I, Chiaki Matsushita, look back.
On the day the special exam results were announced.
On the classroom that had fallen into an eerie silence.
On the day when Chabashira-sensei stood at the podium in that heavy, dark atmosphere and calmly went through the routine announcements.
"The results of this special exam—the Paper Shuffle—are as follows."
Class A: 1468 CP → 1368 CP (−100 CP for losing to Class B)
Class B: 845 CP → 945 CP (+100 CP for defeating Class A)
Class C: 530 CP → 630 CP (+100 CP for defeating Class D)
Class D: 185 CP → 85 CP (−100 CP for losing to Class C)
The exam outcomes and the shifts in class points were neatly written out on the whiteboard, one after another.
When I saw those numbers, I felt a deep, crushing disappointment.
"That concludes the overall results. As for those who scored below the failing line… you can rest easy.
In this special exam, not a single first-year student failed. Accordingly, there are zero expulsions."
Chabashira-sensei scanned the room, meeting each student's eyes as she delivered the news.
On a normal test day, the students who had barely scraped by would have erupted in cheers by now.
But that day, no one showed even a hint of joy.
"…That's all for today's homeroom. You're dismissed."
Chabashira-sensei looked as though she wanted to say more, but she read the mood, ended her remarks, and left the classroom.
I remember thinking how rare it was for our usually cold teacher to act with the students' feelings in mind.
After she left, the class stayed silent—like a funeral—until the free-spirited Koenji-kun finally made a move. No one spoke a word.
"…I'm sorry. I truly believed I had taught you everything I could… I'm sorry."
As classmates gradually began talking in small groups, I noticed Horikita-san bowing deeply to the students with weaker academics.
That sight was sincere, almost endearing—a complete departure from the Horikita-san of early enrollment who kept everyone at arm's length.
Yet the ones receiving her apology seemed unsure how to respond to such direct sincerity.
Of course they were. One of the reasons we lost this special exam was their inability to score points due to low academic ability.
But that was their own responsibility; Horikita-san's teaching hadn't been the problem.
"Lift your head, Horikita-san. Your teaching wasn't bad at all, and it's not as if everyone slacked off on studying.
We simply lost fair and square to Class C this time. Now is the time for all of us to reflect on that defeat—not to point fingers at anyone."
"…You're right."
Kushida-san stepped in, and the matter settled peacefully.
From the tone of their exchange, it felt as though the distance between Kushida-san and Horikita-san had shrunk, yet their gazes clashed like sparks flying.
I couldn't help but wonder about the true nature of their relationship.
Still, what drew me more was Kushida-san's sharp grasp of the situation and her exceptional communication skills.
Likewise, Horikita-san carried an aura that could rally a group—charisma, in other words.
It was precisely because both of them held such potential that I felt a quiet sense of regret.
"Ahh… it really is a shame."
If I pull myself out of the past, the present returns.
It's after school, several days after the results were announced.
I finish packing up to go home, stand from my seat, and let out a sigh.
"What's a shame, Matsushita-san?"
Sato-san, having caught my mutter, grabs both my shoulders and shakes them playfully.
Sato-san is one of the two close friends I can completely relax around.
It's just an affectionate gesture with no deeper meaning, so I smile back.
"It's nothing serious—just talking to myself. With Christmas right around the corner, I'm still single. That's the shame."
"Isn't that only because your standards are too high, Matsushita-san?"
Shinohara-san, my other close friend, remarks with a wry smile.
"I'm somewhat aware of that, yeah."
The two of them laugh happily at my reply.
"Then let's head home while we chat~"
Sato-san says it in her usual laid-back tone, and we agree without hesitation.
We're in Class D, so we get very few points.
Spending them on entertainment feels like a luxury.
We usually just find a spot to talk. Only when we get an unexpected bonus do we treat ourselves to shopping at the mall.
"Where should we go today?"
"It's cold—somewhere warm would be nice~"
With our plans set, we start moving right away.
We walk down the corridor, chatting the whole time.
When I'm alone I hurry through these halls, but in a group the pace slows considerably.
Even so, when the conversation is fun, the time flies.
"Huh? Hirata-kun, Karuizawa-san… and Sudo-kun too?"
When we reach the shoe lockers, three classmates are changing their shoes.
They seem to be having a serious discussion.
"Hirata, I caused trouble again in the Paper Shuffle. Sorry about that."
