During lunchtime,
Class 1-A classroom.
Students either discussed their studies in low voices or focused on organizing their notes, the atmosphere concentrated and efficient.
Sakayanagi Arisu sat quietly in a back-row seat, her silver short hair falling over her shoulders, gleaming softly in the sunlight.
The first week of school had passed.
She was already well aware of the situation in Class A.
Integrating this class?
For her, Sakayanagi Arisu, it was not difficult.
With her family background, intellect, and innate ability to control,
She was confident she could forge Class A into the sharpest sword of Koudo Ikusei High School.
The elite qualities of Class A students... these were all usable pawns.
However, that 'legendary First Year'—Sakamoto—who loomed over Class A like a shadow,
Had become the biggest variable in her plan.
He disrupted all the preset rhythms.
He had no intention of leading, yet he unconsciously became the focus of everyone's attention.
He was a lone wolf, yet he carved an indelible mark in everyone's hearts with his bewildering actions and absolute strength.
Her, Sakayanagi Arisu's, actions in the class paled in comparison to Sakamoto.
He didn't need to do anything deliberately; his mere existence was enough to make the entire Class A revolve around him.
This feeling,
Caused Sakayanagi a subtle, inexplicable irritation.
She needed a breakthrough.
She needed to understand Sakamoto's weakness, needed to find a way to pry open his isolated peak.
Thus, she employed that pawn from Class C—Ryuuen Kakeru.
That guy who was loitering outside the Class A classroom at the beginning of the school year.
She had initially thought Ryuuen was just a slightly clever brute who could be easily controlled, and that a bit of information about 'class points' as bait would make him obediently go and test Sakamoto.
However, Ryuuen's performance greatly exceeded her expectations.
This guy, not only was he not controlled by her methods,
But in just one short week, he had integrated the entire Class C with an iron fist.
That chaotic, undisciplined class, under his control, subtly revealed a dangerous cohesion.
What surprised her even more was that Ryuuen seemed... not content with merely being a 'scout'.
He had his own ambitions and calculations, even showing signs of subtly deviating from the plan.
This pawn... was a bit thorny.
However, a pawn is a pawn after all.
As long as he could still bring valuable information.
Her phone in her pocket vibrated slightly.
Sakayanagi Arisu elegantly took out her phone, the screen lit up,
A short message from Ryuuen Kakeru appeared:
[I have information.]
She put away her phone and slowly stood up.
Her silver short hair swayed gently with her movement.
She picked up the exquisite cane leaning against the table, silently walked through the classroom, and headed towards the door.
Her figure disappeared at the classroom door, without attracting much attention.
The elites of Class A were already accustomed to the independent style of this silver-haired young lady.
Sakayanagi Arisu, leaning on her cane, walked calmly down the slightly empty corridor during lunchtime.
As she reached the entrance of that familiar, dimly lit corridor,
A tall figure was already waiting there.
Ryuuen Kakeru.
He stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the cold wall, his gaze penetrating the dimly lit corridor, accurately falling on Sakayanagi Arisu.
A smirk of 'everything is under control' hung on his lips.
Sakayanagi Arisu's steps did not falter; she walked directly to a few steps in front of Ryuuen and stopped, leaning on her cane.
"So, the great leader of Class C, Ryuuen-kun."
Sakayanagi Arisu's voice was soft and pleasant to the ear,
"A week has passed, and it seems you've had quite a fruitful harvest?" Ryuuen Kakeru scoffed, pushing himself off the wall and leaning slightly forward, his presence utterly imposing:
"Sakayanagi Arisu, are you still going to speak to me in such a condescending tone?"
The curve of his lips deepened, and his eyes held undisguised provocation.
"Don't you know what Class A has become? Sakamoto has probably already ridden over your head, hasn't he?"
Sakayanagi Arisu's fingertips tightened on her cane for a moment.
Ryuuen's words were filled with contempt and schadenfreude.
"That's why I need the information you've collected, Ryuuen-kun."
"It seems you really did get something... that made you lose your composure?"
"Lose my composure?"
Ryuuen shook his head as if he had heard a joke.
"I'm just stating facts. However..."
He changed the subject, lowering his voice a few notches.
"Regarding Sakamoto, I did dig up something interesting."
"Oh? I'm eager to hear the details."
"Do you know Sakamoto has been working part-time at a cafe recently?" Ryuuen asked directly.
Sakayanagi Arisu chuckled disdainfully:
"Heh, it would be strange if I didn't know. Most of the First Year students have already witnessed his 'graceful' figure there."
Ryuuen was unfazed by Sakayanagi's disdain. He shrugged and continued:
"He 'bought' that job with his private points. The purpose... isn't very clear, but he's probably trying to figure out the school's rules again?"
Sakayanagi Arisu's expression didn't change in the slightest:
"Ryuuen-kun, this information... doesn't seem that important. I believe anyone with a brain could deduce it."
"Alright, then I'll tell you something you probably can't deduce."
He leaned forward again, lowering his voice even further.
"Sakamoto, his gaze seems to be beyond Class A now. He's already cultivated his own base in other classes."
Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes narrowed instantly.
Sakamoto... planted people in other classes? That's unlikely.
With his solitary demeanor, as if he disdained social interaction, he couldn't possibly do such a thing.
But if Ryuuen dared to say it, he must have some basis.
"Oh?"
"Then, who is that person he planted in Class C?"
Ryuuen Kakeru's eyes held a hint of playfulness:
"No comment."
He said decisively.
"A spy appearing in Class C is an internal matter for our Class C; it's none of your business as someone from Class A."
Ryuuen's smug, deliberately teasing attitude made a surge of anger rise in her heart.
In the depths of her eyes, a cold glint almost overflowed.
"Hmph."
Ryuuen seemed to enjoy Sakayanagi's suppressed anger at that moment. He chuckled lightly and slowly added:
"Don't be so impatient, Sakayanagi Arisu. I'm not finished yet."
He paused, his gaze fixed on Sakayanagi.
"Sakamoto... has also cultivated subordinates in Class A who act for him."
"Who is it?" Sakayanagi Arisu's voice suddenly turned cold.
Ryuuen Kakeru's smile instantly became sinister. He stared into Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes and, enunciating each word clearly, uttered the name:
"Kamuro Masumi."
"That purple-haired girl who follows him around like a shadow all day, staring at him in the cafe... she's probably Sakamoto's dog by now."