Gaining Class A Leader Status

Watching Katsuragi return to the cave, Qiuyue sat down on the open ground nearby for a while.

Soon after, the plastic tarp was lifted again, and two figures emerged from within.

Seeing the familiar yellow hair behind Katsuragi, Qiuyue quickly stood up to greet them.

"Yo, Hashimoto, we meet again."

Qiuyue: (Hashimoto, I'm counting on you. As long as you vouch for my identity, even if I don't sneak in, just getting close to Katsuragi will be enough.)

(If that doesn't work, I'll just say I went back to Sakayanagi afterward and pledged allegiance to her. But that excuse is too flimsy—Katsuragi probably won't buy it, and he might just ignore me and leave.)

(Worst case, I'll have to throw a tantrum again, cling to Katsuragi, and swipe his card off him.)

(And if all else fails, I'll straight-up offer to trade him the Class D leader's identity. With this many plans, there's no way none of them will work.)

But what Qiuyue didn't know was that Katsuragi had already confirmed with Hashimoto Masayoshi inside the cave whether Qiuyue Qi's story was true.

However, Hashimoto, that double-crosser, had already sold Katsuragi out to Ryuen on the second day of the exam. There was no way he'd truthfully tell Katsuragi about Qiuyue.

Hashimoto claimed that Sakayanagi had indeed approached Qiuyue, saying she'd give him some points, and Qiuyue had accepted, willing to act as Class A's spy in Class D.

Katsuragi said he understood but still needed to meet him face-to-face and acknowledge him as one of Sakayanagi's people. So he brought Hashimoto out to see Qiuyue.

"Yeah, Qiuyue, we meet again. Katsuragi, he really is one of ours."

"Looks like you really are Sakayanagi's man."

"Like I said from the start, isn't that right?"

The three of them each harbored their own schemes.

Qiuyue: (As I thought, not calling Kamuro was the right call. Calling Hashimoto was the correct move. This double-crosser—looks like the factional infighting in Class A has reached this point. They don't even care about class interests anymore.)

(Poor Katsuragi, still trusting his own classmates, unaware that Sakayanagi would rather Class A lose just to take control of the class.)

(Anyway, this is good for me right now. I need to use the fake identity Hashimoto gave me to cozy up to this bald guy.)

(With my Pickpocket Talent, I only need half a second to pull it out, glance at the name on it, and put it back. The whole process won't take more than two seconds, and the mission will be complete.)

Katsuragi: (Sakayanagi thinks he's a talent worth having? Looks like this Class D student has some considerable ability. Too bad he's one of Sakayanagi's people.)

(But that's fine. As long as I produce enough results in this exam, the class will naturally see.)

(So it doesn't matter that he's Sakayanagi's man. I should still prioritize class interests for now.)

(And more importantly, what's his goal? What intel did Sakayanagi have him send as a spy in Class D?)

Hashimoto: (...Katsuragi, I'll just pretend he's the princess's man. I'll go along with it, screw you over, and make this kid owe me a favor. Maybe later I can help the princess recruit him.)

"You're Qiuyue, right? Sakayanagi sent you to Class A—you must have some intel. Since Sakayanagi isn't here, reporting to me is the same."

"Hey, don't be so distant. Come on, get closer, sit down, and let's talk."

Qiuyue enthusiastically invited Katsuragi to sit beside him.

"No need. Just say it from there."

"Aw... I'm worried about eavesdroppers. Get closer, and we'll talk quietly."

Katsuragi relented and sat down, but still kept some distance from Qiuyue.

"Ah... right, Hashimoto, you go inside first. I have some things I want to discuss with Katsuragi."

Hashimoto: "??? Sure."

As Hashimoto went inside, Qiuyue started his nonsense again.

He told Katsuragi the approximate locations of Class D, C, and B's bases, as well as their point usage.

Qiuyue: (First, use some mostly useless intel to build rapport.)

"Is that all? Not very useful, but thanks for the info. If there's nothing else, you can leave."

"Katsuragi, you know what kind of pie-in-the-sky promise Sakayanagi made me? Compared to what she said, I actually prefer something more concrete."

"What do you mean?"

"I could switch sides and come over to your camp, Katsuragi."

"Oh? What kind of benefit do you want? With just the intel you've given me, I can't offer you much."

"Of course. I have intel on the leaders of Class D and Class B. It depends on whether you want it."

