It was just as the rough organization of the first-year boys' small groups had been completed, and a brief sense of relief and exhaustion had begun to settle over the gymnasium.
Suddenly, a commotion arose near the entrance.
When everyone turned to look, they saw a group of second- and third-year students approaching in formation.
At the front walked two figures.
The first was the current student council president and the man who completely controlled the second years, Miyabi Nagumo.
The second was the forr student council president and a third-year who embodied the school's absolute discipline, Manabu Horikita.
Faced with the overwhelming charisma of the two leaders, the first-years naturally parted to make way, and a tense atmosphere spread throughout the gym.
"Yo, first-years. Looks like you've managed to settle your small groups."
Nagumo flashed a confident smile as he surveyed the entire first-year class.
"...For upperclassn to co all the way here themselves. What do you want, President Nagumo?"
Katsuragi, who had beco the representative of Class B, stepped forward warily.
"Oh, nothing much. Since the small groups are done, I just ca to suggest that we go ahead and form the large groups while we're at it."
"I thought the schedule said the large groups would be ford during tonight's free ti."
Katsuragi frowned. He was right; that was what the handbook said.
"That's the schedule, sure. But since the small groups got decided early, wouldn't it be easier to settle the large groups now too? I'd rather spend tonight relaxing. Horikita-senpai agrees, right?"
Nagumo turned toward Manabu.
"...I don't mind. It's sothing that must be decided sooner or later. If we can eliminate unnecessary delays, all the better."
Manabu nodded quietly, accepting the proposal.
Once the two leaders had agreed, the first-years had no grounds to object.
As a result, the six representatives of the small groups stepped forward.
From our A-Class-centered group, Kanzaki nervously took his place.
"Alright then. To keep things fair, how about the winners of rock-paper-scissors choose their preferred upper-classman group in order?"
At Nagumo's suggestion, the fateful ga began.
"Rock, paper, scissors—shoot!"
After several ties, Katsuragi claid first place.
Next ca Yukimura from Class D.
And then—
Our Kanzaki continued losing miserably until he ended up dead last.
"...!"
Staring bitterly at his right hand, Kanzaki bit his lip.
"First place, Katsuragi. Who are you choosing?"
"We choose Horikita-senpai's group."
Without hesitation, Katsuragi selected the safest and strongest option: Manabu's group.
"What about second place, Yukimura?"
"...We'll join President Nagumo's group."
After so thought, Yukimura chose to place himself under Nagumo's protection.
One by one, the higher-ranking representatives selected the most desirable groups.
As a result, Kanzaki's group was automatically left with the remaining option:
A large group centered around Second-Year Class D and Third-Year Class D students.
(I see. So we're paired with upper-classn from D Classes, who are generally weaker academically and overall.)
(Still, there's no reason to be pessimistic.)
I calmly analyzed the situation.
(Nagumo might secretly order the second-years to hold back, but that only works if they can sabotage things from a safe position. Under the rules of this special exam, performing too poorly drastically increases the risk of being chosen as the sacrificial expulsion target. No matter how much control Nagumo has, I doubt high school students would be willing to gamble away their entire school lives.)
(At minimum, they'll protect themselves. Any points they fail to earn can simply be compensated for by the overwhelming performance of us A-Class students. That's well within our capabilities.)
While I was making these calculations, Nagumo suddenly turned to Manabu.
"Horikita-senpai. Since we have this three-year joint training camp, how about a competition between us?"
"...A competition?"
Manabu's gaze sharpened.
"Yeah. My large group versus yours. Whichever group finishes with the higher ranking wins. Simple enough."
After a brief silence, Manabu replied.
"...If you promise not to drag other students into it, then I'll accept."
"Of course. Just a straightforward contest of strength between our groups."
Nagumo smiled with amusent.
And so, a direct showdown between their large groups was established.
Watching from afar, I quietly nodded to myself.
(Manabu-senpai accepted on the surface. But the warning I gave him back at the dormitory must have reached him. No matter what underhanded tricks Nagumo disguises as a 'fair contest,' Manabu is already on guard. He won't be caught off guard.)
As I was thinking this, the second- and third-year students assigned to our group approached Kanzaki and .
