The bell that normally announces the end of the school day rang out like a declaration of war.
Today marked the second day of discussions regarding the violence incident.
Originally, only one day had been set aside for the hearing.
But because the accounts from both classes clashed completely—always presenting directly opposing claims—a retrial had been granted.
The one who made the decision for this retrial was Student Council President Horikita.
This incident was apparently being handled by the student council, which held absolute authority over it.
If he was the one who judged it, there was virtually no chance of favoritism.
Class C's position was that they had been unilaterally assaulted and injured by Ken Sudou of Class D, and they wanted him punished.
Class D's position was that it had not been a unilateral assault; Class C students had struck first and ganged up on him, so he had merely countered in self-defense. In short, they wanted the punishment revoked.
The claims were complete opposites. In other words, one side was without question lying.
The grace period until the retrial was one day, and on the surface, the lying class was supposed to confess within that time.
But the true purpose of the extension was surely for each side to expose the other's lie and produce clear evidence within that single day.
And the crucial part began here.
If evidence could be presented, the lying class would face a penalty ranging from several weeks of suspension at minimum to expulsion at worst.
With this, Class C had already achieved its original objective. They had gained a rough understanding of the school's intervention thresholds, punishment standards, and tolerance limits for violence.
The goal was accomplished. In other words, today's retrial no longer held any meaning.
To add a note: the ones lying were Class C, so all they had to do was one simple thing—not confess.
They just needed to stubbornly maintain their claim of being the victims and force it through.
Class D was probably scrambling desperately to protect the meager points they had finally gained.
Yet to the students of Class C, this was merely one ordinary day among many.
The classroom unfolded in the same scene as always.
Shiina-san reading a book just as she had yesterday; Ishizaki-kun, though somewhat more restrained, still greeting everyone in his booming voice.
Students who dashed energetically out of the classroom to head to club activities once classes ended; students who chatted leisurely with friends while taking their time on the way home.
Nothing different from the usual, tedious routine.
The students on the "victim" side, led by Ishizaki-kun, trusted Ryuuen's instructions with near-blind faith, so they felt no anxiety at all.
Of course, there was still a way they could lose.
That would be if a slip in conversation was recorded.
What I had done was, at best, provide an assistive tool. Since it wasn't something Ishizaki-kun had discovered himself, a detailed probe leading to a recording would mean defeat.
But it didn't matter.
This was Ryuuen's strategy. Outsiders had no business commenting on it.
Moreover, the original objective had already been achieved.
As a bonus, they even got insight into how the student council operated.
Everything was perfect.
Cleanup afterward was irrelevant. There was no need to go out of my way to help Ishizaki-kun.
"Kamukura-kun, do you have a moment?"
A few minutes after classes ended, Shiina-san appeared.
"The sakura mochi from yesterday were absolutely delicious. Everyone in the tea ceremony club asked me to pass on their thanks."
"I see. I was at a loss for what to do with them, so that worked out well for me."
The topic was yesterday's sakura mochi.
Thanks were unnecessary. It had simply been a transaction conducted because both sides had something to gain.
"…So, um. Would it be possible for you to make the tea sweets again next time?"
The conversation continued—it seemed another request for sweets had come in.
I could guess the reason. Or rather, it was only natural to want repeated tastes of confections made with my talent.
However, that reason was utterly uninteresting.
I wasn't charitable enough to create them free of charge for people who merely coveted my abilities.
"I'm not inclined to."
"Th-they said they can offer whatever points you desire."
"Do they truly understand the value of attempting to employ me as a mere server?"
Even the finest chefs or pâtissiers would pale beside me.
Their points would likely fall short by three orders of magnitude to hire me.
"Y-you're right. Trying to enjoy something that delicious for just a few points is indeed presumptuous… It's terribly disappointing, but I'll let the club president know."
Uncharacteristically crestfallen, Shiina-san left the classroom with slow, deliberate steps.
At moments like this, superhuman analytical ability was a nuisance. I could already foresee a near future in which Ibuki-san would gloat at me.
Troublesome. I would avoid her for the next few days.
"Hey, why the sour face?"
As I prepared to head home, a man who despised boredom as much as I did approached.
His usual bodyguard trailed behind him.
"It's my normal expression."
The one addressing me was Class C's king, the one who never tried to control me—Ryuuen.
