After the lunch break, the homeroom teacher led the class to the next task.
On the open field next to the track, Kaoru and the others began their training.
According to the school's instructions, they would undergo a final test on the last day, which included a relay race.
Literally speaking, it seemed to be a long-distance run, similar to the relay races during sports festivals.
Kaoru observed his groupmates.
Despite the entire morning's activities, they still had plenty of stamina.
Unsurprisingly, Kouenji, Ayanokoji and Hashimoto were holding up well, but even the students from Class 1-B were keeping pace.
However, after a few rounds of practice, the differences in physical fitness became obvious.
Kouenji and Albert barely broke a sweat, while the others were already panting heavily.
The upperclassmen weren't faring much better either.
Kaoru noticed a few seniors with poor stamina who had already fallen behind.
When the homeroom teacher finally allowed them to stop, many were gasping for air.
Yet, the end of the long-distance run didn't mean the day's training was over.
The teacher led them to the next activity, and after a grueling afternoon, they finally returned to the dojo.
Of course, it wasn't for rest—it was time for the final segment of the day: seated meditation.
After holding out for about half an hour, Kaoru felt his legs going numb.
Under normal circumstances, his body wouldn't have been this weak.
Their lunch break had been far too intense.
"Alright, that's all for today. You're dismissed."
At that moment, the homeroom teacher uttered the words everyone had been waiting for.
"Damn it, my legs are numb. I can't even stand up."
Ishizaki gritted his teeth. "Albert, help me up, quick."
Albert, sitting beside him, casually pulled him to his feet.
"W-Whoa! Be gentler!"
It wasn't just Ishizaki who was struggling—Kaoru also had to brace himself against the floor to slowly rise.
"You okay?"
Hashimoto looked concerned. "Seems like your stamina's worse than it was on the uninhabited island."
That was a difficult question to answer.
"I'm fine. It's just that this posture was really uncomfortable."
Kaoru stretched his numb legs, feeling the blood flow return to his calves.
"Good. You're our leader—can't have you collapsing here."
Hashimoto didn't dwell on it. "Want to grab dinner together tonight?"
Kaoru nodded.
He felt like he was in a slightly dangerous situation and shouldn't get too close to them.
When the two arrived at the cafeteria, many other students who had finished their classes were already there, making the place packed.
"So many people. At least it's just our school here."
Hashimoto glanced toward another area. "Still, I envy the teachers. They get their own seating and a dedicated serving area."
Following his gaze, Kaoru spotted their homeroom teachers gathered together, including Mashima Tomonari.
There was also Chabashira Sae and Chie Hoshinomiya, whom he had met before.
The atmosphere between the two seemed a little tense.
Kaoru and Hashimoto lined up to get their meals before settling in a corner, exchanging a glance.
"Sorry for making you have dinner with just a guy like me tonight." Hashimoto chuckled.
"Don't make it sound like I'm disgusted by you." Kaoru knew it was due to his usual behavior. "I occasionally have meals with Katsuragi and the others too."
"Really?"
Hashimoto looked skeptical.
He usually only saw Kamuro shadowing Kaoru everywhere.
"Should I call Katsuragi over?" Kaoru asked.
"Better not."
Hashimoto grinned, though his expression soon turned serious. "Actually, I wanted to discuss something with you."
It must be a serious topic, given how he had dropped his usual playful demeanor.
"What is it?"
Kaoru had some guesses but kept them to himself.
"You have a deal with the princess, don't you?"
"She even told you about that?"
"Back during summer break, she asked me to find a way to set you up. Of course, I didn't go through with it."
"And now she's having you dig another pit for me?"
"No. She knows my stance—she wouldn't force me. But I can tell she'll stop at nothing to win."
Hashimoto's face was uncharacteristically solemn, a stark contrast to his usual carefree self.
"So even someone like you worries about the class?"
Kaoru was surprised.
"When have I not cared about the class?"
Hashimoto scowled. "In my eyes, the two of you are the biggest threats to our class right now!"
That was quite the compliment.
Kaoru felt a little awkward.
"Setting aside your issues with Nagumo-senpai, given the princess's methods, she might very well treat the entire class as her pawns."
Hashimoto sighed. "And if she loses, I doubt she'll take it lying down."
"Don't worry, I'll stop her."
Kaoru said. "Besides, everyone trusts Katsuragi now. She might not be able to sway them."
"That's the problem! The guys trust you and Katsuragi, but the girls might not!"
Hashimoto rubbed his temples in frustration.
He had a feeling Sakayanagi Arisu's tactics would win over plenty among the female students.
"Even if half the class sides with her, what does it matter?"
Kaoru was puzzled. "Our deal is about who controls Class A—that's the deciding factor."
Hashimoto froze for a moment before hesitantly asking, "Are you… planning to transfer?"
"Did I say anything like that?" Kaoru was exasperated.
Hashimoto was even more confused now.
If Kaoru sabotaged Class A and then quickly transferred to another class, only to rise to the top by trampling over Class A… that kind of roundabout strategy wasn't impossible.
"If she doesn't control Class A, and I don't either, what do you think that means?"
Kaoru spread his hands. "If it's a draw, she'll be furious. What can she do? She'll just have to keep adding more conditions to the competition."
Hashimoto was stunned.
Then Kaoru continued, "I'm not letting her lose, but I'm not letting her win either. That's the most frustrating outcome for her."
For someone as proud as Sakayanagi Arisu, neither defeat nor a draw was acceptable.
To her, they were the same—even a stalemate would drive her mad.
So, for Kaoru, the worst-case scenario was merely a tie.
After a long silence, Hashimoto finally spoke. "You… you're a monster too. Worse than Sakayanagi."
"Don't look at me like that. The difference between me and her is that I know how important all of you are. I won't casually treat any classmate as expendable pawns. You're in Class A now, and you'll remain in Class A."
Kaoru's words struck a chord with Hashimoto, whose expression softened slightly.
As long as he could stay in Class A, he could turn a blind eye to Kaoru's methods.
The reason he felt uneasy about Sakayanagi was because Hashimoto vaguely sensed she truly didn't consider every Class A student as allies—only as chess pieces.
...
After finishing their meal, Kaoru bid farewell to Hashimoto.
As he was heading to last night's location, he noticed Airi Sakura looking utterly dejected.
"Airi, are you alone?"
Hearing his voice suddenly, Airi Sakura jumped in fright and instinctively tried to flee, but he quickly caught her by the shoulder.
When the girl finally recognized Kaoru's face, the panic in her eyes faded considerably, replaced by a flicker of delight.
"M-Mitoma-kun?"
Seeing her somewhat happy expression, Kaoru allowed a faint smile. "Didn't I say you should call me by my name?"
"Guh..."
Airi Sakura immediately flushed red.
What should she do? She still couldn't bring herself to say it, especially now that they were face-to-face.
However, as if remembering something, the light in her eyes soon dimmed.