As Kamuro looked at Sakayanagi Arisu's expression, she felt like she understood.
"Normally, of course there wouldn't be poison involved."
Kamuro said.
"I didn't think that either."
Sakayanagi Arisu replied.
"I'm not saying Shirogane is that bad."
Kamuro added.
"Oh?"
Sakayanagi then put down her phone and turned her full attention to Kamuro.
Kamuro used to not like Shirogane very much—she always called him "Shirogane, Shirogane." But now, she was calling him "Shirogane-kun."
"Could it be that Kamuro is starting to like Shirogane?"
"And when a girl starts liking a guy this fast, it's usually because of hormones. In other words, Kamuro, maybe you've fallen for Shirogane."
Sakayanagi said with a smile.
"..."
Kamuro.
Even though she didn't think Sakayanagi really meant what she said, Kamuro still felt it was better to shut that down immediately, so she replied,
"No way. How could I have feelings for someone who told me to study 404 textbooks and made me study 15 hours a day?"
"He did it all to cure my stealing habit, but honestly, being your little pet is way easier."
Kamuro said.
Hmm...
Sakayanagi had always thought Kamuro wasn't exactly the brightest.
But even with her own genius mind, right now she couldn't figure out Kamuro's way of thinking.
When did Shirogane become Kamuro's master? And why was he making her study 15 hours a day?
"It was just a silly dream I had last night."
Kamuro said. Even though she didn't want to admit it, she *was* Sakayanagi's little pet now. So she said, "In the dream, instead of you catching my secret, it was Shirogane-kun. And he made me promise to get into Tokyo University."
"Tokyo University, huh?"
Sakayanagi clapped her hands softly.
She knew dreams were vague and random, but Kamuro's dream sounded kind of believable.
Even Sakayanagi could imagine Shirogane telling Kamuro to study.
"Studying more isn't a bad thing, but with your level of talent, getting into Tokyo University is basically impossible. Even if you studied 15 hours a day, you'd probably still fail after 100 years."
Sakayanagi said.
Ouch.
Kamuro thought that was way too harsh—what did she mean by *not even 100 years of studying would help*?
Of course, Kamuro didn't plan on studying for 100 years either.
But...
What Sakayanagi said wasn't exactly wrong either.
Right.
She's a student in Class A right now, and as long as she graduates from Class A, the school will cover her college tuition and even help her get into any university she wants—yes, even Tokyo University without taking an entrance exam.
But only students who graduate from Class A get that kind of deal.
So.
As long as Shirogane doesn't climb up and threaten their spot, they can safely graduate from Class A.
At that moment, Kamuro finally felt what it really meant to be a Class A student.
"Looks like you've relaxed a bit," Sakayanagi said.
"Yeah…"
Kamuro was definitely calmer now, but she asked, "You think that even if I studied for 100 years, I couldn't get into Tokyo University—so you think Shirogane can?"
"If it's Shirogane, and he keeps studying hard for three years straight, he probably could go straight to Tokyo University."
"From what I've seen, with the level he's at now, he could already pass," Sakayanagi said.
"Is he really that smart?"
Kamuro found it hard to believe.
Because the word was that Shirogane studied for 12 hours a day. If his grades were already that good and he was still studying like that, it was kind of insane.
"Shirogane is ranked number one in written exams," Sakayanagi said.
"That's what President Horikita told me."
"And I'm only ranked third."
Oh.
So you're not happy about that, huh?
"But he works a lot harder than I do. And... he's also naturally talented."
"He still has room to grow when it comes to academics. If you went to the library yesterday, you'd have seen—he borrowed a ton of books, and he's already studying second-year level material," Sakayanagi said.
"So why don't you try putting in some effort too, Sakayanagi? Didn't you say you're talented?" Kamuro asked.
She felt like Sakayanagi might be admiring Shirogane a little too much.
And that's not really a good thing—after all, they're from different classes.
"I tried last night," Sakayanagi Arisu said with a bit of regret.
"But it doesn't seem to be working."
Ugh.
Kamuro immediately understood why Sakayanagi was so out of it today.
This girl needs 10 hours of sleep every day. And after taking out time for classes, meals, and other things like bathing, there's barely any time left for studying.
And even with that kind of routine, she still managed to get third place in the written exam.
That's just crazy.
