Ayanokouji POV
It's the 7th and final day before the exam. So far, we have done pretty well aside from trying to deal with Koenji ever once in a while but at least progress was good.
We all woke up and Kei was already waking the rest of us.
"Hey! guys it's the final day so I'm not going to say it again, get the heck up we got work to do" Kei said asserting his position as everyone was up and as usual, I noticed that Koenji is missing, again
"Oh, great he's gone again" Yuuichi said
"Don't worry he'll be back, I think. Anyways we got some events to do, and we need all the advantage we can get for the 18 km relay race." Kei said
"You know, you and Ayanokouji are the fastest runners of our group so, I suggest that you guys take the last few kilometers." Keisei suggested
"Yeah, but you look at the rest of the groups. The other Class S guys are tough." Ishizaki said
"They have Karma and Tatsuya who are in separate groups who are the most physical from Class S so they will be tough to beat" Kei said
"But you don't have to worry about that besides Kiyotaka-san and I will run the 5 km so you guys can take the rest with no problems." he added
"5?" the others asked
"Woah, no need to push yourselves like that. You okay with this king?" Hashimoto asked me
"I'm sure all of you have seen the sports festival, so I'm fine with it." I replied
"Yeah, don't worry about us, you guys can just run the rest of the 8 km and we'll be fine." Kei said
"Well as long as I don't run that far, I'm fine with it." Hikigaya said
"Well since you two are willing to work for such a distance then I'll go along with it as well." Togami said
"Any objections from the rest?" Kei asked as no one responded
"Good"
"Wait what about Koenji?" Akito asked
"I said don't worry about him, besides I'll just tell him to run however distance he wants." Kei replied
"You think he's going to agree to it?" Keisei asked
"Who knows" Yuuichi said, hey that's my line
"Either way, let's at least stick to Kei's plan. It would be better that way" I said as everyone agreed.
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While I was minding my own business. I met up with Karuizawa and she whispered to me something about me needing meet a senpai just around the halls.
"Is it Nanami-senpai?" I asked
"No actually it's from Tachibana-senpai" she replied
"Tachibana-senpai?"
"Yeah, even Shinomiya-san and the rest of Class S knew about it, but they decided to keep quiet for now and let it play out" she explained as I immediately decided to find Tachibana-senpai
Within half a minute I managed to Tachibana-senpai down the hall, and she was crying. I wonder what's going on with her. I approached and when I got to her, she noticed my presence.
"Ayanokouji-kun?" she said while staring at me
"What's going on?" I asked
"Well, you see our group has been...doing very bad and I was the one leading them but I *sniffle*"
"Did something bad happen?"
"I just wanted to lead our class to victory. I want to prove to Manabu-kun I can do it but given the situation. I really can't" she said still crying
"Why not ask him for help or from Nanami-senpai?" I suggested
"I told you; I need to do things on my own. I really don't want to burden Manabu-kun any further. He's always the one carrying Class A to win so I want to do the same and prove I can stand on my own" she explained
"So why is your group doing bad? what exactly is going on"
"I can't tell you, i-it's nothing." She said before heading off.
I pondered for a bit; something is definitely wrong. I need to ask Kaguya and the rest for any other info.
"This must be Miyabi's doing, I can feel it" Before I leave from my position. Nanami-senpai arrived.
"Do you know something?" I asked
"I'm still currently asking my classmates about it in secret. Something is definitely wrong here" she said
"I agree"
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Yuuichi POV
It was the middle of the night, and I suddenly woke up. Something has been bothering me for a while. Was it my stomach? no, it was something else. Probably just my imagination until I saw Hashimoto carefully sneaking out of the room. Well, this is unusual but either way, I also sneaked out of bed...
"Are you planning on following him too?" Kiyotaka suddenly noticed me.
"Yeah, you can join if you want" I replied
"Sure" he said as we both headed off to where Hashimoto is going. We managed to follow him into the woods. Good thing it's dark out so he wouldn't be able to notice us quickly.
"What do you think he's up to?" I asked
"Who knows. but let's find out" Kiyotaka replied
We continue to follow him for about two minutes until he stopped, and we both noticed that Ryuen was waiting for him.
