The Battle Over Class Placement

Seeing that she was out of breath and couldn't explain herself, Horikita Manabu frowned and was about to go downstairs to check the situation himself, but soon he heard the details from her ears.

As soon as I reached the hallway, I could hear several girls from Class 1-C shouting at the top of their lungs:

"Our Class 1-C is competing with Class 1-D in sales at the concept café! If we lose, someone might have to take responsibility and drop out!"

The atmosphere was noticeably different from that of most students, who were generally smiling and cheerful as they greeted guests.

The maids, with their sorrowful, tearful expressions, quickly attracted a lot of attention, and many guests stopped in their tracks.

"How about it, could you guys please help me out? I'd really appreciate it!"

Upon closer inspection, it was even discovered that the menu outside the Class 1-C shop, which originally displayed prices, had been replaced with a temporary event description, emphasizing in an almost exaggerated tone that this was a battle that absolutely could not be lost.

Looking to the right, the butler café of Class 1-D was equally impressive, with several boys dressed in sharp butler uniforms loudly promoting the showdown between the two classes. In the distance, one could even catch a glimpse of a cute boy with a bob haircut wiping his red eyes, which made many female guests feel sorry for him.

Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune exchanged a glance; this was something that hadn't happened in the simulation.

In other words, this year's Cultural Festival has encountered some variables.

With Class 1-C and Class 1-D year jointly using gimmicks to generate buzz, simply helping Class 1-A is no longer enough to determine Class A's victory, since it seems that many guests have already been drawn over.

Each guest has a limited number of points. If they spend more than the price of Class 1-A tickets, it means that Class 1-A will lose one potential guest.

Horikita Suzune gritted her teeth, desperately trying to think of a way to break the deadlock. After catching a glimpse of someone in the crowd of onlookers, a sudden inspiration struck her, and she spoke almost simultaneously with Kitagawa Ryo:

"Class B!"

"What business is it of Class B?"

Tachibana Akane, standing to the side, didn't react at all, but Horikita Manabu quickly understood what the two meant. He immediately walked towards Ishikura, the Leader of Class 1-B in the crowd, and instructed her before leaving:

"You all go back and repair the props first."

Completely bewildered, Tachibana Akane looked at Horikita Suzune. Compared to Kitagawa Ryo, she undoubtedly had a better impression of Horikita Manabu's younger sister.

"My brother's Class A was targeted, most likely by people from Classes B, C, and D, and it's very likely a joint effort by all three classes, because it's impossible for one class to simultaneously make two people lose contact and destroy the props without anyone noticing."

Horikita Suzune calmly explained to Tachibana Akane:

"Class A's defeat at the Cultural Festival was in the common interest of Class D, which is why they were able to act together."

"But now, Class 1-C and Class D have teamed up to create this buzz themselves, so the final result of this Cultural Festival might be that Class C and Class D benefit, while Class A loses. This is an unacceptable result for Class B."

"If Class A loses, it's a good thing for all three classes. But if Class D win together, it means that this Cultural Festival is a complete failure for Class B."

"So if anyone is willing to target classes C and D at this stage and has evidence, it must be Class B."

Allies are the most unreliable relationships; they are formed by interests and will naturally turn against each other because of those interests.

"If Class D really did team up, then this whole show put on by Class C and Class D is a complete deception of the guests."

After listening to Horikita Suzune's explanation, Tachibana Akane nodded in understanding.

She could roughly understand why Horikita Manabu valued her younger sister so much; in fact, she herself was now somewhat looking forward to the younger sister's formal enrollment in school.

As expected, feeling betrayed, Ishikura, on Horikita Manabu's advice, decisively printed the joint chat log between the Leader Class C and Class D into flyers and quickly began distributing them on the second floor. The guests who were initially very interested in this showdown indeed felt that their feelings had been deceived. After the brief excitement, the business of the shops of Class 1-C and Class D actually declined significantly over the course of the year.

When Ninomiya tried to consult with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka again, he could no longer be found.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was sitting in the audience in the Class 1-A arena. He didn't care about the fate of Class 1-C. Besides, his suggestion itself wasn't wrong. It was just that the other side hadn't considered things thoroughly enough. They were blinded by immediate gains and completely forgot to inform Class B beforehand. It was only natural that they were betrayed by Class B in the end.

[Private Points], [Class Points], [Classes A, B, C, D represent the level difference].

The school's initial form was already unfolding before Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's eyes.

It's a pity that the Cultural Festival is too short; I guess I'll be back a year from when I officially enroll in school.

The musical "Cats," performed by Class 1-A, was a great success. The lead actress's acting and singing skills particularly impressed many viewers. Although a lot of the performance was cut due to it being a student show, the lead actress's acting and the overall arrangement alone made it worth watching.

Such comments quickly spread throughout the campus.

For many adults who are past the age of being interested in festivals and maid cafes, and who are simply accompanying their children or even grandchildren to the Cultural Festival of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, Class 1-A's "Neko" is an excellent choice.

Enjoy Grizabella's rebirth amidst a melodious piano solo and the strains of the famous song "Memory".

For many of the older guests, this was the best program.

As dusk approached, the Cultural Festival at Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School finally came to a close.

Before leaving the school Ayanokoji Kiyotaka caught a glimpse of Class 1-A, who were earning 100 Class Points by breaking into the top four in sales.

When returning the phone, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka handed a note to a staff member and then left.

[Kitagawa Ryo]

He murmured the name to himself.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka awaits his next encounter.

He even harbored a faint sense of anticipation, which might be a manifestation of his competitive spirit.

However, he himself might have had thoughts of losing.

