The second-year student who introduced herself as Nazuna Asahina, her distinctive sunflower hairpin standing out.
We faced each other with the fitting room curtain as the boundary line between us.
"Your hair really is long, just like the rumors say. You've tied it up today, but don't you usually?"
Rumors. Senior Kiryūin had mentioned them too, and from the way she phrased it, they seemed to be about my appearance.
A guy with hair this long—it was only natural it would spark talk.
"I don't feel the need."
"That's unusual. Doesn't it get in the way?"
"I don't mind."
Her light verbal jabs were still just warm-ups. The real analysis on her part would come later.
"But you're dressing stylishly today. And it looks like you're here to buy clothes too."
"I'm just accompanying them."
"Her boyfriend?"
"No. My companions'."
"Aww, not a girlfriend? I saw you hanging out with two girls and was wondering which one was the real deal."
She acted surprised, but there was no change in her pupils.
She was cautiously probing my relationships.
"I'd heard you were brilliant and athletically gifted, so I assumed you'd have a girlfriend."
"Is that inference based on rumors too?"
"Yeah. Want to hear what kinds of rumors are going around?"
"No. More importantly, is your analysis going smoothly?"
Her eyes went wide. This time, her pupils actually reacted.
She clearly hadn't expected me to see through her intentions.
But it was only a momentary reaction. She quickly returned to her natural demeanor.
"…I didn't mean to analyze you or anything. Maybe I was staring too much? Sorry. But when I see a guy walking around with Sakayanagi-san on a day off, I can't help but get curious."
She swiftly changed the subject and steered the conversation back without any awkwardness.
"You seem to know a lot about someone from another grade."
"I'm in the middle of finding out. Information is power, after all. You're used to this school by now, right?"
She said this while showing me her phone.
Not just in this school—information was a powerful weapon anywhere.
Especially here, where it was practically essential for gaining an edge in the special exams the school prepared.
"Yes. They're all such boring exams."
I deliberately went on the offensive. I already knew she was analyzing me.
Now it was time to figure out exactly what she was analyzing.
Was it my abilities in detail? My personality? My relationships? My tastes? To confirm that, I'd take the initiative.
"…Huh. You've got a lot of confidence."
"You forgot the preface, 'even though you're not in Class A.'"
"Ahaha, I don't mind that kind of personality."
There was no change in her expression.
Was she the cautious type collecting information? Was it out of composure? Or simple curiosity?
But there was no lie in her current reaction, so she wasn't the arrogant type obsessed with Class A supremacy.
A few seconds of silence followed. We were both gauging each other's next move, reaching a stalemate.
But soon, the corners of her mouth lifted.
"…I give up!"
She declared it with a laugh, and the tension drained from her.
I had a good idea why, but I asked anyway to be sure.
"Give up on what?"
"The analysis. I don't think I can beat you at it."
She stuck out her tongue and laughed, effectively raising a white flag.
"Sorry. Did I make you feel bad?"
"It's fine. More importantly, why were you analyzing me?"
Of course, she smiled kindly as she answered.
Relief. I deliberately didn't ask whose relief.
Either she'd mistaken my wariness for being dispelled, or she was secretly pleased that I hadn't seen through her true goal.
It didn't matter either way—she still seemed to have something hidden.
"Simple reason. I wanted to know your true ability. I told you, didn't I? That I'm still in the process of learning about the first-years."
"Why the interest in first-years?"
"That's a secret. It's personal."
She crossed her index fingers in an X, rejecting further questions.
Just wanting a younger friend… No, that wasn't it.
If building friendship were the goal, she wouldn't approach me. I'm well aware my first impression is the worst possible.
It was clear she'd contacted me with some intent. She'd chosen me specifically to speak to.
…Insufficient information. I couldn't dig any deeper than this.
"So, so. Why are you hanging out with Sakayanagi-san?"
She poked my stomach several times with her elbow, changing the topic.
Even if she'd stopped the analysis, she intended to keep the conversation going.
"It was coincidence. She helped me when I got tangled up in some trouble, and we've been together since."
"Helped you out of trouble. Meaning it was Sakayanagi-san's own decision to help."
She nodded several times, confirming the facts.
"That Sakayanagi-san would help a guy from another class."
"Surprising? She's the type to extend a hand to someone in need."
"…That comes with conditions, right?"
"Yes. The image of her as cold-hearted isn't wrong, but expecting compensation for help is only natural. Still, compared to Ryuuen Kakeru, she's a good person."
She's the type who can't rest unless she's above others.
She's no soft-hearted philanthropist who helps complete strangers, but if it's someone she knows, she'll generally help. Though she'd demand considerable payment in return.
