First-year Class A.
Near lunch break.
Katsuragi left the classroom alone as usual.
Since losing the leadership struggle, no one dared to approach him except for Totsuka.
However.
Even so, Totsuka had already been expelled now.
Katsuragi was now a "commander without an army," and his heart was filled with hatred.
However.
Whether it was for the sake of the class or for the departed Totsuka, he had to endure and lead everyone to graduate from Class A.
This was his duty as a leader.
Though it was exactly this sense of responsibility that led to him losing the leadership position to Sakayanagi.
But Katsuragi didn't feel there was anything wrong with it.
He had easily guessed that the person manipulating the praise votes from outside the first-year classes was likely that guy Hikigaya.
Although the other party probably just wanted to cause internal strife in Class A or prevent Sakayanagi's malice.
However.
Katsuragi was still full of gratitude.
After all, he did benefit from it. This chance for a comeback was hard-won and had to be grasped firmly.
"Katsuragi-kun."
Just then, Sakayanagi appeared behind Katsuragi, accompanied by Masumi Kamuro.
Hearing her words.
Katsuragi turned around and stared at the two of them calmly, simply refusing to speak first.
"Congratulations, Katsuragi-kun."
Sakayanagi leaned on her cane, a gentle, fake smile on her face:
"Thanks to the help of a certain kind-hearted person, Katsuragi-kun has obtained this rare opportunity. I only hope you can continue to work for Class A and keep making contributions."
Annoying.
Although it sounded like nothing was wrong.
Coming from Sakayanagi's mouth, it was undoubtedly a threat: think of your Class A companions and don't push your luck too far.
"Mm, whatever you want me to do, I'll listen to you. If you want me to forfeit, that's fine too."
Katsuragi stared at Sakayanagi in front of him and spoke in a deep voice.
I'll listen to everything you say, okay?
"No need."
Sakayanagi couldn't help but tighten her grip on her cane.
Katsuragi's strength was not weak, not to mention the Katsuragi faction had the upper hand when school started. Trying to continue suppressing him was indeed a bit troublesome.
"I have only one requirement."
Sakayanagi's expression suddenly turned cold. She took a slip of paper from her pocket and held it out to Katsuragi, her voice ethereal yet chilling:
"Set the 1v1 International Chess as a main event. I will be the one competing then."
This matter wasn't without its benefits.
By personally appearing as a contestant, she could more directly crush that forged genius, Ayanokouji.
Genius is decided by genes from birth.
No matter how strictly Ayanokouji was raised in the White Room, in the end, he was just a hollow imitation.
For this matter.
She had been preparing since the sports festival, and finally, the chance to face Ayanokouji had arrived.
No mistakes allowed!
Sakayanagi's words carried an indisputable tone.
Otherwise.
She would not hesitate to destroy this class at any cost.
"I remember."
Katsuragi glanced at the paper and said flatly, "Sakayanagi, you seem very confident in international chess?"
"Correct."
"Unfortunately."
The corners of Katsuragi's mouth curled up slightly: "Since I was a child, my grandfather liked to teach me Shogi. I am also very confident in my Shogi skills, and Class A should have many people with their own specialties."
The implication was.
Why should I make International Chess a main event?
Do you really think I, Katsuragi, am useless?
Stop with the threats.
If you have the ability, remove me right now.
Otherwise.
If you still dare to cause internal strife in the class now, I won't even have to lift a finger; the Sakayanagi faction itself will tear you apart.
Class A no longer had the luxury it did at the start of school.
If this continued.
Sakayanagi would only end up abandoned by everyone, and by then, she would be the first one expelled by Class A.
However.
Katsuragi didn't refuse either; he clearly wanted a guarantee.
"Whew."
Sakayanagi took a deep breath. She naturally understood this point, but she had just been feeling very stifled recently:
"If I lose, the position of leader of Class A will be yours!"
If she lost.
There would be no point in her clinging to the leader position anyway.
"Hm?"
Katsuragi was a bit stunned.
He hadn't expected Sakayanagi to make such a promise. Even if it was just a verbal one, this matter was clearly very important to her.
"Are you sure?"
"Naturally."
Sakayanagi added with a flat expression:
"Otherwise, don't blame me for being heartless. Don't think I care about Class A or a small matter like being expelled."
Whether it was expulsion, staying in Class A, or her companions—Sakayanagi cared about none of it.
Hearing this.
Katsuragi closed his eyes and fell into silence. For some reason, Sakayanagi was extremely fixated on this match, but it was clearly very important to her.
