(Third Person's POV)
The winter break ended, and the third semester began with a bang. Students from all three years – freshmen, sophomores, and seniors – piled into a fleet of buses. Their destination: a remote facility three hours away.
Inside the buses, homeroom teachers briefed their classes. For Class C, it was Chabashira who informed them the rules.
She made sure to mention to her class that this wasn't your average exam. They'd be competing against second and third years in a special event – the Mixed Training Camp.
Chabashira outlined the rules: group formation, scoring system, rewards for top performers...and the harsh consequences for those who fell short.
Groups failing to reach a predetermined score set by the school would face expulsion – the leader and one other member of their choosing. The stakes were high.
(Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's POV)
My phone buzzed in my pocket. A message from Horikita. "Any ideas for the exam format?" it read. Her usual curt efficiency.
I typed a quick reply. "No clue." No point offering unsolicited advice.
A slight shift in my posture drew a curious glance from Ike in the seat across the aisle. I ignored him, sending a message to Karuizawa. "Join Horikita's group. Looks like they'll have all twelve girls from Class C."
My message to Sakura came next. "I want you to join Ichinose's group comprised mostly of B-Class girls. Good chance you'll have fun and avoid expulsion. Gather intel if you can."
Sakura's relationship with the B class girls was strong. In Ichinose's group, she'd be able to gather intel and enjoy the social aspect without the threat of expulsion – not with Ichinose at the helm.
Finally, I sent a message to Kushida. "Get in with the Class A girls, if you can. Sakayanagi's group, most likely. See what you can learn about them, especially their class rep."
Kushida's popularity would open doors. She'd be welcomed into that group, and her natural curiosity, coupled with her exceptional social skills, would make her a valuable intel gatherer.
The messages were sent, received, and (judging by the furrowed brows) contemplated. Obedience was a given, though the surprise on their faces was undoubtedly genuine.
The rest of the bus ride passed uneventfully. As the sprawling complex nestled amidst the mountains came into view, a low hum of anticipation filled the bus.
This "Mixed Training Camp" promised to be anything but ordinary. It was a chance to test the waters, to observe, and to manipulate from the shadows.
(Third Person's POV)
The gymnasium buzzed with activity as students milled about, forming alliances for the upcoming exam. Ayanokoji watched with a detached expression as the familiar faces sorted themselves into groups.
His machinations had borne fruit.
Karuizawa gravitated towards Horikita's growing force of Class C girls, augmented by a smattering of students from other classes.
There, surrounded by her loyal followers, she held a position of power.
Sakura, with her connections in Class B, seamlessly slipped into Ichinose's group – a haven of relative peace and security.
With ten Class B girls forming the core, the group also included a smattering of students from other classes, including Sakura herself, two girls from Class A, and two from Class D.
Finally, there was Kushida. Her natural charisma granted her entry into the most formidable group – Sakayanagi's squad.
This elite contingent, led by the calculating Class A representative, boasted thirteen Class A students, with just one each from Class C (Kushida), D, and B filling out the ranks.
Ayanokoji opted for a mixed group led by Yukimura of Class C. Here, the lines between classes blurred, with a healthy mix of students from A, B, C, and D forming a balanced unit.
As the last stragglers found their places, a hush fell over the gymnasium. The official announcement of the exam details was imminent.
Ayanokoji scanned the faces around him, his gaze lingering on each leader.
Horikita, her brow furrowed in concentration, strategized with her growing team. Ichinose, with her trademark smile, exuded a quiet confidence that belied a sharp intellect.
And Sakayanagi, her eyes glinting with a dangerous ambition, surveyed her group like a queen inspecting her troops.
The air crackled with unspoken tension, a potent mix of anticipation, suspicion, and a healthy dose of self-interest.
The first day of the Mixed Training Camp settled into a predictable routine. Groups rotated breakfast duty, interspersed with periods for cleaning, meditation, and studying. Ayanokoji observed it all with a detached curiosity, his focus primarily on his classmates and their interactions within their chosen groups.
Dinner brought a welcome respite. Students from all classes mingled in the cafeteria, filling the air with a lively chatter. Ayanokoji scanned the room, his gaze falling on a lone figure – Ichinose, hunched over a table, her usually bright demeanor replaced by a weary slump.
