Two Battlefields

"Oh, are you planning to rekindle your old flame with her?"

"Indeed, after all, we were recently embroiled in the sensational rumor of a teacher-student romance."

After exchanging exaggerated, teasing remarks, Sakayanagi Arisu still earnestly gave Kitagawa Ryo some advice:

"We should be careful not to upset her. Boys need to learn to protect themselves when they're out and about. A female teacher with long, straight black hair who's over twenty and hasn't even had a boyfriend is bound to have a very extreme personality."

"Wow, it feels like the character traits Arisu's words could be applied to more than one role?"

"However, Arisu it backwards. My purpose in going there this time is actually to provoke her, and I've even decided to bring Hoshinomiya along."

"... I will pray for Liang in the dorm."

When asked how to deal with Chabashira Sae's questions and doubts, Kitagawa Ryo's answer was that it was completely unnecessary.

Because Ichinose Honami had already laid the groundwork for his transfer during the Sports Festival, Chabashira Sae and Hoshinomiya Chie had long believed that the other was trying to get Kitagawa Ryo transferred to their class. Therefore, when Karuizawa Kei made her move and Hoshinomiya Chie jumped in, Chabashira Sae would only feel that she had made a mistake, or that her class was not good enough.

Unfortunately, ever since the Uninhabited Island Special Exam, Chabashira Sae's evaluation of her class has plummeted, and she has even gradually lost trust in the class as the homeroom teacher. On the contrary, Kitagawa Ryo's influence has been steadily increasing, and today, it can be said that he is about to subtly surpass the entire Class C.

The students in Class 1-B only need their class teacher to help them make up the last two or three million Private Points. The students in Class 1-C probably wish that their class teacher would use her points to help them make up the remaining millions of debts between Miyabi Nagumo. The difference is so great that it's hard to believe.

Especially after learning that their class Leader, Katsuragi Kohei, had spent a lot of points in the Special Exam during the last Class Vote but still failed to save Totsuka Yahiko, Chabashira Sae's disappointment with the entire class reached its peak. In the end, the savior they had been waiting for not only did not come, but was also bought by Class B with Twenty Million Personal Points.

Chabashira Sae's mental state during this winter break was naturally predictable, especially since Hoshinomiya Chie has always been the type to show off in front of her, and every day she'd practically be asking her, "How did you know Kitagawa is now a student in our Class B?"

So, naturally, after Kitagawa Ryo "reluctantly" took Hoshinomiya Chie to meet Chabashira Sae, he witnessed for the first time the hysteria between the older generation of e-sports players (scratch that) and women.

It's a bit of a shame that he only saw the results of the Unanimous Vote Special Exam in Sakayanagi Arisu's simulation before leaving. After all, while he and Sakayanagi Arisu were enthusiastically discussing what a more perfect solution was, they inadvertently missed the turning point in the relationship between Hoshinomiya Chie and Chabashira Sae, and failed to witness the moment when the friendship between these two plastic sisters broke down.

However, on the other hand, although he didn't personally witness Hoshinomiya Chie was then a close friend, angrily rushing forward and fiercely grabbing Chabashira Sae's collar to question her back then, he was fortunate enough to see this famous scene recreated now, only the person who attacked and the person attacked had switched sides. Now, it was Chabashira Sae who was grabbing his collar and questioning him in a somewhat emotional breakdown.

As it turned out, Kitagawa Ryo underestimated the intensity of Matoba emotional outburst from these two homeroom teachers. Had he asked Mashima Tomoya beforehand, he would have received a somewhat horrifying but true account:

Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School even revised its school rules specifically for the two of them.

Although students at ANHS Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School are now used to single-room dormitories, more than a decade ago, like regular high schools, students were allowed to share dormitories.

Chabashira Sae and Hoshinomiya Chie are each other's roommates, which is why they quickly became close friends who can talk about anything.

