The Chess Game

Outside the old school building, under the streetlamp.

Chabashira lit a cigarette—this was the first time Ayanokoji had seen her smoke. She exhaled a plume of smoke, her profile looking somewhat weary beneath the lamp's glow.

"Do you know who is behind Hashimoto?" she asked.

"Sakayanagi Arisu," Ayanokoji said.

"And you dared to move against him knowing that?"

"Because he crossed the line," Ayanokoji said calmly. "Threatening family, I can endure. Kidnapping, I cannot."

Chabashira glanced at him. "Are you not afraid of Sakayanagi's retaliation?"

"I am," Ayanokoji admitted honestly. "But I am more afraid that if I let this slide, everyone will think Class D is easy to bully."

Chabashira smoked in silence until the cigarette was finished, then crushed the butt into the trash can nearby.

"The rules for next week's 'VIP Exam' have been released," she suddenly changed the subject. "Unlike previous years, this one is a 'cross-grade team battle.' First and second years will be randomly paired to compete against other classes."

Ayanokoji frowned. "Randomly?"

"Superficially random," Chabashira said. "But in reality, the Student Council and the leaders of each class have already made arrangements. Your partner for Class D... is Class C of the second year."

Class C of the second year.

The leader was Ryuen Kakeru's older brother, Atsushi Ryuen.

The man known throughout the school by the title of "Tyrant."

"This is Sakayanagi's arrangement," Chabashira said. "She wants you to be paired with the most vicious class in the second year, and then, during the competition, be eliminated by your own 'teammates'."

Borrowing a knife to kill.

"Is there any way to change it?" Ayanokoji asked.

"No," Chabashira shook her head. "The list is finalized. Unless you can make Class C of the second year voluntarily forfeit before the competition starts, or... make them change their target."

She paused. "But I must warn you, Atsushi Ryuen is ten times more dangerous than Kakeru Ryuen. He isn't a madman; he is a true hunter. Manipulating hearts and setting traps are his specialties."

"Understood," Ayanokoji said. "Thank you, Teacher."

Chabashira waved her hand and turned to leave, but after a few steps, she stopped and looked back at him. "By the way, Shiho Manabe... what conditions did you promise her to make her help you like this?"

Ayanokoji thought for a moment. "I promised to help her transfer classes."

"Transfer where?"

"Class B," Ayanokoji said. "Ichinose has agreed."

Chabashira froze for two seconds, then laughed and shook her head. "You really are... fine then. But be careful, that girl isn't as simple as she seems."

She walked away.

Ayanokoji stood where he was, looking up at the night sky.

The stars were bright tonight, but the moon was hidden behind the clouds.

His phone vibrated. It was a message from Karuizawa: "There's movement in Class C. Ryuen took some people out, heading toward the old school building."

Ayanokoji replied: "Don't worry about it, it's already been resolved."

Soon, Karuizawa sent another: "Kushida is on the dormitory balcony making a call. I overheard her say—'Ryuen has taken the bait, the next step can begin'."

The next step.

Ayanokoji narrowed his eyes.

Was tonight's incident, Hashimoto kidnapping Ichinose, really orchestrated by Sakayanagi?

Or was it... just one part of someone else's plan?

"Ayanokoji-kun."

Ichinose's voice came from behind him. She had already straightened her clothes and hair; aside from her eyes still being a bit red, she seemed fine.

"Thank you," she walked to his side and said softly. "And... I'm sorry. Because of me, you got dragged into this."

"It's not your fault," Ayanokoji said. "It was I who asked you to threaten Hashimoto."

"But if I hadn't gone..."

"He would have found another way to pressure you," Ayanokoji interrupted. "The matter with Hamaguchi's younger brother was just the beginning. Class A wants to dismantle the alliance between Class B and Class D, and you are the most critical link."

Ichinose was silent for a while, then asked, "That secret... the secret Manabe had about me, did you read it?"

"I did."

"Will you... tell anyone else?"

Ayanokoji turned to look at her. "That is your past, not your crime. Besides, you have already moved past it."

Ichinose's eyes turned red again, but this time it was out of gratitude.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Truly."

Footsteps approached from the distance; Hirata and Sudo came running over.

"Are you okay?" Hirata panted. "We heard something happened at the old school building, so we rushed over..."

Seeing that Ichinose was unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Let's head back first," Ayanokoji said. "Try not to make a scene about tonight. Hashimoto's expulsion is a foregone conclusion, and Class A... will surely react."

The group began their walk back.

As they neared the dormitory area, Ayanokoji's phone vibrated again.

This time, it was an unknown number.

He answered.

"Good evening, Ayanokoji-kun."

Sakayanagi Arisu's voice was as light and casual as if she were discussing the weather.

"I heard about Hashimoto-kun. What a pity; to think he would do something like that and tarnish the reputation of Class A." She paused. "However, thanks to you, I've cleared away a disobedient pawn. Thank you."

Ayanokoji stopped in his tracks.

"You knew he would act?" he asked.

"I didn't," Sakayanagi said. "But I knew he would lose control sooner or later. So, I gave him a little 'nudge.' For instance, letting him mistakenly believe that kidnapping Ichinose-san was my order."

She laughed. "But he was too foolish, and he actually went through with it. So, being eliminated is only natural, wouldn't you agree?"

Cold.

Ayanokoji felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Hashimoto had been a discarded pawn from the very beginning. Sakayanagi had wanted to dispose of him all along and had simply used his hands to do it.

"Now, as a token of my gratitude, let me give you a piece of advice," Sakayanagi continued. "For next week's VIP Exam, be careful with your partner. Atsushi Ryuen-kun... he is very much looking forward to playing with you."

The call ended.

Ayanokoji lowered his phone and looked toward the direction of the Class C dormitory.

Behind one of those windows, there might even be a pair of eyes watching him right now.

The hunter was already in position.

And the prey...

He gripped his phone tightly, the screen reflecting his calm face.

Who was whose prey remained to be seen.