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- (Part 1)
- Roughly two hours before Karuizawa fell before Ryuuen.
- Chabashira-sensei gave Class D an explanation regarding the essentials of the winter vacation.
- "Over the winter vacation, a portion of the school is scheduled for renovation so it will be off limits. Make sure to keep that in mind. And also, all club activities will be suspended after the closing ceremony today. Be sure to head back as soon as you're able to".
- Our teacher explained only the bare minimum to us. But for some reason, she silently looked around the class. And no matter how long we waited, she did not signal the end of class.
- Feeling numb at this point, Ike raised his hand.
- "What's the matter, sensei?".
- "I'm sure there are students already aware of it but you can assume that your promotion to Class C is all but guaranteed. Well done".
- "W-Woah, you actually gave us honest praise. Isn't this a rarity?".
- It's not just Ike, I'm sure the rest of the class feels the same way.
- "Don't get complacent. If you cause trouble during the winter vacation, it may have an effect on your class points. Make sure you act properly as a student even over the long holidays".
- After saying that, Chabashira-sensei concluded our second semester.
- "This really is an unusual sight, Chabashira-sensei reprimanding us gently, I mean".
- "Maybe so".
- There's no doubt that she added the warning to not cause trouble as a follow up. While putting my textbook back into my bag, I looked in Karuizawa's direction.
- And when I did, she turned to look at me while still in the middle of a conversation with the other girls.
- This morning, I had received a single mail from Karuizawa at the address I gave her for emergency use.
- That something came up regarding the incident with Manabe's group and that she had been called out to the rooftop at 2 o'clock today.
- I wasn't surprised and I didn't reply either. After all, I had already been informed of it beforehand by Ryuuen.
- He couldn't care less whether Karuizawa would inform someone else of it or not. It was an act meant to lure me out in the first place.
- But perhaps Karuizawa felt from our eye contact that I had already seen her mail, because she left the classroom with her friends while looking satisfied.
- Maybe she intends to leave once and then come back later.
- One hour after the class ended most of the students had already left the school grounds.
- "We're talking about going to Keyaki Mall after this, what'll you do?".
- Yukimura, ready to leave, asked me that while approaching me.
- "Sure. I don't have anything particular planned for today anyways. After I finish packing I'll come".
- "Then I'll be waiting in the hallway".
- Just in case, I should bring some of the textbooks with me since there's still the possibility I might be needing them later.
- "Umm...could it be that you're not free right now?".
- The one who called out with that apologetic voice was none other than Satou.
- "Yeah, I'm planning on hanging out with Yukimura and the others....".
- "I...I see. That's a shame".
- Satou's shoulders droop in disappointment. I wonder if she was planning on asking me out again like last time? If so.
- "...today might be problematic, but would the winter holidays be ok with you?".
- "Eeeh?".
- "I mean, it seemed bad for me to refuse you twice in a row so if you're okay with it then...".
- "R-really?".
- "Y-Yeah".
- I felt a bit overwhelmed by Satou happily pressing her body against me.
- "I-It's a promise then!".
- She said with a blush while jumping around joyfully. I wonder why exactly she's this interested in me.....
- Of course I have nothing against this but since there were still people left in the classroom I felt slightly embarrassed.
- "In any case, from tomorrow onwards is fine I'll send you the details via mail".
- "Understood! See you later Ayanokouji-kun!".
- Satou then joined Shinohara's group with a pleased look on her face.
- Shinohara's group looked at me suspiciously before leaving the classroom.
- Now then, I suppose I'll meet up with Keisei and the others. It seems they've all already assembled out in the corridor, chatting while waiting for my arrival.
- I immediately grasped the situation from Haruka's creepy smile and Airi's crestfallen expression. As we started walking, Haruka seemed to want to cut in and so I took the initiative.
- "There's no deep meaning behind that".
- "I haven't even asked you anything yet, what's the matter?".
- "Nothing's the matter, you were about to ask me, weren't you?".
- "I mean, right? Just look at how Satou-san was acting, not too hard to imagine what's up, no?".
