Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, Class 1-A.
With a week to go until midterms, nearly everyone in the first year was immersed in studying—
Except for a few people.
At the front of the classroom, homeroom teacher Tomoya Mashima stood with his back to the students, chalk tapping against the blackboard as he smoothly wrote out a long, complicated analysis of English clauses. He pushed up his glasses and began explaining the finer points of grammar in his trademark meticulous voice.
Masumi Kamuro was putting an essential East Asian student skill to use—doing math problems in English class.
She opened a densely filled math workbook. It contained exercises Sakayanagi Arisu had put together for her. If she didn't finish them before heading to the library after school that afternoon... she was in for a rough time.
Unfortunately, she seemed unable to solve them. She kept switching between biting her pencil and clutching her hair, but never once managed to switch to furiously writing away.
Even Tomoya Mashima couldn't bear to watch. Kamuro was just too conspicuous. But since English was the only subject she did well in, he chose to forgive her.
That wasn't the only reason, though. There were two even more brazen students sitting behind her.
"I'll bet a thousand points Kamuro starts scratching her head within the next minute."
Tomoya Mashima was teaching English at the front of the room. Masumi Kamuro was working on conic sections below, while Amasawa Reigetsu and Morishita Ran, sitting behind her, had been chatting for the entire lesson.
The first month was already over, anyway. Whispering in class wouldn't cost them points anymore.jpg
"No way. Betting on my grandfather's great-detective bloodline, I say Masumi Kamuro will be biting her pen cap in a minute."
Morishita Ran skillfully shifted the bet onto her grandfather.
"Are you in?"
"I'm in."
"If you win, I'll give you a thousand points. What if you lose?"
"If I lose, my great-detective bloodline is yours!"
"Pfft—hahahaha!"
They hooked pinkies to seal the bet. Then, as if she'd thought of something amusing, Morishita Ran suddenly couldn't hold back her laughter.
"Morishita! Stand up, please."
"Eek!"
Morishita Ran sprang out of her seat, startled by Tomoya Mashima. The homeroom teacher glared at her, his face dark with displeasure.
"Amasawa Reigetsu... help me..."
Morishita Ran shot a pleading look at Amasawa Reigetsu, who wore an innocent expression.
"Phew, phew, phew."
As if to cover up the awkwardness, Amasawa Reigetsu began whistling an off-key tune. It sounded especially out of place in the somewhat dreary English class.
"Amasawa Reigetsu, use your unbeatable mental Induction and think of something!!!"
Morishita Ran raged helplessly inside.
Amasawa Reigetsu turned his head slightly, looking neither at Morishita Ran nor Tomoya Mashima. His gaze passed over several rows of desks and landed precisely on a corner on the other side of the classroom.
There, Sakayanagi Arisu sat at her desk. At some point, she had stopped what she was doing. A faint, amused smile played across her delicate, doll-like face. Her clear eyes held no reverence for Mashima at all; instead, they were filled with the playful delight of someone watching a show.
"Teacher! He's whistling!?? He really is whistling!! Aren't you going to do something about Amasawa Reigetsu!?"
"Morishita, don't blame another student for your own mistake! Amasawa was whistling to provide background music because he didn't want you to feel embarrassed, but instead of appreciating it, you turned around and accused him! I'm very disappointed in you. Get out into the hall!"
Mashima-sensei, you're acting so out of character!???
By now, Morishita Ran had realized that Amasawa Reigetsu had been using his ability all along!! Just not to save her—he was pushing her into the abyss...
Then, surely, he hadn't also made Masumi Kamuro—
The one-minute countdown ended, and Masumi Kamuro started scratching her head right on time.
Aaaaaaaah!!!! Amasawa Reigetsu, you backstabbing scoundrel!!!
Tomoya Mashima dragged Morishita Ran outside as she glared furiously at Amasawa Reigetsu and shouted at him.
"Remember to call me Dad."
After everyone had graduated, someone added the incident to Class A Chronicles.
Later generations judged that episode to be a masterclass in mind games.
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, shopping district.
With Masumi Kamuro accompanying her, Sakayanagi Arisu walked slowly down the street, leaning on her cane. She loved this café; its tranquil atmosphere and desserts helped her think clearly. But today, it seemed she wouldn't get her wish. When she pushed open the door—
By the window sat the girl she thought of day and night, the one she considered her archenemy—
Ayanokoji Kiyoko, sitting quietly. Across from her sat Amasawa Reigetsu.
Two steaming cups of coffee sat on the table. Amasawa Reigetsu rested his chin in one hand and was saying something to Ayanokoji Kiyoko. She simply watched him in silence, occasionally nodding gently. But the feelings in her eyes didn't lie...
They were the eyes of a subordinate who had submitted.
In that instant, Sakayanagi Arisu felt as if an invisible hand had seized her heart and squeezed hard.
How could this be? Rei-kun had conquered her fated rival, proving that the shared ideals we'd followed were right. I should be happy, shouldn't I?
So why did I feel jealous, angry, and threatened?
"Kamuro, you can head back first."
Sakayanagi Arisu spoke softly. Her eyes held complicated emotions, but above all, confusion.
"Okay."
Thirty seconds, no—maybe ten. Once I'm fifty meters away, I can start laughing. No, I can't laugh yet...
Ten seconds passed.
"Hahahahahaha!!!! Amasawa, look who's having a rough day now!!!"
Masumi Kamuro laughed so hard she could barely breathe.
"In... out..."
She steadied her breathing, leaned on her cane, and forced herself to walk calmly toward the window seat.
"Well, if it isn't Ayanokoji and Rei-kun. What a coincidence."
Sakayanagi Arisu stopped beside their table, wearing a flawless, gentle smile, as if she really had just happened to be passing by.
Amasawa Reigetsu looked up and saw Sakayanagi.
Beneath her gentle smile lay a jumble of emotions. She was so cute when she got jealous, Little Alice.
"Would you like to join us, Alice?"
Alice? Ayanokoji Kiyoko's gaze turned wary in an instant. Here's another one who wants to steal my husband!?
Watching Ayanokoji Kiyoko wear every thought plainly on her face, Amasawa Reigetsu had no idea what to think, but Sakayanagi Arisu was so exasperated she could only laugh.
"Am I interrupting your date?"
Sakayanagi Arisu pulled out the chair beside Amasawa Reigetsu and prepared to sit down.
"You are."
Ayanokoji paused, remembering something very important.
"Also, you're not allowed to sit beside Master. Come sit over here."