<h4>Chapter 61: 3.11</h4>


    There was a rule that groups of up to three people could be formed before the special exam started in the summer.


    But there was also a conversation going on that went beyond that, one that looked to the future.


    "Ah, you''re here, Ichinose-san."


    "Sorry to keep you waiting, Sakayanagi-san."


    It was the Friday of the first weekend after the group formations had started.


    Sakayanagi had contacted Ichinose and asked her toe to the cafe.


    "Is this a good time? Since I asked so suddenly, I was also prepared for you to reject me and note."


    "It''s no problem at all, although I didn''t think you would contact me so I was a little surprised."


    That day, an hour before meeting at the cafe, Sakayanagi had extended a sudden invitation to Ichinose.


    It wouldn''t be strange for Ichinose to reject the invitation if she already had things scheduled.


    "It''s because no matter what, I wanted to meet you today, Ichinose-san."


    Sakayanagi was lying.


    Inviting Ichinose on such short notice was a strategy to not give her the time to think.


    Had she been told a few days in advance, Ichinose would have spected on what the meeting would be about.


    Depending on the asion, she might even ask a ssmate like Kanzaki for help.


    This was just a precautionary measure.


    "By the way, why did you ept my sudden request?"


    "Why? Because I had nothing special nned for today."


    "That''s not what I meant. I''ve done some terrible things to you before, Ichinose-san. It wouldn''t be surprising if you hated me."


    In order to suppress Ichinose, Sakayanagi had secretly found out about Ichinose''s past.


    She exposed Ichinose''s past which she didn''t want to be known to everyone, a painful thing to Ichinose.


    If you were betrayed by someone you had trusted, you woulde to hate that person. Even if you didn''t hate them, you would certainly hold a strong sense of mistrust towards them and keep your distance from them.


    However, not only did Ichinose immediately ept Sakayanagi''s sudden invitation, she also didn''t seem to resent her at all.


    "Well– I don''t think you did anything excessive, Sakayanagi-san. Indeed, I have to reflect on what happened during middle school, as I also think that it was a shameful act. Also, it''s not like I asked you to keep it a secret, so I don''t think it''s right to me you for exposing it."


    What Ichinose meant was that in the end, it was her own fault that she revealed her past.


    "You''re definitely a good person, Ichinose-san."


    "Am I? I''m not too sure about that."


    Ichinose seemed to be a bit embarrassed, scratching her cheeks lightly and averting her eyes, as if she couldn''t handle the sight of Sakayanagi gently gazing at her.


    "So... What do you want to talk to me about?"


    Perhaps Ichinose thought that she would feel ufortable if they continued with this topic, so she urged Sakayanagi to get to the point.


    "As you wish, I''ll get to the point, but you might not be veryfortable with that either."


    Ichinose mumbled to herself, "Please have mercy", as Sakayanagi said this as a warning.


    "Bluntly speaking, if this continues, ss A will naturally feel the danger of ss B approaching them again. Do you mind telling me your thoughts on this matter?"


    Sakayanagi mercilessly pointed out the current situation where Ichinose and her ss were being left out in the cold.


    "Ahaha... Truly blunt."


    For a moment, Ichinose''s mind went nk, and then started fanning herself with a bitter smile on her face.


    With a deliberate smile, Sakayanagi waited for her answer.


    "It''s true that our state of being left out in the cold can''t be called good."


    On May 1st, the difference in ss points between Ichinose''s ss and ss B led by Ryuuen, whom she was chasing after, was only 26 points. Ichinose thought it was possible to catch up even without a special exam, as points can be affected by things like absences or tardiness. In fact, over the past year, the small point differences created from everyday actions umted and ultimately affected the ss points by a lot.


    However, when Ryuuen''s ss rose to ss B, there were no holes found in his ss from such everyday actions that would have decreased their ss points. As June approached, the gap was reduced, but only by 2 points. You could sense the strong will of Ryuuen and his ss to never be surpassed by Ichinoise''s ss.