- "How adulterous, Kiyotaka. Horikita and now Satou, you've got no integrity".
- For some reason, even Keisei is angry. Still, I suppose I'll make an apology.
- "I was just invited to hang out".
- "It must be quite something for a girl to ask a boy out though?".
- "Surely you don't think S-S-S-Satou-san is interested in Kiyotaka-kun!?".
- There had been a dispute of that nature a while back but Airi said so frantically.
- "...there's really nothing I can say to that even if you ask me".
- "A last minute rush for a lovey dovey Christmas perhaps? Now that's an amazing development there".
- Haruka is Haruka after all, onesidedly imagining her own scenario.
- "More importantly, where do we go? I think today's going to be crowded".
- Since a long holiday begins tomorrow, there's bound to be a lot of students hanging out late into the night today.
- Keisei concluded that it'd be in our best interests to decide on a course of action.
- "Well, can't we just, like, loiter around? There's no rush".
- As we had that conversation, Akito walked silently without once letting the tough look on his face falter.
- Akito's focus isn't on us but rather, behind us.
- While on the move, he checked to see whether or not there's someone behind us.
- "No sign of anyone tailing us.....".
- Akito quietly whispered that in relief. Looks like Ryuuen wants to settle things today. He must've concluded that a tail is no longer necessary.
- "But you know, even though Keyaki Mall has everything, I'd like to go outside after all".
- Haruka said so and looked towards the main gate, far from here.
- "I'd like to go to Shibuya or Harajuku, or go see the lights at Omotesando".
- "Keyaki Mall aside, the school roads won't be a substitute for that I suppose".
- Since there are no special preparations for change of any sort, the outside is as it has always been.
- "I'm rather satisfied with the way things are now though. The essentials are all here too. Do you feel the same way as everyone else, Kiyotaka-kun? About wanting to go outside".
- Unlike Haruka, Airi doesn't seem like the outgoing type.
- Well, I suppose I don't have to force myself to go along with the flow.
- "I'm satisfied with this too like you, Airi. But I guess I can also understand the feeling of wanting to go outside".
- "I don't know if they're doing it to uphold the rules but I think prohibiting any contact with even your family is going too far. Wouldn't a family normally be worried about their child?".
- It certainly isn't normal to not be able to see your children for three years. Maybe that resonated with Akito, because his expression turned grim.
- "See, my mom's a worrywart so maybe she's feeling some anxiety over that".
- "Looks like the school also takes care of that. Apparently they regularly report your progress from your report card or something".
- "That...might actually make me worry even more. I guess I'll study harder.....".
- "Parents would worry more about girls than they would the boys, right?".
- "Ahh---I'm fine though. Because that's not the case for me".
- Haruka smoothly deflected it. Because it looked like there's something she didn't want to talk about, we also didn't press the matter.
- ----------------------------------------------------
- (Part 2)
- "So, karaoke next? Might be a bit crowded though".
- "No way, we're not going to play that punishment game again are we...?".
- "Of course we're going to play. For the sake of Yukimu~'s revenge".
- I stopped walking while everyone was in the middle of discussion their next course of action.
- "What's wrong, Kiyotaka-kun?".
- "Sorry but I'm going to head back".
- "It's not even 2 o'clock yet though?".
- Akito said while checking the time on his phone.
- "Truth is, I stayed up all night yesterday so I'm feeling quite sleepy now. Please invite me again over the holidays".
- Airi looked disappointed at that but there won't be any inconvenience for her now even if I'm gone.
- Haruka will take care of it properly for me too so I suppose I can rest assured. I bid farewell to the group and turned my back on them.
- I then took out my phone and called my homeroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei.
- "It's me".
- "Hello. I have something to discuss with you. Are you free now?".
- "What do you want? Haven't you stopped associating with me?".
- "Yes that would be right. But I just remembered there are still things left to settle. If possible, I'd like to meet you face-to-face rather than over the phone. Can we meet at school?".
- "...I'll be waiting in the classroom".
- "Understood. I'll be there in a few minutes".
- After that conversation, I immediately headed back to the Class D classroom. There aren't any students left in there and near my seat, Chabashira-sensei alone looked out through the window.
