Only after the morning classes ended did the news of Kitahara's transfer spread quickly throughout the entire year.
The leaders of Classes A and C, who had just received the news, reacted in completely different ways from those of Classes D and B, who already knew.
After seeing the news, Katsuragi Kohei, the current leader of Class A, said gravely, "With him joining Class B, we'll need to reassess every strategy we've been using against them."
But Totsuka Yahiko, standing beside him, said, "Big brother Katsuragi, he's just a defective product from Class D. Even if he's made all these moves, we don't have to throw away all the effort we've put in so far, do we?"
"Yahiko, how many times have I told you not to underestimate people?"
"Putting him aside, there's also Ryuen from Class C. They're both enemies we have to take seriously," Katsuragi told Yahiko.
"Yes, big brother Katsuragi. I understand."
Seeing that Yahiko's expression hadn't changed at all, Katsuragi sighed softly. He knew it would be difficult to change Yahiko's disdain for the lower classes.
Still, he believed Yahiko would change someday. What Katsuragi couldn't have known was that Totsuka Yahiko's personality would cause Class A to suffer heavy losses in the next Special Exam.
Coming back to himself, Katsuragi turned to Totsuka again. "How are things with the Yanagihara faction? Has she made any moves recently?"
At his big brother's question, Totsuka replied confidently, "The Yanagihara faction seems normal for now. They haven't done anything suspicious, but we still don't know what Yanagihara is up to."
"She usually only has those few people around her, so we haven't been able to find anyone to keep an eye on her."
"I see. Then leave it for now."
After hearing the report, Katsuragi pondered for a moment before making his decision:
"Don't worry about Yanagihara for now. We need to send more people to investigate Class B."
Meanwhile, after hearing the news of Kitahara's transfer, Ryuen of Class C curled his lips into an amused smile. "Hmph. You sure know how to make things interesting. You transferred to Class B, huh? Even so, you won't escape my pursuit."
"Listen up, you lot. Go investigate Class B right now," Ryuen ordered the few people beside him.
"Um... Boss, don't we still need to investigate those guys in Class D?" Ishizaki asked quietly.
"Who said we don't? We have to find the person hiding behind Horikita," Ryuen said, looking over the current information.
I'd originally thought Horikita had handled everything herself last time, but my investigation showed that she'd been pushed forward as a shield by that person.
At first, I thought that person had to be that bastard Kitahara, but after thinking it over, I realized that didn't make sense. If he really wanted to stay behind the scenes, he wouldn't have needed to make so many moves.
And now that he'd transferred classes, I was even more certain that he wasn't the one.
So that person was still hiding in Class D. But since he'd already ruined my plans, I'd make sure to drag that rat out.
While they were still hotly discussing how to deal with Class B, Kitahara had already arrived at the door of the Class B classroom.
Seeing that Kitahara had arrived, Hoshinomiya, who had been standing at the front of the room, quickly took his hand and led him inside. She introduced him to everyone in Class B:
"This is Kitahara from Class 1-D! But now he's one of us in Class B, so make sure you get along!"
"You don't have to worry about him being difficult to get along with. Listen, actually, Kitahara is..."
"Uh... Hoshinomiya-sensei, this isn't my first time here, is it? There's no need to introduce me like this," Kitahara cut in before she could continue.
"Hehe, but I wasn't there the last time you came, Kitahara-kun."
"..."
"Ahem. Hoshinomiya-sensei, why don't you let Kitahara sit down first?" Ichinose said, looking at her helplessly.
Before Hoshinomiya could respond, Ichinose pulled Kitahara along and led him to the seat that had already been prepared.
After Kitahara sat down, Shibata, who was seated in front of him, turned around curiously and asked, "Kitahara, did you really come to Class B because you have feelings for Ichinose?"
Kitahara looked utterly speechless. "Who told you that?"
"She did," Shibata said, glancing sideways.
When Kitahara saw it was Hoshinomiya, his heart sank completely. He knew that, given her personality, she must have already told the whole class.
Was she really that afraid I'd jump ship to another class again?
"No, wait. That's not the point right now. Judging by the situation, has their impression of me already been set in stone?"
When Kitahara didn't respond for a while, Shibata nodded and said, "Ichinose really is great. She's beautiful, too, so it's perfectly normal for you to feel that way. But you'll have to work hard, because Ichinose has plenty of..."
Before he could finish, Kitahara cut him off. "I didn't come to Class B for that. I think Class B has the best chance of moving up to Class A in the whole year. That's why I came here."
"Do you understand? It's not what you're imagining."
"Don't worry. I understand now."
"Really?"
"I know you didn't come to Class B for Ichinose, Kitahara. You came for yourself..."
Before he could finish, Kitahara looked at him with approval.
But when Shibata continued, Kitahara realized the misunderstanding was only getting worse.
"You came so you could live without any pressure, right? Ichinose is always trying to lead us to Class A, so you... I get it." Shibata smiled and patted Kitahara on the shoulder.
Kitahara turned and looked stiffly at Kanzaki, who was sitting beside him. "Does his mind always jump around like this?"
"..."
Seeing that Kanzaki didn't answer, Kitahara knew the matter was as good as settled.