Chapter 323 The Bet / Airi Wants a Massage / Comforting Honami
Since the near-fight yesterday morning, their group hadn't caused any more trouble in the afternoon. Whether it was the academic classes or the group runs, the crowd managed to get through the day surprisingly peacefully. However, during breakfast, Akira had learned some news from the teacher: starting tomorrow, each group would be responsible for preparing their own breakfast.
The final class was still Zen (meditation). After it ended, Yukimura Teruhiko slumped onto the floor, looking exhausted.
"Are you okay, Yukimura?" Miyake Akito asked with concern.
"I'm... I'm alright... just my back and waist ache like crazy."
Ishizaki Daichi and the student from Class B groaned in unison: "My legs are numb!" "Mine too!"
Akira stood up slowly, feeling fine.
Although today was his first official session and he lasted the whole way, he found his thoughts drifting; he was far from a state of total emptiness. He heard there was a realm called "Samadhi"—he wondered when he'd get to experience that.
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Dinner today looked promising: a golden, fragrant Tendon (tempura rice bowl). Akira carried his tray and glanced at the spot where he usually sat with Karuizawa Kei, but she wasn't there. Not far away, he spotted Horikita Manabu and Sato-senpai dining together.
"Shimizu! Over here!" Sato-senpai waved. Since he was alone, Akira sat down next to them.
"Shimizu, that was a great speech yesterday!" Sato-senpai slapped Akira on the back with his powerful arm.
"Indeed, it was very good," Horikita Manabu said calmly.
"It seems you truly understand the core of this exam and analyzed it from the school's perspective. I don't have to worry too much about your performance this time." Saying so, he moved the largest shrimp from his tempura to Akira's bowl.
"Uh... thank you, Horikita-senpai." Akira reflexively scanned the room. Tachibana Akane wasn't there, and neither was Suzune. At least he wouldn't be "assassinated" by their glares.
"Horikita-senpai's plan was the impressive one," Akira said seriously after a bite.
"It tests social skills, gives groups a chance to present, and promotes exchange. I heard the school has already adopted that model?"
"Yes, it will likely be officially used in the next exam," Manabu nodded steadily.
"They didn't use it for free, did they? No reward?"
"They gave me 500,000 private points."
"That's fair." Akira wasn't surprised. Manabu had proposed a standardized, complete process; the school wouldn't just take it. It was a school tradition never to be stingy with points for excellent student proposals. Just like his own surveillance rental scheme in the first month—if he hadn't rented them to other classes, the school was prepared to buy back the equipment for 2 million points. Compared to that, 500k was modest.
"I heard your group also selected our team?"
"Well, your strength is undeniable, Senpai."
"I deliberately didn't choose your group. Do you know why?" Manabu put down his chopsticks and looked at Akira.
"Hm?"
"You beat me once during the Sports Festival. This time, I'm winning it back."
'Great, the President is still holding a grudge over that...' Akira felt helpless.
Manabu continued calmly: "Since we are in different Large Groups, let's compete on the final results of this exam. I know you don't like doing things without stakes. If you beat me, I'll give you 3 million private points. How about it? It's just a side task for you anyway."
Akira paused. 3 million points... He did have several "troublesome" girlfriends at home who might need extra points for emergencies. Just as he was about to speak, a smiling voice came from behind:
"Interesting~ Horikita-senpai, how about adding me in?"
Nagumo Miyabi, tray in hand and followed by Vice President Kiriyama Ikuto, sat down uninvited.
"Nagumo, what does this have to do with you?" Sato-senpai snorted rudely.
Nagumo ignored him, his eyes scanning between Akira and Manabu.
"Since it's a race, isn't it more fun with more people? I'm in. If I beat both Horikita-senpai and Shimizu-kun, you each give me 3 million points. If I lose," he paused, his smile deepening, "I give each of you 3 million. Deal?"
Kiriyama stood quietly behind him, his gaze flickering over the two without a word. Manabu didn't agree immediately; he fell silent.
Nagumo leaned forward slightly.
"Didn't I make a promise over the phone already, President? I said I wanted to have a proper match with you. This mountain camp is the perfect opportunity."
'This guy... he contacted Manabu a long time ago?'
Manabu finally spoke. "I'll compete with you. But I don't want points. If I win, I want you to immediately withdraw the measures lowering Class D's treatment and promise never to target students' basic treatment again. You apologized yesterday morning; I want that to be the final word."
The smile on Nagumo's face stiffened for a split second before returning to normal.
"...Senpai is still hung up on that. Fine, I agree."
He turned to Akira, provocation in his eyes.
"Shimizu-kun, what do you say? Do you dare take this bet with the President and me? Or... do you want to back out of our wager?" He paused.
