"This thing doesn't look like it would taste very good, does it?"
Sakayanagi Arisu came up to Kushida Kikyo, looking down at her Mountain Vegetable Set Meal, which was almost completely lacking in oil. Without the slightest attempt to hide it, she spoke in a teasing tone.
"Eh?!"
Kushida Kikyo jerked her head up.
Looking at the elegant white-haired girl, she couldn't help wearing a slightly awkward expression.
It was precisely because she didn't want anyone to see her eating this set meal that Kushida Kikyo had deliberately chosen an empty corner, thinking she could finish quickly and leave.
Although she had already cursed her out in her heart, Kushida Kikyo still obediently put on a friendly, polite smile and asked in a puzzled voice:
"Who are you?"
"I'm Sakayanagi Arisu from Class A."
Sakayanagi Arisu's lips curved up slightly. Then she sat down; standing the whole time would put extra strain on her legs.
Sakayanagi Arisu began watching Kushida Kikyo's reaction with keen interest.
People were happiest and most enthusiastic when they were doing something bad. That described Sakayanagi Arisu right now perfectly.
"Don't be nervous, Classmate Kushida. I'm here to discuss something with you."
"Hello, Classmate Sakayanagi." Kushida Kikyo smiled faintly and asked curiously, "What would you like to discuss?"
Kushida Kikyo was also puzzled.
She didn't know this brat with the cane. Was she here to ask Kushida to help her with something too?
That would be such a pain. No matter what, she'd have to find somewhere to let off some steam tonight...
Kushida Kikyo thought.
"A lot of students in Class D are worried about the midterm exams, aren't they?"
Sakayanagi Arisu spoke softly and got straight to the point, not intending to waste much time with Kushida Kikyo.
She couldn't wait to get over to Chihaya Rei and see what expression he'd make when he learned about her counterattack.
If she wasted too much time here and Chihaya Rei left, she'd have to find him all over again.
"Yes, but we're working hard to review, too. I'm sure everyone can pass the midterms."
Kushida Kikyo nodded slightly and answered in a lively voice.
"For students with weak fundamentals, even reviewing may not be enough to keep them from failing. And if they fail, they'll be expelled. That would be dangerous."
Kushida Kikyo listened with a puzzled expression, unsure what Sakayanagi Arisu was planning.
"I have a more reliable solution."
Sakayanagi Arisu didn't keep her in suspense. She took out her phone, showed Kushida Kikyo the answers, and smiled.
"These are the midterm questions and answers. I'm willing to provide them to Class D for free."
At first, Sakayanagi Arisu had planned to sell them.
But considering Class D was a bunch of broke students, she decided against it.
"Eh? Classmate Sakayanagi, how did you get something like this?"
Kushida Kikyo's pupils constricted slightly, and her lips parted unconsciously. "And... why are you giving them to our class?"
Kushida Kikyo wasn't some naïve fool.
Her first thought was that this person might be trying to set her up.
"You can buy exam answers from upperclassmen."
"If you don't believe me, it won't be hard to check for yourself."
Sakayanagi Arisu answered Kushida Kikyo without hesitation. She had prepared this explanation well in advance.
"As for why I'm giving your class the answers for free—"
"It's because I don't want to see any students get expelled. It would be such a shame to come to this school only to be expelled so soon, wouldn't it?"
Sakayanagi Arisu was also the kind of woman who could lie without blushing or batting an eye.
"So that's why..."
Kushida Kikyo blinked.
She found herself agreeing with Sakayanagi Arisu.
All she had to do was find an upperclassman to verify the answers, so she didn't need to worry that Sakayanagi Arisu was setting a trap for her.
More importantly, Kushida Kikyo was very tempted by those answers!
As one of the organizers of Class D's study group, Kushida Kikyo knew that quite a few Class D students didn't want to study at all; they were only afraid of being expelled.
So if she told everyone she had the answers, she would definitely earn the trust and affection of her classmates.
Then everyone would obediently tell her all their secrets...
"Well? Don't you want them?"
Sakayanagi Arisu gave her phone a little shake, hinting that Kushida should take out her own so she could send the file.
"I do."
Kushida Kikyo nodded quickly, bringing her hands together as she gave a sincere smile.
"Classmate Sakayanagi, you're such a kind person. Thank you for helping us. I'll tell my classmates."
"Don't mention it."
Sakayanagi Arisu shook her head dismissively.
After sending Kushida Kikyo the file, Sakayanagi Arisu stood up, said goodbye, and headed toward Chihaya Rei.
Kushida Kikyo noticed, too.
"What a coincidence, Classmate Chihaya. We meet again."
Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly sat down beside Horikita Suzune, rested her cane against her thigh, and greeted Chihaya Rei with a beaming smile.
She acted as if seeing Chihaya Rei made her incredibly happy.
Although Sakayanagi was indeed in a good mood.
Horikita Suzune looked at the unfamiliar newcomer in confusion.
Since she was clearly here to see Chihaya Rei, Horikita Suzune didn't say anything.
Only a thought crossed his mind.
Was she one of Chihaya Rei's friends?
Chihaya Rei looked up at Sakayanagi's exquisite face, feeling that she was up to something again.
He didn't believe this was a coincidence.
Sakayanagi must have been watching him quite a bit.
But Sakayanagi was being so friendly. He wasn't some cold, emotionless robot, so Chihaya Rei greeted her just as warmly:
"Good afternoon, Sakayanagi Sakayanagi. Are you going to eat with us? We've already finished, though, and we're about to head back to the classroom."
"?"
Sakayanagi Arisu blinked in confusion and began thinking.
Why had he repeated her name?
Was he deliberately calling her the wrong name to tease her?
That was underestimating her. She wasn't going to get angry over something as trivial as being called the wrong name.
Horikita Suzune also heard the name Sakayanagi Sakayanagi. His gaze shifted, and curiosity showed in his eyes.
He wondered to himself whether anyone really had a name like that.
Feeling Horikita Suzune's strange look, Sakayanagi Arisu didn't want to let him keep misunderstanding.
"Classmate Chihaya's memory really is poor. You can even forget your classmates' names."
Sakayanagi Arisu first spoke in a subtly reproachful tone. Then she turned her attention to Horikita Suzune and smiled.
"I'm Sakayanagi Arisu, not the 'Sakayanagi Sakayanagi' Chihaya just called me. Nice to meet you, Classmate Horikita. Good afternoon to you, too."
"You know who I am?"
Horikita Suzune replied in surprise.
"Yes. After all, Classmate Horikita ranked third in the year on the entrance exam, so I know who you are."
Sakayanagi Arisu explained briefly.
In her eyes, Horikita Suzune belonged among Class D's useful students, but he wasn't important enough to warrant her attention.
The only opponent she was interested in right now was Chihaya Rei. Even Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had to be put aside for the time being.
"Mm, I look forward to getting along with you."
Horikita Suzune felt conflicted.
Once again, he agreed with what Chihaya Rei had said: Sakayanagi Arisu really was completely self-centered.
A Class A student like Sakayanagi Arisu paid attention to students from other classes, while he didn't even know many of his own classmates.
No wonder his older brother had said he wouldn't get anywhere like this...
Horikita Suzune became even more determined that he could learn something while becoming friends with Chihaya Rei. He wanted to improve more than ever.
"If you can't remember my name, Chihaya, you can call me Arisu."
Sakayanagi Arisu looked at Chihaya Rei again, her eyes curving into a lovely smile as she drew out the last syllable.
Before you continue