It was just past 3:40. The special building after school was even steamier than usual.
If everything was going according to plan, the people I was waiting for should arrive soon.
"According to plan" was too vague.
Let me explain.
Yesterday's discussion between Class C and Class D had been extended.
Our claims were completely opposed, and no matter how far we went, we remained on parallel lines.
The student council president, who was overseeing the hearing, told us that within the full day's extension, the lying class should confess—that was the stated purpose—and the first hearing ended.
Now it was the afternoon before the second hearing.
We in Class D had prepared a strategy to secure complete exoneration in this battle within that single day.
"According to plan" meant that strategy was proceeding smoothly.
Of course, I wasn't the one who devised it.
The person who came up with a countermeasure against what seemed an insurmountable violence incident was Horikita.
The details of that plan—ah, speak of the devil. Three boys arrived, grumbling about the heat.
Their expressions carried a certain optimism, almost delight.
Why were they so pleased?
Because they had received an invitation email from Kushida, something of an idol figure in Class D.
They were probably dreaming that an invitation from a cute girl meant a date—or perhaps even a confession.
Yet waiting for them in the sweltering special building was one of the plainest guys in the class… Saying it myself makes me a little sad.
In any case, the moment they saw Kiyotaka Ayanokouji—an utterly ineligible guy—their fantasies shattered.
"What the hell is this? Why are you here?"
They apparently remembered me from the student council room. The apparent leader, Ishizaki, stepped forward and pressed me menacingly.
During yesterday's hearing he had played the quiet victim and stayed silent, but with no witnesses around he was this aggressive.
"Kushida isn't coming. That was a lie. I asked her to send those emails against her will."
His face openly sour, Ishizaki shoved a hand into his pocket and closed the distance further.
"Don't screw with us. What kind of stunt is this?"
"You'd ignore us otherwise, wouldn't you? I just wanted to talk."
"Talk? Do we need that? Has the heat fried your brain?"
Ishizaki looked genuinely hot, grabbing his shirt collar and fanning it.
"I'll give you points for sticking up for that violent thug Sudou, but give it up. We were called out by Sudou and beaten. That's the answer—and the truth."
"I'm not here to debate that. Yesterday's discussion already proved it's inconclusive."
"Then what do you want? …Don't tell me you're planning to kidnap us and make us no-shows? Gonna use violence like Sudou? Haha, as expected from defect Class D—same thought process."
Ishizaki grinned nastily; the two behind him bumped fists.
Threats like that clearly wouldn't work on them. If anything, they welcomed it.
"Give up quietly and accept your proper punishment."
Realizing Kushida wasn't coming, they turned to leave the way they came.
But another collaborator stopped them.
"I think you should surrender, you three."
Ichinose, who had been waiting for everyone to assemble, appeared with light steps.
Honami Ichinose was a student from Class B.
Why was a Class B student—who had nothing to do with this incident—here?
Because after hearing about this despicable and cowardly act of violence, Ichinose Honami, as an individual student, had offered help that transcended class boundaries.
In a normal school that might be one thing, but in this school where classes competed for points, offering near-gratis aid to another class was extraordinary.
It showed just how kind-hearted she was.
"I-Ichinose!? Why are you here!?"
The three looked shocked. It was only natural—a Class B student unrelated to the incident showing up.
"Why? Let's just say I'm involved in this matter too."
"Ichinose, you're pretty famous."
"Ahaha. I've had a few run-ins with Class C."
It seemed they'd been clashing behind the scenes.
Her appearance clearly rattled the Class C group.
"Class B has nothing to do with this—stay out of it."
"You're right, Kondō-kun, we're unrelated. But don't you think it's awful to drag a bunch of people into a lie?"
"…We're not lying. We're the victims. Why would you say that?"
"Geez, villains are stubborn to the end!! It's time to pay the piper!!"
Kondō tried weakly to push Ichinose away, but she flung her right arm wide and declared it like a climax.
"This incident—your lies, the fact that you struck first—it's all perfectly clear. If you don't want it exposed, withdraw your complaint right now."
I felt like Ichinose could explain everything without me saying a word.
"What are you talking about, Ichinose? Has the heat gotten to you too? Sudou started the fight. Where's the lie in our testimony?"
"You know this school is one of Japan's top advanced placement schools, government-recognized, right?"
"…And what's that got to do with anything?"
"Then you should use your head a little more. Your whole strategy was obvious from the start."
Growing increasingly eloquent, Ichinose smiled with enjoyment.
She began circling them as she continued.
Right now she was like a famous detective unveiling the true culprit.
