The sudden question wasn't entirely unexpected.
Ichinose had imagined scenarios where she might face such an inquiry and had even prepared several answers.
Though initially startled, she knew exactly how she should respond.
"Eh? My relationship with Mitoma-kun?" She was stalling—even she was surprised by her own hesitation.
Her original answers should have been something like "an interesting friend" or "Mitoma-kun is a good person," simple deflections that wouldn't expose their secret connection.
After all, neither Kaoru nor she wanted that revealed.
Yet, an inexplicable tightness in her chest and a surge of anxiety made the words stick in her throat.
Especially when she recalled Sakayanagi's behavior before the sports festival, Ichinose felt unsettled, as if the slightest hesitation would cost her something precious.
"Playing dumb doesn't suit you, Ichinose-san," Sakayanagi Arisu said softly.
"Though you're cautious and restrain your emotions, your eyes don't lie. You harbor feelings for Mitoma-kun, don't you?"
In an instant, Ichinose Honami's eyes flashed with panic before she forced a smile.
"What are you talking about? Me having feelings for Mitoma-kun? If you mean friendly affection, then yes, I do like him very much."
So she couldn't hide it from others after all?
Despite her constant efforts to distance herself, the truth had still come to light.
It felt like she'd betrayed his kindness.
Pursing her lips, Ichinose felt an odd sense of relief.
If this was exposed, it also meant she could openly be with Kaoru.
That prospect wasn't entirely unwelcome.
"Having witnessed his silver tongue, it's hard not to fall for that man," Sakayanagi didn't challenge her excuse but instead murmured cryptically.
"But given your position, are you really allowed to love him?"
"Who I like is my personal matter. More importantly, why do you care about my relationship with Mitoma-kun?" Ichinose suddenly abandoned her pretense.
That man might be shameless most times, but occasionally he could be surprisingly earnest.
Sakayanagi stopped walking and turned to face her, wearing an enigmatic half-smile.
"There was a day when, thanks to Mitoma-kun, you realized the true horror of this school. Am I wrong?"
Like a lightning strike, Ichinose froze in place, her mind reeling.
How could Sakayanagi know about that incident?
"Surprised?" Sakayanagi gazed at nearby trees whose crowns were already turning yellow as autumn approached, the crisp breeze playing with her hat.
Ichinose knew her reaction was too telling.
Even if Sakayanagi had been uncertain before, she must be convinced now.
"Nagumo-senpai... did he tell you?"
"Who would have thought that the kind and gentle Ichinose-san could be a thief? I was quite shocked when I heard the news."
"I..." Ichinose Honami didn't know how to respond.
Shame struck her forehead once again, making it difficult to raise her head as her face burned with humiliation.
"Nagumo-senpai wants me to make good use of this information. He seems quite dissatisfied with you. Crushing Class B would bring me significant advantages."
Ichinose Honami remained silent.
"He also mentioned that Mitoma-kun knows about this too." Sakayanagi Arisu smiled.
"I'm curious—has Mitoma-kun done anything to you?"
As she spoke, she keenly noticed Ichinose stiffen slightly.
The moment their eyes met, the other girl subtly averted her gaze.
"What... do you mean?"
"Mitoma-kun is far from the gentle and humble person he appears to be. Given the opportunity, he wouldn't hold back at all. Knowing your dark past yet doing nothing—that doesn't align with my impression of him."
"I don't have to tell you anything, do I?"
"Hehe, probably for the sake of Class A's interests, right? I suppose he threatened you to betray Class B?"
Sakayanagi deliberately voiced her speculation, observing the girl's microexpressions.
Instead of the expected reaction, she saw Ichinose faintly exhale in relief.
"I won't betray everyone, no matter what kind of threat it is." Ichinose took a deep breath, her gaze firm.
"Even if you try to blackmail me now, my answer remains no."
"Don't be so tense. I just wanted to understand you better." Sakayanagi chuckled.
"If you had become Mitoma-kun's pawn, I'd be in quite a predicament right now."
Ichinose stayed silent.
She couldn't answer this question easily—Sakayanagi's implication was too ambiguous.
"I hope you aren't his. It would be too tragic if Class B's leader had secretly become someone else's puppet."
"Sorry, I don't quite follow."
"Do you want to lead Class B to rise to Class A?"
"That's everyone's goal."
"Fufufu, how ironic. A former criminal now speaks of 'everyone.'" Sakayanagi narrowed her eyes.
"Do you think you're qualified to carry the trust of the entire class? Can you trust every single one of them?"
Her words were like a sharp blade, mercilessly exposing the deepest fears and worries in Ichinose's heart—just as Kaoru had done before.
"If someone were to reveal your past, how many people do you think... no, do you think anyone would still trust you? Or do you believe that simply repenting will make your sins vanish?"
"I know I made an unforgivable mistake in the past, but I won't repeat it."
"Every criminal says that."
"I... won't run away. But I'm not a criminal—the law never convicted me..."
"Trying to deny your past now?"
"I just don't want to be bound by the past anymore. Dwelling on it endlessly, agonizing over it—none of that will change anything. I can't take back the decisions I made back then, and staying stuck like this will only hold me back. The only thing I can change is the present. I'll do my best to make everyone believe that the old Ichinose is gone—this is the Ichinose of now!"
"..."
Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly smiled.
She looked at Ichinose Honami, who seemed to be pouring out all her strength, at her reddened eyes, and then uttered something entirely unexpected.
"In that case, why don't we make a little wager?"
Ichinose Honami had just vented her emotions and was momentarily unable to process this.
"Nagumo-senpai has handed the authority to punish you over to me, but I don't intend to follow his instructions completely. I will still reveal your past to everyone, but I won't interfere with their judgment."
Seeing Ichinose's bewildered expression, Sakayanagi added with a smile.
"If you can endure this and Class B still trusts you, I'll congratulate you—and we'll have an opportunity to collaborate."
"But if—" Sakayanagi paused.
"if you fail, I want you to keep your distance from Mitoma-kun."
"Why?" Ichinose blurted out, no longer holding back. "Why should I listen to you?!"
"Because it's my turn now," Sakayanagi replied coldly.
"Without Mitoma-kun, you wouldn't have found the resolve you just showed. Someone who can't even overcome their own past will only be eliminated in the coming exams. A woman like that has no right to stand before him."
Ichinose bit her lip hard, her thoughts in complete disarray.
Her confidence had been seen through—it was true that Kaoru Mitoma had given her the determination she needed.