Mid-December.
Advanced Nurturing High School, having survived the brutal special exam known as the Paper Shuffle, had fully entered winter. Sharp, freezing winds swept through the school buildings.
The final exams were over, and while ordinary students were excitedly looking forward to the approaching winter vacation, the student council room alone was wrapped in a suffocating tension unique to a sealed room.
At the head of the long table sat the new student council president, Miyabi Nagumo.
At his sides were Vice President Kiriyama and the new secretaries, Tonokawa and Mizowaki.
And on the lower end sat the first-year officers—myself and Honami Ichinose—along with the recently joined second-year maverick, Fuuka Kiryuin.
"The reason I gathered everyone here today is simple," Nagumo began with a fearless grin. "We're holding a preliminary eting regarding the cross-grade special exam taking place in the third sester."
Ichinose quietly swallowed at those words. Understandably so. A special exam involving all grades was completely uncharted territory for first-years like us.
"The detailed contents and events are still classified even to the student council," Nagumo continued. "But the basic frawork has already been decided. Listen carefully."
He flipped through a docunt in front of him and began explaining in a calm tone.
"The third-sester special exam will take place at an off-campus facility during a 'training camp.' The rules are as follows: first, students of the sa year and gender will be divided into six small groups consisting of mixed classes. Each group will choose a representative. Forming a group with only mbers of one class is prohibited—you must work with students from other classes."
The room fell silent.
"Then, those sa-year groups will rge with groups from other grades, forming large groups that mix first, second, and third years together. There will be six male groups and six female groups, for a total of twelve large groups. They'll live together for several days while competing in school-prepared tasks for total points. That's the rough outline of the exam."
(...I see. Working with other classes is already troubleso enough, but now we'll be tied together with upperclassn too. This is going to be a large-scale and extrely complicated exam.)
I crossed my arms and organized the information in my head.
"Needless to say," Nagumo continued, "everything discussed here today is strictly confidential due to your roles as student council mbers. If it's discovered that anyone leaked information about the special exam, severe penalties—including expulsion—will follow. Don't forget that."
Ichinose stiffened slightly, while Kiryuin raised the corners of her mouth in amusent.
As tension spread through the room, Nagumo looked around at the newer mbers with satisfaction and continued.
"Normally, all rules and schedules for special exams are decided entirely by the school. The student council receives no advance notice whatsoever. However... occasionally there are exceptional exams like this one where we're inford of the outline beforehand and granted the right to submit certain requests regarding the rules. This camp is one such case."
Nagumo grinned arrogantly, as though flaunting his authority.
(Ah, this again. Gakuen-senpai explained sothing similar during the sports festival eting back in the first sester. Ichinose only joined in the second sester, and Nagumo's followers plus Kiryuin-senpai are all recent additions, so he's re-explaining it for the new mbers. But between the sports festival and this mixed training camp... it seems only major special exams involving all three grades allow the student council to request rule changes.)
As I quietly pieced together the pattern from past experience, Ichinose timidly raised her hand.
"Um... Nagumo-senpai. Isn't it a little unfair for the student council to interfere with the rules? Our year doesn't even have officers from other classes..."
"Heh. You're serious, aren't you, Ichinose?"
Nagumo snorted and leaned back casually.
"Well, depending on how you look at it, maybe. But think of it as a 'bonus' for all the tedious student council work we deal with every day. Besides, don't misunderstand—we don't know all the details either."
He raised one finger.
"The only confird information we currently have is this: first, there will be a cross-grade special exam in the third sester. Second... within the lowest-ranked large group, any small-group leader whose total score falls below the school's designated border line will be expelled."
The ominous word expelled made Ichinose flinch.
"With just that information, there's not much anyone could prepare even if they brought it back to their class. And as I said earlier, if information leaks, the school imdiately investigates. The system isn't designed to allow cheating."
Nagumo shrugged.
"I see. I understand the general structure now."
Kiryuin, who had been quietly playing with docunts until now, casually twirled her pen and joined the conversation.
"But Nagumo. Earlier you ntioned submitting 'requests' to the school. What kind of rule are you planning to add?"
As if he had been waiting for that question, a dark gleam like a snake hunting prey appeared in Nagumo's eyes.
"—If a leader is expelled for falling below the border line, I want to add a rule allowing that expelled leader to choose one person from their small group to drag down with them."
"W-What!?"
Ichinose shot up from her chair, eyes wide.
"I object! Why would you intentionally create such a malicious rule that increases expulsions!? The student council is supposed to protect students!"
Faced with her fierce protest, Nagumo coldly replied:
"Calm down, Ichinose. Stop screaming emotional nonsense and think about it. These groups are mixed with other classes and grades, right? What do you think happens if there's no 'drag soone down with you' rule?"
"Eh...?"