His bodyguard and Class C's enforcer, Albert, accompanied him as always.
"So, what business do you have with me? You didn't come for idle chatter."
"Yeah. I'm planning a party tonight and came to invite you."
"Another victory celebration?"
He flashed a meaningful smile before continuing.
"We didn't exactly win this time. The real goal is simply to get a better read on the personalities of my pawns."
'Kamukura, I'm certain that soon—no, during summer break—there will be a school event revolving around points."
"Something that causes a massive transfer large enough to completely reshuffle the classes. It has to happen. Otherwise, classes separated by fundamental academic gaps will never change."
"I decided I needed some final adjustments for that. And this time, I thought I'd include you in it."
"You think I would attend something like that?"
"You're bored anyway, aren't you? As a side benefit, I'll teach you what real entertainment is."
"Even if I joined today, I'd only end up ruining the mood. I see no reason to go."
"Tch. You really do have an annoying personality. Entertainment is something you can't understand until you actually experience it. No matter how divine your predictions are, mere prediction alone won't let you enjoy it. But when you actually—"
I could already tell from the faint irritation on his face and the lecture-like tone that this would drag on.
I was indeed bored, but I had no intention of enduring a pointless sermon.
If I ignored him, he might leave… No, he wouldn't.
"No helping it, I suppose."
"Good. I'm finally getting the hang of handling you."
"You've matured, haven't you?"
"Shut it. The very fact I'm not resorting to violence already means I've regressed."
Our somewhat intense exchange came to an end, and I moved toward the classroom door to head home.
However—
"Why are you following me?"
"Kuku. Do you think there's any idiot who goes to the effort of catching a prized fish only to leave it flopping outside the net?"
"We can rendezvous later. There's no need to go home together."
"You cold bastard."
Since he would follow no matter what I said, I gave up trying to shake him and began walking out of the classroom.
After a few steps, something unusual for him caught my attention—he was being unusually insistent with me.
Normally he placed no restrictions on my actions and left me free. And more unusually still, why would he personally extend an invitation?
I slowed my pace and deduced something from his demeanor.
"Hmm. So you're 'monitoring' me."
"What's this? Have you finally turned into a full-blown conspiracy theorist?"
"The reason you're tailing me isn't some pleasant notion like wanting to walk together amicably on the way to the party… but to keep me from going to those three, correct?"
"…Tch. Spot on, you damn seaweed head."
Ryuuen-kun clicked his tongue and conceded.
Albert applauded the deduction admiringly, only to stop immediately under Ryuuen's glare.
"You really don't want to use me that badly?"
"You're my trump card. And trump cards aren't something you flash around in the opening stages of a fight."
"You're far too attached to that idea."
"Aren't you supposed to be following my policy?"
I would continue following him until he ceased to be interesting.
That was my personal source of enjoyment, something I had decided for myself.
I had no intention of lightly retracting my own words, yet right now it had become a shackle.
"No helping it."
"Jeez, you really make things troublesome."
The conversation ended with that muttered complaint, and our walking pace returned to normal.
As we continued, I spotted a group that caught my interest out in the schoolyard through the window.
I stopped and peered outside from one of the corridor windows.
Visible beyond the glass was a group that appeared to be the soccer club doing warm-up exercises.
"Huh? Isn't that the flashy rich kid from before?"
Both Ryuuen-kun and I recognized the blond man directing them.
The man we had encountered previously in front of the student council room.
His name was Nagumo, if I recalled correctly—he seemed to hold positions in both the student council and the soccer club.
The expressions around him showed nothing unusual; they chatted enjoyably while stretching, then began jogging once finished.
After the run ended, they took a short break.
"As I thought, he possesses considerable talent."
A girl who seemed to be a manager prepared water and brought it over.
The majority of the several managers headed toward the student named Nagumo.
He appeared to be extremely popular.
A well-proportioned face, strong personal charisma, and athletic prowess.
I was impressed by his versatile skill set and high baseline abilities.
"Kuku. Jealous?"
"He's a boring person, but his capabilities aren't bad."
"No way~ something like that? The ultra-serious student council president seems far more entertaining."
"Well, who knows."
There was nothing further of interest, so we turned our gazes back and slowly resumed walking.
We had killed about ten minutes, yet the situation remained as boring as ever.
