Chihaya Rei: Sakayanagi Sakayanagi

"Doesn't this look like it tastes terrible?"

Sakayanagi Arisu approached Kushida Kikyo, looked down at her Mountain Vegetable Set Meal, which was almost entirely devoid of oil, and spoke in a teasing tone without any attempt at concealment.

"Eh?!"

Kushida Kikyo snapped her head up.

Looking at the elegantly poised, white-haired girl, a look of slight embarrassment involuntarily appeared on her face.

It was precisely because she didn't want anyone to see her eating this meal that Kushida Kikyo had specifically chosen a deserted corner, hoping to finish quickly and leave.

Although she was cursing her out in her heart, Kushida Kikyo still wore a friendly and polite smile on her face, asking in a puzzled voice:

"Who might you be, classmate?"

"I am Sakayanagi Arisu from Class A."

Sakayanagi Arisu's lips curled slightly upward before she sat down; standing for long periods was an extra burden on her legs.

Sakayanagi Arisu watched Kushida Kikyo's reaction with keen interest.

People are at their happiest and most energetic when they are up to no good, and that description fit Sakayanagi Arisu perfectly at this moment.

"Don't be nervous, Classmate Kushida. I've come to discuss something with you."

"Hello, Classmate Sakayanagi." Kushida Kikyo smiled slightly and asked curiously, "May I ask what you wish to discuss?"

Kushida Kikyo was also feeling strange inside.

She didn't even know this brat with the cane, so could it be that she was also here to ask for a favor?

That would be a total pain; she would have to find somewhere to blow off some steam tonight no matter what...

Kushida Kikyo thought to herself.

"Many students in Class D are currently worried about the midterm exams, aren't they?"

Sakayanagi Arisu spoke softly, getting straight to the point; she didn't intend to waste too much time with Kushida Kikyo.

She couldn't wait to get to Chihaya Rei and see what kind of expression he would make once he realized she had struck back.

If she delayed too long here, she would have to go searching for him all over again if he left.

"Yes, but we are all working hard to review. I believe everyone will be able to pass the midterms."

Kushida Kikyo nodded slightly and replied in a lively tone.

"For students with a poor foundation, even with review, it is still possible to fail. And failing means expulsion—that's very dangerous, isn't it?"

Kushida Kikyo listened with a puzzled look, unsure of what Sakayanagi Arisu was planning.

"I have a safer method."

Sakayanagi Arisu didn't beat around the bush; she took out her phone to show Kushida Kikyo the answers and smiled:

"These are the midterm exam questions and answers. I am willing to provide them to Class D for free."

At first, Sakayanagi Arisu had intended to sell them.

But considering that Class D was a penniless class, she decided against it.

"Eh? Why does Classmate Sakayanagi have something like this?"

Kushida Kikyo's pupils tightened slightly, and her lips parted involuntarily: "And... why would you give them to our class?"

Kushida Kikyo wasn't some naive fool.

Her first instinct was to suspect that this person was trying to set a trap for her.

"Exam answers can be purchased from upperclassmen."

"If you don't believe me, it wouldn't be difficult for you to go and verify it yourself."

Sakayanagi Arisu answered Kushida Kikyo's question without hesitation; she had already thought this excuse through.

"As for why I am giving you the answers for free—"

"It's because I don't want to see any students get expelled. It's a rare opportunity to attend this school, so being expelled so soon would be a real pity, wouldn't it?"

Sakayanagi Arisu was a woman who could lie without her face turning red or her heart skipping a beat.

"Is that so..."

Kushida Kikyo blinked.

Deep down, she actually found Sakayanagi Arisu's words quite plausible.

She only needed to find an upperclassman to verify it, so she didn't have to worry about whether Sakayanagi Arisu was digging a pit for her.

Most importantly, these answers were very tempting to Kushida Kikyo!

As one of the organizers of the Class D study group, Kushida Kikyo knew that many students in Class D had no desire to study and were only afraid of being expelled.