"Yo! Looking forward to working with you, first-years. I'm Gonda, the representative of Third-Year Class D."
Then he saw my face.
"...H-HIIIII!?"
His face turned pale as he stumbled backward.
"T-The devil...! You're that unreasonable devil who stord through our clubs and stripped us of all our private points!"
Gonda pointed at with a trembling finger.
Apparently, he had been one of the upper-classn I had used as a source of inco shortly after enrolling.
"W-What's wrong, Gonda-senpai?... Wait, you're Aizen, the vice president of the student council!"
The representative of Second-Year Class D, Soma, looked confused at first but brightened instantly upon recognizing .
"You were incredible at the sports festival too. The strongest first-year joining our group is a huge relief! If Aizen's here, we don't have to worry about finishing last!"
"Y-You can only say that because you don't know how terrifying he is! If you oppose him, who knows what he'll do...!"
The second-years viewed as a dependable powerhouse thanks to my student council activities and sports festival achievents.
The third-years, however, saw as the embodint of trauma.
(Wooooow... The second-years have insanely high expectations of , but the third-years are completely terrified.)
(I should reassure them as a junior. Sothing humble like "Let's all do our best together." Yeah, that's the right move.)
I straightened my posture and attempted a friendly smile.
However, what erged from the mouth of a man with an indomitable ego was anything but humble.
"There is no need to gaze toward the heavens. The strongest light stands ever before your eyes. Simply follow in my footsteps and strive not to fall behind my absolute march. Victory already rests within our grasp."
"OOOOOOOH!?"
The second-years froze for a mont before erupting into cheers.
"S-Such overwhelming presence!"
"Just like the rumors said!"
"Aizen! We'll follow your lead!"
"This camp is ours!"
anwhile, Gonda and the other third-years nearly burst into tears.
"W-We understand! We'll follow you! Just please spare our points!"
(AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!)
(I'm so sorry, senpais! Why do I sound so arrogant!?)
(And why are the second-years accepting it so enthusiastically while the third-years are even more terrified!?)
Internally, I perford a full-speed sliding dogeza.
Outwardly, however, all I could do was maintain my fearless smile and reply:
"...Good."
The remainder of the first day of the joint camp was spent on orientation, facility explanations, and briefings regarding the assignnts that would begin the next day.
The actual exams and classes would start tomorrow.
Today was mainly for moving into rooms and unpacking.
That evening, everyone gathered in the facility's enormous dining hall.
Dinner ti was the only opportunity for boys and girls to interact.
Carrying my tray, I imdiately spotted Hiyori and sat beside her.
Ichinose and Kanzaki soon took the seats across from us.
"Though the moon may hide itself and darkness deepen, as long as your radiance remains, I shall never lose my way. Have you been well, Hiyori?"
(Translation: Hiyori, good work today! It was a long day. Are you feeling okay?)
"Hehe. Yes, I'm fine. Good work to you too, Sosuke-kun."
Just seeing her smile instantly restored all my ntal energy.
anwhile, Kanzaki sat slumped over in gloom.
"...Sorry. Because my right hand was weak, we ended up grouped with D-Class upper classn. Instead of maximizing rewards, we've greatly increased our risk of being dragged down."
"It's not your fault, Kanzaki-kun! It was just luck!"
Ichinose hurriedly reassured him.
But Kanzaki remained depressed.
I quietly set down my chopsticks.
"Kanzaki. If you have ti to curse your right hand, use it instead to grasp the sword that overturns the board itself. Before a gathering of absolute individuals such as ourselves, any hand dealt is rely another stepping stone to victory. Worry not."
(Translation: Don't sweat it. With our class, we can cover for any upper classn and still win.)
Hiyori smiled gently.
"Souyosuke-kun is saying that our class is strong enough to compensate, so you don't need to worry. Let's work hard together."
"...Aizen. Shiina..."
Kanzaki finally looked up.
"You're right. If I stay discouraged, it'll affect everyone else too. I'll move forward."
"Now then, tell how the stars have aligned for each of you."
When I asked, Hiyori and Ichinose exchanged glances.