"I'm here Dragon boy" Hashimoto said
"Don't call me that" Ryuen said
"I'm just messing with you Ryuen, so tell me did you really step down as your class's leader?" He asked
"I don't buy it. I know your kind of act and Ishizaki wouldn't be acting weird like that in the first place" he added
"What do you mean?" Ryuen asked
"Listen, Ishizaki is well-known for putting up a good fight but there's no way he could've lost that easily, right?"
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"You know what I mean, besides you ain't giving up just because you lost one fight" Hashimoto said
"Hmm? How would you know that?"
"Let's say Togami's sources have been very reliable to me" Hashimoto replied
"Plus, I'm only telling you this so I we can keep making deals. You do remember it right?"
"Yes, I know but are you actually willing to betray Sakayanagi and Togami at the same time? Those individuals will punish you if you consider what they're capable of" Ryuen said
"I told you before, I'm only doing this to stay in Class A. I don't care if I throw Sakayanagi or Togami off the bus. I only do what matters to me. Of course, I would even give you information on those two right now. If the price is right" Hashimoto said
"Deals? Hashimoto is ratting out Class A?" I whispered
"That's right" another voice that I'm not familiar with joins in and we looked at who it was, and it was a short-haired boy with crimson eyes.
"Huh? who are you and how did you sneak up on us?" I asked
"Kiyotaka, been a while and I presume you're Katagiri Yuuichi, right?" the boy said
"How did you know my name?"
"What are you doing here Haru?" Kiyotaka asked
Wait Haru? wait is this him? the mastermind that I was trying to find. This is Daigo Haru?
"Ohh nothing much, just a little nightly stroll and it seems that a traitor is amongst Class A as well it seems"
"Traitor, so you know about him?" I asked
"That's right, in fact I knew it since the Island exam" Daigo replied
"Huh?"
"Ohh what's wrong you two? am I the only one here who knows that? haha I don't blame you of course I know Hashimoto was working with him since I did work with Ryuen before, and it so happens that they're still making deals as expected" Daigo said
"To be honest, I haven't seen Sakayanagi in a very long time. She is quite interesting despite not being in the White Room. To think she wouldn't suspect a traitor despite her intelligence." he added
"White Room? what the hell is..."
"I think we should deal with our current matter" Kiyotaka cuts me off. What was that for? He never does that to me before. Does that have to do with those two words that I said?
Suddenly both Ryuen and Hashimoto taken a back the moment another figure arrived. It was Nagumo.
"Now gentlemen. No need to be alarmed. Stay, I have something to discuss with the two of you" Nagumo said
"Looks like that's my cue" Daigo said from behind us
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" I asked but he continued to walk towards the three.
"Looks like things are getting interesting, eh?"
"What are you doing here?" Ryuen said slowly sounding irritated
"You're from Class C, right?" Hashimoto asked
With Daigo's arrival, Nagumo suddenly grinned at his appearance.
"Well, this is unexpected" Nagumo said
"I've heard of a rumor that a student has been carrying a defective class from the start, you must be him I'm guessing?" he added
"Daigo Haru, at your service" he said while bowing
"Tch! I have no time for this, I'm leaving" Ryuen said as he leaves and should checks the president on his way.
"Leaving so soon Ryuen? it's been ages since I interacted with you" Daigo said
"Hold on, how about we have a little wager?" Nagumo asked
"Wager?" Ryuen asked as he looked back at Nagumo
"That's right, a 10k point bet do you agree?"
"Sorry but I'm not sticking for less unless you're betting a million." Ryuen argued
"I could" everyone was now looking at Daigo
"That is, if you are willing to agree with my bet?" Daigo said
"kuku, now you're speaking my language. So, what's the bet?" Ryuen asked Daigo
"The bet is: who ever expels me first is wins all of my points"
"What's that?" all three of them were in shock
"No way" I said
"Why would you make an absurd bet like that?" Nagumo asked
"Because there's one individual who will expel me soon and you don't want him to have all the glory right?" Daigo asked
"Ohh I get it now, you're talking about that monster huh?" Ryuen asked
"If you're referring to Ayanokouji then yes." Daigo replied
"Because he's a threat, along with the rest of his class. If you want things to be the way, it is. Then expel him and then I'll allow anyone of you to expel me" he added as suddenly Nagumo laughed
"hahahahaha, why would you be willing to get expelled. Don't you want to continue to study in this school?" Nagumo asked
"I don't care about this school. All I want is Ayanokouji Kiyotaka to get expelled. With him out of the way there wouldn't be any point of me being here. Besides I only came here to get rid of him."
