Class A

A huge cave came into view, as if the mountainside had been hollowed out. Two portable toilets and a shower stood beside the entrance, as if to remind visitors of the seriousness and solemnity of the place.

Qiuyue didn't hesitate. He headed straight for the cave, and before he reached the entrance, the nearby Class A students naturally spotted him.

"What are you doing here? Another student from Class D? Still not giving up? Katsuragi already told you that you can't get in."

Qiuyue: (...Looks like Ayanokoji and Horikita came here, just like in the original, and got turned away without getting inside.)

"Hey, from what you said, some students from Class D came by not long ago?"

"So what? Who are you? What class are you in?"

"Before asking someone else, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"

"Ha! You came to Class A's territory, and now you're asking me that? What's wrong with you?"

Qiuyue: (...Tsk, why's this kid so irritable? Would it kill him to introduce himself? I just want to confirm whether he's Totsuka Yahiko.)

"Hey, buddy, that's not right. We have an old saying back in China: 'Xi xi wu zhi Wei Junjie'—ah, no, that's not right. I got it wrong.

"We have an old saying in China: 'It is a pleasure to have friends come from afar.'

"You get me?"

Qiuyue spoke with animated gestures and patted him on the shoulder. The Class A student looked utterly baffled.

"What the fuck are you talking about? Speak normally!"

"Ugh... You still don't get it? I guess even Class A has its share of trash. I understand. Life in Class A must be pretty hard for you."

Qiuyue looked as if he understood the student completely, even pretending to feel sorry for him.

"What did you say!? You bastard!!"

It was an obvious provocation, but the Class A student seemed to have taken the bait. He responded in an agitated voice.

Qiuyue: (Oh? His self-control isn't bad. As expected, even the worst Class A students aren't that bad. Sudo or a student from Class C would've already thrown a punch.)

(It'll be hard to get him disqualified from the Special Exam if he doesn't hit me. I'll have to provoke him a little more. The lower Class A's points, the safer I'll be. I haven't forgotten my bet with the Chairman, either.)

"Are you angry? Hehehe... Good! Seeing you so furious and yet helpless is such a delight!"

A teasing smile crossed Qiuyue's face.

The Class A student seemed to have reached his limit, his face flushed with rage.

He grabbed Qiuyue by the collar and raised his right hand, ready to strike.

"Yahiko! Put your hand down!"

A tall boy emerged from the cave, whose entrance was concealed by a plastic sheet, and called out to stop Yahiko.

Qiuyue: (Oh... So this is Yahiko. What an ordinary-looking face. There's nothing distinctive about him, so I couldn't even recognize him.)

(Since he's Yahiko, this is my chance while he's holding my collar.)

"Hey, I'm sorry! I was wrong! Sob, sob, please don't hit me! I was wrong! I promise I won't be a pain again. You're the best student in Class A!"

Qiuyue grabbed Yahiko's hand, still clutching his collar, pulled him close, and hugged him, apologizing repeatedly.

"No... You bastard! What are you doing? Let go of me! I get it, I forgive you! Let go! Let go already! I said I wouldn't hit you, so let go first!"

Yahiko was completely at a loss when the stranger suddenly hugged him and started apologizing frantically.

As they struggled against each other, twisting and turning, Qiuyue felt around Yahiko's pockets, keeping out of Katsuragi's line of sight. But he didn't find what he was looking for.

Qiuyue: (As expected, it's on Katsuragi. I'll have to figure something out.)

Qiuyue let go of Yahiko, who curled up like a girl who'd just been assaulted, wrapping his arms around himself as he shuddered with fear.

"Ugh... Yahiko, go inside for now. I'll take care of things here."

Katsuragi stepped in front of Qiuyue, blocking his view.

"Which class are you in? What do you want with Class A?"

Qiuyue: (...That bald guy. So this is what alopecia looks like. He's built like a tank. It'll be incredibly difficult to pickpocket him without arousing suspicion.)

(How can I get close to him without making him suspicious?)

"I'm Qiuyue Qi from Class D. Naturally, I have my reasons for coming to Class A. And you? What's your name?"

Qiuyue faced Katsuragi without showing the slightest sign of fear.

"I'm Katsuragi Kohei. Two students from Class D have already come by. I don't recommend repeating what they did.

"If you're trying to spy on what's inside the cave, the moment even one of your fingers touches it, I'll report it to the school as interference with another class. I can't guarantee what the consequences will be for Class D.

"One base is occupied by one class, which then defends it until the exam ends and keeps earning points. If you break this unwritten rule, it could cause a major uproar."

Qiuyue: (I see. So that's how he bluffed Horikita into backing down? But I have another way.)

"Katsuragi, you've got me wrong. I'm not like Horikita and the others. I'm not here to spy on Class A."

"Oh? What do you mean? What makes you say that?"

"Even though I'm in Class D, I'm on your side. In other words, I'm a spy."

"Oh... I don't remember Class A having a spy like you. Come clean. What are you really after?"

"It's only natural that you don't know. Class A is divided into two factions, isn't it, Katsuragi?"

Katsuragi's gaze grew increasingly wary.

"You mean you're with the Sakayanagi Faction? Hmph. Why would someone from the Sakayanagi Faction help me?

"Don't you know that Sakayanagi is the one withdrawing from this exam? And what proof do you have that you belong to her faction?"

Katsuragi's calm, weighty words filled Qiuyue's ears.

Qiuyue: (That was a good read. As expected, he's no ordinary person if he can lead Class A.)

(Um... Should I call Sakayanagi 'the Princess'? Most people in the Sakayanagi Faction seem to call her that. I might as well, since no one else is here.)

"The Princess naturally has her own reasons. Even though the two factions are at odds, we're still in the same class. It's only natural to help each other."

Qiuyue: (No matter what, I'll just pin it all on Sakayanagi. If anyone asks, she has her own reasons.)

"I see. What you're saying does make sense, but I still can't trust you. How can you prove you're one of Sakayanagi's people? You're in Class D, so why would you be?"

Qiuyue: (It's a good thing I saw Sakayanagi and her lackey earlier.)

(In the original, Sakayanagi's subordinate Hashimoto, that two-timing traitor, had already sold out Class A.)

(If I call him, he'll definitely cooperate. He'd really do it just to undermine Katsuragi. But I can't call Kamuro.)

"Of course I can prove it. As for why I'm a Class D student who's also one of Sakayanagi's people, it's because the Princess offered me something."

"Offered you something? Hmph. I won't ask what. Prove that you're with the Sakayanagi Faction first."

"Of course. Just call Hashimoto out, Katsuragi, and you'll see. Hashimoto Masayoshi, I mean. Hashimoto."

The atmosphere fell quiet for a while. Katsuragi turned and headed toward the cave.

"Hmph. Wait outside. And don't even think about lifting the plastic sheet blocking the cave."

Katsuragi's expression was frighteningly grim. His eyes glinted coldly as he stared at Qiuyue and spoke in a voice as icy as could be.

Qiuyue waited obediently outside for a while, until the plastic sheet was lifted again and two figures emerged.