"Thanks to you, Mamoru, we were able to hear a meaningful information"
"Is that so?"
After their conversation in the staff room, as promised, the two had come to a campus café called Palette.
It was the first day of school, and many students were still high on the excitement of a fresh start. The café was bustling with laughter and conversation, but they managed to find a quiet seat in the corner and placed their orders.
In front of Arisu was a cup of tea and a Mont Blanc. Mamoru had coffee and mille-feuille.
As Mamoru took a slow bite of his cake, Arisu began speaking.
"The question about expulsion was quite fascinating. You noticed it too, didn't you, Mamoru-kun?"
(No, not really. Seriously, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about?)
From the tone of her voice, it was clear Arisu had arrived at the same conclusion.
"So... something besides points is needed to reverse an expulsion?"
"Yes. And I believe that 'something' is what ultimately determines the hierarchy between classes."
"I figured as much."
So far, several things had become almost certain:
Points distributed vary based on performance.
Classes are ranked, and point allocations reflect those rankings.
There are important factors beyond individual points, which might also be involved in reversing expulsions.
If point three tied directly to class rankings, it painted a clearer picture.
"It's possible the rankings are based on the total points per class, but it's more likely individual points are derived from a class-wide evaluation."
"For example, if a class has a rating of 100, each student receives 100,000 points. If it's 0, they get nothing."
"Exactly. And that same value might be required when trying to revoke a student's expulsion."
"That sounds plausible. I can't say for sure, but I'd say there's a 70 to 80 percent chance you're right."
While not rock-solid, it was too grounded to dismiss. That estimate felt honest.
"Fufu, your reasoning matches mine. You're as sharp as expected."
Then, Arisu changed direction.
"Let's get to the real point. Mamoru-kun, don't you think Class A needs a leader?"
(So that's what this is about…)
It was more or less what he expected. Mamoru sipped his coffee, careful to hide his annoyance.
He thought for a few seconds before responding.
"...I'm not sure."
"Oh? Why is that? With competition between classes being inevitable, don't you think someone needs to unify the class?"
"If you want to win, sure, you'll need a leader. But I don't know what the punishment for losing is. I'm not that motivated yet."
Mamoru's priority was defeating the cursed spirits hidden in the school.
He might have to skip school in an emergency. Stockpiling points was important for such contingencies, but joining class battles just to burn energy and time would be a waste.
"You know, if your class loses... expulsion might be one consequence."
"That's what worries me..."
Mamoru was one of the few who knew how deeply curses infested this school.
(With that many curses accumulated here... there must be some real penalty involved.)
At first, the school's claim that it would meet almost any student's career goal seemed like a marketing gimmick. But if only a few students actually graduate, the slogan made disturbing sense.
(...I could always eavesdrop with a formula, but it's not worth the trouble.)
If the school planned to reveal the truth eventually, no point in rushing.
"The need for a leader is obvious, I'll admit. But what are you really asking, Arisu-san? Do you want me to help you become one?"
"You catch on quick."
"So that's it. But… shouldn't we just leave it to Katsuragi-kun?"
"True. He's good at bringing people together. But that's all he does—unite. He can't predict or outmaneuver opponents."
"What makes you say that?"
"He can answer any question you give him. But if he's up against a real adversary? He can't imagine their next move."
"Hmm. I guess he does seem... rigid."
"Exactly. Until you spoke during homeroom, no one—including him—had any doubts about the school system. Except for me."
"You figured all that out just from that?"
"Fufu, I'm confident in my ability to judge people."
Her proud smile made it clear she wasn't boasting—she believed it completely. Mamoru, while unreadable on the surface, was impressed.
(Wow... This girl is scary, brother help me...)
Though he was confident in his own observational skills, Arisu's insight into social dynamics might be beyond him.
"But while I have intellect, I'm limited physically. That's why I need someone to act in my stead."
"In other words, you want a pawn."
"Pawn sounds so crude. Let's call it an aide. Or perhaps, my arms and legs."
(Still pawn right?)
"Call it whatever you like. But why me?"
"What if I said... it was love at first sight?"
(Yup, definitely pawn...)
Arisu removed her hat, covering the lower half of her face, and looked up at him.