However, since that Special Exam, their relationship has not only reached a freezing point, but has also deteriorated to the point where the school, fearing a serious incident, forcibly separated them from their dormitory room, and subsequently officially confirmed the single-room dormitory system.

After that, Chabashira Sae completely shut herself off from love, while Hoshinomiya Chie became an alcoholic. But in fact, before she turned twenty and was allowed to drink alcohol, her way of relieving stress was to pluck out her own hair one by one.

Perhaps still remembering her old skills, Hoshinomiya Chie quickly demonstrated her technique to Kitagawa Ryo on the spot, literally putting on a hair-pulling battle in front of him, and began to test the hair quality of Chabashira Sae.

"Um... Hoshinomiya, Mr. Chabashira, could you please calm down a bit? If we make too much noise, other people passing by might notice."

Seeing that the situation was gradually getting out of control, Kitagawa Ryo could only try to dissuade them. However, since the two women were tangled up together, he couldn't just physically pull them apart and force them to calm down.

"Wow, I didn't expect to see such a dramatic Matoba while just taking a walk here. Kitagawa, has your personal charm become this great? You got two homeroom teachers fighting over you. Speaking of which, could you say 'Stop fighting!' again for me?"

Suddenly, a figure that Kitagawa Ryo was quite familiar with emerged from behind a tree not far away. The dashing white-haired senior Kiryuin Fuka, had a teasing expression on her face and even suddenly whistled at him.

"Kiryuin, you've come at the right time! Quickly, help me separate those two class advisors, or things could really get serious if they keep fighting."

Without even bothering to respond to the other party's taunts, Kitagawa Ryo immediately asked Kiryuin Fuka for help.

"I didn't expect you to be such a gentleman. But I happen to have nothing else to do, so I'll help you out."

Seeing that Kitagawa Ryo wasn't joking, Kiryuin Fuka also stepped forward. As a girl, she didn't need to worry about grabbing or touching anything, and quickly used her superhuman strength to forcefully separate Hoshinomiya Chie and Chabashira Sae, one in each hand.

"Alright, alright. Although I don't know the specifics, you two are both almost thirty years old, and you're both homeroom teachers. Don't you feel ashamed to let the students see you like this? Calm down."

As the most unconventional student in the second year and even the entire school, Kiryuin Fuka showed no respect whatsoever for her homeroom teacher, and even lectured them as if she had no psychological pressure whatsoever.

However, interrupted by Kiryuin Fuka's sudden appearance, Hoshinomiya Chie and Chabashira Sae finally calmed down a bit. But the obsession in their eyes was still so intense that it was almost impossible to dispel. After each of them broke free from Kiryuin's arms, they took a deep breath in unison and glared at each other fiercely, making Kitagawa Ryo think that they had gone a bit too far.

Of course, with Kiryuin Fuka, an unsuspecting outsider, in front of them, the two of them couldn't say anything more that was unbecoming of their role as homeroom teachers. They could only suppress their emotions, tidy up their appearance, and then part ways again without looking back.

To be honest, at that moment, Kitagawa Ryo subtly felt that he was a part of the game between the two of them.

However, Kitagawa Ryo didn't have time to think much about it, because Kiryuin Fuka was already walking towards him with her hands in her pockets:

"Alright, I've taken care of everything for you, so you should at least do something for your senior, right?"

"Of course, you've been a great help today. Just tell me what you need, and I'll definitely help if I can."

"Since you've put it that way, then I won't stand on ceremony."

Kiryuin Fuka smiled and reached out to pat Kitagawa Ryo on the shoulder.

"I have a feeling that during the next Special Exam for students from different grades, Nagumo will most likely make a move against me. If you have the time then, please help me out a little. After all, I still really want to complete my three years of study at this school."

"Well, speaking of which, you were targeted by Nagumo because of a bet we made during the Sports Festival last time, where you stole his number one score in the grade. So even if you don't ask this time, I'll definitely help if I can."