    Ichinoise didn''t have to say it out loud for Sakayanagi, who was being chased by Ryuueen, to feel that as well.


    "I also know just how formidable they are."


    "Even if you do know, aren''t there things you can''t do anything about? They haven''t caused any problemstely, unlike Ryuuen-kun''s previously disruptive strategies. If you can''t catch up in daily life, your only hope is the special exams."


    Ichinose nodded slightly. However, Sakayanagi would not respond with sweet words.


    "He''s not an ordinary person. For you who only face your problems head on, in a sense, it''s no exaggeration to say that he''s your greatest opponent."


    Ichinose, who had faced off against Ryuuen at the end of year exams, understood this point very well.


    The aggressive and unconventional Ryuuen didn''t mind breaking the rules.


    For Ichinose, he''s an opponent she wanted to avoid if possible.


    "But, in order to climb thedder, there''s no avoiding that road. Besides, while it''s true that Ryuuen-kun is a tough opponent, you''re not someone that can be easily defeated either, Sakayanagi-san."


    Although Sakayanagi had a past dispute over leadership of their ss with Katsuragi, ss A had almost twice as many points as Ryuuen''s ss B and was the undisputed number one. That gap ensured that even if ss A lost one or two times, they would stillfortably remain on top.


    "Even though ss C and D have a difference of over 200 points, ss D is gaining momentum, right? Are you sure that you won''t be overtaken by them?"


    "Horikita-san and her ss are also rapidly gaining strength. In terms of individual strength, some of them wouldn''t lose to anyone in the other sses... Looking at it this way, It seems like I really don''t have any room to spare."


    "Indeed, there are some interesting talented individuals in ss D. Headed by Hirata-kun and Kushida-san, who have strongmunication skills, and have well-bnced grades, along with Sudo-kun, who''s the only one to get an A+ rating in physical ability in the entire 2nd year. Meanwhile, their hidden trump card, Ayanokouji-kun, got a perfect score on an extremely difficult math test. Then, there''s also Kouenji-kun, whose strengths and limits are still a mystery; he too is a dangerous adversary."


    From saying it deliberately, Sakayanagi made Ichinose feel the thickyer of students in ss 2-D once again.


    "And then, the leader who brought them together and led them forward, Horikita-san. She has both excellent academic and physical abilities, and has recently joined the student council."


    Sakayanagi once again made Ichinose reaffirm her current situation of being left out in the cold.


    "Sorry for continuing with the tough words, but I think it''s only a matter of time before your ss falls to ss D."


    "Right now, that evaluation might be urate, but—"


    "But what? Are you going to talk about the value of effort and friendship, those kinds of abstract concepts?"


    Sakayanagi simply took the words out of Ichinose''s mouth, and Ichinose could only swallow back what she was going to say.


    "It''s impossible to win with these kinds of vague things, no matter how hard you try. While every ss has clearly increased their strength over the course of the year, I don''t see much growth in yours, Ichinose-san."


    "That... that''s not the case. We''ve grown as well."


    "I didn''t say that you haven''t grown. It''s just a matter of how much."


    "You might not believe it, Sakayanagi-san, but I don''t think we''ll lose."


    Sakayanagi smiled slightly, and slowly shook her head.


    "If you look at the OAA, it''s obvious at first nce that your ss has grown the least out of the four whenparing the overall abilities of when we were 1st years to now. I thought you would''ve done analysis on this level as well... Is it that you knew, and pretended not to notice, or is it because you were afraid to face reality, that you didn''t dare check..."


    Ichinose recalled the time when she had been alone with Sakayanagi.


    They were like a child and an adult respectively.


    It was only natural that she would be refuted, and felt like she was being pushed into a corner by Sakayanagi.


    Faced with Sakayanagi, who was precisely attacking her weaknesses, a rebuttal would be blocked.


