Kiyotaka POV
Just another peaceful morning on the winter. Recently, I've defeated Ryuuen and make him drops out of school. But thankfully I managed to stop him.
It would be troublesome if other class suspects X beats Ryuuen.
I was just now chilling on a bench in the morning. Doing nothing at all while waiting for a person to come
???: "don't go around calling someone this early in the morning."
it was none other than Ryuuen Kakeru.
Kiyo: "you came."
Ryuuen: "whatever."
He proceeds to sit beside me
Kiyo: "I'm impressed you decided to stay after all."
Ryuuen: "you happy that you prevented me from dropping out?"
Kiyo: "who knows?"
Ryuuen: "you know what? you're wasting too much time. Get to business already."
Kiyo: "Regarding the rooftop incident back then, I was thinking I'd like to add something".
Ryuuen: "Add?".
What are you thinking of now, is what Ryuuen is probably thinking. Especially if I'm going to analyze his defeat, it's certainly not something that would be pleasant for him. However, it is vital that I explain to him the parts he missed while conveying the facts to him.
Kiyo: "That place was where the decisive judgement occurred, Ryuuen. Probably, if you had been alone there, even now you'd be obsessing over the rooftop incident and you might have been able to fight me again".
But, Ibuki, Ishizaki and also Albert were also there at that place with him. It is also a fact that this was one of the main factors that caused Ryuuen to hasten his decision.
If the situation had aggravated, the riskiness rises proportionately. In the worst case scenario, there is the possibility that it won't end with the responsibility being shoved onto Ryuuen alone. Not just that instance, he made his surrender after seeing ahead of that. It was a hand worth playing. Of course, I manipulated him into doing that but as far as living up to expectations go, Ryuuen has high potential.
Ryuuen: "Truly, you're a bastard who's screwing around, I'm amazed at the lengths you go to in taking that attitude of condescension towards your opponents. I thought doing that was my specialty but when you do it like that, I'm going out of business".
Kiyo: "I was only telling you the truth".
Ryuuen: "I don't even have to think about how saying that benefits you. It means it has something to do with the fact that you even used Ishizaki and the others to stop me from dropping out, right?".
I had expected him to catch on if I properly carried the flow of the conversation but it seems like the prospects of that are dim.
Ryuuen: "You and your craftiness. Do you think I'll still make a move?".
Kiyo: "Move? What do you mean?".
Ryuuen: "Don't play dumb. I'm talking about you trying to make me strike at other classes. If not, there's no reason to keep me around in this school".
If I don't use Ryuuen, his existence will be nothing more than an impediment. He chose to drop out on his own so if I had left him to his own devices that would have been the end of it, it's easy to think that.
Kiyo: "Is your motivation not coming back? Aren't you the type of man who enjoys conflict?".
Ryuuen: "Even if I crush Class B or Class A, as long as you remain, there's no meaning to any of it".
There's no meaning. That's quite a definitive statement.
Kiyo: "What? Has your spirit been broken that much by just one defeat?".
Ryuuen: "then shall we test it right here and now?"
Kiyo: "I've said too much."
Silence then fell upon us.
Kiyo: "We've already settled the score between us. From now on, I won't bring up the incident on that rooftop. I promise you this is the last time. Now on top of that, let's talk".
Of course, Ryuuen won't believe mere verbal promises. At the very most, this is just being done pro forma, words meant to console him.
Ryuuen: "Suspicious. Even if we continue this conversation, it's pointless. I doubt anything beneficial to me can come from this, I'll be taking my leave".
Perhaps his discomfort index has risen, but he moves to leave.
Kiyo: "Not necessarily".
I stopped Ryuuen, who made a move to get up. The act of attempting to leave too, looking at it from Ryuuen's perspective, may be a strategy meant to draw out my words.
It was precisely because he had thought something was up that he left the dorm this early in the morning. He probably had no intention of going back empty-handed in the first place.
Then, without looking at me, Ryuuen sat back down.
Kiyo: "You're free to interpret what I'm about to say in any way you like. However, from now on, don't you think it'll be boring if simple battles continue on endlessly?".
Towards me, who kept on continuing with the riddle-like questions, Ryuuen seemed frustrated but immediately replied.