- "Assuming this year is also your average year then it'll snow a fair bit this year too".
- "Do you like snow?".
- "I used to. But when I became an adult, I grew to hate it".
- Chabashira-sensei shut the curtains and slowly turned around.
- "So you have something to discuss with me. What is it?".
- "I thought I haven't heard your answer yet. Why do you want to rise to Class A so badly to the point you'd even use me?".
- Unless there's a very good reason behind it, a teacher won't use a lie to manipulate a student.
- "This school makes not only students, but also teachers compete with one another. If one considers their own position, it's obvious they'd want to aim for the upper classes even if it's just a cut above".
- "I don't think that's the real reason. If you were aiming for Class A from the start, you wouldn't have made remarks that could have put Class D's students at a disadvantage".
- During the midterm test of our first semester, Chabashira-sensei intentionally withheld information to put Class D at a disadvantage.
- "...that's already something different from the school's rules. It's a personal matter. I've got nothing to say to you".
- "You were unsure at that point despite having quietly made preparations to rise to Class A, weren't you? Whether or not this class really has what it takes to become Class A or whether you should even be aiming for it".
- I don't particularly care what feelings this teacher is keeping bottled up. The important thing is whether she's worth making use of or not.
- "Looks like this has been a waste of time. I'm heading back to work".
- I spoke again towards the teacher who had turned her back as though fleeing.
- "If you won't answer, then please give up on using me".
- "So that's how it is. No need to emphasize that. You've already stopped associating with me, no?".
- "This is the important part. If you let this day go to waste, Class D won't ever rise to Class A. On the contrary, we may not even be able to rise to Class C".
- "What are you talking about?".
- I explicitly looked at the classroom's clock.
- "It's now 2 o'clock. Right now, Ryuuen's probably putting on an interesting show on the rooftop after calling Karuizawa out there".
- "...Ryuuen is? To Karuizawa?".
- "So even you aren't aware of it, sensei. The fact that Karuizawa used to be the victim of severe bullying in the past, I mean".
- "First time I've heard that...".
- It's hard to imagine from the way Karuizawa normally is that she'd be the victim of bullying.
- "And in all likelihood, news of this will spread throughout school tomorrow. Once that happens, Karuizawa may choose to withdraw into herself and drop out. If we can prove Class C is involved in it, we may be able to retaliate but the damage we'd have dealt each other would be immeasurable".
- It still isn't clear the sort of penalty that an expulsion entails but it must be quite the penalty. That much is clear from seeing Chabashira-sensei's face.
- But then she immediately regained her composure and looked at me with her usual, fierce gaze.
- "I see. I've got the gist of your scheme. From what I understand, it would be difficult for you to resolve this matter on your own. But it'd be a different story for a school teacher like myself. Not only won't the problem be resolved, but your identity would even be kept secret. It couldn't be better, could it?".
- "Will you lend me a hand if I asked for your cooperation?".
- "Don't get too cocky, Ayanokouji. I have no intention of cooperating with you".
- "Of course you don't".
- "This school doesn't look favorably upon teachers intervening in students' problems".
- That is true. A teacher going up to the rooftop alone to not only stop Ryuuen's bullying but also seal their lips regarding Karuizawa's past. That sort of favorable outcome is impossible.
- It's also natural that Chabashira-sensei would decline.
- "But can you afford to decline that easily? There's no guarantee that I won't sabotage Class D in the future, is there? I can deftly make sure we won't be able to rise to the upper classes".
- "...to think a student would threaten a teacher. It should be the other way around".
- "If you return the favor and restore our relationship to an equal student-teacher one then at the very least I can say I won't commit sabotage. I think that alone carries a huge merit, no?".
- "If, by turning you down here, it means rising to Class A becomes impossible then it's all the same".
- Chabashira-sensei stubbornly refused to lend a hand.
- "Please rest assured, I had no intention of asking you for help from the start".
- "What?".
- The idea of relying on this teacher never once factored into my calculations.
- "I was just teasing you for a bit there. Why don't you observe from afar then? The conclusion of this incident, that is".