    "You''re a smart student. If we were topete on equal footing, you would definitely not be weaker than me. However, when you are in a disadvantageous situation, you can''t demonstrate your strengths. Whether it wasst time, or this time, you could only stay silent after being attacked through your weaknesses. However, both Ryuuen-kun and I are able to bare our fangs even if we''re in a disadvantageous situation, you know?"


    "Ye...Yes."


    These two people would probably not doubt that they were strong no matter what the situation was.


    "I can say for sure now, that you have no chance at winning, Ichinose-san."


    "Did you call me out just to tell me that?"


    "If it was just to find fault within you, I could have done that anywhere. I wouldn''t waste a precious holiday."


    At that moment, Sakayanagi decided to tell Ichinose the real reason as to why she had called her out today.


    "Why don''t you work with me? Ichinose-san."


    "Eh...?"


    Sakayanagi''s proposal was so unexpected that Ichinose couldn''t say a word in response.


    "This is the only way you''ll be able to catch up to my ss."


    "No, but that''s—"


    "A cooperative rtionship between sses isn''t a bad thing. In fact, didn''t you have a simr rtionship with Horikita-san of ss D when you were 1st years?"


    It wasn''t surprising that Sakayanagi knew they had a cooperative rtionship.


    "What I''m going to say is just spection on my part, but I think you have already dissolved that partnership with Horikita. Even though they werest ce, they were able to umte more ss points than any other ssst year, and are catching up with incredible momentum. Compared to that, Ichinose-san, you guys took a step back and fell down to ss C. For Horikita-san and her ss, there''s not only advantages in continuing to work with you."


    It was as if she had witnessed that conversation between Ichinose and Horikita. Sakayanagi perfectly pointed it out.


    Ichinose couldn''t deny it, and she replied in a form of near admission.


    "That''s right... partnerships can''tst forever."


    "Yeah. In order to maintain a cooperative rtionship, you need to meet a "certain condition." Both yours and Horikita-san''s ss met this requirementst year, so you were able to build a good rtionship without uselesslypeting with each other."


    Ichinose nodded her head in agreement.


    "That condition was... the difference in ss points."


    In fact, the reason why Ichinose and Horikita''s ss ceased their hostility towards each other, was because of the huge difference in ss points.


    "Although it wasn''t intentional, right now there''s a sufficient difference in ss points between our sses. In other words, I don''t think it''s impossible for us to join forces."


    "What makes me sad is that this isn''t a happy proposal. After all, it implies that our ss is not worthy of your caution, an insignificant existence to you."


    "Crudely speaking, that''s it."


    The merciless reality of Sakayanagi''s words struck Ichinose.


    Nevertheless, Ichinose was still smiling. Although emotional denial was easy, she couldn''t ignore the reality that her ss was being pushed down into desperate straits.


    "I don''t think it''ll be beneficial for you to cooperate with us, Sakayanagi-san."


    "No, that''s not true. Indeed, if we only talk about fighting strength, you have many shorings. However, you have a powerful weapon that no other ss possesses."


    Sakayanagi smiled and said.


    "That is— "trust". Ichinose-san, I can say for sure that as long as we are joining forces, you would not betray me no matter what happens. That is a very important factor to consider when creating an alliance."


    A partner who you can trust to watch your back. Sakayanagi said that this factor in itself made the alliance worthwhile.


    "Although it''s nice to receive that evaluation from you, we''re in a situation where we don''t care anymore, right?"


    "Still, I don''t think you''ll let go of the weapon known as trust that you have built up so far. If there is a betrayal, then it would be my own fault for having misjudged you."


    Even if this was a trap, Ichinose didn''t consider being trusted to be a bad thing.


    However, she already knew that Sakayanagi was an opponent who couldn''t be taken lightly.


    "Could you be a bit more specific?"


    "Can I take this to mean that you want to move forward with our partnership?"


    "... That''s right."


    "If so, let''s talk about it."


    Sakayanagi set out to bring ss 2-C led by Ichinose under her banner.


