Chapter 8

"Ugh, what a downer." Sakayanagi Arisu had long since grown immune to Yuan Yuyuan's endless antics. "But Class D has no leader, even though he has the ability to unite the class."

"Hey, at least listen to what people are saying! Why did you call me here, anyway? You don't seem like the type to swallow your pride and ask me for help."

"No, I've never thought asking you for help would cost me my pride. Besides, Class A is in the middle of an internal power struggle, so I can't spare the time right now. Of course, I'll bury him with my own hands—but before that, I need you to do me a small favor."

"If he's determined to keep himself hidden, what can I do about it? Am I supposed to bring a huge crowd to Class D and yell, 'So you're the so-called greatest masterpiece, huh?'"

"That's why I need your help, Yuyuan. I want you to drain Class D of its points."

Yuan Yuyuan glanced at Sakayanagi Arisu. Her cheeks were rosy, but she didn't look like she had a fever.

"That's your plan? Even if you say that, would someone from that hellhole care about having no money to spend? With his personality, even if you exposed his abilities, it wouldn't make the slightest difference to his expression, would it?"

"You guessed it right away, Yuyuan. But since he came here, he surely didn't come to waste three years. Maybe he's searching for something he doesn't have."

"A girlfriend? When are you planning to confess?"

"You're joking around again, Yuyuan. I mean affection, not just romantic love. After all, everyone in that place was killing each other, so I think friendship is more likely. What would happen if he watched his so-called friends despair because they had no points, while he stood by and did nothing? And then people found out he'd been hiding his abilities?"

"I still don't see any logic in this. Never mind whether he can make friends—what if he gets ostracized? What's the big deal? Is he going to be scared of a rat suddenly appearing in his desk drawer?"

Seeing that Yuan Yuyuan wasn't enjoying this nearly as much as she was, Sakayanagi Arisu had no choice but to play the trump card she'd prepared in advance.

"I owe you a favor, and my people will help you with all their might in the next exam."

"Come on. You'd just make an excuse to put that bald guy in charge of the class, then sell him out. And you call that helping me? Two favors—and if you want to frame that bald guy, the information goes to me alone."

Sakayanagi Arisu thought it over for a while, then finally nodded.

"You really refuse to take a loss, Yuyuan. But if this involves conflict between classes, it's only until I've united Class A."

"Of course. Then here's to a pleasant partnership. Want me to walk you back?"

"No need to trouble yourself. I've already got a good frie—someone wonderful coming to pick me up."

As she spoke, Sakayanagi Arisu waved to a purple-haired girl sitting some distance away, her hair in a side ponytail and adorned with several clips.

"Masumi, over here."

### Sakayanagi Arisu introduced her to Yuan Yuyuan.

"This is Masumi Kamuro, my new good friend."

As if anyone believed that. She'd almost called her a useful tool a moment ago.

"And this is Yuan Yuyuan, a genius I've looked up to since we were children."

Well, I believe her!

Yuan Yuyuan thought Sakayanagi suddenly seemed much more likable. What a shame that her case of severe chuunibyou was so tragic.

"Nice to meet you, Kamuro. Arisu isn't very mobile, so I'd appreciate it if you looked after her."

"Just so we're clear, I'm not looking after her of my own free will."

Yuan Yuyuan could guess without even trying that Sakayanagi had threatened her again.

"Is that so? It seems Arisu did something rude to you, Kamuro. But there's no helping it—she's been like this since she was little. Please bear with her."

After seeing off the reluctant-but-willing Masumi Kamuro and Sakayanagi Arisu, Yuan Yuyuan got up and sat down beside Akane Tachibana.

"So, President-sama, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Manabu Horikita got straight to the point. "I want you to join the Student Council."

"It's only the first day of school. Classes haven't even officially started yet. Why recruit me?"

"I spoke with the homeroom teachers of the respective classes and asked about their standout students. You were the most unusual."

"Interesting. Go on."

"First, on your very first day, you saw through the school's hidden rules regarding the students. No one has ever done that since the school was founded. Even I only noticed a few clues on my first day, so every Student Council would try to recruit someone as talented as you. As for the second reason, I can only tell you after you decide to join. Otherwise, it won't do your future school life any good."

No kidding. He'd only been dumped into Advanced Nurturing High School a few days before the semester began, so Narihisa Sakayanagi, the chairman, had been completely off guard around him. In the past, he'd often told him amusing stories about the rivalries between classes.

Yuan Yuyuan grumbled inwardly, but kept a straight face as he replied, "That's not fair. Arisu knows about it too, and she's in Class A. Surely she's a more reliable choice than me, a student from Class B. Or does the president actually discriminate against women? How frightening."

"No. She's Chairman Sakayanagi's daughter. Even though Chairman Sakayanagi is an upright man, I can't guarantee he wouldn't reveal information to his only daughter. But you're an outsider. No matter how close you are to Chairman Sakayanagi, he wouldn't tell you about this."

"I understand what you mean. I can join the Student Council. Tell me the second reason."

"The second reason is your family background. Most of the Student Council members are now under Vice President Miyabi Nagumo. He wants to make this school truly meritocratic: those with ability rise to Class A, while those without it remain in the lower classes."

"Although the students in this year's cohort are more capable than I expected, I won't approve anyone's request to join until I know whether the others will submit to Nagumo."

As he spoke, Manabu Horikita noticed Yuan Yuyuan seemed interested in Nagumo's ideals. He merely adjusted his glasses and continued explaining.

"But you're different. You're the heir to a powerful conglomerate, and I believe you're not someone who has to live at the mercy of others. I need you to oppose him. In return, I can even give you the position of vice president."

Akane Tachibana, who had been quietly watching from the side, couldn't sit still any longer.

"President, but Kiriyama—"

"No buts. I'll handle Kiriyama."

Manabu Horikita cut Akane Tachibana off again. After giving her a brief explanation, he turned to Yuan Yuyuan. "That's the situation. What do you think?"

"Me? I'm not satisfied at all! If you want me to oppose him, the vice president position is only fair. You're calling that a reward? Do you expect a secretary or a general affairs officer to oppose a vice president who's already usurped your authority? Don't use that line on me. It won't make me grateful to you—in fact, I might even lower my opinion of you, you brooding glasses-wearing guy."

At the nickname, Manabu Horikita's mouth twitched, but he didn't refute Yuan Yuyuan's argument.

"Just as I expected. Then what kind of reward do you want?"

"I want points. I'm going up against a vice president with power over everything, so I won't feel safe without points to protect myself. And I need you to help me when necessary."

"No problem. But since the third-years are in their final year, I can only transfer ten million personal points to you right now. However, shortly before graduation, I can...