"Isn't that comparison a little off?"
"Completely."
A sharp clack as her cane struck the floor. With that sound, Sakayanagi-san appeared from the fitting room.
She slowly approached Asahina-san.
Noticing her, Asahina-san looked at her face and forced an awkward smile.
"W-well, the other fitting rooms are free now, so I'll be going."
Asahina-san hurried away.
She rejoined a friend a short distance off and entered a fitting room.
"Goodness, so many women flock to you."
"Coincidence. Normally no one talks to me."
Sakayanagi-san set her basket on the floor and wiped her forehead.
The basket was filled with men's clothing—monochrome to colorful, a wide variety. Impressive she'd carried so many.
I counted the items and envisioned the combinations. I foresaw a future where I'd be restrained as a mannequin for quite some time.
"Well, fine. Now then, Izuru-kun—how about starting with these?"
She promptly pulled a top and bottom from the basket.
"Please go easy on me."
I began changing into the clothes Sakayanagi-san had chosen.
Kamuro-san returned too, adding even more patterns.
I silently transformed into the Ultimate Model兼Mannequin.
During this time, Sakayanagi-san and Kamuro-san chatted and laughed while considering matching colors and patterns.
They looked like equals—true friends.
The intimacy of the three has increased!
...
The announcement signaling 5 p.m. echoed throughout the shopping mall.
I'd been a mannequin, a bag carrier, eaten crepes, and leisurely chatted in the rest area—we'd enjoyed our day off.
Having been out since morning, the two of them were more exhausted than they appeared.
"Izuru-kun, I had a truly enjoyable time today for the first time in a while."
We were currently heading toward the exit of Keyaki Mall.
With Sakayanagi-san in the center, Kamuro-san on the right, me on the left. Our formation held as we walked slowly.
Sakayanagi-san had her cane, so only one hand free, while both of Kamuro-san's held a considerable number of bags.
I, too, carried several bags filled with clothes I'd been made to buy.
"It wasn't boring."
"Fufu, I'm glad. We took lots of photos too—it really was a wonderful day."
She rubbed her pocket with the hand holding bags. Her phone with today's pictures was probably in there.
She wore a deeply sentimental expression, as if immersed in memories.
I'd been photographed a few times and taken some together, but if she was happy, I didn't mind.
"I might have laughed from the bottom of my heart with Masumi-san for the first time."
"…It's your imagination. I was half-forced into coming anyway."
"Fufu, let's call it that."
Despite her words, Kamuro-san didn't look entirely displeased.
I hadn't heard how she and Sakayanagi-san met or their usual relationship, but normally it was probably player and pawn.
Yet today, they were two girls laughing together like close friends. To any outsider, that's all it would look like.
"After this, I'm stopping by the supermarket for dinner ingredients. What about you two?"
"I'm going to the supermarket too. My fridge is empty."
Kamuro-san indicated she'd come along.
"I don't need to shop, but if you two are going, I'll tag along."
Sakayanagi-san hadn't participated in the special exam, so she had no need to restock.
Conversely, for me and Kamuro-san, it was the day after the exam ended—our fridges were empty. Shopping was essential.
"Or shall the three of us eat out?"
"Three meals out in a day is a bit much. The point spending would be insane."
"Then I'll pass too. I just got burned badly in the special exam."
"…Oh, I heard from Hashimoto-kun. Something about using 200,000 points to hijack the broadcast? Are you okay on points?"
"No problem. I extorted some from Horikita Manabu."
The points I received from the student council president became mine the moment I got them, but spending them recklessly from day one felt wrong.
There would definitely be times I'd need points again.
Saving was the wiser choice.
"What are you planning to make tonight?"
"Undecided. Have you decided on anything?"
"I'm fine—I'm having Masumi-san cook for me."
She casually delegated it to someone else. Kamuro-san's shoulder twitched; there was no need to ask what she thought of that.
"Nobody said anything about cooking."
"Come on, it's fine. I love Masumi-san's cooking."
"Flattery won't work. I'm not cooking tonight. I'm exhausted from carrying your bags."
"That's my fault, I'm sorry. But I did say this morning—Masumi-san has a role to play."
"I absolutely refuse to be both bag carrier and maid."
Sakayanagi-san savored every one of Kamuro-san's genuinely disgusted reactions.
As they bantered, we arrived at the supermarket.
We stepped inside and began looking at ingredients. That's when I noticed something unusual.
"…Hey, look at this."
The food section was sparsely stocked, with huge gaps on the shelves.