Ryuuen: "Simple battles, you say?".
Kiyo: "Class D beats Class C, then beats Class B and finally beats Class A. Then joyously, Horikita and the others become Class A. For a story outline, it seems like the popular, easy way out. But, what I'm saying is that we don't need to be hung up on such patterns".
I paused a little before continuing.
Kiyo: "on the third semester, class A will begin its attack on class B."
Ryuuen: "hoh? how credible is that information?"
Kiyo: "50-50"
Ryuuen: "If this is reliable information, then it can be said to be a good chance. But, I thought you Class D guys have a non-aggression pact with Class B. It's good and all to strike at Class A but while you do that, Class B will be crushed. Ichinose cannot possibly beat Sakayanagi, you know".
Kiyo: "I don't care about who wins and who loses. I don't plan on getting involved".
Ryuuen: "So you're just going to let her fall without helping?".
Kiyo: "If she destroys Ichinose for me, it saves me the trouble. Class D may be able to rise up to Class A without effort. And besides, if it's Sakayanagi, she may be able to expel some of them. It's about time I learned what sort of penalties will occur if an expulsion were to happen".
Ryuuen: "There's a lot I don't like about this. You don't have any ambition to aim for the upper classes. Aren't you acting under the mentality of not wanting to stand out?".
Kiyo: "That is true. However, there's no inconvenience for me if my surroundings were to act on their own. If we can automatically rise up to Class A, I don't think that's a bad deal".
By surroundings, of course I mean Class A and Class B. And also Ryuuen.
Ryuuen: "So you'll just be observing without doing anything?".
Kiyo: "There's a problem I need to clean up. There's still a troublesome existence left in our class".
Ryuuen: "Kikyo huh?"
Kiyo: "she's a troublesome one. But interestingly enough, you might've not known about this."
Ryuuen: "what is it?"
Kiyo: "Tatsuya already taken care of her."
Ryuuen; "that silver freak? what does that greedy bastard gain for taking care of her?"
Kiyo: "there are a lot of merits of getting Kushida under him. But..."
Ryuuen: "but?"
Kiyo: "Kushida is not someone who keeps her word. Sooner or later, she'll betray Tatsuya again."
Ryuuen: "again?"
Kiyo: "she's actually his pawn since the midterms."
Ryuuen: "that long? then that foolish woman is brave enough to betray him."
Kiyo: "but interestingly enough, he didn't even do anything despite knowing that Kushida betrays him."
Ryuuen: "so that's why you're the one who makes the move to stop her?"
Kiyo: "he actually challenges me to stop Kushida. That's why I need to stay vigilant to both of them."
Kushida's betrayal, and Tatsuya's challenge for me to stop them.
There is no guarantee if those two events will entirely stop.
That's why there is nothing wrong of setting up some plans.
Kiyo: "by the way Ryuuen, your strategy of keeping points sure are interesting."
Ryuuen: "eavesdropping is not an admirable quality."
Kiyo: "but to think someone like you thought of that ridiculous plan amuses me to be honest."
Ryuuen; "heh, its just a little fantasy created by me. There is no guarantee it will suceed."
Kiyo: "for someone who rules with violence, you really cared about your classmates."
Ryuuen: "interpret it however you want."
Kiyo: "you're such a tsundere, dragon boy."
Suddenly, Ryuuen went up from his seat and delivers a kick that went straight on to my face but I just dodged it by jumping backwards.
Ryuuen: "you asshole. That time you could've stopped me from getting to Sakayanagi right?"
Kiyo: "there is no point of doing that."
Ryuuen: "whatever. By the way, Ayanokoji. In your initial invitation, you say that Shiba and another person will also come. Where are those guys now?"
Kiyo: "its about time."
And shortly after, 2 figures appeared before us. Shiba Tatsuya and the unexpected visitor.
Tatsuya: "yo"
Tatsuya POV
Tatsuya: "yo."
Ryuuen: "kukuku, how unexpected."
now this is interesting. Ryuuen didn't spill my identity infront of the person beside me.
Kiyo: "I'm sorry it had to be this early in the morning".
Manabu: "I don't mind. This is a good time for a clandestine meeting. Your location of choice isn't bad either".
