Thanks to Shiho Manabe's words, Class 1-A fell into a brief period of self-doubt.
However, the Sakayanagi faction's stance remained intact.
To prevent similar mistakes in the future, any major decisions would now require unanimous approval from the entire class.
On the surface, this seemed like a restriction imposed on Katsuragi, but in reality, it would also create significant complications for Sakayanagi.
Even so, both Katsuragi Kouhei and Sakayanagi Arisu knew that the opinions of the majority hardly mattered.
If they didn't eliminate each other soon, the infighting within the class would only grow worse.
For now, the Katsuragi faction held the advantage, leaving Sakayanagi no choice but to bide her time.
At this thought, Kaoru exhaled softly.
Even if he forcibly suppressed Sakayanagi's plans today, she wouldn't give up so easily.
Because Sakayanagi Arisu would never submit willingly.
Even if her faction were dismantled, she would find other ways to replenish her strength, waiting for the perfect moment to launch another ambush.
The internal strife in Class A could only end in one of two ways: either Katsuragi and Kaoru relinquished control of the class and submitted to Sakayanagi's leadership, or they expelled her—forcing her to either drop out or transfer to another class.
No matter how you looked at it, Sakayanagi was a troublesome woman.
Kaoru walked along the tree-lined path under the dusk sky.
The sports festival had officially ended, and students from all grades could be seen trudging wearily toward the dormitories, some with smiles still lingering on their faces.
Under Class A's rule, the lower-ranked classes had rarely won a single round, so this victory was undoubtedly a cause for celebration.
But in some classes, the students' resentment was almost palpable—like vengeful spirits.
Anyone who saw the results, marked with a big fat zero, would surely feel miserable.
Spotting Sudou and his group up ahead, Kaoru took a detour down a quieter path.
Though it would take more time, it would help him avoid unnecessary trouble.
Normally, this route was only frequented by couples, and Kaoru rarely took it.
But right now, it didn't feel so bad.
"...Can you tell me the reason?"
Kaoru came to a halt as he spotted two figures seated on a bench ahead.
Shielded by the trees, they didn't seem to notice anyone passing by.
"Leaving summer vacation aside, why did you lose in today's sports festival?" One of the figures, likely a teacher, had her long hair tied into a high ponytail, her shapely figure concealed beneath office attire.
"With your abilities, even if you couldn't take first place, there's no way you'd end up dead last, right? Ayanokoji, don't you have anything to say for yourself?"
Though sitting on the same bench, the distance between them was noticeable—less like strangers and more like two people keeping their guard up.
Still, Kaoru was surprised to run into Ayanokoji Kiyotaka here.
"Class information was leaked. There wasn't much I could do about that, Chabashira-sensei."
So it was indeed Chabashira Sae, the homeroom teacher of Class D.
At the same time, Kaoru felt puzzled.
Why would a homeroom teacher meet a student in private?
Moreover, Chabashira's tone just now sounded more like an interrogation than a normal teacher-student conversation.
"Even if there was a traitor, I refuse to believe you were completely unaware. Even if it was Class A's doing, don't tell me you had no countermeasures at all?" Chabashira seemed agitated.
"Your class finally earned some points, only to lose 150 in the VIP exam and now another 200. Do you even care what happens to your class?"
"Chabashira-sensei, wasn't it you who forced me into action in the first place?" Ayanokoji's voice was calm, his expression unchanging.
"Are you provoking me? Don't forget—it's only because of my protection that you're still able to stay here. Otherwise, you'd be expelled immediately." Chabashira's tone dripped with threat, as if she sensed Ayanokoji's skepticism toward her.
Kaoru found himself reevaluating the teacher.
He had assumed she was just another deadbeat, but it turned out she was just as shameless as he was.
"Do you have any proof to back up your claims?"
"The proof is that I know everything about you. While other students and teachers are clueless, I know exactly what you've done."
"Do you know Mitoma?"
"Of course. His performance has been far more impressive than yours, Ayanokoji."
"Actually, I suspect he might be someone sent by my father."
"..."
"Surprised?" Ayanokoji paused. "The way he carries himself is different from you. He seemed fully aware of my abilities—he tested me on the deserted island, but when I didn't react, he backed off."
"What are you trying to say?" Chabashira felt an inexplicable irritation, even sneering.
"Are you admitting defeat because you think you can't measure up to him?"
"I don't admit defeat. But the fact remains—you understand me far less than he does." Ayanokoji's tone remained indifferent.