After looking around a bit more, I saw that ingredients requiring preparation—like vegetables or items from the free produce corner—were still somewhat available.
But frozen foods, pre-made dishes, and anything instant had been completely wiped out.
The reason was obvious.
"Well, yeah, everyone's buying stuff."
The special exam had ended, but we weren't the only ones who needed ingredients.
The other first-years would think the same thing.
I didn't know what percentage of the 160 first-years cooked for themselves, but a certain number did.
Even those who didn't would have empty fridges after the trip. Shopping was necessary.
This was probably the result of all the first-years hitting the supermarket at once.
"What should we do?"
Sakayanagi-san asked us.
Settle for whatever was left here for dinner, or go eat out.
"…I'm eating out. The options here are way too limited."
"I'll cook."
I picked up some ground pork from the nearly empty free produce corner.
Having decided on the dish, I went around the store again. I grabbed some firm tofu that was still available and a long green onion rolling around in the vegetable free corner.
These vegetables weren't up to typical standards in freshness or size, but to me they were perfectly fine ingredients. I could work with them.
I found a basket and started putting items in.
"What are you planning to make?"
The two of them followed, curious about my choice.
Sakayanagi-san peered into the basket as she asked.
"Mapo tofu."
Eggs, onions, potatoes, chicken—all sold out. Tofu had caught my eye, so this seemed the quickest option.
I had plenty of seasonings at home anyway. Perfect.
But just as I was smoothly gathering ingredients, a problem arose.
"Ginger and garlic… both sold out?"
When cooking myself, I refused to compromise.
So I kept searching without giving up. Miraculously, I found garlic.
But no ginger.
"Izuru-kun, I can give you some ginger I bought the other day."
Sakayanagi-san offered an irresistibly appealing solution. As always, my luck hadn't slacked off.
"Is that all right?"
"Yes. But in exchange, could you make enough for Masumi-san and me too?"
She never gave anything for free.
Compensation for provision. She negotiated with an elegant smile.
"That's fine."
"Fufu, then leave the checkout here to me."
With the ingredients complete, we headed straight to pay.
Rice, tofu, the free long green onion and ground pork, and garlic. The rice was a bit pricey, but Sakayanagi-san covered everything.
"I'm looking forward to it. You possess the Ultimate Cook talent too, I assume?"
I nodded at her question.
Sakayanagi-san showed a childlike smile befitting her age.
When I invited Kamuro-san as well, she happily tagged along for the free meal.
We left Keyaki Mall and headed back to the dorms.
Chatting while watching the beautiful sunset, we somehow arrived at the dorm elevator before we knew it.
"I'll cook in my room. You two go to your rooms first. Put away your shopping.
I'll contact you when it's ready, but is there a convenient time?"
"I want to take a shower. I walked a lot today and I'm tired, plus I need time to sort things—so after seven?"
Sakayanagi-san seemed to agree with Kamuro-san's suggestion.
"Understood. Let's do that time."
The two nodded, and we temporarily parted in the elevator.
I quickly returned to my room, put down the bags, and started sorting.
Ding-Dong
Once I finished sorting, the doorbell rang.
It was only around 5:30. Too early for the two of them.
It was safe to assume someone else.
Guessing who it might be, I checked the peephole.
There stood a familiar male student in loungewear.
I opened the door. I really was meeting a lot of people today.
"Hey, I came for a free me────"
"────Please go home."
Following reflex, I quickly closed the door I'd just opened.
A delinquent. I instantly understood his purpose.
I saw nothing.
...
"So that's how you got 500,000 points from the student council president and resolved the issue."
"Yes, the point problem is solved."
Ryuuen-kun sat in a chair while I dried my hair with a towel.
In the end, I'd let him into the room.
It was annoying, but better than having him spam the doorbell forever.
While he made himself comfortable, I took a shower and changed into loungewear.
"And you apparently came for a free meal?"
Ryuuen-kun, lying on my bed, turned only his face toward me.
"I figured you were out of points. I was gonna give you some in exchange for making me dinner, but…"
"Too bad. I also possess the Ultimate Luck talent."
"Shut up. No matter what talents you've got, I'm not surprised anymore."
Ryuuen-kun grumbled unhappily.
When I started blow-drying my hair, he even complained about the noise.
"…So what're you making for dinner tonight? I saw tofu and green onions."
"Mapo tofu. But not a portion for you."
"Stingy. You're not gonna eat all that alone."
"Sakayanagi-san and Kamuro-san are coming over later. It's for them."
He grinned creepily. He'd judged it interesting material.
"Kuku, Sakayanagi, huh. Going for her stomach too—you're really head over heels."
