There wasn't much to debate about Class A's decision.
Sakayanagi wanted to target Class B, while Katsuragi preferred a more cautious approach.
Most students leaned toward the latter.
Thus, the only area where Sakayanagi could exert her influence was in designing the exam.
Kaoru had no objections to her arrangements.
After everyone formed a small group chat, today's homeroom meeting came to an end.
Although he had once intimidated Kamuro, her grades had actually improved significantly—from the lower-middle range to solidly mid-tier, even breaking into the top fifteen.
Perhaps it was due to the tutoring, or perhaps she had simply been working hard all along.
After class, as Kaoru was about to leave, Kamuro dryly asked from beside him.
"Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"What was I supposed to say?" Kaoru gave her a puzzled look as she pretended to pack her bag.
"Weren't you always making sarcastic remarks about my poor grades before?" Kamuro had finally managed to turn things around in the midterms and had been anticipating his usual taunts—only to be met with silence, which left her inexplicably frustrated.
"The past is the past, and the present is the present. I can't keep comparing the old you to the current you forever, can I?" Kaoru declared righteously.
"Those words sound especially infuriating coming from you," Masumi retorted, slinging her bag over her shoulder. Her skirt flared as she turned toward the classroom door.
"For you, this must be a relief—finally getting rid of a burden like me."
The girl's legs were straight and slender, though not as long as Kiryūin, they were still impressive.
The moment she turned around, one's gaze would inevitably be drawn to her perky little ass.
The slight upward curve pressed against her skirt, and as she walked, it almost felt like one could catch a glimpse of what lay beneath.
In reality, nothing could be seen, but that very illusion was what made it so captivating, leaving room for the imagination.
"I never thought of it that way. In fact, I'm quite happy to have taught you like this. It shows that Kamuro-san isn't stupid at all," Kaoru said, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"If you were to abandon me right after learning from me, I'd probably die of heartbreak."
"Stop spouting nonsense," Kamuro Masumi retorted as she walked out of the classroom, seemingly unwilling to engage with him further.
From behind, Kaoru noticed several girls greeting her, even asking for her contact information, leaving her visibly bewildered.
A while later, after Masumi had shaken them off, Kaoru caught up to her.
"Your popularity has really shot up."
"If I said I have no idea why, would you believe me?"
"Of course."
"...At the time, I felt like I had endless energy, but by the next day, it was gone. Then Sakayanagi had me run again, and the results were nowhere near as good as during the race."
"A miracle. Your body's still developing—occasional bursts like that are normal."
"..."
Masumi didn't want to waste time on this topic, but soon, someone else joined the conversation.
"Mitoma-kun, are you familiar with these things?" Sakayanagi Arisu tapped her cane as she hurried to keep up with the two.
"I'm quite worried about Masumi. If something were to happen to her health, I can't even imagine life without her."
The corner of Masumi's mouth twitched.
More like losing a convenient tool would be troublesome, right?
"Compared to her, your health is the bigger concern, isn't it?" Kaoru slowed his pace.
The girl's legs looked far too thin, her white garter socks giving off a frail, almost pallid glow under the sunlight.
Moreover, she was struggling to keep up with Kaoru and Masumi, making it seem like she might collapse at any moment.
"Fufufu, Mitoma-kun is always worrying about my health. But please, don't trouble yourself over such a minor issue," Sakayanagi said with a smile, noticing his concern.
Masumi hadn't planned on walking back with Kaoru, but now that Sakayanagi had forced her way into the conversation, she reluctantly slowed down as well.
"I retested Kamuro-san physical condition and found that no matter what we tried, she couldn't match her performance from race day. It's quite strange," Sakayanagi mused.
"Earlier, Mitoma-kun suggested it might be due to the body's potential for bursts of energy during adolescence?"
"After all, the body's potential hasn't been fully developed yet. Some students with athletic talents even have physiques different from ordinary people." Kaoru spouted nonsense without batting an eye.
Using props openly like this was bound to raise suspicions.
"Is that so?" Sakayanagi Arisu smiled without refuting his lies, then shifted the topic to today's class meeting.
"Who do you think we should pick?"
"Anyone will do. We're Class A—they're the challengers." Kaoru didn't seem to care.
He had never been interested in class affairs.
If not for Sakayanagi, he wouldn't have supported Katsuragi.
"Then let me rephrase the question. Who would Mitoma-kun prefer to nominate Class A?"
Nomination meant actively attacking the other party—the attacking side would create the exam, while the defending side would answer it.
From this perspective, nominating a class with higher academic ability would likely result in defeat.
No matter how you looked at it, Class B was the most likely to nominate Class A.
Classes C and D were unlikely to do so.
Although the school had never disclosed the specific details of each class—such as individual grades—other classes couldn't see them.
"Class B." Kaoru Mitoma recalled what he had said a few days ago.
"If it's any class other than Class B, it's either a suicidal attack or they're fully confident. The former would be more than welcome, but the latter might lead to us losing the exam."
Kamuro Masumi grew nervous.
She stole a glance at Kaoru—was he deliberately trying to scare her with those words?
"I see. Understood." Sakayanagi Arisu nodded. "I've been worried about that too. Since we don't know the specifics of other classes, I think it's best to gather some information."
As she spoke, she suddenly stopped walking.
Kaoru turned back in confusion, just in time to see her smile faintly.
"If you have time, I'd like you to keep an eye on Class B."
A gentle breeze swept by as Sakayanagi Arisu pressed down on her beret.
Her fair arm gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight.
A faint mist seemed to shimmer in her eyes—her smile delicate and fragile, yet as dangerous as quicksand.
"Kamuro-san, you'll be with me for the time being."
"Huh?"
"I'll be responsible for your review."
"W-wait, why are you suddenly so concerned about me?"
"Fufufu, is there anything wrong with that?"
"..."
Kaoru watched as Sakayanagi led Kamuro away.
The girl's back was tinged with gold, likely from the scattered remnants of the evening sun.
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