New Allies on the Chessboard

In the dormitory room, the desk lamp cast a soft halo of light. Horikita Suzune sat upright in her chair, her back straight as a rod, her expression as cold as ever.

"You said you wanted to discuss how to get Class D to rise to Class A." Hanyu Xiuyi sat down across from her. "What exactly do you mean?"

"Literally what I said." Horikita Suzune's voice was flat. "This school operates on Survival of the Fittest, and class rankings directly affect everyone's treatment. Class D being at the bottom tier is unacceptable."

"I agree."

"Your actions last night demonstrated a certain ability." Horikita Suzune looked at him. "But they also exposed your points and attracted unnecessary attention. Now the school has introduced a new rule restricting you, so you need to be more cautious."

"So what's your suggestion?"

"Cooperation." Horikita Suzune said bluntly. "You provide Point Support for necessary Class Activities, and I'll be responsible for devising strategies to improve the Class Ranking Mechanism. We both need a Class Upgrade, and acting alone is too inefficient."

Hanyu Xiuyi thought for a few seconds. Horikita Suzune was the type of person with clear goals and no sentimentality, but her ability and determination were real.

"I can cooperate," he said. "But there are a few conditions."

"Name them."

"First, we aim to elevate the entire Class D, not just ourselves."

Horikita Suzune frowned slightly but didn't object.

"Second, point usage needs to be planned, not unlimited support."

"Reasonable."

"Third, we need more information about the Class Ranking Mechanism," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Especially the rules of the Special Exams."

Horikita Suzune nodded. "I've been collecting relevant information. Based on what I've gathered so far, Special Exams usually occur once a month, come in various forms, and directly determine the increase or decrease of Class Points."

"Specific forms?"

"Unclear." Horikita Suzune admitted honestly. "But Senior Students might know more. Also, Hirata Yousuke seems to have connections with people in Class B, so we might be able to obtain intelligence through him."

"Hirata..." Hanyu Xiuyi recalled that boy who was always smiling gently. "He really is suited for Liaison Work."

"But he's too idealistic," Horikita Suzune evaluated. "He always wants to take care of everyone, which is a weakness in a Competitive Environment."

"It's also a strength," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "A united class has more Combat Power than a bunch of Loose Sand."

The two discussed for another twenty minutes, settling on a preliminary Cooperation Framework. When Horikita Suzune left, her face still showed little expression, but her eyes had softened slightly.

The next day, after Math Class, Hirata Yousuke actively sought out Hanyu Xiuyi.

"Hanyu, about yesterday's proposal..." Hirata looked a bit embarrassed. "The Class Meal thing, were you serious?"

"Of course," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "What do you think you'll need in points?"

"Fifty thousand points should be enough. I was thinking of organizing everyone to go to the Special Area in the cafeteria this weekend, where we can reserve..."

"I'll give you eighty thousand," Hanyu Xiuyi said directly. "Make it good. This is the class's first Group Activity, it's important."

Hirata Yousuke was stunned for a moment. "Eighty thousand? Isn't that too much?"

"This is an investment," Hanyu Xiuyi said calmly. "A united class is worth that much. Also, I hope this event will let everyone get to know each other, especially to discover each other's strengths."

Hirata understood his meaning. "You mean, to prepare for future Special Exams?"

"Right," Hanyu Xiuyi nodded. "We need to know what everyone in the class is capable of."

"I understand," Hirata Yousuke said seriously. "I'll organize it well."

Not far away, Karuizawa Kei and her friends were watching them, whispering about something.

"Karuizawa," Hanyu Xiuyi walked over. "You'll be attending the weekend Class Meal, right?"

Karuizawa Kei blinked. "Of course I will. Everyone will attend an event organized by Hirata."

"Good," Hanyu Xiuyi looked at her. "I heard you have a lot of influence among the girls. I hope you can help mobilize everyone and make sure all of them show up."

Karuizawa Kei paused for a moment, then flashed a sweet smile. "Leave it to me!"

Afternoon, Shogi Club Club Room.

Hanyu Xiuyi and Ishida were reviewing yesterday's match. A few Club Members stood around watching.

"Here, at the 34th move, why didn't you play Silver to 6-7?" a Second Year Club Member asked.

"Because that would be countered by Pawn to 5-5," Hanyu Xiuyi pointed at the board. "Look, if I play Silver to 6-7, the opponent plays Pawn to 5-5, and then they can use the Bishop and Rook for a Coordinated Attack on my Left Flank."

Ishida nodded. "The analysis is correct. Your calculations are precise."

The door to the Club Room was pushed open, and a boy wearing a Class C uniform walked in. He was tall, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Yo, Ishida, I heard your club got a talented New Student?"

Ishida frowned. "Ryuen, what are you doing here?"

Ryuen Sho—the leader of Class C. He walked straight to the board and stared at Hanyu Xiuyi.

"So you're the monster from Class D who won Five Million Points in one night?" Ryuen grinned. "Interesting. How about a game with me? You can set the stakes however you want."

The atmosphere in the Club Room instantly tensed up.

"Ryuen, this is the Shogi Club." Ishida said in a low voice. "Troublemakers aren't welcome."

"I just came to play a game." Ryuen shrugged. "What do you say, Hanyu Xiuyi? Scared?"

Hanyu Xiuyi calmly arranged the chess pieces. "The new rule states that a club wager cannot exceed 30% of your current points in a single bet. I have five million points right now, so the most I can bet is one point five million. Are you willing to wager that amount?"

Ryuen's smile froze for a moment. One point five million points was a huge sum even for Class C.

