Just Who Was Kiyotaka Ayanokoji?

Upon hearing Shuichi Kanda's words, Karuizawa obediently took out her phone and opened the text message that Ryuen had sent her earlier.

Hmm, no reply yet.

"I'll reply for you."

Karuizawa nodded repeatedly.

I can help you get the test questions set by Horikita, but I don't want to reveal myself.

Shortly after the message was sent, Ryuen replied.

[You have no room for negotiation. If you don't do as I say, you know the consequences.]

The consequences of being discovered betraying Class D are the same as the consequences of you revealing my past!

Upon seeing the message from Karuizawa, Ryuen narrowed his eyes.

In fact, he didn't want Karuizawa to expose himself; his request was actually to test Karuizawa's limits.

If Karuizawa obediently does as he's told, then it proves that this guy is nothing special, lacking in talent, and it's no big deal that he's been exposed.

But now it seems that Karuizawa is no pushover either, which surprised Ryuen once again. She's not the kind of trashy piece you can have as many as you want, but a rare find!

[Just kidding. Since that's the case, then give me the questions Horikita set.]

I'll try my best.

I'm waiting for your good news.

After seeing Ryuen's final reply, Shuichi Kanda handed the phone to Kei Karuizawa.

"That's it?"

Looking at the message on her phone, Kei Karuizawa was somewhat incredulous. That was Ryuen! You actually won him over with just two sentences?

"That guy Ryuen, the softer you are, the harder he becomes. Being a little firmer will actually make him appreciate you," Shuichi Kanda explained to Karuizawa. "For now, we've calmed him down. After that, we just need to give him the test questions Horikita set."

"Should we really give him the test questions? If we do, Class D will definitely lose to Class C by 200 Class Points, right?"

"Don't worry, I have my own plans. Ryuen won't get away with this, and I'll use this Ryuen to smooth things over with them."

"Won't this give me away?" Karuizawa looked at Shuichi Kanda expectantly.

"Don't worry, I won't make your situation worse."

Compared to Kamuro and Kushida, Karuizawa always lacked a sense of security, so Shuichi Kanda's attitude towards her was always very gentle, even a little bit doting.

Karuizawa herself is very sensible and never causes any trouble, Kushida.

Chapter 200: Who exactly is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka?

After Karuizawa left after dinner, Shuichi Kanda's room was once again empty, and Shuichi Kanda could finally take care of his own business.

[Who exactly are Sae- chan Kiyotaka Ayanokoji?]

This question had been troubling Shuichi Kanda long time, but because the two hadn't interacted much before, Shuichi Kanda, though curious, didn't choose to delve into it.

However, things are different now. That idiot Horikita told Kiyotaka Ayanokoji about Kushida, forcibly turning him into a person involved.

In order to prevent potential future hostility, Shuichi Kanda decided to find out more about the other party's background first.

The easiest way to find out someone's background is, of course, to find someone in the know.

Even when Kiyotaka Ayanokoji showed no abnormalities, Chabashira-sensei had called Shuichi Kanda and Ayanokoji together to the Counseling Room for a talk.

Shuichi Kanda n't believe she was unaware of Ayanokoji's unusual situation. Even if she didn't know the specifics, she should at least know what made Ayanokoji special.

So after returning to his dormitory and having some free time, Shuichi Kanda immediately asked Chabashira-sensei a question.

Shuichi Kanda, who expected to receive a reply soon, instead received a call from Chabashira-sensei.

Why should we investigate Ayanokoji's identity?

The fact that the teacher asked such a direct question right from the start was enough to show that Chabashira-sensei was not at peace.

Therefore, Shuichi Kanda did not choose to hide it, but gave the answer directly.

"Well, I have my own difficulties. All I can say is that one day in the future, we might become enemies."

Chabashira Sae's face was grim on the other end of the phone. Was the very thing she had been trying to avoid finally happening?

"What exactly happened?"

"Does Chabashira-sensei know about Kushida Kikyo Middle School?"

Shuichi Kanda's words startled Chabashira Sae for a moment, then she recalled Kushida's information.

The Advanced Nurturing High School investigates the past of every student who enrolls, Kushida Kikyo is no exception.

As a teacher, Chabashira Sae had no difficulty obtaining these materials, so she knew very well what Kushida Kikyo had done.

And it was precisely because she didn't receive information about Ayanokoji and Shuichi Kanda when school started that she cared so much about those two.

"The school collected information about Kushida's past when she enrolled, so I naturally have her information. Why bring this up?"

"Because that talkative idiot Horikita told Kikyo about Ayanokoji in order to get his help."

Shuichi Kanda's helpless words left Chabashira somewhat stunned.

"Horikita wouldn't have told anyone about Kushida without a reason, would she? She should be well aware of the consequences of doing so."

"Yes, it wasn't without reason. Horikita thinks Kikyo is a traitor to Class D."

Did this topic arise because he suspected Kushida of being a traitor and wanted Ayanokoji's help?

Chabashira rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.

"So, is Kushida a traitor to Class D?"

"No."

"How can you be so sure she isn't? Could it be...?"

Chabashira stopped mid-sentence.

"The traitor isn't me, it's Karuizawa. She was caught red-handed by Ryuen, so she had no choice but to do what he asked."

"Then how do you know so much about it?"