    "There is a slightly annoying rule for the uing uninhabited ind exam. Only students of the same year may form a group, and the rewards will be divided equally among the sses. In other words, even if the best members from each ss are selected to form a group, it wouldn''t create a difference in ss points."


    "Right. So I guess we''ll inevitably have to build a winning group from our own ss."


    "If both of our sses work together..."


    "Although the gap with our ss wouldn''t be narrowed, you can catch up with Ryuuen-kun''s ss, and widen the gap with ss D."


    "But— If we do that, we''ll lose a chance to catch up to your ss."


    "Shouldn''t getting back to a stable position be your first priority to prepare for the 2nd and 3rd semesters? If you refuse my offer now, it''s not like you can surely win. Am I wrong?"


    "That..."


    "Not to mention, if you do lose again to the other sses, you''ll fall to ss D. You''ll also lose a lot of ss points, and fall into an extremely difficult situation. In which case, your aim for ss A will be almost impossible."


    Once again, Ichinose fell silent, as she couldn''t respond to what Sakayanagi had said.


    "I think you''re still suspicious of me. However, there aren''t many opportunities to work with the other sses. Whether it be ss D or B, in order to catch up to my ss, they won''t join forces with me. If they were to join forces, there''s only the option of forming an alliance of three sses to challenge ss A. That way, strong groups can be created."


    No matter how strong ss A was, if ss B, C, and D all worked together, it would be hard for them to win.


    "It''d be lying if I said I haven''t thought about that before."


    "Right? However, the strategy for the three sses to form an alliance is not realistic. Tell me Ichinose-san, have you received any invitations to this since the day the rules were announced? It''s been a few days since then already."


    Ichinose lowered her eyes, and slowly shook her head.


    "If three sses formed a group, the ss point rewards would be divided equally amongst them. Even if you do your utmost and secure 1st ce, the point difference will only be decreased by 100 points. For 2nd ce by 67 points, and 3rd ce by just 33 points."


    Even if the 2nd year sses B,C and D took all the top spots, the point difference with ss A would only decrease by 200 points.


    Although it was by no means a small amount, this special exam was, in the first ce, a difficult one to monopolize the rewards.


    "It''s natural to want to win alone and narrow the gap by 300 or 400 points."


    "But if you and I group up, Horikita-san and Ryuuen-kun might also group up... Besides, including my ss, there were already groups that have been formed, right?"


    "Right. Rather, I''ve been waiting for the groups to start to be formed. In the current situation where none of the sses want to join forces on a ss level, I propose that we select only the main forces from our sses to form a group."


    "What do you mean by ''main forces''?


    "Just likest year, I am unable to move around the uninhabited ind because of my handicap. However, I am allowed to participate in this exam, just in somewhat of a special position."


    "Special?"


    "Students who are unable to participate due to ill health are eliminated from the start of the exam, right? However, I will be participating as a ''semi-eliminated'' student."


    "Semi-eliminated?"


    "Even though I can''t walk around the ind freely because of my legs, I have the right to remain at the starting point andpete within the same rules as everyone else. In other words, if you asked me for advice, I can help you, and if there''s a difficult problem, we can solve it together. Though, when I am the only person left in the group, at that point the group will be eliminated."


    "So Sakayanagi-san, you can participate under this special position?"


    Ichinose immediately understood that Sakayanagi would y a big factor in functioning as the brain, though a means tomunicate with her will be needed..


    "From my ss, you are free to choose from 4 students – Hashimoto-kun, Kitou-kun, Masumi-san and myself. We are undoubtedly the main forces of ss A. From ss B, there are you and Kanzaki-kun, as well as Shibata-kun, right?"


    All of the students that had been listed had not yet formed a group, and were observing the situation.


    At this stage, there was no inconvenience for both sides.


    "That''s right. When you consider that physical strength will also be necessary on the uninhabited ind, that is true. However, There''s no guarantee we''ll be able to merge as we please after the special exam begins, right?"


