"So should we take that to mean that this exam was a special case, but the school's general stance is actually okay with upper-year students getting involved?"
"Like a simulation of society, where higher-level groups can influence things?"
Shirogane said.
"Also,"
He pointed at Class A's +20 points.
"Ichinose's class also filed a report and provided proof, but they only got 10 points. Your class got 20. Does that mean your class was the first to report it? Or is this the school making up for something?"
"Because Class 1-A was the only one that didn't figure out the school's hidden rules and just focused on taking the test seriously."
"But even then, giving only 10 extra points feels pretty unexpected."
"It's like the school is saying 'we appreciate the effort,' but not really backing it up."
"In other words, the school prefers students who are more clever and adaptable."
"And based on what happened this time, it seems like Class 1-A's straightforward approach didn't get the school's approval."
Shirogane spoke.
"I'm a bit curious what the school leaders are really thinking."
After saying a bunch of things, he turned to look at Sakayanagi.
Sakayanagi looked incredibly cute, with her pale, smooth skin and adorable thigh-high socks.
Of course—
She didn't show any change in her expression.
"Who knows."
Even though she said that, Shirogane had known her for two months now and could tell she was just dodging the question.
Which meant she probably did have some sort of connection with the people at the top of the school.
But since Shirogane was just a student himself, there was no need for him to overthink or get involved with that kind of stuff.
"So, are you planning to stay here longer, Sakayanagi?"
Shirogane had finished what he came to do and was ready to leave.
"No need," Sakayanagi said, shaking her head.
"If I stay any longer, Katsuragi will probably show up soon and freak out over how little credit we got for reporting the cheating."
"I think Katsuragi has potential," Shirogane said.
"If you give him time, he can grow and even hold Class A together. But Sakayanagi, you're not the right fit for Class A."
??
Right at that moment, Katsuragi arrived with his follower.
He had already seen the school's notice board, which showed the rewards and punishments for the cheating report.
The punishment was clear.
Second-Year Class A: minus 200 class points and a fine of 2 million private points.
The first-years who reported them also got a reward.
But it wasn't what they expected.
That was because only the upperclassmen were punished, and only Ichinose's class got rewarded.
Even though Ichinose's class had turned on Second-Year Class A midway and helped take them down, they weren't punished at all.
In fact—
The other Classes B and D definitely cheated too, but the school didn't punish them at all. That completely challenged how Katsuragi saw things.
So when he heard Sakayanagi was at the blackboard showing each class's current score, he came over to talk to her.
And that's when he overheard Shirogane speaking so highly of him—
Even saying Sakayanagi wasn't fit for Class A, and *he* was.
"Ahem."
Katsuragi hadn't come alone—he brought his underclassman—so he cleared his throat a couple times to make his presence known.
"I still have things to do, so I'll get going."
After saying that, Shirogane turned and walked away.
Katsuragi and his follower didn't try to stop or question him.
But—
"So that's all the reward we get?" Katsuragi said.
"The school probably doesn't really support this way of earning points," Sakayanagi replied.
"This school really has a lot of things worth paying attention to," Katsuragi said.
He was also thinking about using Shirogane's comment about "having vision" to try and convince Sakayanagi to stop the rivalry.
After all, in this test, both groups worked together and got pretty good results, didn't they?
And besides—
All the other classes cheated, but theirs didn't, and they still earned the top reward.
Isn't that a great outcome?
So wouldn't it be better for both factions to join forces and become one strong, united Class A?
"Let's go."
But just then, Sakayanagi Arisu gripped her cane and left without saying anything more to Katsuragi, clearly not interested in talking.
"Sakayanagi is still so full of herself," said Yahiko, Katsuragi's follower, watching her walk away.
"She probably hasn't fully given up yet."
Katsuragi said.
"I believe in the path I've chosen."
"And I believe in you, Katsuragi!" Yahiko said right away, showing his support.
…
Meanwhile, Sakayanagi had already left the board and walked toward the nearby vending machines.
There, a girl with purple hair was sitting alone.
She looked like she was waiting for someone, but she wasn't using her phone or doing anything to pass the time.
She just sat quietly, patiently.
Finally—
*Tap tap—*
She heard the sound of a cane. In this school, only one person used one.