"You can't say that. After all, I just wanted to warm up my muscles at that Sports Festival. It's just a bit of a shame that I lost to Kitagawa in the end."

After exchanging pleasantries about the Sports Festival for a while, Kiryuin Fuka then inquired with some curiosity about the cause of what had just happened:

"By the way, how exactly did those two First Year homeroom teachers start fighting?"

Kitagawa Ryo rarely showed a wry smile, but simply said he couldn't comment.

"Fine, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. I'm not interested in your First Year stuff anyway. See you next time."

Seeing that she couldn't get an answer from Kitagawa Ryo, Kiryuin Fuka didn't press the matter further. She casually waved her hand and turned to leave, only leaving behind a smiling question:

"Hey, you didn't actually make up a correct answer, did you?"

Chapter 394: Two Battlefields

At the end of this leisurely winter break, where time seemed to fly by, another major news story from the First Year once again drew the attention of the entire Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School.

Having scraped together Twenty Million Personal Points, Ichinose Honami, at her own request, officially transferred from Class 1-A to Class 1-B.

In less than a month, Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, which has never had anyone successfully transfer classes with Twenty Million Personal Points since its establishment, has seen two such transfers, both of which were unconventional.

Needless to say, Kitagawa Ryo's transfer to another class was forced by another class using Twenty Million Personal Points. It can be understood that Class 1-B particularly values his talent and believes that his value in transferring the class is greater than those 20 million Private Points.

However, Ichinose Honami's transfer to another class was quite contrary to common sense. After all, for most students of ANHS, if they had Twenty Million Personal Points that could allow them to transfer classes once, the most common and safest approach would be to hide in the last few days before graduation in their third year, observe the success or failure of the class competition in their grade during those three years, and then choose the final winning class to join at the last moment.

To put it bluntly, even if everyone were to transfer classes, they'd definitely be aiming for Class A. Why would anyone voluntarily drop out of Class A and transfer to Class B? What's the point?

Because of love?

... It seems that's really true.

Compared to the astonished upperclassmen, a considerable number of the First Year students, especially those in Class A, accepted this explanation. After Ichinose Honami had openly confessed her feelings to them before transferring classes, and everyone could see Ichinose Honami's affection and devotion to Kitagawa Ryo over the past few months.

It can only be said that everyone is just a seventeen or eighteen-year-old high school student, and they still have a sacred imagination about love in their hearts. They can't resist love stories with rich romantic color and even the popular element of love triangles. Besides, Ichinose Honami didn't embezzle class funds to pursue personal feelings, so let her go.

Therefore, when Ichinose Honami class, the reaction from Class 1-B was even greater than that from Class A.

So, how do the students in Class 1-B view Ichinose Honami's decision to transfer classes?

In fact, the only word to describe my feelings is "complicated".

First of all, it must be said that Ichinose Honami and Class 1-B are definitely compatible, even exceptionally so. She was the one with the most friends and the widest network in the grade, and most of the students in Class B are also kind and gentle. Therefore, even before she transferred to the class, quite a few students in Class B already had a very good relationship with Ichinose Honami.

Besides her interpersonal skills, Ichinose Honami's abilities are also evident. She excels in both academics and club activities, and the Sports Festival and Cultural Festival she led are also remarkable. It's even clear to anyone with eyes that after Kitagawa Ryo transferred to another class, she had almost secured the position of the next Leader.

From any perspective, Ichinose Honami's transfer to Class 1-B should be considered fantastic news, even a stroke of good fortune.

However, Ichinose Honami's stated reason before transferring classes was for Kitagawa Ryo, and Class 1-B happens to be the stronghold of Kanzaki Ryuji, the true CP leader. In fact, the forums were filled with rumors throughout the winter break that Karuizawa Kei transferred Kitagawa Ryo to her class so that it would be easier for them to date. It can only be said that by combining and associating these current events with this, one can almost smell the gunpowder that is about to break out.

Soon, the first problem facing the students in Class B emerged.