"Take Horikita, for example. Your first instinct was to use me. But I did warn you, didn't I? That one day, you'd regret exploiting me."
"Hmph. Ayanokoji, don't forget—if you're caught smoking, bullying, stealing, or cheating, expulsion is only natural. And as your homeroom teacher, I decide whether you've done those things or not."
"As a teacher, you resort to threatening a student. Are you really that fixated on Class A?"
"It's not my threat, but your father's wish."
"No, I know full well that a mere teacher wouldn't dare oppose my father."
A flicker of unease flashed in Chabashira Sae's eyes, but she quickly masked her emotions and replied coolly.
"I'm your homeroom teacher. No one knows better than me how to get you expelled."
"I see." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka silently produced an object.
"Now that i have recorded evidence. I told you—you'd regret this."
Chabashira Sae's expression stiffened.
Her gaze locked onto the device in his hand—undoubtedly, a highly professional recording tool.
"You… How do you have something like this?" Her voice finally lost its composure, replaced by disbelief.
She had assumed Ayanokoji wasn't carrying his phone today, eliminating any risk of recording.
"Found it in my room," Ayanokoji said. "If this recording gets out, whether I get expelled remains uncertain. But you, Chabashira-sensei, will definitely lose your position at ANHS—and your precious Class A."
Chabashira Sae averted her gaze subtly, though her tone retained a trace of defiance.
"Even if you force me out, someone else will take my place. Your father won't let you off the hook."
"Maybe. But right now, you're the one with no choice. If you want to climb to Class A, your only hope lies with me. And this year's Class D is probably the best you've ever had, which is why you're tempted." Ayanokoji's voice was eerily calm.
"In other words, you need me, but I don't need you. If I drop out now, Class D will only drift further from your dream."
Chabashira Sae fell silent.
Ayanokoji didn't expect a response.
He simply stated, "Given my father's methods, you wouldn't last long. Someone else must have helped me. Let's end this here today, Chabashira-sensei."
With that, Ayanokoji stood and left without another glance at her.
Watching his retreating figure, Kaoru felt the object in his hand looked oddly familiar—almost like the listening device he'd asked Kushida to plant in Ayanokoji's room.
In an instant, Kaoru's mood turned complicated.
If he recalled correctly, the device had likely run out of battery.
Ayanokoji had just bluffed Chabashira Sae.
Even so, he wouldn't ask for the bug back.
Honestly, Kaoru had initially hoped to gather some intel, but Ayanokoji did nothing noteworthy in his room—just occasional parties with Ike Kanji and the others.
Nothing more.
Perhaps Ayanokoji had discovered the device early, explaining the lack of useful information.
In the end, the bug had only worked for about half a month, and Kaoru hadn't bothered retrieving it.
Who knew Ayanokoji would use it today to fend off Chabashira's blackmail?
Then again, Chabashira herself was at fault—hence her panic at the prospect of exposure.
Kaoru fell into thought.
From their conversation, Ayanokoji's father seemed to be a formidable figure, one intent on forcing his son to leave school.
Recalling Sakayanagi Arisu's words, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was the ultimate masterpiece produced by a certain institution, which was originally meant to rival Advanced Nurturing High School—in other words, the product of factional struggles.
No doubt Ayanokoji's father was also a politician.
Kaoru decided to look into the matter later.
He turned his attention back to Chabashira Sae.
Likely due to the results of the sports festival, she seemed visibly shaken, her eyes dull and lips pressed tightly as she stared blankly at nothing in particular.
Her gaze was empty, simply fixed ahead.
Just as he was about to move, a figure suddenly brushed past him.
A strand of long hair swept across his vision, followed by a faint, pleasant fragrance.
"Asahina-senpai?"
At his voice, the girl ahead abruptly stopped and turned—indeed, it was Asahina Nazuna.
Kaoru's eyes brightened, but Asahina only glanced at him before silently turning away and quickening her pace.
"Wait, Asahina-senpai, the cafeteria isn't crowded right now. There's no need to rush."
Sure enough, Asahina soon halted.
"Mitoma-kun, do you know about our class's competition roster?" she asked without turning around.
Kaoru immediately understood.
After a brief hesitation, he replied, "Are you suspecting that I peeked at your class's information and relayed it to Kiriyama-senpai?"
"No. I know simply looking wouldn't have this effect. It's impossible for every event to coincidentally match us against opponents just slightly stronger than us."
After a long pause, she continued.
"Tell me… is there a traitor in our class?"
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