My Mission, Completed!

"People, the harder they try, the more they realize that humans have limits. The more they scheme, the more they get flustered by factors outside their plans."

"Human beings really do have limits, am I right, Ryuen?"

"What exactly are you trying to say, Nagami?"

Ryuen did not understand the purpose behind Nagami going out of his way to tell him something so cryptic.

"You're really impatient. Your train of thought is as straightforward as a child trying to sneak a piece of candy."

After saying this, Nagami lit up his phone screen. Ryuen's eyes widened sharply, as if he had seen something that terrified him.

"The plan you thought was perfect was actually riddled with holes from the start. A little bit of attention was all it took to catch you by the tail, joker Ryuen."

"This is the end for you. Checkmate!"

"Ugh, ever since the Uninhabited Island exam, the gap between us and Class A has only been growing! We're 165 points behind."

Early in the morning, Ichinose walked along, dejected after the results of the Paper Shuffle special exam were announced.

"It can't be helped. Class A started with such a high lead. Plus, this exam played to their strengths; it's only natural that Class B lost."

"Come to think of it, Class D started in the hell of zero points, yet they managed to overtake us immediately under Kagami's leadership. Kagami really is something else."

"I'm so envious. If only Kagami were in Class B."

Ichinose puffed out her cheeks and grumbled.

"Me? Honestly, would you believe me if I said I didn't do anything? Why do you sound like Hoshinomiya-sensei?"

"Hmph, if Kagami thinks he can look down on me just because he's smart, he's going to take a big fall."

Ichinose retorted with a serious tone.

"Whatever. To me, it doesn't matter if I'm in Class A or not. What's important is enjoying the fun that these special exams bring."

"Could it be that Kagami is a closet philosopher!"

"But for me, reaching Class A is still very important. I have a wish that must be fulfilled, and I need to reach Class A to achieve it."

"Oh? What makes Honami so obsessed with it?"

Ichinose's statement piqued Nagami's interest.

"That's a girl's secret. It's impolite to keep asking."

"Refused so decisively. I'm heartbroken that even as your best friend, I'm not allowed to know."

"Best friend?" Ichinose pondered for a moment.

"I'm very happy that Kagami considers me a best friend. Of course, Kagami is my best friend too."

"Is that Kushida girl your best friend too? I heard from some classmates in Class B that they saw Kushida crying in your arms on the playground."

Ichinose giggled and suddenly changed the subject.

"She's been harassed by a stalker lately and is under a lot of mental pressure. I was just comforting her as a friend."

"That doesn't sound like a normal stalker; is he a pervert? I've never heard of such a person in this school! Why didn't you contact the security office?"

"It's not that dramatic. You know what they say: 'Women are made of water.' When they find a shoulder to lean on, they unconsciously release the pressure in their hearts."

If someone were to ask what the highest realm of lying is, it would be using the truth to deceive others.

"Wow, is Kagami some kind of 'central air conditioner'?"

(Nani? Honami, don't just go making up new slang.)

"Hey! Ichinose-san!"

In the distance, friends from Class B waved to Ichinose from afar.

"Your friends are here. I'll be heading off first."

Nagami walked quickly toward the school building.

Meanwhile.

"Hey, have you heard? They say Karuizawa was bullied back in middle school."

"For real? That gyaru Karuizawa? You can't tell at all."

"Could it be that she's actually easy to push around?"

"Is it true? Honestly, Karuizawa is really cute, though."

Whispers and discussions drifted in from all around.

"Tch, those bastards from Class C are looking for trouble again."

Sudo slammed the door open.

"Talking about nonsense in the hallway first thing in the morning—it's so annoying."

"Sudo, you aren't going to start a fight, are you?"

"No way. I'm just going to ignore them. How could I step in the same trap twice? Those guys are the best at extorting people; they're as annoying as caterpillars."

"Besides..."

Sudo finished speaking and looked toward Horikita Suzune's seat, wearing an expression as if he had been domesticated.

"You're becoming increasingly loyal."

Ayanokoji sighed, looking at the lit-up screen of his phone with a message, his face remaining expressionless.

To be liked by a red-haired gorilla—sometimes I really admire the tolerance some people have.

"Yare, yare!"

Is Class C starting to act desperate and grasping at straws because their class points are getting closer? Or is there another motive? Regardless, it doesn't matter anymore.

Nagami recalled what he had to do next and couldn't help but hum lightly.

"Oh, little Kikyo, you're finally here. Good morning. Have you finished the task I asked of you?"

"You really know how to order people around, Kagami. I feel like I'm being used as a tool to complete your tasks, and the kind that gets discarded after use, at that."

"How could that be? You are my best friend, after all."

"Yosh, then that settles it."

Nagami stretched his back. With a few minutes left before class, he raced against time to read the novel Jane Eyre in his hands.

"Karuizawa, don't mind the rumors outside. That was all Class C's doing."

Sato comforted her good friend.

"It's fine, it's fine. I don't care at all."

"With that queen-like aura of hers, how could Karuizawa possibly be someone who gets bullied? It'd be more likely for her to be the one bullying others."

Karuizawa's clique defended her.

Karuizawa gripped her phone tightly, sending a message to a mysterious recipient, X, before the screen went dark.

Ever since the bullying trio led by Manabe discovered her secret, she would stare blankly at her message history with X from time to time.

It seemed that X could provide her with a great deal of confidence and a sense of security, and X had also made her a promise.

However, the rumors and gossip from the outside world were growing, even beginning to affect her daily life.

It all started when Karuizawa received an anonymous message stating that if she didn't want her secret to be known by the entire school, she had to follow instructions.

The fact that the current rumors didn't mention the scars on her body was a warning.

Now, she could only force herself to act as if nothing had happened. She had a premonition that if she didn't accept the instructions one day, her biggest secret would be exposed. Recalling the tragic experiences of her middle school years, her body began to tremble involuntarily.

"A woman from a poor, lower-class background who somehow gains the inexplicable favor of a rich, handsome man? There's no psychological buildup at all; they just meet a few times and fall in love. So, Europe had female-oriented novels published this early on."

"This really demystifies the classic."

"If this were reality, wouldn't she just be discarded like baggage once she's been used? One shouldn't overestimate the moral standards of certain people."

If you enjoy this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.