- After saying that, I invited Chabashira-sensei to play the role of observer for this story.
- --------------------------------------------------------------
- (Part 3)
- If all goes according to schedule, it should have been half an hour since Karuizawa went up to the rooftop.
- Just when I thought Ishizaki had panickedly come running down, turns out it was so that he could fill up buckets with a large amount of water after which he went back up.
- Judging from the droplets of water on the floor, he's already done it several times over.
- The most probable scenario is that Ryuuen is forcing Karuizawa to relive the bullying of her past to extract a confession from her.
- But then it'd mean Karuizawa didn't spit it out right away because neither the Class C folks or Karuizawa herself came back down from the rooftop.
- There's the possibility that there's been a slight divergence from the scenario I envisioned.
- But that's a positive divergence from my initial assumptions.
- "What are you doing, Ayanokouji? How long are you going to wait here?".
- After leaving the classroom with Chabashira-sensei, I observed the situation while keeping my distance from the stairs that Yamada Albert is keeping an eye on.
- Just a little bit more.
- Since I've come this far, there's no need for me to rush into action.
- The more I delay, the more things will go the way I had planned. Of course being late comes with its own risks but it's a necessary risk I'm taking after considering the merits of doing so.
- "Shall we have a chat?".
- "Chat in a situation like this?".
- I ignored Chabashira-sensei's doubts and started the conversation.
- "It's something that happened not too long after enrollment but I remember Sudou wanting to purchase a point during the exam".
- "...yeah I recall that. You and Horikita paid 100,000 points in total".
- I think it's been half a year or more since then but time sure flies.
- "There's nothing you can't buy with private points. That's what you said, no?".
- "It's the truth. Didn't Sudou's expulsion get nullified?".
- "Yes, if it's just the purchase of points then it's still grounded in logic but if that's always permitted then there would be no expulsions in the first place, would there? Whenever someone gets a failing grade, someone else just needs to cover up for them the same way. By doing so, they'd be able to avoid expulsion at least".
- "But it's not easy getting your hands on private points. This Class D miraculously maintained an abundance of points but an average Class D would only have half that. Besides, it's not like your classmates would all be friendly towards you. It's not strange for a student to prioritize their private points even if it means losing class points".
- "That is true. But the system itself is a defective one, is it not? As long as salvation via points is possible, the danger of expulsion in a test falls drastically".
- "That might be the case".
- She did not deny it but neither did Chabashira-sensei look me in the eye.
- "The problem is when I asked you to sell me points, you added a price tag to it, Chabashira-sensei".
- "Are you trying to say it's too expensive after all this time?".
- "That's not it. What I'm trying to ask is whether or not 100,000 points for a mark is something you made up or whether there's a basis for it. It seemed like you were improvising on the spot but it's hard to imagine you'd be able to arbitrarily decide the price of a mark on your own".
- "What are you trying to say, Ayanokouji?".
- "This school has already established the fine details regarding points thoroughly, has it not? There would naturally be a manual to consult when purchase of points is requested. If that's the case, then that's convincing".
- "In other words, you're saying that the price I gave for a mark during Sudou's case was something prepared in advance by the school?".
- "Exactly. If you could answer me please then".
- There was a delay. Chabashira-sensei, who had been firing back answers straight away so far, choked on her words.
- "It's not like I'll just answer anything you ask me".
- "Shall I assume that means you are unable to answer?".
- "Do what you will".
- "Then I'll just draw up a hypothesis on my own. The school has a manual for any and all occasions and in the case of point purchase, 100,000 points for a mark is something they had already determined in advance. Assuming all of this to be true, it gives rise to another question. It's whether or not we can purchase a mark for 100,000 points every time there's a test".
- "You're free to think whatever you want but what meaning is there behind this talk. Right now, Karuizawa's---".
- I deflected those words and continued.
- "Is it only 100,000 points per mark for a limited period of time after enrolling? Or perhaps it rises every time you make a purchase? Or maybe we can't even make that sort of purchase again? Question after question keeps popping up. Please tell me which one of them's the truth".