As expected—
Kamuro turned her head and saw the silver-haired girl.
Just as expected, Sakayanagi was cute and had a way of standing out. Even when walking alone, she drew admiring looks from the students passing by.
But Sakayanagi didn't seem to care about any of it.
You could say she knew she was cute.
So once she's sure about something, nothing can shake her.
And now—
Sakayanagi had arrived at the vending machines.
"I don't think you need to give me such pointless orders. I haven't had those thoughts for a while now,"
said Kamuro Masumi.
By "those thoughts," she meant her habit of stealing.
According to Sakayanagi, Kamuro only found joy in stealing because she felt empty inside, so keeping her busy with tasks would help stop it.
But it felt more like Sakayanagi was just turning her into a pushover.
Although she was unhappy with how Sakayanagi treated her, people always compare. She thought that if Shirogane Miyuki had caught her doing something wrong, he'd probably make her read a 400-page book or something. So in that sense, Sakayanagi's way felt easier.
Half an hour ago, Sakayanagi had ordered her to stay there alone.
She wasn't allowed to use her phone, though reading was okay. But Kamuro wasn't into that, so she just sat there, staring into space.
"But you're in a bad mood, aren't you?"
"I already heard from classmates. Even though Hashimoto and Katsuragi went to report it, they couldn't drag the other classes down."
"And the other classes who joined in on the report didn't get punished at all. Instead, they reported Class 2-A and got bonus points."
"This school is crazy. Cheating is actually rewarded."
Kamuro kept talking nonstop.
"..."
After rambling on for a bit, Kamuro noticed Sakayanagi Arisu holding her cane in her left hand, staring sharply into the distance.
Was she feeling lonely? Or was she deep in thought?
"I just ran into Shirogane,"
Sakayanagi said. "He seems to think Katsuragi has better leadership. He even said I'm not fit to lead Class A."
??
Uh…
So that's what's bothering you?
Kamuro was a little surprised.
But she started thinking too.
Shirogane praising Katsuragi? Sakayanagi had always looked down on him. But now Shirogane was putting him on a pedestal.
Does that mean Shirogane also believes Katsuragi has more potential?
Yeah.
Katsuragi was pretty reliable today. He realized the other three classes were cheating and went to report it.
Even if the result wasn't huge, at least he stepped up.
He cares about the class.
Compared to Sakayanagi—who tends to do things based on her own thoughts and expects others to serve her—Katsuragi definitely seemed more approachable.
But offering it for free… maybe that's not going to work?
A lot of people were thinking the same thing.
Which is why—
Even Katsuragi's trustworthiness was starting to be questioned by his classmates.
But now, even Shirogane had acknowledged Katsuragi.
"He thinks Katsuragi is a better fit for Class A,"
Sakayanagi Arisu said.
"I've been thinking about what that really means."
What it means, huh?
But doesn't that just mean, in Shirogane's eyes, you already lost to Katsuragi?
Still, Sakayanagi kept thinking.
"It's clear that Shirogane is very goal-driven," she said.
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have joined Katsuragi in reporting second-year Class A."
"And even fought to get just a small 10-point class score bonus."
"What he showed was his desire to win."
"So then,"
"Why does he value Katsuragi more?" Sakayanagi asked.
In other words, she was trying to figure it out.
"Is it possible that he wants you to support Katsuragi… because he thinks Katsuragi is easier to deal with? So he's trying to make you push Katsuragi forward, just so he can knock him down later…"
But before Kamuro could even start her theory, Sakayanagi cut her off.
"He said I'm not the right person for Class A,"
Sakayanagi said.
"I think he's trying something completely new."
Something new?
Even though she understood each word, when they were all put together, the meaning wasn't so clear.
"He thinks Katsuragi should be the leader of Class A."
"It's an interesting move,"
Sakayanagi said.
"..."
Kamuro.
What are you even saying? And what kind of move is Shirogane making?
Kamuro didn't understand. But strangely enough, when Sakayanagi grabbed her cane and headed back to the dorm, she actually seemed to be in a better mood.
…
As for Shirogane Miyuki—
Location: Present.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The first-year Class B students were having another celebration at the karaoke place.