"It isn't something Sudo-kun needs to apologize for. You gave it everything you had, didn't you?"
"…Hearing you say that really helps. But that's exactly why I'm determined to keep my regular spot on the team.
Both your upperclassman and mine said the same thing: performing well in club activities, the student council, or academics can increase class points."
Information I hadn't known.
It seems the two of them were thinking of raising points through extracurriculars.
"Yeah. I haven't produced results like Sudo-kun yet, but I intend to give it my all from now on."
"Alright, let's both do our best."
They wrap up the conversation calmly.
Sudo-kun adjusts his bag onto his shoulder, Hirata-kun slings his over one, and they head out.
Club activities must be waiting for them.
"Good luck, you two!"
At Karuizawa-san's cheerful encouragement, they respond coolly.
"Who would've thought that Sudo-kun could change so much."
"Right? He used to be scary, but lately he's calmed down a lot."
I begin to see that the recent rumors about him carry real weight.
The rumor being: Sudo-kun is surprisingly viable.
At the start of the year, his rough image and the company he kept made him completely unpopular with girls. But recently he's mellowed, and he's started acting more for the sake of the class.
In other words, he's developed cooperativeness—an essential quality for getting along with others.
Add to that his athletic build and his straightforward passion for the things he loves, and those are definite pluses in appeal.
"Yo~! Shinohara-san, Matsushita-san, Sato-san!"
While we're still a bit stunned by Sudo-kun, Karuizawa-san calls out to us.
We completely forget about changing our own shoes and dive into conversation.
"Hey, everyone—isn't Sudo-kun actually kind of okay?"
Karuizawa-san kicks off the topic. She's the only one of the four of us with a boyfriend, yet she casually steers the discussion toward guys.
Topics like this are catnip for girls.
The excitement builds quickly.
"I know, right! He's gotten way cooler than before."
"Ehhh, but it's still that Sudo-kun, you know."
Sato-san's enthusiastic approval and Shinohara-san's skeptical reaction are simply a matter of taste.
Personally, Sudo-kun isn't my type, but his growth makes him a valuable asset to the class.
As long as he contributes that much, I have no reason to dislike him.
"The way he's trying to recover the lost class points on his own—doesn't that earn him major points?"
"Totally! I've completely revised my opinion!"
Karuizawa-san and Sato-san are in full agreement.
I do think his drive to reclaim those class points is impressive.
Yet, in a way, I find the three girls here—who speak of it as if it's someone else's affair—even more remarkable.
To put it kindly, none of their academic records are strong.
They may score slightly higher than Sudo-kun, but the difference is negligible; across the entire year, they all fall in the bottom 10–20%.
Even so, they aren't attempting to change themselves the way Sudo-kun is.
And unfortunately, roughly half of Class D sits at a similar academic level.
That's why we studied so desperately for the Paper Shuffle—only to lose to Class C.
Of course that wasn't the sole reason for our defeat, but it was undeniably one of the biggest factors.
"The class points really took a huge hit this time, didn't they? I definitely want Sudo-kun to keep pushing."
Sato-san says it so casually, but it isn't that simple.
No matter how hard Sudo-kun tries, the points he earns probably won't amount to much.
Given the current gap in class points, any increase would be a drop in the bucket—tears from a sparrow.
That's exactly why I felt such regret.
In this school, only Class A graduates get to choose their own future.
To reach Class A, a class must hold the highest number of class points among the four.
Yet here we are, dead last, more than 1200 points behind Class A.
Over half of our first year—the first of three—in this school has already passed, and this is where we stand.
Horikita-san insists we must never give up, but realistically, closing a gap this wide is brutally difficult.
"We need to step up too. We can't just keep relying on Yosuke-kun and the others."
Class D actually has a decent lineup of talent.
People capable of leading the group, like Horikita-san, Kushida-san, and Hirata-kun. Brains like Yukimura-kun and Mii-san. Athletes like Sudo-kun and Onodera-san.
And then there's Ayanokōji-kun, who has steadily risen to prominence since the cruise ship special exam and the sports festival.
Average academically, exceptional physically, and someone who can quietly support the entire group.
Not to mention Kōenji-kun—unpredictable and uncontrollable, but possessing strength of unknown limits whenever the whim strikes him.
Taken individually, I never felt we were inferior to the other classes.
