'Yare yare, I still won subconsciously…'
Saiki Kusuo lowered his head, glancing at the hand he'd just used for rock-paper-scissors, feeling a bit helpless.
Fortunately, no one knew about his past as the rock-paper-scissors king. Even if he'd won this round, it shouldn't raise suspicion.
But now… which group should he choose?
The exam required the entire school to split into six large groups, meaning he'd have to team up with both second and third-year students.
He needed to pick one group from each grade.
At that moment, everyone's eyes were on Saiki, waiting for his decision.
'Yare yare, which group should I pick…'
Saiki thought to himself. After all, he barely knew any upperclassmen.
'I'll just choose randomly…'
As he prepared to make a casual choice, he heard the thoughts of those around him:
"Saiki will definitely pick Horikita's group, right?"
"His first choice is probably Horikita's group, isn't it?"
"If we're with Horikita, this exam is as good as won!"
'Yare yare, looks like there's no choice at all…'
Saiki sighed inwardly. Everyone else seemed to choose Horikita's group without hesitation.
'If I don't pick Horikita, I'll probably be questioned… Come to think of it, if Horikita's there, even if he's not the leader, he'll handle everything. That way, I won't have to do anything.'
With that thought, Saiki chose Horikita's group, which consisted mostly of third-year Class A students.
"Good."
Horikita seemed satisfied, nodding slightly.
Nagumo, meanwhile, tilted his head, observing Horikita's reaction with a meaningful smile.
The other first-year leaders began selecting the remaining upperclassmen groups. The first round ended, and the second began.
'If I win twice in a row, even if I blame it on luck, it'll still raise suspicion… So, I'll aim for last place this time.'
Saiki thought, then used his abilities to secure last place in the rock-paper-scissors round.
'Being last means I don't have to choose a group—I'll just take whoever's left…'
That seemed like the best option.
The other first-year leaders finished their selections, leaving only one group for Saiki. And in that group stood a familiar face.
"Looks like we're in the same group!"
Nagumo Miyabi smiled.
'Why is Nagumo's group the last one left?!'
Saiki was baffled. He hadn't expected Nagumo's group to remain unchosen.
Saiki could hear Yukimura's thoughts beside him:
"Great! We ended up with Nagumo's group! As the student council president, he seems like a good choice!"
'You're way off…'
Saiki sighed inwardly. He was one of the few who knew Nagumo's true nature.
Nagumo seemed friendly, but his inner thoughts were downright twisted.
And it was unexpected that Nagumo, the student council president, hadn't been chosen by any first-year…
Maybe it was because his group had few students from second-year Class A?
'Yare yare, this is a bit troublesome…'
Saiki turned to the upperclassmen—Horikita and Nagumo were in the same group. Trouble was inevitable.
"What a coincidence! I remember you, you're from first-year Class D—no, Class B now, right? You're Saiki."
Nagumo smiled, patting Saiki's shoulder.
"I remember you too. During the relay race, we were both anchors. We didn't face off directly, but I heard you're fast!"
"I was only fast at the start. Later, I ran out of stamina and slowed down."
Saiki replied expressionlessly.
At such close proximity, Nagumo's thoughts became clear:
"Saiki Kusuo… I noticed him during the sports festival. I investigated him a bit. He bought exam papers from upperclassmen, and his performance exceeded expectations. Nothing else stands out… But why does Horikita seem slightly interested in him?"
'Such a perceptive guy.'
Saiki stared back expressionlessly.
But Nagumo quickly lost interest in Saiki, turning to Horikita.
"Horikita, what a coincidence! We're in the same group. Looks like we won't face off so easily… But maybe we can compete elsewhere~"
Nagumo smiled meaningfully.
Just then, a tall boy stepped forward, blocking Nagumo.
"Nagumo, how many times now? Enough is enough."
'Who's this…? Oh, right, he hosted the sports festival, didn't he?'
Saiki recalled. There were too many minor characters in this novel.
'Fujimaki, I think?'
"What do you mean, 'how many times'?"