It was none other then Horikita Manabu. The person beside me.
Ryuuen: "You seem pretty close to the former student council president. Was Suzune also useful?".
Manabu: "I had thought you'd be alone, Ayanokouji. To think Ryuuen would be accompanying you".
Kiyo: "Then, I'll be continuing with what I have to say under the assumption that Ryuuen Kakeru is also a cooperator. If we go about it leisurely, there's no telling who will spot us after all".
Ryuuen: "Wait a minute. Who are you calling a cooperator?".
Kiyo: "At the very least I can guarantee that he's not an external enemy".
Manabu: "Ayanokouji, when you requested help from me a while back, do you remember the promise you made to me?".
Kiyo: "Yeah. It's about helping you stop Nagumo Miyabi, right?".
Ryuuen: "Nagumo? You mean the new student council president?".
it seems Kiyotaka also called Ryuuen so he could hear Horikita senpai's story.
If me, Kiyotaka, and Ryuuen would team up against Nagumo, his defeat will be inevitable.
That's indeed the situation that everyone here is hoping.
But such things will never happen.
Tatsuya: "It seems he doesn't like the way Nagumo is doing things".
Ryuuen: "I see. So you're contriving to use Ayanokouji and Shiba to stop Nagumo, huh? It's a famous gossip that the 2nd years are all dominated by that man after all. To deal with him, there's no other option but to use the 1st years. Tell me something, Horikita. Since when did you start eyeing both of these guys?".
Manabu: "Right after they enrolled. On the other hand, it seems you've had quite the hard time finding them".
It probably wasn't in retaliation, but in response to Ryuuen, the older Horikita simply answered indifferently like that.
Ryuuen: "Kuku. It's because I'm the type who takes his time enjoying the process".
Manabu: "For all that, you sure got beaten considerably well".
Tatsuya: "he roasted you real hard, Ryuuen."
Ryuuen: "If you think my skills are lacking then, would you care to test them out right here?".
'Even though I'm injured, I can still take you down', Ryuuen provoked him in that spirit.
Manabu: "I'll have to decline. I have no interest in such things".
The older Horikita responds calmly.
Ryuuen: "Kuku. I knew you wouldn't take me up on it".
As soon as he said that, a punch went straight to Horikita senpai's face.
But before the punch connects, Horikita senpai just grabs his hand.
Ryuuen: "I thought you were just an intelligent bastard who only has his craftiness, but you're quite good aren't you?".
Manabu: "I believe I told you I'll decline".
Ryuuen: "What's the matter? If you dislike it you're free to attack me anytime. Or could it be, you can't fight back against a 1st year?".
Manabu: "It seems like you guys gotten yourself quite a reliable friend".
Tatsuya: "that's how it is."
and with that, Horikita senpai released Ryuuen's hand.
Ryuuen: "Well, that's fine. I'll evaluate you as a man who can get things done to an extent. Horikita-'senpai'".
It's not like it couldn't be taken as sarcasm, but Ryuuen added an honorific.
Manabu: "Likewise. You're not fit for the student council but I am giving you a certain amount of valuation".
Ryuuen: "I'm very happy to be praised by the former student council president"
Manabu: "Now what I want both of you to do is to protect and maintain order in this school. You can use any means necessary for that. You can remove the student council president Nagumo Miyabi from his throne, or get him exposed in committing a careless action, or just obstruct him, you can choose whatever method is easier to carry out. Once the 3rd semester begins, Nagumo's real power will strengthen and he'll begin to take action in earnest".
Ryuuen: "In detail, how is it going to change? Are you saying the student council has such influence?".
Manabu: "Of course, the student council is not omnipotent. However, unlike other schools where the student council is just for decoration, it is also a fact that a certain amount of influence is given to this student council. At present, whenever problems occur at school, the student council takes center stage and resolves it. All three of you should be aware of that".
During Sudou's assault case too, the ones who presided over the case weren't the faculty but rather the student council headed by the older Horikita.
Manabu: "And also, the student council has the authority to think about and decide on parts of the special exams too. This year, a survival exam took place on an uninhabited island for the 1st years, but that was something the previous student council thought up being made reality".
In other words, in the special exams, Nagumo can create something entirely different from what we've encountered until now, such a possibility exists, huh? it seems becoming the vice president is quite handy.