"The only one expelled would be the leader. That ans soone could deliberately join a group led by a talented student from another class, intentionally sabotage the group so it fails, and force that leader into expulsion. A kind of suicide attack."
Ichinose froze.
"If there's no penalty for the people causing the failure, deliberate sabotage would run rampant. I'm simply proposing a legitimate thod to prevent that."
Nagumo spread his hands with a smug grin, as though he had delivered an irrefutable argunt.
"..."
Ichinose bit her lip, unable to respond. Then she turned toward with pleading eyes.
"Aizen-kun... what do you think...?"
I remained silent, arms crossed, thoughts spinning.
(...I understand Nagumo's logic. Given the mixed-class nature of the groups, it's entirely possible soone would intentionally tank their own group's score to expel a key student from another class. A 'drag soone down with you' rule would definitely discourage betrayal.)
(...But with Nagumo, there's absolutely another motive underneath this.)
I stared at Nagumo's irritating grin and analyzed his intentions.
(Timing-wise, this is probably the final special exam involving the third years. Nagumo's obsessed with forr student council president Manabu-senpai. This is his last chance to directly damage him.)
(But Manabu-senpai would never screw up badly enough to end up in the lowest group, no matter what dirty tricks Nagumo tried. Nagumo himself understands that better than anyone.)
(...Which ans his target isn't Manabu-senpai himself. It's one of his classmates. So who in Class 3-A would deal the most emotional damage to Manabu-senpai if expelled?)
(...Tachibana-senpai. Given Nagumo's twisted personality, she's the most likely target. She's supported Manabu-senpai longer than anyone—as both classmate and student council mber.)
Nagumo completely controlled the second years and possessed enormous private points. He could make a loyal third-year Class B student beco group leader, place them in the sa group as Tachibana-senpai, intentionally sabotage the group, and then order that student:
"I'll save you afterward with points, so choose Tachibana as your companion."
That would guarantee her elimination.
If Tachibana were selected, Manabu-senpai would absolutely spend massive private points and class points to save her. From the Class 3-B student's perspective, they'd avoid expulsion thanks to Nagumo's money while also draining the enormous resources of dominant Class 3-A. Plenty of incentive to cooperate.
Nagumo himself would lose huge amounts of points saving that student, so it wasn't risk-free... but if it ant triumphing over Manabu-senpai, he'd gladly do it.
(Completely removing the companion rule will be difficult. Nagumo's justification is too strong. But... I can add conditions to prevent abuse.)
I slowly stood up, releasing the aura of a cold demon king as I stared at Nagumo.
"—Your shallow ga board may hold so amusent, but a reaper's scythe swung recklessly is nothing more than unsightly."
(Translation: Nagumo-senpai's logic has rit, but allowing unconditional companion selection is problematic.)
"Hah? What's your problem, Aizen? You picking apart my proposal?"
Nagumo frowned irritably.
Without flinching, I continued with overwhelming pressure.
"—The blade that drags one into the abyss should only reach fools who have soiled the board themselves. The selection of sacrifice must require undeniable proof of sin visible to all... an absolute law forbidding arbitrary malice."
(Translation: Add one condition. A student can only be chosen as a companion if there is clear, undeniable evidence that they intentionally sabotaged the group. That prevents innocent people from being targeted arbitrarily.)
"...Hah? What the hell are you saying? I don't understand a word."
Nagumo gave up trying to comprehend my supre poetic language and grimaced. Beside him, even Ichinose tilted her head in confusion.
At that mont—
"Ahahahaha!"
Kiryuin burst into loud laughter, breaking the silence.
"Interesting. I think I more or less understand what you're trying to say, Aizen."
She put down her pen and translated for Nagumo.
"If leaders can choose anyone unconditionally, then excellent students could be targeted due to personal grudges. So the rule should be changed such that only students who can be clearly proven to have intentionally slacked off or sabotaged the group can be selected. That's what you an, right, Vice President?"
(Ooh!! Not quite Hiyori-level perfect translation, but she still accurately grasped my aning from context! Sasuga1 Kiryuin-senpai—sharp as ever!)
Internally applauding, I rely nodded coolly on the surface.
"...Tch."
Nagumo clicked his tongue and thought for a mont.
(He's probably calculating that 'proof of sabotage' could be fabricated anyway.)
"...Fine. I'll add your 'condition' to the request list too."
With Nagumo reluctantly conceding, the eting finally ca to an end.
"Thanks, Aizen-kun."
Seeing Ichinose sigh in relief made quietly relax as well.
---
After the eting, Ichinose and I walked side by side back toward the dorms.
Night had already fallen, and the tree-lined path was filled with cold winter air.
Ichinose stopped walking and carefully looked around to ensure no students—or Nagumo's followers—were nearby before speaking softly.
"The third-sester special exam... it sounds really harsh."
