Someone getting expelled wasn't unusual—it shouldn't have been shocking, especially in the second year, where the expulsion rate was notoriously high.
Yet, those in the know could tell this training camp had been aimed squarely at Nagumo Miyabi.
For the first time in a long while, Class 2-A found itself in a lose-lose situation.
Not only had their opponents targeted a member of Class 2-A, but they had also severed the contract Nagumo used to exploit the lower classes—an act as audacious as what Kiriyama Ikuyo had pulled during the sports festival.
The first-years likely didn't grasp the full implications, but compared to the upperclassmen's struggles, the fact that none of them had been expelled was a blessing.
As the training camp exam came to a close, Ishizaki Daichi happily returned to Class 1-C's ranks with Albert in tow.
Kaoru's group hadn't secured first place, which lifted his spirits considerably.
"Heh, what a spectacle today. You've been quite the busy matchmaker these past few days, Mitoma-boy."
Kouenji Rosuke, who had clearly witnessed the second-years' drama, smirked.
"I'll miss these times. Waking up early to cook was... quite the experience."
Not that he'd actually done much.
He probably just found it amusing.
After Kouenji left, Kaoru turned his gaze to Ayanokoji.
This guy had a knack for controlling scores—quite the seasoned veteran.
"Mitoma, well done."
Out of nowhere, Ryuuen approached, cutting off their silent exchange.
"You managed to handle both the second and third years. The next student council president will be you, won't it?"
Even if Nagumo Miyabi insisted on holding an election now, the likely winner would still be Kaoru Mitoma.
"Not necessarily me."
Kaoru motioned for Ayanokoji to leave. "But in reality, it's close enough. I'll have Katsuragi elected as president."
It sounded almost like a foregone conclusion.
Ryuuen's eyes gleamed. "Why not take control of the student council yourself?"
"Because I don't like student council work."
Kaoru had already spotted Ishizaki, Ibuki, and Albert standing behind Ryuuen, giving off the aura of a "Generals."
Ryuuen scoffed at his words. If he didn't like it, why join the student council in the first place?
"Never thought you'd actually take down Nagumo. What did you offer that guy?"
Ryuuen's thoughts aligned with Nagumo's—he suspected Kaoru had given Muto an offer he couldn't refuse.
"I did give him a little something, but I wasn't the one who pushed him to act."
Kaoru paused. "I just had Horikita-senpai step in for me, deal with the people around him, and then handle him afterward."
Ryuuen blinked.
So Horikita Manabu dealt with Muto's inner circle first, then used them to pressure Muto himself?
"That alone wouldn't have been enough. After all, the one getting expelled was Muto himself, so they needed an outlet for their dissatisfaction with Nagumo."
Kaoru continued, "Once they realized their resentment toward Nagumo, all it took was a little incentive to make things go smoothly."
Admittedly, this situation arose because Nagumo had been exploiting them too harshly.
The lower-ranked classes following him couldn't even count on scraps, and Nagumo kept dangling empty promises—like how they'd soon get 20 million points and rise to Class A.
In reality, the more likely outcome for those classes was expulsion.
Kaoru didn't even need to show his face in all this.
Compared to a junior like him, they trusted Horikita Manabu more to deliver justice—a testament to the credibility he'd built during his time as student council president.
Though Kaoru also mediated disputes among students, he was far from Horikita's gentle fairness, Nagumo's terrifying efficiency, or Ichinose Honami's kindness and consideration.
"I see. But there's one thing I don't get."
Ryuuen stared at Kaoru. "Why did you pick Ishizaki and Albert for your group? Aren't you afraid I'll pull something?"
Nagumo was still stuck in his old ways, expecting someone to tip him off.
But Ryuuen was different—his sharp intuition quickly led him to suspect Kaoru might target Muto.
And he was right.
What Ryuuen didn't understand was, if he decided to mess with Kaoru and drag his group's average score down, wasn't Kaoru afraid of getting expelled himself?
"Because you'd still be the one losing out."
Kaoru replied coolly. "Even if you sabotage things behind the scenes—or keep tormenting the girls' group—you'd still subconsciously feel like you're getting the short end of the stick."
"Heh, do you think I'll lose out? The losses for Class A and Class C are different. You'll lose 800 points, while I'll only pay 200."
Ryuuen thought Kaoru was being delusional. After all, they had nothing to lose.
"That may be true, but can you be sure whether Nagumo will keep the points for himself or actually pay you?"
Kaoru pointed directly at Ishizaki without hesitation.
"Today, we can expel him. Next, we can sacrifice Ibuki-san, then Albert-kun, and eventually others. But with each person lost, you'll lose a valuable asset. If you're left as a lone commander with no one to lead, what do I have to fear?"
Ryuuen fell silent.
Though Ishizaki was a fool, he was one of his most loyal subordinates.
"He's got a point, Ryuuen," Ibuki said, displeased. "I only agreed to follow you because you promised to lead our class to Class A. If this is how we climb, you might as well go to Class A alone!"
"Yeah, sacrificing Rika? No way!" Shiho chimed in, blinking at Kaoru as if unconcerned about being seen.
Ryuuen's patience wore thin.
"Don't let his words fool you," he said coldly. "In the end, we haven't lost anything."
He had come to realize that Kaoru's words carried a terrifying persuasive power—an almost demonic ability to sway minds without notice.
"Ryuuen, I hope you'll consult us in the future," Ibuki frowned.
Every time Ryuuen made a decision, he never explained his reasoning to them.
"No need. Even if I explained, could you guarantee you'd execute it flawlessly?" Ryuuen scoffed. "If you have a problem with me, Ibuki, feel free to challange me."
Ibuki gritted her teeth.
This tyrant only knew how to dictate!
"My, my, what a lively discussion. Mind if I join?"
Sakayanagi Arisu's voice cut through the tension as she appeared before Kaoru, leaning on her cane with her usual smile.
"Still smiling, huh? We boys took first place, you know!" Katsuragi followed, his loud voice accompanied by his lackey, Totsuka Yahiko.
"My apologies, Totsuka-kun. The girls have had quite the trouble," Sakayanagi unexpectedly expressed regret.
"Thankfully, we have you boys to rely on."
Totsuka Yahiko faltered, his face flushing.
He had only meant to provoke Sakayanagi out of habit.
"Honestly, you should just hand your position over to Mitoma," Ryuuen laughed. "Sakayanagi's health is frail, Katsuragi hitched a ride on the express train, but this guy outright seized your contract. He even swindled upperclassmen—who knows how many millions of Personal Points he's sitting on!"
His words stunned the group before realization slowly dawned.
The contract?
Class 1-A did indeed have a contract, but since someone had repaid the debt, no one had given it much thought.
"You took the contract back?" Totsuka couldn't hide his shock, and even Katsuragi looked surprised.
"It's a long story, but consider this Class C's price," Kaoru reminded Ryuuen. "Next time, don't take such risks alone. Otherwise, it won't end like this."
Kaoru didn't know what expression to wear when it came to Ryuuen.
This was a man who dared to survive alone on a deserted island for days and now had the audacity to infiltrate Class 1-A's group single-handedly—truly ruthless to himself.
Ryuuen snorted.
If he hadn't stepped in personally, would these useless classmates have managed it?
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