---Notice---
Hope everyone enjoys.
My discord: discord.gg/ETwcj3ZB
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"Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is." ~Albert Camus
"Wow, aren't you proud, Light? You're so good with the ladies that even after putting them through hell, they still don't want to see you leave," Ryuk chuckled, his voice laced with amusement as I walked toward my dorm. His grin stretched wide.
"That outcome was only natural," I replied, unfazed by his teasing. "I had begun to notice Ichinose had some kind of weakness I could take advantage of fairly early on. However, it wasn't until the cruise ship exam that I was able to put that knowledge into action."
A vulnerability buried beneath her seemingly neverending positivity—Ichinose Honami was a perfect example of how the right kind of pressure could crack even the most persistent people.
Ryuk let out another laugh. "Although… not everything went exactly as planned, did it? Hehehehe. Seems like you and Nagumo had similar ideas."
I remained silent. He wasn't wrong.
Nagumo. It was clear he had been making moves on Ichinose, though for some reason, he hadn't been able to execute his plans to completion. Whatever he had intended for her remained unfinished, which meant I needed to stay vigilant. A half-finished scheme was sometimes even more dangerous than one successfully carried out.
That was precisely why I had warned Ichinose.
"Be careful with Nagumo. He's not as trustworthy as he seems."
It wasn't just to push her further into isolation or to deepen her dependence on me—it was a precaution. If Nagumo got what he wanted, things would become far more troublesome for me.
Ryuk suddenly hovered closer. "But really, Light, you're just full of surprises. I bet if you wanted, you could make every girl at this school cling to you, huh?"
I shot him a sideways glance, unimpressed. "What are you getting at?"
"I mean, it's a talent, isn't it? One moment you're breaking them; the next they can't live without you. Maybe I should start calling you 'Cupid.'"
I smirked slightly. "You know, I'd think you'd be a little more appreciative of me. I'm the only human who actually keeps things interesting for you, after all."
Ryuk laughed, the sound echoing lightly through the empty hallway. "Hahaha! That's true! The others I followed couldn't even see me, and they were all soooo boring. You, though… I think I made the right choice."
"I'm flattered," I muttered dryly, reaching for my dorm key.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the dim glow from my desk lamp illuminating the otherwise darkened room. Setting my bag down, I loosened my tie slightly, rolling my shoulders to shake off the tension from the night's events.
Ryuk floated near the window, his glowing eyes peering out into the quiet campus. The moonlight casting shadows over the desks and chairs of the otherwise pristine dorm room.
"So, what's next, Light?" he asked, his voice curious.
I glanced at the clock—almost midnight. "Tomorrow's a new day," I said, unbuttoning my cuffs and rolling them up to my elbows. "And I have plenty to do."
Ryuk let out a low chuckle.
"Hehehe… I bet you do."
The faint sound of laughter trailed off as I sat down at my desk.
***
"Soon, all of you will notice an increase in PE classes in anticipation of the upcoming Sports Festival," Sakagami explained, his tone firm. "I have provided you all with printouts detailing the event, but I know better than to expect you to actually read them. So listen carefully. Some may see this as a special exam, and while that isn't technically wrong or right, it will have an effect on all classes."
The classroom was quiet as the students listened, some more attentively than others. Sakagami continued without hesitation.
"All class years will be divided and will compete against each other in this festival. Class B is part of the White Team, along with Class C. Meanwhile, Classes A and D make up the Red Team. In other words, your only allies in this event are Class C."
A 6 vs. 6 competition of physical ability. At a glance, the setup was fair to an extent, considering the seniors would naturally have an advantage over the lower years due to the age gap.
"Now, let's go over the scoring system," Sakagami continued. "Depending on your individual and team results, points will either be awarded or deducted. For individual events, placing first will earn you 15 competition points, while ranking fifth or below will result in a 1-point deduction. The team events follow a similar structure, with first place earning 50 points, while losing results in a 2-point deduction per participant. The final relay race, which is considered the highlight of the festival, will offer triple the usual points.
"Additionally, the losing team—either Red or White—will suffer a 100-class point deduction, in addition to any points gained or lost based on individual performance. If you place first within your class year rankings, your class will gain 50 class points. However, if you place last, your class will lose 100 class points.
"There are also personal incentives and penalties. First place in any category will earn 5,000 private points, while the lowest-ranking students will lose 1,000 private points. On top of that, securing first place overall in the festival will grant you 3 bonus marks on a future written exam. However, the 10 worst performers will suffer a 10-mark deduction on their next test."
