Katsuragi's Invitation

Over the next few days, Class A grew increasingly divided.

The Study Group organized by Katsuragi Kouhei met every evening as scheduled in a designated area of the Library.

More students joined than expected. Most were in the middle or lower ranks in Academic Ability, or felt deeply anxious about the future.

Under Katsuragi's guidance, these students' enthusiasm for studying soared to unprecedented heights. Even some of their weakest subjects showed marked improvement.

As a result, Katsuragi Kouhei's standing in their eyes rose steadily, and he had become the undisputed Leader of this small group.

"...So the key here is constructing the auxiliary line. Once you understand that, the rest of the proof is simple."

Katsuragi Kouhei set down his pen and turned to face everyone. "Does anyone still not understand?"

After several days of meetings, the Study Group was already showing clear results.

Once the meeting ended, Katsuragi Kouhei packed up his things, but his gaze drifted involuntarily toward one corner.

Kazehara Tetsu.

Ever since he started holding the Study Group, Katsuragi had seen Kazehara in the Library almost every day.

Every time, Kazehara was reading a stack of books, and he read them so quickly that Katsuragi wondered whether he was absorbing any of it.

Katsuragi Kouhei acknowledged Kazehara Tetsu's talent, but that was precisely why he couldn't tolerate such a powerful asset remaining outside the group.

He made up his mind and walked over to Kazehara.

"Classmate Kazehara, could I have a moment?"

Kazehara Tetsu looked up and saw Katsuragi Kouhei's trademark Bald Head. "Oh, Classmate Katsuragi. What is it?"

"I'd like to talk to you."

Katsuragi Kouhei wore a serious expression. "It's about the Study Group. Classmate Kazehara, there's no doubt that your Academic Ability is among the best in the class. That's exactly why I hope you'll contribute your abilities to the whole class."

"The Study Group is going very well, and most students have managed to shore up their weak subjects. But with you on board, we could take our efficiency to a whole new level. I hope you'll consider joining us, for the benefit of Class A as a whole."

His words were sincere, conveying a selfless spirit and a concern for the overall interests of Class A.

Kazehara Tetsu listened quietly, his smile unchanged.

"Classmate Katsuragi, I admire your sense of responsibility and your willingness to contribute."

He began by acknowledging Katsuragi's efforts, then shifted his tone.

"But I have to decline your invitation."

"Why?"

Katsuragi Kouhei was puzzled. "It wouldn't cost you anything personally, would it?"

"It would cost me my time and efficiency."

Kazehara's voice was calm, yet left no room for debate. "Classmate Katsuragi, group study sessions are essentially designed to accommodate students in the middle and lower ranks. Their pace has to suit the slowest person. Whether I joined as a teacher or a student, it would greatly slow down my own progress."

He looked at Katsuragi Kouhei's face, so full of the word "collective," and slowly shook his head.

"The greatest contribution I can make to the class is ensuring that I don't run into any problems on any exam. As for everyone else... that's their own Task. I have neither the obligation nor the interest to pay for other people's laziness and stupidity."

Katsuragi Kouhei fell silent.

He had imagined many possible reasons for being turned down, such as Kazehara being opposed to the Sakayanagi Faction or simply not getting along with people.

But he had never expected such a blunt reason, one that reduced collectivism to nothing.

Looking at Kazehara Tetsu, he suddenly realized that Kazehara was different from Sakayanagi Arisu.

Although Sakayanagi was equally arrogant, her actions still followed the framework of "factions" and "the class."

She was concerned with how to lead Class A, how to control Class A.

But Kazehara Tetsu seemed to have no concept of the "class" at all.

He was bound by nothing. He was neither a potential ally nor a clear enemy.

He was a completely unpredictable, uncontrollable variable.

"...I understand."

Only after a long while did Katsuragi Kouhei manage to force out those words. "It seems I was asking too much. Sorry to bother you, Classmate Kazehara."

He didn't press the matter. He simply gave Kazehara Tetsu a long look, then turned and left.

Watching his somewhat heavy footsteps retreat, Kazehara Tetsu silently curled his lips into a smile.

He knew that from this moment on, in the eyes of this "old hand" of Class A, he'd acquired a new label: "dangerous."

But what did it matter?

"Classmate Katsuragi!"

Tozuka Yahiko looked at Katsuragi Kouhei as he returned. "That Kazehara... he wouldn't join? What an antisocial guy!"

"No, Yahiko. You're wrong."

Katsuragi Kouhei's voice was a little lower than usual. "He's more than just 'antisocial.'"

"Then what is he?"

"An absolute individualist with no Collective Honor, who acts solely according to his personal preferences and interests... Someone like that is far more dangerous than an outright enemy. You can never predict what he'll do next, which side he'll take, or whether he'll betray everyone at once."

Tozuka Yahiko opened his mouth, then stammered, "Th-then what should we do? Should we keep inviting him to the Study Group?"

"No." Katsuragi Kouhei shook his head decisively. "We can't win him over. All we can do is maintain the status quo. Strengthen our own unity, make sure the Study Group continues to deliver results, and help everyone who trusts us get through the Midterm Exam safely."

When he finished, he patted Tozuka Yahiko on the shoulder, as if encouraging him—and perhaps firming up his own resolve as well.

Meanwhile, after watching Katsuragi Kouhei leave, Kazehara Tetsu turned his attention back to the book before him.

The Library had a great many books. Even after he'd screened them in advance and set aside those he had no use for, in the past month he'd read less than a fifth of them.

At this rate, he'd probably be holed up in the Library for the entire semester.

Time slipped by as the pages turned. When he closed the last book and got ready to leave, a crisp, familiar tapping sound with a distinctive rhythm drew nearer.

"Tap... tap... tap..."

Kazehara Tetsu didn't even look up. He could tell who it was just from the sound.

Sakayanagi Arisu stood beside his reading table, leaning on her cane.

"Did Classmate Sakayanagi join the Study Group too?" Kazehara Tetsu turned to face her.

"Do you think I'd be interested in a group activity held to cater to mediocrities?"

Sakayanagi Arisu smiled faintly, an innate sense of superiority in her expression. "I was simply curious why Classmate Katsuragi's little 'collectivist declaration' had no effect on you. I thought you'd at least consider it, for appearance's sake."