Therefore, if she told everyone that she had the answers, she would definitely gain the trust and adoration of her classmates.

By then, everyone would honestly tell her all their secrets...

"Well? Do you not want them?"

Sakayanagi Arisu gently shook her phone, signaling the other party to take theirs out so she could transfer the file.

"Okay."

Kushida Kikyo nodded hurriedly, pressed her hands together, and said with a sincere smile:

"Classmate Sakayanagi, you really are a kind person. Thank you for providing us with help; I will tell the students in our class."

"It's nothing."

Sakayanagi Arisu shook her head indifferently.

After sending the file to Kushida Kikyo, Sakayanagi Arisu stood up to take her leave and walked toward Chihaya Rei.

Kushida Kikyo noticed this as well.

"What a coincidence, Classmate Chihaya, we meet again."

Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly sat down in the seat next to Horikita Suzune, rested her cane against her thigh, and greeted Chihaya Rei with a beaming smile.

It was as if she were genuinely delighted to see Chihaya Rei.

Although, Sakayanagi was indeed in a joyful mood right now.

Horikita Suzune looked at her with a puzzled gaze, confused by the sudden intrusion of a stranger.

It was obvious she had come to see Chihaya Rei, so Horikita Suzune did not speak up.

She merely had this thought cross her mind.

Is she one of Chihaya Rei's friends?

Chihaya Rei looked up at Sakayanagi's exquisite face, sensing that she was plotting something mischievous again.

He didn't believe for a second that this was a coincidence.

Sakayanagi must have been keeping an eye on him.

However, since Sakayanagi was being so enthusiastic, he wasn't a cold robot, so Chihaya Rei greeted her back with an enthusiastic tone:

"Good afternoon, Sakayanagi Sakayanagi, are you planning to eat with us? Though we've already finished and were just about to head back to the classroom."

"?"

Sakayanagi Arisu blinked in confusion, lost in thought.

Why did he repeat the word "Sakayanagi"?

Was he intentionally getting her name wrong to tease her?

That was truly underestimating her; she wouldn't get angry over such a trivial matter as being called by the wrong name.

Horikita Suzune, hearing the address "Sakayanagi Sakayanagi," shifted her gaze with a hint of curiosity.

She sighed inwardly, thinking that someone actually had such a name.

Sensing the strange look from Horikita Suzune, Sakayanagi Arisu didn't want the misunderstanding to continue.

"Classmate Chihaya's memory is truly poor if he can even forget a classmate's name."

Sakayanagi Arisu said this with a subtle tone, then turned her gaze toward Horikita Suzune and smiled:

"I am Sakayanagi Arisu, not the 'Sakayanagi Sakayanagi' that Chihaya mentioned. Nice to meet you, Classmate Horikita, and good afternoon to you too."

"You know me?"

Horikita Suzune replied in surprise.

"Yes, after all, Classmate Horikita's entrance exam score was third in the grade, so I am aware of you."

Sakayanagi Arisu explained briefly.

In her eyes, Horikita Suzune was categorized as a useful student in Class D, but not one worthy of her serious attention.

The only opponent she was truly interested in right now was Chihaya Rei; even Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had to be cast aside for the moment.

"I see, please take care of me."

Horikita Suzune's mood, however, was somewhat complicated.

She once again acknowledged the truth in what Chihaya Rei had said: she really was too self-absorbed.

An A-Class student like Sakayanagi Arisu would pay attention to students from other classes, yet she herself barely knew the students in her own class.

No wonder her brother said that she wouldn't be able to move forward like this...

Horikita Suzune became even more determined that she could learn something in the process of becoming friends with Chihaya Rei; she wanted to improve so badly right now.

"If Chihaya can't remember my name, I'll allow you to call me Arisu."

Sakayanagi Arisu looked at Chihaya Rei again, her eyes curving into a beautiful arc, her voice trailing off at the end.