"Ah, classes are finally over. I'm exhausted."
"Yeah, it's been ages since we had a class. Having one all of a sudden was exhausting. My brain feels like it's rusting."
"I'm doing okay. It wasn't that tiring, since the material we covered was pretty simple."
"It was simple, sure, but it was still my first time dealing with high school coursework, so I'm a little nervous."
"Your first time? Then you've still got some catching up to do, Shiranami. I'd already finished half of the high school curriculum at my old cram school."
After class, everyone began gathering in groups around the classroom, chatting and getting to know one another.
The boys mostly clustered together to talk about things they had in common, while the girls chatted about their studies or new hidden-gem shops they'd discovered.
"Could everyone be quiet for a moment? I need a few volunteers."
Yuki Gyakukai made his way through the crowd and headed to the podium once again.
"Me!"
He hadn't even said what they'd be doing, but someone had already enthusiastically raised his hand, eagerly recommending himself.
"I remember you're Shibata, right? I haven't even said what we're doing, and you've already raised your hand. But that's fine. Since you volunteered, you're in."
The student who'd been called out, Shibata Hayate, was a handsome, sunny-looking guy with blond hair.
At that moment, he scratched his cheek awkwardly. No matter how thick-skinned he was, it was a little embarrassing to have the whole class staring at him.
"I'm gathering people to do something for the class. I only need four, though, so if you want to come, go ahead and volunteer."
He didn't keep everyone waiting. Instead, he quickly explained what they'd be doing and how many people he needed.
"Doing something for the class? Can I come too, Gyakukai?" Ichinose waved from within the crowd.
"I want to go too. Can I have a spot?"
"..."
"I don't really want to... Um, well... C-count me in."
Girl, you don't seem all that willing. But whatever.
Since you're so reluctant, I'll definitely pick you.
Class B was buzzing with energy. Yuki Gyakukai checked the time, realized there wasn't much to spare, and immediately called out a few names:
"Shibata Hayate, Honami Ichinose, Ryuji Kanzaki, and Chihiro Shiramami, come with me."
"Huh?" Chihiro Shiramami blinked in disbelief, clearly not expecting to hear her name.
I didn't even want to go... Sob.
But now that she'd been called, there was nothing she could do. With a helpless sigh, she stood up and followed the others out of the classroom under the envious gazes of her classmates.
They hurried down the hallway.
"So, Gyakukai, what exactly do you need us to do?" As the heir to the Kanzaki conglomerate, Ryuji Kanzaki had been genuinely impressed by the rules Gyakukai had explained the day before.
That was why he'd volunteered without hesitation when Yuki Gyakukai asked for help.
Without slowing down, he led the four people behind him onward.
"Have you heard of the Dark Forest Law?"
Apart from Ryuji Kanzaki, everyone else looked bewildered.
The Dark Forest Law was well known, but clearly not everyone was interested in venturing into that unfamiliar field.
"Looks like you haven't. Kanzaki, explain it to them."
And so the group's roles became clear: Yusoku Gyakukai led the way while the other three listened to Teacher Kanzaki's concise explanation of the Dark Forest Law.
Once they had a clear understanding of the Dark Forest Law, a plan began to take shape in their minds.
The Dark Forest Law = the school's special rules.
"Right now, we're the only first-year class that knows about the special rules. In practice, we can be hunters,
but the weapons we hold can't inflict any real harm, and they'll only be effective for this one month."
Ichinose looked thoughtful as she regarded the others. "So, should we make these hidden rules public?"
"Ichinose, don't assume everyone is a good person. Everyone in Class B is nice, but we still need to learn about the other classes. That's what I need you to do."
"So what exactly are we supposed to do?" Chihiro Shiramami raised her hand to ask.
"We'll head to Class A during the break and sell them some of the rules we've already figured out. We need to turn Class A into hunters too. Class C is also under consideration.
"We don't need too many classes to know the rules. Once we let them in on them, we can sign a contract that prevents them from interfering with Class B for the rest of this month. That will give us a safe period.
"The two remaining classes that know the rules will inevitably make a move. When they do, they'll end up keeping each other in check."
It might have sounded like a plan that only worked on paper, but Yuki Gyakukai had read the entire story, after all. He knew every class inside and out.
Class A was divided into two major factions and a neutral group, and it also had a master of internal strife.
Class B was full of good-hearted people. It had the strongest class cohesion of all, but also the weakest offense.
Class C was full of delinquents, a violent gang held together by Ryuen Kakeru's force.
Class D was a mixed bag. There really were people who muddied the waters, there really were dragons, and there were also genuine misfits mixed in.
"Exactly. Even though we know the hidden rules now, they'll all be revealed in a month. Once that happens, we'll lose every advantage we have."
"Rather than pretending to be hunters, we should strike first and secure greater benefits for the class."
The group talked as they walked, and soon they arrived at Class A's classroom.
"About time you showed up, Gyakukai. You made the teacher stand out here looking awkward."
"Teacher Hoshinomiya?"
The four following behind him couldn't help looking toward Teacher Hoshinomiya, who was standing by the entrance to Class A.
"Teacher Hoshinomiya, you should be glad you've got me in Class B. And here you are, nitpicking."
"Right, right. The teacher's getting picked on by a student again."
This time, Yuki Gyakukai ignored Teacher Hoshinomiya's clowning around and turned to the capable-looking man beside her.
He was Class A's homeroom teacher, Tomoya Mashima. In the original story, he was into fitness and had a strong sense of justice. He still wasn't married, though he changed girlfriends often.
"Hello, Teacher Mashima. It's break time, so I hope you don't mind me stopping by Class A."
"I don't mind."
"In that case, Class A, I hope you won't mind us dropping in."
Yuki Gyakukai lightly knocked on Class A's door. Once he was sure everyone could hear him, he led the others inside.
As soon as they entered, all the students in Class A turned to look at them.
"Wow, it's that handsome guy from the bus!"
"I'm jealous. He's already more handsome than Satonaka from our class, isn't he?"
"..."
"Everyone, quiet down. We're here representing Class B because we'd like to make a deal with you."
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