After all, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's own defeat was that man's defeat.

Hopefully, he can resolve this sorrowful inner conflict within himself.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka truly believed this.

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Game of Class Placement

"Come with me."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was tidying his clothes in front of the mirror when he heard a deep voice speak from behind him.

He could see the man's figure in the mirror. He didn't know when, but he had caught up with the man's height. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka reached up and tied his tie. He turned around and listened to the man's instructions.

A full year and a half had passed since he last stepped out of this pure white room. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka followed his father, who was both legally and by blood, and after a nearly five-minute walk, he once again pushed open the door of the building.

The sky, which hadn't been seen for a long time, was a dazzling blue. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka squinted slightly and his breathing quickened.

It's the end of March, and the early spring morning still carries a slight chill. The White Room, nestled Yamanaka, is surrounded by lush trees and shrubs. Crystal-clear dewdrops flow slowly along the veins of the leaves. It rained last night, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, along with a hint of earthy aroma.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka didn't dislike this natural feel. Compared to the interior of the facility, where the walls, ceilings, and floors were all painted pure white, this vibrant and lively green gave him a long-lost sense of excitement.

Listen.

The man turned around and looked at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was almost as tall as him, and said:

"I'm asking you."

What is the reason why Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School has an almost 100% college entrance rate and employment rate after graduation?

"That's because this data only includes graduates from Class A in each grade."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quickly gave his answer.

During the last Cultural Festival, he had already noticed some of the school's rules. Considering the attitudes of classes B, C, and D at the time, Class A was clearly unique and required the three lower-level classes to work together to deal with it. This made it easy to infer that the generous conditions and resource support that Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School had been promoting might only be favored towards Class A.

Why is it Class A?

"Because Class A... is stronger, and they are the final winners who emerged from the competition among the four classes."

The man didn't like Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's vague answer. He stared intently into Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's eyes with sharp eyes and said, word by word:

What if I told you that the school actually divided students into four levels, A, B, C, and D, from the very beginning of enrollment?

"What are their criteria? Or rather, what are the standards for getting into Class A?"

"Level of excellence, such as academic ability, intelligence, and athletic ability?"

"That's certainly one reason, but not the key one."

The man slowly began to speak, revealing the true nature of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka:

"I have met many graduates from Class A of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School."

"Each of them has a different personality, but they are almost the same in one respect."

"That is extreme self-discipline and outstanding ability to execute orders from superiors."

"The students in Class A are the most suitable subordinates. The common drawback of high school students is absolute egocentrism, while the students in Class A are the best at de-egocentrism."

"Self-discipline, excellent execution of orders from superiors, and de-centeredness—these are the hallmarks of a perfectly socially adaptable adult."

"This is the real guarantee that Class A graduates can achieve the legendary 100% employment and college admission rates."

"With that kind of ability, even a pig could teach it without any problem."

At this point, the man patted Ayanokoji Kiyotaka on the shoulder:

You should know what I mean.

He was the first to call out Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's name:

"Kiyotaka, I've been training you so that one day you'll become Leader drives society forward. Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School is just your first step."

"I see."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka bowed respectfully, opened the back door of the car that had been waiting for him, and got in.

The pure white building and the man's figure gradually disappeared from his sight.

"You must be Ayanokoji-kun, please come in."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka gently knocked on the door of the reception room and heard a kind yet authoritative voice coming from inside.

Pushing open the heavy door, the first thing that comes into view is a middle-aged man, around forty years old, sitting on the sofa, with another middle-aged man who looks to be about the same age sitting next to him.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka remembered that his surname was Sakayanagi, and he was also the Chairman of this Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School.

"Chairman Sakayanagi"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka bowed his head slightly and greeted her, but did not take a seat immediately.

"Ayanokoji-kun, I am Tsukishiro."

Another middle-aged man introduced himself with a smile. Judging from the man's attitude and tone, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quickly deduced that this must be one of his father's men.

"Mr. Tsukishiro."

"Please sit down and rest for a while. Kitagawa-kun will probably need a few more minutes."

Chairman Sakayanagi chuckled, picked up the kettle from the coffee table, filled a teacup with hot water, and pushed it toward Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"Actually, I knew Ayanokoji-kun's father before. To be honest, I should call him 'teacher'."

"Yes."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka didn't seem to have much desire to talk. He cautiously sipped his tea while observing the layout of the room.

He knew very well that no matter how approachable Chairman Sakayanagi appeared in front of him, the two were actually on different sides, and judging from that man's recent actions, the next target was likely to be Chairman Sakayanagi.

"Actually, I've seen Ayanokoji-kun many times before, but only through glass windows."

The man in front of him was still rambling on about everyday things, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka decided to gather some information before Kitagawa Ryo arrived:

"Chairman Sakayanagi, what I really want to know is the class assignments."

His golden pupils carried a hint of oppressive power.

"About my class assignment with Kitagawa."

"Don't try to fool me. I know very well that there are differences in ability between each class."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka pointed to the Chess placed on the table in front of him and said:

"Only a game that is acknowledged by both sides is fair."

"Ayanokoji-kun, there's no need to be in such a hurry. The reason I asked you and Kitagawa-kun to come here today is precisely to discuss this issue."

Chairman Sakayanagi smiled and shook his head. Just as he was about to explain, the door to the reception room was pushed open for the second time.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quickly shifted his gaze to the person standing there, his rival whom he hadn't seen for a year and a half.

Kitagawa Ryo.

"Looks like someone got here before me."

"Chairman Sakayanagi, and who is this?"

"I am Tsukishiro, Kitagawa-kun, you don't need to worry about me."