The Unpredictable Situation (2)

It was not until the morning classes concluded that the news of Kitahara transferring classes spread rapidly throughout the entire grade.

Beyond the already informed Class 1-D and Class B, the leaders of Class A and Class C reacted with starkly different attitudes.

As the current leader of Class A, Katsuragi Kohei wore a grave expression upon seeing the news and stated, "With his addition to Class B, all the strategies we previously employed against them must be re-evaluated."

Standing beside him, Totsuka Yahiko retorted, "Katsuragi-san, he is nothing more than a defective product from Class 1-D. Even if he has made so many moves, we don't need to overturn all the effort we've put in so far."

"Yahiko, how many times must I tell you? Do not underestimate others so casually."

"Setting him aside, there is also Ryuen from Class C. They are both enemies we must treat with the utmost seriousness," Katsuragi said to him.

"Yes, Katsuragi-san, I understand."

Seeing that his expression remained unchanged, Katsuragi sighed slightly. He knew that changing Yahiko's habit of looking down on lower-ranked classes would be a difficult task for now.

However, he believed that change would come eventually, though Katsuragi could not have foreseen that it was precisely Totsuka Yahiko's personality that would cause Class A to suffer heavy losses in the upcoming special exam.

Regaining his focus, Katsuragi asked Totsuka again, "How is the situation with Sakayanagi? Has she made any moves recently?"

Upon hearing his superior's inquiry, Totsuka answered confidently, "The Sakayanagi Faction is acting normally for now; there haven't been any strange movements, though Sakayanagi herself remains an unknown."

"Because she only ever keeps those few people around her, it's impossible to find anyone to monitor her."

"I see. Let's leave it at that for now."

After hearing the news, Katsuragi pondered for a moment before making a decision:

"Don't worry about Sakayanagi for the time being. We need to dispatch more people to investigate the situation in Class B."

Meanwhile, on the other side, Ryuen from Class C heard the news of Kitahara's transfer and a playful smirk curled his lips. "Hmph, you're quite the player, aren't you? To think you actually transferred to Class B. But even so, you won't escape my pursuit."

"Listen up, you lot. Go and investigate the situation in Class B for me," Ryuen commanded the subordinates beside him.

"Um... Boss, do we not need to investigate those guys in Class 1-D anymore?" Ishizaki asked in a low voice.

"Who said we don't need to keep investigating? We must find the person hiding behind Horikita," Ryuen said, looking at the current intelligence.

I originally thought the previous incident was resolved by Horikita alone, but my investigation suggests that Horikita was merely pushed out by that person to act as a shield.

At first, I thought that person must be that bastard Kitahara, but after thinking it over, that didn't feel right. If he truly wanted to hide behind the scenes, he wouldn't need to make so many public moves.

Coupled with this transfer, I am even more certain that he is not the one.

Therefore, that person is still hiding within Class 1-D. But since he has already disrupted my plans, I will definitely drag that rat out into the light.

While they were still heatedly discussing how to deal with Class B, Kitahara had already arrived at the entrance of the Class B classroom.

Seeing that Kitahara had arrived, Hoshinomiya, who had been standing at the podium, quickly grabbed his hand and led him inside, introducing him to the rest of Class B:

"This is Kitahara-kun from Class 1-D, though he is now a member of our Class B. You all need to get along well, okay?"

"You don't need to worry about him being difficult to get along with. Let me tell you, Kitahara is actually a..."

"Uh... Hoshinomiya-sensei, I don't think this is my first time here, is it? There's no need for an introduction like this," Kitahara interrupted before Hoshinomiya could continue.

"Hee hee, that's just because I wasn't here when Kitahara-kun visited last time."

"..."

"Ahem, alright, Hoshinomiya-sensei. Let's just let Kitahara take a seat first," Ichinose said, looking at Hoshinomiya with a helpless expression.

Before Hoshinomiya could respond, Ichinose pulled Kitahara away and brought him to a seat that had already been prepared.

Once Kitahara sat down, Shibata, who was sitting in front, turned around curiously and asked, "Kitahara, did you really come to our Class B because you have feelings for Ichinose?"

Hearing his question, Kitahara asked with a speechless expression, "Who told you that?"

"It was her," Shibata said, glancing sideways.

Seeing that it was Hoshinomiya, Kitahara's heart went completely cold, as he knew that with her personality, she had surely told the entire class.

Is she that afraid that I'll jump ship to another class again?

No, that's not the point right now. So, based on the current situation, my image in their eyes has already been set.

Seeing that Kitahara remained silent for a long time, Shibata nodded and said, "Ichinose is indeed excellent, and she's very pretty. It's normal for you to have those kinds of thoughts, Kitahara, but you'll have to work hard. After all, Ichinose still has many..."

Before he could finish, Kitahara interrupted, "I didn't come to Class B for that. I came because I believe Class B has the best chance in the entire grade to promote to Class A. That is the reason I came here."

"Do you understand? It's not what you think."

"Don't worry, I get it now."

"Really?"

"I know you didn't come to Class B for Ichinose, but for yourself..."

Before he could finish, Kitahara looked at him with an appreciative expression.

However, when he heard the next sentence, Kitahara knew that this matter was becoming increasingly impossible to clarify.

"It's so you can live without any pressure, right? After all, Ichinose has always wanted to lead us to Class A, so you... I understand." Shibata said with a smile, patting Kitahara on the shoulder.

Kitahara turned his head and looked stiffly at Kanzaki, who was sitting next to him. "Is his train of thought always this erratic?"

"..."

Seeing that Kanzaki offered no reply, Kitahara knew that the matter was, for all intents and purposes, set in stone.