Ryuuen-kun sat up from the bed and continued the conversation.
"It just happened that we hung out today, and it led to me cooking."
"What kind of flow is that. Anyway, you're quite the charmer. So who's the main one right now? Sakayanagi? Hiyori? Or Ibuki?"
Ryuuen-kun didn't dislike this kind of topic. He seemed awfully curious about my relationships with girls.
I'd thought he'd warn me to be careful talking to central figures from other classes like Sakayanagi, but apparently not.
"I don't have a main one. Do you think I have romantic feelings?"
"You've got some sex drive, right? Then you should instinctively feel something."
"No."
"Kuku, got it. Well, when those feelings do show up, let me know. Sounds interesting."
When I answered casually, Ryuuen-kun laughed and said that.
After finishing drying my hair, my phone rang. Checking it, the call was from Sakayanagi-san.
After a few rings, the call connected.
"Hello. I've finished preparing, so may I come to your room soon?"
It was just past six.
A bit over an hour earlier than planned.
"I'd like to play one game of chess before Masumi-san arrives. Is that all right?"
"A tempting invitation, but I'll decline. Ryuuen-kun has barged into my room right now."
"Ryuuen-kun has?"
I explained the intrusion monster's arrival to her.
"…Fufu, I see. That makes me want to come even more. I wanted to talk with him a little anyway—please make dinner for him too. On 'my' tab."
"Understood. I'll let Ryuuen-kun know."
I ended the call there.
I explained the content to Ryuuen-kun, who was fiddling with my phone.
He burst out laughing before showing understanding.
"Then, Ryuuen-kun. Cook the rice."
"Hah? I'm a guest."
"I have no intention of cooking for someone who does nothing. Help out."
With a loud tsk, he got moving.
The rice cooker was the cheap, easy-to-use model recommended by the school, so no explanation needed.
Ryuuen-kun washing rice. If I took a photo and gave it to Ishizaki-kun, he'd probably lose it.
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.
"Fufu, excuse me, Izuru-kun."
I welcomed Sakayanagi-san, who held two bags in one hand.
Unusually, she wasn't wearing a hat. Her white dress—different from what she'd worn today—felt somehow fresh.
She wiped the tip of her cane before removing her shoes.
"That's… a chessboard. Quite a proper one."
"Yes. It was a bit expensive, but I'm glad I bought it."
Of the two bags, one held ginger, the other the chessboard.
About two months since our last match. I couldn't help but look forward to how much stronger she'd gotten.
She handed me the requested ginger and proceeded deeper into the room.
"…Fufu, good evening, Ryuuen-kun. You're quite domestic."
"Shut up. Don't laugh."
Sakayanagi-san's cane trembled slightly.
She passed by the genuinely displeased Ryuuen-kun, clearly enjoying herself.
"So, what do you want with me, Sakayanagi?"
Having finished washing rice and starting the cooker, Ryuuen-kun propped his elbows on the small school-provided table and sat facing her.
I sat on the bed in the middle to mediate between them.
A smile spilled onto his face; he was clearly looking forward to this discussion.
"About the upcoming exams."
Sakayanagi-san stated her purpose with a faint smile.
"Kuku, let's hear it."
"Straight to the point. From now on, I'd like C Class to prioritize targeting A Class."
Ryuuen-kun smiled faintly too and continued the conversation.
"The reason?"
"Katsuragi-kun's downfall. Currently, his faction has the advantage over mine. Thanks to a certain class."
"Kukuku, that's unfortunate. You can't participate in exams because of your body. So you can't take countermeasures.
That alone is more than enough reason to be targeted, but that class is pulling some pretty cowardly moves."
Ryuuen-kun grinned sadistically; Sakayanagi-san returned the same kind of smile.
They were similar types—their mutual provocation began without even needing a bell.
"Cowardly? Perish the thought. I was simply outdone.
But it seems the leader of that class is terribly afraid of me. It's like they're admitting they can't win in a fair fight. Don't you think so, Ryuuen-kun?"
"Even I, who's good at being considerate, can't defend that, Sakayanagi. It sounds like the howling of a loser. Besides..."
"...Even in a fair fight, I'd win.
Ryuuen-kun declared it with a confident expression.
"Fufu, let's be honest. Well played. I never imagined my boring class rule would suddenly turn this bad."
Stopping her provocative smile, Sakayanagi-san revealed her true feelings with a neutral expression.
"Yeah? So how do you feel now, cornered like this?"
"Cornered? That's not quite right."
"…What?"
For the first time here, Ryuuen-kun's smile vanished.
Sakayanagi-san, still completely composed, continued.