But this time, I finally understood.
Even with all that talent united, we still lost the Paper Shuffle.
That fact alone drove the point home.
"Yeah. At the very least, we should start by not dragging everyone else down."
When Shinohara-san said that, the rest of us nodded in agreement, so I joined in.
I hope they really do try.
But reality isn't that kind.
I need a backup plan.
If I want to graduate in Class A, I have to consider other paths.
"Ah…"
Just as we were about to end the conversation and change our shoes, Karuizawa-san glanced down the hallway and let out a small sound.
A lone student from Class C was walking by.
Long, jet-black hair swaying with an eerie grace, blood-red eyes peering through the strands.
His appearance is so striking that everyone in the school knows him.
"…Izuru Kamukura."
Karuizawa-san's face twisted as if she'd bitten into something bitter.
Hearing the name, Shinohara-san wore the same expression.
It isn't that Kamukura-kun has any personal grudge with them.
The reason is simple: we lost to Class C in the Paper Shuffle, and he was the one who created the questions that beat us.
In other words, it's a kind of misplaced resentment.
He showed no sign of noticing our stares and simply continued toward the exit.
Today, he's heading home alone.
I saw this as an opportunity.
"Hey, everyone—you can go on ahead. I just remembered something I need to do."
My abrupt announcement left the three of them looking surprised.
But without waiting for their response, I walked toward Kamukura-kun.
I recalled it then.
The casual promise we'd made before the special exam.
A backup plan—no, it wasn't even grand enough to call it that yet.
Just an action that might, even slightly, raise my chances of reaching Class A.
I decided to start it now.
"Hey, Kamukura-kun."
When I called out, he turned slowly.
Those clear, piercing eyes—eyes that seemed to see through the very essence of everything—fixed on me.
A single glance, not even a glare, sent a cold shiver down my spine.
I knew full well he wasn't an ordinary opponent.
I was completely aware of the risks.
Yet if I could build a connection with him—if I could deepen that relationship—
the odds of betting on the winning horse would approach certainty.
I steeled myself and stepped into the conversation.
…
Time skips forward a little—we've arrived at Keyaki Mall.
After school, the place is buzzing with students, as lively as a theme park.
I use my phone's camera to fix my slightly messy hair while thinking over what comes next.
By the way, I managed to get Kamukura-kun's contact information on the way here.
"Do you have somewhere in mind?"
"Yes. How about one of the resting areas in Keyaki Mall?"
Kamukura-kun suggests.
But I disagree.
Because today's conversation concerns my future.
I want to avoid crowded places as much as possible.
"Wait. If possible, somewhere our conversation won't be overheard.
It's an important discussion."
My goal today is to increase closeness with Kamukura-kun, but I intend to push a little from the start.
The reason is that I believe he's already guessed why I approached him.
I made the initial contact deliberately meaningful for that very reason—I judged that he would see through to my true intent.
If he has, then I can skip the long preamble and get straight to the point.
"…How about karaoke?"
He offers, sounding almost reluctant.
Does he dislike karaoke that much, or did he really want to go to the resting area?
"Yeah! Karaoke it is!"
I clasp my hands together and answer brightly.
With our destination decided, we head straight to the karaoke place inside Keyaki Mall.
I position myself right beside Kamukura-kun, close enough to look like his girlfriend.
I don't link arms, but I shorten the distance, smile, and try to appeal to him.
Yet he only glances at me for an instant, his expression unchanged.
He's a tough one. If this were Ike-kun or Yamauchi-kun, they wouldn't have been able to hide their flustered reaction.
"I know I already agreed, but… do you hate karaoke, Kamukura-kun?
You looked kind of reluctant earlier."
"I neither particularly like nor dislike it. The reluctant look was because I had a small reason for wanting to visit the resting area I mentioned."
"What reason?"
"That's a secret."
"Ehhh Come on, tell me"
"Figure it out yourself. It seems I have a position to uphold."
"…I see. Then I guess there's no helping it."
A secret tied to his position.
It must be about the rumored hidden mastermind in Class D.
I've heard Class C's leader, Ryūen-kun, is desperately searching for that person.
If my guess is correct, Kamukura-kun naturally can't speak of it openly.
He's practically Ryūen-kun's right-hand man.
He can't just leak information carelessly.
"Hey, hey—do you have any go-to songs, Kamukura-kun?"