If Mamoru were a normal teenage boy, it might've worked.
"Yes. Doubt."
Mamoru shut it down instantly.
"...How cruel. I happen to think I'm fairly cute. Are you... not into women, Mamoru-kun?"
She pouted in mock offense. But Mamoru stayed composed.
"It's not that. You are a cute girl."
"Th-thank you…"
She blushed slightly, clearly not used to being complimented so directly.
Arisu didn't know this, but Mamoru had trained his mind since childhood. For sorcerers, emotional control was everything. His magical formulas were especially prone to instability based on emotion.
So he simply didn't react to things like teasing or flirtation.
"So, again, why me?"
"Well, like I said, love at first sight isn't entirely a lie.
"I judge people well. And when I first saw you, I sensed something—there was no sympathy in your eyes, no desire for reward. You help others because you think it's natural."
"That's rare."
"Exactly. Pure goodwill is easy to trust. You don't have to worry about betrayal."
It sounded nice—but Mamoru heard what she really meant.
In simpler terms: Good people are easy to handle.
(That's funny. I think it's pretty common.)
There are plenty of kind-hearted sorcerers. In fact, the more seasoned they become, the less they think twice about helping strangers.
"In addition, your deduction during homeroom was brilliant. I want you more than anyone else in the class."
(Pretty harsh to everyone else…)
"You have talent, Mamoru. A leader's intuition. Won't you work with me to guide Class A?"
(Is this an invitation from a cult…?)
Still, he found himself considering it.
(If expulsion is on the table, I have no choice but to cooperate at some level.)
And if he had to choose between Katsuragi and Arisu, the latter had already made the first connection with him. That bond would influence how others saw him.
And once Arisu asked for help, he'd be stuck.
Besides, Mamoru acknowledged she was brilliant. It wasn't a bad idea to cooperate.
Except…
(I still don't like it.)
His eyes narrowed.
Arisu seemed to notice and tilted her head in curiosity.
"...You said talent. Arisu-san, what do you think a genius is?"
"Someone with superior DNA. Whether from birth or mutation, it's something others can't catch up to—no matter the effort or environment."
(A good thing she wasn't born a sorcerer.)
If she had, in a noble family, she might've snapped under the pressure of not living up to that ideal.
"Well, I agree. You can't beat a true genius through effort alone."
"Fufu, seems we think alike."
Mamoru didn't like that tone—as if she thought they were the same.
So he said it.
"But you've never seen a true genius, have you?" Gojo mamoru, remember his brother Gojo satoru
A heavy silence fell. Arisu's aura sharpened.
"...That's a little cruel. Do you think I have no talent?"
Mamoru realized he'd gone too far and backtracked.
"Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
He wasn't trying to belittle her. But being called a genius himself rubbed him the wrong way.
"I know someone. A real genius. That's why I don't like when people throw the word around carelessly."
Arisu's eyes locked onto his, probing—but Mamoru didn't look away.
Mamoru had always known—there was someone he'd never catch up to. Someone unreachable, like the sky itself.
Mamoru knew he wasn't that person.
Someone else was the real genius.
Ten, maybe twenty seconds passed in silence. Then Arisu's glare softened, her expression turned sour. She bit her lip, frustrated.
"...Fine then. I still want you."
"Huh?"
"I'm not asking you to be my aide. Not yet. But... maybe we can be friends?"
Mamoru blinked.
(...So we're going with that now?)
He supposed that wasn't the worst outcome.
Making a connection with Arisu could be useful later—especially if his brother's advice about building networks was true.
"Alright. But don't rely on me for everything. Ask someone else if they can handle it."
"Deal. Looking forward to working with you."
"Yeah. Likewise."
They shook hands.
(Well, it ended decently enough.)
He wouldn't have to deal with her persistence anymore—or so he thought.
"Then... shall we go shopping?"
"...Didn't we finish already?"
"Mamoru-kun, do you think I can carry shopping bags alone?"
"...You really can't, huh?"
"As your friend, you'll help, right?"
Mamoru sighed.
(I should've seen this coming.)
"...Yeah, yeah. I get it."
And so, with reluctant steps, Mamoru followed.
Let me know if you'd like this, give comment and power stone...