The True Genius

"That makes sense, but I still hope Classmate Shiraishi will be mindful of appearances." Sakayanagi Arisu tapped the floor lightly with her cane. "Aside from you and Classmate Koenji, all the upperclassmen involved in the transaction will also receive relevant notices."

"Understood." Shiraishi Makoto understood the school's intent.

Personal points were nearly omnipotent on campus, and this transaction had already had a certain impact on the third-year students, so the school didn't want the influence to spread further.

All students involved in the transaction would receive gag orders to prevent affecting other grades and classes.

"That's all the school has to convey." Sakayanagi Arisu casually dropped a piece, completing a checkmate. "Now, let's talk about something personal."

"Classmate Shiraishi, I'm curious—why have you been targeting Class D all along?"

"Just acting on behalf of Senior Horikita, disciplining his incompetent little sister." Shiraishi Makoto glanced at the crushed board and conceded without a care.

"Horikita Suzune?" Sakayanagi Arisu raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "How many girls are around you, Classmate Shiraishi?"

Just from what she knew, there was Kushida Kikyo and Sakura Airi, and now Horikita Suzune—what was going on?

You'd have to ask the original author about that. Shiraishi Makoto only gave an awkward smile, offering no answer to that question.

"Then, Classmate Shiraishi, what do you think of Classmate Horikita?" Sakayanagi Arisu switched topics. She had only noticed Horikita Suzune's existence after hearing how Class D had weathered the recent expulsion crisis, and she wasn't very familiar with her true abilities.

"Hmm... academically excellent, athletic enough, but a bit too single-minded, inflexible, and somewhat withdrawn." Shiraishi Makoto thought for a moment before giving his assessment.

"Withdrawn... inflexible... single-minded..." Sakayanagi Arisu didn't doubt that Shiraishi Makoto would deceive her, quickly understanding that Horikita Suzune, as a leader, was probably on par with Class D's Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo.

She had some ability, but not enough to stand on the highest stage of first-year competition, far inferior to Shiraishi Makoto, Ichinose, Katsuragi, Ryuen, and the others.

"Then, the one pulling the strings must be him." Sakayanagi Arisu sorted out Class D's situation, realizing that Ayanokoji was surely working behind the scenes, and then proposed a new suggestion.

"Classmate Shiraishi has probably guessed that there will be a special exam during summer break. I'll provide you with assistance in that exam to help you defeat Classmate Katsuragi." Sakayanagi Arisu rearranged the pieces one by one.

"After Classmate Katsuragi fails, I'll regain control of the class. At that point, I'll need Classmate Shiraishi and Class A to cooperate with me for a while. But don't worry—this won't harm your class's interests; on the contrary, it will help your class gain the most class points."

After hearing Sakayanagi Arisu's request, Shiraishi Makoto shook his head.

"This condition doesn't suit your liking?" Sakayanagi Arisu was a bit surprised. In her view, Shiraishi Makoto always prioritized class interests, and the terms she offered were by no means meager—there was no reason for him to refuse.

"I'll be straight with you, Classmate Sakayanagi." Shiraishi Makoto understood what she was trying to do and spoke frankly: "I've already reached a cooperation with Classmate Ayanokoji. He won't attack our Class A, and in return, I won't actively attack him."

The moment she heard the name "Ayanokoji," Sakayanagi Arisu froze.

"How do you know about Ayanokoji?"

"I 'saw' it."

Just that what I saw is beyond your imagination.

Sakayanagi Arisu was silent for a moment, then a fierce interest slowly ignited in her eyes.

"Classmate Shiraishi, if you don't mind, could you share? How did you notice Classmate Ayanokoji's unusual traits?"

"Classmate Sakayanagi, if Class D were all defective products, do you think class competition would still have meaning?" Shiraishi Makoto countered with a question.

"But why not Hirata, Kushida, Koenji, or Horikita?" Sakayanagi Arisu listed four examples. "If their abilities were properly utilized, they could lead the class in competition."

"Moreover, since the school was founded, no Class D has ever successfully advanced to Class A. Why do you believe Class D must have someone capable enough?"

"First, I've also looked into those four, but at their current stage, they're clearly a tier below the leaders of other classes."

"Second, our homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya Chie, asked me to investigate Ayanokoji Kiyotaka because his entrance exam scores were exactly 50 points in every subject."

"Third, I learned about you, Classmate Sakayanagi, from Classmate Kanzaki."

"Kanzaki Ryuji?" Hearing that name, Sakayanagi Arisu paused briefly, then curled a faint smile. "So you were investigating me?"

"Not exactly. It's just that our Class A trusts in collective strength, so we discuss problems and solutions together. Classmate Kanzaki once introduced you to me." On this point, Shiraishi Makoto wasn't lying.

Kanzaki Ryuji was the heir to the Kanzaki Heavy Industries conglomerate. He had known Sakayanagi Arisu since childhood; they were classmates in elementary school, and their families had some exchanges, making them something like "childhood friends."

When discussing class development and competition, Kanzaki Ryuji had described his impression of Sakayanagi Arisu. Shiraishi Makoto later pressed him for details about the White Room, filling in the last missing piece.

This chain of logic was complete, and even Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't find any flaws.

"So, does that mean Classmate Shiraishi intends to be my enemy?" Sakayanagi Arisu stared directly at Shiraishi Makoto, excitement and fighting spirit flickering in her eyes.

"..." Shiraishi Makoto was speechless. "Then I surrender first."

"Hehe~ Classmate Shiraishi, you and that habit of yours." Sakayanagi Arisu wasn't surprised by his reaction.

Although Shiraishi Makoto had single-handedly achieved class promotion since the start of the term, she didn't dislike or resent this "genius." On the contrary, she admired someone like him—capable yet aware of his own limitations.

She could observe his quiet efforts and see how he delegated tasks he couldn't handle to classmates like Ichinose Honami. Most importantly, Shiraishi Makoto lacked the arrogance and extreme ambition common among most "geniuses."

Compared to those self-proclaimed "strong ones," someone clear-headed, rational, and balanced in offense and defense truly deserved the title of "genius."

"Since you won't join, forget it." Sakayanagi Arisu didn't force it, pushing over the pieces she had just arranged and placing them into a storage box nearby. "But don't help him either. I want to see if he's worthy of being called the 'ultimate masterpiece.'"

"No problem." Shiraishi Makoto agreed readily.

Seizing this opportunity to solidify Class A's advantage was what he should be doing.