- "Cut it out already. Do you think I can really answer a question like that? Even if I were to answer, there's no way you can confirm the veracity of that answer".
- "There is. I just have to ask you directly, sensei".
- I forcibly made eye contact with her as she tried to avert her eyes.
- "Right now, how much would one mark cost for the next midterm test?".
- ".........".
- Chabashira-sensei stopped speaking entirely.
- "As a teacher, you are obligated to answer, aren't you? If you won't answer then I'll go ask another teacher the same question. And if they answer then I can just report to the school that the homeroom teacher of Class D is discriminating against us. Please keep in mind I have that option available".
- Of course it's plenty possible that the other teachers won't be able to answer either. In that case, several possibilities come to mind. It might be that only that one mark could be purchased or maybe they aren't allowed to answer unless someone's actually received a failing grade, etc.
- But being unable to answer is yet another answer in itself. It would mean that there's a manual prepared in advance for when a student's grades are insufficient.
- "Are you planning on delving into the rules?".
- "At the very least, there are students doing just that. Ichinose, who's rumored to be saving up points and then there's Ryuuen who's sticking with private points. It's obvious when you consider them".
- They're all trying to figure out a strategy that could benefit their class through trial-and-error they conduct repeatedly daily.
- "Very well. I'll answer your question. It is true that the clue to beating the school system lies in figuring out the rules regarding private points. Naturally, students from past years have tried that approach from a variety of different angles much like you're doing now. Even the defective Class D isn't an exception to that. Some were quicker than others though. And the school too, has established the fine details of the rules in advance in order to answer the questions the students have. Purchase of points, erasing violence from your record and preventing expulsion. Points necessary for all that are fixed. But a teacher is limited in the amount of things they can say. As for why, it's because most of it is prohibited. No, not even that, there are probably many things even teachers aren't aware of".
- "So I was right in assuming you 'cannot answer' my question?".
- "That's right".
- This solves one mystery. It's that there are many things they are unable to answer us on regarding the special usage of private points unless the conditions for said usage have been met.
- The price for one mark at the next midterm test has already been decided and by telling us that, it would be possible to come up with a countermeasure. But if it remains unknown to us, we wouldn't be able to do anything reckless.
- Because if they tell us one mark costs 100,000 points then that'd be the end of that.
- "...does this have something to do with the matter at hand?".
- "No. I was just having a chat. Nothing more, nothing less. Of course, it also has nothing to do with the matter at hand".
- Chabashira-sensei is unable to grasp my true intentions.
- "Now then...I suppose it's time. Hide-and-seek's over".
- I confirmed that it's past 2:40 on my phone.
- I mailed a certain person.
- I instructed them to head over to this place right away.
- "I don't know the details but Karuizawa's suffering at the hands of Class C. I know that much at least. If you have no intention of stepping up then you should call someone else for help".
- "I'll head over to the rooftop".
- Chabashira-sensei couldn't conceal her surprise at those words.
- "...are you insane? If you do that, the whole school will know about it".
- "Even if Ryuuen realizes I'm the one behind all the strategies up until now, it still won't benefit him in any way. On the contrary, he might read too much into it the next time around and self-destruct, all the while thinking I'm involved".
- "If you do that, you'll be famous overnight. You'll lose your quiet life at school".
- There should be a certain thought smoldering within Chabashira-sensei now. That as long as my identity is kept hidden, she still has a way to make me cooperate with Class D.
- But if I make contact with Class C in any way, Ryuuen will know with certainty that I'm X.
- No, even if he cannot ascertain it, it's still over the moment I become his number one suspect.
- Even though I've kept a low profile so far, my existence will end up becoming common knowledge.
- Chabashira-sensei averted her eyes wordlessly.
- "This may just be my misunderstanding".
- "Misunderstanding?".
- "Chairman Sakayanagi told me about you just before enrollment commenced. That you're an extremely special student. And that you're talented. And that you're a student we must protect. And also that you were raised in a loveless environment. Taking everything into account, a conclusion was reached over the course of my discussion with the Chairman. To make you attached to this school and to make you wish to remain here. And then I told you about your father and how he wishes for your expulsion. Of course, that was a lie but it looks like it's become reality at long last".
