As Ryota walked alongside Kanzaki toward the dormitories, Kanzaki turned to him and asked, "With everything you've discovered so far, how do you envision these so-called special exams?"
Ryota remained silent for a moment, his body tense, something Kanzaki quickly noticed. After a brief pause, Ryota finally responded. "Class B holds the most selfless students among the first-years. Given the personnel at our disposal, the key is to maintain the cohesion and solidarity that already exists within our class. Since everyone has accepted to participate in this competition, it's only rational to involve them in the decisions we make."
Understanding his point, Kanzaki followed up with another question. "Do you think we can make it to Class A?"
Still calm and collected, Ryota replied, "It's impossible to predict such an outcome. There are too many variables that could shift the course of the competition. Special exams could arise that force classes to expel students, or even ones that require involvement with our seniors. With so many unknowns, making an accurate prediction is simply unrealistic—especially when some factors are completely out of our control."
Kanzaki assessed Ryota's composed demeanor and chuckled. "I swear, you never lose your composure. Maybe when you get a girlfriend, that'll change."
Ryota smirked faintly before replying, "That's impossible. Someone like me having a girlfriend?"
At that moment, he noticed a slight change in the atmosphere. Turning his head, he saw Kanzaki smirking as if he were mocking him. Realizing they had already arrived at their destination, Kanzaki waved him off and headed to his room.
Ryota, watching him leave, spoke aloud, "You can come out now."
A shadow emerged from the darkness—Amane. She closed the distance between them swiftly, a knowing smile on her lips.
"You shouldn't lie like that," she said.
Feigning ignorance, Ryota responded, "Lie about what?"
She crossed her arms. "You sensed me the moment I walked out of the gymnasium, didn't you? That's why you were tense. I was right on the edge of your sensory range."
Ryota remained silent, neither confirming nor denying her claim, and continued walking.
Amane kept pace with him. "Do you really not see yourself with someone at this school?"
He turned to her and answered simply, "No."
She stared at him, her smile forced. He continued, "They only feel attracted to the idea of me. They don't love me—because they don't even know me."
His eyes met hers. "You should find someone better than a man like me."
Amane stepped closer, closing the distance between them. But before anything else could happen, a notification from her phone interrupted the moment. She glanced at the screen and sighed.
"I was called by Sakayanagi. I need to go."
Without another word, she turned and walked away. Ryota watched her go, then sat down on a nearby bench, deep in thought.
"Amane's emotional crisis has been building for years, but the real catalyst was Ichinose's presence," he muttered to himself. "She's confident in herself. If I were to be interested in anyone, it would be her. But I can't reciprocate those emotions. Not in my current state. That event… it blocked something in me. And besides, there are others I can't forget."
Just then, a voice called out to him. He looked up and saw Ichinose approaching.
"Finished your meeting?" she asked with a smile.
"Not quite," Ryota replied. "Want to come along?"
She hesitated. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"No problem at all."
Accepting his invitation, they walked together toward the designated meeting place. Upon arrival, they found the area deserted.
"Maybe they got tired of waiting and left?" Ichinose suggested.
Ryota, however, turned toward the exit of the alley. A silhouette approached them.
Ichinose, noticing his gaze, asked, "Who are you?"
The unknown figure stepped closer. "Not a fan of juvenile delinquents lurking around campus. Terrorist activities, perhaps?"
Ichinose frowned. "You've got it all wrong. We were called here by someone."
"Oh? And how am I supposed to trust you? Meeting in such an isolated area…"
Without hesitation, Ryota held up his phone, showing the message he had received. Even from twenty meters away, the figure scrutinized it.
After a brief silence, the figure spoke again. "Seems you're telling the truth. My apologies for the interruption. Let's just pretend we never met."
Ryota nodded. "I have no issue with that."
They turned their backs to each other and began to part ways. But just a few steps later, Ryota suddenly shifted and raised his hand—blocking a punch.
"Liar," the unknown figure muttered.
Ryota didn't back up. "You're one to talk."
Ichinose gasped, panicking at the sudden escalation.
Ryota remained unfazed. "Can we cut the act and get to the real reason for this meeting?"
Ichinose, still processing the situation, remained silent.
Ryota continued, "You were already here before we arrived. You were wandering around, but no other students were present in this area. I never saw anyone leave before we came, meaning the person who called me here… was you. And I confirmed it when I showed you my phone. You couldn't see the message from twenty meters away, especially with those glasses in your pocket."
The unknown figure chuckled. "A sound deduction. My apologies for the test."
He stepped forward. "Horikita Manabu. Student council president. I requested your presence for a reason."
Ryota remained unimpressed. "And what reason is that?"
"Confidential. I'd rather not involve Ichinose."
Ichinose blinked in surprise. "How do you know my name?"
Ryota answered for him. "The student council president has access to student information."
Horikita smirked. "Another correct inference."
Ryota turned to Ichinose. "Wait for me."
Seeing no issue, she nodded and stepped away.
Once she was gone, Horikita spoke. "Since your brother Ryusei left this school, I've upheld his philosophy: patience is key to unlocking one's full potential. But my kouhai and current vice president, Nagumo Miyabi, has a different vision—one built on aristocracy, where only the superior dictate the school's structure. I've tried to change his mind, but he's confident his system will succeed. I need someone to stop him. That's why I called you."
Ryota smirked. "And how can you be sure I'll accept?"
"Because you're rational, but your rationality is bound to your beliefs. If Nagumo enforces his system and you did nothing to stop him, you'd contradict your own ideals."
Ryota exhaled. "And yet, you're just as selfish. You refuse to let a new system take over to protect your own legacy. Just like you ruined my sister's."
Horikita's eyes darkened. "So you know."
"No, I didn't. I just deduced it now. My sister's vision focused on bridging the school and the outside world. But four years after she left, none of her policies remain. Meaning they were erased by the presidents who followed."
Horikita fell silent.
Ryota continued, "Nagumo's vision isn't what I seek. But neither is yours. If I accept this position, expect new rules."
Horikita nodded. "As long as it's not aristocracy, I have no objections."
Ryota smirked. "One condition. Ichinose will be my secretary."
Horikita chuckled. "You remind me of myself. Fine. The responsibility is yours now."
As he walked away, Ryota called after him. "Don't worry. I'll haunt Nagumo. After all, I'm the boogeyman."
Horikita grinned. "I don't doubt it. I can already envision his defeat."
Ichinose saw Ryota coming towards her. "How it went." Ryota looked at her ominously. "Better than expected."
As they were walking towards the bedrooms, Ryota surprised by Ichinose's action, asked about it. "Do you not want to learn the content of this discussion?" Ichinose looked at him with a smile. "Surely the answer will be revealed in due time."
Ryota then looked at the sky, wondering about something. "Surely in due time."