Intrigue flickered in his eyes. Ichinose, the optimistic leader, radiating exhaustion? It was an unexpected sight. He approached her table with deliberate steps, his expression neutral.
"Ichinose," he greeted, his voice devoid of inflection.
The girl startled, her head snapping up. Surprise flickered across her face, followed by a hesitant smile. "Ayanokoji-kun. What a surprise."
He pulled out a chair and sat down opposite her, ignoring the curious glances sent their way. "Seems like you're having a rough day," he remarked, his tone purely observational.
Ichinose offered a weak smile. "Just a bit tired. Leading a large group can be…demanding."
Ayanokoji conceded the point with a silent nod. Her group, a diverse mix of girls from various classes, would undoubtedly require more effort to manage than, say, Sakayanagi's elite squad of Class A students.
"Anything specific troubling you?" he pressed, his voice betraying no hint of ulterior motive.
Hesitation flickered across her face. "Well," she began, then paused, seemingly unsure whether to confide in him. Ayanokoji remained silent, a blank slate waiting for her to fill.
Taking a deep breath, Ichinose finally spoke. "There's been some...tension within the group. Some of the girls aren't exactly thrilled about working together." She sighed, a hint of frustration coloring her voice. "It's proving more difficult to maintain order than I anticipated."
Ayanokoji listened intently, his mind already processing the information. Internal conflict within a group could be a weakness to exploit, but it could also be a distraction, a smokescreen masking a deeper strategy. He needed more data.
"Have you tried addressing their concerns?" he asked, his voice neutral.
"Of course," she replied, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her tone. "But some personalities just clash, you know?"
Ayanokoji offered a noncommittal shrug. "Yeah."
Their conversation continued for a while longer, Ayanokoji carefully navigating the topics of leadership, group dynamics, and the challenges of the upcoming exam. He offered no concrete solutions, but his questions were pointed, probing for weaknesses, for areas where Ichinose felt most vulnerable.
By the time they finished their meal, the cafeteria was emptying out. Ayanokoji stood up, offering a brief farewell. "Good luck with your group, Ichinose," he said, his voice sincere. "I have a feeling you'll find a way to make it work."
A hesitant smile returned to her face. "Thank you, Ayanokoji-kun. Perhaps we can talk strategy again sometime?"
He considered her request for a moment. "Perhaps," he replied, leaving the answer open-ended. As Ichinose watched him walk away, a flicker of curiosity lingered in her eyes.
Another face caught Ayanokoji's eye – Akane Tachibana. The former Student Council secretary, a third-year from Class A, sat alone, a faint sadness clouding her features.
A memory flickered in his mind. The wager between the current Student Council President, Nagumo Miyabi, and the former President, Horikita Manabu. A competition to score higher in this very exam, the Mixed Training Camp. Since they couldn't compete directly, their groups' performance would be the deciding factor.
A possibility emerged.
Could Nagumo be using Tachibana as a pawn in his elaborate scheme to risking Manabu's chances of graduating from Class A?
Ayanokoji couldn't be certain, but taking precautions wouldn't hurt. Later that night, as the day's activities wound down, Ayanokoji found a secluded corner of the common room, conveniently empty except for Karuizawa, engrossed in a magazine.
"Karuizawa," he began, his voice low and neutral.
She looked up, surprise flickering across her face. "What's up, Kiyotaka?"
"Keep an eye on Tachibana," he instructed, his tone brooking no argument.
Karuizawa blinked, confusion momentarily clouding her features. "Tachibana? Why?"
Ayanokoji offered no explanation. "Just do it. Discreetly, of course."
Karuizawa, while not privy to his intricate calculations, understood the importance of his commands. "Got it," she replied, a sly smile playing on her lips. The prospect of a bit of covert surveillance, especially concerning another girl, held a certain appeal.
The next three days melted into a routine of shared meals, study sessions, and group activities.
Meanwhile, Karuizawa, true to her word, kept a watchful eye on Akane. Nothing outwardly suspicious emerged. Akane participated in all activities, but her group members seemed to be targeting Akane.