White breath escaped her lips as she buried her face deeper into her scarf.
"—Indeed. Once pieces of differing colors are forced onto the sa board, the resulting chaos will surpass anything before. Whom to trust and whom to abandon... the illusion of a peaceful paradise is ending."
(Translation: Yeah. Mixing classes and grades together will make this more complicated than anything we've faced before.)
"Yeah... But I'm really glad you were there, Aizen-kun. Thanks to your condition, we can avoid the worst-case scenario of random expulsions."
She looked up at with eyes full of admiration.
(No, Nagumo didn't understand a single word of my poem. Kiryuin-senpai saved the day.)
Internally correcting her, I gave the anxious leader my usual demon-king smile.
"—There is no need for fear. No matter how chaotic the board becos, our path to the throne remains unchanged. I shall continue pushing you all forward."
(Translation: Don't worry. I'll support you, so let's keep doing our best like always.)
"Fufu. Thanks, Aizen-kun. Sohow I feel a lot more reassured now!"
Perhaps she vaguely understood the intent behind my poetic speech, because Ichinose suddenly smiled brightly.
We parted in the dorm lobby and returned to our respective rooms.
An hour later, a gentle doorbell rang through my room.
"Good evening, Sousuke-kun."
A soft, bell-like voice echoed through the intercom.
"—Welco. From the frozen silver world outside, co enter my throne room."
(Translation: Welco! It's freezing outside, right!?)
When I opened the door, Hiyori stood there bundled in a thick white coat, the tip of her nose slightly red from the cold. Several brand-new novels were cradled in her arms.
"Fufu. Excuse , Sousuke-kun. It's gotten a bit chilly outside, but it's wonderfully warm in here."
I invited Hiyori into the heated room, and together we shared a warm dinner.
After eating, we sat facing each other across the table as usual. I carefully poured hot Darjeeling tea into our cups, and a sweet, rich aroma filled the room alongside the rising steam.
"Thank you... it's so warm."
Hiyori wrapped both hands around her cup, smiling happily.
"The tests are over, and winter vacation is almost here. Do you have any plans for the break, Sousuke-kun?"
I placed my teacup down quietly.
"—No. I intend rely to imrse myself within this closed world, drifting through oceans of silence and printed words."
(Translation: Not really! I'm planning to stay in my room, read books, and relax!)
"Fufu, what a coincidence. I was planning to spend my break quietly reading in the dorm too. If you'd like... would you read together with during winter vacation?"
Hiyori looked at expectantly, glancing upward slightly.
"—Gladly. The faint sound of you turning pages is, to , the finest lody."
(Translation: Of course! I'd love to!!)
"I'm happy."
After smiling like a blooming flower, Hiyori nervously traced the rim of her cup with her finger before timidly looking up again.
"...Um, do you already have plans for Christmas?"
"—The noise of holy night festivities is nothing more than a aningless illusion to . I would rely sit upon this throne in silence, watching the stars flicker."
(Translation: Christmas plans? Nope! I was just gonna stay ho doing nothing by myself!)
The mont she heard that, Hiyori visibly relaxed and brightened.
"Then... would it be okay if I ca to visit your room on Christmas?"
Looking up at shyly with slightly flushed cheeks, she quietly asked.
(C-C-CUTE!! WHAT IS THAT DEVASTATING UPWARD GLANCE!? Is she an angel!? Well, obviously she is, but still!! She wants to spend Christmas in my room!?)
Inside, I was rolling around on the bed screaming in joy.
(Spending Christmas with my best friend... this is too perfect!! I was planning to spend another lonely Christmas by myself, and now this blessed event appears!? Alright—I'll prepare the greatest cake and tea imaginable and create the ultimate healing atmosphere!!)
Outwardly maintaining my cool smile, I nodded calmly.
"—If that is your wish, then let us share that special night together. I shall prepare tea leaves and sweets worthy of the holy evening."
(Translation: Of course!! Let's have a Christmas party together!! I'll definitely prepare cake and tea!!)
"Yes! I'm looking forward to it!"
Hiyori smiled brightly and lovingly stroked the cover of the new novel she had brought.
Outside, Nagumo's malice continued to swirl, and the footsteps of the harsh third-sester special exam steadily approached.
But inside this room, things were different.
The lingering warmth of a delicious al. The comfort of tea. The soft sound of Hiyori turning pages. Her silver hair glittered beautifully under the room's lights.
(Ahh... being with Hiyori really calms down... I can practically feel my soul being purified by negative ions... Winter vacation really is best spent peacefully hiding indoors like this.)
As I gazed at the quietly smiling face of my best friend across from , I completely forgot about the turbulent waves awaiting us ahead and imrsed myself fully in gentle happiness.
Sasuga aning is "As expected!" or "Just as I thought!"
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