Sakagami finished his explanation, giving a small pause before glancing around the room. It seemed he wanted to make sure the information had sunk in. Some students exchanged looks, but for the most part, the atmosphere remained unchanged.
It was a lot of information, but the real takeaway was obvious.
This Sports Festival—it was a trap.
Maybe not in the strictest sense of the word, but from a strategic standpoint, it was clear that putting too much effort into this event would be meaningless. It was an exam designed not to reward winners, but to punish losers. The maximum number of class points a team could win was 50, while the maximum number of points they could lose was 200—a net-loss game.
No matter how things played out, the festival would end with 1,000 class points erased from the school in total. It was structured that way by design.
It made sense. The school had to waste an enormous amount of money keeping this system running, and this was nothing more than a subtle way to cut down their expenses. A clean and efficient method to make sure fewer private points were circulating each month—millions of yen in savings.
"Are you plotting something for the Sports Festival, Yagami?"
Ryuen's smirk was as confident as ever; he watched me with amusement.
"No, honestly, I don't have much interest in the Sports Festival," I responded plainly, my eyes barely lifting from the printout in my hand. The results of this exam didn't matter much to me—the potential profit was too low, and I had no intention of wasting my time leading five other classes along with my own. It was too much effort for too little gain.
"Plus, I have a lot I'm busy with at the moment."
"Huh, really? Well, I kinda thought you'd say that," Ryuen said, his smirk widening as he leaned back lazily in his chair. "So, I'll take this one completely off your hands then."
"Have fun with it," I replied simply, grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulder.
Just as I turned to leave, Ryuen's voice cut through the air again, laced with intrigue.
"You're planning something, aren't you?" His gaze sharpened slightly, the amusement in his tone not entirely masking his curiosity. "Maybe not for the Sports Festival, but I think I've started to understand you enough to know you're not as passive or inactive as you seem."
I chuckled lightly. "Hahaha, well, you're not wrong. I am planning something—something that will end up being really expensive."
Ryuen didn't press further, simply watching as I walked away. As I stepped into the hallway, I caught Shiina staring at me from the side, her soft, inquisitive eyes lingering on me.
"Would you want to eat lunch together?" I asked her.
It seemed to catch her off guard, but she eagerly nodded her head.
"I'd love to," she said quickly, following me out of the classroom.
As we walked, she glanced up at me curiously. "I heard you say you were planning something expensive. Is there any way I can help?"
I tilted my head slightly, considering her offer.
"Well, Ibuki is already helping me… but I guess a second test subject wouldn't be a bad idea."
Shiina blinked. "Test subject?" she asked warily.
I chuckled. "It's just a figure of speech. Your help would be greatly appreciated."
That seemed to ease her nerves slightly, though she still looked somewhat skeptical. "I'll let you know when I need you for my 'test,' alright?"
"Yes, of course," she replied with a soft smile as we arrived at the cafeteria.
However, as we stepped inside, Shiina suddenly slowed her pace, her gaze shifting around the room. She frowned slightly.
"It's a bit emptier than usual in here…" she noted, glancing at the unusually small crowd.
"Ahh, that makes sense," I replied simply. "Do you want me to show you why?"
Shiina didn't answer verbally—she simply nodded once, curiosity evident in her expression. Without another word, I led her back into the school's hallways, guiding her through the building until we arrived at the nurse's office.
The moment we turned the corner, it became obvious. A line of students, a bit over thirty in total, stood outside the office.
None of them were injured. None were sick. No one appeared to have any legitimate reason to be here.
No, there was nothing wrong with them—at least physically.
Unfortunately, idiocy isn't something that can be treated.
These students weren't here seeking medical attention. They were all here for the same reason—to scam food from the school.
"Light, what are you doing here?"
Karuizawa spoke the moment she noticed my presence. Her words immediately drew the attention of the other Class D students, their gazes shifting toward me with curiosity.
I smiled, unfazed. "We were surprised when we walked into the cafeteria—it wasn't as active without Class D in there." My tone was light. "It seems you all have decided to take my advice."
Karuizawa crossed her arms, huffing slightly. "Yeah, well, when the only other option is basically starving, this isn't too bad."
Reasonable enough. I glanced toward the line of students ahead of me, noting how efficiently things were being handled.
"What's the line for?" I asked.
"Well, we just got here. They're letting us in one by one—the nurse has to record the names of all students who are 'sick' and then send the request for food to the cafeteria," Karuizawa explained.
I nodded in understanding. The system was probably in part meant to discourage abuse, though considering how many students were already here, that deterrent didn't seem very effective.
