Conversation / Atsuomi Ayanokoji? No Way! Kiyotaka Ayanokoji? Sure!

As for personal honors, he didn't care.

As long as the class can graduate as Class A.

As for leaders, if others are capable and have the right attitude...

He was willing to give up the competition to help his opponent.

Chapter 115, Section 114 Conversation

The morning sunlight of July streamed through the windows of Class B classroom, gilding the wooden desks with a golden hue.

There were already a few students in the classroom, but they all consciously gathered in a corner away from the podium, talking quietly or engrossed in their books.

The air was filled with the unique heat of summer and the vibrant energy of youth.

Katsuragi Kohei's tall figure appeared at the classroom door.

It blocked some of the sunlight, casting long shadows on the floor.

His gaze was fixed firmly on the center of the classroom—where Sakayanagi Arisu sat, her slender fingers turning the pages of a hardcover book, her silvery-white hair almost transparent in the morning light.

Good morning, Classmate Sakayanagi.

Katsuragi Kohei's voice was lower than usual as he walked steadily to the Sakayanagi table.

Sakayanagi Arisu the book, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"What a rare guest, Katsuragi. You've come to see me so early; you must have something important to discuss?"

The chair legs made a slight creaking sound as they scraped against the floor. Katsuragi Kohei sat down opposite her.

"I'd like to talk about what happened last time again."

He looked directly into Sakae's Arisu eyes and said, "Regarding the issue of class leadership."

At the other end of the classroom, several students looked over curiously, then quickly turned back.

The students in Class B were already used to the power struggle between the two leaders and tacitly gave them space.

Sakayanagi Arisu slightly, sunlight dancing on her delicate face.

"Oh? Katsuragi changed his mind?"

Her voice was as clear as a wind chime, yet it carried an undeniable sharpness.

Katsuragi Kohei placed his hands crossed on the table.

"If you, Classmate Sakayanagi, are willing to wholeheartedly lead the class to an A grade, I am willing to join your ranks."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, each word seeming to have been carefully considered.

A hint of surprise flashed in Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes, and her slender fingers tapped lightly on the table.

"Unlike last time. Last time, Katsuragi made me promise he'd get an A before he'd back down."

The cicadas outside the window suddenly chirped loudly, adding a summery accompaniment to the conversation.

"The Student Council speaks very highly of you."

Katsuragi Kohei maintained his upright posture. "Furthermore, some students from Class A have already joined the Student Council, giving them an advantage in this regard. Therefore, I am willing to adjust the requirements."

Sakayanagi Arisu chuckled softly and pulled a document from the drawer.

"You still sound quite unconvinced. Here's what we'll do: the Special Exam coming up later, you know?"

You mean?

Katsuragi Kohei frowned as he took the document; the rustling sound of the pages turning was particularly clear in the quiet classroom.

His pupils contracted sharply when he saw what was inside.

"This is... information on past Special Exam?"

"It seems you're still too rigid and conservative, Katsuragi."

Sakayanagi Arisu's voice carried a hint of sarcasm, "Since regular exams can be reused, so can Special Exam. Therefore, I've already prepared the Special Exam materials from my seniors."

"However, we can't guarantee the outcome of guessing the question."

Katsuragi Kohei's voice held a hint of doubt. "If we can't determine the accuracy, I think it might be a waste of time."

When he looked up, he found Sakayanagi looking at him with an almost pitying gaze.

Suddenly, the girl coughed, and an unnatural flush rose to her pale cheeks.

She hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it to her lips, waiting for her breathing to calm down before speaking, her fingers lightly tapping the folder cover.

"A little guidance is all it takes to start thinking, but often, your opponent won't give you any inspiration."

Katsuragi Kohei felt a surge of irritation; he hated this feeling of being led by the nose.

He loosened his tie, trying to calm himself down.

In that instant, it seemed as if some crucial information was forming in his mind—he suddenly realized something, and his gaze returned to the fixed items marked with highlighter on the document.

Team competition format of the sports festival, distribution of supply points on the Uninhabited Island

"I see, I see. So some Special Exam are part of the fixed curriculum. Like sports festivals, school festivals, and the like."

Sakayanagi Arisu nodded in satisfaction and patted her slender legs.

"Very good. I won't be able to participate in the upcoming Uninhabited Island Exam due to health reasons, so you will be in charge of leading the class."

She paused, a faint smile returning to her lips. "I hope this exam will help you truly understand yourself, and then you'll join my team. Consider it a trial—if we achieve great success under your leadership, you might just get into the Student Council without having to bow down to me."

Katsuragi Kohei's Adam's apple bobbed.

He crossed his arms and looked down at Sakayanagi Arisu.

