Arisu elegantly crossed her legs wearing white silk socks. Because her legs were uncomfortable to move, she didn't swing them, but only stacked them calmly.
Even so, many male students' eyes immediately focused there, including Hachiman.
(Wow... white socks with garters...)
"Ahem." Ryuji immediately cleared his throat, signaling for Hachiman to pull back his too-obvious "dead fish eye" gaze.
Other people usually stole glances with the corner of their eyes, but he was looking openly. Hachiman, realizing this, immediately lowered his head, he felt very embarrassed because it turned out he could be tempted by a pair of white socks.
Arisu only showed a smile on her lips. She didn't care people were looking at her; she wasn't the type of person too rigid about small things like that.
Besides, didn't that prove that she was very attractive?
As a woman, who didn't want to look beautiful?
Even Arisu was no exception.
Across from her, Honami cleared her throat to start the main topic: discussing how to face the upcoming cooperation between Class C and Class D.
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On the other side.
Ryunosuke and Hiyori also did the same thing, compiling a list of important points in this sports festival.
Running, long jump, high jump, relay race, tennis, basketball, to chess. For individual categories, there was no need to discuss too deeply, because it didn't benefit the class; only adding 5,000 personal points for the winner. The main focus was the team category.
Ryunosuke rubbed his chin, looked at Class D students, then turned to look at his own class members. Based on his understanding, he immediately made a decision.
First, relay race. Divided into male and female categories each 4x100 meters.
Ryunosuke looked at Ayanokouji, Hirata, then Koenji...
(Eh, forget about this blonde hair guy, most likely he won't help...)
Finally, he saw potential from Hiyori's side. He chose the two-meter-tall Albert and Ishizaki who was quite good at fighting and had good stamina. He combined the four of them into one team for the men's relay category. Hiyori didn't object.
One person was allowed to register for several competitions at once, this greatly facilitated Ryunosuke in maximizing the efficiency of talented students.
For the women's relay, Ryunosuke determined: Yukino, Ibuki, and two people from his own class, Suzune and Kushida...
What could he do, Ryunosuke actually didn't want to use Kushida, but among the female students in his class, besides those two, there was no one else who could be relied on.
As one of those selected, Kushida of course held the participant list. Ryunosuke glanced at her with the corner of his eye, staying vigilant lest the other party create chaos.
Actually Ryunosuke was too worried. Currently Kushida didn't yet have the intention to betray the class. She had become good friends with Suzune, although they rarely chatted. Plus, because Ryunosuke had fulfilled her ego's request on the ship, she wouldn't betray the class in the near future.
She wouldn't be as stupid as the original version who brought the participant list to trade with other classes. She wasn't that careless now. She had clearly seen Ryunosuke's physical strength some time ago; she wasn't sure she could deceive that "monster's" eyes. If she failed, she would instead bring big problems to herself.
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On the other side, Arisu had found a cooperation partner from the second year, namely Class 2-A led by Nagumo.
To prevent anything unwanted from happening, Arisu brought several male bodyguards, among them were Hashimoto Masayoshi and Kohei. Both were acknowledged to have strong physiques and were good at fighting.
It wasn't that Arisu had bad prejudice, but Nagumo's reputation was indeed very bad in women's eyes... so she had to be vigilant.
Seeing Arisu come to his class bringing two bodyguards, Nagumo who was raising his legs on the desk could only sneer.
(This little girl really thinks too far ahead.)
(Although I really like beautiful women, I wouldn't be stupid enough to bother the Board Chairman's daughter, unless I indeed wanted to be expelled from this school.)
Nagumo lowered his legs and sat upright, giving sufficient respect to his conversation partner.
"What business do you have looking for me, Little Princess Sakayanagi?"
Arisu slightly furrowed her beautiful brows, she could catch the sarcasm in those words.
That was mockery that she was just the Board Chairman's daughter using her identity to pressure others.
Arisu tapped the floor lightly with her cane as a warning.
"This time you just watch from the side. Don't interfere, and don't do anything."
"If I know you're doing unnecessary things, don't blame me if I take action against you."
Facing the threat from the "little dragon" Arisu, Nagumo just spread his hands.