By the time we somehow reached the shoe lockers, the slightly later departure meant fewer people than usual.
It was fortunate not to be swept up in the usual rush of students leaving school, but for me right now, nothing was more tedious than silence.
"Boring."
The quiet mutter came out a little louder than intended.
With no other sounds present, it echoed more than I expected.
"With abilities like yours, boredom shouldn't even be possible."
"Having everything go exactly as planned—isn't that what's truly boring?"
"Well, I can understand that if it's too easy, it stops being fun."
He spoke in a voice tinged with sentiment.
He was likely reflecting on all the failures he had faced and overcome up to now.
Among them were things he had conquered effortlessly without ever failing, which explained the remark.
Despite his delinquent appearance, he was a cautious individual.
He always planned before acting on anything. He considered countermeasures in advance rather than after the fact.
Therefore, the only times he failed were when something completely unexpected occurred.
An attack from outside his field of vision—that was when he lost.
Of course, this applied to everyone, not just him; it was unavoidable.
Yet Ryuuen was slightly different. His true strength shone after defeat.
I could easily picture him rising again and again like an unkillable zombie, no matter how many times he fell, until he finally latched onto his enemy's ankle.
He had undoubtedly overcome countless hardships that way—facing realms beyond his own with nothing but his body.
A truly indomitable fighting spirit.
The things one cannot comprehend always come from the unexpected.
That happens calmly even within everyday life.
Yes—that is precisely what a sudden event is.
Therefore, an unpredictable future is—interesting.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, a sharp, high-pitched sound—like something being prodded—rang out from behind me.
"If you find things boring, why not play with me? Kamukura Izuru-kun."
Following the sharp noise came a woman's voice.
A voice I had heard before echoed through the space.
High and smooth, without any unevenness—yet somehow alluring.
Only one presence could be felt behind me.
It seemed her usual entourage was absent this time.
For the first time in a long while, I genuinely felt glad to possess Ultimate Luck.
Having finished my thoughts, I finally turned around.
Sakayanagi was smiling with evident enjoyment.
...
"Kuku, lucky you— you've been personally nominated."
To start, I analyze her.
Her skin is beautifully white, like the kimikagesō that blooms in spring—healthy, radiant, almost dazzling in its sheen.
Yet something is missing. The aura from that time isn't there.
"But Kamukura, you get it, right? After this, you—"
"That's no longer possible. I've decided that speaking with her would be far more meaningful than wasting time with your pawns."
"You—after Ibuki and Hiyori, now you're chasing Sakayanagi's ass too?"
"No. I'm simply interested in her."
"That's exactly the same damn thing."
Hearing my words, he lets out an exasperated sigh.
"...Fine. As long as you don't interfere with 'that,' I don't care what you do."
Ryuuen-kun apparently grants my whim. He quickly changes into his outdoor shoes and heads out.
Albert follows right behind him, leaving only the two of us in the space.
"Fufu, I had prepared several plans to pry you away from Ryuuen-kun, but they all turned out to be unnecessary."
A gentle breeze—mixing the natural warmth flowing in from the entrance with the artificial chill spilling from the air conditioning—brushes past us, lightly tousling our hair.
Through the swaying strands, our gazes intermittently meet.
"This is the first time we've spoken one-on-one like this."
As she says that, she slowly taps her cane and closes the distance.
Because of her physical disability, she relies on the cane to walk.
It's a severe condition. Even mild exercise seems impossible for her.
"I'm Arisu Sakayanagi from Class A. Please feel free to call me Arisu."
Finally, the distance between us falls below one meter.
I look down at her; she looks up at me.
"Izuru Kamukura. Call me whatever you like."
"Fufu, is that so? Then… I'll call you Izuru-kun. Now, Izuru-kun, please give me your answer to my earlier question."
The earlier question—her invitation to play.
With how unbearably bored I had been, I have no reason to refuse.
"I don't mind."
"...Truly, truly, today I am extraordinarily lucky. This day will surely become one of the most important pages in my memory."
Supporting her body with the cane in her right hand, she touches her lightly flushed cheeks with her left and smiles with evident delight.
For some reason, I sense an atmosphere similar to Nagito Komaeda.
It seems the girl before me is also someone obsessed with talent.
"Izuru-kun, do you play chess?"