Ryuuen: "He's trying to make the shitty, boring school life you guys have constructed into an interesting one, right? You should welcome it".
Manabu: "If it's the right way, that is. However, up until now, Nagumo has used methods that have led many students to expulsion. As a matter of fact, amongst the 2nd years up until today, there have been 17 students who have gotten expelled. According to the pre-expulsion interviews, even though you may already know it, more than half of them had Nagumo involved".
Ryuuen: "I see. So he's even more rutheless than that silver bastard."
Manabu: "Taurus Silver is someone who takes points. While Nagumo expels them immediately whils taking their points. But of course, not as direct as Taurus Silver."
If Nagumo uses the same methods as I am, he will be catched by the school immediately. He can't crack the gps fucntion after all.
Kiyo: "If he gets that many people expelled, I don't imagine it'll be hard for him to rule over an entire school year".
Ryuuen: "oh? is the mighty X sama cowering in fear now? kukuku."
as if he found an opening, he tries to humiliate Kiyotaka.
Kiyo: "not at all. Its just hard to imagine why the other classes even wants to cooperate with him."
Ryuuen: "then that's obvious. The 2nd years are small fries who can't fight. Look at them getting controlled by Nagumo."
Manabu: "although I don't like your way of saying it but you're right. The 2nd years are no match against Nagumo. Only the first years can do it as the third years is close to graduation."
Ryuuen: "And by the way, isn't Nagumo just being rational? Those 17 students were just worthless people and that's why they got crushed, right?".
Manabu: "The ones who break the rules will be expelled. That is natural. However, guiding everyone to graduation without losing a single person. Isn't that what an ideal leader is all about?".
Ryuuen: "So is Horikita-senpai-sama trying to tell us he hasn't expelled anyone?".
Manabu: "I was only talking about the ideal. At the very least, at this current stage, no one from amongst the 1st years have been expelled. To pursue that ideal is not a bad thing, right?".
Tatsuya: "for someone on your caliber, I never thought you have the same ideal as Ichinose, senpai."
Ryuuen: "kukuku, that's rude, Shiba. To insult your secretary like that.
Manabu: "while she and I think alike, she pursue that ideal, while I just admired it. That's our difference."
Ryuuen: "and that ideal will be her downfall. I can already imagine Nagumo would try to make her his tool and exploit her naivety."
Tatsuya: "at that time, I will be the one who stop him."
as if I'm going to let something like that happen.
Ryuuen: "kukuku, so the vice president is trying to fight the president over the secretary? now that's an ideal plot for a movie."
Tatsuya: "whatever."
Kiyo: "I would like to make a statement."
Manabu: "what is it?"
Kiyo: "while that ideal of yours is clearly the perfect situation, I can assure you all three of us is not the one who pursue that kind of ideal."
Tatsuya: "so he says, senpai. Not everyone is as kind as Ichinose."
Manabu: "Of course, I have no intention of desiring that much from you. If you guys can stop Nagumo's rampage, that's good enough".
Tatsuya: "I'll do what I can."
Ryuuen: "what are you going to do? steal all of his points? kukuku."
Tatsuya: "what do you mean?"
Ryuuen: "nothing."
After hearing Ryuuen's hint. The older Horikita has an interested look as if he deduced something.
Did he find out about my identity?
Ryuuen: "I'll take my leave now. Thanks for making this morning interesting, kukuku."
With that, Ryuuen just left the meeting place.
Manabu: "Ayanokouji, the reason you let Ryuuen hear all this, is to turn him into an ally?".
Kiyo: "That's not entirely wrong but......if I had to say, the goal was more so I could remove myself from being a target of his interest".
Tatsuya: "In any case, from now on an understanding friend will also become necessary to you too. In that sense, someone who's gone for a bout with you like Ryuuen may be a good fit".
Kiyo: "Friend, huh?".
Silence occured before Kiyotaka continue speaking.
Kiyo: "back to the topic. I barely have any information on the senior students unlike Tatsuya. Can I rely on you to offer me that?"
Manabu: "Of course. I've already completed the preparations for that".
