Sakayanagi Faction, Katsuragi Faction

"If you say so!"

Matsushita Chiaki had already given up on arguing. No matter what she said, Sato Maya would twist it into her being too shy to admit it.

"I knew it!"

Watching Matsushita Chiaki back down, Sato Maya lifted her chin with a proud look.

"Then how about we just invite him to come along? Think of it as creating an opportunity for Chiaki!"

Karuizawa Kei, who had been listening nearby, finally chimed in.

"Huh!? That's really not necessary! Besides, he's already gone."

Glancing at Gojo Satoru's empty seat, Matsushita Chiaki immediately refused.

'Being misunderstood by you two is embarrassing enough. If I had to face him directly, I'd die of shame.'

Even now, Matsushita Chiaki was so mortified she felt like she could dig out a three-bedroom apartment with her feet.

"It's fine. We'll just catch up to him. He just left, so he can't have gone far."

Sato Maya dropped another bombshell, then grabbed Matsushita Chiaki's hand and ran out.

Seeing them take action, Karuizawa Kei quickly followed.

'It's not fine! It's absolutely not fine!'

Held by the hand, Matsushita Chiaki could only rage helplessly in her mind.

"Gojo-kun!! Please wait a moment!"

Hearing the call from behind, Gojo Satoru stopped in his tracks.

Turning around, he saw three gyaru-style high school girls running toward him.

"Whew~, Go-, Gojo-kun walks so fast! Even though you only left two minutes before us, you're already outside the school building."

Finally catching up to Gojo Satoru, Sato Maya stopped, let go of Chiaki's hand, and praised him while catching her breath.

Looking at the three girls in front of him, Gojo Satoru felt a bit puzzled.

'Why are they looking for me? We haven't had much interaction these past few days, and they seem pretty eager.'

He was confident in his charm, but that was only when he took off his blindfold. As he was now, he couldn't exactly have three beautiful girls surrounding him.

"Is there something you need?"

Hearing Gojo Satoru's question, Karuizawa stepped forward to answer.

"I'm Karuizawa Kei from the same class. These two are Matsushita Chiaki and Sato Maya, also classmates.

Do you have any plans this weekend, Gojo-kun? If not, would you like to come to the amusement park with us?

Some rides are pretty dangerous without a guy around, and you're so tall—you'd definitely be able to protect us, right?"

"Yeah, yeah! Like the haunted house and the roller coaster. If it's just girls, we wouldn't dare to go all out!"

Seeing someone take the lead, Sato Maya quickly chimed in.

???

Gojo Satoru was even more confused after hearing that.

The haunted house made some sense, but the roller coaster? What difference did having a guy there make? Did they think he could save them if it broke down mid-ride?!

Though, technically, he probably could. But they didn't know his real abilities.

Glancing at Matsushita Chiaki, who had silently retreated behind the other two, Gojo Satoru was even more convinced.

Something's off. Very, very off.

Watching Gojo Satoru stay silent, Karuizawa and Sato started to panic!

Had they rushed things and scared him off? Chiaki was hiding behind them, too embarrassed to even speak.

If Matsushita Chiaki knew what they were thinking, she'd be shocked.

'You're only realizing that now? Did you even think before acting?'

Feeling the awkward atmosphere, Matsushita Chiaki was ready to crawl into a hole.

Why are these two idiots my best friends?!

"Satoru-kun!

How dare you cheat on me!"

The four of them were jolted back to reality by the shocking words. Turning toward the voice, they saw Kamuro Masumi standing there with her hands on her hips, glaring daggers at Gojo Satoru!

Class A, first year. Back to 16:20.

Unlike Class D, even as class was about to end, the discipline in the classroom remained steady. No one was slacking off or sleeping; everyone was focused on the teacher's lecture.

Kamuro Masumi stared at the teacher on the podium, but her mind had already wandered far away.

Why hasn't that guy contacted me yet? After exchanging contact info, I haven't received a single message—just transfers, transfers, and more transfers!

He was the one who said something so misleading that I ran off in the first place.

He hasn't forgotten about me, has he? He still has that video that could threaten me.

Maybe I should send him a message?

'No way, no way!'

Forget not knowing what to say—if I contact him first, doesn't that mean I'm admitting I miss him?!

Who would miss a jerk like that?!

I'm just worried he'll leak that video!

That's right! Exactly that!

I don't miss him—I'm just afraid of getting expelled!!

"Ring, ring, ring~"

The bell for the end of class rang. Kamuro Masumi immediately pulled out her phone and checked it, staring at the blank chat log.

'Ugh! He still hasn't contacted me!'

She slumped weakly onto her desk, burying her face in her arms.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

"Kamuro-san, is something on your mind? You seem so listless."

Hearing the voice, Kamuro lifted her head to find Sakayanagi Arisu already standing beside her, leaning on her cane, watching her with a smile.

'Troublesome person.'

"It's nothing."

Thinking this, Kamuro replied flatly, not wanting to get too involved with her.

Though it had been less than a week since school started, the core leaders of the class had already surfaced.

Katsuragi Kohei and this girl had clashed, splitting the class into opposing factions—the "Sakayanagi Faction" and the "Katsuragi Faction."

Two leaders in one class? Wasn't that a joke?

Still, both were undeniably capable. Katsuragi Kohei was tall and imposing, with an authoritative presence and top-tier academic performance. Every time he spoke, he carried an air of superiority that earned him admiration from many.

On the other hand, Sakayanagi Arisu was short and frail, suffering from a congenital heart condition, needing a cane to move even with difficulty.

But with her pale skin, cute appearance, striking silver hair, and a name that sounded like it came from a wonderland (Arisu/Alice), she boasted extraordinary academic results, a calm and composed personality, and an immeasurable intellect that earned the trust of Class A.

On one side, a towering, imposing leader; on the other, a delicate, loli-like girl.

But Kamuro Masumi disliked both—the bald-headed man who always talked down to others and the girl in front of her with that strange, perpetual smile, especially those eyes that seemed to see through everything.

That made her something of an outlier in the class. Sure, a few students hadn't joined either faction.

But she didn't understand why Sakayanagi kept fixating on her. Her grades weren't outstanding—in fact, they were pretty poor—yet Sakayanagi seemed eager to pull her into her camp.

"Oh? Is that so? But I've noticed you've been distracted these past few days.

Your eyes are on the podium, but your attention isn't following. Even when the teacher moved on to the textbook, your gaze never shifted.

And every time class ends, you check your phone right away. Is there a message you're waiting for?"

Sakayanagi Arisu laid out all of Kamuro Masumi's unusual behavior over the past few days.

'This is why I hate you! Always acting like you see through everything!'

Not surprised by Sakayanagi's observation skills, Kamuro just grumbled internally. After all, Sakayanagi had proven herself thoroughly in class—aside from her physical condition, she was top-tier in every other aspect.

"It's nothing. I just can't focus on studying. That's why my grades are so bad."

Kamuro Masumi put on an impatient expression.

"Really? Then what does that have to do with checking your phone right after class?"

Sakayanagi pressed on, unrelenting.

"What's it to you? Checking my phone is my freedom!"