Katsuragi Wants to Be the Leader

The next day, in Class A, Sakamoto had just entered the classroom.

"Katsuragi, do you really think that? Isn't it a little too difficult?"

Sakamoto took one look and saw that it was Totsuka Yahiko, Katsuragi Kohei's number-one fanboy, staring at his big brother with a shocked expression.

Those two really were destined to be a pair.

Sakamoto gave them a brief glance before losing interest and returning to his seat.

Katsuragi, the elder brother of that duo, walked straight over the moment he saw Sakamoto.

Sensing someone approach, Sakamoto closed the book in his hands and looked at the newcomer with a smile.

"Katsuragi, what is this about?"

"Sakamoto, based on the Elimination Theory you mentioned yesterday, all students are currently in a situation where they do not yet understand the school's rules. I believe it is necessary to unite the entire strength of Class A. A scattered group has no power to resist, but once united, it cannot be ignored.

"A leader is extremely important." Katsuragi Kohei wore a serious expression.

"Katsuragi means Class A can only have a future under Katsuragi's leadership."

Totsuka Yahiko, the foolish little brother, immediately spoke up to explain his big brother's meaning. Katsuragi gave him a slightly surprised look. I don't think I said that. Still, he did not deny it aloud, because his goal was indeed to become Class A's leader. Only then could he better avoid future risks.

"Hahaha, Totsuka, don't you think that's a little funny?"

Hashimoto, seated at his desk, clutched his stomach as he laughed.

"What, are we supposed to rely on a frivolous guy like you instead?"

Totsuka refused to be outdone and immediately fired back.

"Yahiko!"

Katsuragi stopped Totsuka, who shot Hashimoto an unwilling glare.

Katsuragi looked directly at Sakamoto and spoke slowly.

"Indeed, although school has only just begun, several Class A students have already displayed astonishing ability. For example, Sakamoto, you made some rather frightening deductions on the first day. Also, Hashimoto told me about the so-called Class-Splitter Victory Theory, which should have come from you as well."

Sakamoto laughed inwardly. It was true—when he told Hashimoto about it, he had intended for the information to become public. He had not expected Katsuragi Kohei to be the first to act, though it certainly suited his character.

When Sakamoto had played this game, Katsuragi had been the first person in the character introductions to step forward and declare himself Class A's leader, and he had already taken command of the class. If Sakamoto had not keenly noticed that Class A was actually split into two factions and spotted the hidden hand behind it all, he really would have thought there was only one main character.

"Yes." Sakamoto answered frankly. There was no need to hide it.

Katsuragi lowered his head slightly for a moment, then met Sakamoto's gaze again.

"According to the Class-Splitter Victory Theory, Class A ranks first in overall strength, and the other classes are certainly inferior to us. Combined with the Elimination Theory, if there are distinctions and pressure, then competition must inevitably exist.

"Between students and between classes, even ordinary schools have academic competition. This school will not be so simple. With our current lead, we only need to advance steadily. I believe that is what suits Class A best."

"No, Katsuragi. We may be ranked first on the surface, but nobody said we truly are first." Sakamoto gently shook his head.

Although Class A appeared to be the strongest, it could not compare to Class D, which possessed terrifying monsters. As the lowest-ranked class, most of its students had obvious flaws, but it also had several exceptionally capable people.

There was Sato Ken, with outstanding athletic ability; Horikita Suzune, excellent in both academics and physical ability and the apparent leader of Class D; Kushida Kikyo, with extremely strong social skills; and Hirata Yosuke, Class D's male leader and the ultimate nice guy. Looking at it that way, they had every potential to catch up to Class A, not to mention Koenji Rokusuke, the conglomerate heir; Matsushita Chiaki, the rich young lady; Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, the White Room genius; and the rest of that group.

With people like them, Class A's advantage would quickly be worn away. Advancing steadily only worked when one had an advantage. Without one, steady progress would merely lead to a slow decline until they became the bottom-ranked class.

In other words, a conservative leader like Katsuragi Kohei was completely unsuitable for Class A. They needed someone more forceful and aggressive than him to manage the class together with him—or to lead the entire class, including Katsuragi himself.