So unfair.
For the first time, Kamuro truly felt what it meant to be born with talent.
"Let's eat. There's not much time left for lunch break."
Kamuro pushed back her chair, ready to eat.
"Okay."
Sakayanagi didn't say no.
But her eyes stayed fixed on the small can of coffee on the table.
"Kamuro, are you sure Shirogane really just sees me as a rival?"
Sakayanagi asked.
"I mean, yeah, he gave you coffee, but Shirogane seems nice to a lot of people, doesn't he?"
Kamuro replied.
"I've seen him give coffee to Shiina too."
Shiina Hiyori was in the same class as Shirogane.
They also sat one in front of the other.
Last month, Hashimoto, who had been sent out to keep an eye on things, reported seeing the two of them going out shopping together.
Honestly, they seemed to get along really well.
Hashimoto, who sees himself as a bit of a romance expert, even gave his opinion: while the two of them aren't dating yet, spending that much time together is bound to change things.
If they're given enough time, it's totally possible they'll end up as a couple.
Kamuro laid it all out like she was listing facts.
"Plus, Shiina's really cute, with long hair, and she likes wearing gray stockings. I've honestly never seen a girl who suits gray stockings as much as she does."
"And she's in the same class as Shirogane."
"Shiina has this calm, quiet personality. She's nothing like you—you're like a little devil. You treat people like puppies."
"No matter how you look at it, she's got the upper hand."
"..."
Sakayanagi.
"..."
Sakayanagi.
"Kamuro, you're talking too much. It's lunch time now."
Sakayanagi said.
"But you're not wrong. There really are other girls around Shirogane. Even though he says he's focused on studying and not love right now, him ending up with Shiina someday isn't out of the question."
Even as she said that.
Sakayanagi understood.
Since enrolling, she had drawn Shirogane's attention.
It was clear he had a kind heart. No matter who he faced, he shone like a small sun, warming everyone around him. But some people who didn't feel that warmth might think the sun shone differently on them and on others.
Sakayanagi believed she was in that group.
Looks like I misread things because of lack of experience, she thought.
Sakayanagi Arisu reflected on herself.
"Should we give this can of coffee back?" Kamuro asked.
Shirogane had given it to her, but classmates told her not to drink it, and Sakayanagi hadn't touched it either.
Because of a dream last night, Kamuro now felt a bit scared of Miyuki Shirogane, and that wasn't good.
It was as if she had become Sakayanagi's puppy, and—thanks to one silly dream—had almost turned into Shirogane's puppy too.
She wanted to use returning the coffee as a chance to talk to Shirogane and shrink that odd mix of obedience and fear.
"No need," Sakayanagi said. "Let's keep it as a little keepsake."
Oh.
So no excuse to see Shirogane today.
Kamuro gave up and started eating her lunch.
But—
"Beep‑beep!"
The phone Sakayanagi had placed on the desk buzzed, yet she ignored it and kept eating.
So casual, Kamuro thought.
As Sakayanagi's "puppy," Kamuro knew her contact list held every classmate's number—but she set the same alert for everyone: one short buzz per message.
It showed she ranked all messages the same—none special.
And today proved it.
When a message came, the phone on the desk lit up, showed the sender's name, then went dark.
Sakayanagi's eyes flicked over the screen, but she said nothing and kept eating.
"Beep‑beep."
While Kamuro was grumbling inside, her own phone buzzed too.
Huh. A text from that annoying Hashimoto.
Kamuro went back to her meal.
As she ate, she noticed Sakayanagi's phone light up again with another message—same routine, screen on for a moment, then off.
But this time, Sakayanagi didn't ignore it—she picked up her phone and looked at the message.
Since they weren't sitting far apart, Kamuro easily saw that the message was from Miyuki Shirogane.
"..."
Kamuro.
So she opened it right away just because it was from Shirogane?
Why is it that when classmates or even someone who might be sharing important updates messages you, you don't care at all—but when it's Shirogane, who just said to stay calm and think clearly, you check it instantly?
Still, since Sakayanagi was busy reading the message, and Kamuro knew her personality well, she chose to keep eating.
Finally—
"Shirogane says he's sorry for causing a stir when he came to our class this morning."
"And he asked if I've been sleeping okay."
Sakayanagi said.
Oh.
Kamuro kept listening.