Sakayanagi Arisu walked ahead with her usual unhurried grace, cane tapping lightly against the floor. Silver hair, cut short, gleamed like cold steel beneath the dim corridor lights.
Behind her, Ryuuen Kakeru followed—tall, broad-shouldered, and radiating an oppressive presence. Their footsteps echoed through the main building as they slipped into a deserted wing where few students ever passed.
Dust scented the air. A high transom window let in slanted beams of late-afternoon sunlight, illuminating drifting motes like drifting sparks.
Sakayanagi halted in the center of an unused classroom. She turned with the elegance of a performer taking center stage, her eyes calmly fixed on Ryuuen.
"It's quiet enough here, Student Ryuuen."
Her smile was small and pleasant, but her voice held a thin, razor-like undertone.
"Let me introduce myself again—Sakayanagi Arisu, Class 1-A."
"Hmph. Ryuuen Kakeru, Class C."
His hands stayed buried in his pockets, chin raised, eyes sharp and predatory as he scanned her without restraint.
"So? Enough formalities. You want to go after Sakamoto? How exactly? And what do you want from me?"
He didn't buy for a second that someone from Class A would approach a self-admitted "problem element" like him without a reason.
Sakayanagi didn't seem bothered by his bluntness. She lightly traced the polished head of her cane, gaze drifting toward the window as though admiring scenery only she could see.
"Sakamoto-kun is like a single pebble tossed into a still pond," she murmured.
"In a mere two days, the ripples have spread across the entire school. Class 1-A is no exception. While some in my class may pretend indifference or accuse him of grandstanding… against that peculiar charm of his, that unshakeable poise—such indifference is bound to crumble."
Her eyes returned to Ryuuen, calm and clinical.
"And once the crowd turns in his favor, attempting to shake his status will be… difficult, to say the least."
"So?" Ryuuen's brows drew together, irritation rising.
"You want me to help you beat him up? That guy slips out of everything. Violence, petty stunts—they bounce right off him."
He admitted the cafeteria loss without flinching, his voice even carrying a mocking edge.
"But since you came looking for me, you must have something smarter in mind."
"Student Ryuuen is as perceptive as rumored."
Sakayanagi inclined her head with the faintest approval, though her smile held no warmth.
"That is why I sought you out. Since superficial tactics fail, we must probe deeper—touch his bottom line, draw out his weaknesses, and reveal the true nature beneath that flawless façade."
"Probe, huh?"
Ryuuen's eyes narrowed, intrigued despite himself. His guard rose even higher.
Sakayanagi did not answer. Instead, she tilted her head, silver hair shifting like a curtain of light.
"You reject violence. Very well. Then… what non-violent methods would you use to test him? I am quite interested in hearing your ideas."
A classic reverse play—Ryuuen recognized it immediately.
She wanted him to reveal his hand first.
He smirked coldly.
Nice try, he thought. I'm not that easy.
Still, after scrutinizing her for a long beat, he spoke, voice low and confident:
"Hmph. There are ways. For example—create situations where he's forced to break rules or expose his true priorities. Pit him against inter-class pressure to see how he weighs group benefit versus his personal code. Or confront him with pure malice—something he can't sidestep elegantly—and watch how he reacts."
"Oh?"
A soft note of interest slipped from Sakayanagi's lips.
"Student Ryuuen's thinking is admirably focused. Truly… constructive."
"So?" Ryuuen stepped closer, gaze blazing.
"You've heard my ideas. How do we cooperate? Listening isn't enough. Show me your sincerity."
"Of course," Sakayanagi said, smiling as though she had been waiting for this line.
"This is no one-sided transaction."
Sakayanagi's smile didn't waver.
"Since this is a collaboration, I will naturally provide appropriate compensation."
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial murmur.
"For example… information on the S System. Your Class C—more precisely, you—are still in the exploratory phase regarding its mechanisms, correct?"
Ryuuen's eyes sharpened instantly.
The S System—this school's bizarre, opaque structure he'd been unable to fully decipher.
He kept his expression steady, voice deceptively calm.
"Oh? And what information do you have?"
"The value of information must be met with equal value," Sakayanagi replied smoothly.
She straightened, her posture once again that of a strategist surveying the board.
"My suggestion is simple—purchase it with points."
Ryuuen raised a brow. That was unexpected.
"Purchase?"
"Of course."
Sakayanagi nodded as if explaining something basic.
"At Koudo Ikusei High School, points can buy anything. Information is no exception. Perfectly reasonable… and perfectly within school rules."
A sly curve tugged at her lips.
"To ensure fairness and legitimacy, we should have a teacher witness the transaction. That way, both of us are protected."
Ryuuen's mind spun.
Buying information with points—on the surface, absolutely clean. A legitimate student-to-student transaction.
But he could see right through her intention.
Still… this was a convenient cover. And the chance to present himself before teachers as a calculating, intelligent representative of Class C—one who makes strategic deals rather than relying on violence—would considerably strengthen his authority. Exactly what he needed to secure dominance over Class C through control, not fists.
"Fine."
He nodded, calculation flashing in his gaze.
"But what's the price? And how do I know the information is worth anything? Don't think you can trick me."
"Rest assured, Student Ryuuen."
Sakayanagi's smile took on a faintly theatrical sincerity.
"To prove my authenticity—and my goodwill—I will reveal part of the basic mechanism of S Points in front of the teachers."
She paused, watching the slight shift in his expression before continuing:
"As for the core, high-value information… that will require payment. We can negotiate the price at that time, depending on complexity and relevance."