"Are you hearing this Kiyotaka?!" I whispered
"It seems that he doesn't care if he's in a school like this as long as he expels me. So that's your goal, Haru?" Kiyotaka said
"Ayanokouji, you say?" Nagumo said as he confronts Daigo
"That's right, I heard that Horikita-senpai praised him a lot so if you get rid of him. Absolute meritocracy will be yours for the taking. If you don't however, he will ruin your plans." Daigo said
"You really think he's a threat? Sorry but Ayanokouji is beneath me. You think I should be worried about him?" Nagumo asked with a condescending tone
"Ohh you should, besides compared to him your nothing"
"What's that?"
"kukukuku, I like where this is going" Ryuen said
"Woah hold on you do know who you're talking about right?" Hashimoto asked
"Yes, I told you guys. Ayanokouji could destroy all of you if he wanted to. That of course is the same for me if you even think of you guys are capable of expelling me before Ayanokouji" Daigo said with a tone that could only be described as evil.
"You want us to expel him and yet you even dare to threaten me?" Nagumo asked
"heh! If you can't beat Kiyotaka, then there's no way in hell you can beat me"
"So, it's you again." Another voice arrives and it's the former president. That's a lot of heavy hitters that's for sure
"Ohh what a surprise Horikita-senpai. I'll just leave, I don't want to cause any further trouble after all since I'm only issuing a warning to everyone including you" Daigo said with a cold stare to the former president.
"Nagumo what is going on here?" Horikita-senpai asked
"Ohh nothing much senpai. But I do have a favor to ask of you" Nagumo said
"Favor?"
"That's right, I want you to drop out from this exam tomorrow."
"And why would I do that?"
"It's because...." I saw Nagumo stepped closer to Horikita-senpai
"You might regret it"
"Then tell me, what are you up to?" Horikita-senpai asked
"I'm just following the rules. That's all. Funny don't you think? No one in this school has been able to predict my plans. Not even Ayanokouji Kiyotaka or Nanami Chiaki could even beat me" Nagumo boasted.
"Tch! bastard" I said
"Calm down Yuuichi" Kiyotaka said
"If you are only here to talk then you're only wasting my time" Horikita-senpai said
"I think this is enough strolling for one night. Let's go back Yuuichi" Kiyotaka said as he carefully leaves, and I followed soon after
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Ayanokouji POV
It's the final day of the exam and we are all ready at this point. The exam will in 4 parts. The 1st is meditation which is pretty much no problem. The 2nd is the written exam which again there wouldn't be any problems there. 3rd is the relay race; Kei and I will pretty much carry this one. The 4th and final part of the exam is reciting a speech. Well, I'm sure Kei and Yuuichi will have that covered.
The first was meditation. Kei, Yuuichi and I managed to score nearly 100% on that.
Afterwards as we left the room the three of us were confronted by Hashimoto.
"Hey what do you want from us?" Yuuichi asked
"Don't worry, I'm just here to ask about Ryuen" he said
"Ryuen? what would be the point? the guy is no match for our class especially since they have a genius right here" Kei replied
"*sigh* then I'll just leave the" Hashimoto said sounding disinterested and leaves
We are now at the 2nd part of the exam which was the written test. the three of us managed to score very high. Kei and I had 100 while Yuuichi followed with a 92.
After that, we were now escorted to a nearby van in which according to the faculty, we will be heading to where the relay race will take place. As the van is driving us to our destination, Koenji suddenly spoke.
"You know I'm in a very good mood today"
"What do you mean?" I asked
"I would like to run the relay race" he said
"Are you sure? I mean given that you are disinterested in the past. I don't think I can trust you."
"hahaha, oh Ayanokouji boy. You don't need to worry."
We are now at the relay race, and it has begun. As expected, I can see Karma, Tatsuya, and Suzaku who are in different groups waiting. They're tough opponents that's for sure, but even if they are strong themselves. They can't beat me.