"Not just chess—I possess talent in every board game imaginable."
"...In that case, shall we play chess today? No need to worry about a venue; there's a club that specializes in board games and gambling, so we can use their room."
"I have influence there, so they'll welcome us. That's acceptable, yes?"
"Fine by me."
She skips over every predictable question and advances the conversation in the most efficient way possible.
Satisfied with my responses, she offers a faint smile while taps her cane, and turns directly around.
"I'll guide you."
I simply follow behind her.
"I'm sorry for making you match my slow pace."
After we've walked a certain distance, she says that.
We haven't reached the club room yet, but I don't mind.
"By the way, Izuru-kun, isn't there a discussion today about that incident? I'm the one who invited you, yet… is this really all right?"
"I apparently have no need to attend."
"Fufu, I see."
She genuinely seems to enjoy what amounts to little more than dull, perfunctory small talk.
I detect no falsehood in her so far.
In other words, this is her true feelings right now.
"You're without your usual entourage today."
"I sent them on an errand. We were supposed to meet up later, but I'll have to change the location now."
"Quite harsh treatment."
"They're merely 'pawns,' after all."
Pawns. In other words, legs for her.
Given her condition, they are indispensable.
"I'm quite confident in how I use my pawns."
"And you possess talent that matches that confidence."
"Fufu, you really do have remarkable analytical ability. Ah, this only makes me even more excited for what comes next."
Having said that, she stops in front of a certain door.
It seems we've arrived at our destination.
"Please wait a moment."
Instead of holding it in her hand, she adjusts the school bag slung over her shoulder, takes out her phone, and begins typing.
Likely contacting her entourage to change the meeting place, as she mentioned earlier.
"I've kept you waiting."
She finishes typing and lets the screen go dark.
But immediately afterward, my own phone begins to ring.
I already know who the caller is.
So I can't help but sigh at the fact that my prediction has come true.
"That call is probably related to the incident, isn't it? Won't you answer?"
"There's no need to."
I leave it ringing until the call ends without picking up.
To be honest, I wouldn't have minded answering and getting slightly involved in the incident.
But this time, I prioritize my promise with Ryuuen-kun.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself."
Once the ringing stops, Sakayanagi places a hand on the door with the innocent smile of a child.
"Yes. I dislike holding back, but right now even that restraint feels immensely enjoyable when I think about what comes afterward."
She knocks three times, then opens the door without waiting for a response.
She enters the classroom with regal composure, as if proclaiming herself king.
I follow behind her.
"...Hello, Sakayanagi-san. Here to take more of our points again today?"
The first voice comes from a girl with short black hair who has removed her blazer and tie and undone the top button of her uniform—an eccentric appearance.
Her fair skin and noticeably large chest stand out, and even while seated her tall, slender figure is evident. Surprisingly, she blends into this unhygienic space filled with the mingled scents of various drinks.
Yet the hostility in her tone and words is palpable.
"Fufu, please be a little more welcoming, Club President. And today I only want to borrow the room."
Sakayanagi responds with a smile despite the complete lack of welcome.
There are about ten students inside the classroom. None appear to be first-years.
It's likely a club composed entirely of second- and third-years.
"...Borrow?"
The girl Sakayanagi called Club President shows even stronger distaste than before.
She isn't the only one—none of the other students here wear pleasant expressions.
The reason for the unwelcoming atmosphere surely relates to the Club President's earlier words about "taking points."
From those words and the overall mood, only one conclusion can be drawn.
"So he's this round's 'victim,' huh? Did you finally ditch that purple-haired girl you brought last time?"
"I haven't ditched her, but I did end up bullying her a bit too much."
She lets out a light laugh as if teasing the Club President.
The smile she shows now—provocative, rubbing the other girl the wrong way—is different from the ones she has shown me so far.
"And he is no victim."
"A guy like this?"
The Club President tries to size me up, but Sakayanagi's next words cut her off.
"With that settled, please lend us a full chess set. Ah, feel free to watch up close if you like. This could be a rare match where you witness my defeat."
"...You losing? That's a harsh joke."
"I'll even bet on it—on our match."
"...No thanks. I don't want any more points taken."
Survival of the fittest—this place crowns the strongest board game player as king.
Sakayanagi has apparently challenged them multiple times, wagering points just like today.
