I waited outside the student council room until the meeting had

concluded. The students from Class C and Sakagami-sensei left first, with

Sudou following a little while later. He wore a bright, cheerful expression.

“Looks like it went well,” I said.

“Man, I don’t understand what happened, but Horikita did something

for me. Right?”

I nodded.

Sudou : Hey is it from that time .

Kiyotaka : Yeah.

Ike : Which time are you guys talking about ?

Sudou : You remember that time when I got into a fight with class C.

Ike : ohh , yeah . So this is from that time. Huh.

“I knew it. I knew she’d come through for my sake. Heh heh heh.” He

looked incredibly happy. “Well, I gotta head to my club. We should have a

party tonight.”

“Yeah.”

Shinohara : So horikita‐san saved sudou‐kun.

Class D : Horikita‐san is amazing.

The next people to exit were the student council president and

Secretary Tachibana.

“Excellent work.” I thought we’d just exchange a light greeting, but the

president stopped in his tracks to address me. “I have approved Class C’s

request to withdraw their complaint.”

“Is that so?” I said. “Well, I guess miracles do happen.”

Ryueen : Kuku , so you're calling yourself a miracle.

Sakayanagi : well he can say that.

Class D : What are they saying ?

Koenji : You defects are really pitiful.

Horikita’s brother remained still and looked me in the eyes. I couldn’t

tell what he was thinking.

“So this was all to prove that Sakura wasn’t a liar, as you said? I

suppose if Class C withdrew their complaint, then talk would spread quite

naturally. If Sudou or Sakura weren’t the liars, then Class C was.”

“Your little sister handled things well. I didn’t do anything.”

Miyamoto : Look even he admitted it that it was all horikita‐san's plan.

“If that’s your answer, then I’m impressed. Even though it’s a simple

story.” The unflappable Secretary Tachibana clapped her hands.

“Tachibana. Do you still have one seat open for secretary?”

“Yes. A first-year Class A student applied the other day, but was

rejected after the first interview."

Sakayanagi : Fufu , now I wonder who that student is.

Saying that she looks at Katsuragi. Katsuragi doesn't say anything back.

“Ayanokouji. If you wanted it, I would appoint you to the position.”

Almost everyone : WHATTT!!!!!

Ike : You were invited by the former SCP.

Katsuragi : To think you got a direct invitation from the former SCP.

Ichinose : That's really amazing, ayanokouji-kun.

Ryueen : kuku ,That crafty SCP already noticed you huh.

Matsushita : 'He was invited to join the student council by the former SCP. That really is a big deal.'

Shinohara : But I never heard anything about him being in the student council.

Okitani : Maybe he got kicked out or anything.

Miyamoto : haha , Yeah that's probably what happened.

Hondou : haha , Don't worry ayanokouji we won't make fun of you , haha.

All the idiots in class D started laughing. But no one paid any mind to them.

I was surprised, but Secretary Tachibana appeared even more shocked

than me. “S-student council president… Do you really mean that?”

“Do you disapprove?”

“N-no. If you say so, I have no objections. But…”

“Nah, I hate troublesome stuff. Besides, being in the student council is

no joke. I want to lead an ordinary student life at this school,” I replied.

Everyone : WHATTT

Kei : 'well it's something he will do.'

Nagumo : You refused senpai's offer.

He said that in a suprised tone.

Horikita : You refused nii‐san's invitation.

Kiyotaka : Yeah

Koenji : Hahaha , you rejected his offer. I am impressed ayanokouji-boy.

Ryueen : Kukuku ,That monster just refused your brothers offer , suzune.

Horikita glared at ryuuen.

Katsuragi : Why did you do that.

Shinohara : Yeah , are you stupid , why would you refuse his offer.

Kiyotaka : Why should I do something that I have no interest in. The student council might be a big deal to many students but I don't care about it and I never had any intention of joining it from the first place. So of course I would refuse . Is that too hard for you people to understand.

Class D : Yeah we understand.

Secretary Tachibana was even more shocked by my response.

“Huh? Are you refusing an invitation from the student council

president?!”

“Well, I’d just never do anything that I’m not interested in…”

I didn’t do what I didn’t want to do. Besides, there was no reason to

invite me onto the student council in the first place.

