The Players (4)

The bear alarm clock was what woke Oreki up in the morning.

He pressed it off with a casual hand.

"It's already past seven."

Getting enough sleep is a wonderful thing.

Especially when you are young.

"Good morning."

Just as he stepped out the door, Oreki saw Sakayanagi inside the elevator.

Although he didn't really want to respond.

He decided to let it slide.

"Good morning."

Oreki walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor.

Even though it was only a short ten seconds or so.

He felt it was incredibly agonizing.

It was likely caused by what happened last night.

Sakayanagi had already sensed the problem.

Since Oreki didn't want to surrender easily, she had no choice but to play hardball.

"Do you need me to give you the five million points now?"

After exiting the elevator.

Sakayanagi looked at Oreki with composure.

There was no telling what she was thinking.

"Yeah, please."

Oreki handed over his terminal.

About five seconds passed.

After the black circle on the screen spun a few times, the tens of thousands of points on the terminal turned into over five million.

His sense of security doubled.

With this, Oreki wouldn't have to worry about points for a long time.

At the very least, his daily expenses were covered.

Today's classes were nothing new.

Oreki felt sleepy just listening.

He already knew world history like the back of his hand.

Even if the teacher lecturing asked him a question, it wouldn't matter at all.

No one understood world history better than he did.

"Yawn--"

"Finally finished. Are you planning on going to the club?"

"Of course!"

A few girls left their seats.

Oreki followed closely behind.

He intended to go submit his club application.

Although it wasn't his own desire to join the Tennis Club.

And he didn't like playing tennis either.

To be precise, he didn't like exercise.

But in order to gauge his opponent's strength...

He had no choice but to go.

"In such a rush to leave?"

Sakayanagi stood up, leaning on her cane.

She stared at Oreki with a smile.

"It'll be a hassle if I'm late. I don't want to wait too long."

Oreki said offhandedly.

He just wanted to get it over with and head back early.

If Kiyoko wasn't who he thought she was, then Oreki would submit a withdrawal application tomorrow.

An excuse, is it...

Physical discomfort, perhaps.

If that doesn't work, just give the club president some points.

Who would turn their back on money?

If there is someone...

Then it must be that the amount wasn't enough.

After leaving the classroom.

Oreki turned the corner and ran into Karuizawa Kei.

She ran over the moment she saw him.

As if she had been waiting there all along.

"Oreki-kun... you're heading to the Tennis Club, right?"

"Yeah. Didn't I tell you yesterday?"

"That's true, I was just asking..."

"...Yeah."

After the brief exchange, the two walked side by side toward the Tennis Club.

Since Sakayanagi had already discovered them.

There was no need for that tedious charade anymore.

Besides, walking too far apart felt awkward.

"Are the classes in Class D easy?"

"To be honest, they're unexpectedly difficult..."

"You... will be able to handle the exams, right?"

"Probably."

"Let me give you a heads-up."

"What is it?"

"People who fail the major exams will be expelled."

"Eh!"

Karuizawa Kei lowered her head.

This was undoubtedly bad news for her.

But it was fine.

The overall level of Class D was relatively low.

Even she could rank near the top.

So no matter how things regressed, it shouldn't be Karuizawa Kei's turn anytime soon.

For now, she could still rest easy.

"We're here, this is the Tennis Club."

Karuizawa Kei pointed to a spot not far away.

Oreki nodded.

But soon, he noticed a particular girl.

She was expressionless.

Despite her frail appearance, for some reason, Oreki had the feeling that she possessed great strength.

"...That must be her."

--To be continue