It is known that after Kitagawa Ryo transferred to Class B specially arranged a grand welcome party for him with all members in attendance.

So, now that Ichinose Honami has transferred to this team, should we hold the same event with the same level of prestige and treatment?

After all, the scene of the other party barging into the last welcome party and causing a somewhat awkward atmosphere was still fresh in the minds of many students in Class B.

... Wait, could it be that incident that ultimately made them decide to transfer classes?

So, this time we'll hold a welcome party for Ichinose Honami, then invite Horikita Suzune to the event, and then at Horikita Suzune's welcome party, we'll invite Sakayanagi Arisu, and at Sakayanagi Arisu's welcome party, we'll invite Amasawa Ichika...

Okay, the above is just some wild speculation after some divergent thinking. After some hesitation, some clever students from Class B quickly approached their homeroom teacher Hoshinomiya Chie.

Firstly, the welcome party for Kitagawa Ryo last time was nominally paid for by this homeroom teacher.

Secondly, since there seems to be some awkwardness between the students, why not have the class teacher step in? That way, no matter what the final outcome, someone can mediate and resolve the issue.

It can only be said that Hoshinomiya Chie's easygoing image has indeed deeply resonated with Class B, and it's as if she's being used as a confidante in an emotional program.

However, the other person's many years of romantic experience certainly qualify them.

To be honest, Hoshinomiya Chie believed Ichinose Honami's story quite a bit. After all, she had already been in contact with the girl before the Sports Festival and deeply felt the First Year student's obsession with Kitagawa Ryo. Back then, the girl even dared to borrow five million Private Points from her to prevent Kitagawa Ryo from being transferred away.

Others might find the idea that someone would use Twenty Million Personal Points to transfer from Class A to Class B just to chase after their lover hard to accept, but Hoshinomiya Chie has personally witnessed Chabashira Sae, the ultimate love-obsessed person who, although she only maintained it for less than 24 hours, genuinely changed the future of more than 30 people. What she gave up back then was a full 300 Class Points and her last hope of advancing to Class A, which was far more valuable than Twenty Million Personal Points.

Ultimately, Hoshinomiya Chie didn't really care why Ichinose Honami came to her class. All she wanted was to keep Class C, whose homeroom teacher was Chabashira Sae, firmly outside the gates of Class A, or even better, to push them back into the very bottom of Class D.

As long as you can do this, it doesn't matter if you have ill intentions or are pursuing true love.

That's why Hoshinomiya Chie generously reiterated that the welcome party should definitely be held again! She'd use her Private Points! It just so happened that Kitagawa Ryo insisted on paying for it last time, but she hadn't spent any of it.

Moreover, she also wanted to try to get in touch with Ichinose Honami.

Judging from the conversation at the last Sports Festival, the other party did indeed harbor resentment towards Chabashira Sae, who wanted to transfer Kitagawa Ryo, and this was precisely Hoshinomiya Chie wanted and what Karuizawa Kei lacked.

In fact, Hoshinomiya Chie was well aware of the differences in her views with Karuizawa Kei.

Karuizawa Kei always sees Kitagawa Ryo as the goal and Chabashira Sae as the means.

On the contrary, she used Chabashira Sae Kitagawa Ryo the ultimate goal.

Hoshinomiya Chie doesn't actually have any feelings for Class B, as evidenced by the fact that she drags herself to class every other day, reeking of alcohol and suffering from a hangover. If her face were replaced by Sakagami Kazuma from Class D, she would probably have been reported to the administration office by the students by now.

In other words, if Ichinose Honami is compatible with her and willing to help her with the ultimate goal of dealing with Chabashira Sae, Hoshinomiya Chie doesn't actually care about making her the class representative of Class B.

"So my prediction was absolutely correct; Hoshinomiya- sensei did indeed hold that view."