"Didn't the school's response to this incident seem strange?"
"Huh?"
"When you reported it to the school, why wasn't Sudou-kun punished immediately? Why did they give him several days and a chance to redeem himself? Why do you think that is?"
"Because that Sudou bastard begged and cried? So they gave him a formal grace period. That's all."
"Do you really believe that? Or was there another intention?"
The sealed-off corridor, still bathed in high afternoon sunlight, grew even steamier.
"…Looks like the heat really has gotten to you, Ichinose. I'm not sticking around for this nonsense. We're leaving."
"Are you sure? You'll probably regret it for the rest of your life."
"What the hell have you been saying this whole time, Ichinose!!"
The three started to turn back the way they came, but her words stopped them.
"You still don't get it? The school knows Class C is lying. And they've known from the very beginning."
Silence filled the special building for several seconds.
It must have caught them completely off guard.
They exchanged looks of incomprehension.
"Don't make me laugh. The school knew from the start? If that were true, you wouldn't need to do anything to prove your innocence. Why bother telling us?"
Of the three, only Ishizaki remained calm despite sweating profusely, carefully dissecting Ichinose's words.
"Hah, getting Ichinose on your side is pretty impressive for Class D. But it's meaningless to lie like that. Sudou isn't worth saving that desperately."
"It's not for you to decide Sudou-kun's worth."
Ichinose spoke with a hint of anger.
Those words had apparently struck a nerve.
"You're awfully confident, Ichinose. Getting desperate?"
"Not at all. I'm confident because we have solid evidence."
Ichinose continued undaunted by Ishizaki's words.
"Then show us this evidence."
All three were certain no such evidence existed.
There was no sign of unease or panic.
But the moment they bit on this conversation, their defeat was sealed.
"Can't you see it?"
Ichinose directed her gaze toward the ceiling a little farther down the corridor.
Belatedly, the three followed her line of sight.
"Eh?"
Two dumbfounded voices overlapped.
A camera in the special building's corridor, positioned to monitor from corner to corner, occasionally swiveling left and right.
"That's no good. If you're going to frame someone, you should do it where there are no cameras."
"W-wh-why is there a camera here!? There weren't supposed to be surveillance cameras in this corridor! Right!?"
"Y-yeah, no mistake! W-we checked—something like this is impossible… I-I get it! You set it up, Ichinose!"
The two students panicked and shouted at the calmly smiling Ichinose.
Everything was going according to plan.
Yet I couldn't feel relieved watching it.
No—it wasn't that I wasn't relieved because victory was already assured.
But Ishizaki, who had remained calm the entire time and now hung his head as if resigned, instinctively felt ominous.
And unfortunately, that instinct would prove correct.
"Hah… hahahahaha!"
Suddenly Ishizaki burst into laughter loud enough to echo through the entire sweltering special building.
"…What's so funny, Ishizaki-kun? Starting to laugh out of nowhere."
"Sorry, it's just—your acting is hilarious. Hahaha, this is a masterpiece."
"H-hey, what's going on, Ishizaki? Explain it so we understand!"
Ishizaki pulled out his phone, opened a certain screen, and held it out for us to see.
"Hey, can you see this, Ichinose? This is a photo of the scene after the incident. Strange, isn't it? There's not even a millimeter of the surveillance camera you mentioned."
He grinned while alternating the photo and the actual scene for us to compare.
"I don't need to spell out what this means, do I?"
"S-so it really was a camera you guys set up!! You bastard, pulling a stunt like this!"
Ichinose bit her lip sweetly and wore a frustrated expression.
But only briefly—she tried to find an opening for a counterattack.
However, the heat's constraints didn't affect only Class C.
If you lost composure, the heat and anxiety dulled your thinking—Iチンose included.
She couldn't find an opening.
"…Why do you conveniently have a photo of the scene right now, at this exact moment? Did you anticipate this?"
The words she squeezed out were completely irrelevant.
Ishizaki answered with a triumphant look.
"Yeah, exactly. That person… said this 'Even though Class D is the victim, they'll use this method to secure exoneration. If that happens, use this photo.'"
That person.
From Ishizaki's words, I deduced who it was.
I had no prior information, yet somehow I arrived at one individual.
"So the person you're talking about gave you that photo."
"Yeah. Too bad, Ichinose. Even you can't beat that person. This time you were just dancing in their palm."
Certain of victory, Ishizaki and the others now wore unclouded smiles.
"The fact you aren't scared means it isn't Ryuuen-kun… Class A isn't involved in this incident, so impossible. Therefore, within Class C, someone they respect… By process of elimination, there's only one person."
