A Chess Game of Undercurrents

Horikita Suzune's footsteps came to a stop at the entrance to the empty rooftop.

The wind lifted her long black hair and stirred the wariness in her eyes.

She stood there, watching Natsume Yu leaning against the railing.

Ever since the incident involving her brother, this man's figure had lingered in her mind.

He always appeared at the most crucial moments.

He always said the most crucial things.

He always made the most crucial moves.

Everything felt like a script that had been calculated with precision, and he was the playwright hidden behind the curtain.

That feeling made her uncomfortable.

Extremely uncomfortable.

"Natsume Yu."

She spoke, her voice scattered somewhat by the wind, yet still cold and clear.

Natsume Yu did not turn around. He merely looked out at the distant sky.

"Did you need something, Horikita?"

"Who exactly are you?"

Horikita Suzune stepped forward and stood beside him, but her eyes remained fixed on his profile.

"What exactly are you after with our class and my brother?"

She had held that question in for a long time.

Natsume Yu finally turned his head, wearing an appropriately innocent expression.

"Me?"

He pointed at himself and laughed.

"I'm just an ordinary student who wants to graduate peacefully and slack off until then, Horikita."

"As for the student council president... I merely told the truth."

Horikita Suzune did not believe a single word of that.

An ordinary student?

Could an ordinary student see through the problem between her and her brother at a glance?

Could an ordinary student manipulate people's hearts so easily?

"I don't believe you."

Horikita Suzune's voice was resolute.

"There is something deeply off about you, Natsume Yu. You are absolutely not what you appear to be."

"Oh?"

Natsume Yu raised a brow, seemingly intrigued.

"Then what do you think I should be like?"

Horikita Suzune was momentarily speechless.

She did not know.

She only knew that the person before her was dangerous.

"However..."

Natsume Yu changed the subject, and the smile on his lips deepened.

"Though I only want to slack off, I also don't want our class points to hit zero. That would affect my quality of life, after all."

He looked at Horikita Suzune, his eyes sharp enough to pierce through people's hearts.

"If you want to lead Class D to Class A and catch up to your brother..."

"Perhaps we can work together."

Work together?

Horikita Suzune's heart skipped a beat.

Her first instinct was to refuse.

Working with a man she could not see through was no different from making a deal with a tiger.

Natsume Yu saw through her hesitation and offered bait she could not possibly refuse.

"I'll provide the 'methods' and the 'intelligence.'"

"You will handle the 'execution' and the 'leadership.'"

He stepped forward and leaned close to Horikita Suzune's ear, his voice brimming with temptation.

"You stand in the light and enjoy everyone's attention and admiration."

"I'll remain behind the scenes and clear away every obstacle for you."

"This is the most efficient arrangement, isn't it?"

Horikita Suzune's breathing suddenly quickened.

She had to admit that every word Natsume Yu said struck precisely at her ambition.

Leading Class D to Class A.

That was the sole purpose for which she had entered this school.

But now, she was alone and struggling at every step.

And Natsume Yu, a man she did not trust at all, had extended to her the only rope that might lead to the summit.

Should she take it or not?

A fierce struggle raged within her.

Her reason told her to stay away from this man.

But her ambition screamed madly for her to seize this chance.

After a long while.

Horikita Suzune clenched her fists tightly, her nails nearly digging into her flesh.

She neither said yes nor no.

She merely gave Natsume Yu a cold look, then turned around and left the rooftop without hesitation.

Watching her departing back, the smile on Natsume Yu's face grew wider.

He knew the fish had taken the bait.

An unstable yet incredibly firm alliance had been formed.

Meanwhile.

Another net was quietly being cast.

Natsume Yu's phone vibrated. It was a message from Kushida Kikyo.

[Yu-kun, Ryuen Kakeru from Class C has been making major moves lately. He's gathered several key people from his class for meetings and seems to be planning something. Class D is very likely the target.]

[I heard it has something to do with the next special exam.]

Natsume Yu lightly swiped his fingertip across the screen, his gaze calm.

Ryuen Kakeru.

The dictator who ruled Class C through violence and fear.

So he finally could not hold himself back?

He switched chat windows and found the profile picture of the timid hamster.

Then he made the call.

The call was answered almost instantly.

"M-Master... N-Natsume!"

Sakura Airi's nervous, stammering voice came through the receiver.

"Airi."

Natsume Yu's voice was soft, yet carried an unquestionable command.

"Do you remember the 'reward' I gave you yesterday?"

"I-I remember!"

"Now, I have a new task for you."

Natsume Yu rose to his feet and walked to the window, looking down at the bustling students below.

"Starting today, use your 'trait' to go to places Class C students often frequent, such as cafés, the library, or the corners of the gym..."

"You do not need to do anything. Just wander around like you normally would."

"Use your eyes to observe Ryuen Kakeru from Class C, as well as everyone around him."

"Remember every word they say and every move they make."

"Can you do that?"

On the other end of the call, Sakura Airi's breathing quickened.

She could feel her master's expectations of her.

This was not a task.

This was a new "reward"!

It was another chance to prove her worth!

"Yes!"

Her voice was filled with unprecedented determination.

"I can definitely do it!"

"Very good."

Natsume Yu hung up.

On one side was the unstable alliance he had forged with Horikita Suzune, meant to stabilize the "surface" of Class D.

On the other was the "hidden side," where he used Sakura Airi and Kushida Kikyo to closely monitor Class C.

The outlines of the entire chessboard gradually became clear in his mind.

Late that night.

Natsume Yu lay on his bed, the light from his phone screen reflecting off his utterly calm face.

On the screen was the first observation report Sakura had sent him.

It was meticulous to the smallest detail, even recording what kind of coffee Ryuen Kakeru drank.

Just as he was about to turn off the screen.

A new message popped up.

It was also from Sakura Airi.

[Natsume, I'm sorry. I think I accidentally photographed something at Keyaki Mall just now... I thought I should send it to you.]

A photograph was attached below.

The image quality was somewhat blurry, clearly taken in haste.

The background was a secluded corner of the mall.

In the photo, Ryuen Kakeru, the leader of Class C, was standing face-to-face with a man, discussing something.

The man's profile was clearly captured by the camera.

Natsume Yu's pupils contracted slightly.

Looking at the unexpected figure in the photograph, a knowing curve slowly formed on his lips.

"So that's it. You want to play dirty?"

"Ryuen, you're still too green."