High-stakes games of chess and other board games.
In short, dojo storming.
And she has won every single time, seizing their points.
That must be the truth behind the Club President's comment about "taking points."
From this, I estimate that Sakayanagi holds at least three million private points, conservatively.
"How cold~"
Despite saying that while mocking the Club President, she seems to be in quite a good mood.
Her sadistic side is showing.
Yet she is right—playing board games without stakes would be boring.
The outcome—my victory—would be a foregone, tedious conclusion.
"In that case, Club President, would you care to bet in my place?"
At my words, Sakayanagi flashes a delighted smile, as if she had been waiting for exactly that.
"Yes, yes, exactly, Izuru-kun. Simply playing without stakes… would be boring, wouldn't it?"
Her body trembles with excitement.
From another perspective, the smile could seem eerie.
"You'd be wise to stop. That girl is monstrously strong—you'll just get your points squeezed dry."
"If I win the match against her, you'll receive double the amount you wagered. If I lose, I'll fully reimburse whatever you bet."
I ignore the Club President's warning and explain.
In essence, I'm telling her: if she covers my stake, she'll face no risk—I'll guarantee it.
For example, suppose the Club President bets 100,000 points on my behalf.
If I win, her original 100,000 is added to the 100,000 Sakayanagi wagered, so she ultimately receives 200,000 points.
If I lose, the bet goes to Sakayanagi, who gains 200,000 points.
But at the same time, I return 100,000 points to the Club President, leaving her with zero loss.
"...Are you insane!? Sure, that means no downside for me, but there's no upside for you at all!"
After a few seconds of thought, the Club President immediately objects.
She grasps the betting rules instantly, revealing quick wits.
Yet she must have been overwhelmed by Sakayanagi's overwhelming skill in the past.
She hesitates to go through with it, worried about what happens if I lose.
"As the Club President says, there is no benefit for you, Izuru-kun. That would prevent the wager from being fair."
"I don't desire anything in particular, so it doesn't matter to me."
"No. That would not be 'equal.'"
She emphasizes the word "equal" with feeling.
I see—she wants a thorough decision of winner and loser.
The problem is that I truly have nothing I want.
"If you can't think of anything, I have one suggestion."
I turn my gaze toward her and wait for her next words.
"It lacks originality, but how about this: if Izuru-kun wins, you may give me one single command—anything at all? Of course, anything goes."
"Define 'anything.'"
"Let's see… then 'anything except my life.' Further point demands, all the class information I possess—anything. Fufu, if you wish, even my body would be acceptable."
"Wha—!? Are you insane too!? Betting your body over a 'mere' game of chess…"
The Club President's shock is understandable.
Few people would stake their own body on a single chess match.
It's natural to think that way.
Yet Arisu Sakayanagi's eyes are completely serious.
That is how much passion she has poured into this match.
That is why she snaps at the Club President's remark.
"Mere…? ...Club President, this match is, above all else, the most valuable match to me. Please do not dismiss it with such a trite expression."
An absolute-zero glare filled with boundless fury pierces the girl.
The sheer intensity cowers every club member in the room.
"I accept that proposal."
I break the few seconds of silence with my affirmation.
"...Fufu, then let the stake be one million points. For our first serious match, that amount is appropriate."
"You've increased needless expenditure."
"Fufu… ahaha, the desire to crush you surges even stronger now."
It is not the smile of someone who has overcome hardship.
Nor the smile of someone looking down on others.
Nor even a smile of pure enjoyment.
It is the same as that time—a smile tinged with something close to madness.
Different from every smile she has shown me today.
Yes—that is the smile I wanted to see.
If the current Arisu Sakayanagi is my opponent, I can freely unleash every Ultimate talent at my disposal.
—I feel permitted to use them all.
"...Fine, I'll pay it. But I'm warning you—I won't take responsibility for whatever happens!"
With a tone of reckless abandon, the Club President declares that and shows us the screen with one million points prepared.
The other members, realizing the bet is set, draw closer.
In an instant, the gambling arena is complete. There can be no hiding the outcome now.
The pieces are skillfully arranged on the chessboard, and preparations are finished.
"Now then, shall we begin?"
With a voice sweet and alluring, reminiscent of the prelude to an intimate night, an extraordinary battle commenced.
***
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