entire class turned to stare at .
Not like I knew many people in Class D. Matsushita, Satou, Hirata, and Karuizawa were about it.
As I scanned the room, I accidentally made eye contact with Matsushita. I instinctively looked away, but when I glanced back, she was blushing slightly and gave a wink.
Seriously, cut that out...
"You bastard, Kouenji! Don't tell you're selling us out—"
"Calm down, Sudou-kun."
"B-but Horikita—"
"Leave this to ."
Sudou had been about to lunge at Kouenji, but the mont Horikita spoke, he backed off like a scolded dog.
"So, what brings you here? Kouenji-kun, I can understand, but Hikigaya-kun—why are you in Class D?"
So they were in the middle of a strategy eting. Maybe I should've asked Kouenji first.
"I just needed to talk to Ayanokouji about sothing."
I subtly glanced at Ayanokouji, and our eyes t.
"Ayanokouji-kun? About what, exactly?"
"It's personal. Can't say."
Seeing hesitate, Horikita narrowed her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but with the exam approaching, I can't just hand over our tactician—especially not to you, Ryuuen-kun's so-called right-hand man. You'll have to forgive for being cautious."
Great. That stupid label again.
"...Is that 'Ryuuen's right-hand man' thing really that well-known?"
"I'd say everyone in our grade knows about it."
"It's you we're talking about," she added.
So this title was going to haunt forever.
"Fine. I'll drop it for today. And just so you know, if I'd realized you were in a eting, I wouldn't have co."
I shot a sidelong glance at Kouenji as I explained. Horikita sighed, seeming to accept that much.
"Wait, why are Kouenji and Hikigaya even here together? That's the weird part."
Ike's comnt sparked murmurs of agreent from the class.
"That's what I'd like to know. Why are you with Kouenji-kun?"
"Complete coincidence. He said he had business here too on the way over."
I was only stating facts, but Horikita still looked skeptical.
"...Then, Kouenji-kun, what is this business of yours?"
Horikita turned her attention to Kouenji, who had been standing with his arms crossed, silently observing until now. Finally, he spoke.
"I've co to make a proposal to my dear classmates."
"A... proposal?"
"Indeed. And what a marvelous proposal it is. I assure you, listening will be worth your while."
"The hell are you on about? You ditched our strategy eting earlier!"
Sudou spat out the words, but Kouenji's smile didn't waver.
"Quite right, Red Hair-kun. I have no interest in these petty class competitions. None whatsoever."
The class collectively sighed, as if they'd expected nothing less.
"Which is precisely why this is a proposal, Horikita-girl. One that will benefit you—no, your entire class."
"...What are you getting at?"
Kouenji tilted his head back dramatically.
"Should you ever face this Monster Boy beside in an exam... I shall fight him at my full strength."
He clapped a hand on my shoulder as he made his declaration.
Wait, hold on—since when was this my problem?
"So... you're saying that if we face Ryuuen-kun's class, you'll actually contribute? Is that how I should interpret this?"
Even Horikita seed caught off guard by the offer. No, it wasn't just her—the entire class was visibly shaken.
Only Kouenji could cause this much of a reaction with just a few words.
"Circumstances permitting, yes. If I step forward, Dragon Boy will undoubtedly field Monster Boy here. And if I fight at full strength... well, I'd say that's quite the advantageous proposition, wouldn't you?"
Kouenji neither confird nor denied, leaving his aning ambiguous.
In other words, if Class D ever faced off against us in an exam, I'd be stuck dealing with Kouenji.
I had no idea why he was so fixated on , but this was going to be a pain.
Horikita took a quiet breath, steadying herself.
"Kouenji-kun, I'm well aware of your capabilities. That's precisely why I don't understand. Are you saying you see Hikigaya-kun as a threat? You're acknowledging him?"
"That would be—"
I couldn't let this go any further.
I gripped Kouenji's arm firmly, forcing his attention back to .
"—How about we leave it at that, Kouenji?"
Kouenji looked at , then broke into an amused grin.
"Fuhahaha! ...Very well, if you insist."
We locked eyes for a few tense seconds before Kouenji finally relented.
"So there you have it, Horikita-girl. I suggest you rember this proposal. Now, if you'll excuse ."
"...I suppose I won't get a straight answer from you."
"That's simply who I am."
True to form, Kouenji left as theatrically as he had arrived.
I turned to leave as well, but then I noticed Ayanokouji had sohow ended up right behind .
I started to turn around, but before I could, Ayanokouji spoke quietly, just loud enough for to hear.
"—You don't need to worry about ."
"...I see."
So my concern had been unnecessary.
"Did you just say sothing to him?"
"Must have been your imagination."
I ignored the voices behind and stepped out of the classroom.
I'd co today to warn Ayanokouji—as the tactician, he'd be a pri target for Tsukishiro in this exam.
But that final exchange made it clear.
Worrying about each other... was sothing neither of us needed.
=================================
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