I saw Kei easily outrunning everyone as he reached the baton to me, and I started running as quickly as possible. I was the last person to make the final stretch, but Tatsuya, Karma, and Suzaku aren't far behind. It was neck and neck for the four of us but eventually I managed to win for our group in the end.
The 4th and final part of the exam was reciting speeches but not much I can say. We all did decently at best.
With that, the exam has finally concluded. We were all lined up in the gym. I can see the rest of Class S praising each other for their efforts. I'm glad they're enjoying this at least.
The speaker who was Shigeru-sensei took the stage and has now announced the results.
The results were surprisingly close, but it was Horikita-senpai's group that managed to win. I heard one of the senpais screaming at Nagumo about their win.
"Hold on, let's not get excited. Wait for the girl's results"
Girls? hmm, I wonder how Kaguya and the rest are doing?
Shigeru-sensei has announced that Nanami-senpai's group managed to pass however there was one group that ultimately failed.
"Huh? what do you mean?" Nanami-senpai asked
"Nagumo what did you do?!" Horikita-senpai asked sounding slightly mad as Nagumo started laughing hysterically
The group that failed was apparently led by a girl named Ikari from Class 3-B student which had Tachibana-senpai in it.
"Looks like we lost, but I want Tachibana to be expelled with me" Ikari exclaimed
I saw Nanami-senpai suddenly walked towards Nagumo.
"So, this is what you're planning the entire time?!" she asked with an upset tone
"You weren't targeting me you were targeting Tachibana-senpai?"
"hahah, that's right. I know what you're capable of. You're smart enough to know that there could've been a problem in your group but since Class S are there, I had to change plans. So, I chose Tachibana-senpai's group instead," Nagumo replied
"But that's....are you willing to sacrifice other people just to prove a point to Horikita-senpai?!" I've never heard or seen Nanami-senpai this mad before.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" he replied as Nanami-senpai suddenly ran to where Tachibana-senpai is. Horikita-senpai is already there with her as Nanami-senpai joins in. I decided to listen to their conversation
"Why didn't you ask for my help?" Horikita-senpai asked
"Yeah, you could've asked for mine too" Nanami-senpai asked
"I just...didn't want to burden any of you." Tachibana-senpai replied as Nagumo walked towards the trio
"You! Nazuna-san was wrong about you. You lied; you said you were playing fair but why pull such a dirty trick?' Nanami-senpai asked in anger
"I will not allow this. I'm going to save Tachibana from expulsion" Horikita-senpai said
I whispered to the rest of Class S, and we all decided to leave the gym since we all pretty much seen enough although I can see the worry on Asuna's face. She really feels bad for her.
As we left, Karuizawa was there waiting.
"So, you all knew?" she asked as we all looked at each other
"Yes, we did anticipate this outcome" Kaguya said
"Well, you see we all knew Nagumo was pulling something, so we gathered some info on the other 2nd years and also the 3rd years" Yumeko said
"Nagumo anticipated that he would save Tachibana-senpai and by choosing to have a Class B student and having to rally the Class C and Class D girls from the 2nd year to target the 3rd years' Class A." Shiro explained
"Nagumo couldn't touch any of our groups on the boy's side since most of them had Class S students in it which would make it impossible for Nagumo to deal with us" Yuuichi said
"Yeah, Nagumo is too scared to go against the boys, so he decided to target the girls." Sora explained
"Chiaki-senpai's group is near impossible to deal with given that she wouldn't be the type of girl to get fooled easily and there are Class S girls on her group" he added
"Except for Tachibana-senpai's" Shiro also added
"And by targeting Tachibana-senpai, they practically forced Class 3-A to take action and had to pay 20 million points as well as 400 class points to save her thus Class 3-A would end up bankrupt in the end while Classes B, C, and D will only lose less." Yuuichi explained
"In short, Nagumo practically crippled their resources heading into the next semester." I spoke
"Ohh, I see. Well, I can't expect less from Class S. You guys all knew about it" Karuizawa said
"Actually, I also knew it as well" We all looked back and it was Nanami-senpai
"Wait really?" Kaguya asked
"I knew Miyabi was pulling a trick like that but what I don't understand is why would he sacrifice someone just to do it? I really can't bear to see any expulsions like this. Nagumo must be stopped" she said
We all looked at each other and nodded.
"Don't worry..."
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"We won't let him get away"