Shuichi Kanda: "Sae- chan, don't you already know? Why are you asking?"

"In other words, this was all a scheme you orchestrated."

"That's one way to put it, but Karuizawa's situation is quite special. I don't want to make her affairs public, so I can't reveal that she's Ryuen's informant at this time."

What is this all about?!

Chabashira Sae rubbed her temples again. "So why did you say there's a possibility of them being enemies with Ayanokoji?"

"Because Kikyo also knows that Horikita told Ayanokoji about her situation. Given Kikyo's personality, she will definitely take action against Horikita and Ayanokoji to keep the secret. I'm not worried about her dealing with Horikita. Anyway, Horikita's abilities are just so-so, I can handle it."

As for Ayanokoji, although I warned her, if she were to attack Ayanokoji in private...

If someone were to make a move against Ayanokoji in private, he would probably be Ayanokoji and decisively eliminated.

Although Shuichi Kanda didn't say it, Chabashira understood what he meant.

So, if Ayanokoji attacks Kushida, will you target Ayanokoji?

"Instead of wasting your time, you should try to persuade Kushida more."

Chabashira sighed.

"You're overthinking it. Kikyo is stubborn too; I can't persuade her otherwise."

Shuichi Kanda shook his head. If he could have persuaded him, he would have done so already. It wasn't that he was too lazy.

It's all Horikita Suzune's fault! Couldn't you have just come to me directly if you had something to say? Why did you have to bring Ayanokoji? Now look what's going on. I don't know what you were thinking.

Shuichi Kanda tried to stop him, but failed. In order to find out how much Horikita knew, he had no choice but to listen to Horikita finish speaking.

This is all so confusing, it's giving me a headache. What the hell am I even saying?

However, Shuichi Kanda that moment.

If he hadn't let Karuizawa leak Class D' s match schedule in the first place, and had instead dealt with Ryuen directly, then none of this would have happened.

Um?

No, why would I let Karuizawa leak the list?

Wasn't it that idiot Kikyo who went to contact Ryuen!?

Damn it, it all comes down to you, Kikyo!

"In short, I don't know much about Ayanokoji, except that Chairman Sakayanagi mentioned him when he enrolled."

"You're not joking, are you?" Shuichi Kanda was speechless. Even you don't know who I asked about Ayanokoji's background.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't joking. I don't know who Ayanokoji really is. I just felt that someone who could get the chairman's attention must be extraordinary, which is why I paid more attention to him."

Since Chabashira had already said so much, Shuichi Kanda couldn't continue to doubt him.

"But Sae- chan, you just mentioned Chairman Sakayanagi. Is this Sakayanagi the Sakayanagi I know?"

"If you're referring to Sakayanagi from Class B, then that's certainly true."

Shuichi Kanda nodded. "Thank you Sae- chan."

"It's nothing, I just hope you can persuade Kushida, in case you and Ayanokoji start fighting..."

"I will try my best to avoid this."

After hanging up the phone, Shuichi Kanda sighed. Although Sae- chan didn't know Ayanokoji's background either, it wasn't a complete loss.

The next morning, Shuichi Kanda got up a little earlier than usual.

"Oh my, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to run into you here."

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Shuichi Kanda saw a face that was anything but pleasant.

Sakayanagi Arisu, Shuichi Kanda, and this guy are quite destined to meet.

However, the two mainly came into contact because of Kamuro. To be honest, this guy still doesn't know that Kamuro is on my side, which is kind of pitiful.

With that in mind, Shuichi Kanda decided to be gentler with the other party.

"Good morning, Sakayanagi. Are you going to school alone? I haven't seen that loyal little dog."

"Masumi -kun isn't my puppy, she's my friend."

Sakayanagi didn't mind Shuichi Kanda's tone; he simply tilted his head and smiled as he refuted Shuichi Kanda.

"What a coincidence, Masumi is also my friend."

I know that, and I was the one who asked her to be your friend, so you don't need to emphasize it!

"Speaking of which, isn't Class D's target for this exam Class C?"

You started trying to extract information right from the start? Were you deliberately setting me up?

However, Shuichi Kanda didn't mind revealing these details, since in the eyes of Akito, the offensive and defensive teams had already been determined long ago.

"Isn't this obvious?" Shuichi Kanda retorted. "Don't tell me you're going to target Class C or Class D this time."

"Why not? With our class's academic ability, choosing Class C or Class D would guarantee us 100 Class Points!"

Sakayanagi deliberately tilted his head, as if he were genuinely puzzled.

"That's great. This way, Class A can also get 100 Class Points from either Class C or Class D, so you're even. Class A is still Class A, and Class B is still Class B."

The two short sentences were full of sharp confrontation.

Sakayanagi mocked Class D for their low academic ability, implying they would be easy prey in the upcoming exam.

Shuichi Kanda mocked Sakayanagi for lacking the courage to attack Class A and then rejoin Class A.

Although both were fully aware of each other's feelings, that didn't stop them from exchanging barbs. A verbal victory is still a victory, isn't it?

Shuichi Kanda, who had originally intended to be more gentle, had forgotten that intention. After all, it was Sakayanagi who started the trouble first.

"You're really annoying, Kanda- kun."

"Likewise, Classmate Sakayanagi."

The two stared at each other without backing down, and then the elevator doors slowly opened.