Katsuragi's Invitation

Over the next few days, the atmosphere in Class A grew increasingly polarized.

Katsuragi Kouhei's study sessions were held every evening in a fixed area of the library, as scheduled.

More students joined than expected, mostly those ranked in the middle to lower tiers of academic ability, along with those harboring strong anxieties about the future.

Under Katsuragi's leadership, these students' enthusiasm for studying soared to unprecedented heights, and even their previously weak subjects showed marked improvement.

Katsuragi Kouhei's prestige among them rose accordingly, and he had become the undisputed leader of this small group.

"...So, the key here lies in constructing the auxiliary line. Once you understand this, the subsequent proof becomes simple."

Katsuragi Kouhei put down his pen and turned to face the group. "Is there anyone who still doesn't understand?"

After several days of study sessions, the results were significant.

When the session ended, Katsuragi Kouhei packed up his things, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to one corner.

Kazehara Tetsu.

Ever since he started the study sessions, he had seen Kazehara Tetsu in the library almost every day.

Every day, he was reading a stack of books, and at an astonishing speed, to the point where Katsuragi Kouhei wondered if he was actually absorbing any of it.

Katsuragi Kouhei acknowledged Kazehara Tetsu's talent, but precisely because of that, he couldn't tolerate such a powerful force remaining detached from the collective.

He made up his mind and walked over to Kazehara Tetsu.

"Kagihara, may I have a moment?"

Kazehara Tetsu looked up and saw Katsuragi Kouhei's iconic bald head. "It's Katsuragi. What is it?"

"I'd like to talk to you."

Katsuragi Kouhei's expression was serious. "About the study session. Kagihara, your academic ability is top-tier in the class—there's no doubt about that. But precisely because of that, I hope you can contribute your strength to the entire class."

"The study session is going smoothly now, and most of the students' weak points are being addressed. But with your participation, we could elevate our efficiency to a new level. I hope you'll consider joining us, for the overall benefit of Class A."

His words were sincere, every line revealing a selfless spirit and concern for Class A's collective interests.

Kazehara Tetsu listened quietly, the smile on his face unchanged.

"Katsuragi, I admire your sense of responsibility and dedication."

He offered affirmation first, then shifted his tone.

"However, I must decline your invitation."

"Why?"

Katsuragi Kouhei was puzzled. "There's no loss to you personally, is there?"

"The loss is my time and my efficiency."

Kazehara Tetsu's voice was calm, but carried a hint of finality. "Katsuragi, a group study session is, in essence, a model designed to accommodate those at the middle and lower levels. Its pace must cater to the slowest person. Having me attend the study session, whether as a teacher or a student, would greatly slow down my personal progress."

He looked at Katsuragi Kouhei's face, which was etched with the word "collective," and slowly shook his head.

"The greatest contribution I can make to the class is ensuring that I myself have no issues in any exam. As for the others... that's their own task. I have no obligation, nor any interest, in paying for others' laziness and stupidity."

Katsuragi Kouhei fell silent.

He had imagined many reasons for rejection, such as "opposing the Sakayanagi faction" or "being antisocial."

But he never expected such a naked reason that dismissed collectivism as worthless.

He looked at Kazehara Tetsu before him and suddenly realized that this person was different from Sakayanagi Arisu.

Sakayanagi was equally proud, but her logic of action still operated within the framework of "faction" and "class."

She thought about how to lead Class A, how to dominate Class A.

But Kazehara Tetsu—his line of sight seemed to have no concept of "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."

After a long pause, Katsuragi Kouhei squeezed these words out from his throat. "It seems I made an unreasonable request. Sorry for the interruption, Kagihara."

He didn't press further, only cast a deep glance at Kazehara Tetsu before turning and leaving.

Kazehara Tetsu watched his somewhat heavy retreating figure, the corner of his mouth silently curling up.

He knew that from this moment on, in the heart of this Class A "old guard," he had been branded with a new label: "dangerous."

But what did that matter?

"Katsuragi!"

Tozuka Yahiko looked at Katsuragi Kouhei as he walked back. "That Kazehara... he refused? What an unsociable guy!"

"No, Yahiko, you're wrong."

Katsuragi Kouhei's voice was a few notes lower than usual. "He's not just 'unsociable.'"

"Then what is he?"

"A person with no sense of collective honor, an absolute individualist who acts only on personal preference and self-interest... such a person is far more dangerous than a clear enemy. Because you can never predict what he'll do next, whose side he'll take, or whether he'll betray everyone at once."

Tozuka Yahiko opened his mouth, stammering, "Then... then what should we do? Should we still invite him into 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, ensure the study group's results, and let everyone who trusts us safely pass the midterm exam."

After saying this, he patted Tozuka Yahiko on the shoulder, as if to encourage him, or perhaps to steel his own resolve.

On the other side, after watching Katsuragi Kouhei leave, Kazehara Tetsu turned his attention back to the book in front of him.

The library had many books. Even though he had pre-screened them, removing those useless to him, he had read less than a fifth in the past month.

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

Time slipped away with the turning of pages. When he closed the last book and prepared to leave, a crisp, familiar tapping sound, with its unique rhythm, approached from afar.

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

Kazehara Tetsu didn't even look up. Just hearing the sound, he knew who it was.

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

"Classmate Sakayanagi is going to the study group too?" Kazehara Tetsu turned to face her.

"A collective event meant to cater to mediocrity—do you think I'd be interested in that?"

Sakayanagi Arisu gave a light laugh, her smile carrying an innate sense of superiority. "I'm just curious why Katsuragi's 'collectivist manifesto' had no effect on you at all. I thought you'd at least give it symbolic consideration."