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Akira knew Sakayanagi's character all too well—this genius girl, who claimed to be above all others, inherently couldn't tolerate anyone above her. This almost pathological arrogance was perhaps a common trait among geniuses.
And that Katsuragi...
From his assertive intervention in the conversation at this moment, it was clear that he was also unwilling to be subordinate to Sakayanagi.
His taut jawline and deliberately straightened back all indicated that he was an equally strong character.
When two strong leaders are together, one must be hurt.
Akira seemed to already foresee the storm that was about to erupt in Class A.
But then again, Akira actually wanted to cheer for Katsuragi.
As for the reason.
"After all, he's bald!" Akira looked at the somewhat reflective head on the surveillance screen and couldn't help but complain.
The other party had alopecia. It wasn't that he became bald later in life.
Otherwise, Akira would really suspect if the other party was a real-life version of Saitama.
"It seems collecting class fees from Class A shouldn't be a problem."
After confirming the key information, Akira decisively closed Class A's surveillance footage.
As for the remaining Class B and Class D, he casually pulled up their surveillance.
These two classes had long been dismissed, with only a few scattered students left in the classrooms, completely unlike Class C and Class A, which were holding formal class meetings.
"...Does Class B have other talented individuals?"
While observing Class B, he unexpectedly discovered that Ichinose wasn't the only popular person in the class—several people were gathered around a student named Kanzaki, chatting happily, while others surrounded a handsome boy. Unfortunately, no one called out the boy's name, so Akira had no way of knowing his identity.
"Wait... this should count as me monitoring others, right...?"
This feeling of being able to openly peer into all the first-year classrooms, enjoying 4K high-definition quality, freely dragging the progress bar, and capturing everyone's subtle expressions with a click of the mouse—how should I put it? It was quite peculiar.
It was probably like that line from his previous life—I will keep watching you.
However, soon, the eye strain from staring at the screen for a long time made this novelty vanish.
His self-assessment was that he still hadn't watched enough surveillance!
"For now, the main focus is still promoting surveillance rentals." He rubbed his throbbing temples. "Both Class B and Class D need to be notified."
Thinking that he'd already contacted Class C, Akira swiftly switched accounts and sent almost identical surveillance notifications to Ichinose, Kushida, and Hirata, the only difference being their names. Even the pricing was exactly the same.
Even though he was in Class D, he never intended to serve his class for free—want surveillance access? Then be prepared to pay a hefty sum of points.
"Ah, I almost forgot..." A playful smile played on his lips. "That chairman's daughter from Class A and this bald classmate also need to be notified."
Skillfully switching back to his main account, Akira copied and pasted Sakayanagi's account, which he'd already added as a friend, and began sending the same message.
"Class A must maintain this level of discipline." Katsuragi's steady voice echoed in the classroom. "According to my speculation, a special exam is very likely to be held next, and I hope everyone can utilize their strengths at that time."
He scanned the crowd and continued. "At the same time, the class will implement a reward system. The reward points will come from the class fund. We'll reward outstanding performers, such as in this final exam..."
Sakayanagi rested her chin on her hand, looking at Katsuragi's back with boredom.
'What a... utterly boring man.'
In fairness, Katsuragi was indeed excellent—outstanding academic performance, a calm and reliable personality, all of which allowed him to establish a firm footing in Class A.
For example, the policies he was currently implementing would indeed further stimulate the class's enthusiasm.
But the problem was... he was too rigid.
Rigid to the point of being tedious.
Every decision he made seemed to be copied directly from a textbook. His lower limit was high, but his upper limit was pitifully low.
To put it in terms of scores, he always hovered in the seventy to eighty point range, but never touched the ninety-point threshold.
In other words... he never gave her any surprises.
He was merely a so-called "genius" in name only.
—The limit a mortal could reach.
Sakayanagi did not dislike ordinary people. On the contrary, she occasionally appreciated the sight of those mortals struggling desperately.
It was just...
To be merely an existence that had reached the limit of a mortal, yet attempt to contend with her for the leadership of Class A, was simply too much of an eyesore.
"Sakayanagi-san... what's your opinion?"
Suddenly called upon, she elegantly turned her head, meeting Katsuragi's gaze.
On the surface, it was a question seeking an opinion, but it felt more like a notification being issued.
'This is... unpleasant.'
However, this time, she truly couldn't find a reason to refute.
These measures would indeed solidify Class A's position.
"What an excellent proposal, as expected of Katsuragi-san." Sakayanagi raised a perfect smile, but there was no warmth in her eyes.
"...Is that so?" Katsuragi frowned slightly. He admitted he harbored some ambition for power, but more than that, he hoped this classmate would prioritize Class A's interests as he did.
After all, they were already Class A, standing at the pinnacle.
What needed to be done now wasn't to conquer new territory, but to defend this city—and that was often more difficult than taking it.
Historically, many conquerors quickly fell after reaching the top, and this principle held true in class competition as well.
Katsuragi believed his mind worked faster than the average person. He understood Class A's current predicament better than anyone—seemingly glorious and limitless, but in reality, fraught with hidden dangers.
Occupying the high ground from the start could easily lead to a loss of motivation for progress.
In contrast, the other classes, precisely because of the existence of their "thorn in the eye," would continuously maintain their fighting spirit to catch up.
And the leadership, in such an environment, would often unknowingly fall into internal strife and power struggles.
'At least for the first two years, she shouldn't make a move against me.'
Katsuragi calmly analyzed the situation. Although he also longed to be the sole leader of Class A, it was clearly too early now.
Even if Sakayanagi was utterly displeased with him, the real confrontation would have to wait until the latter half of the third year—otherwise, it would only allow the other classes to reap the benefits.
He did not voice these considerations.
With that woman's intelligence, she must've already seen through this relationship of interests.
Sakayanagi's lips curved into an arc of amusement.
'I should make my move by the second semester of the first year at the latest.'
She'd always disdained considering so many class interests—if this man was an eyesore, then simply remove him.
She was confident that she alone was enough to defend Class A's throne.
Of course, theoretically, there was still a possibility that would force the two of them to cooperate...
However, this possibility was so minuscule that it could be ignored.
Until her phone screen suddenly lit up.
The friend request note contained line after line of text.
{To Sakayanagi Arisu of first-year Class A: I've long heard that your class has two leaders, the other being Katsuragi Kohei, correct?}
{To get straight to the point, I've rented two surveillance cameras in your classroom. From this moment on, every move of Class A will be under my surveillance.}
{If you wish to re-rent the surveillance access, please pay 3 million private points. By the way, I'm currently watching you through the surveillance—after receiving this message, why not smile for the camera?}
{Discuss it with Katsuragi-kun and pay the points by 7 PM tomorrow, Friday. After that, the price will increase by one hundred thousand points per hour.}
"Heh..." Sakayanagi's eyes widened slightly, a rare occurrence, but then, as if understanding something, she flashed a brilliant smile at the camera.
"Katsuragi-san." She waved, calling the bald man not far away. "It seems we've encountered... a rather interesting problem."