After-school hours. At the shoe lockers in the school building, Yukio was changing shoes when Shiina and Ibuki—already in their outdoor shoes—waved to him.
"Well then, we'll head back first to prepare dinner~"
"Alright." Yukio smiled as he agreed. The two of them—or more specifically, Ibuki—seemed to have gotten a taste for it during Valentine's Day when she learned from Shiina how to make chocolate.
After discovering that Shiina had long been preparing dinner for Yukio, Ibuki also wanted to learn cooking, to prepare dinner for him as well. Shiina was happy to teach, and the two girls were gradually becoming cooking companions.
The one enjoying all the benefits was, of course, Yukio. Naturally, he couldn't refuse. After finishing with his shoes and getting ready to head to the club building, he sharply sensed someone approaching and turned his head.
Standing behind him was Horikita, black hair cascading like a waterfall, her face as cool as ever. When Yukio looked back, she showed no surprise, only silently handed him the contract agreement that had originally been given to Matsushita.
"The other copy has already been submitted for safekeeping by the school. This one's for you."
Yukio nodded, took it, and gave it a glance. He saw the names of all thirty-seven remaining students in Class D neatly signed—the very first signature belonged to Matsushita, delicate and elegant.
"Perfect. Let's go to the student council." After confirming, Yukio put it away and gestured for Horikita to follow. "I was worried you wouldn't make it in time. I had already planned to explain everything to you in the student council today."
"Explain it at the student council?" Horikita frowned slightly, regretting that she hadn't pressed Matsushita for more details. When Matsushita had promoted the contract in class and answered questions, she had mentioned going to the student council to ask Yukio.
But at the time, Horikita thought it was only because both she and Yukio were in the council, whereas Matsushita was not.
Now, hearing Yukio say "perfect" and "I was worried you wouldn't make it," it was clear that the method for clearing the exam wasn't meant for Class D alone.
Otherwise, why go to the student council? Any private spot would have sufficed.
"So then… Class Sakayanagi and Class Ichinose as well, they've all signed identical contracts?"
"Sharp." Yukio gave a casual word of praise, confirming her guess. The two of them walked side by side, leaving the school building and leisurely heading toward the student council.
All the while, Horikita's brows remained furrowed. To her, this wasn't good news. She had thought that at least Sakayanagi's and Ichinose's classes would each lose twenty million private points this exam.
That would've made it easier for Class D to catch up to the top two. But now? The gap was exactly as it had been before.
For Horikita, who was fixated on reaching Class A, this was a bitter setback.
"?" Yukio wanted to laugh. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Horikita's cold, frowning expression, and felt a strong urge to tease her.
Perhaps this was just human nature—when you have the power, seeing someone maintain such a frosty, aloof look makes you want to crack it apart.
When Horikita struck her high-and-mighty pose, he couldn't help but want to make her crumble.
"Such a boring question. Why help your Class D? It's the same reason I'm helping the other two classes."
"That's not the same thing at all." Horikita's voice was firm, her eyes focused, cold arrogance radiating as she laid out her reasoning. "You know as well as I do."
"Right now, your class has the advantage in class points. But there are still two years left. Both Sakayanagi's and Ichinose's classes have the potential to surpass you and reclaim the throne."
"From a purely profit-based perspective, it would be far more beneficial for you if they each lost a student to expulsion, or lost twenty million points in penalties, rather than saving them."
"Heh." Watching that frost-cold face, Yukio had the urge to poke at it. With a mischievous smile, he proposed a small wager. "Since you're so sure, want to bet on it?"
"If the reason I'm helping those two classes is the same as why I'm helping yours, then you'll owe me one favor."
"If, as you say, the reasons differ, then I'll owe you a favor. Simple rules, right?"
Horikita's gaze shifted instantly, turning slightly strange—as though she were already imagining what kind of demand Yukio might make, or what demand she herself should propose.
"Don't worry." Yukio kept his tone easy, guiding her to see the upside. "Neither side can demand anything that harms our class, or breaks school rules. Perfectly safe. How about it?"
"If you win, I might even teach you how to defeat Sakayanagi's and Ichinose's classes."
Horikita couldn't help it—her eyes brightened slightly. If it didn't harm the class or break rules, and she could gain insight on surpassing the other two classes… there was no reason to refuse.
Besides, there was no way she could lose. After all, it was Yukio himself who had taught her: always consider personal and collective interests first. And from that perspective, it made no sense for him to aid the two classes that could threaten him.
Helping Class D was one thing—too far behind to matter. But Sakayanagi's and Ichinose's classes were real contenders.
Logically, it didn't add up. She was confident in her analysis.
But Yukio was equally confident—so confident he had proposed this wager himself, as if he truly treated all three classes the same.
That gave Horikita pause. She wondered if she had missed some crucial piece of information. She racked her brain, but her logic was airtight. There was nothing missing.
Then she suspected Yukio himself. Was he bluffing, putting on an act of confidence to throw her off, and conceal the fact that she'd nailed the truth?
By striking such a pose, he made it impossible for her to push further.
In the end, it all came down to a choice: to accept or not. In other words, it was a gamble. Was Yukio acting—or not?
"…Fine. I'll accept!" Horikita's reply was resolute, her eyes shining with determination. Hmph! Viewing things through both personal and collective interests—wasn't that what he had taught her?
That principle had been tested through practice and had never steered her wrong.
So, she would bet on it. Yukio had to be acting.
Hmph, she wasn't that easy to fool. Yukio, you'll regret this—you'll regret ever teaching me so much during the sports festival.
At that thought, Horikita even let slip a faint smile. The corner of her lips curled almost imperceptibly, as though she had fulfilled a long-held vow.
From that day forward, she had resolved that one day, she would surpass Yukio—make him regret the guidance he gave her at the sports festival.
She hadn't fully surpassed him yet, but at least now, she could see through him.
Utter satisfaction.
...
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