Class A: Kaoru Mitoma, Hashimoto Masayoshi, Machida Koji.
Class B: Hamaguchi Tetsuya, Yonezu Haruto, Moriyama Akimi.
Class C: Albert, Ishizaki Daichi.
Class D: Kouenji Rosuke, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
...
Exactly ten people—enough to form a team.
Since Kaoru had taken the lead in organizing the group, and seeing that no one objected, he assumed the role of leader and reported the results to Mashima in front of everyone.
Apparently, Mashima hadn't expected the first-years to act so quickly.
He told Kaoru that they could now form teams with the upperclassmen.
"This is bad… I don't think I know any of the upperclassmen," Hashimoto said with a troubled expression, turning to Kaoru.
"We'll have to rely on you, Mitoma-kun."
He had asked the right person.
At the moment, Kaoru was likely the only first-year who had a good grasp of the upperclassmen.
Information about the second-years was practically an open book to Kaoru, while the third-years were a bit more challenging.
Still, with Horikita Manabu as references, he could identify suitable groups for them.
"Before we team up with the upperclassmen, I want to know what you all think," Kaoru said. "Do you want to aim for first place, or just scoring above average enough?"
Hashimoto and Machida Koji exchanged glances.
Could they really securefirst place?
"Don't talk big, first place is impossible, right?"
Ishizaki Daichi sneered, his expression full of disdain.
With Ryuuen around, how could their group possibly take first place?
"Heh, Mitoma Boy, you decide how we handle the exam."
Kouenji Rosuke crossed his arms, watching the upperclassmen nearby with great interest.
Kaoru turned his gaze to the students of Class 1-B, where Moriyama Akimi spoke bluntly.
"Even if you can help us get first place, it doesn't matter. You're the one in charge."
Indeed, the composition of their group was too scattered. Even if they secured rewards, the contribution to their respective classes would be minimal. Besides, the leader was Kaoru Mitoma from Class 1-A.
"Alright, I get the general idea."
Kaoru nodded. "Then our goal is to exceed the average score. As long as no one gets expelled, that's the best outcome."
"Mitoma Boy, he's coming over." Kouenji Rosuke suddenly remarked.
The next moment, Nagumo's voice reached the ears of the first-year students.
"I'd advise you all to stay away from Mitoma. The reason he left his A-class group to team up with you is because he didn't want to drag his own classmates into trouble."
Many instinctively glanced toward Kaoru's direction before turning their eyes to Nagumo Miyabi, whose expression remained calm.
"You think running away to another group will solve everything?"
Nagumo Miyabi continued, "Your off-the-field tactics won't work here. Everyone, listen carefully—he's just a shareholder in the Shinomiya Financial Group at best. He might not even have the ability to pull out cash, let alone make you a company president. And the school won't vouch for you. If he backs out later, you'll have no choice but to swallow the loss."
The moment they clashed, Nagumo went all out, showing none of the apologetic attitude from before.
Kaoru glanced at Ryuuen, who stood not far away.
In such a short time, the two couldn't have exchanged information.
That meant Nagumo had seen him request leadership from Mashima and decided to provoke him.
"One more thing—he's the group leader, right? If your group's performance is too low, he might just take one of you down with him."
A faint smile played on Nagumo's lips, but his eyes were icy.
"Don't forget what's between him and me. I'll be targeting you all. Some of you might even end up expelled because of it."
"Hahaha, how amusing. He's openly threatening us. What will you do, Mitoma Boy?"
Kouenji Rosuke couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"If you can pull it off, go ahead."
Kaoru had a rough understanding now—Nagumo was trying to divert his attention, making him overlook the situation with the girls' group.
No, perhaps he was simply trying to provoke him.
Nagumo Miyabi sneered. "Fine. Let's see who gets the last laugh this time. If you believe he can give you benefits, go ahead and follow him. But dropping out of school just for a bit of cash would be a real shame."
There was no denying the persuasive nature of his words—deliberately emphasizing his conflict with Kaoru while sowing distrust among the others.
"Who wins or loses isn't decided yet, Nagumo-senpai."
