It was a week until the exams, and on that particular evening, I was feeling a little excited.
"Hehe, you look happy, Tsugumi-kun. Did you miss seeing me that much?"
"Of course! It's been two weeks since we last ate together like this."
That's right. I was having dinner with Arisu-chan at a rather expensive restaurant.
You might wonder what I was doing before exams, but it wasn't a problem since we had both finished most of the material for our final exams. I quite liked this time of year because there were hardly any other students around, so we could take our time.
"By the way, was this really okay? I thought Horikita-san told you not to."
"It's fine. We're not competing directly anyway. Well, let's both just do our best to not fail."
Our classes, D and B, are not matched against each other in this direct confrontation. In this particular instance, there's no need to be overly cautious.
"How's Class A? Is the studying going well?"
"Yes, it's progressing without any issues. Everyone is very diligent, which is a great help."
"I'm a little jealous. My class is the same as always."
"But Class C has a higher overall academic ability, right? If your study sessions are going well, then there shouldn't be a problem."
Arisu-chan, who seemed to already know the countermeasures for each class, questioned me as if to confirm.
"Well, yeah. But our opponent is Ryuen-kun, so what kind of a move he'll make is an unknown variable."
"As long as you and Ayanokoji-kun are there, whatever he schemes will likely be futile."
"It won't be that easy. You never know what Ryuen-kun has up his sleeve."
If he only resorted to violent means like he did during the deserted island exam, it would be easier to prepare. However, I hadn't heard any rumors of that kind lately, which felt a little unsettling.
"Besides, Kiyotaka and I are completely hands-off for this exam."
"Is that so?"
Arisu-chan's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yep. Suzune-chan is going to be leading Class C from now on. We can't let her rely on us forever. Kiyotaka agreed, and Suzune-chan was on board with it."
"In that case, it seems we'll get to see something quite interesting."
Arisu-chan smiled with delight upon hearing this. She really is a perfect fit for this school.
"By the way, did you know Kiyotaka made a new friend?"
"...That's a surprise. What was the story behind it?"
She was more curious about the "story" than about what kind of person he was... I kept that thought to myself and explained the situation.
"I suppose it's very much like Ayanokoji-kun. It's nice that he's acting more like a high schooler."
"You're starting to sound like a parent, Arisu-chan."
Well, it doesn't change the fact that it's a good thing.
Apparently, he's been studying with them in places like the library, the Palette, and Keyaki Mall. However, Kiyotaka has been feeling a bit uneasy lately.
"He says he often runs into students from Class D during his study sessions. The other day, he was complaining that Ryuen-kun approached him, feigning a chance encounter."
"Has he finally been targeted? I thought he hadn't done anything outwardly since the sports festival."
"He was with me and Suzune-chan all the time. It's not strange that they might be suspicious of him."
In fact, if they still thought he was incompetent after all that, they'd just be fools. They've probably figured out that he's somewhat capable.
And there's one more concern related to that.
"I'm not sure if it's related, but I've been getting followed a lot lately, too. About three people on a rotating schedule during lunchtime and after school. It's a real pain in the neck."
"And yet there are no students from Class D here. I thought Ryuen-kun would jump at the chance to crash a meal with me."
"I wouldn't bring them here, not with you. I worked hard to shake them off, so don't worry."
If Ryuen-kun had barged in now, I'd have a good mind to punch him. I was feeling that much frustrated.
---------
After that, we enjoyed some small talk, and I, for a change, paid for the meal with my own points before returning to the dorm.
It was already December, and the days had grown shorter. It was around 8 p.m., but the only lights on the path connecting the dorms to Keyaki Mall were the streetlights placed at regular intervals. The security might be better since there were no outsiders, but given my and Arisu-chan's positions, you never know when we might be targeted. I couldn't let her walk home alone at night.
"What is that...?"
As we walked together toward the dorm entrance, we saw a mysterious crowd of people. About 20 students were blocking the path around the mailboxes. I wonder if someone got a love letter?
"What's going on? It's quite noisy."
Arisu-chan also seemed to have no idea and was looking at the scene with a puzzled expression.
"Yeah. I'll go ask."
I jogged a little to the lobby in the back of the entrance, and all the first-year students there turned their gaze toward me... What? What's going on?
As I stood there, bewildered by the eerie situation, someone tapped me on my left shoulder.
"Ah, Kiyotaka-kun. Perfect timing. What's with this situation?"
I looked to my side and saw Kiyotaka. He was in his room clothes, which suggested he had rushed down. Kiyotaka, looking unusually flustered, had sweat on his forehead as he pulled my hand to move away from the crowd.
