2.5

Hirata’s meeting place was on the second deck, only one level below us. We took the stairs instead of the elevator. I saw quite a few students waiting around compared to earlier. Some of the students were leaning against the wall. Others were sitting down, fiddling around on their phones. They looked totally unprepared for the explanation they were about to receive.

“It doesn’t seem like all of these people are in my group,” Hirata said.

At a glance, it looked like there were close to ten people here. Considering the time, even if some part of the group had already been briefed, it did seem rather strange. Did this meeting have some other purpose? Were they all checking to see who belonged to which group? If so, they didn’t need to spend all this time and effort. If you just talked to your classmates later, you could figure out the groups right away.

They glanced up as we passed, but then immediately went back to their cell phones, like they were in the middle of something. Sadly, I knew very little about the students from the other classes. I wasn’t acquainted with most people I’d run into here, and I didn’t know which classes they were all from.

“Who are those people?” I asked.

“That’s Morimiya-kun, from Class A. And that one near the elevator is Tokitou-kun, from Class C.”

Just how I’d expect a well-connected person to respond. I burned the names and faces of the students into my memory. It was a surprising number of people. Maybe they’d felt restless, and arrived early to wait. You know, like trying to get a table at a popular restaurant. I kept moving, thinking how easy this would all be if it operated like that.

When Hirata and I arrived, several guys and girls were gathered near the door. I also noticed a familiar face who’d received the same meeting time as Hirata. The meeting hadn’t started yet, so we approached the line without making a fuss.

“Unless I’m mistaken, you’re also in the group meeting at 20:40, yes?”

I heard a rather low, deep voice. Katsuragi, from Class A. He had an incredibly calm and collected demeanor for a first-year high school student. He was cool and composed, and had a good physique to boot. You could mistake him for a college student at first glance. Even though Class A boasted many excellent students, most had already acknowledged him as their leader.

“Yes, I am. And what exactly does that have to do with you?” answered the girl with long black hair, who faced Katsuragi without hesitation.

“I knew it,” he said. “That’s good news. I wanted to speak with you again. I’m also in the 20:40 group. Starting tomorrow, we will be working together.”

Horikita Suzune stared back at Katsuragi. So Hirata had been placed with both Horikita and Katsuragi. Quite a team.

“You wanted to speak with me? Funny. Didn’t you completely ignore me the other day?” she said.

During the test on the island, Horikita and Katsuragi had crossed paths only once. At the time, Katsuragi showed no interest in Horikita and hadn’t tried to hold a conversation with her. However, the tables had apparently turned. Three guys who probably belonged to Class A grouped around Katsuragi, as well as two girls from either Class B or C. They listened in on the conversation from a short distance away.

“You’re correct. I certainly haven’t acknowledged anyone in Class D until now. However, considering the incredible results from the last test, it would be impossible for me not to pay attention to you. Wouldn’t you agree? You laid the groundwork to win, and succeeded handsomely.”

He probably never could have imagined that Class D would be triumphant. From Katsuragi’s point of view, his contact with Horikita in front of the cave had all been a part of her strategy. Horikita had certainly made big waves within Class D, and the number of girls who admired her had increased over the last few days. Unfortunately, Horikita didn’t exactly respond well to people who wanted to become friends with her. However, compared to how things had gone in the past, she’d hurt and enraged fewer people than usual. Her classmates now seemed to interpret her selfish demeanor as concern for the class.

With that in mind, Horikita’s refusal to become anyone’s friend now came across differently. Interactions with her suddenly became more nuanced. Even if she gave them the cold shoulder, people didn’t really take offense. If anything, they might’ve found it cute. Other classes now viewed Horikita as more than a superior student with good grades. Because of the results she’d garnered, they viewed her as a puppet master, a mastermind who worked behind the scenes. They viewed her as a threat, and were on guard around her.

“I don’t know what the future might hold, but…should Class D overtake Class C, know that Class A would attack you without mercy.”

“That’s rather petty. From Class A’s perspective, are we such a big deal? I mean, there’s a significant gap in points between us.”

“That’s certainly true. However, we must be cautious. It’s no laughing matter when those who have been perceived as weak and stupid begin to rise up. If one class manages to change its station, we must be vigilant. I would give the same warning to both Classes B and C.”

There wasn’t much we could do about being seen as a threat, though. Katsuragi’s entourage collectively glared at Horikita. An ordinary girl would’ve burst into tears, but Horikita didn’t seem intimidated in the slightest.

The situation appeared hopeless, until an unexpected arrival changed everything. The girls’ faces instantly lit up as a boy walked quietly past us.

“I don’t much like ganging up on people, or threatening other classes.”

This was Kanzaki, a Class B student. Though he wore his hair rather long, he didn’t come off like a slacker at all. He was an honest type. Although I didn’t really know him personally, Ichinose—Class B’s leader— seemed to trust him. Since Horikita and Kanzaki had faced off once before during our summer vacation, he knew of her incredible intellect.

“You don’t need to waste time on Katsuragi. He’s just trying to get to you.” Kanzaki spoke like a gentleman to Horikita, even though they weren’t on particularly good terms.