"None. What about you?"
"Me? Well~"
I switch topics and ease into small talk.
A fair amount of time has passed since dismissal, so the paths are crowded, and to the people around us, we probably look quite close.
That's why most of the glances directed our way carry that sort of implication.
With Christmas approaching, those stares feel especially irritating.
Still, showing ourselves like this to others is part of the plan.
If today's events turn into rumors, it will create a perceived connection between Kamukura-kun and me.
Once people know we have a personal friendship, future contact won't seem strange at all.
Rumors really are nothing to scoff at—I smile to myself inside.
Before long, we reach the karaoke place.
Kamukura-kun specifies a room, and we're led there without waiting.
The room is neither too cramped nor too spacious—just right for three or four people.
"Do you come to karaoke often?"
I take off my blazer, hang it up, and ask while stretching.
After adjusting the mic and volume, I sit down close to him.
"Yes. Just to be clear beforehand—I don't sing. I usually use these places for confidential conversations."
"…Wait, does that mean you've never sung even once?"
"No. When I come for secret talks, it's usually with Ryūen-kun or Ishizaki-kun, but after they leave, I have sung alone."
"With Ryūen-kun… at karaoke. By the way, does Ryūen-kun actually sing?"
"Yes, occasionally. He's surprisingly good."
Honestly, it's irrelevant to my goal today, but the thought still piques my curiosity.
I can picture it, yet depending on the song, I might struggle not to smile.
"What would you like to drink?"
I snap out of my slightly rude imagination.
Kamukura-kun has picked up the tablet for ordering drinks, showing considerate initiative.
When I ask for apple juice, his fingers move deftly across the screen and complete the order.
"Now then, I'd like to get to the 'main topic.'"
Perhaps tired of small talk, he shifts to a serious posture and steers the conversation.
From this point on, I respond with caution.
As expected, he had already seen through my true intentions.
His near-prophetic analytical ability isn't just rumor—it's real. I raise my guard against him another notch.
"Yeah. Let's get right to it.
Hey—how about making me one of your allies?"
No unnecessary preamble. I state only the core.
An ally.
Naturally, that means a student from another class cooperating with Class C.
"I have plenty of questions, but first—may I take it that the reason for this proposal is that you've given up on Class D?"
A bead of sweat slides slowly down my spine, and I involuntarily swallow hard.
I had implied that today's meeting wasn't just for fun, but he shouldn't have been able to pinpoint the exact reason.
Yet he states it as if it's obvious.
"…Impressive. You really are exceptional. How did you figure it out?"
"Simple. Your overt advances reached even me. And once I inferred why you made them, the answer was clear.
The major event around this time was the Paper Shuffle. As you know, the result was Class C's victory.
A fair fight with no dirty tricks—a genuine victory.
It goes without saying that this contest laid bare the clear difference in strength between Classes C and D."
"So your guess is that a Class D student wanting to change the situation would take action?"
"Yes. However, that alone isn't enough to explain today. It's only a possibility. I can't rule out the chance that your approach stemmed from genuine affection toward me. There's even a slim possibility that those advances were meant to reliably seduce me."
Kamukura-kun states it all calmly, his expression unchanging.
He's exactly as I analyzed—no, even more formidable.
Having someone like him as an enemy makes victory feel almost impossible.
"I'm interested in you."
I soften my mouth into a gentle curve.
"Thank you. But there are other feelings too, aren't there?
For example—'ambition,' perhaps."
My body jolts exaggeratedly.
I now understand firsthand what it means to be a frog stared down by a snake.
His rigid, passport-photo-like expression remains fixed, those red eyes locked on me.
It feels as though he sees straight through my heart.
"Your displays of affection were merely a step toward fulfilling that ambition.
Yet did you truly believe such acting could fool me? That's arrogance."
"It's not arrogance. I didn't mind if you saw through it. In fact, I acted on the assumption you would. I know how capable you are.
Besides, I wanted you to realize through this that I usually hold back in school life.
Letting you see the real me—without lies or pretense—isn't that the best approach?"
"Which is why we're in a private karaoke room where no one can overhear.
I'll grant that it's an effective strategy. I also acknowledge your high initiative and the fact that you've been hiding your true ability.
However, that alone doesn't qualify you as an 'ally.' I see no concrete benefit you could offer me."