- "I see. You aren't mistaken in that it's easier to make people attached to something by giving them a goal to strive for. But unfortunately, I'm not the type of person to worry. No matter what a third party desires, I will choose to continue on at this school. At the very least, I have no intention of going back under that man's thumb right now".
- "So simply trying to make use of you was my mistake, huh? For Class D to aim for Class A. Chasing a pipe dream like that was a mistake, huh?".
- Chabashira-sensei spat that out as though in resignation.
- But isn't it just comedic how she's given up on it so quickly?
- "It's not a pipe dream. As a matter of fact, Class D is about to rise to Class C right now. In the near future, Horikita will unite this class. She definitely will".
- "Yeah, you're right. They'll achieve things that have never been achieved before. I suppose that alone counts as a victory. But are you serious? About Horikita uniting the class".
- "That's a line I don't want to hear from my homeroom teacher. At the very least, I believe Horikita is more than capable of leading Class A".
- Although as far as Chabashira-sensei is concerned, Horikita was only the means through which she could make use of me.
- "Ultimately, Horikita is beginning to mature. The majority of my classmates are the same as well. All that's left is for you to guide them as a teacher and they'll secure their position as Class C...or maybe even draw closer to Class A".
- Of course, a different sort of ability is required in order to actually get there though.
- "Are you really stepping down?".
- "That's what I currently intend on doing".
- Normally speaking, a teacher isn't allowed to twist a student's feelings by using their own. Chabashira-sensei is surely aware of that too.
- It's not for mere insurance that I've brought Chabashira-sensei here.
- It's so that I can definitively prove to her that I'm stepping down from the class conflict.
- "Let's get back to the topic at hand. You're free to boldly make your entrance. But will the problem really be resolved with just that?".
- "I can't guarantee that. I'm just going to deal with it based on Ryuuen's personality and behavioral patterns. Alright then, thank you very much for accompanying me".
- As the person I'd been waiting for showed up, I thanked Chabashira-sensei.
- Now there's no problem even if she decides to leave.
- "Sorry to keep you waiting, Ayanokouji".
- Chabashira-sensei expressed surprise at seeing Horikita Manabu, the former student council president who just spoke to me.
- "What's the meaning of this.....?".
- "He's to be a witness when I settle things with Ryuuen. After all, he's the type to use any means necessary. And I'd like to avoid push coming to shove".
- I understand having a teacher play the role of witness is ideal but that option is off the table.
- If so, the wise thing to do would be to go with the next best option.
- "Are you planning to have Horikita resolve things by doing what I said earlier?".
- "Does the former student council president look like the sort of person who'd do that?".
- Chabashira-sensei looked over at the older Horikita once and immediately concluded that it's out of the question.
- Just like her, the older Horikita won't get unnecessarily involved either.
- "There will be witnesses to what happens on the rooftop. As long as that fact stands, all is well".
- It's for that reason that I made a deal with the older Horikita. Well, I suppose that's currently irrelevant.
- "A few minutes after I've gone up to the rooftop, I'd like you to stop halfway on the stairs to the rooftop. There's no need to talk to the students coming back down from the rooftop nor is it necessary to punish them. Just make sure the students coming back down are made aware of your presence".
- The former student council president has witnessed the students leaving the rooftop. That alone would be extremely effective against Ryuuen and his group.
- "Very well. But don't forget that promise, Ayanokouji".
- "Of course not. Because if I renege on it, you may choose to forget about this incident entirely".
- "As long as you understand. Make it quick".
- The older Horikita sent me on my way and I headed over to the corridor that leads to the rooftop.
- "Wait, Ayanokouji. What would you have done on the off chance that you failed to acquire Horikita's cooperation?".
- "I wonder what I would've done then".
- While saying that, I thought it over. I probably would've used the one who knew about me, Sakayanagi, instead.
- And if that doesn't work then---no, there's no point in considering plans that are no longer necessary.
- "Either 10 minutes or 20 minutes. I plan to be back by then".
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