"I've never interfered when you challenged Horikita, but this is a large-scale exam involving first-year students. I won't allow you to treat it as your personal entertainment."
Fujimaki's voice was firm, exuding pressure.
But Nagumo didn't care.
"Why not? In this school, it doesn't matter if it's first or third-year. Declaring war on someone isn't unusual. The exam rules don't prohibit it."
Nagumo smiled, as if dismissing Fujimaki entirely.
"I'm talking about basic decency. Even if it's not written, there are things you can and can't do. That's obvious!"
"I don't see it that way. Cross-grade competition only helps first-years grow faster!"
Nagumo glanced at the first-year students, including Saiki.
"Just because you're student council president doesn't mean you can do anything. What you're doing is overstepping!"
"If you think so, then make me realize it~ Otherwise, I'll consider you my opponent too, Fujimaki. You're third-year Class A's number two, right?"
Nagumo's tone was casual, his hands in his pockets, showing no respect for the upperclassman.
"Damn Nagumo!"
"Kill him!"
"Does he really not know his place? Just because he's student council president, he acts so arrogant!"
Saiki heard the fury of third-year Class A students, ready to tear Nagumo apart…
But only Class A felt that way.
Students from the other third-year classes showed no opposition to Nagumo's words—some even seemed… admiring?
'Looks like Nagumo's influence has spread to third-year too. Is he a psychic too?'
Saiki wondered.
At that moment, third-year Class A students were furious, ready to attack Nagumo, but Horikita stopped them.
"Why have I always rejected your challenges? Do you know?"
Horikita adjusted his glasses, staring at Nagumo.
"Because you're afraid of losing to me—though that's impossible. You're the most excellent person I've met. You're not afraid of losing, and you don't think you'll lose."
Nagumo smiled.
Despite his earlier disregard for third-years, Saiki knew Nagumo's words were genuine.
"You're just like Fujimaki—you don't want unnecessary conflict without gain."
Nagumo narrowed his eyes.
"Your love for conflict drags others down."
Horikita said slowly.
"That's probably the purpose of this school… But it's a difference in perspective. Anyway, I thought we'd face off during the relay race, but it didn't happen. My desire remains unfulfilled~"
"I don't think a competition between second and third-years is meaningful."
"I see. You're that kind of person. But I just want a personal battle between the former and current student council presidents. You're graduating soon, and I want to test if I can surpass you. After all, this exam…"
Nagumo kept smiling.
"How do you want to compete?"
"Let's see who can make more students drop out. How about it?"
Nagumo's tone was playful, but he wasn't joking.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"I find it interesting, but let's hold off for now. If I were serious, I'd propose competing for the highest average score—though we're in the same large group, subgroup scores are separate. Let's settle it with our subgroups' average scores."
"Understood. I accept."
Horikita nodded.
"If it's just a personal battle, I accept. Since we're in the same group, he won't risk targeting me directly. And Nagumo's been trustworthy so far."
"Thanks. I knew you'd accept if it were you."
Nagumo smiled back.
"But remember, this is only between us. Don't involve others."
"Of course."
Nagumo looked at Horikita, his gaze meaningful.
No one knew what Nagumo was thinking, not even Horikita.
But Saiki could hear Nagumo's thoughts clearly.
"Horikita, you think I'll keep my promise and have a personal battle with you? You're dead wrong!"
"I spent two years earning your 'trust,' making you believe I'm trustworthy. Even if you don't fully trust me, you won't be the first to break faith. That means the initiative is mine."
"I might not surpass Horikita this time… But he'll never guess my real target isn't him—it's Tachibana Akane beside him. With the 'collateral' rule, I can drag her down easily. The girls' group seems freely formed due to friendship, but they're under my control."
In this exam, if a subgroup's score falls below the passing line, not only the leader but also one chosen 'culprit' would be expelled.
Nagumo's goal was to expel those close to Horikita.
"I wonder what Horikita's expression will be when those around him are expelled?"
"Tachibana, as third-year Class A's student council secretary, facing expulsion near graduation—what would she feel?"
"Let me have some fun before you graduate, Horikita."