“You needn’t concern yourself. Class D has always been regarded as inferior. I’d welcome any change in our reputation.”

“I see. It appears you feel we’ve treated you callously up until now. Certainly, many in my class have made light of Class D. However, your success on the island changed people’s opinions.” Despite his words, Katsuragi made a dismissive gesture, like he was brushing dirt off his clothes. “However, just because you got lucky and won by complete chance doesn’t make us equals.”

“What do you mean?”

“Anyone could accomplish something like that out of pure luck. It’s better that you don’t grow arrogant and behave foolishly after a win that came about by chance. Remember that the difference in our class points is still massive.”

Well, that was true. Bridging the gap between us would still be difficult. Of course, Horikita understood that. She also knew that the island was my victory, but I’d refused to take credit for anything. Right now, Horikita didn’t seem too happy to take the credit; she didn’t love being in the spotlight. She’d mainly done it so other people wouldn’t discover me. Really, it was all for my benefit.

“We haven’t gotten into college yet. I don’t think you and I are so different. The school arbitrarily divided us into different classes. Don’t forget that.”

Kanzaki, who’d been standing by watching this scene unfold, saw where all this was headed. “Hirata, looks like you landed in a troublesome group.”

“Yes. Though if I’m with you, Kanzaki-kun, and Katsuragi-kun, struggle has to be inevitable.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.”

“Hmm?”

Someone came up behind me and walked over to Kanzaki, then proceeded toward Horikita.

“Well, well. So many fish in this pond. I’ve come to take a look for myself.”

“Ryuuen.” Katsuragi’s tone grew grim. Even Kanzaki stiffened. “Are you part of this meeting as well? Or were you just walking by?”

“Unfortunately, it looks like I’m with you.”

Three students followed behind Ryuuen. It was like Katsuragi’s entourage, but also completely different, more like a king and his servants. They all wore terrified looks, and their movements seemed so docile.

“How about you put on a little show for me? What do you think of Beauty and the Beast?” said Ryuuen. He looked at both Horikita and Katsuragi, and let out a demented little chuckle.

In the face of this obvious provocation, Katsuragi stayed calm. “Well, I originally thought that our group would be comprised solely of students with a high level of academic ability. Now that you and your lackeys are here, I’m not so sure.”

“Academic ability? How droll. That kind of thing is meaningless.”

“That’s a rather deplorable thing to say. Especially when academic success is the most important factor in determining our futures. You realize that Japan is often referred to as an academic society?”

Katsuragi struck back against Ryuuen’s cavalier attitude with a sound argument. However, Ryuuen wasn’t so easily convinced. He gestured to his crew, almost as if to ask, “Can you believe what this idiot is saying?” His minions agreed immediately, their response mechanical.

“I won’t let you bring your awful attitude to this test.”

“Hmm? Awful attitude? What in the world are you talking about? I can’t possibly imagine. Can you perhaps tell me how I am, in fact, awful?”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Since we’re in the same group now, we’ll be able to talk at length.”

For a minute there, I thought there’d be a huge showdown before the test had even begun.

“Huh, Hirata-kun? Oh, Ayanokouji-kun, too? What are you all doing here?”

Kushida approached us, wearing a puzzled look. Apparently not everyone in Class D fully understood the parameters of the exam. Our class seemed to be one or two steps behind.

“Wait, Kushida-san. You’re not meeting in the 20:40 group, are you?”

“Hmm? Group? I don’t understand. I did get an email telling me to come here at this time… Wow, there really are some amazing people here, huh?”

Even though Kushida was somewhat taken back, she still showed respect for everyone gathered.

“Are you okay, Hirata? I think this is going to be an especially grueling battle.”

“Don’t worry. No matter who is in my group, I’ll do my best.”

Hirata was positive, as always. Kushida didn’t understand the circumstances, but she was smart. By looking at the gathered people and listening to their fragmented conversations, she would begin to grasp the situation.

“Um, well. So, it feels like a lot of really difficult things are about to come our way,” she said.

“Roughly speaking, yeah. You’d best mentally prepare yourself.”

“Ah ha! Don’t worry, it’s okay! Like Hirata-kun said, all I can do is my best. Oh, I haven’t really had many chances to talk with Katsuragi-kun and Ryuuen-kun yet. I’d like to get along with you all, too.” Kushida spoke to everyone present without any anxiety, disgust, displeasure, or joy in her voice.

“If we’re going to continue this pointless conversation, I’d prefer to just go inside. Besides, it’s about time.”

With those cold words, Horikita flipped her hair and turned her back on Ryuuen and his minions. I had to give it to her: Horikita didn’t back down. Weak-willed people tended to lower their heads and ingratiate themselves into their group, no matter what. They would beg forgiveness if they were isolated or ostracized. But Horikita wasn’t perturbed. She acted as she always did.

“Apparently, I don’t need to worry all that much.”

Of course, it wasn’t clear exactly how far she’d get like that, considering who was in her group. Even so, I didn’t think she’d get the wind taken out of her sails. That was just my intuition.

“Well then, good luck.” I left Hirata with those sympathetic words. He had his work cut out for him from now on.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***