Ryuuen understood instantly.
Information tiering—she would reveal basic details to prove her credibility, while keeping the real secrets locked behind a price tag. A perfect way to maintain leverage.
This woman… truly had depth.
As expected of someone from the same class as Sakamoto—someone who had observed him up close.
But that only made the game more entertaining.
"Hmph. Fine."
His lips curled.
"Consider the first reveal a welcome gift. I'll buy the rest. But if the information isn't worth the price, I walk away. Clear?"
"Crystal clear."
Sakayanagi inclined her head.
"Then, shall we invite Mashima-sensei from Class A and Sakagami-sensei from Class C to serve as witnesses? It will demonstrate that the representatives of our classes are actively engaging in… constructive information exchange."
"Alright."
Ryuuen agreed without hesitation.
"But you'd better pray the information is real."
"You need not worry."
Her smile deepened—subtle, polished, dangerous.
"In front of the teachers, I will make sure to show something substantial. However…"
She trailed off, slipping her hand into her pocket.
Under Ryuuen's narrowed gaze, she pulled out her phone and tapped her screen before turning it toward him.
The red indicator glowed.
*Recording in progress.*
The timer had been running for nearly ten minutes.
"Heh."
Ryuuen chuckled, amusement sparking in his eyes—no panic, only a knowing, mocking delight.
"A recording? Sakayanagi-san, you're almost… cute in your caution."
His tone was light, even admiring.
"What is it? Afraid I'll back out? Or worried I'll twist the story afterward?"
He crossed his arms, relaxed, as though watching a curious animal perform an unexpected trick.
Sakayanagi raised a hand lightly.
"Don't move, Student Ryuuen."
Sakayanagi's voice dropped to an icy tone, her cane tapping the floor with a crisp, warning note.
"This recording has already been uploaded to the cloud in real-time. More importantly…"
She paused deliberately, the faint curve of her lips cold and sharp.
"What do you think is the key point of this recording?"
Ryuuen shrugged, his expression deceptively casual.
"The key point? Of course, it's how I, Ryuuen Kakeru, 'devised' ways to handle Sakamoto. And you, Sakayanagi-san, were merely a 'keen observer,' right?"
Sakayanagi's eyes glinted.
"This is called risk transfer, Student Ryuuen."
She put away her phone, regaining her composed, elegant demeanor.
"I only proposed the concept of 'possibility.' It was you—Ryuuen Kakeru—who actively designed and refined the probing methods, even including tactics that might cross the line of school rules. This recording perfectly captures your… intense curiosity and unique insights regarding the exemplary Class A student, Sakamoto-kun."
"And the S-points information you promised?" Ryuuen prompted, voice even.
Sakayanagi's smile deepened, faintly tinged with pity.
"That was merely a response to your eagerness to learn, a demonstration of 'positive interaction' between our classes. Who would suspect a Class A student is sharing a little public information with Class C? And shortly, we will find teachers to witness this interaction anyway."
Ryuuen's grin widened, almost feral.
"Tsk tsk tsk… Sakayanagi, your 'borrowed knife to kill' tactic is truly impressive. You have me speak your thoughts, and in the end, you come out clean!"
He didn't look angry. On the contrary, his eyes shone with excitement—a predatory thrill.
"However…" His voice dropped, heavy and chilling as he stepped closer. His tall frame cast a shadow over Sakayanagi, and his presence pressed forward like a physical force.
"You seem to have misunderstood something."
"This recording means nothing to me, Sakayanagi."
Her gaze sharpened imperceptibly.
"You think you can control me with a petty trick? You underestimate me too much."
Ryuuen's voice gained a sharp edge, almost a growl:
"You want to play… and I will play to the end. Listen carefully—my goal has never been just Sakamoto!"
He raised a finger, pointing at her with deliberate slowness. Each word landed like a hammer:
"You, Sakayanagi Arisu, the so-called 'Class A traitor' who extended an olive branch to me… along with your entire Class A…"
He let the weight of the words hang, then finished:
"…are all steps for me to trample underfoot!"
"This recording?" He smirked. "Keep it. It will only remind me that Class A is full of schemers. Once Class C is consolidated and Sakamoto crushed… you're next."
Without waiting for her reaction, Ryuuen turned sharply and strode toward the corridor exit, his posture straight, exuding arrogance and calculated dominance.
Sakayanagi remained, observing his retreating form. Her lips curved in a subtle, knowing smile.
"Interesting…" she murmured, tapping her cane lightly.
"This fellow from Class C is… more intriguing than expected. The bigger the stage, the more spectacular the show."
Leaning on her cane, she left the corridor with her usual composed elegance.
Behind a corner, Kamuro Masumi pressed herself against the cold wall, her purple eyes wide. She had followed silently, catching only fragments, yet the picture was terrifyingly clear.
Sakayanagi Arisu had been scheming to manipulate not just her classmates but students from other classes, targeting Sakamoto. And Ryuuen from Class C… he wasn't afraid. Not only was he arrogant, he openly declared he would trample Sakayanagi and all of Class A underfoot.
Kamuro's heart pounded. Should she warn him? Sakamoto… could he resist such layered schemes? If she intervened, would she be drawn into the storm?
She hesitated, biting her lower lip, and silently melted back into the shadows. Only her hesitant silhouette remained behind.
The web of ambition, schemes, and invisible traps was tightening. And at its center, elegant and oblivious, Sakamoto had now arrived outside the Student Council office.