From the very beginning of the welcome party, when Hoshinomiya Chie called me aside for a private talk, Ichinose Honami, upon returning to her seat, naturally leaned close to Kitagawa Ryo's ear and began to whisper something:

"Does Liang think I should play along with her for a bit?"

"I think Honami should play along with me for a bit first."

Sitting next to Kitagawa Ryo, Karuizawa Kei rudely put down her chopsticks, tapped the table lightly with her fingers, and looked somewhat displeased at Ichinose Honami, who had already begun plotting in front of her how to replace her as the class president of Class B.

"There's no need for that. After all, my current persona is that of a girl who is devoted to love, pursues her dreams, and is determined to reach for the moon. It would be strange if I didn't act close to Ryo."

Ichinose Honami simply raised an eyebrow without any pretense, which in a sense was a natural performance.

"Of course, Hui can stand up right now and loudly declare to the whole class that you've been planning this for so long, and that taking those Twenty Million Personal Points from the class and the homeroom teacher was, as the forum said, to make it easier for her and Liang to have a relationship that doesn't involve crossing classes. If that's the case, I definitely won't have any objections."

Seeing that Karuizawa Megumi had been successfully manipulated by Karuizawa Kei in Ichinose Honami few words, Kitagawa Ryo had no choice but to take the initiative and change the subject:

"Alright, alright, we'll be classmates from now on. We'll be spending a long time together, getting along and supporting each other. Honami, you don't need to tease Hui with those words anymore. Hui, didn't you already know Honami would be transferring to this class?"

"Since Liang has said so, then forget it."

As if seeking revenge for a past version of herself who had been bullied and humiliated by this person, Ichinose Honami said this, but immediately added:

"However, I do really want to be the class monitor of Class B. After all, if we encounter Special Exam like the one on the Uninhabited Island last time that requires group assignments, I can just assign Ryo to my group, and I can also throw someone else a little further away."

"If other students hear this, it'll be impossible for Honami to become class monitor."

"Not necessarily. After all, this fits the impression I give off now, and besides, Hoshinomiya will support me."

"Hey, Honami, you didn't actually believe Hoshinomiya's words and decided to help her focus all her efforts on dealing with the Chabashira from Class C, did you?"

Who knows?

Ichinose Honami just smiled mysteriously. After all, ever since she spent half a day in close contact with Chabashira Sae at the last Cultural Festival, she had indeed noticed the astonishing obsession the other woman had with Kitagawa Ryo.

She always wanted to eliminate all potential risks for Kitagawa Ryo, so she and Hoshinomiya Chie could be said to have the same goal, albeit different.

Seeing that Ichinose Honami seemed genuinely intending to help Hoshinomiya Chie, Karuizawa Kei frowned and lowered her voice:

"Honestly, Honami, you didn't know this before you weren't in Class B, but compared to Chabashira, the homeroom teacher of Class C, Hoshinomiya is the more threatening one. He might just decide to make a move against Ryo one day."

"Hey, hey, hey, the person involved is still here. Don't spread rumors so easily."

Kitagawa Ryo couldn't help but raise his hand in a small protest. Although he would never admit to being Younger-Woman Complex, he could at least say with certainty that he had never had any improper thoughts about older teachers. Besides, in terms of physique or appearance, in Kitagawa Ryo's eyes, they were no match for Ichinose Honami and Karuizawa Kei in front of him. Moreover, both of them had their own mental problems.

"Alright, if Megumi thinks Hoshinomiya- sensei is a big threat, then you can keep an eye on her. Anyway, I'll continue to keep an eye on Chabashira- sensei, and Ryo should also minimize his contact with her."

Faced with Ichinose Honami's instructions, Kitagawa Ryo couldn't very well mention the full-blown fight that had just taken place in front of him a few days ago, so he could only nod perfunctorily.

After Kitagawa Ryo agreed, Ichinose Honami again provocatively turned her gaze towards Karuizawa Kei:

"No matter what, I'm determined to get Hui's position as class monitor of Class B."