Conflict arose

May arrived right on schedule.

During homeroom, Mashima walked into the classroom carrying a poster tube. He took out a thick sheet of white paper, unrolled it, and fastened it to the blackboard with magnets.

That morning, everyone had received ninety-four thousand points. Posted on the blackboard were the latest scores for each class.

Class A had the highest score at nine hundred and forty points; Class B had six hundred and fifty; Class C had four hundred and ninety. Class D had zero.

Without exception, every class's score had fallen.

"Nine hundred and forty points. That is a very good result compared with previous Class A cohorts."

"Without any supervision, you upheld the standards expected of students. You can be proud of that."

A wave of delight swept through the classroom.

"Sir, can you tell us why we lost sixty points?"

"No. School rules prohibit me from disclosing that."

"Sir, why does Class D have zero?"

"This school assigns students to classes based on their abilities. The best students enter Class A, while the most useless end up in Class D. This system is also common at major cram school chains. Simply put, Class D is a collection of defective bottom-feeders."

"So that's how it works," someone murmured.

Only then did Takahashi Ren remember the matter of class assignments. He had thought it unimportant at the time and forgotten about it.

"Class points are not merely tied to the amount you receive each month," Mashima continued. "These points directly determine your class ranking. If another class earns a thousand points, they can replace you as the new Class A."

"As everyone knows, this school is renowned for its high university admission and employment rates. Most of you here probably hope to pursue further education or find employment."

"But the school will offer no guarantees to students outside Class A."

He paused briefly, sweeping his gaze over the class. "So you cannot afford to become complacent."

Some students looked at Sakayanagi with admiration in their eyes. Although the key to this assessment had been their own conduct, everything Sakayanagi had told them before had now been verified.

"Sir, can we increase our points?"

"Of course. The school will make arrangements for that," Mashima replied.

"Also, although you probably won't need this, I'll mention it anyway. Twenty million points will allow anyone to transfer classes."

With that, Mashima left.

"Twenty million? That's way too much," someone muttered.

"I'm so glad I got into Class A. Thank goodness."

"Classmate Sakayanagi is amazing."

Behind him, the students buzzed with discussion.

"Everyone, the situation is clear now. We need a leader who can lead our class to victory," Masayoshi Hashimoto said, stepping forward.

"That makes sense."

"Then who should we choose?"

"Do you even have to ask? Sakayanagi."

"I vote for Classmate Sakayanagi. She's the one everyone wants," a voice called from the corner.

"Exactly. Classmate Sakayanagi is the most reliable."

Gradually, the voices in the classroom united into a chant. "Sakayanagi! Sakayanagi!"

Takahashi Ren joined in with a couple of claps.

Throughout it all, Sakayanagi remained perfectly composed, as though victory were already assured.

Until a dissenting voice suddenly cut in-

"I object!"

"Totsuka, what do you mean by that?" Hashimoto frowned and turned toward the speaker.

"Katsuragi is capable of being our leader too."

"Really? Then what brilliant insights has Katsuragi offered this month?"

"Katsuragi is simply more cautious. He could have spotted those problems himself without Sakayanagi's reminders."

"Do you think anyone is going to believe that?"

"You..." Totsuka Yahiko was left speechless and could only glare at Hashimoto.

"Yahiko, that's enough." Katsuragi, who had remained silent with his eyes closed, finally spoke.

"Time will tell who is more capable. Let's not rush to conclusions. Why don't we hear what Sakayanagi has planned first?"

Sakayanagi remained unruffled. If anything, her eyes held a little more interest.

"To crush Class B completely, of course, and eliminate any future threat." Sakayanagi smiled faintly. "What do you think, Katsuragi?"

Katsuragi shook his head. "Clashing head-on with Class B would only allow Classes C and D to reap the benefits. I'd prefer to target Class D first. It's safer."

Both arguments made sense. The students exchanged glances, unable to decide for the moment.

"Hehe, so you intend to oppose me. In return for the entertainment you'll provide, I will defeat you. Don't worry, it won't take long," Sakayanagi said confidently.

"I'll be waiting."

The bell interrupted the dispute.

Everyone knew that beneath the temporary calm, undercurrents were still silently churning.

After class, before Toba Shigeru and Ishida came over, the student sitting in front of Takahashi Ren turned her head toward him instead.

"Who do you support?" Ai Morishita asked.

"I don't mind who becomes the leader."

"I figured."

"Oh?" Takahashi Ren was a little surprised. "What do you think?"

"Same as you."

"Really? I didn't expect us to have so much in common," he said happily.

"It's just a coincidence," Ai Morishita replied flatly.

That little exchange made him a bit more interested in the girl who sat in front of him.

Then Ishida came over, and Takahashi Ren explained his thoughts again.

"I agree more with Katsuragi," Ishida said.

"Yeah, that's fine. Has Toba Shigeru talked to you about it?"

"No. He's acting a little strange, sitting at his desk thinking about who knows what. Should we call him over?"

"No need. Let him tell us himself."

On the way to the cafeteria, Toba Shigeru finally spoke. "Honestly, I still haven't decided who to support. Both sides have a point."

"Huh? You didn't choose Sakayanagi?" Ishida asked in puzzlement.

"Normally, I would, of course. But this concerns our class's future. I can't just blindly pick a side based on my feelings."

Ishida had not expected Toba Shigeru to have this side to him, and neither had Takahashi Ren.

"There's nothing wrong with giving it some serious thought," Takahashi Ren said approvingly. "But don't get yourself too worked up. Let things take their course."

"Yeah. You're not the only one who gets to decide the outcome, anyway," Ishida added.

"That's true. I was getting a little too hung up on it."

"Still, I really didn't expect the class to start fighting over this. What a headache," Ishida sighed.

"What's done is done. Let's eat first." Takahashi Ren patted them both on the back.

The three chatted as they ate. After the topic had changed several times, Takahashi Ren suddenly set down his chopsticks and asked, "Does the name Miki Yamamura ring a bell?"

"Yamamura... Miki? Who's that? Someone in our class?" Toba Shigeru asked uncertainly.

"Doesn't ring a bell. Why do you ask all of a sudden?" Ishida shook his head.

Takahashi Ren and Yamamura had been friends for over half a month, but she was still the same, as invisible as ever in class.

He wondered whether he should introduce Toba Shigeru and Ishida to her too.

But all three of them were boys, and certain kinds of support and topics of conversation would be awkward.

As for the girls, Ai Morishita was the only one left whom he knew fairly well and could talk to.

But given her personality, he did not feel entirely comfortable asking her to look after Yamamura.

Forget it. He put the thought aside.

He did not want to make one friend uncomfortable or feel pressured for the sake of helping another.

I'll just pay a little more attention to her myself.

"Nothing. Just asking."