After returning to the dorm, Kitahara Seiichi got ready to turn on his computer and continue fighting in Dragon Hidden Cave Heaven.
Ring, ring...
"Hm?" Kitahara glanced at the dorm phone. "Why would anyone be calling me?"
He walked over and answered. "Hello, this is Kitahara Seiichi."
"Oh? Kitahara, you're quite polite, aren't you?"
Hearing the familiar voice on the other end, Kitahara immediately realized it was that little tyrannosaurus.
"Classmate Sakayanagi, how did you get the number for my dorm phone?"
"Oh... don't tell me you didn't know that the phones in every dorm room can connect to any other student's phone?"
"..."
"Looks like Kitahara's been focusing on other things."
Hearing Sakayanagi tease him, Kitahara could only give a helpless look.
"Classmate Sakayanagi, why don't you just tell me what you want?"
"Oh? I only wanted to check on Kitahara, who's being ostracized in Class D. I didn't expect you to think of me that way. I'm so hurt."
"If you said that in a different tone, I might actually believe you. But you're obviously just gloating."
"And if you don't get to the point soon, I'm hanging up."
"I didn't expect Kitahara to be so reluctant to talk to me. I really do want to be friends with you."
"Then let's get down to business."
"What business?" Kitahara had already begun to suspect what she was calling about, but when Sakayanagi said it herself, he couldn't help blurting out what he was thinking. Damn.
"Let's discuss Kamuro, my classmate."
"..." When Kitahara didn't reply right away, she continued.
"Looks like Kitahara knows what I'm talking about."
[Seriously, I warned her ages ago. I can't believe Yanagihara still found out.]
"Ahem, well... the video's already been deleted. It won't affect Class A."
"Sure, I believe what you're saying, Kitahara, but I can't just ignore a potential threat, can I?"
[Dammit, I really did get myself into trouble—and now Yanagihara's got me in her sights.]
[I really regret sticking my nose into it back then.]
"Uh, so what do you have in mind?"
"Heh..."
After hanging up, Kitahara sat on his bed and thought.
[All I have to do is play one game of chess with her on Saturday afternoon. She even said Kamuro would come get me herself. I wonder how she'll face me when that time comes.]
[I can't believe I'm already putting the system's chess mastery skill to use. I wonder how good I am now. What if I can't beat Sakayanagi? Then...]
[Sakayanagi's competing with Katsuragi for leadership of the class right now. Could I get something out of that? I've still got a 20-million-point target to hit.]
[And the reward is seriously tempting. Heh. Once I get it, I won't have to fear anyone at this school. I'll be able to stand up and shout, "Who's next?"]
Kitahara snapped out of his daydream and suddenly realized he hadn't logged into the game yet today. No, he couldn't let himself slack off. He had to hurry up and climb the rankings.
As time passed, Kitahara Seiichi was fighting fiercely in Extreme Emperor City when his whole body suddenly jolted. An electronic voice sounded in his mind.
[Temporary Mission:
Join the Student Council and take part in the scene where the Horikita Siblings meet tonight]
[Mission Reward: Mysterious Gift Pack]
Hearing the system's notification, Kitahara realized that today was the day they were supposed to meet. But why did the system want him to join the Student Council? Before he could figure it out, a series of "charming sounds" came from the computer.
"Damn it." Seeing the screen showing he'd been eliminated and his teammates raging at him, Kitahara used the speed of someone who'd been single for eighteen years to close the game.
"Guys, this really isn't my fault. Blame the system."
Kitahara hurried toward the source of the sounds, only to spot Ayanokoji hiding nearby. He quietly approached and patted him on the shoulder.
Ayanokoji turned around, his expression unchanged. He put a finger to his lips to signal Kitahara, and then they both listened in.
"Suzune, you actually followed me here."
"I'm not the failure you knew back then, Brother. I came here to catch up to you."
"To catch up to me...?"
"You still haven't recognized your own shortcomings. Choosing this school was a mistake." Horikita Manabu pushed up his glasses.
"I'll be promoted to Class A soon. Then..."
"You can't do it."
"I'll do it, no matter what."
"You really are a stubborn little sister."
Horikita Manabu reached out and grabbed Horikita Suzune by the wrist, then continued.
"My sister was assigned to Class D. In the end, I'm the one who'll be disgraced. Leave this school at once."
[I never would've guessed that Horikita, who's usually so cold to everyone, would act like this around her own brother.] Kitahara quietly watched the scene and thought.
"Brother... I..."
"You don't have the ability or the right to climb higher. Have some self-awareness."
Just as Horikita Manabu was about to act, Kitahara Seiichi immediately shoved Ayanokoji forward.
Faced with the sudden interruption, Horikita Manabu stopped.
"Ayanokoji, what are you doing here?" Horikita Suzune asked.
By then, Horikita Manabu had walked up to Ayanokoji and quickly tested him with a probing move.
"You move pretty well. Have you studied any martial arts?"
Before Ayanokoji could answer, Kitahara Seiichi spoke up from where he'd been hiding.
"He hasn't studied much, just kickboxing and Wing Chun and things like that."
When Kitahara stepped into view, he continued, ignoring Ayanokoji's gaze. "He's not to be underestimated. If he wanted to, I doubt anyone at this school could beat him."
Ayanokoji didn't respond. He didn't know how to handle the situation, so he simply watched Kitahara in silence.
[Why do I feel like he sees right through me every time I'm around him? Who is he? Was he sent by that person?]
[No, probably not. If he were, he would've approached me a long time ago.]
"Kitahara, what are you doing here too?"
Horikita Manabu gave him a meaningful smile.
"Come to think of it, there was a new student who scored 50 in every subject on this year's entrance exam. And you got 50 on the previous quiz too. Did you calculate it so you'd score exactly 50 on a test with a perfect score of 100?"
"Sometimes, coincidences can be pretty frightening."
"Heh, but inevitable coincidences are even more frightening," Kitahara interjected.
"..."
"Never mind. You really are a unique person."
"But what surprises me is that you're here too." Horikita Manabu looked at Kitahara. "You didn't stay in your dorm. You're out wandering around instead."
Kitahara Seiichi asked in confusion, "Is that really what you think of me?"
Seeing Kitahara's innocent expression, Horikita Suzune had no choice but to answer. "There's a ranking on the school forum for the whole year. You're at the top because you spend far more time in your dorm than outside."
"..."
When the atmosphere turned awkward, Horikita Manabu spoke again.
"Suzune, I'm honestly surprised you have friends."
"They... aren't my friends. They're just my classmates."
"You're still the same. You misunderstand the true meaning of being aloof and being lonely."
"Suzune, if you want to move up to a higher class, pay more attention to the two beside you—especially Kitahara." Horikita Manabu walked away as he spoke.