"But since the President's terms changed, let's set our stakes at 8 million private points. How about it? You should be able to afford that, right? After the VIP exam and the Sports Festival... you made quite a killing."
He knows I have at least 8 million? Indeed, on the surface, Akira got 5 million from the school in the VIP exam and 3 million from the President after the Sports Festival. In Nagumo's eyes, that was the extent of Akira's wealth.
"What? Still hesitating? I won't cheat; I'll put my reputation on the line," Nagumo added.
Akira almost laughed.
"Your reputation... I don't really trust it. If it's based on the Large Group's average score, I'm not sure I'd win. After all, almost all the second-years belong to you now, right? If someone intentionally causes trouble to drag down the score, I'd lose easily. Since... we're comparing averages."
Nagumo's smile faded slightly. "Oh? You think I'd use such methods?"
"I don't 'think' so, I'm 'preventing' it," Akira met his gaze. "Since it's a bet, the rules must be clear, otherwise post-match bickering is pointless."
"How do you want to play?"
"Simple," Akira said steadily. "Not the Large Group average, but the small group average. Highest score wins. This way it's fair and eliminates any chance of sabotage."
Nagumo narrowed his eyes but didn't answer immediately. Manabu spoke up: "Those rules work. I agree as well."
Nagumo looked at Manabu, then at Akira, and let out a low chuckle.
"Interesting... you two are teaming up against me."
"It's just clearing things up beforehand," Akira said.
"If you don't agree, the bet is off. I don't mind."
Nagumo was silent for a few seconds before finally shrugging.
"Fine. As you say. Small group average—it's a showdown."
"Then it's settled." Nagumo stopped before turning to leave.
"Shimizu-kun, you're even more cautious than I imagined—that's a good thing. However..." He curled his lip. "People who are too cautious sometimes miss out on opportunities."
He then left with Kiriyama. The cafeteria fell quiet again.
Sato-senpai scratched his head. "That last line... sounded really unpleasant."
Manabu looked at Akira. "The rules you proposed are good. Nagumo really might have manipulated the average. This way, he can only rely on his own strength to beat you."
"I just didn't want to leave any loopholes." Akira rubbed his chin. "But then again, winning on small group average won't be easy." With Ryuen Kakeru and Koenji Rokusuke in his group, he'd need a serious plan to win on an overall average. "I'll head out first. Enjoy your meal."
After Manabu left, Sato-senpai leaned toward Akira.
"Hey, Akira, are you really going head-to-head with Nagumo? He's not exactly a rule-follower. But I think I saw... was that Kiriyama kid secretly winking at you? Is that why you agreed? Do you two have some private plan?"
Akira's lip twitched. Kiriyama Ikuto had secretly blinked and nodded, seemingly signaling Akira to agree. The problem was: 'We have never met or spoken in person, where would a 'plan' come from?'
Rather, it seemed the Vice President had his own agenda.
"Please rest assured, Senpai. I have a winning method."
"Huh?"
Sato left first as well. Akira ate a bit slower because of the extra shrimp.
"Shimizu-kun..." A slightly breathless voice came from the side. Akira looked up to see Sakura Airi running over alone.
"Sakura?" He was surprised. She usually moved everywhere with Hasebe Haruka.
"Shimizu-kun, this... is a note Chabashira-sensei asked me to give you." Airi pulled a folded slip of paper from her pocket and handed it over nervously.
Akira took it and unfolded it:
After 10:00 PM, the supervisors stop their rounds. There is a utility room on the first floor of the girls' dorm that is left unlocked. You can use it to meet whoever you want in private. In exchange, I want your group to take first place in this exam. If successful, I will reward you with another 1 million private points. Additionally, please tell me the true identity of 'Cheshire Cat.' Write it on a note for me.
"Eh...?!" Akira was stunned, stuck between laughing and crying.
'Great... I was wondering why Chabashira-sensei hadn't interfered yet. She was waiting here.'
They had seen each other yesterday morning; she could have asked then, but she was only obsessed with the cat's identity. She really had a single-track mind.
However, the intel was useful.
A utility room... meeting in private after 10 PM. He had been worrying about how to talk to his girlfriends alone. As for the 1 million points—he had just made a bet with Nagumo and Manabu; aiming for first was already the plan.
But betraying Sakayanagi Arisu's identity? Akira thought for a moment, took out a pen and paper, and wrote:
I will do my best to lead the group to first place. But regarding the identity of 'Cheshire Cat,' I have an agreement with that person and cannot reveal it. The information about the utility room will count as an advance reward for my effort; you don't need to prepare the 1 million points.
Since Sakayanagi hadn't exposed him, he wouldn't break the pact.