Fine.
If she lost.
Class A would lose thirty class points, and Sakayanagi would give up the struggle for leadership. Even if it was just a verbal promise.
"Fine."
Katsuragi nodded with a steady face: "Sign a contract then. You will be fully responsible for International Chess, and I won't interfere."
Although it required Sakayanagi to lose.
There was no reason to refuse such a good deal.
Clearly, Sakayanagi never thought she would lose. She unhesitatingly pulled out a contract she had already prepared from her pocket.
Nothing was more important than this duel with her childhood friend, Ayanokouji.
"..."
Katsuragi took the contract with a flat expression, though he felt a bit annoyed inside. He flipped through it carefully several times before nodding and signing, putting the contract away.
Clearly.
Sakayanagi also had a firm grasp on him; she knew very well he wouldn't refuse such a good deal.
"Katsuragi-kun, can you answer one question for me?"
"What?"
Sakayanagi carefully examined Katsuragi's expression and said playfully:
"Right now, do you hope I win, or do you expect me to lose?"
Katsuragi was silent for a moment before speaking: "I hope you win."
"Is that so?"
Sakayanagi said with a playful expression:
"Caring too much about your companions is both your strength and your weakness. You don't really think you can reach Class A like that, do you?"
"Naturally."
Katsuragi crossed his arms and didn't back down, his voice steady:
"If we need to discard our companions to maintain our position in Class A, it only shows our strength is nothing more than that, and there's no need to be obsessed with Class A."
"I see. I really hope everyone in Class A could have your kind of resolve..."
Saying that.
Arisu Sakayanagi turned and left with Masumi Kamuro.
Pity.
Not everyone was as upright and resolved as Katsuragi.
Protecting companions even if they don't reach Class A—that was why Katsuragi would never win.
Watching Sakayanagi's departing back.
Katsuragi turned and left dismissively. Some things were probably things people like Sakayanagi would never understand.
"How is the investigation going?"
In the corridor, Arisu Sakayanagi spoke softly.
Although the most important thing now was the duel with Ayanokouji, she hadn't forgotten the bastard who gave Katsuragi the praise votes.
If it weren't for that bastard.
How would things have turned out like this?
She thought the last time with Hikigaya was the first time in her life she had suffered a setback, but this time was even more stifling.
"Yeah, I found out."
Masumi Kamuro followed beside her dismissively: "I heard from Kushida in Class D that Hikigaya asked her to buy praise votes from outside the class to give to Katsuragi. As for Class C, I didn't ask, but it's likely the same."
"Heh... hehe... hehehe..."
Hearing this.
Sakayanagi really couldn't control herself and let out a laugh.
This time.
Class B was able to pass the class poll exam in such a way.
Naturally, it greatly surprised her.
This was clearly not an idea a "good girl" like Ichinose could come up with; it had to be that Hikigaya.
I didn't expect it.
It's that guy again!
Fine.
Sakayanagi had to admire Hikigaya's guts. To think of directly forcing the school to back down was indeed something even she hadn't considered.
And he actually intervened in Class A's exam at the same time.
Pushing her into this current dilemma.
She had to say.
Unlike the fake genius Ayanokouji, Hikigaya was a real genius!
However.
Even between geniuses, there is a gap!
She, Arisu Sakayanagi, loved to trample those "real geniuses," letting them experience what a true gap feels like!
"Kamuro-san."
Arisu Sakayanagi spoke softly: "During this time, you should go train with Katsuragi and the others."
"What about you?"
"I'm going to have a good play with that genius!"
Arisu Sakayanagi emphasized the word "genius" heavily. To think he had checkmated her so many times; it wasn't her style if she didn't pay him back properly.
"Right now?"
"Naturally."
"Do you want me to accompany you?"
"No need."
Sakayanagi spoke softly, leaning on her cane as she walked toward Class B.
She had originally wanted to wait until after dealing with Ayanokouji to play with Hikigaya, but she didn't expect the other party to be so impatient.
Then don't blame her for being impolite.
Looking at Sakayanagi's small back, Masumi Kamuro shook her head helplessly. Clearly, Sakayanagi was truly angry this time.
Or rather.
Her interest was piqued by Hikigaya.
Not only did he pass the exam in that way, but he also conveniently pushed Class A into a stalemate.
Masumi Kamuro was honestly a bit impressed.
Pity.
Sakayanagi was not an easy character to get along with.
Did Hikigaya really think he could rest easy just by letting Class A continue its internal strife?
What a huge mistake!