"For boys, this might be a happy thing. After all, some people will be unhappy about being subordinate to a girl."

He deliberately emphasized the words "girl".

Sakayanagi Arisu was not offended; instead, her smile deepened.

"So, is Katsuragi that kind of person?"

The air in the classroom seemed to freeze for a moment.

Katsuragi Kohei took a deep breath.

"I understand. So from now on, can I lead the whole class?"

"Prepare for the Uninhabited Island Exam in advance? I agree, good luck!"

Sakayanagi Arisu, as if she was thinking about something interesting.

Katsuragi Kohei stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow in front of Sakayanagi Arisu.

He was about to leave when he stopped.

"Is there anything you want to remind me of? I don't care whether the leader is male or female; I just want my classmates to graduate as Class A students."

After a brief silence, Sakayanagi Arisu looked up at him.

Sunlight streamed down from behind her, gilding her silhouette and obscuring her expression.

Her voice suddenly softened.

"Since you've put it that way, when you encounter difficulties in making decisions, just ask Morimiya and Sanada for advice. Perhaps they can give you some useful suggestions."

"Morimiya and Sanada, are you two? I'll remember that."

Katsuragi Kohei repeated the two names, searching his memory for the corresponding faces.

After Katsuragi Kohei left, Morimiya and Sanada immediately went to the table at Sakayanagi Arisu.

Morimiya crossed his arms and frowned slightly.

"Your Highness, isn't it going too far to betray our allies right to our faces?"

"That's what I think too."

Sanada pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses revealing disapproval.

Sakayanagi Arisu, her slender fingers tapping lightly on the table.

A sly smile appeared on her pale face.

"I apologize to you both, but in return, how about I offer you an interesting opponent?"

"An interesting... opponent?"

Sanada and Morimiya exchanged a glance, both seeing a gleam of eager anticipation in each other's eyes.

Anyone mentioned by Sakayanagi Arisu must be extraordinary.

This reflects their confidence in themselves.

They acknowledged Sakayanagi Arisu, so the opponent Sakayanagi Arisu was also the opponent they acknowledged.

"However, this range is interesting..."

Sanada pondered, his fingers unconsciously stroking his chin.

Sakayanagi Arisu, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight.

What? You don't trust my judgment?

Her tone was playful, yet subtly meaningful.

Chapter 116, 115 Ayanokoji Atsuomi? No way! Ayanokoji Kiyotaka? Okay!

The afternoon sun slanted into the activity room, and tiny dust particles floated in the air.

Morimiya leaned against the window, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on the window frame, making a soft tapping sound.

Sanada sat upright, flipping through a thick, hardcover book, his brow slightly furrowed.

Sakayanagi Arisu sat gracefully in the center of the sofa, a small teacup in her hand emitting wisps of steam.

"Speaking of which," Sakayanagi Arisu put down her teacup, the clinking of the porcelain breaking the silence of the room, her light purple eyes sweeping over the other two, "Have you heard of White Room?"

"White Room?"

Morimiya stopped tapping, turned around, and looked at her with undisguised confusion. "Never heard of it."

He shrugged, indicating that he was completely unfamiliar with the term.

Sanada closed the book in his hand, his long, slender fingers pressing on the cover, and pondered for a moment.

"I did hear my elders mention that when they were chatting,"

He tilted his head slightly, as if recalling something, "But they said that place... was at best just a small workshop."

His tone carried a hint of the scrutiny and disdain inherent in the elite class.

"It seems your understanding of this White Room is limited to this."

Sakayanagi Arisu sighed softly, a cryptic smile playing on her lips. "Then let me tell you everything I know. And then we'll see..."

She paused briefly, as if gathering her thoughts.

Both Morimiya and Sanada's gazes were fixed on her, with an air of inquiry.

Sakayanagi Arisu's voice rang out clearly and steadily.

"The White Room was established by a man named Ayanokoji Atsuomi. Its initial purpose was said to be to mass-produce geniuses through a highly centralized, rigorous, and almost cruel educational system."

She emphasized the word "manufactured".

"The courses inside are all..."

Just as Sakayanagi Arisu was about to elaborate, she was interrupted by a voice.

"Ah! So it's an education factory!"

Morimiya suddenly clapped his hands, as if he had just realized something, and a look of understanding appeared on his face.

Now that you mention it, I vaguely recall hearing someone mention something like that.

He leaned forward, appearing quite interested.

Morimiya abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming as disdainful as Sanada's had been before.

"However, just as Sanada said, it's nothing more than a small workshop that's eager for quick success and instant benefits."

He looked at Sanada, seeking approval.