“Let’s go, Tachibana.”

“Y-yes.”

Their interest in me had apparently run out with my refusal, so they

left. A short time later, Horikita and Chabashira-sensei appeared. Chabashira-

sensei just gave me a slight glance, leaving without saying anything in

particular.

“Yo.” I raised my hand as I greeted Horikita, but was met with an

intense glare the likes of which I’d never seen from her before. She quickly

returned to her neutral expression, though.

“What were the results?” I asked.

“You’d already know, right?” she replied.

“I’m glad to hear that. Looks like your strategy worked well.”

“Hey, Ayanokouji-kun. Am I just your puppet?

Class D : Huh ? His puppet ?

Ryueen : Took you long enough to finally realize it , kukuku.

Sakayanagi : fufufu.

“My puppet? What are you talking about?”

“Ayanokouji-kun, you brought up the idea of surveillance cameras in

the classrooms. Next, you took me to the special building and made me

realize that there were no cameras. Then, you guided me to the idea ofinventing false evidence, so that we could parse the truth from lies… When I

look back on it now, that’s all I can think of.”

Class D : What ?

Onodera : Is that true horikita‐san ?

Horikita : Yes , it is.

Ike : So sudou was saved because of ayanokouji.

Sudou became a little upset after hearing about this.

Kiyotaka : No , I just only gave her the idea but she was the one who executed it.

Hearing that sudou's face lit up.

“You’re overthinking it. It’s just coincidence.”

“Who are you?”

Ryueen : Now that's a million dollar question.

“What do you mean, who am I? I’m just a guy who dislikes trouble,

right?”

I realized that I had gotten involved a little too much this time. I’d need

to reflect on that. The always-sharp Horikita probably guessed my thoughts,

to some extent.

I had to dial it back a little. I just wanted my life here to be peaceful.

“Someone who dislikes trouble. If that’s—”

As Horikita started to speak, a male student walked towards us. This

was not a conversation that we wanted overheard, so both Horikita and I fell

silent. We waited for him to pass, but the guy stopped in front of us.

It wasn’t on accident. He had black hair, styled so it was worn long. He

appeared to be around the same height as me, maybe a little taller. I glanced

at his profile and noted that he wore a wide grin. His smile looked ominous.

“Setting up a camera? You really did something funny, huh?” The boy

didn’t even turn to face us entirely as he spoke.

“And you are?” Horikita asked the mystery student, seemingly

perturbed.

“Next time, I’ll be your opponent. I look forward to it.”

The boy walked on without answering Horikita’s question. We never

got a clear look at him. We were only able to watch in silence as he walked

away.

Ishizaki : Is that you Ryueen‐san.

Ryueen : kuku , yeah that was me.

Sakayanagi : I wonder what happened with that , fufufu.

Hosen : Haha , famous last words Ryueen paisen.

“Well. I’ll be heading back now.” I had the feeling it would be better

for us not to be seen together, and turned my back on Horikita.

“Wait. We’re not done talking, Ayanokouji-kun.”

“I’m done talking.” I kept going without looking back.

“You promised, right? You promised you’d help me reach Class A.”

“You sort of forced me to. You helped Sudou in this case, too. Right?”

“That’s not what I meant. I want to know what you’re thinking.”

“I’m thinking ‘This is annoying,’ and ‘I don’t have any motivation to

do this.’ Stuff like that. That’s what I’m thinking. Even if you took back what

you said just now, Horikita, I do intend to live my life quietly. Whether we

aim for Class A or whatever, that’s it.”

Hirata : That's quite rude Kiyotaka‐kun.

Kiyotaka : maybe

I’d hoped that answer would satisfy her, but Horikita didn’t listen.

“If you really hated drawing attention, you wouldn’t make all this

effort to get involved. You say you’re someone who ‘dislikes trouble,’ after

all. Yet you act all evasive and non-committal even while you help me.

Why?”

I assumed that this change in Horikita’s behavior was Chabashira-

sensei’s doing. She was probably pulling the strings here. I wouldn’t be

surprised if she knew about my past.

“I thought that I should help the first friends I’ve ever made. Probably.”

If I kept talking, I might say something unnecessary. I walked faster.