Ichinose accelerated her thinking with sweat pouring down in her forhead while muttering to herself
Even as her focus wavered, she slowly approached the answer.
"Hey, what's wrong, Ichinose—you're breaki—"
"—It's Kamukura-kun, isn't it?"
"…!?"
"That reaction—yeah, figures. Though knowing who it is doesn't change anything."
Ichinose said it in a resigned tone.
She had apparently judged the situation hopeless.
And my guess was correct too. It had indeed been that long-haired man's move.
He was not to be underestimated.
I was certain he would become a major obstacle for Class D going forward.
But the finishing blow was sloppy.
If you intended to win, you should have come here yourself.
"Yeah, it's meaningless… Hey, Ichinose. We're about to go report to the student council president that you installed a fake surveillance camera… What do you think will happen then?"
Ichinose remained silent.
No choice—I'd take the baton.
"Can't answer? Then let me tell you! The ones who set it up—you guys—will—"
"—possibly be punished?"
"…Huh?"
I cut off Ishizaki, who had suddenly become talkative.
"Unfortunately, that won't happen, Ishizaki. After all, ours was a 'lie' used to expose the truth.
If your malicious 'lie' is revealed, this 'lie' of ours won't be praised, but it will likely be recognized as one valid method."
"Hah, what are you talking about? Where's your basis for that? We haven't done anything wrong. The one who committed wrongdoing is Class D's biggest defective product, Sudou.
The method you prepared is the lowest, most despicable way to frame us—who are innocent. How could that possibly be accepted? You guys think so too, right?"
Ishizaki sought agreement from the other two. They immediately nodded and chimed in.
"What you're saying does sound correct—but only under the assumption… that you committed no wrongdoing.
And that assumption doesn't hold. Therefore, your argument is wrong."
"…I don't hate that you're loyal to your friends, but that's stretching it. That guy's violence far exceeds your common sense."
"I'll admit Sudou's usual behavior is bad, but judging things based on that prejudice is mistaken."
"Sorry, but I don't have time to humor your nonsense. We're already late."
This time, Ishizaki and the others truly started toward the student council room.
But before they could, I held out a screen to them the same way Ishizaki had shown the photo.
"!? …It's recording? So what?"
"'W-wh-why is there a camera here!? There weren't supposed to be surveillance cameras in this corridor! Right!?'
'Y-yeah, no mistake! W-we checked… something like this is impossible… I-I get it! You set it up, Ichinose!'"
I quickly operated my phone and played the decisive portion for their ears.
"There were supposed to be no surveillance cameras—we checked—so what does this mean? Tell me, Komiya, Kondō."
"…That's—"
"Ishizaki, I'm not asking you. I'm asking those two."
I cut Ishizaki off again and pressed them menacingly.
"So, what is it, Komiya, Kondō?"
"W-we didn't say anything like that—it's nonsense!"
"No, because I recorded it."
Already losing composure, they were rats in a trap—nothing more than formalities remained.
Silence or excuses, everything was futile.
The special building was a place almost never used in daily life, with virtually no surveillance cameras.
That's why there wasn't even air conditioning. That's why it was so hot.
Why would anyone check camera positions in such a place?
Yet a violence incident occurred there.
Who would believe such a conveniently perfect story? No—nearly everyone would suspect something behind it.
"Ayanokouji-kun, that was incredible. You even prepared a recording."
"That was Horikita's instruction too. She told me not to let up until the very end, so I recorded it."
"…I see. As expected of Horikita-san. Man, we really got outplayed this time."
After a brief silence, Ichinose seemed to regain her composure and said that to me.
"Oh, Ishizaki-kun! Who are you trying to call?"
"!?"
In the instant Ichinose and I were talking, Ishizaki had quickly pulled out his phone and held it to his ear.
"Mind handing it over? If you do, I won't get any of you expelled."
The phone rang once.
"…"
Twice.
"I see. Then I'll have no choice but to submit this recording to the student council president."
Three times.
"…W-wait!"
Four times.
"Then you know what to do now, right?"
Five times.
"I-I got it! I'll hand it over, okay!?"
His thinking completely scrambled, Ishizaki surrendered his own weapon to Ichinose.
It was no different from resignation.
The phone passed into Ichinose's slender, beautiful hands.
On the screen was the name she had guessed earlier—Izuru Kamukura.
Yet even after so many rings, he didn't answer. Either he couldn't due to an emergency, or he had abandoned them.
Either way, it didn't matter to me.
Ichinose finally rejected the call.
"Now then, Ishizaki-kun. What will it be?"
