Seeds

"You really can sleep in a place like this."

Kamuro looked surprised to see Sakayanagi leaning back on the bench.

She folded her arms, and her gaze shifted to Takahashi Ren.

"Why not join us for a nap? It's surprisingly comfortable," Sakayanagi said.

"This isn't the time for a nap. What did you call me here for?" Kamuro paused. "And why is he here?"

Takahashi Ren wanted to know the answer to that too. When he received Sakayanagi's message, all he saw was a single line with no context.

Kamuro was as impatient as ever. She stood there looking ready to leave if they did not get to the point.

Sakayanagi noticed it too.

"Final exams are coming up. Have you finished reviewing?" she asked.

"More or less," Kamuro said. "I should average sixty or seventy."

"If you don't mind, I could tutor you privately."

"Spare me the jokes."

Kamuro shook her head in disgust.

"Don't bother showing off your grades. If that's all you want to say, I'm leaving."

"Then let's talk about how things are in class," Sakayanagi said.

"Nothing unusual. Everyone's studying for the exams."

"What about Katsuragi and the others?"

"They keep complaining about going up against Class B. If you ask me, choosing Class D or Class C would've been easier."

Kamuro looked dissatisfied. Takahashi Ren could tell she had been questioning the decision to choose Class B all along.

"If we lose the direct confrontation, they'll close a huge part of the gap in class points," Kamuro added.

"That doesn't matter. As long as they don't overtake us," Sakayanagi said. "As long as people have hope, they'll cling to it. School life would be boring if they didn't desperately try to catch up."

"I can't understand that," Kamuro said. "Keeping our position as Class A should be the top priority. You kept getting in Katsuragi's way and stirring up factional disputes. Now that you've won, shouldn't we all work together?"

"Cooperating with Katsuragi is only natural," Sakayanagi said.

"Why do I have to care about any of this? Can you get to the point?"

"Please cheer up a little. Discussing things with Katsuragi is exactly what we're here for today."

"...With Katsuragi?"

"Yes. To discuss whether we'll cooperate. As my right-hand aides, I believe both of you should be involved."

After speaking, Sakayanagi turned her head to glance at Takahashi Ren.

Kamuro immediately turned her gaze toward Takahashi Ren and held it there for two seconds.

"You're bringing him out into the open?"

"That's right."

"When did I agree to that? You only said you wanted my opinion on class decisions."

"Exactly," Sakayanagi said with a smile. "So until then, you only need to watch."

Takahashi Ren said nothing more.

It was almost five thirty.

Katsuragi and Totsuka arrived one minute before the agreed time.

"What did you call us to a place like this for?" Totsuka spoke first, his tone aggressive.

"I wanted to ask for your opinion on the final exams again," Sakayanagi said.

"Ask for my opinion?" Katsuragi spoke up. "Haven't you already decided on a strategy?"

"Do you still think attacking Class B was a mistake?"

"I still do. I would have chosen Class D or Class C."

Sakayanagi smiled.

"You really are boring, Katsuragi-kun."

"Boring?" Katsuragi was not provoked. "I won't deny that I've always pursued stability. But that's the best approach to winning."

"If it really were the best approach, I wouldn't have any objections."

Totsuka could not hold back anymore. "What exactly are you trying to say, Sakayanagi!"

"I suppose only an oddball like Ryuuen could satisfy you."

"Perhaps. I'm not particularly interested in people like you or Ichinose."

"The way you do things will make a lot of people miserable," Katsuragi said.

"Perhaps it will."

"I'd like to ask whether you regret choosing Class B." Katsuragi glanced at her. "But seeing you like this, I really don't think I can get along with you."

"Katsuragi backed down this time, but he won't next time!" Totsuka shouted again.

"Then what will you do?" Sakayanagi asked. "Keep fighting me?"

"Of course! Class A can only have one leader-"

"No."

Katsuragi spoke. His voice was quiet, but it cut Totsuka off.

"There's no need to fight anymore. I'm stepping down."

Totsuka whipped his head around. "Katsuragi, are you serious?"

"I never led the class because I wanted to be its leader. I only kept doing it because I thought my judgment could benefit Class A. But with our class points falling this far, someone has to take responsibility."

"Wait! Sakayanagi should be taking responsibility! She's the one who kept throwing the class into chaos-"

"You can't put it that way either," Katsuragi interrupted him. "It's also true that I chose the wrong path."

A hint of regret crossed his face. Takahashi Ren saw it.

"It still feels a little insufficient, but if you're saying you'll step down, that makes things easy," Sakayanagi said.

"We're done here." Katsuragi stood up.

"Going forward, I'd like you to lead Class A under my policies, Katsuragi-kun."

Katsuragi stopped. "What did you say?"

"I've certainly opposed you head-on when it comes to tactics. But I've always thought your management skills were good. If you're willing to be my right-hand man, your position in Class A will be secure. People like Totsuka-kun will follow you too."

"I appreciate the offer, but I refuse," Katsuragi said. "If I were willing to obey you, I wouldn't have fought you in the first place. Goodbye."

"Who would ever listen to you!" With that parting remark, Totsuka followed Katsuragi away.

"Are you fine with that?" Kamuro asked.

"Since he's given up, I won't move against him behind his back," Sakayanagi said. "Besides, I only opposed him to pass the time in the first place. Now that there's something more interesting, I don't need him anymore."

"Then is my job over?" Kamuro asked.

"You don't need to watch Katsuragi-kun anymore," Sakayanagi said. "But you still have work to do. Next, you'll be keeping an eye on Ayanokoji-kun."

"Ayanokoji? The relay guy? Why do you care so much about someone from Class D?"

"Are you interested?"

"No. It's just that bad habit of yours anyway, right?"

"You know me so well." Sakayanagi smiled. "Like your bad habit, I find him interesting."

Kamuro suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Sakayanagi by the collar.

"I'll never accept someone like you." She stared at Sakayanagi as though looking at something filthy. "You make me sick."

Sakayanagi did not move. She slowly picked up the cane resting against the side of the bench and pressed it against Kamuro's neck.

"If I wanted to, I could make you disappear right now."

Kamuro released her grip.

"You're talented. I don't want to lose you this way."

"...Then when will you let me go?"

"Hard to say. It depends on my mood. You'll just have to keep working."

Kamuro gritted her teeth, turned, and left.

Watching Kamuro walk away, Sakayanagi spoke softly, almost to herself. "Teasing her now and then is rather fun. I wish days like these could go on forever."

She turned to Takahashi Ren.

"Now that you've watched all that, what do you think?"

"I don't understand," Takahashi Ren said. "Why did you make me watch this?"

"Because you're my right-hand man."

"I told you, I..."

Sakayanagi cut him off.

"You haven't agreed yet, but you will."

"You certainly are confident."

"Of course."

"Maybe you won't get your way this time."

"Of course." Sakayanagi smiled. "Though your resistance will ultimately be futile, I'll thoroughly enjoy watching you struggle."

Takahashi Ren did not reply. He realized that whatever he said to her was pointless. She had already settled on her conclusion. Only facts could shut her up.

He made to leave.

"Come to think of it, you and Kamuro get along quite well." Sakayanagi's voice came from behind him. "She doesn't seem particularly guarded when she talks to you in front of me, either."

Takahashi Ren stopped.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying I didn't lie to you."

"What do you mean?"

"You both work under me. It's convenient for me if you get along."

Without looking back, Takahashi Ren kept walking until he disappeared from view.

Sakayanagi looked in that direction and smiled faintly.

"You'll understand. Once that seed called a bond sprouts and grows."