By now, I had reached one absolute conclusion. If Horikita were truly

aiming for Class A, it would be impossible under our present circumstances.

We’d received a declaration of war from some guy apparently known

as Ryuuen. This could be just the start of a cunning, audacious, and brutal

attack. He would probably stand in our way as a vigilant enemy in the future.

Then there were Ichinose and Kanzaki from Class B. They were two

capable people who took only small, indirect steps. Ichinose probably had

more plans lined up in her ambition to reach the top than I could imagine. It

was impossible to fully understand how we’d landed in this situation, or her

methods and process.

I didn’t understand what she wanted, but her goals would most likely

prove a huge obstacle for us. In other words, it was fair to say that trying to

reach Class A in three years was hopeless. Even if we tried to tackle this

situation head-on, then…

Kanzski : You already thought this much at that time.

Ike : That's amazing ayanokouji . But are you seriously saying we can't reach class A.

Hirata : That was a year ago guys . But now we have changed right Kiyotaka‐kun.

Kiyotaka : Yes , that's right.

Ichinose : You are not horrible ayanokouji-kun.

Hiyori : she's right , ayanokouji-kun.

Hirata : Yeah , I agree with them. You are not horrible, kiyotaka‐kun.

Okitani : Why are you bad mouthing yourself.

Kiyotaka : I was just accepting my flaws.

Manabu : ' admitting flaws . Huh'

Ryueen : ' yeah , as if you have any flaws.'

Sakayanagi : 'Horrible human ,huh? Are you really human ,ayanokouji-kun?'

Kei : 'why does he think like that . Well I guess I can understand it a little. I'll do my best to help him anyway I can.'

Kei 'ahh mouu, he looks soooo cute , I want to spoil him right now.'

Ichinose : 'He looks so cute.'

1st year girls : 'senpai is really handsome.'

Hirata : You look quite handsome Kiyotaka‐kun.

Kiyotaka : Is that so.

Amasawa : Of course senpai's handsome.

Everyone : what is happening?

Ike : What the hell was that ?

Shinohara : Did they really let that kid die without doing anything to help him at all.

Miyamoto : A‐A‐Ayanokouji wha..what is that place ?

Kiyotaka : Who knows ?

Ryueen: 'What the fuck was that . Weak does not deserve to leave , huh . That's really interesting. I guess that's what his principle is . Truly a monster.'

Manabu : 'Is that really his childhood. Honestly it's scary.'

Kei : 'was that really his past ? If so no wonder he doesn't want to talk about it.'

Horikita :'w‐what d‐did I just saw ?'

Sakayanagi : 'That disgusting place.'

Nagumo : 'What the fuck did I just see . They really let that kid die.'

Chabashira : 'What was that ?'

Mashima : 'What the hell ? What is that place ?

Papayanagi : 'That place truly is hell.'

Tsukishiro : 'The demonic fourth generation huh.'

Everyone is silenced unable to utter a word because they are all scared.

Class 2D and most students : Scaryyyy..

AFC : scary..., but that's really hot.'

Suzune : 'That eyes still gives me chill.'

Hirata : 'Those are the eyes that saved me.'

Ichinose : 'Those are really dark. It's completely different from the normal ayanokouji-kun.'

Hiyori : 'I never thought my book buddy can be this scary.'

Kei : 'I can never forget these eyes.'

Sakayanagi : 'Truly terrifying, ayanokouji-kun.'

Ryueen : 'kukuku ,Those fucking eyes that made me feel fear. I am already itching to have my rematch with that monster.'

Kiryuuin : ' Really interesting.'

Matsushita : ' Wow, I didn't expect this . It's really scary.'

Manabu : 'Those eyes are really scary.'

Nagumo : ' I won't get afraid of it.'

Ayanokoji group : 'He can be really scary.'

Kushida : ' What the .. I am sweating like fuck . This guy is way too dangerous.'

Kanzaki : 'Yeah , as I thought he really is a big threat to all the classes.'

Ibuki/Ishizaki : ' fucking scaryy..'

Hosen : 'Fucking beast. I can't wait to fight you .'

Tsukishiro/Papayanagi : 'That place really made a demon out of him.'