Besides, 1 million points paled in comparison to the stakes with Manabu and Nagumo.
There was no need to tell Chabashira the truth; he'd fulfill one of her two requests, which was a fair trade.
"Um... okay." Airi nodded, taking the note back.
"Wait, Sakura," Akira called her back.
"Thanks for making the trip. If it's convenient, could you also pass these two notes to Kushida Kikyo and Horikita Suzune?" He quickly scribbled some content, folded them, and handed them over.
"Um... anything else?" she asked softly.
"That's all." Akira shook his head.
Airi turned to leave but was gently caught by the wrist by Akira.
"Sakura, don't be in such a rush. I wanted to talk to you. Who are you and Hasebe grouped with?"
"I... I'm with Kushida-san."
"Is that so?" Akira felt relieved. With Kushida there, they'd be looked after. "By the way, you haven't updated your blog photos lately?" he asked casually.
Airi's face turned beet red instantly.
"That... I-I've stopped idol activities for a long time... I haven't updated lately... those photos... I-I only want to take them for Shimizu-kun to see..."
She was blushing, but her words were so direct.
'Only for him?'
So her wanting him to take photos was purely because she wanted him to be the one to see her? How cute.
"Um... so, as a reward for delivering the notes, can I make a small request?"
"Sure, name it."
"I... Haruka and I both feel our shoulders are very sore... we want you to help us with... a massage."
"What kind of massage? Didn't I just put sunscreen on you last time?" Akira blurted out.
"Th-that..." Airi's head looked like it was about to vent steam; she froze entirely.
Akira chuckled and patted her head.
"Alright, I got it. The day after tomorrow is Sunday, a full day off. If you two are free, meet me at the girls' dorm entrance around 11:00 PM that night. Hehe..."
"Mhm... mhm!" Airi nodded vigorously, looking as if she'd been recharged, and jogged away.
Quite direct... Airi clearly had feelings for him.
Akira watched her back. While thinking this might be narcissistic, he wasn't a light novel protagonist; her behavior, her words, the photos for his eyes only, and the massage request made it quite obvious.
Airi was the obedient type; if they dated in the future, she'd probably do whatever her boyfriend said.
Yet, she knew how to be proactive with requests. Unlike a certain manager who had to think forever even when he offered. She lacked the proactivity of a gyaru.
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The third day of the camp, Saturday. The good news was the afternoon was free. The bad news was that it was the first years' turn to handle breakfast for the entire school. Thus, everyone was forced out of bed at 5:00 AM to head to the outdoor cooking area next to the school building.
"Ah... so sleepy..." Ishizaki grumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"Does anyone know how to cook?" Miyake asked, looking around.
"I do." "Me!" "I can do a bit." Akira, Katsuragi Kohei, and Hashimoto Masayoshi raised their hands. Akira could cook, though his level was average since Suzune usually handled the meals. He hadn't cooked once since starting school, but he knew how.
Katsuragi divided the tasks. The three cooks would handle the miso soup and fried eggs, while the others shared the chopping, prepping, plating, and setting the table.
"Katsuragi, I didn't expect you to cook," Hashimoto chatted cheerfully while working the frying pan.
"I often cooked for my sister when I was little. How did you learn?" Katsuragi asked flatly.
"I've always lived alone; cooking is a survival skill. So, why did you choose Sakayanagi back then? Why not me?"
"The reason is simple. Your plan was to fight Sakayanagi for power after reaching the third year," Hashimoto smiled.
"First, I don't think that balance could last; infighting just drags the class down. Second, Sakayanagi can simply go further than you."
"You're direct," Katsuragi glanced at him.
"However, at midnight on the first night, I saw you and Ryuen leave the dorm one after the other. What did you two talk about?"
"Rest assured, I won't do anything to hurt this group." Hashimoto dodged the question and tossed it back.
"Rather, you, Katsuragi, are unusually active in this exam. What are you after by joining this 'troublemaker group'?"
"There's nothing to hide," Katsuragi said honestly.
"I joined this group to take first place. If our group takes first, the multiplier advantage of other groups will be significantly weakened. This is currently the best strategy for Class A."
"I see... for Class A?" Hashimoto nodded thoughtfully.
"It looks like I need to take this exam seriously too."
Akira quietly fried eggs nearby, listening to them.
'These two... plotting out loud again.'
But he also knew about Hashimoto and Ryuen sneaking out at night—that's why Ryuen woke up so late the next morning. Katsuragi was as honest as ever, stating his true goal. Still, since both of them were this committed, they would give it their all. At least he didn't have to worry about them sabotaging the score.
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The morning academic class was held with several Large Groups together. Coincidentally, sitting directly in front of Akira were Nagumo and Kiriyama. After making the bet yesterday, Nagumo didn't speak to him at all, leaving immediately after class.