"I ended up with Hino-san, Shiranami-san, and Kobashi-san. The rest of the group is made up of three or four students from each class."
Then she added:
"Oh, and Sosuke-kun. I ended up in the sa large group as Tachibana-senpai. It seems her small group is centered around Third-Year Class B students."
My eyes narrowed internally.
Third-Year Class B... Just as I thought. Tachibana-senpai is the target.
Manabu-senpai has probably already prepared counterasures, but having Hiyori there makes feel even safer.
"What about you, Ichinose?"
"I'm the leader of my small group! It's mainly A-Class students. I gathered six athletic, capable girls like Tsube-san and Hatsukawa-san, then added two or three students from the other classes."
She paused before continuing.
"But overall, the girls' groups seem much more evenly distributed. There aren't any extre groups like the boys', where ten students from the sa class ended up together."
(An eight-day, seven-night camp...)
(Since the girls generally have less physical stamina than the boys, every class chose to spread out their students instead of concentrating them in one group. That minimizes the damage if a group finishes last.)
"A sturdy fortress indeed. I look forward to hearing your song of victory."
(Translation: Sounds solid. If you've gathered the athletic girls, you'll be fine. I'm rooting for you.)
"Yep! Leave it to ! We'll show everyone the strength of Class A!"
As we ate dinner, we encouraged one another and strengthened our resolve for the difficult trials ahead.
As we were parting afterward, I stopped Hiyori.
"Hiyori. The poisonous moths lurking in the darkness may tear off their own wings if it ans dragging their prey into the mire. Prepare to deliver absolute judgnt should the walls be breached. If there are those who cease advancing or sow discord, whisper their sins into the ears of heaven's ssengers."
Hiyori blinked once.
Then she smiled.
"You an, 'So second- and third-years might intentionally hold back to drag the large group into last place. So I want the first-years to keep watch. If anyone is obviously slacking off or sabotaging the group, report them to the teachers imdiately.'"
"...Exactly."
"And if we do finish last, that way Tachibana-senpai can't be falsely blad and selected as a sacrifice. We'll establish evidence beforehand."
(Perfect.)
(She understood everything instantly.)
(As expected of my archangel.)
"Yes. I'm counting on you."
"Of course! Leave it to , Sosuke-kun!"
Her face lit up with delight.
(With such a dependable archangel on the girls' side, things should be fine.)
---
9:00 PM.
In the first-year boys' dormitory.
Inside the large room assigned to our small group, rows of bunk beds lined the walls while students spent their free ti together.
Alongside our A-Class mbers were Yoshida from Class B, Tokito from Class C, and Ike from Class D.
Normally they would be rivals.
For this week, however, they were comrades sharing the sa roof.
"Nice to et you, Yoshida, Tokito, Ike. Things are going to get rough starting tomorrow, but let's do our best together!"
Shibata took the initiative in lightening the mood.
"Yeah! Different classes or not, now that we're grouped together, let's work together properly!"
Yoshida responded enthusiastically.
Ike scratched his head and laughed nervously.
"I-I'm terrible at studying, but I'll make sure not to drag everyone down."
Tokito clicked his tongue.
"...I'll cooperate too. If possible, I'd like first place and those private points."
Then he glanced toward .
I sat silently on a bed in the corner, arms folded and eyes closed.
"...Besides, if I drag things down, who knows what that guy might do."
(Nice. Thanks to Shibata and Yoshida's social skills, the group's bonding is going smoothly.)
(Tokito is weirdly terrified of , but as long as he listens, that's fine.)
(If I start talking too much, the room will turn into sothing like the Demon King's Audience Chamber. Better to stay quiet and watch.)
Outwardly, I radiated the pressure of a final boss.
Internally, however, I was smiling contentedly as I watched my classmates interact.
(Hiyori isn't here this ti, so I'm a little worried whether my true intentions will get across properly. But Kanzaki and Shibata will smooth things over.)
(I don't know what ridiculous challenges await us tomorrow.)
(All I can do is lead this group through overwhelming ability.)
(We'll take first place.)
(We'll earn a mountain of class points.)
(And we'll solidify Class A's position at the top.)
Without anyone noticing, I quietly burned with determination deep inside my heart.
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