After receiving the Private Points distributed in June and confirming that Class A's position was secure, everyone felt much better. They joined in teasing Hoshinomiya-sensei.
When they had some free time at noon, Kanzaki, Shibata, and the others gathered around Aragaki Shun again to discuss how to deal with the rumors that were gaining traction.
After spreading all morning, the rumors about Aragaki Shun had become common knowledge.
After all, he was already popular, practically the representative figure of the first years. Even the slightest stir could quickly spread through every group at Kodo Ikusei Senior High School.
And this time, anyone with even average intelligence could see that someone had set a trap to challenge the leader of Class 1-A.
Since it involved class competition and featured one of the school's most talked-about students, it was bound to draw a crowd of curious onlookers from across the school.
"Kanzaki, could you go to Class 1-B and ask everyone to hand over the letters they have?"
"Shibata, take some people to Class C. Same task. I'll have Karuizawa Kei handle Class D."
While everyone in Class A was growing anxious, Aragaki Shun wasn't bothered in the least by the rumors outside. He simply and calmly assigned tasks to Kanzaki and the others.
"I won't go there myself and scare them. You can go in my place. Make a note of anyone who refuses to hand over their letter, or seems to have other ideas."
"So that's..." Kanzaki Ryuji's eyes flickered as he seemed to understand.
"I want to know how many people in the entire first year are willing to be my friends—even if only on the surface—and how many intend to openly make an enemy of me!"
Aragaki Shun explained that he might not remember which classmates cooperated with