"…Damn it."
Ishizaki bit his lip in frustration.
"Hey, Ishizaki. If that recording gets submitted, we could get suspended—or worse, expelled. Come on, let's give up."
"Kondō, we told a lie big enough to drag in this many people. Worst case isn't even the word for it. You three are definitely getting expelled."
I fired the final bullet to pierce their hearts.
"Ugh… ugh… Hey, Ishizaki! Please!"
"We messed up, so we'll… somehow beg that person for mercy on your behalf!"
His voice was trembling—was that fear?
These guys hadn't shown any fear toward Kamukura Izuru.
If anything, they respected him.
Yet their attitude had completely changed. So "that person" wasn't him?
Or rather, there was someone else who ruled them through fear.
"…Ichinose, we'll… withdraw the complaint."
"It's settled, then."
Ichinose informed the three of them in a serious tone.
There were still things that didn't add up, but for now the matter was resolved.
We prepared to escort the three to the student council room.
We had to—otherwise they might try contacting someone again like before.
Surprisingly, though, they were docile now.
"That said, we really got outmaneuvered."
"Yeah. Horikita's unexpected plan… and that student Kamukura had a counter ready for it."
"Exactly. Honestly, I thought he was passive and wouldn't get involved in this incident… I clearly underestimated him."
Ichinose wore a pessimistic expression.
'Don't make a face like that.'
I couldn't offer gentle words like Class D's prince-like figure, Hirata, so I said it in my mind.
On the way to the student council room, Ichinose and I made small talk.
As expected, she felt self-reproach over the parts that hadn't satisfied her, so I tried—at least—to ease some of that burden.
At the same time, I thought this:
Kamukura Izuru was indeed an unknown enemy.
Whoever ruled Class C through fear would be a troublesome opponent too.
But we had won.
This conflict was our victory.
In the end, I was the one who won.
So that was enough.
I reset the lingering unease in my heart by deceiving myself.
My mind—already blank from the start, or perhaps made blank once more—returned to normal.
We arrived at the student council room and successfully secured Sudou's acquittal.
...
Fun.
No other emotion, no other sensation, could be felt right now.
A fair, pure contest against a superior opponent.
With every move, it felt as though massive amounts of endorphins flooded my brain.
Sometimes I moved pieces in seconds, sometimes after long thought.
Yet my long-haired genius opponent moved every piece after mere fractions of a second.
To onlookers, it might look careless.
But moment by moment, I was undeniably being cornered.
Still, defeat wasn't certain yet.
To turn it around from here, I ran my thoughts faster and sharper than ever in my life.
I finished my thirty-eighth move after fully using my time.
Yet even the move I judged optimal in this position was countered identically.
The word "defeat" began to creep into my vision.
"Ahah."
A slightly vulgar laugh escaped me.
Ah, I had never been more grateful to my father for enrolling me in this school.
This was the real thing. A genuine, unparalleled genius who allowed no one to follow.
But I wouldn't give up.
There was still a chance, a reversal move. It had to exist. I could create it.
Chess contained some element of psychological warfare, but against him it was hopeless.
The battle of words was already lost. His heart didn't flicker—an iron will, or perhaps mechanical.
Yet he wasn't a perfect machine.
He showed no superiority or impatience, but he wasn't emotionless.
Very faintly, for an instant, the corners of his mouth sometimes rose.
A reversal move existed. And my chess skill wasn't so low that I couldn't spot it.
"How about this?"
A confident move—the path to reversal.
I looked directly at his face.
"…You're forcing me, of all people, into long thought."
The first words he had spoken since the game began.
His expression as he said them was—and my heart surged with indescribable excitement.
Something beyond clumsy words, an uncontrollable impulse like lust, accelerated further.
His first long thought ended, and he finally moved a piece.
"That was enjoyable, Sakayanagi Arisu. Playing with you wasn't mere pastime."
With the distinctive clack of chess, he declared victory.
The onlookers began to murmur.
After all, this move didn't put my king in check.
It appeared a simple, ordinary move—merely solidifying position.
But to me, it didn't look that way.
It was the best, the ultimate move.
Despite reading every possibility, this single move appeared in none of them.
In one stroke, my reversal was crushed, and certain defeat awaited me eight moves later.
"Resign."
With regret yet clearly, I declared surrender and flicked my king with a finger.
"…No… no way."
The Club President's voice—unable to accept the reality before her—echoed through the room.
"It's no lie, Club President. This is my complete defeat."
"What even is this guy?"
"It's not 'this guy'—it's Kamukura Izuru-kun, Club President."