However, Kiriyama Ikuto deliberately slowed his pace. As he passed Akira, he coughed lightly and inconspicuously dropped a folded note on Akira's desk. Once the crowd thinned, Akira took the note to a corner and opened it.
Regarding Nagumo, I will intentionally fail some parts on the final day and try to win over other second-years. Meet me behind the boys' dorm at 11:00 PM next Monday to discuss the strategy in detail.
Well... The anticipated contact had finally arrived. He could finally talk to Vice President Kiriyama.
Then again, Kiriyama and Nagumo were in the same group! Nagumo really trusted the guy!
"Heh? Those two are making good progress!" Akira noticed Ike Kanji and Shinohara Satsuki sitting close together a few tables away, whispering and laughing. He didn't disturb them, but scanned the cafeteria, his eyes landing on a table up front.
Ichinose Honami was dining with several female classmates, her expression carrying an unmistakable exhaustion.
"Ah! It's Shimizu-kun!"
"Shimizu-kun is here!"
"Thanks so much for the pairing exam!"
"Do you have enough to eat? Want some of my rice?"
Several Class B students saw him and greeted him warmly. Akira had helped Class B many times, so he was popular there. Even Moriyama Susumu in his group had been polite in the dorm.
"No, thank you, we're just partners," Akira shook his head quickly.
"Alright, stop crowding him!" Kobashi Yume smiled, helping clear the way.
"Good evening, Shimizu-kun."
"Good evening, Kobashi." Kobashi was one of Honami's close friends, but Akira wasn't here for her. His eyes remained on Honami.
Kobashi understood immediately and turned to the others.
"You guys! Shimizu-kun is here to discuss official business with Honami. Don't be third wheels, give them some space!"
The Class B students teased and laughed as they dispersed, clearing a path for Akira.
Honami looked up, her eyes brightening slightly when she saw Akira, but exhaustion quickly reclaimed them.
"Honami..."
"Can we talk for a bit alone?" Akira asked softly.
"Mhm." She nodded and gave her classmates an apologetic smile.
"I'll be right back."
The two walked to a quiet corner of the cafeteria by the window. "You look tired," Akira said directly.
"...Is it that obvious?" Honami gave a bitter smile.
"Sorry for worrying you."
"Is it because of what Sakayanagi said?"
Honami was silent for a moment.
"She wasn't wrong. Three classes teaming up against Class A... that method isn't what a 'purely good person' would do. I knew it was the optimal strategy, but hearing her say it, I still..."
She didn't finish, but Akira understood. Honami always wanted to lead with kindness and cooperation, but the rules of reality forced her into less "pure" choices.
"Honami," Akira looked into her eyes.
"The rules were designed by the school to make classes compete. Choosing to team up against Class A isn't about hurting anyone; it's about getting the best result within the rules—there's nothing wrong with that.
Besides, a 'good person' isn't someone who never hurts anyone, but someone who keeps their bottom line when faced with necessary choices and ensures no one is completely sacrificed. No one from Class A was expelled or disqualified; isn't that good?" He paused, his tone softer.
"Moreover, I was the one who proposed that plan. Do you think I'm a good person or a bad person? Most of the class agreed to it. If you keep feeling guilty, you'll make your classmates doubt if they did something wrong—Honami, you don't want them to worry because of you, do you?"
Honami lowered her head, silent for a long time, before finally letting out a soft sigh.
"...Thank you, Akira-kun. I feel... a bit lighter now."
"It's nothing. Making my girlfriend feel better is part of a boyfriend's duty. I knew something was off a few days ago, I just didn't find the right chance to talk."
"Akira-kun," Honami suddenly looked up.
"I want to be alone with you for a bit."
"Okay."
The two skipped the rest of their meal and walked to a secluded corner near the girls' dorm. Honami suddenly looked up and hugged him gently. Akira stroked her hair.
"Akira-kun, I don't really like this special exam... because seeing you has become so troublesome. I've missed you so much these past few days."
"I've left you lonely, sorry. If you want to see me, come to the utility room in the girls' dorm at 10:30 PM; I'll be there for half an hour every night.
Also... don't worry too much about others' opinions. A person like Sakayanagi, who walks with a cane every day, might trip and fall flat on her face one day. Just ignore her, she'll get what's coming to her."
They leaned on each other for a while before walking out of the corner. Right then, they ran straight into Sakayanagi Arisu.
Sakayanagi looked at them, seemingly about to speak. But as she brushed past another group of girls, someone bumped her lightly. Her cane slipped, and she actually stumbled forward, falling to the ground.
"Uh..." Honami was stunned.
'He actually called it?'
Ouch, that looked like it really hurt!