"Tch, rules are a pain." Ryuen waved a hand. "Forget it, then. But..." He leaned in close to Hanyu Xiuyi, lowering his voice. "I'm looking forward to meeting you in a Special Exam. Class D's monster."

With that, he turned and left.

Ishida let out a sigh of relief. "Sorry about that. That's just how he is. You'd better watch out for him."

"Is he strong?"

"His methods are dirty." Ishida judged. "But he does have real ability. Under his leadership, Class C won several Special Exams last semester."

Hanyu Xiuyi filed that information away.

That evening, while looking up materials in the library, Hanyu Xiuyi ran into Ayanokoji Kiyonaga again.

The other student was standing in front of the history section, flipping through a copy of Post-War Japanese Economic History. When he saw Hanyu Xiuyi, he simply nodded.

"Ayanokoji-kun has an interest in economic history?"

"Just browsing." Ayanokoji's voice was flat. "And you?"

"Looking for information on the school's system." Hanyu Xiuyi admitted. "But there's very little publicly available."

"Mm." Ayanokoji put the book down. "Chabashira-sensei mentioned in class today that there will be a small quiz next week, counting toward our regular grades."

"Thanks for the heads-up."

They were silent for a few seconds. Ayanokoji seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he only said, "Ryuen came to see you today?"

"Your information network is good."

"Class C has his people." Ayanokoji said. "He's gathering intel on all the classes, especially promising new students."

"Including you?"

"Probably." Ayanokoji's expression didn't change much. "But I'm not very noticeable. He probably hasn't paid much attention to me."

Hanyu Xiuyi looked at this utterly ordinary classmate and suddenly asked, "Ayanokoji-kun, do you think Class D has a chance of rising to Class A?"

Ayanokoji thought for a moment. "The possibility is very low. But it's not zero."

"Why do you say that?"

"Class rankings aren't determined by a handful of elites, but by the overall level." Ayanokoji said. "Class D's problem isn't that it lacks capable people, but that its coordination is too poor. Some want to climb up, some just want to coast, and some are even actively dragging others down."

A very objective analysis.

"Then what do you think should be done?"

"I don't know." Ayanokoji said. "But if the class could be united, at least it wouldn't fall behind so easily."

With that, he picked up his book and left.

Hanyu Xiuyi watched his retreating back, lost in thought. Ayanokoji Kiyonaga seemed completely unremarkable on the surface, but every time he spoke, he hit the nail on the head.

Was it just luck, or...

On the weekend, the class meal was held in the Special Area of the cafeteria. Hirata Yousuke had arranged everything meticulously. The long table was laden with various foods, and the atmosphere was livelier than expected.

"Everyone, quiet down!" Hirata clapped his hands. "First, I want to thank Hanyu-kun for sponsoring this event. Second, I hope we can use this opportunity to get to know each other better. How about each of us briefly introduces our special skills or interests?"

It was a good idea. Guided by Hirata, the students began to speak in turn.

Kushida Kikyo said with a sweet smile that she was good at making friends; Yukimura Teruhiko mentioned he liked reading and debating; Hasebe Haruka said she was interested in cooking; Sotomura Hideo shyly admitted he liked animals...

When it was Sudo Ken's turn, he said gruffly, "Basketball. That's it."

But when he mentioned that his middle school team had been in the Prefectural Tournament Top Eight, a few boys showed looks of admiration.

When it was Horikita Suzune's turn, she said coldly, "Studying. My goal is to be first in the grade."

When it was Ayanokoji Kiyonaga's turn, he thought for a moment. "Nothing I'm especially good at... If I had to say, observation?"

Observation. Hanyu Xiuyi filed that word away.

When it was his turn, he simply said, "Shogi and mathematics. Also, if the class needs it, I can use my points to support necessary activities."

This remark caused a small stir of murmurs, but most were positive.

Halfway through the meal, Chabashira Sae unexpectedly appeared. She looked at the lively scene and nodded at Hirata Yousuke.

"Not bad. Maintaining this kind of unity will help with the class ranking."

She left after saying that, but her words encouraged many people.

After the meal ended, Hirata Yousuke found Hanyu Xiuyi.

"Hanyu-kun, today was a great success. Everyone's relationships have clearly gotten closer."

"It's your organizational skill," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Also, I've noticed a few useful talents."

"Such as?"

"Sudo's athletic ability, Horikita's learning ability, Yukimura's logical thinking, and..." Hanyu Xiuyi paused, "Ayanokoji's observation skill."

Hirata Yousuke looked puzzled. "Ayanokoji? He doesn't seem particularly special..."

"Sometimes, being inconspicuous is an advantage in itself," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "In any case, before the next Special Exam, we can prepare in advance based on these strengths."

"Alright, I'll cooperate."

On the way back to the dormitory, Hanyu Xiuyi looked at the student ID in his hand. His points were down to four million nine hundred twenty thousand. He'd spent eighty thousand tonight, but it had bought the class initial unity and information—worth it.

His phone vibrated. It was an email from Horikita Suzune:

"Confirmed. The first Special Exam is in one week. Specific format unknown. Recommend starting physical training and knowledge reserve in advance. —Horikita"

Hanyu Xiuyi replied: "Understood. Starting tomorrow, we can organize morning study sessions and physical training. You handle the study part; I'll handle the physical training."

A quick reply came: "Agreed. Tomorrow at six, at the sports field."

He turned off his phone and looked out the window. The campus in the night scenery was quiet and deep, as if hiding countless secrets.

The Special Exam was coming soon. And Class D's first real trial was about to begin.

He needed to ensure that the five million points he'd won last night wouldn't become just a fleeting legend, but the true starting point for changing the class's fate.