"Hmm... You're being pretty blunt, aren't you, Horikita?"
Onizuka raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
She'd always acted aloof before, like an untouchable flower on a high peak. But today, she'd unexpectedly shown a serious side, which surprised Onizuka.
"As for when I started taking action... naturally, whenever I felt like it."
"Then..."
Before Horikita Suzune could finish what she wanted to say, Onizuka cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"I'm not interested in what happens to Class D from here on, or in what the others in our class do."
Onizuka spoke calmly, his words crisp and to the point, as if none of it mattered. "I have my own path to follow, and I won't let anyone interfere."
Horikita's expression stiffened slightly. A trace of hesitation flickered in her eyes, as if she wanted to argue, but Onizuka didn't give her the chance.
"If you happen to be heading in the same direction as me, I don't mind giving you a hand along the way," he continued, his tone even firmer and calmer.
"But understand this: don't try to saddle me with all of Class D. I won't take on any extra burdens."
"Do you understand what I mean, Horikita?"
Horikita Suzune shifted her feet where she stood, seeming a little uncomfortable.
"Onizuka, even though you say that, I still hope you'll take part in the class's regular decisions. [Class Points are what matter most], aren't they?"
At that, Onizuka covered his forehead, looking a little helpless, then regarded her with contempt.
"See, this is the most fundamental difference between us. In my view, [Class Points are the most useless thing]."
As if she'd heard something outrageous, Horikita Suzune argued, "How can they be useless? How could we possibly move up to Class A without Class Points? Unlike you, I have someone I want to pursue!"
"Ah~~ yes, someone to pursue. What a lofty dream you have, Horikita."
"But why am I part of your dream?"
Horikita Suzune was momentarily stumped and didn't know what to say.
After a pause, she said, "B-because we're classmates! Naturally, moving up to Class A requires everyone..."
As she spoke, Horikita Suzune's voice grew quieter and quieter, until she stopped.
"What? Nothing more to say? Then let me put it this way: you and I are like Sudo and you. Why should I have to help you?"
He looked at Horikita Suzune, who stood there without saying a word.
"Since we've been talking for so long, I'll mercifully remind you of something. Do you remember what Sae Chabashira said at the start of the school year?"
Horikita Suzune furrowed her brows, wanting to say something but seeming unsure. Her hesitation was hard to watch.
Then Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who'd been standing off to the side like an invisible person, stepped forward.
"It was, [Points can buy anything in this school], right?"
Onizuka turned to look at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and smiled.
"Exactly. In this school, points are that amazing."
"Hey, Horikita, how many points would it take for you to stop pestering me?"
With that, without waiting for Horikita Suzune to react, he turned and went back into the convenience store nearby.
That left only Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Horikita Suzune facing each other in the alley.
"You look pretty pathetic, Horikita."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's provocation immediately roused Horikita Suzune, who'd been looking rather dejected.
"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka! Who do you think you are? Do you really think you're capable of lecturing me?"
"I don't know why my brother thinks so highly of you too, but I don't think you have anything worth praising besides your fighting skills!"
"Don't tell me what to do!"
With that, Horikita Suzune hurried out of the alley.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was left alone, his gaze inscrutable as he watched Horikita Suzune's retreating figure.
After eating his eel rice at the convenience store, Onizuka prepared to head back to the dorm.
Now that he was full and satisfied, all he wanted was a good rest. His mind went back to the confrontation with Horikita Suzune.
He'd just thoroughly trampled Horikita Suzune's pride into the dirt. It seemed to have worked pretty well.
That also counted as a small revenge for President Horikita setting him up.
Secondly, he'd wanted to test Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
Ever since the start of the school year, Onizuka had felt that there was something unusual about him. Whether it was his excellent physique or his intellect, he was clearly a person of considerable talent in every respect.
Onizuka was certain that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka couldn't have taken much longer than he had to notice something was wrong with the school, yet he'd taken no action.
That was a little hard to explain.
Now he'd put the pressure directly on Horikita Suzune, attacking the pride she valued most.
If things went badly, it was entirely possible she'd sink into despair.
Sure enough, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had stepped in at the end to rescue her, quickly sharing the burden of the pressure Horikita Suzune was under.
It seemed highly likely that Ayanokoji wanted to manipulate Horikita Suzune like a puppet, while hiding behind her and quietly living a peaceful life himself.
Hah, what a contradictory man.
Using other people's power while trying to maintain his own peace made him seem extremely selfish and cunning.
Onizuka thought that perhaps this was precisely where Ayanokoji's intelligence lay: he knew how to survive in this highly competitive environment without attracting anyone's attention.