Sakayanagi gave me an intrigued look and lightly tapped the cane in her hand.
"You're Akasaka Ryunosuke from Class D, aren't you?"
"You made it into the Student Council in just two days. That's the first time anyone's ever done that at Advanced Nurturing. I'm very interested in you, Akasaka~"
Sakayanagi Arisu wore a cute expression, as if she were looking at a toy.
Meanwhile, I folded my arms and crossed my legs.
"It's better to meet than merely hear your name, Sakayanagi Arisu. I'm very interested in you, too. How about a bet?"
"Oh? What are we betting on?" Sakayanagi asked curiously.
I held up a finger. Then I remembered that I'd spent 193 points yesterday, so I probably didn't have a million anymore. I changed the one to a nine.
"Let's bet 900,000 Personal Points."
"The wager is whether I can drag your Class A down from its ranking next month!"
Sakayanagi Arisu's pupils contracted. Her smiling expression vanished, replaced by a cold stare.
Morishita Ai and Kamuro Masumi, standing beside her, also looked surprised. They didn't seem to understand what I meant.
Judging by Class A's current performance, only the instructors at the top knew what was going on. The students below them knew nothing.
So Morishita Ai and Kamuro Masumi really had no idea.
Morishita Ai might have suspected something, but she had no proof. Sakayanagi Arisu, on the other hand, definitely knew the school's secrets.
Seeing their expressions change, I gave a confident smile and continued to lead them on.
I knew exactly what kind of person Sakayanagi Arisu was. There was no way she'd refuse my challenge.
For a young lady like her, this would be a way to pass the time. After all, she wasn't interested in school life at all.
Just as Akasaka had expected, Sakayanagi didn't refuse. Instead, she stared at him like he was prey and spoke slowly.
"I... Why should I accept?"
"Betting against you would mean Class A would have to constantly guard against your dirty tricks and the possibility that you might drag us down one day. Other than that, it doesn't seem to offer us any benefits."
"Give me... a reason to say yes."
Sakayanagi neither refused nor agreed. She maintained an ambiguous attitude.
My lips curled into a sly smile.
Finally... She took the bait.
Sakayanagi shuddered at my smile. She felt that there was something suspicious about the person in front of her, and couldn't shake the feeling that he saw right through her.
Akasaka slowly lifted his teacup, took a sip, and brought up what Sakayanagi cared about most.
"Aren't you curious... how I'm going to drag your Class A down from its Divine Seat?"
Sakayanagi Arisu's interest was immediately piqued. She stared straight at Akasaka. "Oh? Let's hear it."
My lips gradually curled into a cruel smile. The three girls across from me looked uncomfortable, but patiently listened as I began to explain.
"I'm sure you understand this school's... rules, Miss Sakayanagi?"
It sounded like a question, but I was almost certain of the answer.
Sakayanagi simply nodded, admitting as much.
"Then the rest is easy." I clapped lightly to get the three girls' attention. It was time to bring out my trump card.
The three girls played along, turning their gazes toward me with curious expressions.
But what I said next was so arrogant that all three of them were momentarily stunned.
Akasaka slowly opened his mouth and said something that should have been impossible.
"Classes A, B, C, and D are ranked from strongest to weakest."
"Class D is the worst, while Class A is the best. Miss Sakayanagi, with such a huge advantage... are you still afraid to take me on?"
"Then you're really pathetic..."
I gave her a mocking look and provoked Sakayanagi Arisu.
Sure enough, the three girls across from me clenched their fists at my words.
Sakayanagi Arisu thought for a moment, then smiled.
"I see... Akasaka, you're quite the strategist."
"You're trying to fan the flames to encourage a deal between us, but unfortunately... I'm not the type to be swayed by my emotions. Your scheme... won't work on me."
Akasaka ignored Sakayanagi's words and stared straight at her, as if certain she would agree.
Sakayanagi furrowed her brow. She had the unsettling feeling that the person in front of her could see right through her, and it irritated her.
But irritating as it was, she still gave the answer she'd already decided on.
She slowly parted her cherry-red lips and said something that didn't match her petite frame at all.
"Although I saw through your strategy, you're right."
"If Class A doesn't dare to take this bet, we don't deserve the name Class A."
"But more importantly..."
Sakayanagi Arisu leaned toward me and spoke with a little-devil smile. Her eyes were like black holes, as if they were about to swallow Akasaka whole.
"I'm very interested to see how you'll drag Class A down from the top."
"So let's make a bet, Akasaka Ryunosuke!"
Sakayanagi Arisu wore a yandere-like smile, as if she'd discovered a new toy and could hardly wait to get her hands on it.
The two ultimately reached an agreement and prepared to sign a contract.
They were short on time, so the contract was handwritten. Akasaka Ryunosuke drafted it himself and then handed it to Sakayanagi Arisu to review. Once she confirmed it was correct, the two began their bet.
The contract read as follows.
Akasaka Ryunosuke alone declared war on Class A. The bet between the two was a personal wager and could not involve other class members.
The wager was 900,000 Personal Points.
If Akasaka Ryunosuke failed to drag Class A down to Class B or lower by the next point distribution day, he would pay Sakayanagi Arisu 900,000 Personal Points.
If Akasaka Ryunosuke dragged Class A down to Class B or lower, he would receive 900,000 Personal Points from Sakayanagi Arisu.
It was hereby declared that the bet between them was a personal matter and that neither party could ask their classmates to help. Whoever violated this term would immediately forfeit.
Signature: Sakayanagi Arisu
Signature: Akasaka Ryunosuke
The contract would take effect on the sixth day of the school term, April 8, and remain in effect until the next point distribution day, May 3.
Before you continue