"I can't trust you. Without showing me an actual card, I won't believe it."

Katsuragi spoke calmly and steadily, each word firm and resolute.

On the surface, Qiuyue remained unruffled, but inside, he was already grinning from ear to ear.

Qiuyue: (Hahahaha, haha, he took the bait. Hehehe, don't blame me, Ryuen. Blame yourself for being too slow.)

"I have an actual card right now—Class D's. I want Class A to give me 800,000 pr every month."

"800,000 pr a month is too much."

Qiuyue: (Tch... how did Ryuen in the original story trade a leader's info and some supplies for 800,000 pr a month? I feel like the exchange isn't balanced.)

(Can't figure it out... whatever. I wasn't planning on taking the monthly deal anyway. I've already decided on a one-time payment.)

"Then pay me 2 million Private Points in one lump sum after the special exam."

"...Fine. I'll go find a teacher to draft the contract."

Katsuragi stood up and prepared to go find a teacher.

"No need. Surprise, Katsuragi-kun, I've been here the whole time."

Hoshinomiya-sensei smugly jumped out from behind a tree.

Katsuragi stared at Hoshinomiya-sensei in shock, then, as if realizing something, he abruptly turned to Qiuyue.

"If this was your goal from the start, why did you drag it out so far?"

Qiuyue: (Don't tell me I actually never planned to do this deal?)

(Tch... speechless. I just like keeping a backup for everything. This risk is too big. Later, Ibuki will steal Horikita's card too. Even the fake card I have is under Horikita's name. If something gets found out, it's trouble.)

(I was saving this as a last resort. I only used it because I couldn't get close to Katsuragi. This guy acts like men can't touch men—no chance at all.)

"I thought it was fun. Got a problem?"

Qiuyue said this with a rogueish tone.

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, you can bring out the contract now."

Qiuyue reminded Hoshinomiya-sensei.

"Sure thing, Xiao Qi~"

Hoshinomiya-sensei, with a radiant smile and a cheerful stride, handed the contract to Qiuyue.

"? What the hell? Xiao Qi? Why are you calling me that? And if you're going to, at least drop the 'Xiao'."

"Eh, doesn't it sound nice? I think Xiao Qi is great. Isn't it, Xiao Qi~"

"...Whatever you like. Let's handle business first. Katsuragi-kun, take a look at the card."

Qiuyue sighed helplessly, pulled a wrapped card from his pocket, and handed it over.

Katsuragi took it and unwrapped it.

"...Horikita Suzune... If she's the leader, why is the card in your hands?"

Katsuragi voiced the obvious question.

"...A student from Class C transferred to our Class D. It's to throw her off. So the card's with me."

Qiuyue: (Heh, I already thought this through. Your Class A uses the same strategy. You have no reason not to believe me.)

Katsuragi took the contract, picked up a pen, and prepared to write his name.

"...Hold on. I'll watch you write."

Qiuyue said, quickly closing in on Katsuragi, entering the range where he could act.

With a swift motion, Qiuyue used his Flying Dragon Cloud-Searching Hand, then glanced sideways. Four large characters were written there.

---Totsuka Yahiko

"You're done. You can leave now."

Katsuragi issued a direct dismissal after finishing the contract.

Qiuyue and Hoshinomiya-sensei walked back together.

Qiuyue: (Now that Katsuragi knows Class D's leader, Ryuen can't keep signing contracts with him. That means Ryuen will probably go all out to get Class B's leader card.)

(Also, should I go back and patch things up? Have Horikita give me the card to make me look like the surface leader? No, don't overdo it. If Horikita doesn't drop out because of this, it'll be a disaster.)

"Xiao Qi~ I'm going this way now~ Bye bye~"

Hoshinomiya-sensei cheerfully said goodbye to Qiuyue, her two basketballs bouncing merrily as she moved.

"Sigh... So I said don't call me that..."

Qiuyue rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

"Then should I call you X-kun? Or give me that nickname Sae uses?"

Hoshinomiya-sensei flashed a sly smile, giving Qiuyue goosebumps all over.

"...Forget it. Just keep calling me Xiao Qi."

"Sure thing~ Xiao Qi~ Bye bye."

Qiuyue: (...This oversized Pink-Haired Schemer... Sigh... I'm getting further and further from my original intention to stay low-key.)