"W-w-wait a minute. What's going on?"
"Just come with me."
My weak resistance was in vain as he pulled me along forcefully. I was surprised by his commanding demeanor, but he finally let go of my hand when we reached the back of the dorm.
"I called you so many times, you should have answered your phone... I just got here myself, so I don't know the full details, but it seems every first-year student had a letter like this in their mailbox."
Kiyotaka took a folded piece of paper from his pocket. The following was written on it:
---------
'Saito Tsugumi, from Class 1-C, may soon be expelled due to a series of repeated problematic behaviors. Ryuen Kakeru'
---------
"...Huh?"
---------
It was a cold night in December. From here on, my destiny would change dramatically.
---------
Bonus Story
About seven years ago, a year or so after Saito and Sakayanagi first met...
As usual, I was at Arisu-chan's house after school, reading books with her in her family's study. As expected of a prestigious school's director, even after living there for a year, I hadn't finished even half the books.
"Excuse me. I'll be right back."
"Okay, got it."
With that, Arisu-chan skillfully used her cane to get up from the sofa and left the study. I was left alone but didn't mind and continued reading.
About ten seconds later, the door opened again... that's unusually fast. Did she forget something?
"Tsugumi-kun, do you have a moment?"
However, it wasn't Arisu-chan at the door, but her father. He was beckoning me toward him. To me, he was one of the people I held in the highest regard. I closed the book with a pat and placed it on the sofa before quickly walking over.
"Yes, is something wrong?"
"Actually, I have something to ask you..."
It was rare for Mr. Sakayanagi to ask me for advice. And what would he need to consult a second-grader about? He looked around and then whispered into my ear.
"Actually, Arisu wants to get a cat."
"A cat...?"
It wasn't that surprising. Despite her appearance, Arisu-chan really likes cute things. She doesn't use overtly childish things because she's too embarrassed, but there are stuffed animals in her room.
"As her father, she rarely asks for anything, so I want to grant her wish if possible, but..."
"You're not confident you can take care of it?"
"Exactly. My wife and I are often away, and I don't want to add to the burden of our staff."
Indeed, having a pet can be a high hurdle for a first-timer. It's even more so for the Sakayanagi parents, who are rarely at home.
"Getting Arisu-chan to take care of it herself... that would be difficult."
Especially given her health. Realizing his own suggestion wouldn't work, Mr. Sakayanagi placed his hands on my small shoulders.
"So, could you please persuade Arisu not to get one? I'm counting on you!"
He was still as gentle as ever with a kid like me. Well, I was Arisu-chan's first and only friend, so he probably cared about me quite a bit. But it made me a little flustered when an adult bowed his head to me.
"Okay. Do I have until her birthday?"
I had to somehow persuade her before her birthday, which was coming up next month on March 12th.
"Oh, thank goodness...! I'm counting on you, Tsugumi-kun."
With that, Mr. Sakayanagi quickly left the room. He probably didn't want Arisu-chan to see this exchange.
A cat, huh? I thought she'd want a dog given her personality. No, I don't mean that in a weird way. Not at all.
"---Tsugumi-kun?"
"Hyaaah!? Oh, Arisu-chan."
As I was leaning against the sofa, thinking about this, Arisu-chan suddenly popped into view from below. I let out a weird sound from being so startled, and she sat down neatly on my lap, giving me a familiar, half-lidded stare.
"What were you thinking about, staring blankly into space?"
"N-nothing in particular?"
"Hmm."
With that, she hugged me and lay down sideways. I was pinned underneath her, and she was on top.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Stop with the obvious lies, Tsugumi-kun. It's unsightly."
Arisu-chan rubbed her soft cheeks against mine. ...Yep, she's the one who's the cat here.
"Hey, hehe, that tickles. Stop it, Arisu-chan!"
"No. Just stay still."
She was hugging me with both arms and legs, so I couldn't move. She was usually cool and composed in front of her parents, staff, and other students, but in a private place like this, she was all sweetness.
I made a suggestion to her, who was still clinging to me like a sticky bug.
"I know, why don't we go out somewhere the next time we hang out?"
Arisu-chan's eyes widened at the suggestion. Well, we usually just read books or play chess at her house.
"Okay... but where are we going?"
"That's a surprise for next time. Now, I want to finish reading this book today."
I slipped my hands under her arms, which were about ten centimeters apart, and lifted her up. She made a funny, annoyed face as I lifted her, and I couldn't help but burst out laughing at my own incredible strength.
"...What? That's rude, staring at my face like that."
"Sorry, sorry... Ow!"
Wait, I'm sorry, so don't hit me!
============
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