Class A

Before him loomed a massive cave, as if the deep mountain had been gouged open. Beside the entrance sat two portable toilets and a shower stall, a stark reminder of the seriousness and gravity of the place.

Qiuyue didn't hesitate, heading straight for the cave. As he approached the entrance, he was naturally spotted by a nearby Class A student.

"What do you think you're doing? Another D-class? Still not giving up? Katsuragi already told you, you can't get in."

Qiuyue: (...Looks like Ayanokoji and Horikita came by. Same as the original—blocked, didn't get in.)

"Hello. From what you're saying, a D-class student came by not long ago?"

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

"Shouldn't you state your own name and class before asking someone else?"

"Ha! You come to Class A's territory and ask me that? You got a screw loose?"

Qiuyue: (...Tch, this kid, why so hot-tempered? A little self-introduction wouldn't kill you. I just want to confirm if you're Totsuka Yahiko.)

"My good sir, that's not quite right. There's an old saying in Zhonghua: 'Xixi wuzhi wei junjie'—ah, no, that's wrong.

There's an old saying in Zhonghua: 'Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?'

Do you understand?"

Qiuyue gestured animatedly as he spoke, patting the student's shoulder. The Class A student's face was a mess of question marks.

"What the hell are you babbling about? Speak human language!"

"Sigh... Can't understand that either? I suppose even Class A has its trash. I get it. You must have a hard time in Class A."

Qiuyue put on an expression of deep understanding, even feigning sympathy for him.

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

Though it was a blatant provocation, the Class A student seemed riled up, responding with an agitated tone.

Qiuyue: (Oh ho, not bad self-control. As expected, even the worst Class A student isn't that bad. If it were Sudo or a Class C student, they'd probably have thrown a punch by now.)

(If he doesn't throw a punch, it'll be hard to force him out of the special exam. Guess I need to stir the pot a bit more. The lower Class A's points, the safer I am. I haven't forgotten my bet with the Chairman.)

"Pretty mad, huh? Hehehe... Good, you should be. Seeing you so angry and helpless—it's truly delightful!"

A hint of a mocking smile crept onto Qiuyue's face.

The Class A student seemed to have reached his limit, his entire face flushed red.

He grabbed Qiuyue by the collar, raised his right hand high, and was about to bring it down.

"Yahiko! Put your hand down!"

A tall male student emerged from the cave, its entrance hidden by a plastic tarp, and called out to stop Yahiko's action.

Qiuyue: (Hoh... So that's Yahiko. What a generic face, no distinguishing features at all. No wonder I couldn't recognize him.)

(Since he's Yahiko, and he's got me by the collar—perfect opportunity.)

"Sorry, classmate, I was wrong! Boohoo, please don't hit me! I was wrong, I won't be a jerk anymore. You're the best student in Class A."

Qiuyue grabbed Yahiko's hand still on his collar, pulled him close, hugged him, and apologized profusely.

"N-no... you bastard! What are you doing! Let go of me! I get it, I forgive you! Let go, let go! I said I won't hit you, just let go first!"

Caught off guard by the sudden hug and frantic apologies, Yahiko was at a loss.

They struggled and twisted against each other. While avoiding Katsuragi's line of sight, Qiuyue's hands roamed up and down Yahiko's pockets, but he didn't find what he was looking for.

Qiuyue: (So it's on Katsuragi after all? I'll have to think of something else.)

Qiuyue released Yahiko, who curled up like a violated maiden, hugging himself with a lingering sense of dread.

"Sigh... Yahiko, go inside. Leave this to me."

Katsuragi stepped in front of Qiuyue, blocking his view.

"Which class are you from? What business do you have with Class A?"

Qiuyue: (...This bald giant. So that's alopecia. His build is really imposing. Trying to lift the card from him without raising suspicion—that's going to be extremely difficult.)

(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 what's your name, classmate?"

Qiuyue stood his ground against Katsuragi, showing no sign of timidity.

"I'm Katsuragi Kohei. Two people from your Class D already came by. I don't recommend repeating myself.

If you're trying to scout the inside of the cave, the moment any of your fingers touch 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, defended until the exam ends for continuous points. If you violate this unwritten rule, it'll cause a huge mess."

Qiuyue: (I see. So that's how he intimidated Horikita. But I have another way.)

"Katsuragi, you've misunderstood me. I'm not like Horikita and the others. I'm not here to scout Class A's information."

"Oh? How so? What's your basis?"

"Though I'm from Class D, I'm on your side. In other words, I'm a spy."

"Oh... I don't recall Class A having a spy like you. Come clean—what's your real goal?"

"It's only natural you wouldn't know—Class A is split into two factions, right? Isn't that so, Katsuragi-kun."

Katsuragi's gaze grew increasingly dangerous.

"You're saying you're from Sakayanagi's faction? Hmph. Why would someone from Sakayanagi's faction come to help me? Don't you know that the student withdrawing this time is Sakayanagi herself? And what proof do you have that you're one of Sakayanagi's people?"

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

Qiuyue: (Good judgment. As expected, the one who leads Class A is no ordinary person.) (Hmm... should I call Sakayanagi 'Princess'? Seems like most of her faction does. I'll go with it—no one else will know anyway.)

"The Princess has her own thoughts. Even if the two factions oppose each other, we're still in the same class. Helping each other is only natural, isn't it?"

Qiuyue: (Anyway, no matter what, I'll just dump it all on Sakayanagi. If asked, it's because she has her own plans.)

"Is that so? What you say does make sense, but I still can't trust you. How do you prove you're Sakayanagi's man? As a Class D student, why would you be on her side?"

Qiuyue: (Good thing I met Sakayanagi and her little follower before.) (In the original story, Sakayanagi's underling Hashimoto, that turncoat, already sold out Class A.) (If I call him, he'll definitely cooperate—he'd do it just to undermine Katsuragi. But Kamuro—I can't call her.)

"Of course I can prove it. As for why I'm a Class D student yet on Sakayanagi's side—it's because the Princess gave me benefits."

"Benefits? Hah, what benefits? I'll set that aside for now. First, prove you're from Sakayanagi's faction."

"Of course. Katsuragi-kun, just call Hashimoto-kun out and you'll know. Hashimoto Masayoshi, that is."

The atmosphere fell silent for a long moment. Katsuragi turned and walked toward the cave.

"Hmph. Wait outside. I'm warning you—don't try to open the plastic sheet blocking this cave."

Katsuragi's expression was terrifyingly dark, his eyes flashing with cold light. He stared hard at Qiuyue, his tone utterly frigid as he spoke.

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