"Sakamoto, what do you mean?"

Katsuragi was somewhat puzzled. Did the other classes also have exceptionally capable people? But the most urgent matter was uniting Class A. There could be nothing wrong with him becoming the leader.

"Don't worry. I have no intention of competing with you for the position of class leader. I'm not interested in that sort of thing right now."

After saying that, Sakamoto did not continue the topic.

Katsuragi, Katsuragi, I'll leave the thankless job of being class leader to you.

Not only was the situation still unclear, but the class was not united either. Behind the scenes, Sakayanagi Arisu was also eyeing the leader's position.

Well, Sakamoto had no interest in such troublesome matters. He could only let the honest Katsuragi suffer a little.

"Hashimoto, let's go. We're heading to the library."

"Oh, okay."

Hashimoto got up and followed him.

Katsuragi and Yahiko had no choice but to stop their conversation as well.

Katsuragi's expression was complicated. He could not quite understand Sakamoto's actions and fell into thought.

He completely failed to notice a pair of perked-up ears quietly leaving nearby.

"You're saying Sakamoto has absolutely no interest in being the leader and is planning to go to the library next?"

Sakayanagi Arisu, the little girl seated by the balcony, listened to Kamuro's report.

She gently stroked the cane in her hand.

She had guessed that, given Sakamoto's personality, he would not care at all about things that did not interest him. This result had been obvious, though she had still sent Kamuro to investigate.

"Kamuro, I'll leave the matter of the library to you as well."

To Kamuro Masumi, the girl's gentle and courteous smile was utterly impossible to refuse. However, with her theft having been discovered and used against her, she could only resign herself to becoming cheap labor for a heartless boss.

"Ah, we've been at school for three days, and this is our first time entering the library." Hashimoto showed obvious curiosity toward it.

It was said that Ikusei's library had an enormous collection of books. It also had all kinds of facilities, along with free coffee and snacks.

The two found seats by the window. Hashimoto quickly borrowed a book to pass the time, and when he returned to his seat, Sakamoto was already wearing a delicate pair of half-moon, thin-rimmed glasses for easier reading.

He had taken out a tightly wrapped book and was leisurely flipping through it. A steaming cup of coffee sat on the table as well.

"Huh? I only turned around to find a book, and it turned into this?" Hashimoto found it hard to understand. It felt as though the scene had changed the moment he turned his back.

"Oh, the young lady at the front desk prepared these." Sakamoto smiled and pointed at the coffee, as well as the librarian at the front desk, who was smiling brightly in their direction. When she saw Sakamoto looking at her, she even blushed shyly.

"Miss Librarian, could you prepare a cup of coffee for me too?"

Hashimoto could not help complaining, but the helpful young woman at the front desk completely ignored him.

Having suffered ten thousand points of emotional damage, Hashimoto could only immerse himself in the ocean of books. However, he soon began to feel a little bored.

Looking exhausted, Hashimoto checked the time. It had already been three hours? Time had passed so quickly.

Hashimoto looked toward Sakamoto and found that he still maintained an elegant posture, as calm and composed as someone in a high position. He gently stirred his coffee, while his delicate half-moon glasses reflected the light of wisdom. It was as though time had not moved at all, except that several more books had appeared on the table.

"Sakamoto, what books are you reading?"

"Some books about pastry-making and psychology."

"??"

Hashimoto looked at Sakamoto with a face full of question marks. How were those two types of books connected?

Seeing the stunned Hashimoto, Sakamoto did not close the book in his hands. He merely chuckled and explained.

"The connection between wonderful food and emotions is inseparable. Any chef who makes food while in a bad mood cannot produce first-rate cuisine."

"Fine food exists to bring people joy. Likewise, when a chef prepares food with a happy heart, the diners can also feel the joy overflowing from him."

Sakamoto leisurely took a sip of the fresh hot coffee the young woman at the front desk had prepared for him. He also praised her skill, making the librarian cover her face in embarrassment and run away again.