Saying that, the older Horikita took out his phone. When I gave him my number, a message immediately arrived. As I scanned through the message, I received an explanation from the older Horikita.
Manabu: "From amongst the members of the student council, I'll tell you the ones you should keep an eye on other than Nagumo himself. One of them is Kiriyama Ikuto from 2-B. Then the Secretary Mizowaki. And then one other, Secretary Tonokawa. Both of these secretaries were former students of Class B who went through thick and thin together with Nagumo and some of the few people capable of offering Nagumo suggestions. Then now, the remaining members".
The names that spoken by Horikita senpai is clearly toroublesome.
Manabu: "The only ones who would know about Nagumo's actions and his character in detail are in all likelihood, students from the same school year as him. Even though we're connected through the student council, it's not like I know everything about Nagumo either".
Normally, in order to destroy Nagumo, further information would be vitally required. What kind of character he possesses, what kind of strategy he prefers. It's necessary to grasp such things.
Kiyo: "And since those vital 2nd years are also under Nagumo's thumb, that also seems difficult".
Manabu: "Exactly......however, there are students amongst the 2nd years who even now, oppose Nagumo".
Tatsuya: "its Kiriyama Ikuto, isn't it?"
Kiyo: "its my speculation too."
Manabu: "Unfortunately, I cannot tell you yet at this stage. It's because I cannot guarantee the safety of that student if their connection to me were to be discovered by Nagumo".
Kiyo: "They'll be branded a traitor and eliminated......there's a possibility of them getting expelled, is what you're saying?".
Manabu: "I may be able to protect them while I'm still enrolled, but once I graduate, that protection is gone. And I doubt they can hold on until Shiba becomes the president".
Tatsuya: "You intend on doing something to bring us and that 2nd year student into contact, aren't you?".
Manabu: "If you're up for it, I'd like to name you guys as a student from amongst the 1st years capable of taking action".
He inhaled a deep breath before continuing.
Manabu: "what action you guys wanted to use is none of my business. You guys can also use Suzune if its necessary."
Kiyo: "fine. You can tell this 2nd year about us."
Manabu: "thanks."
Kiyo: "Do you know what I'm thinking?".
Manabu: "What happens after I graduate, something like that?"
Kiyo: "exactly."
Manabu: : "I didn't expect you to broach the topic yourself. Did you think it more problematic to keep quiet about it?".
Kiyo: "It's because I couldn't see through you and it felt eerie".
Manabu: "Ultimately, I don't mind even if your cooperation only lasts until my graduation. If by then, the minds of the enrolled students have not changed, then it just means that's it for this school, that's how it is".
Kiyo: "The problem might come before that, you know? What if I cannot stand up to Nagumo?".
Manabu: "I wouldn't charge someone I believe to be incapable of doing so with something so important".
Tatsuya: "that's how is it, Kiyotaka."
Kiyo: "fine. we'll do our best. But don't expect us to produce results before you graduate."
Manabu: "no worries."
With that, Horikita senpai left the place.
Kiyotaka POV
Tatsuya: "what do you think?"
Kiyo: "Nagumo's ideal huh? he's clearly a troublesome one. As for now, we have no chance of expelling him. Even if we try to search for evidence and drag him out, I doubt he will act that carelessly."
Tatsuya: "so our best option is to defeat him in a special exam. Correct?"
Kiyo: "exactly. With him as the president and that meritocracy ideal of his, he will surely create an exam where expulsion is the risk for the loser."
Tatsuya: "at that time, we'll just have to destroy him."
The day Horikita senpai makes a deal with us, his fate of being defeated is inevitable.
I'll give him a taste of what X is really capable of.
Yes. This is the First Step towards his destruction.
To Be Continued
Hi BigFrog Here, I Hope you enjoy the chapter xD
A/N
A not so long chapter
I make some changes so it didn't follow the LN 100%
The real vacation original chapter is the next chapter.
Class points at december
Class A-1195(Arisu)
Class B-960(Honami)
Class C-740(Ryuuen)
Class D-690(Suzune)
Events on volume 7,5 before this already happened offscreen.
Tatsuya and Ayano will begin their fight against Nagumo.
Sorry if it had an uncomfortable pace and boring
Feel free to critisize the chapter!
Published date: 14-10-2021