"This much… doesn't count as being cornered. If anything, it's a good handicap."
"…Kuku, you really are a troublesome woman.
But what're you gonna do? I've got no interest in taking your troublesome request. It'd be easier for me if you dropped out here."
Sakayanagi-san was asking him to destroy the current A Class led by Katsuragi-kun, for the sake of her own rise.
From Ryuuen-kun's perspective, Sakayanagi-san was a troublesome obstacle. Having her exit here would make things much easier.
Though, knowing him, he might deliberately let her revive.
"Do you understand why I'm asking you?"
"Because I've got the highest chance."
"Yes, correct. But I can't give you full marks.
More precisely, it's because C Class has the highest chance."
She said this while looking at me.
I belonged to C Class. She was implicitly saying my presence outweighed even Ryuuen-kun's. And Ryuuen-kun wasn't the type to miss that intent.
"Kukuku, got it. Right now, there's no shield here to protect you.
If you got attacked here, you'd have no way to fight back, right?"
"Indeed, if violence were used on me now, my chances of winning would be zero. But this is fact, you're certainly someone I recognize as an enemy, but compared to Izuru-kun, you're nothing much."
The instant she finished speaking, Ryuuen-kun's movement accelerated.
He stood and reached for her collar.
That's how it appeared to super analytical ability.
So I moved faster to prevent it.
I placed my hand on his shoulder before he could fully stand.
"Please don't get rough."
"…Tch, mind your own business."
Ryuuen-kun suppressed his anger.
After instructing him to fix the carpet, I turned to Sakayanagi-san.
"You saw this outcome too—please stop pointless provocation."
"It's a maiden's heart. A man who protects you is very cool."
She said this with an enchanting smile.
I wasn't the only one here with super analytical ability.
She'd seen it coming yet hadn't backed down. She hadn't because of her towering pride.
"A Class will fall on its own even if we do nothing. Because the current A Class has made too many enemies. Having accumulated so many points, they'll be targeted by every class in future special exams."
[Current A Class points: 1518 CP.]
The gap with the closest class, B Class, was still around 500 CP.
In this school, only A Class received benefits after graduation. Being targeted by the others was inevitable.
"So you're saying you don't need my help."
"Yes. If I wait, they'll easily fall, and my chance to rise will come. However… offering cooperation would make that chance arrive much sooner."
"You can't wait that long, huh. Pretty aggressive."
Ryuuen-kun laughed happily. They really were similar personalities.
"In this school, there's probably no one who can fairly compete with Izuru-kun.
If I get cooperation from the C Class that has such a person, Katsuragi-kun's faction will collapse much faster.
What do you say, Ryuuen-kun? The sooner I rise, the sooner we can fight."
"Kuku, you're better at manipulating people than me. When you put it like that, I kinda feel like cooperating."
"Then, will you cooperate?"
Ryuuen-kun showed a great smile and—
"No."
Rejected it.
"Because I'm going to crush every class."
At that declaration, Sakayanagi-san laughed out loud.
"Fufufu, negotiations have broken down. But I'll be rooting for you, Ryuuen-kun."
"Talk all you want. When you rise again, I'll have this guy under control."
Ryuuen-kun pointed at me and declared.
If that happened, it would be an interesting outcome for me too.
"No, even you can't defeat a 'true' genius. That role belongs to a fellow genius—me."
"Genius, talent—you're all so noisy. What a winner needs isn't talent."
"Fufu, a very you answer. But it's incorrect."
"No, the winner's theory is the correct one."
Even as similar types, their mindsets and dispositions differed.
If both reached full maturity, their battle would be truly interesting.
I could look forward to this.
At the same time, I'd be in their way in that battle.
I should plan to provide a stage for their fight in the future.
"Now then, Kamuro-san should be here soon—shall we prepare?"
At my intervention, the two stopped their argument.
"I'll enjoy seeing your Ultimate Cook talent in full."
Sakayanagi-san stood and approached the kitchen.
When super analytical ability reached its peak, it could imitate others' talents.
She positioned herself where she wouldn't interfere and prepared to observe me.
"Just don't get in the way."
"Of course."
I put on an apron and began cooking.
Later, Kamuro-san arrived right on time and joined us.
She was surprised by Ryuuen-kun's presence and got teased by Sakayanagi-san.
She seemed like the long-suffering type.
Afterward, I served the food and received unanimous praise.
Once Ryuuen-kun and Kamuro-san returned to their rooms after eating, Sakayanagi-san and I enjoyed chess without reservation.
She'd gotten stronger since last time—we became so absorbed we lost track of time.
***
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