    "Although it''s difficult, it''s not impossible."


    Sakayanagi smiled. It showed that she was confident that she could get the big group together no matter the difficulties they would face.


    "Sakayanagi-san, may I tell you how I really feel?"


    "Of course."


    "Sakayanagi-san, you don''t want the three sses to fight together, more than I originally thought. Or to say, you''re afraid of that situation, right?


    "What do you mean?"


    "You said we were someone you could trust, and I think you meant that. However, the most important thing for you is to prevent ss B, ss C, and ss D from working together to catch up to ss A. Indeed, the amount of ss points we can get if we win together will decrease, but there''s no guarantee that such a development wouldn''t appear in the future— That the three sses would continue to help each other."


    Ichinose, who had been pushed back by Sakayanagi''s words until now, attacked her with her feelings.


    "An alliance between the three sses to force ss A out. If that is sessful, you would be forced into a bitter battle from now on, Sakayanagi-san... Isn''t that so?"


    Sakayanagi was a bit surprised by Ichinose''s counterattack, who had been on the defensive until then.


    "I guess I''ve underestimated you a little, Ichinose-san."


    It didn''t matter to Sakayanagi if any of the lower sses got more than 300 points in this special exam. As ss A that''s in the leading position, what Sakayanagi should avoid the most in this exam is for the lower three sses to form an alliance. This was an action taken by Sakayanagi who predicted more of these exams toe. If there was a talent who could bring together the three sses, it would probably be Ichinose Honami. Which was why Sakayanagi was trying to get Ichinose on her side, before this scenario could take ce.


    "This proposal to work together. Are you going to ept it or not?"


    After acknowledging her words, Sakayanagi asked for Ichinose''s cooperation.


    "If you work with me, I can give you three people''s worth of deposits. I''ll lend to you a total of 3 million points for the students who are at a high risk of expulsion. If they receive the penalty, you can use this to pay for their relief. To you, who doesn''t want anyone to drop out more than any other ss, this should be a proposal of great help to you."


    Fearing rejection, Sakayanagi held out her hand to Ichinose.


    "Then can you give me five people''s worth? That way I would feelpletely reassured."


    "How greedy. Although I was nning to spend a simr amount of money recently, I''ll finance it specially, just for you."


    For more than a year, ss A had consistently received a higher amount of private points than any other ss. Therefore, the amount of points each student saved would not beparable to the other sses.


    "With that our contract isplete. Even if you hadn''t offered to loan me the deposit points, I would have chosen to join forces with you. Our main goal is of course to reach ss A, but as you said, we fell to ss C and we can''t afford to fall even more. Since, if we fall down to ss D, our ss''s motivation would surely be greatly reduced, and that is something we want to avoid."


    Ichinose sought to shake hands with Sakayanagi.


    "The proposal for an alliance between ss 2-C and ss 2-A— I ept it."


    By shaking hands, they had established an alliance between their two sses.


    "With this, I can fight reassured. Although it''s a bit hurried, I have a request."


    "In order to maximize our chances of winning, it''s necessary to start with giving the main force of ss A the "More People" card... right?"


    As an ally, Ichinose had already begun to form the best strategy going forward.


    Using the "More People" card of which there was only one in the 2nd year, you could form a group of 7 members.


    That was another reason why Sakayanagi had decided to fight alongside Ichinose.


    "It''s helpful that you understood so quickly."


    "However, both Ryuuen-kun and Horikita-san are formidable opponents."


    Sakayanagi also wasn''t underestimating either of them.


    Considering Horikita had Ayanokouji behind her, the battle was never going to be easy.


    However, she chose to fight with Ichinose under the certainty that she would definitely win.


    "First ce will be ours. I won''t skimp on the efforts necessary for that."


    With their main forces consolidated, they were going to challenge both Ryuuen and Horikita''s sses along with the 1st and 3rd years.