"Relax, I'm also not interested in meddling in other people's affairs. Currently I'm in the weakest condition, where's the time to deal with others..."
Since Ryunosuke depleted his points last time, he was busy finding ways to re-accumulate points for the final battle against the Student Council President.
Where was there time for others?
"Oh?" Arisu showed an interested expression. "Weakest condition... If I'm not mistaken, your points must have been drained by Akasaka-kun, right?"
"No wonder you look so tense~"
Arisu smiled thinly, clearly mocking.
Nagumo didn't reply, he just turned his face and remained silent.
Because her goal was achieved, Arisu didn't want to waste more time. She lifted her skirt slightly and performed a formal noble greeting.
"Well then, good afternoon. We won't disturb Vice President Nagumo's pleasure. Let's go! Hashimoto-kun, Katsuragi-kun."
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Day began to darken, night arrived.
Arisu sat alone on a public park bench. She was waiting for someone.
Considering it was now mid-November, the leaves had already yellowed and fallen. A leaf fell right on top of her white beret.
Someone appeared before Arisu and gently took that leaf from her beret.
That person was Ryunosuke.
Arisu's lips curved into a sweet smile. She looked up at the man before her.
"You came, Akasaka-kun~"
Ryunosuke sat beside her with an expressionless face. "Say, what business do you have calling me out?"
Arisu swung her legs, her mood seemed very good. Perhaps because facing Ryunosuke, she could be more open without calculations as usual. She revealed her true intention.
"I want to fight one on one with Ayanokouji-kun!"
Facing the victory declaration from Arisu, Ryunosuke cruelly shattered her fantasy.
"Not possible."
"You can't win against him."
Arisu, feeling annoyed, kicked the man's leg with her small foot. She showed her little emotional side in front of Ryunosuke. Without hiding anything, she conveyed her request.
"Can you place Ayanokouji-kun in the chess branch?"
"I want to compete against him in a chess game."
"Why?" Ryunosuke asked, playing dumb. He of course knew the reason, but he deliberately acted.
Arisu told her childhood story with Ayanokouji.
She of course concealed the fact that Ayanokouji came from the White Room. Because she lost in one match in the past, Arisu wanted to win it back. She knew the man before her was capable of doing it.
Facing that request, Ryunosuke pretended to think before finally agreeing.
"Alright, but I have one condition."
Arisu as if already guessing sighed. "I already thought you'd be like that. Say, what's your condition?"
Ryunosuke smiled thinly. "In the upcoming Student Council President election, I might need your help. I hope you'll help me fully just once."
"Well... maybe also help me face Nagumo Miyabi."
"Oh? That condition... is quite troublesome. Should I agree or not?" Arisu tried to bargain. "The price is quite expensive, Akasaka-kun. Making me move the entire Class B to fight Nagumo-senpai, is your stake enough?"
"Besides, it seems you still owe me a favor, right? How about this time we consider it even?"
Ryunosuke didn't care about that proposal.
"You won't refuse. Because if you want to challenge Ayanokouji, you have to go through me."
"As Class C's leader, I can arrange anyone's position, including appointing Ayanokouji to play chess."
"You... from the beginning had no choice."
Arisu stared at him deeply, then fell silent. After thinking less than half a second, she gave a response. She extended her small hand, indicating the agreed cooperation.
Ryunosuke welcomed it.
They didn't sign a contract, just a verbal agreement. Even so, Ryunosuke believed Arisu wouldn't break her promise.
He knew someone like Arisu wouldn't cheat in small matters like this. She might do anything to defeat someone, but she wouldn't violate a promise that had been agreed upon.
Arisu began to stand with the help of her cane.
Ryunosuke, feeling uneasy, also stood up. "I'll escort you back."
Arisu didn't refuse. She placed her hand on Ryunosuke's arm to maintain balance.
Ryunosuke slowed his pace, adjusting to Arisu's walking speed.
Arisu could clearly feel that the man was looking after her. She smiled meaningfully.
"You're really gentle~"
"Must have already deceived many girls, right?"
Ryunosuke furrowed his brows. "How can you draw that conclusion?"
Arisu wagged her finger. "Because you're too skilled..."
"At spoiling women..."