"I wasn't asking for his name."
I understood what the Club President meant. And that he embodied the very word "genius."
"Then, Club President, your phone, please."
"Got it."
With those words, I swiftly operated my device and transferred one million points to her.
It seemed a heavy blow, but my terminal still held seven figures, so it posed no issue.
"About thirty percent of what I took from you all. Consider it returned."
"…You really piss me off."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
Our casual exchange with the Club President ended.
The other members drifted away.
Finally, I spoke to him.
"Izuru-kun. Victory is yours."
I extended my hand toward him for a shake.
Noticing, he showed no reluctance and grasped mine.
Large, beautiful, yet cold.
I mused that this must be the warmth after intense exercise, finding his cool hand pleasant against my heated one, wishing to hold it forever.
Belatedly remembering the nail-biting match, I noticed my sweaty palm and tried to release it to avoid soiling his—cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment.
Truly regrettable, I loosened my grip.
Yet my hand didn't separate. Because he still held my small one.
"Um, Izuru-kun? I'd like you to let go now…"
"My apologies. I made you uncomfortable."
"No, it wasn't unpleasant—nothing to worry about."
Despite saying that, I was actually embarrassed.
This was the first time in my life holding a man's hand other than my father's—my heartbeat raced.
He released mine and looked at his own palm.
"…Was shaking my hand unpleasant?"
"Not at all."
"Then why?"
I waited for his next words while steadying my gradually calming pulse.
"Your hand… is warm."
What did that mean? I wanted to ask, but his expression stopped me.
…Ah, you're the same as him, aren't you…
Realizing something, I smiled to hide my agitation.
"Fufu, it was a heated battle. …More importantly, Izuru-kun, you are the winner. A promise is a promise. Please decide your command for me."
"Right."
"Anything except my life. I'll prepare a written oath if needed."
When losing a fair contest, risk arrives properly.
That's the world of competition. Whatever the command, I hold no grudge against him.
The one to resent is my own weakness.
"If you're a man, decide quickly. We need to close up soon."
"Then let's settle it promptly."
"…Just so you know, even if you choose her body, I won't report it to the school—mutual consent and all."
"In that case, we'll borrow this room. You'd be an accomplice."
At the unexpected retort, we both froze in shock.
"It was a joke. I've already decided."
"Y-yeah, of course. Phew, you scared me."
A slight regret mingled with relief that he was sensible.
"What I want is your contact information."
"…Eh?"
At Izuru-kun's request, I let out a foolish sound.
"Wimp."
"As a compromise, this seems the reasonable choice."
A faint jealousy stirred at their light banter.
But greater heat welled within my heart.
"Izuru-kun, that doesn't satisfy 'equality.' There's no risk for me."
This heat was anger. Even against him, I couldn't yield here.
Unequal compensation was humiliation.
"You are the loser. It's proper to obey any command. No backtalk."
"But still, this is…"
"Then consider what I give you humiliation. You are merely a puppy yapping at my feet. If you have complaints, gain more strength first."
"…No helping it. I'll accept your command."
"Settled, then."
We both operated our phones and exchanged contacts.
He rose from his chair.
I tapped my cane and slowly followed.
Conveniently, the club room door opened.
"…There you are."
A girl with beautiful purple hair looked at me and said that.
"Perfect timing, Masumi-san."
"Yeah, whatever."
She replied in her usual cold, flat tone.
As she approached, I handed her my school bag.
"Izuru-kun."
I called his name once more.
He turned without delay and met my gaze.
"I lost this time, but next time I'll win. So, shall we play again sometime?"
"If you can entertain me."
"Fufu, I grow every day. Next time, I'll be even stronger than today."
"I'll look forward to it."
His long hair swaying as he passed me.
His voice lingered clearly in my ears, replaying over and over.
I tapped my cane and followed behind him.
Matching his stride, I quickly caught up to walk beside him.
"By the way, Izuru-kun, why didn't you choose my body? Was I perhaps… lacking in appeal?"
"It simply wasn't worth the million."
"Oh my, that's flattering."
"…Huh? What are these two talking about…"
We left the club room and headed home. The Club President locked up and went to return the key to the faculty office.
Ignoring Masumi-san, who couldn't follow the conversation, I enjoyed talking with him.
At first, I had looked at him driven solely by my uncontrollable curiosity and instinct.
But today, that purpose changed.
Not to be reflected in his eyes, but to stand beside him—as an equal.
And from there, to teach him human warmth.
The warmth people can know even without talent.
So first… friends.
Fufu, it seems a long road ahead.
***
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