"At least the line's moving quickly," I noted. "So, what's on the menu?"
"For lunch? Rice soup with eggs, chicken miso, and vegetables as the main dish. Spinach with sesame dressing, grilled salmon, avocado… and they have juices and milk," Karuizawa listed off, clearly having already investigated.
A fairly balanced Japanese meal.
Taking in her words, I casually stepped forward and joined the line.
"Huh? Why are you getting in line, Yagami?"
Hirata's voice carried a trace of confusion, and a few other Class D students glanced at me, equally perplexed.
I let out a short chuckle. "Well, if you want things to change, you need to kick up a storm, don't you?"
The mild confusion in their expressions deepened, but I continued, my voice assured.
"Just Class D coming here and demanding lunch might prove to be a mild annoyance to the school, but it might not be enough to bring about real change. If you want results, you need the masses on your side. You need to make an impact that can't be ignored." I glanced at the students ahead of us. "And I think Class D is making the right choice here. So, I'll gladly assist you—not just here, but if it comes down to it, even in the Student Council."
There was a subtle shift in the air. Class D students exchanged glances, their initial confusion replaced by something else—encouragement, confidence, and even a hint of admiration.
As I spoke, Shiina quietly stepped into the line behind me, her presence further reinforcing my words.
Like that, I waited in line until I was quickly called forward.
"Next."
The nurse's voice rang out, and I stepped into the room filled with Class D students. As I entered, her eyes widened slightly in surprise and recognition.
Of course.
She remembered me.
This was the same nurse from earlier in the school year, the one who had been present when Ishizaki was injured. The same nurse who had informed Manabu of my deductions about the school—deductions I had only voiced to Ibuki and Ishizaki while in this very office.
It seemed she still hadn't forgotten me.
"Aren't you in Class B?" the nurse asked, a hint of confusion creeping into her voice as she processed my unexpected presence.
"If you're injured, you could've cut the line," she continued. "The students here only have…" She hesitated, seemingly choosing her words carefully before settling on, "…minor ailments."
I met her gaze with my usual composed expression. "I'm not injured, but yes, I am from Class B—Light Yagami." My tone was relaxed, "I'm feeling slightly malnourished. The vegetable soup served in the cafeteria hasn't been enough for me."
She blinked, her confusion deepening.
I could see the doubt in her eyes.
How could she not be skeptical?
She knew full well that I had more than enough private points—millions, in fact. And yet, here I was, claiming that I needed food?
To her, this was probably a bizarre situation, one that didn't make any logical sense.
I leaned forward slightly, keeping my voice smooth but purposefully fatigued.
"You know… I've been feeling lightheaded lately," I continued, letting my fingers rest lightly against my temple as if nursing a faint headache. "Weak, too. Overall, I've been losing a lot of weight."
That seemed to break her out of her dazed state.
"Ah… ah, yes, I see," she murmured, writing all I said down, still looking somewhat perplexed. "We'll get you something to eat soon, then…"
She signaled for me to step aside, releasing a low, confused sigh before calling the next—and final—student.
Shiina.
Unlike before, she no longer looked surprised.
I was sure she had already accepted the fact that her next few weeks of work wouldn't be easy.
Not long after, carts of food were rolled into the nurse's office, the smell of warm broth and grilled fish filling the air.
And soon enough, I got my food.
And as I stood there, I thought to myself—isn't it funny?
The world itself is funny.
Why would someone like me care about something as insignificant as school lunch?
It was simple.
I didn't.
Right or wrong? Meaningless.
Fair or unfair? Irrelevant.
This entire situation—this so-called struggle—was nothing more than a performance, an insignificant show. It was almost hilarious to think that this was what people were willing to fight over.
After all, in the cruise ship exam alone, I had amassed more than enough wealth to eat full-course meals every day for the next year straight. If I wanted, I could have dined on the finest cuts of meat and extravagant dishes within these four walls.
And yet—this.
This little rebellion.
A small, insignificant movement built on a cause so laughably mundane that, on any other day, I wouldn't have given it a second thought.
And yet—
I watched.
I listened.
I stayed.
So, I suppose that means… I do care about school lunch.
But then, in the end—do I really care if people receive it?
No.
Why would I?
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Now that the Ichinose mini arc is kinda over at least the most psychological part, give me your opinions, I know I had some that thought it was too much, I personally disagree given how the situation was exaggerated in the original story and how much Ichinose was traumatized by something so small (and how people and her family reacted so explosively) but still I'd like to hear opinions, it was one of my favorite chapters to write recently so I'm curious.