Kaoru smiled. "And who said I can only offer cash? My phone holds quite a few Personal Points—many of them gifted by you, Nagumo-senpai. That's more than enough."
Nagumo Miyabi's face turned ashen as his old wounds were reopened.
Not going all out against Kaoru Mitoma back then had been a complete mistake!
Although he had only lost a few million, Nagumo now couldn't estimate Kaoru's current Personal Points.
He had known about the uses of Personal Points early on and had likely been collecting them from Class A for a year.
Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising if Kaoru had tens of millions of Personal Points.
"Heh, probably all used to protect himself," Nagumo sneered. "Next, you'd better hope he can help you."
"Nagumo-senpai, isn't this exam time right now?" Kanzaki Ryuji spoke up from nearby.
Nagumo glanced at him before saying, "You sure have a lot of people, Mitoma."
After saying this, Nagumo returned to his group, while Tonokawa Sosuke subtly gestured to Kaoru.
"Did you really steal his childhood sweetheart?" Hashimoto asked gravely.
This statement instantly lightened the tense atmosphere, turning Nagumo's threat into a comical scene of humiliation.
Even the usually expressionless Ayanokoji Kiyotaka showed a flicker of curiosity.
At this moment, Nagumo's retreating figure looked like nothing more than a pitiful, defeated man.
"Yes, Asahina-senpai is now my girlfriend," Kaoru replied earnestly.
Unfortunately, his sincerity only made those around him even more skeptical.
....
Next was the formation of cross-grade teams.
Horikita Manabu specifically came to Kaoru.
"Want to join us?"
"No. Nagumo has other ways to attack me. He's probably already considered that you might help me, and I don't want to cause trouble for you."
"I see. Who do you plan to team up with?"
"Sato-senpai from Class 3-C. He's the only upperclassman I know."
Sato Keisaku had been Kaoru's buyer back then, so with that connection, he likely wouldn't screw him over.
After Horikita left, Moriyama looked at Kaoru strangely.
"No wonder you're the student council vice president. Your relationships with the upperclassmen are complicated."
"Feels like everyone's watching us," Hashimoto remarked, stroking his chin as he glanced at the upperclassmen's groups.
"Hahaha! Looks like things won't be boring from here on out!" Kouenji Rosuke began walking away.
"I'll go rest in my room first. Team up with whoever you want."
"Isn't this guy way too carefree?" Ishizaki Daichi sneered at Kouenji and Ayanokoji. "No wonder you're both in Class D."
"To be fair, even we in Class D can't stand him," Ayanokoji replied matter-of-factly.
"Whatever. Let's hurry to our rooms too," Kaoru said, heading toward the upperclassmen's groups.
Unlike the first-years, the upperclassmen weren't as clearly divided.
He chose an ordinary second-year group and Sato's team.
However, perhaps due to Nagumo's lingering influence, the second-years seemed somewhat hesitant.
As Kaoru formed his team, the first-years also began pairing up.
Katsuragi chose Kiriyama and Horikita's group, while Kanzaki seemed to pick upperclassmen he knew.
Kaneda Satoru joined Nagumo's team, and Hirata Yosuke selected his preferred group.
Hmm, why weren't the upperclassmen choosing the first-years?
Maybe they wanted to look after their juniors.
After all, letting the upperclassmen decide the pairings would feel like bullying.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka silently followed behind the group, feeling inexplicably unsettled at the moment.
If Kaoru was from the White Room, now would be the easiest time for him to get Ayanokoji expelled.
However, considering Kaoru had exposed his own identity, Ayanokoji doubted he could be from the White Room.
But he didn't bear the name "Shinomiya" either—could he be an illegitimate child? After all, the White Room was full of them.
The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became.
Outwardly, Ayanokoji maintained perfect composure and calmness.
Normally, he wouldn't overthink like this, but his father had personally come to the school last month trying to drag him back.
Should he take precautions?
Ayanokoji glanced back at the senior students' group but quickly dismissed the idea—Class 1-D couldn't afford the cost of seeking help.
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