Concreteness. In other words, the specific way I could cooperate and provide value to Kamukura-kun.
Of course, I have an answer prepared.
"I hold a relatively high position in Class D. That means I can leak internal information.
In this school, information is crucial, right? Having more than the opponent directly raises the odds of winning special exams.
How's that? A pretty huge advantage, isn't it?"
I know my strengths and what I can do.
While suppressing my true ability, I maintain a high position and stay informed about class matters.
Even if dramatic change hits Class D—good or bad—I can shift with it while keeping trust and status.
That reliability is what I can offer right now.
So I answered with confidence.
Yet—
"…Boring. Was expecting anything truly a waste after all?"
He shows clear disappointment.
I can't help widening my eyes at his words.
"Is my answer really that far outside your predictions? For someone who claims to hide their ability, you seem awfully confident."
His cold, contemptuous gaze makes me flinch.
But I can't back down here—I steel myself again.
"…Why? I think my proposal has plenty of merit. What part doesn't satisfy you?"
"Certainly, the merit is sufficient. You understand the importance of information correctly. However, that role is already filled…"
"…Already filled? …!! You mean there's already a spy in Class D!?"
Quickly grasping his meaning, I'm so shocked I nearly stand up.
"What? You claimed you could leak internal information, yet you didn't even realize that?"
"…!!"
His provocation irritates me, but I clench my fists and endure.
There's already a traitor in Class D, feeding internal information to Class C.
If that's true, several things suddenly make sense.
For example, the sports festival.
Class D was thoroughly tormented by Class C. There were rumors that the participation chart had leaked from inside, but Kōenji-kun's remark denied it.
Afterward, Horikita-san and Hirata-kun rallied the class.
At the time, the traitor rumor was dismissed as Ryūen-kun's scheme to sow confusion in Class D.
But if that entire story was a lie.
If Horikita-san and the others had coordinated to keep quiet about the traitor.
Then they protected the class with a lie to avoid panic.
No contradictions. It's plausible.
If a traitor has existed since then until now, Class D would constantly struggle.
Yet one question lingers.
"Hey, doesn't that seem strange? If there really is a traitor in Class D, why is Ryūen-kun still hunting for the hidden mastermind? Wouldn't keeping the traitor undercover eventually reveal that person?"
If a traitor truly exists, it wouldn't be odd for Ryūen-kun to already know X's identity.
Yet Class C's harassment of Class D continues.
Even if the hidden mastermind is cleverly concealed, why hasn't Ryūen-kun done anything about a traitor present since the sports festival?
From what I've heard, he prioritizes results above all—he wouldn't repeatedly use a traitor who fails to deliver.
"Who knows. Perhaps he figured out X's identity long ago and is just toying with them. Or maybe he genuinely hasn't noticed and is enjoying the search like a game.
Either way, the fact remains unchanged: you are currently unnecessary to me."
He has no intention of answering seriously. Then he stands and reaches for his school bag.
It seems he's lost all interest in me.
But I can't give up. If there's already a traitor, Class D's already-low chances drop to zero.
That means we can't climb higher. And if we can't, my ideal career or university path becomes impossible.
That—I refuse.
"Wait, Kamukura-kun! I have a guess about who X is!!"
At those words, his movement stops.
"That statement is a little unexpected. So—who is this person you suspect?"
I hesitate under his glance, but slowly open my mouth.
"It's—it's Ayanokōji-kun. The guy who stood out in the relay at the sports festival."
"And your evidence?"
"I-it's elimination. I ruled out the flashy students and the ones who aren't sharp, one by one! Then I fitted the piece of 'someone hiding their ability,' and he seemed the most likely…"
I desperately try to convince him.
If he isn't satisfied with this, I have no moves left.
"Hmm. You do seem capable of thinking, at least."
Yet his expression remains impenetrable.
His unchanged face despite my frantic persuasion fills me with the greatest fear I've felt today.
At the same time, another question rises.
"…Hey, that reaction. It's like you knew from the start! Could it be, Kamukura-kun—you already know who X is!?"
Fear and the faint anger born from the conversation make my voice rough.
"Who knows. But yes—given that answer and reaction, I'll put this consultation on 'hold' for now."
With those final words, he leaves the karaoke room.
The negotiation failed.
I escaped into denial so deeply that I lost any desire to reflect on the outcome.
***
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